Author Archives: Chef Kirsten
Heart Disease – What Are Your Risk Factors?
“Having just one risk factor doubles your risk for heart disease. Having two risk factors increases your risk for heart disease fourfold. Having three or more risk factors increases your risk for heart disease more than tenfold.” I’m doing the research for tonight’s BetterU 12-week health challenge, we’re in week 10 and family history [...]
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On diabetes…How I beat diabetes and more from Week 9 of the American Heart Association BetterU 12-Week Health Challenge
At the ripe old age of 24, I was diagnosed as pre diabetic. At that time I was not only 100 pounds overweight, I also had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and was living the lifestyle that was at the time, my family legacy. Eating whatever we wanted, as much as we wanted, [...]
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How I make my healthified deviled eggs
This is what I’m having today (and many days) for my perfect post-run snack when lunch or dinner is a few hours away. Healthified Deviled Eggs: 2 hardboiled eggs, scoop the yolks out, use 1 yolk for 2 eggs. (If you’re a smaller frame or watching calories a bit more, otherwise go for both yolks) [...]
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Wrap n’ roll your sandwich, cut the bread out!
Complex carbohydrates have their place in a healthy diet but many people are getting more than their daily recommended servings of carbohydrates. Or perhaps they are trying to limit their carbohydrate sources to starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, fruit like bananas, perhaps a serving of high-protein quinoa and cutting out extra carbohydrates such as [...]
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Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Polenta Lasagna Recipe – Healthy, Unprocessed, Gluten Free
Creamy, rich, warm, soul-soothing casseroles are what I love, I will pass on sugary candy or chocolate in favor of a slice of a beautiful lasagna or enchilada any day. I don’t eat meat or dairy every day, but when I do I want it to be as amazingly delicious as it is still healthy [...]
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American Heart Association BetterU Week 8 Update
I have the pleasure of facilitating the live presentation of the American Heart Association BetterU 12-week health makeover here locally in the Seattle area. You can follow along too! I am updated the blog every week so anyone can take the health challenge themselves and get healthier every week, learning valuable tools and information to [...]
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Check out my guest post for the Full Circle Good Food Blog – 6 Power Foods for Physical Fitness!
A delicious and easy recipe for chicken and pepper pasta with kale, tips on how to refuel NATURALLY without sugar or artificially-sweetened “power” drinks, plus what to eat and when if you’re training for a marathon, bike race or if you’re just a weekend warrior. Get it all on my newest guest blog post for [...]
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Cardio taking up all of your week? How to get the same heart-healthy benefits in three 30-minute workouts per week!
Check out the findings of a study published in the Journal of Physiology showing how you can get the same heart-healthy benefits of five 60-minute workouts in just three 30-minute workouts per week! The key is the intervals, give it a shot! What are you going to do with all of your extra free [...]
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What’s on the menu next week? For members of Menus by Mesa de Vida these amazing meals!
What’s on the menu next week for Menus by Mesa de Vida members? These amazing meals that take the guess work out of healthy menu planning, make you look like a kitchen rock star, enjoy more time and money to enjoy with your family and oh yes, they will bring more life to your family [...]
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How to make vegetables taste delicious and even more nutritious!
Bored with steamed vegetables? This is SURE to bring more life to your table and hopefully more life around the table! Bump up the delicious and jazz up your next vegetable side by sauteing your veggies instead! Still quick, still healthy – in fact even healthier than boiling because all of the nutrients don’t [...]
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