February 22, 2020

Thai Coconut Basmati Rice with Mango and Seared Scallops

February 22, 2020/ Jonathan Jordan

I’ve been in a bit of a meal prep rut lately. I rely on my go-to recipes for breakfast and lunch (smoothies, protein muffins, curry chicken salad—all the usual suspects) and Freshly for dinner. And they’re still awesome! But this week I had a craving for something different. Thankfully my meal prep guru partner Peter stumbled across this super tasty and easy recipe on EatingWell.com for Thai Coconut Basmati Rice with Mango Seared Scallops.

October 26, 2019

Healthy Halloween Treats to Scratch That Sugar Itch

October 26, 2019/ Jonathan Jordan

We're constantly surrounded by sugary treats and temptations. And not just around Halloween! These days hidden sugar is lurking everywhere in the products we buy. In my post last week I shared the facts about sugar in our diet, how much is ok to eat and whether popular sugar substitutes are actually healthy. Just in time for Halloween here are a few of my favorite “healthier” treats. So if you need a sweet treat fix try this microwave chocolate mug cake (only 100 calories!) or this pumpkin mug cake. And these homemade peanut butter cups are fantastic (because remember, healthy fat can be good for you!). And finally, spruce up your fruit with these spooky ghost fruit kabobs.

October 02, 2019

25 Nutrition Experts & Foodies Share Their Favorite Smoothie Recipes with Yogurt

October 02, 2019/ Jonathan Jordan

Yogurt is a good go-to healthy snack, but a yogurt smoothie is an extra-special, tasty treat that combines the creamy thickness of yogurt with a variety of other nutrient-packed, delicious ingredients, from fresh fruit to chocolate, honey, kale or spinach, and so much more. Check out my favorite recipe and recipes from 24 other fitness pros in this Edible Arrangements Blog post.

October 01, 2019

Are Protein Shakes Good for Weight Loss?

October 01, 2019/ Jonathan Jordan

Protein shakes seem like a convenient way to cut calories and lose weight, but are they really worth all the hype, especially when it comes to weight loss? As with most questions like this though, the answer depends. The folks from Eat This, Not That asked me and other health experts to weigh in with our best thinking when it comes to protein shakes.

September 10, 2019

Crunchy Food Truck Fish Tacos

September 10, 2019/ Jonathan Jordan

Ok, don’t laugh. Because when I first tried these I thought NO WAY. But honestly, these crunchy fish tacos rival those of any food truck and are actually pretty healthy and super easy to make. The secret ingredient? Trader Joe’s fish sticks. Yup. Fish sticks. All you have to do is bake these little suckers in the oven and place two inside of corn tortilla with your favorite toppings (I keep it simple with lettuce for texture, a little Mexican blend cheese, salsa and low fat sour cream). You can also try shredded cabbage, avocado/guac, hot sauce, etc. Have fun with it!

August 20, 2019

Go NUTS with Homemade Almond Butter

August 20, 2019/ Jonathan Jordan

Om nom nom. Ever since Allison Tibbs taught me how to make homemade almond butter I've been drooling over it. Super simple to do. And way tastier than anything store bought. It's awesome plain (doesn't even need salt) or you can jazz it up with cinnamon or vanilla extract. Like all healthy fats, it's super nutritious, but watch your serving sizes as almonds are high in calories.

July 22, 2019

How to Eat (and Exercise) to Get Six-Pack Abs

July 22, 2019/ Jonathan Jordan

I'm always honored when media outlets like US News & World Report come to me for advice. While I tend to care more about a client’s health, mobility and performance over "getting ripped abs" there is NOTHING wrong with having aesthetic goals. And getting lean and seeing your abs pop is a common one (for me too!). So check out this article for my #1 nutritional advice for getting abs and for tips from other top fitness pros.

July 01, 2019

How Can I Get More Protein?

July 01, 2019/ Jonathan Jordan

After reading my Guide to Eating Clean and Getting Lean and determining their caloric and macronutrient needs most of my clients' first realizations is that they need to get more protein. Whether you are "eating to your macros" or not, most of us could benefit from getting more high quality protein into our diets so I've compiled a list of my favorites that include lean meat; eggs; dairy; beans, legumes and nuts; veggies, grains and supplements that are high in protein.

January 10, 2019

Mama Haralabopoulos' Shrimp and Feta Bake

January 10, 2019/ Jonathan Jordan

When it comes to cooking, Greek mothers have legendary skills. And my mother-in-law is an Olympian in the kitchen! When she visited for Christmas she whipped up this simple, delicious and healthy dish and it’s quickly become a favorite in my house. It’s warm and filling with less than 400 calories and only 15g carbs and 36g of protein. Serve it with a little pita and hummus or a simple green salad and enjoy!

September 01, 2018

Q: Can You Really Hit Your Ideal Protein Goal? A: Yes! Here's How.

September 01, 2018/ Jonathan Jordan

Many of my nutrition and training clients find success in flexible dieting. If their goal is fat loss, the most important thing is to maintain a modest calorie deficit over time. But if maintaining or building lean muscle is also a goal, we have to make sure they are hitting their protein target. Sometimes this means aiming for ~175-200g protein in a day on a ~2,400kcal diet which can seem impossible at first. So here is a sample day for how that can be achieved that won't leave you starving and will likely leave you feeling full and satisfied.

July 01, 2018

Fast and Delicious Fish in a Pouch

July 01, 2018/ Jonathan Jordan

While "Fish in a Pouch" may not sound delicious, this quick, clean and tasty dish is one of my favorites. Taking less than 10 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook this all in one meal is perfect to make for one person or a big dinner party and requires almost no clean up. You can use any starches, veggies and fish you like including cod, halibut or salmon and you can also toss in shrimp or scallops.

