Metabolism Boosting! - Spike Chalupas

I've created a much healthier version of one of my all-time favorite fast foods, a Chalupa! Chalupa's are fried tacos that are delicious but extremely high in "bad calories". Using two of my Spike Life grocery staples, Joesph's Pitas and coconut oil, I've been able to satisfy my need to run for the border while making it a very healthy and metabolism boosting meal. The "Spike Chalupa" shell is great with low-fat taco meat, grilled chicken, and as a fried deli sandwich.

The Spike Life Chalupa

Ingredients:

• 2 Joesph's Flax Pitas
• 1 Tbsp expelled pressed coconut oil
• 4 oz of pre-grilled southwestern style chicken strips
• 1 Reduced fat cheese stick

Directions:

• Cook chicken as per the directions on box
• Rip the cheese stick into two halves
• Place each cheese stick on top of the two pitas
• Warm pitas and cheese sticks in microwave for 25 seconds
• Add coconut oil to frying pan on medium heat
• Put chicken in each pita and fold in half
• (you can add your own extras like; lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, salsa, etc. Remember to count the calories)
• When coconut oil is hot (about 2-3 minutes) add the pitas on the pan and fry
• Make sure to move the pitas in the oil to coat the each side
• Fry each side about 2 minutes.
• It's best to fry slow to get them golden brown, check each side as they fry
• When done allow them to cool for a few minutes as they can be very hot
• Enjoy

Nutrition Info:

(Per Chalupa - Recipe makes 2)

• 220 calories
•  11 grams of fat (about 6-7 grams of MCT's)
•  18 grams of carbohydrates
•    8 grams of fiber
•  22 grams of protein

Metabolism Boosting!

• Medium-Chain-Triglycerides - about 2/3 of the fat grams are in the form of MCT's. These fats cannot be stored as body-fat and can actually increase metabolism.
• High protein meal boosts metabolism through it's thermic effect (TEF)
• High fiber also boosts metabolism and makes us feel fuller longer.

The Ingredients that make this possible

*expeller pressing coconut oil removes the majority of the flavor and smell making it a very versatile cooking oil.

Spike Life is set for Fall 2012 release!

Dining Out and Losing Weight

Dining Out the Healthy Way

I very rarely eat at restaurants on non-Spike Day's but when I do I am able to find healthier and lower calorie options.

Remember the most important factor for weight loss is calories, this means you can have higher carb or fat meal and lose weight as long as you are within your calorie range for the day. This is why planning is so important. You can factor in a larger calorie dinner but eating fewer calories for your other meals. 

When dining out I typically go to a restaurants website and look at their menu and nutrition information before I arrive. That way I am able to plan ahead a healthy choice instead of making an impulsive and potentially less healthy choice. When I find myself at a restaurant without prior planning I look to see if they have a healthier options menu and choose from there. If I can not find any good options I order off the menu. This may be uncomfortable for some people but know that many people do this and it’s not an unusual request.  Most of the time the best choices are to order grilled chicken without any butter or sauce and steamed vegetables. Many grill style restaurants have these as options already.

 Best Menu Choices

• Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Fish
• Top Sirloin Steak – (“choice”& “select” instead of “prime” cuts)
• Bison Burger
• Turkey Burger
• Salad (Dressing – low-fat Italian, raspberry vinaigrette, low-fat ranch)

Best “Side” Choices

• Steamed Vegetables
• Fresh Fruit
• Baked Potato

Best Fast Food Choices

• Grilled Chicken Sandwich (without sauce or mayo)
• Fruit
• Yogurt
• Salad (Dressing – low-fat Italian, raspberry vinaigrette, low-fat ranch)
• Sub Sandwich (lean deli meat) 

My Favorite Healthy Meal for Dining Out

T.G.I Friday's Jack Daniel's Grilled Chicken
with Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Veggies.

Healthy and Delicious! 

500 Calories

10 Grams of Fat

50 Carbohydrates

52 Grams of Protein

My Favorite Fast Food Meal

Wendy's Ultimate Chicken Grill & Hardee's Turkey Burger 

Wendy's Ultimate Chicken Grill with Sauce

390 Calories

10 Grams of Fat

43 Grams of Carbohydrates

 3 Grams of Fiber

34 Grams of Protein

Hardee's Turkey Burger

460 Calories

17 Grams of Fat

47 Grams of Carbohydrates

 4 Grams of Fiber

31 Grams of Protein