Recently, Kelly Jad'on posted a great review of our new book on her website Basil and Spice where she reports on weight loss, fitness, and a variety of other topics.

For those of you interested in a sneak peak at the book, I've posted her review here.  Below it, I included one of the recipes she discussed -- enjoy!

By Kelly Jad'on  (from www.basilandspice.com)

The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start is about more than just television entertainment. The program has been immensely popular because it is an actual visual of weight loss that viewers can relate to, real people achieve real results--a weight loss visual. But what happens after the tv set's turned off?

The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start is the at-home supplement to a weight loss lifestyle. Including photos and stories of Losers who have gotten off the ranch and are now back in their own kitchens, gyms, and neighborhoods, it encourages and plans out for continuous weight loss in the domicile.

The Biggest Loser cast (Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels, ect.) provide the reader with tips, tricks, and insight on how they keep the weight loss in motion. "You are going to learn that everything you put in your mouth matters."--Bob Harper

Each of the 30 days is broken into its own individual section and includes:

*An opening page of encouragement by an author

*A jump-start menu plan--breakfast, lunch, 2 snacks, dinner

*Recipes--using regularly available grocery ingredients; states per serving nutritional value; many photos of the recipes. Tastes to try:

Day 28 Cumin-spiced bulgur and lentils (140 cals, 8g protein, 24g carbs)
Day 29 Lebanese kebabs (uses bulgur and turkey--190 cals, 21g protein, 12g carbs)
Day 10 Pesto pizzettas (utilizes ready made polenta--80 cals, 4g protein, 10g carbs)

*A jump-start exercise plan--daily goal, cardio/warmup, strength/mobility and body weight exercise, stretching; differentiates between beginners and advanced participants

*Photos of sample exercises with directions

Other notable sections in The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start focus on how to eat at home and when you're out--in a restaurant. Explanations of protein, whole grains, healthy fats, carbs, calorie counts, and menu planning are important to read.

The beginner will also learn how to assess his fitness level, calculate his target heart rate, make a plan for exercise, and instill workout guidelines.

The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start is a plan, and that's the key word--PLAN. The user must plan out his menu (trips to grocery with list), cook specific meals, and set aside time daily for exercises. And it's a great one. Those who stay in shape do plan what they'll eat, when they'll eat, and do allow for daily exercise. It's all about being conscious about every bite you take. This plan and recipes are wonderful for the whole family as well."

LEBANESE KEBABS

The surprise ingredient bulgur adds texture and fiber, though you can’t tell it’s there. This recipe is typically made with ground lamb, but this version is tasty, quick, and easy. Try serving the bite-size meatballs at your next party.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup uncooked bulgur
1/2 cup boiling water
1 1/4 pound 93% lean ground turkey
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, mint, or Italian parsley
12 (6") skewers

Instructions:
Place the bulgur and water in a small bowl and soak for 30 minutes.
While the bulgur is soaking, place the turkey, garlic, mint, cumin, coriander, pepper, onion, mustard seed, and salt in a large mixing bowl. (If you’ve thawed frozen turkey, be sure to drain any juices before adding the meat to the bowl.)
Drain the bulgur in a sieve to remove excess liquid. Transfer the bulgur to the large mixing bowl and mix well.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Form the mixture into 36 meatballs, about 1 1/2" across, using about 1 1/2 tablespoons of mixture per meatball.  Thread 3 meatballs onto each of 12 (6") skewers, leaving about 1/2" between meatballs. Place the skewers on a nonstick baking sheet so that they’re evenly spaced and not touching. Bake for 8 minutes, or until no longer pink.
To serve, place 2 skewers on each plate and garnish with the cilantro. Serve with cucumber or tomato salad and hummus.
If there are any leftovers, try a kebab sandwich: Place 3 meatballs in a small whole wheat pita with shredded lettuce and tomato slices.

Nutritional Analysis per serving:
190 calories, 21 g protein, 12 g carbohydrates (1 g sugars), 7 g fat (2 g saturated), 70 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, 270 mg sodium

Fad diets come and go. The fat-free craze introduced us to hundreds of fat-free food products that flooded the market because so many people became fat-phobic. 

There's no doubt, fat is rich in calories.  Gram for gram, fat has more than twice as many calories as carbohydrates and protein. And it's true - some fats simply aren't good for you. Trans fats are found in fried foods and processed foods (as well as in some meat products).  They are unhealthy because they raise levels of unhealthy cholesterol (LDL) and decrease the level of healthy cholesterol (HDL) in our bodies.

Saturated fats cause problems too.    

Saturated fats are solid at room temperature.  These include the skin on chicken or turkey and the visible fat on a steak.   Saturated animal fat also contains cholesterol and promotes heart disease.  We definitely need to limit the amount of saturated fat in our diet.

But some fats are good -- in fact our bodies need them.

Even though the goal of the Positively Ageless and  Biggest Loser eating plans is to lose weight, some good fats are included with every meal and every snack.  Part of the reason for this is that fat provides a satisfying texture and mouthfeel.  It also promotes satiety or fullness.  Having a few nuts with a piece of fruit, or spreading a slice of avocado onto a sandwich (instead of mayonnaise) are delicious ways to help increase the feeling of fullness while delivering valuable health benefits.

Other perks of good fats include:

• help increase our body's absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamins D, E, A and K and powerful antioxidants such as lycopene
• lutein found in avocados is stored in the macula of the eye and helps promote eye health and decrease our risk for macular degeneration
• Vitamin E found in nuts, seeds, olives and avocados helps promote heart health
• good fats promote healthy hair and softer skin (and softer skin minimizes the appearance of fine lines!)
• Omega 3's are an essential fat (meaning our body doesn't produce them -- it's essential that we get them from our diet).  Every cell in our body uses omega 3s -- they promote heart health and help improve brain function.  They're found in cold-water fish such as salmon and in plant foods such as flax seed
• 

Yes, we need to remember that good fats are a concentrated source of calories and as such, we need to limit them.  But it's important to make room for healthy fats in our diet, whether or not you're trying to lose weight.

Here are suggested serving sizes and calories for some delicious good fats:

Avocado      3 slices/one ounce    50 calories

Almonds     10 raw almonds      75 calories

Walnuts      1 1/2 tablespoons (chopped)   70 calories

Lox or smoked salmon   2 ounces   75 calories