PASSOVER READY
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Tag: Passover
Passover Week
Green Shakshuka
•1 onion
•1 lb bag of spinach (fresh or frozen)
•1/2 tsp paprika
•1/2 tsp cinnamon
•1/2 tsp coriander
•2 tsp cumin
•Salt to taste
•1 tbsp oil
•Egg whites (depends on size of skillet)
1. Dice the onion.
2. Heat skillet and add onions and spices. Cook until onion is soft.
3. Add spinach and allow all to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Make spaces in the spinach to hold the egg whites so they don’t run all over. Cook on low-medium heat until eggs are cooked thoroughly.
5. Remove skillet from heat and serve. 4 egg white is 1 meal serving.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
Root Vegetable Medley
Ingredients:
•2 red onions, diced
•2 cloves of garlic, chopped
•2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
•1 lb carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces
•1 lb beets, peeled and cut into wedges
•1 lb celeriac, peeled and cubed
•Zest of 1 lemon
•Zest of 1 orange
•2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
•2 tbsp chopped fresh savory
•1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
•Salt and pepper
•1/2 tsp ground coriander
•Cooking spray
1. Heat oven to 375 F and coat large casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, spray with cooking spray then add onions and garlic. Sauté until soft and starting to brown, about 10 minutes.
3. Transfer this mixture to a large bowl then add sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, celeriac, lemon zest, orange zest, thyme, savory and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper and toss. Spoon into casserole dish.
4. Bake for 1 hour, or until vegetables are tender. 1/2 cup serving is one side.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
Lemon Mousse
•One 4-serving size package of Jell-O vanilla pudding mix
•2 cups skim milk
•1 packet Crystal Light Lemonade powdered drink mix (the size that makes 1 pitcher)
•One 12 oz container of low fat Cool Whip
1. Add pudding mix and milk into a medium bowl and beat until smooth and thick.
2. Beat in lemonade mix until combined.
3. Fold in Cool Whip.
4. Chill before serving. 1 cup serving is one dessert/snack.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]CAN I HAVE MATZAH? YES!
• MATZAH – 2 Matzah with 1 tbsp of peanut, almond or Sun Butter, light cream cheese or 1/2 avocado = meal
• MATZAH AND FRUIT: 1 Matzah with 1 tsp of pb or sunbather with 1 piece of
fruit or 1 cup of fruit = meal
• MATZAH AND EGGS – one Matzah with 3 egg whites = meal
•1/2 container Light tuna or chicken salad or egg white salad with 1 matzah = meal
• 1 slices of low fat cheese or 1 light part skim cheese stick with 1 Matzah =. Cat 3 Snack or you can do 2 slices with 2 matzah as a meal
[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Matzah is only once a day and remember never eat just to eat. If you don’t need it, don’t eat it. You don’t want to end the night feeling bloated and sick. Like you over did it and you regret it. Instead, you want to end the holiday feeling amazing and in control. You will enjoy the food, but also what is really important – the company and the celebration.[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small][dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Have a Happy Passover and Safe Travels to everyone going away!
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]
Where Are You and What Are You Doing?
Passover Week
This Monday April 10th marks the first night of Passover. This week long holiday is a celebration of freedom in the Jewish faith, with traditions including celebratory meals and symbolic foods and restrictions. This can be a tough time for many of us, trying to navigate the dietary changes, staying on program and also being faced with huge feasts. Many of you will choose one of the days this weekend as your Cheat Day, but as usual the celebrating will probably last for more than just one day. Now is the time to plan out your week, weekend and be ready to get back on track next week. Don’t let things surprise you – you should have your family dinners and holiday celebrations planned so there is no reason for you to be unprepared.
Some of us may be more restricted than others for the holiday, but it’s always possible find healthy and clean alternatives that fit into your Passover plans, such as these suggestions and recipes below.
MAINTAIN:
If you want to have a Cheat Meal on any of the nights of Passover then you must stay clean all day and only go off at night. If you choose this option you will have a Maintenance Week. All other days must be clean and on program. You can only do this if you give up your Cheat Day and replace it with cheat meals for the week.
Remember, when you go off at night it doesn’t mean you have to eat everything in sight. In fact, a great way to enjoy is to take a large spoonful of everything you like. This way you get to taste everything but you won’t over do it. Sometimes a taste is all you need to feel satisfied and not stuffed.
