THE ZONE CLUB

ASIAN QUINOA SALAD

1 C organic, white quinoa (cooked)

1 C organic, red quinoa (cooked)

1 organic celery heart, chopped

1 large organic onion, chopped

1 organic re pepper, chopped

1 organic green pepper, chopped

1 C organic broccoli, chopped

½ bag frozen organic edamame

16 oz cooked chicken

Splash of canola oil

1 Tbsp sesame oil

1 Tbsp brown rice vinegar

1 Tbsp tamari sauce

Sesame Seeds

Serves 4-6

Sauté onions, celery, peppers, and broccoli in canola oil for about 5 minutes, add frozen edamame, cook another 3 minutes.  Set aside to cool.  Add veggie mixture to quinoa.  Mix well.  Add sesame oil, brown rice vinegar, and tamari sauce.  Garnish top with a shake of sesame seeds.  Serve hot or cold.  If cold, place on top of field greens.

**Note:  As written, this recipe is high in carbs and not 100% zone.  You will need to adjust the quinoa portion and/or the protein to make the servings the right block ratio for your dietary needs.  

POISON

On a recent trip to CA, I had the opportunity to travel with two other Zoners.  In an effort to keep ourselves in The Zone and still be able to try a wide variety of local food, we shared most of our meals.  We ate well: raw tuna and wasabi, fresh vegetable soup, fish tacos, plump berries, sliced avocado, veggie omelette's, raw nuts...  All kinds of wonderful and delicious fresh foods.  However, several times we had to discard unfavorable foods.  Pictured below is one of many "plates of poison" we acquired while dining out.

Ask your server for an extra plate and load it up with all the worthless carbs. 

The Zone Block Chart

Here's a link to a quick Zone Block chart reference sheet.

Click HERE.

APPLE PIE SPICED OATMEAL

Apple Pie Spiced Oatmeal, Zone Meals in Minutes

Cooking Time:  40 Minutes or overnight

Yield:  4 (4-block) meals 0r almost 6 (3-block) meals

You can simmer this cereal first thing in the morning or let it cook all night, while you sleep.

Block Size

12 Carbohydrates       2 Cups old-fashioned rolled oats or 1 C + 2 Tbsp steel cut oats

4 Carbohydrates         2 small apples, cored and diced

                                    ¾ to 1 tsp apple pie spice

                                    4 C cold water (4 ¼ C for steel cut oats)

16 Protein                    4 scoops (1oz ea) vanilla egg white protein or vanilla whey protein

                                    3 to 5 drops stevia extract liquid OR 1/8 tsp to ¼ tsp stevia powder

16 Fat                          48 pecan or walnut halves, lightly toasted and crumbled.

Instructions for overnight cooking – for steel cut oats only

1. Before going to bed, combine steel-cut oats, spice, and water in a 3 ½ quart slow cooker.  Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8hours
2. In the morning, turn off the heat and add the apples.  Let stand for 10-15 minutes; the steam will condense and lift the stuck cereal off the bottom of the cooker for ease of clean up.
3. Stir in the protein powder with a large wooden spoon to dissolve all lumps.  If too stiff, stir in the warm water a tablespoon at a time.  Stir in stevia if a sweeter taste is desired.  Stir again and divide into 4 servings.  Tops with nuts and serve.

Instructions for stovetop cooking - for rolled oats only

1. Combine the rolled oats, apple, spice, and water in a 2-quart saucepan.  Soak, uncovered overnight.
2. In the morning, cover and bring to a boil over medium heat, without stirring.  If using an electric stove, preheat a second burner on low.  When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low or transfer it to a preheated burner.  Simmer, undisturbed, for 30 minutes, then remove from the heat.
3. Allow the cereal to stand, covered, for 10-15 minutes.  With a large wooden spoon, stir in the protein powder to dissolve all lumps.  If too stiff, stir in warm water a tablespoon at a time.  Taste.  Stir in stevia if a sweeter taste is desired.  Divide into 4 servings.  Top with nuts and serve.

ENTER THE ZONE

The Zone Diet, developed by Dr. Sears, is a phenominal way to take a new and fundamental approach to dieting.  In fact, "diet" isn't an appropriate word to describe what the "Zone" truly is.  Instead of thinking of food as the enemy, you must think of food as fuel for your body.  By balancing each meal in the proper ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fat, your body will feel nurished, energized, and ready for peak performance both physically and mentally. 

Click HERE to visit the Zone Diet website.