Cellulite Dance – ATTEMPT AT DANCING LIKE BRITNEY SPEARS
Fitness Interviews – Aaron Harris, CPT
I am happy to post a new fitness interview with Aaron Harris, Certified Personal Trainer. Aaron can be found at his web site: www.AaronHarrisFitness.com
1. Could you tell us a little about yourself and what made you decide to become a personal trainer?
I first started exercising when I was in the sixth grade. I was always the smallest and weakest kid in my class, so I would do pushups and sit-ups every night to build up my strength. My older brother and I used to read comic books and I remember every issue had the ad for Charles Atlas’ Dynamic Tension Program. That got me even more interested in exercise. My brother started to get Muscle and Fitness issues and Joe Weider catalogs. Impressed with Arnold, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbo and others, I asked for a York Junior Barbell set for Christmas. Since then I’ve been hooked on fitness and working out.
I decided to become a personal trainer based on my desire to work in a field involving something I love. I made up my mind to find a satisfying career that I would enjoy and I have found it.
2. What does you current workout routine consist of?
Currently I am doing strength training 3 or 4 days a week. I lift for about 45 – 60 minutes per workout focusing mostly on compound movements.
As far as cardio, I get plenty by participating with some of my clients during their training sessions throughout the week.
3. How does your approach to training differ from other personal trainers?
I get my clients to make fitness and exercise an enjoyable component of their lives, not make their entire lives revolve around workouts. I’ve met too many people that were unhappy with their trainers because the trainer did not take into consideration the client’s life. Family, work, and leisure time are important, so I make sure that exercise, fitness, and healthy eating are able to be incorporated without expecting my clients to live like monks.
I also let clients know from the beginning what are realistic expectations based on how much of a commitment they are willing and able to make.
Unfortunately, lots of folks expect to be able to lose double digit pounds in a week thanks to the Biggest Loser, or be able to get in a total body workout and get amazing results in just 2 easy 10 minute sessions a week like they saw on an exercise product infomercial. I let them know not to compare themselves to fitness models unless they want to live the life of a fitness model. I won’t fill them with false hope and promises that are undeliverable.
4. Do you feel it is important to track progress such as keeping workout journals and food journals?
If someone has specific goals they are working towards it is best to log their workouts and menus. I don’t feel that it needs to be done for every phase of training though. If someone is doing a week of active recovery or they are doing a maintenance phase usually they can skip the logging until it’s time to get back to serious training. Definitely, the best way to track exercise progression is by keeping a log and referring back to it.
5. What do you suggest for people who are just getting back into working out?
My main suggestion is to prepare a solution for every imaginable excuse to not workout. Finding a good workout or training program is easy. Learning to do the exercises is not that difficult. Most people have big trouble just getting themselves started. Whether it is lack of motivation or not enough self-discipline, I think it is the toughest for some people to just get going. I recommend they go over all the reasons they’ve used in the past for skipping a workout or delaying the start of an exercise program and find all the ways they can overcome these obstacles. Once they’ve eliminated the obstacles, they can create a plan suitable for their goals, and find a partner or mentor that will hold you accountable.
6. Recently, I’ve received a lot of comments about the topic of eating one meal a day to lose weight. Could you give your feedback on this?
I’m sure there are a few rare individuals that might be able to survive, thrive and enjoy a healthy active life eating one meal a day, but for most people I don’t think there would be any positive outcome from following, or trying to follow a one-meal-a-day diet.
First of all, in order to get a sufficient amount of calories the majority of the meal would need to be energy dense. It would be too difficult to get enough calories eating the healthiest, nutrient rich foods because they are so full of fiber and much lower in calories. That would lead to a problem of getting all your required nutrients.
The average person would probably feel very low on energy, and the first thing to suffer from that effect would be their workouts, and we all know that exercise is a major factor in successful permanent fat loss.
Two other major concerns would be the decreased metabolism from prolonged daily fasting, and the possibility of the body cannibalizing skeletal muscle for its protein requirements.
Anyone looking for eating or diet guidelines for losing fat should consider that most athletes, especially physique athletes follow the rule of eating smaller frequent meals throughout the day to keep the metabolism running higher, even out blood sugar levels, maintain energy levels and keep hunger in check. The athletes that are best known for following the opposite, eating just two meals a day, are sumo wrestlers. Just by looking at those two examples, anyone should be able to see that eating one meal a day is not the way to go about losing fat.
