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Back to School Recipes

back to school recipes - chicken salad

August is coming to an end, which means school is starting soon!

Prepping lunch for students both young and old can be difficult in the busy fall season. Every student is different, and often their nutritional needs vary, too. The classic PBJ may work for some, but not all.

So if you’re struggling to find a lunch that interests a gluten free 8th grader, a 4th grade vegetarian or athletic college senior, you’re in luck! There’s something good for everyone.

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1. Chicken Soup


For picky eaters, try a a classic chicken soup! You can make it ahead and store it in the freezer in batches to thaw the night before.
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2. Tomato & Mozzarella Pasta


For the vegetarian, a tomato & mozzarella pasta is both sophisticated and simple to make so all ages can enjoy.
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3. Vegetable Sushi Bento Box


For the vegan, a vegetable sushi bento box will wow the whole table! No one will even notice the lack of meat or dairy.
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4. Chicken Salad on Fresh Baguette


For the athlete, a hearty chicken salad on fresh baguette will offer plenty of carbs and protein for an active body!
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5. Homemade Sandwich Bread


For the gluten free student, it can be tough to be the only one without a classic sandwich. But with this homemade sandwich bread, PBJ is back on!
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6. Whoopie Pies


With a nut allergy, it can be difficult to watch everyone enjoy cookies that “may contain peanuts.” These whoopie pies go great with any lunch, but without any risk!
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7. Hummus


For the lactose-intolerant, there’s no need for cheese when you’ve got hummus! Pack it with veggies, pita and olives for a real mediterranean experience.
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8. Taco Soup


For the grad student, you never need to miss out on Taco Tuesday again. When one hand is writing your thesis, one can enjoy this Taco Soup!
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If you have a go-to lunch, feel free to share it in the comments!

VIM is now offering nutrition services with Trainer & Nutrition Coach, Christine Galvin!

Click below to find out how you can benefit from 1 on 1 Nutrition Coaching!

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What to Make in August

make in august

It’s August, which means Summer produce is at its peak!

If you stop by your local farmer’s market you may notice a few of these fruits and veggies around. If you’re not sure what to do with them, scroll through some of these recipes for a seasonal and local meal!

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1. Beets: Sweet & Spicy Quinoa Beet Burgers with Mango & Sprouts


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2. Bell Peppers: Mango Chicken Stir-Fry


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3. Blackberries: Almond Flour Blackberry Crisp for Two (Gluten Free)


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4. Cherries: Feel Good Vegan Cherry Cheesecake Bars


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5. Eggplant: Low Carb Eggplant Lasagna with the Best Turkey Meat Sauce + Burrata


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6. Figs: Caramelized Onion, Fig & Goat Cheese Pizza with Arugula


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7. Green Onions: Vegan Potato Salad with Herbed Tahini Sauce


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8. Mushrooms: Chipotle Black Bean Roasted Veggie Enchilada Casserole


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9. Peaches: Gluten Free Peach Crisp with Salted Coconut Milk Caramel


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10. Tomatoes: Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup


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11. Watermelon: Skinny Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas


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12. Zucchini: The Best Zucchini Brownies You’ll Ever Eat


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VIM is now offering nutrition services with Trainer & Nutrition Coach, Christine Galvin!

Click below to find out how you can benefit from 1 on 1 Nutrition Coaching!

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July 4th BBQ

july 4th bbq

It’s finally summer! So kick it off well with an Independence Day BBQ.

With all these recipes, you can easily host one in your backyard, patio or even tiny apartment kitchen.

Or if you’re a guest, bring one of these along! If you’re going to eat all the food, you might as well contribute a liiiiitle bit. So get in the kitchen, then get outside! And remember your sunscreen. Happy 4th!

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Grapefruit Avocado Salsa


A healthy appetizer or burger topping! Besides, why go a day without avocado?
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Vegan Veggie Burgers


For friends and family with special diets.
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Pizza Pasta Salad


No more fights over choosing between pizza and pasta!
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Healthier Strawberry Ice Cream


Greek yogurt makes this frozen yogurt a healthy and easy alternative to make at home!
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Easy Flag Fruit Dessert


For friends with kids… or kids at heart!
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Cucumber Basil Kombucha Mule


Because why not be tipsy and trendy
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Blog post written by Trainer, Sarah Oliver

VIM is now offering nutrition services with Trainer & Nutrition Coach, Christine Galvin!