*If you are going away on a trip during the holiday week it might be best to plan to maintain to limit your confusion and stress. Many of us start a vacation with the best intentions but when we get there we can’t stay in control. Eat clean all day then treat yourself to one off meal, dessert OR drinks. If you do this you should give up your one Cheat Day and have only cheat meals throughout the week when you need them. REMEMBER: It’s a meal, dessert or drinks each day. Not all three. Choose what works for you and stick to it. You can still enjoy everything about your trip and be able to come back and get back on track. You can even switch it up each day and choose which option to cheat with (drinks one day, meal the next, etc.).
WEIGHT LOSS:
If you decide you want to keep this Passover Holiday a Weight Loss week then you must stick to only one day cheat day. On the remaining day(s) that you celebrate Passover you can incorporate some of the suggestions below to keep you on track and stay true to your holiday traditions.
Green Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a middle Eastern dish traditionally made with poached eggs in tomato sauce and spices. In this clean version, it features egg whites, onion, spinach and spices. Perfect breakfast option!
Ingredients:
•1 onion
•1 lb bag of spinach (fresh or frozen)
•1/2 tsp paprika
•1/2 tsp cinnamon
•1/2 tsp coriander
•2 tsp cumin
•Salt to taste
•1 tbsp oil
•Egg whites (depends on size of skillet)
1. Dice the onion.
2. Heat skillet and add onions and spices. Cook until onion is soft.
3. Add spinach and allow all to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Make spaces in the spinach to hold the egg whites so they don’t run all over. Cook on low-medium heat until eggs are cooked thoroughly.
5. Remove skillet from heat and serve. 4 egg white is 1 meal serving.
Root Vegetable Medley
Bring together traditional root vegetables in this new way for an exciting and delicious festive dish.
Ingredients:
•2 red onions, diced
•2 cloves of garlic, chopped
•2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
•1 lb carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces
•1 lb beets, peeled and cut into wedges
•1 lb celeriac, peeled and cubed
•Zest of 1 lemon
•Zest of 1 orange
•2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
•2 tbsp chopped fresh savory
•1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
•Salt and pepper
•1/2 tsp ground coriander
•Cooking spray
1. Heat oven to 375 F and coat large casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, spray with cooking spray then add onions and garlic. Sauté until soft and starting to brown, about 10 minutes.
3. Transfer this mixture to a large bowl then add sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, celeriac, lemon zest, orange zest, thyme, savory and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper and toss. Spoon into casserole dish.
4. Bake for 1 hour, or until vegetables are tender. 1/2 cup serving is one side.
Lemon Mousse
Ingredients:
•One 4-serving size package of Jell-O sugar free vanilla pudding mix
•2 cups skim milk
•1 packet Crystal Light Lemonade powdered drink mix (the size that makes 1 pitcher)
•One 12 oz container of low fat Cool Whip
1. Add pudding mix and milk into a medium bowl and beat until smooth and thick.
2. Beat in lemonade mix until combined.
3. Fold in Cool Whip.
4. Chill before serving. 1/2 cup serving is one dessert/snack.
CAN I HAVE MATZAH?
Yes!
Try 1/2 sheet original Matzah with 1 tbsp peanut butter (or sun nut butter if you cannot have peanuts) with or without 1 piece or 1 cup of fruit as a meal.
Matzah is only once a day and remember never eat just to eat. If you don’t need it, don’t eat it. You don’t want to end the night feeling bloated and sick. Like you over did it and you regret it. Instead, you want to end the holiday feeling amazing and in control. You will enjoy the food, but also what is really important – the company and the celebration.
You can also check out our previous blogs for some more recipes here and here.
Have a Happy Passover and Safe Travels to everyone going away!
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
211 E 43rd Street Manhattan, NY 10019
Upcoming Innovation Schedule
Spring Holiday Prep
Passover Week
This evening begins the Jewish holiday of Passover. This week long holiday is a celebration of freedom in the Jewish faith, with traditions including celebratory meals and symbolic foods and restrictions. This can be a tough time for many of us, trying to navigate the dietary changes and also being faced with huge feasts. Luckily you can fit two cheat days into the Passover week, so take advantage of that and try to stay as clean as possible the other days. Plan ahead and find healthy and clean alternatives that fit into your Passover plans, such as these suggestions and recipes below.