7. Could you describe your diet and any supplements that you take?
Right now I am following a very strict vegan diet, just as a personal experiment for thirty days. I call it my “Bird Diet.” Normally my eating is very sound. I try to avoid or limit trans fats, high fructose corn syrups, MSG. I never use artificial sweeteners or products containing them.
I definitely follow the 80/20 rule, eating very well 80% or more of the time so I can enjoy a treat once in awhile. Except during my experiment, I never deprive myself of anything. Mainly I just make good choices, the same thing that I teach my personal training clients to do.
As far as supplements, I try to take Mega Omega (EPA/DHA capsules) regularly, but I’m not a pill person, so that doesn’t always happen. The same applies for my multivitamin, The Big One. Occasionally I will supplement with whey protein, and depending on what training program I am doing, I will use creatine.
8. What are some things to keep in mind to help avoid injuries when exercising?
The first thing is to know your limits and not test them. Progress your workouts gradually, not too much all at once.
Properly warming up and maintaining adequate flexibility are also very important, along with maintaining proper form, not just for strength training exercises but cardiovascular exercise too.
Also, people need to occasionally vary their workouts. Performing the same repetitive movements will lead to overuse injuries. The best way to prevent that is by taking a break from the normal routine and doing something completely different.
Another important thing to help avoid injuries is proper nutrition. Exercise breaks down tissue. You need to have enough nutrients to repair and build the tissue damaged from your workouts.
9. Is there a fitness myth you would like to debunk?
The myth that conventional strength training shortens muscles and that Pilates lengthens muscles. First of all, exercise itself is the best thing to counter “muscle binding.” Individuals become “muscle bound”, inflexible through inactivity, not exercise. I have nothing against Pilates, just its proponents that try to hype it by making it sound superior to other forms of exercise such as resistance training or weight lifting by making false claims. It is impossible to lengthen your muscles through exercise.
They are attached at their origins and insertions, and you should want them to always stay there! They can experience hypertrophy or atrophy, their tone can improve or decline, but to say you can change the length is just false.
10. Is there anything you would like to add?
Just thank you for the interview.
Thank you Aaron for participating! Visit Aaron at: www.AaronHarrisFitness.com
Wrong Beliefs about Cellulite-Removal of Cellulite
Have you ever lived in the belief that you will be without cellulite, if you drink plenty of water, healthy eating and do much You were in serious error. Victims of cellulite are not only women but also men.
Drink water and you’ll reduce your cellulite. Not true! Believe it or not, but the idea that drinking large quantities of water will cause changes of the skin, is totally unfounded. This can happen only in the event that you are completely dehydrated. The fact is that only by drinking large quantities of water from the organism will not be off the toxins that are the main culprit for the formation of cellulite.
exercise is preventive.
Not true!
Even in the body of the most vital and trained people who are regularly engaged in the sport, the appearance of cellulite. However, this should be noted that the less fat you have, the less is the possibility that the epidemic spread as cellulite in your body. If you already can not completely eliminate the possibility that the appearance of cellulite, however, do not stop with regular exercise, as you will in this way burn unhealthy fat and increase muscle mass.cellulite with liposuction.
Not true!
Liposuction is the encroachment of aesthetic surgery, which removed or aspirate abnormal fatty layer, which is just under the skin. Unfortunately, the ultimate effect of that is, that part of the body, where we have cellulite, may look a lot worse. Most aesthetic surgeons never recommended liposuction for people who have cellulite Healthy diet prevents the formation of cellulite. Not true! Healthy and good diet is never wrong solution, but you should be aware, that certain foods in the prevention and treatment of cellulite will not be effective. On the other hand, the unhealthy food, which in addition schedules, may cause predisposition to the formation of orange skin. However, do not believe argument on the so-called anti-cellulite food, since there is no evidence that any food is effective in fighting this scourge. Cellulite has only women.
Not true!
Men are by no means immune to cellulite. The survey carried out by the recently revealed that at least 6,000 Americans last year had different ant cellulite treatments. Some researchers even believe that men with cellulite have lower levels of androgen (male) hormones in the body. Although the men cellulite occurs very rarely, the cause is that the subcutaneous tissue is built differently than women. Women are neither collagen lacing vertically arranged; men have a mesh structure to prevent the spread of excess fat in the skin.
Source http://best-diet-food.blogspot.com/2009/03/wrong-beliefs-about-cellulite-removal.html
Revitol Cellulite Cream: Say Goodbye to Cellulite!