Click below to find out how you can benefit from 1 on 1 Nutrition Coaching!

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Dorm Inspired Recipes

dorm inspired recipes

Elaborate meals are great. They look good, they taste good… but unfortunately, they’re not a sustainable reality for most home-cooked dinners. Unless you have 6 hours to kill, you likely don’t have the time to make complicated dishes. Additionally, those rare, organic ingredients are pretty pricey, and require kitchen equipment and skills beyond that even of your grandmother’s expertise!

I took the time to ask some of my favorite bloggers for easy, “dorm-room” recipes.

Not only are many of these vegan, gluten free, and allergy-sensitive, they require minimal time, money and equipment. If you like any, be sure to check out their blogs!

Whether you’re living in a college dorm, small apartment, or simply don’t have the time or interest to cook elaborate meals, these recipes are the ones for you!

 

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Mini Microwave French Toast


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Creamy Vegan One Pot Pasta


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Healthy Banana Cookies


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Healthy Guacamole


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Healthy Vegan Ramen Noodle Salad


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Sweet Potato Breakfast Boats


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Hearty Italian White Bean Basil Soup


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Veggie Wrap with Apples and Spicy Hummus


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Coconut Maple Cold Brew Coffee


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One Minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug


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Blog post written by Trainer, Sarah Oliver

VIM is now offering nutrition services with Trainer & Nutrition Coach, Christine Galvin!

Click below to find out how you can benefit from 1 on 1 Nutrition Coaching!

[button link=”https://vimfitness.com/nutrition/” text=”LEARN MORE” color=”green” size=”large” fullwidth=”true”]

 

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10 Healthier Super Bowl Snacks

healthier super bowl snacks

The Super Bowl is almost here!

Whether or not you’re a football fan, you can still enjoy the opportunity to get together with friends and enjoy snacks! Lucky for me, I’m a HUGE Pats fan, so I’m really looking forward to the game… almost as much as I am excited for the Buffalo Cauliflower!

I’ve rounded up 10 Healthier Super Bowl Snacks for you to enjoy on game day.

The first few are from The Colorful Kitchen cookbook, and the rest are from some other tremendous bloggers!

1. BBQ Cauliflower Poppers from The Colorful Kitchen Cookbook

healthier super bowl snacks

2. Herbed Polenta Fries from The Colorful Kitchen Cookbook

healthier super bowl snacks

3. Creamy Baked Kale & Artichoke Dip from The Colorful Kitchen Cookbook

healthier super bowl snacks

4. Cauliflower Kimchi Mac n’ Cheese

healthier super bowl snacks

5. Taco Cornbread Casserole

healthier super bowl snacks

6. Thai Curry Jackfruit Tacos

healthier super bowl snacks

7. Smoky Baked Cashew Cheese

healthier super bowl snacks

8. Crockpot Chili with Cashew Sour Cream

healthier super bowl snacks

9. Cheesy Kale Nachos

healthier super bowl snacks

10. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

healthier super bowl snacks

Will you be watching the game this weekend? Making or enjoying any snacks? Let us know in the comments below!

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Recipes EVERYONE Can Enjoy

vegan cookie

Fun fact: I’m vegan.

It’s not exactly secret, either, since whenever I go to a holiday party I always have to ask what has eggs, butter or milk in it, and avoid all the main meat dishes or delicious-looking desserts. I’m used to it by now, so I usually eat a snack before hand or bring a dish to add to the table that I can enjoy, too.

But I’m not the only one who sometimes feels left out at food-filled events. Anyone with allergies or sensitivities to certain foods also has to be careful. This time of year seems to be filled with all of the top allergens: wheat, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts and soy.

If your best friend is gluten free, your dad is allergic to shellfish, and your cousin just went vegan, here are a few recipes (and store-bought goods!) that everyone can indulge in.

