Training Zone

Carrot Cake Protein Shake   Our carrot cake shake recipe combines a mix of nutrients with the spiced flavors of the classic dessert; you also get the added benefit of a protein boost thanks to vanilla Premium Whey. This recipe is perfect for after a workout or for a bedtime recovery snack.  Ingredients: ½ cup carrot juice 1 banana, roughly chopped ¾ cup almond or coconut milk 1 scoop vanilla Premium Whey dash of cinnamon dash of nutmeg Crushed ice handful of walnuts (optional) Preparation: Blend all the ingredients together until your smoothie reaches your desired consistency and serve. Make this at home and share your pics with #americanmetabolix for a chance to be featured!  

This orange and vanilla dream protein shake brings back memories of your childhood with this healthy take on an old favorite. It’s a refreshing post work out or mid day snack. Tastes amazing and super simple to make!  Ingredients: 8oz of low-sugar or no-sugar orange juice 1 scoop vanilla Premium Whey Handful crushed ice Preparation: In a blender, mix together the orange juice, vanilla Premium Whey protein and crushed ice. Serve and enjoy!

Iced Caramel & Vanilla Latte Protein Shake Iced Caramel & Vanilla Protein Latte is a perfect morning meal replacement – Tastes great and super simple to make! Ingredients 8oz of almond milk of your choice 1 shot espresso 1 scoop vanilla Premium Whe Handful crushed ice 1 tbsp sugar-free caramel syrup Preparation: In a high-powered blender, mix together the almond milk, espresso, vanilla Premium Whey protein, sugar free caramel and crushed ice. Serve and enjoy! **Don't forget to share your favorite American Metabolix recipes with us on social with #americanmetabolix!

Sunshine, fireworks, and time on the lake or at the park is the perfect way to spend your 4th of July. Your celebration will likely be filled with family, friends, and maybe even a parade or two, so the best way to stay healthy on July 4th is to plan ahead. There are a few you can enjoy Independence Day and not blow your healthy routine or feel drained from the sun by the time the fireworks show begins. Start With Your Workout If you're concerned the 4th of July festivities will get in the way of your daily workout, be sure to hit the gym early in the A.M. before the fun and games begin. You'll leave feeling energized for the day and won't skip a beat with your regime.  Race Day Another option to get in your workout is to stay active - 4th of July style. Communities often host 5K run / walk events on July 4th, offering a great way to stay active and get the whole family involved. Check out the Runner’s World website to find a race near you.  Scope Out The Menu Before you dive in to a plate full of potato salad, browse your menu options so you can select some lighter foods that won’t leave you feeling over indulged by the day’s end. Fruit salads, vegetables, and grilled chicken are great options for sticking to a lighter meal. If you want to be really safe, bring your own food within your diet plan to cook during the day. Keep Dessert Colorful One of the most popular July 4th desserts at any picnic or family gathering is the heaping bowl of neatly stacked strawberries, blueberries, and light whipped topping. It’s a festive way to enjoy a sweet snack but still stay on track! Stay Hydrated Whether the temperatures are soaring or you’re just staying active, you’ll want to stay hydrated all day. Be sure to pack plenty of water if you’re going out and pass on the sugary drinks that can give you a short-lived energy boost but leave you sluggish afterwards. Wear Sunscreen The sunscreen isn’t just for the pool. Protect yourself and your family while you’re outside playing yard games or bicycling. Studies show that sunburns increase risk of skin cancer by 12 times. Avoid the burn and apply throughout the day. Clean The Grill Make sure when you throw on the chicken or veggies, the grill is clean. Old food debris can be the perfect spot for bacteria and germs. After you’ve finished cooking, give the grill a gentle scrub so it’s clean for your next cookout. Cold Food Cold It can be easy to forget about food that’s sitting out on a picnic table or kitchen counter when you start playing games or watching fireworks. Be sure to keep the cold food cold and hot foods hot. Put the unused items back in the fridge or set them on ice, so no one gets sick. Here’s to hoping you and your family have a safe and healthy 4th of July holiday!

Brown Fat (The Good) This fat is composed of several small lipid (fat) droplets and a large number of iron-containing mitochondria (the cell’s heat-burning engine). The iron, along with lots of tiny blood vessels, gives this fat its brownish appearance. Brown fat is usually found in the front and back of the neck and upper back. The main purpose of brown fat is to burn calories in order to generate heat. That’s why brown fat is often referred to as the “good” fat, since it helps us burn, not store, calories. Brown fat is derived from muscle tissue. As you age the quantity of brown fat significantly decreases. Adults who have comparatively more brown fat tend to be younger and slim.  How do I get more Brown Fat? Exercising, which also can convert white fat to a more metabolically active brown fat; getting enough high-quality sleep, as proper melatonin production influences the production of brown fat. Exposure to cold weather can also help generate brown fat.  White Fat (The Bad & ugly) This type of fat is composed of a single lipid droplet and has far less mitochondria and blood vessels, thus resulting in its lighter white or yellow appearance. White fat is the predominant form of fat in the body, originating from connective tissue. White fat has many purposes. It provides the largest energy reserve in the body. It’s a thermal insulator and cushion for our internal organs. It is a major endocrine organ, producing one form of estrogen (bad for men; aromatase the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen is found most prevalently in fat cells, so the more body fat a man has, especially in the midsection, the more aromatase and hence the more estrogen.) as well as leptin, a hormone that helps regulate appetite and hunger. It’s also got receptors for insulin, growth hormone, adrenaline, and cortisol (stress hormone). So, it’s not all bad What is bad, is what you see in the mirror. In women, excess fat accumulates around the hips, thighs, and buttocks. Men tend to pack excess fat primarily in the belly region. An excess of white fat inside the belly is associated with an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer plus unwanted estrogen. Excess white fat throughout the rest of body is associated with an increased risk of breast, colon, esophageal, gall bladder, and pancreatic cancer. It’s also associated with sleep apnea. Why am I getting White Fat? Consuming too many calories and not exercising or burning those calories. Summary: White fat is not all bad. Located in the right areas it can be beneficial and necessary. But, located in the wrong areas or having too much can have serious negative impacts to your health. New research shows that when people overeat, they not only increase their total amount of white fat, but the overconsumption results in their brown fat becoming dysfunctional and thus unable to burn calories. Eating right, regular exercise and high quality supplements can help get you looking good in the mirror and improve your health.

My second meal is normally a protein pancake but wanted something a little different. Not sure what to call it...Pumpkin Spice Squash Patty with a Cinnamon Vanilla Protein Pancake..."Double Stuffed Squash Oreo?" 😂 maybe that's a stretch. 1. Patties: process 1/2c cooked spaghetti squash, 1/4c oats, 1T of maple syrup, some pecans (add more nuts if you want more of a granola bar-like patty), pumpkin spice and cardamom (optional). Place on baking sheet and cook 350 for about 35 minutes. For crisp patty, you can cook on a skillet afterward for a few minutes (maybe top with a fried egg or just peanut butter or jam 😉). 2. Pancake: 1/2 scoop AM Vanilla with 1/2c cottage cheese, cinnamon, 1/4t baking powder and 1/8t of xanthan gum. 3. Creamy center was just some AM Vanilla protein powder, one packet of stevia, cottage cheese and cinnamon blended. [once the mixture settles or you refrigerate it, it stiffens up more like an Oreo center - I just couldn't wait 😂]. So yummy paired with pecans and maple syrup! Great snack with a homemade frothy chai tea latte (brewed chai tea and milk blended with some xanthan gum, topped with cocoa powder 👌