Revitol Cellulite Cream
Revitol Cellulite Cream reduces the appearance of cellulite without pain: it helps eliminate cellulite dimples, it boosts muscle tone and sculpts your body.
The Revitol Cellulite Cream can also firm your thighs, legs or butt and prevents those unwanted lumps and bumps from forming.
Revitol Cellulite Cream is a topical product that you apply straight to the problem zones.
Because cellulite is actually little pockets of fat under your skin, your blood circulation does not easily reach these areas. But the natural ingredients in Revitol will be easily absorbed by your skin to reach your cellulite problem immediately.
In many cases the products advertised to remove cellulite are little more than skin moisturizers without any ingredients that actively combat cellulite. Revitol cellulite cream is different because it has the true and natural ingredients that can really help you fight the cellulite.
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Revitol Cellulite Cream has natural and active ingredients that fight cellulite:
1. For detoxifying and slimming properties Revitol uses Algae and Bladderwrack Extracts.
2. For improved circulation and healthy skin tone Revitol uses Capsicum Extract.
3. For increased detoxifying abilities Revitol uses Green tea extract.
4. Retinol A rejuvenates your skin and increases elasticity.
5. Shea butter has skin nourishing and softening properties.
6. Horsetail Extract promotes your skins natural firmness.
7. Caffeine is a stimulant and a vasodilator that reduces cellulite.
8.Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Gotu Kola Extract, Horse Chestnut, Fennel Extract, Aloe Vera Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Squalene Oil, Glycerin, Safflower Oil, all help to moisturize your skin.
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Due to all this natural and powerful ingredients Revitol is the safe way to remove cellulite and even prevent those unwanted lumps and bumps from forming.
Just apply the Revitol Cellulite Cream to your thigh, waist, tummy, legs or butt and watch the fat disappear!
Sources http://www.skintreatmentguide.com/skin-care-treatment/cellulite-cream/revitol-cellulite-cream/
Losing Weight Can be Fun!
WE have invented a revolutionary new diet system and eating program that will make you lose weight WITHOUT restricting your diet to “low fat” or “low carb” foods, rather eating the right calories.
You actually get to eat more and lose more with Strip that Fat!
You need to exercise, but most of you do enough exercise already to be losing weight, you just have not been told about the proper techniques (which we release in full details within this system).
Another cool thing is that we are going to teach you which exercise you can do to actually increase your metabolism, and increase the calories you burn while you are resting!
What if it was finally possible to notice results within the next 7 days!
That’s right, 7 days from now you will have lost inches and have started down your path to losing weight.
And, 14 days from now, you will look and feel different. Strip that Fat is going to shed pounds like no other diet you have been apart of or associated with.
This diet is going to allow you to start seeing results in mere days.
In-Home Fitness – Can Pushing Play Really Work?
I have collected my share of fitness dvd’s over the years and some of them were good and some of them I just got bored with after a couple of weeks. Once I joined the gym, I didn’t think much about in-home fitness dvd’s. That is until I started hearing about P90X. I knew it was a fitness program on dvd and I once caught a glimpse of the infomercial and was impressed by it.
Then not too long ago, I learned more about Beachbody® products and realized they produce some of the most popular dvd’s around. I had heard of Hip Hop Abs plenty of times. Soon after, I signed up with the Team Beachbody Club, became a coach, and have started P90 (the program before P90X.)
I’m into day 9 of P90 and here is what I like about the whole system thus far:
Accountability – Unlike other fitness dvd’s you can buy, Beachbody has created a way for you to be accountable. If you join the Team Beachbody Community, you can log in your workouts, team up with buddies who are also doing the same program you are, join groups, utilize the message boards, and use personalized meal planners (paid version of club.) It is a good way of feeling part of a group and it keeps track of your overall progress too (calenders, before/after stats, etc.)
Progression – The workouts are set up for progression. For example, in P90, there are 4 phases. You start in phase 1-2 and progress into phase 3-4. Average progression from phase 1-2 to 3-4 happens at the 30 day mark but can vary depending on how you feel. I can tell you after day 9, I have noticed improvement in my overall strength already.
Meal Plans – Food is my biggest obstacle. Working out is fun for me but I just couldn’t get my eating habits down. I was so happy to read over the meal plans that come with the programs and the ones you can use in the club. Sure, I could get healthy recipes online, but that brings me back to the accountability issue. Participating in the club and knowing that I want results at the end of 90 days pushes me to eat properly.
