What a great and classic comfort food!! The only thing is comfort food is usually not good for you at all.  Well this recipe dispels the myth! Eat it up ladies and gentlemen, this is one of the best stand alone health foods in the world!

This chili is great to cook in the slow cooker overnight at low or great when only cooked for about 30 minutes!

1 lb lean free range ground turkey OR Tofu for the vegetarians

1 (12oz) can organic kidney beans, drained

1 (12oz) can organic black beans, drained

1 (12oz) can organic chili beans, drained

1 (28 oz) can organic whole tomatoes, drained

1 (28 oz) can organic diced tomatoes, partially drained

1 to 2 onions, sliced

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 organic green pepper, sliced

1 tablespoon cumin

2 tablespoon chili powder

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika

Black pepper to taste

Sauté ground turkey with additional garlic powder, paprika, and chili powder.  When the meat has browned, add in the onions and garlic.  Cook until onions are clear.  Set aside.

In a slow cooker or large pot, combine remaining ingredients.  Add in meat/onions/garlic.  Mix all of the ingredients together.  Let chili cook to a boil, then bring the temperature down to simmer.  Allow to simmer for about 30 minutes.

This recipe is great to eat with brown rice if you need an extra carb in the middle of the day!

From Medscape Medical News

High Fructose Intake Correlated With High Blood Pressure

Norra MacReady

November 4, 2009 (San Diego, California) — High fructose consumption is independently associated with high blood pressure, according to findings presented here at Renal Week 2009: American Society of Nephrology 2009 Annual Meeting.

An analysis of data from more than 4500 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed that consuming 74 grams or more of fructose per day — equivalent to about 2.5 12-ounce cans of sugary soda — correlated significantly with blood pressure of at least 135/85 mm Hg; the relation grew stronger as blood pressure rose. The survey participants had no history of hypertension.

Fructose consumption, in the form of added sugar, has been rising in Western nations since the 1900s, and parallels the growing prevalence of hypertension, said lead investigator Diana I. Jalal, MD, assistant professor of renal medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Aurora.

To examine the relation between the 2, she and her colleagues used the NHANES data to evaluate median fructose intake from food high in added sugar, including bakery products, dairy desserts, chocolate and other candy, dried fruits, honeys, jams, jellies, syrups, and sugar-sweetened soft drinks. Soft drinks alone account for 33% to 40% of fructose consumption in the United States, Dr. Jalal noted.

Fresh fruits were excluded from the analysis because they contain ascorbate, antioxidants, and potassium, which counteract the effect of fructose, Dr. Jalal said during her presentation. Using responses on self-administered dietary questionnaires, the investigators calculated median fructose intake of the participants to be 74 g/day. They then studied the relation between fructose consumption and blood pressure, adjusting for demographics, physical activity, other dietary factors, cardiovascular risk factors, and findings on laboratory tests. Data from 4528 adults were included in the analysis.

Daily fructose consumption of 74 g or more was independently associated with a 28% increased risk for blood pressure of 135/85 mm Hg or higher, a 36% increased risk for blood pressure of140/90 mm Hg or higher, and an 87% increased risk for blood pressure of 160/100 mm Hg or higher.

The relation was seen only between systolic blood pressure and fructose intake, Dr. Jalal said. There was no correlation between fructose consumption and diastolic blood pressure.

"In subjects with no history of hypertension, there is an independent and significant graded association between high fructose intake and systolic blood pressure levels," she concluded. The mechanism underlying the relation is unclear.

Among other variables, black ethnicity and waist circumference were significantly associated with higher levels of fructose intake, independent of calorie or carbohydrate consumption. Inverse correlations were seen for sodium and alcohol consumption and fructose. "It seems that people either like their alcohol or they like their sugar, and they like their salt or they like their sugar," Dr. Jalal told Medscape Nephrology.

This study shows that "we must pay more attention to the nutritional needs of our patients," said Talal Ikizler, MD, associate professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University, and medical director of the Vanderbilt University Outpatient Dialysis Unit in Nashville, Tennessee.

Nephrologists rarely catch patients at the early stages of renal disease, when risk factor modification might still be possible, explained Dr. Ikizler, who was not involved in this research. However, internists and other primary care physicians do have these opportunities. Whenever possible, patients should be "warned of the consequences of their dietary choices early on."

Dr. Jalal and Dr. Ikizler have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Renal Week 2009: American Society of Nephrology (ASN) 2009 Annual Meeting: Abstract TH-FC037. Presented October 29, 2009.

From all of us here at PVS FIT we want to wish you and yours a very…..

Stay Healthy!!

The holidays are here!!  This means a lot of fun, friends family…..and food! That doesn’t have to be a bad thing!  With this quick and easy recipe you can add a dash of health to your family’s list of gifts.

This will be an instant favorite, and with any luck, a staple at every family gathering!

It’s so easy, and so healthy, you can let everyone think that you slaved over it, and that they’re being “bad”.

2 cups Fresh organic Broccoli, cut or torn into small florets

6 strips of crispy turkey bacon

1-2 fresh organic red peppers

fresh ground black pepper

A few multicolored whole pepper corns

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup whole flax seeds

1/4 cup sesame seeds

Mrs. Dash Marinade or dressing (there’s a wide variety. Choose your Fav)

Lightly steam the broccoli.  Also over cook the turkey bacon a bit so it is nice and crispy. As that is cooking cut your pepper into slices or cubes, your preference. Combine all ingredients into a large bowl except the sesame and flax seeds. Don’t forget to crumble up the bacon! Once it is all mixed sprinkle the sesame and flax seeds on the top. VIOLA and ENJOY!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

There are some cool things coming up!