May 22, 2018

Lentils with Chicken, Shiitake Mushrooms, Walnuts and Feta

May 22, 2018/ Jonathan Jordan

When writing my last post about getting enough protein I was reminded how AWESOME lentils are. Packing as many as 40g in one cup they are an affordable source of protein, easy to prepare and loaded with vitamins and nutrients like folate, iron, potassium and manganese. Plus they are super tasty when mixed with veggies and healthy fats. Give this quick and easy recipe a try. It makes up to four servings loaded with protein, fiber and yummy goodness. I added chicken, but if you are vegetarian or looking for a break from meat, skip the chicken and it's still delicious.

March 24, 2018

Book JJ for a Smoothie Making & Tasting Workshop at Your Office

March 24, 2018/ Jonathan Jordan

I do a lot of corporate presentations, workshops and consulting. I love helping companies like Nixon Peabody, BPM and Union Bank improve employee wellness, productivity and culture through various health initiatives. My favorite these days is my Smoothie Making & Tasting Workshop. I give attendees three smoothie recipes and in a hands-on demo we make them and everyone gets to taste and pick their favorites. We talk about how to make the perfect smoothie to maximize nutrition and dispel common myths about popular ingredients. I bring everything. All I need is a blender set up in the kitchen or conference room. Folks love it. But don't take my word for it. Email me at JJ@JJ-Fit.com to book a wellness workshop at your office.

February 20, 2018

Low Carb Eggplant "Lasagna"

February 20, 2018/ Jonathan Jordan

One of my nutrition coaching clients in Rochester, New York recently pleaded with me to create a hot and hardy recipe to help her make it through the cold months ahead. Nothing is more warming and filling than lasagna! So my amazing Greek meal prep guru and partner Peter worked out this FANTASTIC adaption of traditional lasagna using eggplant instead of noodles. It's relatively easy to make and when you do you can get at least six solid meals out of it that are easy to save and re-heat for lunches and dinners. So if you're craving some comfort food give this one a try.

February 06, 2018

"Me Pretty" Mac & Cheese

February 06, 2018/ Jonathan Jordan

Many of my favorite healthy and tasty recipes are inspired by my clients. I love it when they take our nutrition coaching ideas into the kitchen and dream up new, fun ways to eat clean. This one is a winner from my rock star client Geoff. In addition to having the best animated Elmo gifs he also has the best reinvention of this classic comfort food that I call "Me Pretty" Mac & Cheese.

January 06, 2018

Introducing JJ's Guide to Eating Clean and Getting Lean

January 06, 2018/ Jonathan Jordan

This has been a year in the making and I'm stoked to launch my first e-book: JJ's Guide to Eating Clean and Getting Lean. In this guide, I’ll provide you with a framework and tools for eating to your body composition goals that will still allow you to enjoy your life. My coaching methods have helped hundreds of clients reduce their body fat, get strong and become healthier and more energetic. Ditch the diets and learn a practical and effective way to approach eating for safe, long-term results. On sale now for $4.99. www.JJ-Fit.com/guide.

September 09, 2017

Try This Sonoma Style Chicken Salad Recipe to Boost Your Protein

September 09, 2017/ Jonathan Jordan

This is a new twist on my old curry chicken salad recipe and it's a favorite of mine and several of my clients. It's easy to prep for the entire week and is a great way to get in protein and healthy fat. I used walnuts and grapes in this version but you can also use almonds and apples. It's great on its own, as a topper to a salad or in a wrap as shown here. At 300 calories it packs 40g of protein and only 7 carbs per serving. Give it a try; you won't be disappointed.

August 06, 2017

Sarah's Roasted Veggies and Greek Yogurt Salad

August 06, 2017/ Jonathan Jordan

My amazing client Sarah is a vegetarian meal prep all star! And she gets extra credit for this roasted eggplant, beet and cauliflower salad with spinach, almonds and Greek yogurt. The veggies can be roasted in a big batch and kept for the week and the salad can easily be tossed together at the office. This is a great way to get in your fibrous veggies and also a great way for vegetarians (and carnivores!) to get in ample protein (thanks to the Greek yogurt) and healthy fats (thanks to the almonds and olive oil). This recipe yields enough for 5-7 servings. Om nom nom!

July 03, 2017

Banana Blueberry Explosion Protein Muffins

July 03, 2017/ Jonathan Jordan

These little bastards are LITERALLY my favorite food right now and are a variation on my protein pancake recipe. Pancakes are delicious and are great for a special occasion, but for a normal week they are a lot of work. So my genius partner turned them into muffins and makes them every Sunday so we have them for the week ahead. They are great pre/post workout snacks or perfect at night as a healthy dessert treat.

June 05, 2017

Eat Like The Health Snob: Pistachio Matcha Vitality Bites, Curry Salmon Rice Bowl and Breakfast Tacos

June 05, 2017/ Jonathan Jordan

I've known the beautiful and talented Diana Cardenas for years as the chicest member of the Equinox early morning crew. It takes a special kind of dedication to get up and train at 5am and to do so with a positive attitude of gratitude. Balancing a career in fashion, a fitness regime and a personal life can be challenging. So when I stumbled upon her food blog The Health Snob I was truly impressed. Her recipes are healthy, practical and mouthwatering. She was kind enough to share some of her favorites with me and some wisdom from her personal journey. Check out our interview and be sure to follow @thehealthsnob on Instagram.

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