Time Saver – I quit the gym recently and I have no regrets about doing so. One thing I’ve noticed is that I’m saving myself a lot of time by working out at home. I can do my workouts any time I want and they don’t take long at all. I’m done within 30 – 40 minutes and I feel great afterwards. It’s convenient, I get it done, and move on with my day.
If you are struggling to find a fun way to exercise without investing time and money at a gym, I recommend checking out Beachbody® products. I think their programs are a great resource for people who just want a simple way to get in shape while making it fun at the same time. It is working out great for me so far and I am documenting my progress over at my other fitness blog.
Check out:
Beachbody® products
Fitness blog
Camp, Candy & College
It was a big oops this morning as we realized that we’d messed up who was posting today. So I started browsing through old posts to see if there were any worth reviving. And stumbled across something I wrote back in 2005 about summer camp and no candy rules. Seems relevant to revisit as I read more and more about rules to restrict “fun foods” in schools and the like, in an attempt to battle childhood obesity problems.
The old post shares my relief that my son’s camp rethought its former and long-held stance that forbade candy, acknowledging that the camp director viewed Snickers as a survival food. I also shared how my son was progressing from his definite predilection for sugar, so much so that he forgot to pack candy even when it was allowed. You can read the whole discourse titled “Getting Over Candy” if you’re so inclined.
I’m proud to report my son graduated from high school this last weekend. His summer camp days are over but now it’s off to college soon where I’m confident he’s well prepared to face college eating challenges without misguided notions that could interfere with his ability to make smart choices.
Do you have any stories to share about summer camp food? What about at college?
Cupcakes, Whining & Motivation: An Interview with Fitness Blogger Crabby McSlacker
Part of my regular routine is to browse on over to Cranky Fitness for a daily dose of good humor and good sense. Crabby McSlacker, along with her blogging partner Merry Sunshine, provides refreshing insight into healthy eating and fitness, under the guiding principle that “Healthy Living is a Pain in the Ass.” Crabby kindly agreed to answer some of our questions, which may convince you to add Cranky Fitness to your daily routine, too!
We love reading your blog and are interested to learn more about what you’ve ascertained about women and fitness. Do you find that women exercise for fun, fitness or to rid themselves of fat?
I think there are as many reasons why women exercise as there are women!
However, in our fat-phobic society, I think a lot of women do it because they’re hoping to lose weight. And then some get really disappointed when they huff and they puff and they spend countless hours sweating at the gym and the results on the scale aren’t always all that dramatic. But on the bright side, exercise can actually be fun if you find something you like. And it’s incredibly rewarding once it’s a habit. So I think many women start exercising in order to lose weight, but keep going because of the mood lift, the sense of accomplishment, the strength gains, and all the great health benefits that come with exercise. (Plus, there’s nothing like the sense of smugness you get from being physically fit!)
We’ve heard you say that healthy living is a pain in the ass. So why do it? (We have our own reasons, but we want to hear it from you!)
Because unhealthy living is even MORE of a pain in the ass! Seriously—the lack of energy, poor health, low self-esteem, and general cruddy feeling you get when you eat nothing but junk and spend all day sitting around is far worse than the challenges of eating right and exercising.
You’ve said that in your formative years you were “scarfing cheeseburgers and cokes and cookies with complete abandon.” What got you interested in being healthy?
To get serious for a moment: my dad died of a heart attack (his fourth) when he was in his early fifties. After his first heart attack in his forties, he got plenty of good medical advice about healthy eating and getting enough exercise but he chose to ignore it. And both my mother’s parents died in their early fifties too. So genetically, I’m kind of screwed. I’ve been pretty health conscious since my early twenties because I’m really aware of how things can turn out badly if you don’t take care of yourself.
Do you have a fitness philosophy?
I have a million opinions and observations, but dang it, I realize I don’t have a good catchphrase that sums it all up! Maybe something that rhymes? “It’s ok to be a grouch, just don’t be a slouch?” “Cut yourself some slack, so you can stay on track?” Sheesh, those are awful. But it would be something about not aiming for perfection, but instead setting realistic goals for your health and trying your best to stay motivated even when it sucks, and celebrating your accomplishments, and forgiving yourself for your lapses. Oh, and not giving a crap what the celebrities say they’re doing. Because most of them are either crazy or lying.
