[ CHALLENGE 11 ] AN APPLE A DAY

You know that old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Turns out it might be more true than you thought!

Apples are the perfect snack food. They are crunchy, sweet (but not too sweet), delicious and chocked full of nutrition. Apples are low on the glycemic index, which helps stabilize your blood sugar. They are also high in fiber which is not only good for your digestive system, but also helps you feel satisfied.

As an extra bonus, apples don’t need to be refrigerated and come in their own “wrapping”, making them the epitome of a “grab and go” snack. 

Garlic Butter Salmon + Zoodles Recipe

Ingredients 

• 2 large zucchini, spiralized ( cleanfoodcrush.com/spiralizer ) 
• 1 pound of skinless salmon fillet, cut into cubes 
• juice from 1/2 lemon + more to garnish 
• 1 Tbsp melted clarified butter, Ghee, or coconut oil 
• 1 fresh garlic clove, minced 
• 1 pinch of chili powder 
• sea salt and pepper, to your taste 
• 1 1/2 cup halved fresh cherry tomatoes 
• a pinch of chili flakes

Instructions

1. Whisk half of the melted butter with the fresh minced garlic, chili powder and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper.
2. Pour this marinade over the salmon cubes, and toss to coat. 
3. Preheat a large pan over medium high heat, then add in the salmon cubes and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and flaky. Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside.
4. In the same preheated pan add in the remaining butter, cherry tomatoes and zucchini noodles.
5. Saute for about 2-3 minutes, then return the salmon and very gently stir to combine to combine.
6. Squeeze lemon juice over and garnish with chili flakes. Enjoy!

Thank you Cleanfoodcrush.com

[ CHALLENGE 10 ] CLOSE THE KITCHEN!

Late night snacking can sneak up on you when you don’t even see it coming. That last bite of something left on the kitchen counter, a few cookies during the evening news, a cup of hot chocolate... Because you are slowing down for the day, late night calories don’t get burned off. Instead, they go to bed with you, stowed away as fat.

To avoid late night munching, try “shutting down your kitchen" right after dinner.

Creating a simple evening ritual of closing the kitchen can help you to avoid excess calories and bring an organized end to busy days. 

Sheet Pan Orange + Ginger Chicken Recipe

Ingredients 

• 1 lb. chicken tenders 
• 1 large broccoli head, broken into bite sized florets 
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded & sliced 
• 1 fresh orange, cut into wedges to garnish 

For the marinade: 

• juice plus zest of 1 fresh orange 
• 1 Tbsp coconut aminos, Braggs liquid aminos, or low sodium soy sauce 
• 1 Tbsp raw honey 
• 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar 
• 1 Tbsp sesame or avocado oil, or olive oil 
• 2-3 cloves fresh garlic, pressed 
• 1 nob ginger, grated 
• sea salt and pepper, to your taste 
• 1 small red chilli, seeded, snd minced 
• 1 tsp Chinese 5 spice (Amazon, or specialty grocery stores carry this...or make your own:

Ingredients for making your own Chinese 5 spice:

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp fennel seed, toasted and ground
• 1 tsp ground star anise
• 1 tsp szechuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
• Mix the spices together and store in an airtight jar.
• So incredibly delicious sprinkled on all of your Asian inspired meals!

Instructions

1. In a small bowl add all the marinade ingredients and whisk well to combine.
2. Pour 1/3 of the marinade over the chicken in a large Ziploc bag, or glass bowl, and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour (overnight is best).
3. Once chicken is finished marinating:
4. Preheat the oven to 375 decrees f and line a baking tray with parchment paper. 
5. Place the broccoli, and red peppers evenly on the tray, then pour over all the remaining marinade and mix together so everything is well coated and lay the chicken pieces on top of the veggies. 
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked though and golden brown on the sides.

Thank you cleanfoodcrush.com

[ CHALLENGE 9 ] GREEN SMOOTHIE

If I told you I could give you a pill that was anti-aging, anti-cancer, lowers your cholestrerol and blood pressure, stabilizes your blood sugar and strengthens your immune system, heals your body from the inside out with no side effects, you would jump on it right away. Especially if you heard it was reasonably priced and convenient to purchase, correct?

Well it is!! Experience the amazing results of drinking a green smoothie a day. Chock full of vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, phyto-nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, a daily dose of greens is the answer to a lot of common ailments. Here is a super simple chart to help you decipher how to make these magical concoctions. Out of all the challenges, I encourage you to turn this challenge into a daily lifestyle change. 

Low Carb Philly Cheesesteaks Recipe

Ingredients 

• 1 lb. grass fed skirt steak 
• 2 Tbsp avocado oil, or olive oil, divided 
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced 
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced 
• 1 tsp dried oregano 
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to your taste 
• 1/4 cup shredded provolone 
• 8 large butter lettuce leaves

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add steak and season with sea salt and pepper. Cook until the steak is seared on one side, about 2 minutes.
3. Flip and cook for about 2 minutes more for medium.
4. Set aside on a chopping board, then slice thin.
5. Add the remaining oil to the pan, then add onion and bell peppers.
6. Season with oregano, sea salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onions and peppers are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
7. Add the steak back to skillet and toss to combine. Sprinkle with provolone then cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and cook until the cheese has melted, about 1 minute.
8. Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter.
9. Scoop steak mixture onto each piece of lettuce.
10. Serve warm and enjoy!

Thank you cleanfoodcrush.com