For Passover ONLY, some breakfast, lunch and dinner options:
1) MATZAH: 1/2 sheet original Matzah with 1 tbsp of peanut butter (or sunbutter if you can’t do the peanut for Passover)
2) MATZAH AND FRUIT: 1/2 sheet Matzah with 1 tsp of peanut butter or sunbutter with 1 piece of fruit or 1 cup of fruit
3) EGGS: 4 egg whites and 1 cup of veggies or 2 regular eggs with garden salad
4) Basic grilled chicken or turkey with 1 sliced cucumber and 1 chopped pepper – in a bowl you will have the 4 oz of protein with a sliced cucumber and 1 slice pepper. Salt pepper lemon – always yummy
5) Light tuna or chicken salad or egg white salad with 1 matzah (1 tbsp light mayo)
6) 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1/2 cup fruit
7) Chubby Potato: 1 large white potato with 1 cup of veggies on top and 1/4 cup of melted cheese and bake 
8) For dessert you can do any fruit with peanut butter
9) Peanut butter ice cream cups – combine 1 tbsp of peanut butter and 2 tbsp of whip cream and place in cupcake pan and freeze. Makes 12 – you can have 1 for a dessert or snack.
Squash Kugel
This is a super healthy recipe that puts an delicious twist on a classic dish.
Ingredients:
•2 medium butternut squash, cut in half, seeded
•3 tablespoons vegetable oil
•2-3 egg whites
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1 teaspoon cinnamon
•¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
•½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions:
1. Rub squash with a dab of oil.
2. Place cut side of squash down on metal baking sheet.
3. Bake squash in the oven at 350 degrees for 40-60 minutes (until soft).
4. Scoop out the squash, discard the skin.
5. Place squash in food processor with the rest of the oil, egg whites, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and sea salt. Puree until smooth and creamy.
6. Place in a 9-inch tart pan or casserole dish and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.
7. Serve!
Charoset
This traditional dish is already a great recipe for eating clean.
Ingredients:
•2 apples, peeled, cored and cut into cubes
•2 cups walnuts, chopped
•1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•½ cup orange juice
•1 tablespoon lemon juice
•¾ cups currants
Instructions:
- In food processor, combine all ingredients until desired texture is achieved.
- Serve!
Make Your Own Maror
Combine 1 horseradish root (about 4 inches) peeled and chopped with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a food processor. Pulse until horseradish is well ground. Store in a glass container until ready to serve.
Bitter Herbs Salad
Combine 2 hearts of romaine lettuce, 1 small head of radicchio, 2 cups arugula, 1 stalk of celery, 2 scallions (chopped), 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped dill, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional) and dressing (1 garlic clove, salt to taste, 3 tablespoons lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil).
Coconut Macaroons
This classic dessert can be made healthy with just a few adjustments. This makes several macaroons depending on how large you make them.
Ingredients:
•6 egg whites
•¼ teaspoon sea salt
•½ cup agave nectar
•1 tablespoon vanilla extract
•3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions:
1. In a mixing bowl whisk egg whites and salt until stiff.
2. Fold in agave, vanilla and coconut.
3. Drop batter onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet, one rounded tablespoonful at a time is suggested.
4. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned.
5. Let cool and enjoy!
Have a happy and healthy Passover!!
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018
Passover Week
This evening begins the Jewish holiday of Passover. This week long holiday is a celebration of freedom in the Jewish faith, with traditions including celebratory meals and symbolic foods and restrictions. This can be a tough time for many of us, trying to navigate the dietary changes and also being faced with huge feasts. Luckily you can fit two cheat days into the Passover week, so take advantage of that and try to stay as clean as possible the other days. Plan ahead and find healthy and clean alternatives that fit into your Passover plans, such as these suggestions and recipes below.