What do you think is the biggest fitness faux pas?
I’d say doing or saying anything to belittle someone else’s fitness goals or accomplishments, or otherwise trying to make someone feel bad about the shape they’re in. I get the sense there are some snotty gyms and classes out there where people are less than welcoming and I think that’s obnoxious.
Exercise is not always going to be fun. What are some of the tricks you use to make it fun? Or do you just grin and bear it?
There are some forms of exercise I actually like—long walks or running outside on a pretty trail, for example. But I need to mix up my cardio and get some strength training, so some days I just have to force myself to do something I’m really not in the mood for.
Here are some tricks that have worked for me; your mileage may vary: 1. Dosing up on extra caffeine beforehand; 2. Spending a ridiculous number of hours assembling workout music playlists so I’m never without good music; 3. Bargaining with myself (i.e.—if I just get myself to the gym and do half a workout, that will be enough. Then usually (but not always) I do the whole thing anyway; 4. Making an exercise date with my spouse, because then I can’t back out; 5. Whining; 6. More whining; 7. Trying something new that I haven’t grown to hate yet. (This is a trick I should use a LOT more often but I’m lazy and stubborn and tend to stick with things long past the point when I’m tired of them).
You often speak out against health and fitness perfectionism. Why do you think it’s so hard for people to be kind to themselves and try their best. Essentially give themselves a break?
One reason is the idiotic messages we get from TV shows, magazines, and other media. Like it should be easy and fun to compete in our first triathlon, drop enough weight to become a fashion model, raise a passel of healthy, happy, over-achieving kids, do an hour of pilates or turbo kickboxing before work, bake whole-wheat bread from scratch, do push ups and pull ups just like the guys do, get 11 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, achieve professional success—oh yeah, and still carve out a balanced life with plenty of time for creative pursuits, social engagements, volunteer work, and daily meditation sessions.
If you add it all up, it’s impossible! No human being could do all that, let alone perfectly. But we’re surrounded by these manufactured media images and we keep reading all these self-help articles that make it sound so simple. Of course if we ever thought about all this consciously we’d realize it’s nuts, but we don’t—we just absorb it. So we subconsciously believe that perfection is not only possible, but that it’s “normal.” And then we feel like failures because we’re regular human beings who sometimes blow off a workout or eat Pop-tarts for breakfast.
What are some of your pet peeves when it comes to people’s perception about health?
I think extremes are annoying. Some experts act like it’s EASY to make healthy choices all the time, and so if you don’t, what the heck is wrong with you? But the opposite is equally discouraging: it’s impossible to resist temptation or put out any effort to get healthy, so why bother trying? Judging from the inactive lifestyles and self-indulgent food choices of many Americans, this attitude is not uncommon and is going to be a huge public health issue.
What’s your basic healthy-eating philosophy?
I follow a “Ninety percent” rule. I aim to eat healthy about 90 percent of the time, and for the remaining ten percent? I eat total junk if that’s what I feel like. And by “healthy” I mean as many whole foods as I can manage, or if I’m going to go with pre-made or convenience foods, I try to find them with healthy ingredients. I eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein like chicken or fish or legumes, (I also drink a lot of nonfat milk for some reason), and I get plenty of healthy fats. Oh, and I was thrilled to discover that formerly frowned-upon foods like nuts, avocados, red wine, and dark chocolate are actually good for me! I figure the hell with the calories, I eat them and enjoy them as part of the “healthy” 90 %, not the “junky” 10%. I’m not a vegetarian, but I try to stay away from fatty red meats or processed meats. And generally, the less sugar, salt, white flour, saturated fats, and transfats, the better— but I do allow myself to have them. They just go into the “10% junk” category.
Are you really as cranky as you say?
Well, I’m definitely whiny and opinionated! But in actual real-life human interactions, I tend to be more easy-going. I don’t feel compelled so say every negative thing that occurs to me like I do on the blog. I’m actually pretty shy. That’s why blogging is such a great outlet for me!
What are some of your favorite sources (magazines, blogs, sites etc.) for info about health and fitness?
I roam all over the place on the internet, from serious peer-reviewed academic journals, to mainstream media sources, to fun health blogs. (I’d start naming them but then I’d get in trouble because I just know I’d leave one of my favorites out and then feel dumb about it).
