STUFFED PEPPERS

Just a quick recipe: STUFFED PEPPERS!

INGREDIENTS

• Lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey. Cooked on stove with choice of seasonings (I like fennel with turkey, rosemary with chicken, and sea salt and pepper with beef) and 1 tbs on Extra Virgin Olive oil. (aprox 3-4 oz goes in each pepper)


• Brown rice, cooked. (I pack about 1/4- 1/3 c cooked into each pepper)


• Low sodium tomato paste.


• Bell Peppers. Steam in boiling water for 7-10 min to soften


• Skim Mozzarella or Fat Free Feta.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Combine meat, rice, and tomato paste in large bowl, then scoop into peppers.


• Top with cheese if desired.


• Bake at 350 for an hour.


• Serve with your choice of steamed veggies- I prefer brocolli!

ENJOY!

Emotions

Have you ever wanted something so bad it hurts? Do you have a goal that consumes pretty much every waking (and sometimes sleeping) moments? Well, then this may apply to you. Having a goal, a dream, is a wonderful thing, but can sometimes bring along its evil twin: jealousy. Sometimes in our journeys it can seem as if we're overlooked or passed by for opportunities while others rise above and achieve right before our eyes. This should truly only drive us more and make us work harder, but at a moment of weakness the green eyes of envy are surely to come out. Unfortunately his cousins self pity, self doubt, and negativity also come to join the party.

So how to control these emotions? First, recognize them. Talk to someone you trust or write in a journal: release your feelings. Don't hold onto anything negative, it will just bring you down. Realize often the jealousy you're feeling has NOTHING to do with the actual person you're feeling jealousy towards, it has to do with what you have not yet achieved...which leads to my next point. Focus on YOU, and getting yourself to where you want to be. Ask yourself: have I been working hard, focusing? Is there anything else I can do? Make a list, make a goal board, do what you need to do (without stepping on anyone else to get there- be classy!) Remember this is your journey. Work hard, stay focused, and be grateful for every opportunity that comes your way.

Taking CONTROL!

So I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday. You know when you convince yourself of things that just simply are not true? Well, I've been doing that lately with my diet. As you know I am a Bikini competitor and eat clean year round. Well, lately I've been convincing myself that having a Zone bar once in a while is ok, then that once in a while turned into once a week, then ultimately about 3 a week!! Sneaky little habit that had to be stopped!

Well yesterday I stopped at the store to get gas, fully knowing that my favorite flavor of Zone Bar was carried at this gas station (Fudge Graham). I had to test myself- I walked over and instead of picking up the bar and paying for it I flipped it over to read the back side (which I've done a trillion times before). But this time, instead of justifying my 'cheat' meal I looked at the bar for what it was: a load of sugary crap. No wonder why my stomach was full of knots every time after I ate one! Yes, it has high protein and fairly low calories (my reasonings for eating it before) but it also contained ingredients that I would NEVER even allow in my house, EVER! Like marshmallows, SUGAR, milk chocolate, and things I couldn't even pronounce!! That right there was enough for me- I put the bar down feeling proud. Small battle won for me.

It seemed so silly. I pack all my meals, and know in my head what is good and what is clearly not, yet somehow I had convinced myself that this "tiny little Zone bar" is ok...clearly it was NOT. I'm telling you its a slippery slope, letting things slide. Be in control of your life!

Fitness Amateur of the week!

Good Morning everyone! I just want to share with you my article at Bodybuilding.com! I was selected as Fitness Amateur of the Week! (So excited!!! Which I'm sure you can tell by my overuse of exclamation points every chance I get lol) I can already feel this is going to be a good year! So many goals to achieve, and soo ready!

Enjoy the article and keep working towards your goals!

http://www.bodybuilders.com/elspeth-dana.html?mcid=face

Goal Setting

Ahh a NEW YEAR! There's something about the beginning of a new year that allows us to have a fresh start. A year to tackle new goals, conquer our old obstacles, and a chance to wipe our slate clean of any dirt from the past. Yes, we all have goals year round, but New Year goal setting takes the cake. A whole new year to achieve, grow, and learn. I'm excited, are you??!!

So in case you haven't guessed, today's blog is about goal setting. Because, what is a more perfect topic to start the New Year? :) I love goal setting because it gives me a deadline. I personally, NEED deadlines. I tend to take on multiple tasks and projects, and before I know it, I'm overwhelmed and out of time. By giving myself a deadline, I can better (well attempt to better) planning my time. Next, I like to write my goals on paper: writing it down makes it permanent, and I can look at it everyday to remind me (just in case I forget :P) I also like to make a visionary board filled with inspirational quotes and pictures to keep me motivated and excited when times are tough or stressful.

I'd also like to share with you all 3 tips I have towards staying on track with whatever your goals may be.

1. Always, always have faith in yourself. You can achieve so much more than what you think you can!
2. Be accountable for yourself and your actions. Don't make excuses for what you did or did not do, just DO IT!
3. Time management. Schedule it in, write it down, whatever you need to do to keep yourself on schedule.

Good luck with your goals! And Happy 2011 New Year!

BODYSPACE SPOKESMODEL SEARCH

As you all know I am a bit of a fitness fanatic, and am trying really hard to transition careers into the fitness industry. I've been doing my best with studying and attempting to network via the internet (which as you know is NOT my territory of expertise lol) but I'm asking for your help on this one. Bodybuiling.com is having a Spokesmodel Search and the winner lands the cover of Iron Man Magazine AND will represent Bodybuilding.com and the Bodyspace community by working the Bodybuilding.com booth at the 2011 Arnold and 2011 Olympia Expos!!! (aka a DREAM COME TRUE for me!) I know, I know another contest, but it would mean alot if you would take the time and vote once a day for the month of November.

Thankyou for your time and support!

Just go to www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2011-bodyspace-spokesmodel-search.htm
Then select, VOTE
Go to WOMEN
And my profile is: ElspethKPolt

Healthy Cranberry Sauce!

With Thanksgiving and the Holiday season approaching you may be fearing for your waistlines, but have no fear!

Here is one tasty recipe that I found in Tosca Reno's cookbook and gave my own little twist to it. It will satisfy your sweet tooth and not break your diet! You only need a few ingredients and about 10 min prep time! (Is that easy or what??!)

• 1 12oz bag of cranberries, fresh
• Juice of 2 oranges or 1/3 c orangic OJ
• 1 Green Apple, chopped
• 1/2 c Sugar Free Maple Syrup OR 1/2 c Honey
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• Pinch of cinnamon

All you do is pour all ingredients in a glass bowl, mix, and bake for 30-40 min at 350! Enjoy warm! Great as a dessert or as a replacement for sugary canned cranberry sauce!