For Passover ONLY, some breakfast, lunch and dinner options:
1) MATZAH: 1/2 sheet original Matzah with 1 tbsp of peanut butter (or sunbutter if you can’t do the peanut for Passover)
2) MATZAH AND FRUIT: 1/2 sheet Matzah with 1 tsp of peanut butter or sunbutter with 1 piece of fruit or 1 cup of fruit
3) EGGS: 4 egg whites and 1 cup of veggies or 2 regular eggs with garden salad
4) Basic grilled chicken or turkey with 1 sliced cucumber and 1 chopped pepper – in a bowl you will have the 4 oz of protein with a sliced cucumber and 1 slice pepper. Salt pepper lemon – always yummy
5) Light tuna or chicken salad or egg white salad with 1 matzah (1 tbsp light mayo)
6) 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1/2 cup fruit
7) Chubby Potato: 1 large white potato with 1 cup of veggies on top and 1/4 cup of melted cheese and bake 🙂
8) For dessert you can do any fruit with peanut butter
9) Peanut butter ice cream cups – combine 1 tbsp of peanut butter and 2 tbsp of whip cream and place in cupcake pan and freeze. Makes 12 – you can have 1 for a dessert or snack.
Squash Kugel
This is a super healthy recipe that puts an delicious twist on a classic dish.
Ingredients:
•2 medium butternut squash, cut in half, seeded
•3 tablespoons vegetable oil
•2-3 egg whites
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1 teaspoon cinnamon
•¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
•½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions:
1. Rub squash with a dab of oil.
2. Place cut side of squash down on metal baking sheet.
3. Bake squash in the oven at 350 degrees for 40-60 minutes (until soft).
4. Scoop out the squash, discard the skin.
5. Place squash in food processor with the rest of the oil, egg whites, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and sea salt. Puree until smooth and creamy.
6. Place in a 9-inch tart pan or casserole dish and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.
7. Serve!
Charoset
This traditional dish is already a great recipe for eating clean.
Ingredients:
•2 apples, peeled, cored and cut into cubes
•2 cups walnuts, chopped
•1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•½ cup orange juice
•1 tablespoon lemon juice
•¾ cups currants
Instructions:
- In food processor, combine all ingredients until desired texture is achieved.
- Serve!
Make Your Own Maror
Combine 1 horseradish root (about 4 inches) peeled and chopped with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a food processor. Pulse until horseradish is well ground. Store in a glass container until ready to serve.
Bitter Herbs Salad
Combine 2 hearts of romaine lettuce, 1 small head of radicchio, 2 cups arugula, 1 stalk of celery, 2 scallions (chopped), 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped dill, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional) and dressing (1 garlic clove, salt to taste, 3 tablespoons lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil).
Coconut Macaroons
This classic dessert can be made healthy with just a few adjustments. This makes several macaroons depending on how large you make them.
Ingredients:
•6 egg whites
•¼ teaspoon sea salt
•½ cup agave nectar
•1 tablespoon vanilla extract
•3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions:
1. In a mixing bowl whisk egg whites and salt until stiff.
2. Fold in agave, vanilla and coconut.
3. Drop batter onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet, one rounded tablespoonful at a time is suggested.
4. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned.
5. Let cool and enjoy!
Have a happy and healthy Passover!!
~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick
Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018
Easter and Passover Recipes
Two of Spring’s biggest holidays are just a few days away! Although it hasn’t really felt like winter has ended, Easter and Passover are fast approaching. Many of you will choose one of the days this weekend as your cheat day, but as usual the celebrating might last for more than just one day. Here are some healthier recipes and treats that can help you make smarter choices so the weekend doesn’t put too much of a dent in your weight loss plan.
If you’re looking for something simpler, a festive fruit or vegetable plate is a great option. Carrots and green veggies such as celery or broccoli make a healthy and easy appetizer or snack. You could add even more vegetables or a mix of fruit and make a colorful egg shaped platter.
Instead of reaching for candy while decorating eggs, you could boil a couple extra eggs and have them as snacks. Another festive snack takes just a few simple ingredients – add hummus to small pots and stick baby carrots in each.
Chocolate no-bake macaroons are a great healthy and festive dessert option. They are also vegan, nut free, gluten free, dairy free and kosher. In a bowl, mash 1 banana then stir in melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Stir until well blended then add cocoa powder. Add unsweetened shredded coconut and a pinch of sea salt. Scoop rounds of the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place them in the freezer for around 20 minutes or until ready to enjoy.