The most pathetic thing is that I love reading women’s health magazines. Even though they’re terrible about trumpeting misleading weight-loss and health claims on their covers. Almost every issue they imply that you can spot-reduce with strength training, for example, and they totally obsess over weight loss and “beauty” issues at the expense of health. Yet there’s something about the glossy pictures and the physical feel of flipping magazine pages. And yes, I’ve I’m sometimes a sucker for those unrealistic promises of quick easy new health and fitness solutions. Is there really some simple new method to get stronger faster? Or some new tasty natural superfood that’s so nutritious it’s going to make me immortal? I want to find out all about it!
What’s your novel about?
My first novel was about a young journalism student who goes to see a psychotherapist with a made-up disorder in order to write about it. It was sort of a romantic comedy as well as an inside look at the therapy process. (Both the therapist and client had complicated love lives, but not with each other. I hate when that happens in books and movies!) As it happens, I was a psychotherapist in California for many years and discovered that while there is a lot that is moving and dramatic about the process, there can be a lot of humor too. So I tried to capture both aspects. I actually thought it turned out pretty well! Alas, my agent couldn’t sell it at the time, though I may try again someday. I’m a bit stalled on my second novel, which is also a comic novel with quirky characters. I was having a blast with it, but it’s competing for my writing attention with the blog. And I’m also working on a book based on the blog, tentatively titled: “Cranky Fitness: Getting Healthy When the Whole Damn World is Against You.” But as a slacker, I don’t seem to get all that much of anything done on an average day so it may be a while before any of my non-blog writing finds an audience.
What’s your favorite kind of cupcake and where do you get it?
My favorite cupcake dispensary is the famous Magnolia bakery in the West Village in New York, which we were lucky (or unlucky) enough to live near for a couple of years. But many bakeries put out excellent cupcakes. My favorite is actually two cupcakes: half of a vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting, and half of a chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting. Can you tell I have trouble making decisions?
Can you see why we love Cranky Fitness so much?
It Happened This Week: Jessica Simpson, Self Acceptance and No Regrets
“Jessica Simpson, who was battered by media coverage about her weight earlier this year, is…reportedly shopping around a new reality program that focuses on society’s scrutiny of women’s bodies.” Will you watch?
The “secret first step” to mindful eating? Self Acceptance, says Dr. Susan Albers on the Huffington Post. “The goal of self-acceptance is to learn how to say, ‘I am who I am’ without trying to radically change yourself or body shape.” At Green Mountain, we’ve been encouraging self-acceptance for years because it is also the secret first step to living well.
We like how Bacon is my Enemy took an honest inventory of what she wanted to change about her life. The results made her feel surprisingly lighter.
The Mayo Clinic blog asks, What Causes Overeating? “To prevent overeating and weight gain, we first have to understand what drives us to eat.”
Check your attitude. The more you practice thinking positively about following a healthful diet, the sooner you’ll adopt a more positive attitude toward food, says Psychology Today.
Our Lady of Weight Loss responded to National Donut Day by calling on the Angel of Avocado for a recipe.
Cammy from the Tippy Toe Diet talks about letting go of regrets.
From the archives: Last year around this time, we asked you to test your knowledge of fruits and veggies.
Photo by jvh33 via flickr.
Healthy Recipe: Strawberry Tostada
It’s strawberry season! Sure, in this day and age, you can buy them at the supermarket year-round, but nothing really compares to a fresh, ripe strawberry just off the vine. Hey, why not pick your own? Fitness happens! Then you can invite the gang over for this one-of-a-kind treat courtesy of the California Strawberry Commission. It combines the sweet berries with jicama, a crunchy and juicy root veggie also known as a Mexican potato and spruces it up with jalapeño and lime.
Strawberry Tostada
Serves 6
2 1/2 cups (about 3/4 pound) fresh strawberries, stemmed and quartered
1/2 pound jicama, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon minced jalapeño peppers
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 pound avocados, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch dice
Salt
6 (6-inch) yellow corn tortillas
Chili powder
6 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco
6 cilantro sprigs
1 lime, cut into 6 wedges
Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In large bowl, mix together strawberries, jicama, cilantro, peppers and lime juice. Add avocados; fold together gently. Season with salt. Arrange tortillas on oven rack in one layer. Toast about 10 minutes or until crisp and starting to brown. Mound 1 cup strawberry mixture in center of each tortilla. Sprinkle each tostada with chili powder and 1 tablespoon queso fresco. Garnish with 1 cilantro sprig and 1 lime wedge.