Gluten Free & Vegan Apple Pie:

Vegan Meringue:

Gluten Free & Vegan Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies:

Allergy Free Truffles:

Allergy Free Brands:

Enjoy Life Foods:

Divvies:

Simple Mills:

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Don’t Fear the Tots!

potatoes

In my opinion, I think potatoes get an unfairly bad rep.

I love potatoes! In fact, I eat a sweet potato (or two) nearly every day.

But this starchy vegetable is frequently assumed to be fattening.

It is true that a diet full of french fried and mashed potatoes every day is not going to help with your health goals. However, baked or roasted potatoes may actually help you become healthier.

Aid in Weight Loss
Chilled, cooked potato is packed with resistant starch, a fibrous substance that could help you lose weight.

Fight disease
Within 100 different potato varieties, there are over 60 different vitamins and phytochemicals. Some of these are flavonoids, which are credited with improving heart health and protecting against lung and prostate cancers. Other nutrients may even boost immunity.

Help maintain healthy blood pressure
Potatoes are packed with kukoamines, plant chemicals that help lower blood pressure. In addition, one medium baked potato (including the skin) provides 20% of your daily potassium, a known hypertension fighter.

So why fear potatoes?

Especially when there are so many good recipes to make! Fun fact: there are almost 4,000 different potato varieties! Imagine all the tasty (and nutritious!) meals you could make with those. Here are a few just to get your started!

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Are You A Work Week Dieter?

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

You’ve got Monday off to relax and host a BBQ with your friends.

But will this ruin your diet?

 

Will a little bit of fun on the weekend put a stop to your progress? Let’s take a look. If you start your weekend with 40 cent wing night on Thursday, then dinner dates and bar hopping on friday and saturday, then family brunch sunday… Things aren’t looking good in the aftermath of Monday’s BBQ. Take a look at this little infographic to see how those fun nights may be getting in the way!

Ok, so now that you’ve learned you’re never allowed to have fun, let’s talk about how this doesn’t have to be the case! I know it may not seem like it, but…

 

…you can go out with friends, eat and drink with freedom, and still reach your fitness goals!

The secret: mindfulness. If you have plans with friends for the night, load up on the simple, wholesome foods during the day. Plan ahead. And for Labor Day…

 

I have recipes for you! Whether you’re hosting or attending, you can always prepare a few simple and affordable options (on sale at Star Market!) that will allow you  to have fun and reach your goals. Hey, who knew?
  • Corn: 15 cents each – Simple and delicious, corn is always a late summer staple for any BBQ. Try wrapping them in tin foil with a little bit of plant-based buttery spread (a low saturated fat alternative to butter) and grilling for 8-10 minutes.
  • Scallops: $13.99/lb – Ever heard of scallop kebabs? They’re pretty great. Try this recipe here for Herbed Scallop Kebabs on the grill!
  • Whole Seedless Watermelon: $3.99 each – Keep it simple. Everyone loves a good, thick slice of watermelon.
  • Outshine Fruit Bars: 3/$10 – Looking for dessert but don’t want the fat and sugar-ridden ice cream novelties? Try these fruit bars! Very satisfying and refreshing for the last few days of summer, and only 60 calories!
  • Strawberries: $2.99/lb – With all these fresh berries, you simply can’t go wrong! Throw them in a salad with walnuts, gorgonzola and grilled chicken. Or make them into a trifle. Check out this recipe for a little bit healthier alternative!
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6-Pack Abs Are Made in the Kitchen!

Do as much cardio and as many crunches as you’d like – your abs of steel will not be revealed until you match your workouts with clean eating!

Mark Sisson is 63 years old, but you would never know it by looking at him! Perhaps it’s because he eats so well, which helps him in every other aspect of his life. He just announced his new Primal Kitchen Cookbook which features recipes from over 50 chefs in the wellness community.

Some highlights as Mark describes: “I’m talking big breakfasts, Primal Kitchen Restaurant featured smoothies, nutrient-dense salads and lunches, succulent dinner entrees, rich desserts, tempting small bites, and various sauces and dressings.”

PLUS, the recipes are labeled for specific dietary needs and preferences – vegan, no sugar added, dairy free, etc. Can’t beat that!

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