Something even your kids will love - Build a Burger Night

Having trouble convincing the kids (or even yourself) to eat Paleo? Are you hearing "I don't like that" or "But I WANT Mac n Cheese"? Let's face it, sometimes it is hard to get the kids to eat, PERIOD! We can all understand the benefits to why our kids should eat healthy, just like us. But, in the end, that STILL isn't going to get the kids to eat their veggies.

Why not make eating fun and get the kids involved? Sometimes just doing something out of the ordinary helps them eat what you want them to eat. Here's a suggestion...why not plan a BUILD A BURGER NIGHT. Instead of taking them out to Red Robin or McDonald's (YUCK!) set up your very own burger joint in your own home. Get them involved in choosing Paleo ingredients. Here are some suggestions:

Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Green Peppers, Olives, Spinach, Jalapeno Peppers, Over Easy Eggs, Cucumbers, Avocados, salsa, Paleo BBQ sauce, and guacamole - BE CREATIVE! If they are old enough, get them involved in the preparations. Set out all the ingredients so each person can top their own burger. Go an extra mile by decorating and serving the burgers (without the bun) in paper serving trays. This helps to make it special.

Here is one of my favorite toppings: GUACAMOLE

• 1 Avocado, cubed (or mashed)


• 1 tomato, cubed


• 2 TBSP shallots, finely diced


• 2 TBSP rough chopped fresh cilantro (or more to taste)


• Juice of 1 fresh lime- more if needed for moisture


• Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper to taste


• to kick it up a notch - add cayenne or red pepper flakes

Mix all ingredients together. Serve on top of burgers, or as a side dip with cut veggies. This is great over top of blackened chicken or fish.

Build a burger and make some memories with your family. And best of all, your kids will love it!

A Clean Start

It's a New Year! It's a New Better You! Every January, we have a desire to start over and purge the old. It's a new year, a new beginning, and a fresh start. I guess that is why we clean our closets and make New Year's resolutions like getting in shape and eating right.

Are you starting the Better You Nutrition Team Challenge? Then, a great way to jump in is to clean out your fridge and pantry. Did I just say that? Yep...just do it! Clean the fridge and pantry of any NON Paleo approved foods/products. (for more information of the approved foods check out http://whole9life.com/) Remove all processed foods. It is daunting at first, but it is well worth it. Not only will you have a clean pantry/fridge, but you will learn what your temptations are, and what you have been putting into your body. As you are getting rid of foods, look at the labels and ingredients. Familiarize yourself with what is not healthy about them. This will encourage you and help you recognize poor food choices for the future. There is an added bonus too - it will get you off to a great start for the challenge! Bye, Bye old ways!

Don't forget, if you are purging your pantry, consider donating your food items to a local food pantry!

Get a great start to your day!

If you are like me, you like variety in the foods you eat everyday. Although the "incredible, edible egg" is great for those of us following a Paleo lifestyle - eggs, every day no matter how you cook them, can get old. Sometimes I long for comfort foods. Growing up, oatmeal was one of them. But, as we all know, it is grain based. Not only are grains a poor source of vitamins and minerals, they yield a high glycemic load. Plus, sometimes the only way to make oatmeal taste good was to load it up with brown sugar.

What if I told you that you could have hot "cereal" that is NOT grain based? Yep, try this recipe out:

BETTER THAN OATMEAL

• 1 - 2 apple(s) cored, and chopped. (Leave skin on)


• 1 cup chopped nuts (I use almond, but any Paleo approved nut would work)


• 1/2 cup to 1 cup water (depending on how thick or thin you want it)


• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Place all in a blender. Blend until the consistency of oatmeal. Place in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds or until hot. Sprinkle cinnamon on top and serve. Peaches or mangoes may be substituted for the apples. Yields: 3 servings. Serve with a protein to keep you fueled all morning.

On Sunday, I take about 1/2 hour to make up the amount of servings for the week. It keeps great in the fridge for 3-4 days. This is a great breakfast when you are short on time.

NOTE: please follow the suggestions from Whole Nine and Paleo guidelines for the amount of nuts consumed.

Under Construction

Hey CrossFit West Houston, our nutritional blog is under construction to serve you better. With the Better You Nutritional Team Challenge starting this week, we wanted that to coincide with our new and improved blog.

Each week, we will post two recipes, a few tips, and product information to help jump start you into a "better you" and to help you stay that way! Check back this week to see what we have in store.