Delicious Stuffed Bell Peppers

These are so yummy even my teenagers like them! They're one of those dishes that is different every time I make it but what IS constant with them is that they're low in calories, packed with protein, vitamin C, phytochemicals, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. You can change ingredients and amounts to your liking but here's what I do:

• 4 Bell peppers (I prefer red, orange, and yellow)
• 1lb ground turkey
• 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa and wild rice
• Chopped onion
• Chopped mushrooms
• Chopped garlic
• 1/2 cup grated cheese 
• And season to taste (I use garlic salt, lemon pepper, and thyme)

Cook and season quinoa and wild rice like you normally would. Sauté onion and garlic. Add mushrooms and any other veggies you choose. Add ground turkey. Season. Once thoroughly cooked add in quinoa/rice mixture. Cut tops off bell peppers and core. Add pinch of sea salt inside. Then small amount of cheese. Add meat mixture and top with cheese. Put in dish filled about 1/4 with water. Place baking dish in 400 degree oven for 30-40minutes. Voila!

Serve with side salad or even garlic bread. Enjoy!!

XO Joy

Foods that naturally burn fat. I promise!

Many people take "fat burner" supplements to aid in weight loss.  I am a firm believer in doing things as natural as possible, besides the fact that "fat burners" work directly on your CNS and can be dangerous for some (especially those with heart issues). But did you know there are foods that have been shown to have a higher thermogenic effect (higher amount of energy needed to metabolize certain foods)and have the same effect as those "fat burners"?  But it's natural and safe!  Here's a short list below:

EAT WHOLE FOODS--> your body burns twice as many calories breaking down whole foods than processed foods

  SPICY PEPPERS-->it's the capsaicin in pepper's that rev up your metabolism and heart rate.  If you eat a really spicy meal, your metabolism can increase up to 25% for the following 2-3 hours!

FIBER--> fiber fills you up and absorbs 'gunk' sitting in your digestive tract like sugar, fats, and carbohydrates

  LEAN PROTEIN-->your body burns roughly 30% of the sources calories just breaking it down and digesting it!  That means if you eat a 300 calorie serving of chicken, you burn 90 of those calories just by breaking it down into digestible parts.  Score!

 Green Tea-->EGCG in green tea is a natural stimulant, it boosts your metabolism and encourages stored fat to be released.  Daily amount is roughly 3 cups a day.  

 FISH-->omega-3 in some fish (salmon, tuna, sardines) is said to affect leptin levels (a hormone that influences satiety and metabolism).

As a side note, some studies have shown a link between a deficiency in calcium and fat storage (it has to do with the release of a hormone, (calcitriol).  The important part to remember is that adequate calcium intake may help with weight loss by helping you burn fat more efficiently.

I believe nutrition is the cornerstone to health and I love finding new ways to help us reach our goals.  Have a question?  Ask it here! Not sure on what foods to eat now that you have this information?  Let me know.  I can post some delicious recipes and shopping lists to make your life easier ;)

XO  Joy