Recipe: Grilled Caprese Naan Pizza

Looking for a new and easy way to make pizza at home? Check out this great recipe for Grilled Caprese Naan Pizza!

Free Guest Pass

Here is the link to the free 7 day guest pass at Xsport.

 

Remember, next week we are attending the Cycling class at 6pm. Feel free to check out any of the other classes, especially if you need to get in those extra minutes :)

Recipe: Quinoa Slider

Since we all LOVED the lunch and learn last week, here is yet another Quinoa recipe ;)

Quinoa Sliders(adapted from howsweetseat.com)

Note: I didn't use the whole amount of cooked quinoa, looked like too much to me, also I reduced the stock about 1/2 cup. The quinoa wouldn't stick together at all, so I used some "glue" (mayonnaise) -worked really well. The recipe shows the orignal amounts.
My amount was enough for 7 medium sized buns.

1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed (I didn't use the whole amount of the cooked quinoa)
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup cooked chickpeas
1/2 cup freshly grated provolone cheese (I used mozzarella)
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 green chili pepper, diced small
1 large egg + 1 egg white, lightly beaten (I didn't use the egg white)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (see note)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
12 multigrain slider buns or dinner rolls
2 avocados, sliced for topping (I used tomatoes and cucumbers instead)
1/2 cup chipotle mayo, for topping (mix 1/2 cup mayo with chipotle chili powder or 1 teaspoon (or more) of chipotle in adobe or other hot sauce



Directions:
Add quinoa and stock to a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover, cooking for 15 minutes or until can be fluffed with a fork. You can do this ahead of time or even the night before (and store quinoa in the fridge) so the quinoa can cool.

While quinoa is cooking, slice the green onions, chop the carrots, and grate the cheese. Place it all in a bowl, then add panko and mix. Coarsely chop the chickpeas and add to the bowl. One quinoa is finished cooking, add it to the bowl and mix well until incorporated. If needed, let cool or place in the fridge for a few minutes to cool. Add in beaten egg + egg white, salt, pepper and mix well. Form into patties (I really squeezed a handful of quinoa together and smoothed it into a round, it may take some squeezing and form to get the patties to stick) that fit the size of the buns you have.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Once hot, add 5-6 quinoa patties and cook until deeply golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Gently flip and cook 5 minutes more. Remove and continue with remaining olive oil and patties.
Serve with chipotle mayo and avocado slices or tomatoes and cucumbers.

http://freshfromevaskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/07/quinoa-slider.html

Recipes: Quinoa

Today we attended a great lunch and learn about Quinoa at Whole Foods. Additional copies of recipes have been placed in the break room. Let us know if you need one!

To continue with Meatless Monday and Quinoa, here are two more recipes to try. Thank you to Alissa and Margaret for sharing!

Fruit Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
http://www.aspotofwhimsy.com/2013/07/recipe-fruit-quinoa-breakfast-bowls.html
Ingredients:
Quinoa
Milk
Agave NectarFruit
Chopped Raw Almonds
Flax Seed and Chia Seeds (optional)

Make quinoa as instructed on box. Then load it up: a splash or two of milk, a drizzle of agave, a sprinkling of almonds, flax seeds and chia seeds. Stir slowly.
Now heap on the fruit!

 

Choose whatever combination of fruit entices you (or is in season!). My personal favorite is strawberries and bananas, but raspberries, blackberries and blueberries all also pair really well with the quinoa.

Other possible additives: cinnamon, almond milk, walnuts, protein powder.

To speed the process along in the morning, I usually make a big batch of quinoa at a time that will then last me 3-4 bowls. Assemble everything but the fruit the night before. Heat the mixture in the microwave for about 45 seconds to a minute in the morning, add fruit and enjoy!

Quinoa with Roasted Garlic, Tomatoes, and Spinach
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-with-roasted-garlic-tomatoes-spinach-10000002001925/

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil $

1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained

1 tablespoon dry white wine

1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup baby spinach leaves

1/3 cup chopped seeded tomato (1 small) $

1 tablespoon shaved fresh Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon salt

 whole garlic head

Preparation:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. 2. Remove papery skin from garlic head. Cut garlic head in half crosswise, breaking apart to separate whole cloves. Wrap half of head in foil; reserve remaining garlic for another use. Bake at 350° for 1 hour; cool 10 minutes. Separate cloves; squeeze to extract garlic pulp. Discard skins.
3. 3. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and red pepper to pan; cook 1 minute. Add quinoa to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add wine; cook until liquid is absorbed, stirring constantly. Add broth; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; stir in garlic pulp, spinach, tomato, cheese, and salt. Serve immediately.

Recipes: 12 Cucumber Recipes to Beat the Heat

Healthy Cucumber Recipes

Work Hard. Play Hard. Cleanse. Repeat.

Are you looking to eliminate harmful toxins, reset your body and restore your system?

Join us for a cleanse the week of 7/15! There are many different ways to cleanse and a few different cleanse options, so we listed some here for you:

If you are looking for smoothies and a rather cheap option:

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-3-day-detox-cleanse-one-sheet

Juice cleanse:

http://blueprintcleanse.com/

7 day cleanse with small meals:

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/7-day-swimsuit-cleanse

Do Something Big!

Don't miss the BTN Big 10K event in Chicago on Saturday, July 27, 2013. Dress up in your favorite school colors and compete for your Big Ten team in the 10K race or 5K run/walk. Afterward, kick-off the college football season in style with thousands of Big Ten fans at the ultimate post-race FanFest & Tailgate party! Register early, the 2012 event sold out in only 64 days!
Here is the link to register:

https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/88588

Check out our links tab for other fun events and activities around the area!

Welcome!

Welcome to Live Better at the COE!

We will be utilizing this site as our live better newsletter during the healthy living challenge.

Visit this site frequently to stay updated on upcoming events and new ways to live better! We have posted recipes, helpful links, and our calendar on this site.

Remember to send us any pictures of you participating in healthy activities, and feel free to share your favorite recipes with us so we can feature them on this site for everyone to try.

We have created a theme for each day of the week so we can focus our activities.

Meatless Monday - we will be featuring vegetarian recipes

Training Tuesday - focus on working out and being healthy! We will be doing office stair walks after lunch

Wellness Wednesday - we will host two yoga classes in the COE and attend a cycling class as an office

Thirsty Thursday - focus is on drinking water to stay hydrated!

Fruity Friday - eat fruit!!! and veggies!

Stair & Squad Saturday - take the stairs!

Sunday Funday - spend time with family and friends, enjoy yourself!

Stay tuned for upcoming events and activities!

Happy Monday!

Once again this year, we are challenging all Colgate people around the world to each complete 500 minutes of healthy activity in July. Use the simple online tool at http://www.cplivebetter.com/ to track all of your activity online.

Let's Do It Again!
Last year the Schaumburg office had the most minutes and participation, let's work together to achieve this again!! Remember to keep tracking even if you have exceeded your 500min goal. The winner for the month will claim a great prize!!

 

How Will You Earn
Your 500 Minutes?