8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797
469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018
Information and Tips for This Week
Hi Everyone! I will be heading to San Francisco, California this Friday 3/27 to meet with a client for one week. I strategically planned it because we also have a family event we are attending the following week, so it will be a work/vacation for 2 weeks. However, I will continue to be available to you throughout the 2 weeks. Starting Friday 3/27 all texts and emails will be answered in the early morning and late evening. Because of the time difference and my work schedule it would be impossible for me to give exact times. What I think would be most effective for everyone is if you continue to text and email throughout the day when your questions come to mind or when you need any help. But just be aware that the questions you send will be answered in the mornings and late evenings. So you may have to be proactive in some of your questions. For example, if you are going out to dinner I t would be great to ask the day before so it gives me time to look up the menu and answer.
STORE HOURS FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS:
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY – 9AM TO 6PM
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 9AM TO 3PM
WE ARE CLOSED APRIL 3, 4 AND 5 for Passover and Easter
Jeff is available for anyone who would like to continue to weigh-in. He will be in the studio Wednesday through Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm. (all weights are sent directly to me).
In the next two weeks we will begin spring break and holidays. Reasons why you CAN’T STAY on your program will start flooding your head. So take these next two weeks and make a real difference. More than you already have. Really give yourself 2 hardcore weeks. Here are some tips on how to do that:
1) One snack a day – I can see your eyes rolling through my computer. But honestly we don’t need ANY snacks, never mind 3. I give them to you to get you through the day mentally, not physically. 3 meals a day is plenty for us. So if you can survive on one snack instead of 2 or 3 you will see an amazing difference in your weight loss. Do you really need the snack between breakfast and lunch? Do you need a whole snack after dinner? What about if you just took a bite of something sweet after dinner. Wouldn’t that be just as effective? These are the things I want you to think about moving forward. Remember it’s for just 2 weeks. It’s not forever.
If it’s too hard you may want to try and do 1 or 2 snacks every other day instead of every day. You may be surprised that you do not need it and won’t feel the loss of hunger from it. Sometimes we get into the habit of eating something at a certain time but it’s not something we really need or necessarily want. Test it out and see how you do.
2) Start walking. Make a promise to yourself that you will walk everyday for the next two weeks. Even if you currently go to the gym, incorporate the walking into your day. It may sound silly or not worth the effort to you, but I assure you that if you incorporate at least 30 minutes a day of walking in addition to whatever you are doing now, you will see that it will make a big difference in your weight loss numbers.
Set a minimum time (for example 30 min a day). If you do more, great, but you have to do at least 30 min. Walk everyday. It can be at the soccer field during sports practice or in your neighborhood. Walk the dog or walk with your significant other or your children. But walk!!! Walking is not only good for exercise. It also sets off a feel good hormone in your body. It’s good for your Mind and Heart. It also gets you out of the house and out of the kitchen!! Because as I have told you over and over… most of the time when we are reaching for something out of the cabinet, it’s not because we are hungry. You just spent all winter cooped up in your home and now you have the opportinuinty to go out and enjoy the weather. It’s lighter later, and even on the brisk days it’s very doable to go out and walk. Momma Nature is giving you NO EXCUSES, so stop making them for yourself.
3) Drink your lemon water and continue to drink water throughout the day. There are so many reasons to start your day with warm/hot lemon water. It gets your metabolism moving and heats up the body for blood flow. The acidic in the lemon combined with the hot water not only helps break down internal fat, it also reduces your appetite. Then continue to drink water throughout the day. Water acts like lubricant for intestines , it keeps everything moving throughout your system. When it gets dry and hard it gets clogged. The water keeps it moist. Another amazing factor is it keeps you full longer. When you drink a 12 oz bottle of water before a meal you physically won’t be able to take in as much as if you didn’t drink it. If you are not a water drinker you need to keep it with you at all times. Have one full bottle on hand and when that runs out fill it with another. You will get used to it and eventually look for it. I know you will run to the bathroom more often but that will eventually stop. Your bladder will get use to it and it will become less and less. But like everything else, all of these amazing things will only happen when you are consistent with drinking it. It doesn’t work when it’s for one or two days. It has to become a part of your life for it to work. Consistency is key! Minimum is 8 oz 8 times a day.
The more you are on track before the holiday starts the better you will do during it. Healthy is a way of life. Start living it!