You can catch Paul (and probably RJ) from PVS FIT at St Thomas Grade School today:

We were luck enough to be invited by the girl scout troupe leader to host a gym day for their Daisy Scouts. This is going to be a TON of fun.  We have a lot of great stuff planned for those rascals ranging from tumbling and gymnastics basics, all the way to movement science fundamentals. These little girls are going to be learning without even knowing it!! shhhhh  Don’t tell them though, it’ll ruin it!!!

You can also see Paul tomorrow at Tetra Tech in Ann Arbor on Avis St.:

I am doing a lunch and learn seminar for all the employees at that location and at satellite locations. So if you are the lucky few who work at the company or it’s affiliates, come on down for some free value packed info!! There will be a short seminar, some valuable things to take home and an open Q&A after. One of my clients will be there and has graciously agreed to cook a healthy snack for everyone. My beautiful wife will also be there and she’ll be filming the whole thing.  Hopefully we can add some clips to site sooner than later! If you are attending there will also be an opportunity to join the PVS FIT team of successful clients.  I have put together some VERY special offers that are special just for the attendants of this seminar. They will only be offered once and are for a limited time. This is a great opportunity to push into the right direction.   

If you are interested in having PVS FIT come to your place of business or event Please, don’t hesitate to call us and book a time!  the number is 1-877-445-4175

we are standing by for your call!!

There are so many great benefits to ballistic training. For example it has been proven time and time again that women can build up to 25% more bone mass by simply doing one set of jump squats in the morning and one at night, in comparison to no activity. Not only are jumping and other plyo-metric style exercises effective resistance work, but they are also efficient in getting your heart rate up and burning TONS of calories.

All that being said there are some serious things to consider before you decide to attempt a work out such as this one.

You have to be healthy enough to try these moves. Having a little professional supervision also doesn’t hurt. Don’t end up like Plain Jane over here and go for it anyway. If you have any questions consult your health professional or physician before you try this workout.

Ballistic exercises require a lot of concentration. It is very important keep your movements as smooth as possible, flowing directly into the next movement.  This creates quick succession and ease on the joints. That being said there is no need to rush things. If you rush to much you will end up getting ahead of yourself, loosing concentration and using a matching set of Jane’s crutches. If you’ve never done anything like this before, take it slow, and then work your way up to the desired speed. If this is your first time, you’ll still a great workout! Remember, intensity is all relative and individual. Only compare yourself to yourself!

Ok…let’s get to the meat of it!!!

Equipment needed:

weightbench, or chair with no arms

2 – 5lb weights (any kind will do as long as you can hold them in one hand)

2 – 15 lbs for advanced

Work out description:

25 jumping db front squats

20 (each leg) weighted single leg step up poppers on the bench

30 total body weight split squats

30 body weight slalom hops

20 weighted jump ups (to the second stair in your house, or your weight bench)

25 weighted tuck jumps

Remember it is very important to concentrate on the landing and have soft knees. Your legs and spine are like shock absorbers with your muscles doing the work. Let them work. PLEASE don’t land straight legged and jar your body all to pieces, and again, if you are unsure of the health of your joints DO NOT attempt this workout with out professional supervision or your physician’s clearance. Now, if it’s a little apprehension simply because you are unsure of your current fitness level, that is when you need to dig in and do it anyway . There is no other way to reach great results other than to stay outside your comfort zone. you have to push it!

Now let’s JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!

Pumpkin Bars!!

• 2 omega-3 eggs (or 1 whole egg + 1/3 cup egg whites, or can use all egg whites)
  1 1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons molasses
  1 tablespoon vanilla
  3 scoops Vanilla Whey Protein Powder
• 1/3 cup Milled Flaxseed
• 2-3 tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon (approximately) of each:
  • Ground Nutmeg
  • Ground Ginger
  • Clove
  • Pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
• 1 teaspoon Wheat Germ, Oatmeal or Bran – your choice
• 2 (15 oz.) cans pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
• 1 cup Organic Walnuts, toasted
• Sprinkle some Cinnamon on top to taste

Directions:

1. Spray 9 x 9 baking pan with canola oil.

2. Using a 14 cup food processor, blend eggs until creamy.

3. Add cottage cheese, molasses and vanilla to eggs. Blend until thick and creamy (approximately 1 minute).

4. Add one can of pumpkin at a time to the mixture, blending in between.

5. Add remaining ingredients, except nuts, and blend until mixed.

6. Mix in nuts until blended.

7. Taste the batter to check sweetness. Add some stevia or more spices according to your liking.

8. Pour into the sprayed pan and sprinkle cinnamon on the top before baking.

9. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Rotate the pan at 50 minutes to ensure even browning.

10. When the bars are cool, cover with plastic wrap or foil. Cracks will appear on the top and will flatten when the bars cool. Note: Bars must sit overnight for the flavors to meld. They will not taste good right out of the oven.

Makes about 16 bars. Serving size 1 bar.

You’ll never have to tell the family that they are actually getting something healthy as a dessert this year!!