Healthy Body Healthy Life: HBHL

Healthy Body Healthy Lifers,

Happy Spring Break! Since the majority of the instructors are out of town this week, and many of you are too, there will not be any classes this week. Again, HBHL - AL all classes are cancelled this week. We will resume our regular schedule (and add a weekend yoga class in Deer Creek!) starting next week.

CLICK HERE for local HBHL - AL information

I wanted to share the good news.... HBHL is on page 64 of the April issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. Check it out! The online version will be available in two weeks, I'll send out the link shortly. I am so thankful for all of the positive publicity we have gotten over the last few months. Thanks to each and everyone of you for your continued support of the program. We hope to continue expanding the program!

Powerbodyz - This week's Powerbodyz workout is posted. Check it out:

CLICK HERE for this week's Powerbodyz Workout

Nutrition Lesson: Deciphering Fruit/Veggie Stickers

Thanks to HBHL'er Maura for her suggestion for this post!

What do those little stickers on your fruits and vegetables really mean? Basically that sticker has a PLU code, or the Price Look Up code. The 4 or 5 digit number that is on the little stickers that you always have to peel off before eating a piece of fruit or veggie, actually designate whether it is organic, genetically modified or grown by traditional (or conventional) means. As a reminder, traditionally grown fruits/veggies are most likely treated with pesticides. If the 4 digit code starts with either a 3 or 4, then it is traditionally grown; if it is 5 digit code that starts with 9 then it is organic; and if it is a 5 digit that starts with 8 then it is a genetically modified. This can save you money, because you'll know for sure whether a store is labeling their organic produce correctly, and you can be more sure of exactly where the food you are eating came from. Just like you'd read the labels on your packaged foods, make sure you are reading the sticker labels on your fruits/veggies!

Here are a few links if you'd like to read more about it:

Codes on Fruits and Veggies

Recipe: Roasted Veggie Stacked Enchiladas

This recipe is adapted from: http://www.perrysplate.com/2011/03/stacked-roasted-vegetable-enchiladas.html

2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1 inch strips

2 poblano peppers, seeded and cut into 1 inch strips

1 cup fresh or frozen yellow corn

1/2 head of cauliflower, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (OR I used 1 bag frozen cauliflower, thawed)

1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1 onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1-2 cups fresh spinach

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

Grape seed or coconut oil, enough to coat veggies for roasting

1 T cumin

6-9 corn tortillas, torn into pieces

1-2 cups shredded cheese, mexican blend, cheddar, monterrey jack or pepper jack

salsa, sour cream, cilantro, green onions--garnish with what you like

Preheat the oven to 425. Lightly oil 2 large shallow roasting pans.

Place poblanos, red bell peppers, cauliflower, sweet potato, onion, and corn kernels onto pans. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle the cumin and minced garlic over top. Add a generous pinch or two of salt and black pepper, then use your hands to mix everything together. After everything is coated well, spread the vegetables evenly in the pan. Roast for 30-40 minutes until vegetables are tender and begin to brown in spots. Stir or shake the pans every 10 minutes for even roasting. Remove pan from oven and reduce oven temperature to 350.

Prepare an 13x9x2-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. In a small bowl, stir the cilantro into the salsa. Spread 1/4 cup of salsa into the bottom of the baking pan. Add a layer of tortilla pieces, to completely cover the salsa. Sprinkle half the black beans on top.Top with 1/3 of the vegetables, a handful of spinach, and 1/3 of the cheese. Make a second layer of tortilla, salsa, beans, vegetables, spinach, and cheese. Top with with a layer of tortillas, salsa, vegetables, and cheese. Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and everything is heated through.

Weekly challenge: Spring break in and of itself is a challenge! Remember the moderation rule and make sure you get your exercise - walking on the beach, playing in the surf or trekking around the Magic Kingdom :)

Facebook question: What is your favorite way to use kale?