Heart Healthy Foods

Let’s keep focused on our goals from the Iron Sharpens Iron Challenge. We can encourage each other to continue going strong and to staying committed. We are better together!

All about ♥️ hearts in February. We have discussed the importance of HIIT for our hearts and we have shared some amazing healthy recipes to love! This week is all about HEART-HEALTHY FOODS! These are foods that help your body and heart to function to the best of their ability. So without further ado, here are some of the TOP 6 heart-healthy foods you need to add in this week!

Top 6 Heart-Healthy Foods

1. Hemp Hearts are the "heart" of a shelled hemp seed. They are rich in protein and have the almost highest balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and enzymes. They have been shown to decrease blood pressure, as well as lower the risks of colon and prostate cancer. Also, they can relieve indigestion because they have no known allergens.  Sprinkle hemp hearts on your salad, yogurt, or smoothie. 

2. Avocado is full of healthy fats and contains many vital nutrients and fibers that your body and heart need. Avocado offers nutrients so that you can have a healthy heart!  

3. Leafy Greens contain nitrate content. This nitrate content allows the heart to pump blood more efficiently and allows for overall better blood flow. 

4. Tomatoes have nutrients that are found to help prevent cardiovascular disease. Additionally, tomatoes have nutrients that can protect and reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. 

5. Berries are a source of micronutrients and fiber. They support your heart through decreased activity of carbohydrate digestive enzymes and inhibit inflammatory gene expression and foam cell formation. If the cell formation and gene expression are not kept under control, it can result in heart disease and a lower, decreased heart health.  Raspberries are the highest in fiber, lowest in sugar fruit! Enjoy! 

6. Beets are full of healthy nutrients, like calcium, iron, potassium, and protein. Beets contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents which have shown to reduce the risk of some cancers. Drinking beet juice has also shown to improve cardiorespiratory endurance and increases overall efficiency so this will help you get through your workouts! 

Looking for some healthy recipes to try? Check out the TransFit Athens website for some great ideas! 

Performance Ready Nutrition 
Remember TransFit is a pickup location for your healthy meals and snacks. Order online By Friday at midnight and pickup your meals at TransFit! Enjoy! 

EXCITING FEBRUARY  NEWS!
Check out these awesome opportunities to RISE TOGETHER and Finish Strong in February!

Weekly Wellness Nutrition Group

 If you would like to join us in February (Mondays 9:30) please email us here or sign up on the APP for the RISE TOGETHER WEEKLY WELLNESS PROGRAM.

Sign up on the TransFit app today to reserve your spot for this awesome opportunity! 

TransFit GIRLS
We are so excited to start back with our TransFit MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS today 4:30pm! This is a great opportunity for middle school girls to learn more about fitness and nutrition in a fun and encouraging environment. Sign up on the app to reserve your girl's spot! 

Want to be a part of something amazing? Consider helping with the RISE TOGETHER 5K!
We are so excited to have our annual Rise Together 5K again this year! This is a special 5K benefiting ESP and is a great way to meet a goal and run with family and friends. Sign up today! Email us at transfitathens@gmail.com with any questions!

♥️We are thankful to serve you in your whole body health goals. Keep showing up, giving your best for you, for today.

Please check out our website for more blogs, inspiration, recipes, workouts, and more!

Let us know how we can help you reach your goals and dreams! Email us at transfitathens@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to schedule a one-on-one.

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Mediterranean Diet

Happy Friday! This week was AWESOME at both studios. We love seeing the progress and determination that is being put forward to Transform at Home and Transform 30! The community at TransFit is inspiring and that can only happen with you! Thanks for the hard work. 💪

Lots of questions in sessions this week about the Mediterranean Diet! While it is a diet, following this way of eating is more of a lifestyle than a diet. The Mediterranean Plan is based around eating in moderation and giving your body the nutrients, it needs daily though whole foods. Below are some lists of food groups as well as all about the Mediterranean diet and how YOU can incorporate it into your weekly meal plan.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?!
As you can imagine, the diet is composed of foods that can be found along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Ranging from veggies to red meat to yogurt this diet is full of bright colors and delicious flavors. Some of the main food groups as listed below.

• Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts ad legumes all minimally processed and grown locally preferable.

