Recipe of the week

Crockpot Orange Chicken

1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken, cut into 2 inch chunks

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed no pulp!

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons ketchup

Use a 4 quart slow cooker for best results. Dredge the chicken pieces with the flour, and shake off the excess. Go ahead and throw away any remaining flour. Heat olive oil in a large skillet on the stove and brown the chicken on all sides. Just sear it enough for the flour to stick and get a nice coating.

Plop the chicken pieces into your slow cooker. In a small mixing bowl, combine the orange juice concentrate, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and ketchup. Taste, If you'd like the chicken to be a bit sweeter, add a touch of sugar. Pour sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, and toss gingerly to coat.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3 to 4. Serve with a side of brown or jasmine rice and a side green salad. This is an easy recipe thanks to your slow cooker!! I give it two thumbs up, TRAINER TODD

OTEF Client Happy Hour

HELLO ALL! Just a quick reminder that the 1st annual Over The Edge Fitness client happy hour is a couple of weeks away, Saturday August 21st from 3p-5p at Casa Chapala. Please take a minute to RSVP the Evite, if you haven't already. I invite you to bring your spouse, significant other, friend or co-worker to this event. Please stop by and let me buy you a drink to say THANKS!! There will be raffle prizes and a light food buffet as well. See you there, TRAINER TODD

Quick Thought

HELLO ALL!! Are you enjoying your summer training programs? I hope you all are putting together a game plan to keep active on those summer vacations!

I wanted to share a quick thought with you all. I was out cycling the other afternoon in the 100 degree Texas heat. I found myself focused on how bad I felt and how much the heat sucked! I decided to ease off my pace, relax and psychologically change my focus and attitude to a positive one. I embraced the miles I had remaining left on my ride instead of counting them down on my bikes odometer. Needless to say The second half of my ride was better!

It always amazes me how strong of influence the mind has over the body. So, next time you're having a bad workout, game, or race think positive and don't defeat yourself psychologically.

TRAINER TODD

Recipe of the week

Avocado and Red Pepper Israeli Couscous

1 3/4 cup water

1 tbsp olive oil

1 1/3 cup Israeli couscous

1 avocado, diced

1/4 cup diced red pepper

2 tbsp lime juice

Combine the water and olive oil in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in couscous, reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 12 minutes or so, until the water is fully absorbed.

Add the avocado, red pepper, and lime juice. Stir to combine. Serve immediately.

This is a GREAT summer side dish. It yields 4 servings, so cover the leftovers tightly!

TRAINER TODD