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5 Tips for a Healthy Kitchen with Executive Chef Cameron Payne

by Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD
for Healing Lifestyles & Spas  

Chef Cameron Payne is a traditionally trained chef having worked with culinary all-stars from Wolfgang Puck to Michael Mina to Mark LoRusso. And he’s had big roles in big kitchens feeding big menus to big numbers of hungry guests in Las Vegas and other cities. But his biggest role yet is in making smaller portions with big flavors (not calories) come alive on the plate for spa guests at The Biggest Loser Resorts as their Corporate Chef.

Southwest Chili
serves 8

Ingredients:

• 1 - 14oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 - 14oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 - 14oz can navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 - 14oz can stewed tomatoes, diced
• 1 lb. lean ground turkey, cooked
• 2 cups water, (depending on how long it cooks, you might need to add more water)
• ¼ cup green chilies, diced
• 1 yellow onion, small diced
• 3 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1 package chili seasoning
• ½ cup sliced green onions
• ½ cup cotija cheese
• non-fat Greek yogurt (optional) 

"Biggest Loser" Chef Devin Alexander's Healthy Cooking Tips

You asked, she answers! Chef Devin Alexander of NBC's hit reality TV series "The Biggest Loser" answers YOUR healthy cooking questions.

Topics covered include:

*Fat Free/Low Fat Recipes for Salad Dressings.
*Healthy Alternatives to Tomato/Marinara Sauce.
*Healthiest Oil for Cooking.
*Healthy East Lunch Suggestions.
*Best 'Fake' Sugar Substitutes.
*Healthy Recipe Substitutions.
*Healthy Lifestyle Changes to Implement Now!

Continue Reading to hear what Devin has to say!

Devin Alexander's Chinese Pepper Steak
Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds trimmed top round steak, cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips 
• 1 teaspoon black pepper 
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 3 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 
• 1 1/2 cups 1/2-inch-wide, 2-inch-long sweet onion strips 
• 1 1/4 cups 1/2-inch-wide, 2-inch-long green bell pepper strips (about 1 large pepper); Optional (red bell pepper)
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic 
• 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes 
• 1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

We received some great inquiries yesterday regarding the chocolate breakfast shake that Chef Devin Alexander shared on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. A lot of you asked about the shake and wanted to know how you could make it at home. Well, ask no more - here we share Executive Chef Cameron Payne's recipe for our Awesome Breakfast Smoothie!

DO TRY THIS AT HOME!

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie – Serves 4

4 C. Ice
2 Bananas
¼ C. PB2
1 C. Fage® Greek Style Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 C. Chocolate Almond Milk, un-sweetened
4 Scoops Whey vanilla Protein Powder