• Olive oil as the principle source of fat

• Cheese and Yogurt consumed in low amounts

• Red Meat (high quality) consumed infrequently and in low amounts

• Fresh fruit for desserts and sweets containing added sugar only eaten a few times a week

• Wine consumed in low to moderate amounts, with meals

Easy Ways to Incorporate A Mediterranean Diet Into Your Life

 It all starts with small changes. You can start with the changes you think will be easiest for YOU first.

• Switch from butter or margarine to olive oil. Olive oil is great to cook with or fry an egg in a pan with! Another great way to incorporate this healthy fat into your meals is to replace cream-based salad dressings with an olive oil dressing. Some great ingredients make your own salad dressing with are vinegar, Dijon mustard, parsley, garlic, oregano, and lemon.

• Eat nuts and olives as snacks. This is a great replacement for a processed snack.

• Replace bread with whole-grain products. A popular, sprouted grain bread is Ezekiel 4:9 Bread. This bread combines 6 grains and legumes that create health benefits you normally cannot get from breads, pastas, and cereals including amino acids, protein, vitamins, and fiber. Other whole grains that are awesome are bulgur, barley, farro, and couscous.

• Begin each meal with a salad. This way you become more full-on greens! Choose crisp, dark greens and add lots of color!

• Eat more legumes! This includes lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas.

• Eat lean meat.

• Cut out sugary beverages.

• Seek out the best quality food available.

• Farmer’s markets are an EXCELLENT source of locally grown and in season foods. While farmers markets aren’t open now, buying produce in season allows for cheaper and more nutritious fruits and vegetables.

• Lastly Mediterranean meals are most often shared family style!

Classic Greek Salad

Ingredients:
Serves 4
Prep Time: 20 Minutes

• Red onion

• Kosher salt

• ¼ cup red wine vinegar

• Zest and juice of one lemon

• 1 teaspoon Oregano

• Ground pepper

• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

• Grape Tomatoes

• 1 cup Kalamata olives

• 5 Persian cucumbers

• 1 4-ounce block Greek feta cheese

Directions:
 

1. Whisk the vinegar, lemon zest and juice, honey, dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.
2. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified. Add the tomatoes and olives and toss.
3. Peel the cucumbers, leaving alternating strips of green peel. Trim the ends, halve lengthwise and slice crosswise, about 1/2 inch thick; add to the bowl with the tomatoes.
4. Add red onion to the bowl and toss. Drain the feta and slice horizontally into 4 even rectangles. Divide the salad among plates.
5. Top with the feta and oregano; drizzle with olive oil and season with pepper.
6. For extra protein add chicken or shrimp on top!

Grilled Salmon Kabobs

Ingredients:
Serves 8
Cook Time: 60 Minutes

• ½ cup tzatziki sauce

• 1 lemon, zested

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 pound salmon fillets, cut into 1 inch cubes

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• 2 medium green bell peppers, cut into 2 inch pieces

• 1 pint grape tomatoes

• ½ red onion, cut into wedges

• ¼ cup feta cheese

• More tzatziki sauce for serving

Directions:
 

1. Combine tzatziki sauce, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl. Add salmon, toss to coat, and marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
2. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
3. Combine garlic, oregano, and olive oil in a bowl. Add green peppers, red onions, and grape tomatoes.
4. Beginning and ending with salmon, thread salmon, grape tomatoes, red onions, and green peppers onto 8 skewers.
5. Cook salmon skewers on the hot grill until fish is opaque in color, turning every 5 minutes, about 15 minutes total. Top with feta cheese and extra tzatziki sauce.

We are partnering with Performance Ready Nutrition

We are so excited to help you with your whole body healthy journey. We will be carrying Grab and Go items from PR Nutrition and in February will have a cooler to store the full meals for pickup. Check out the Website here and get excited!

Bible Study
Interesting in joining Bible Study? Next week is only the second week! We'd love for you to join us at 12 pm on Wednesdays! We are studying Kelly Minter's book Encountering God! It is a wonderful book regarding how to keep God in your life in the day to day!

Full Schedule Starts Next Week
New sessions at TransFit Athens & TransFit Oconee. New 1-1 availability times, Small Group Training 10:30am Daily, Afternoon Open Strength, and new evening Tuesday Yoga. Check the TransFit App for updates. Please schedule your sessions in advance. 

Thank you and please let us know how we can serve you! Email us at transfitathens@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to schedule a one-on-one. Check out our website for blogs, inspiration, recipes, workouts, and more! We are excited to serve you! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit