Nel Vanamen – Stark Personal Trainer Gym in Newport Beach and Irvine, California

a burrito bowl made of ground Turkey and crisp, baked butternut squash, topped with avocado and chili flakes

Turkey & Butternut Burrito Bowl

August 16, 2019

This recipe is a twist on a burrito bowl that uses healthy carbs and healthy fats to help satisfy your craving for Mexican food or even noodle dishes without sacrificing flavor. A fiesta bowl for your taste buds! You can substitute the turkey with ground beef, bison or ground chicken. You can also substitute the butternut squash with a yam or a sweet potato. I like the squash because it stays a little crunchy. Do not forget the lime it really brightens the dish and offsets the sweetness of the squash.

a chunky tomato and caper dressing sits atop a roasted salmon

Pan Roasted Salmon with Tomato & Caper Relish

August 18, 2017

July and August is salmon season and the perfect time to enjoy this delicious dish that is high in omega 3s. This... Read More

Fresh green broccoli, seasoned with garlic and herbs, with a twist of lemon over the top

Garlic Lemon Broccoli

January 1, 2019

This Garlic Lemon Broccoli dish is not any ordinary broccoli dish. It’s simplicity may be deceiving. But try this and I promise the broccoli will disappear in minutes maybe even before it makes it to the table. Adds a delicious twist to one of our favorite vegetables and goes so well with any protein. You can even add a little red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.

a delicious looking piece of steak, slathered with a rich looking golden brown sauce and topped with chives

Steak Diane

December 31, 2018

Steak Diane will taste like you have been cooking all day but it is so easy to make and will leave your guest’s mouth watering for more. This would be good on any beef steak, bison steak, venison or elk steaks. You can even put it on burgers to elevate them. Yummy!

two bowls of warm stockpot soup, with kielbasa, carrots, and cabbage

Transylvania Stockpot with Kielbasas

October 26, 2018

This must of been Dracula’s favorite snack food in between victims. After all, it is named after his home town. In fact, he may have used this warm hearty dish to lure in his victims from the blistery cold streets of Transylvania. Even now the aroma may warm the Count by allowing him to reminisce “the good old days” when all it took was a warm soup to get his victims off the streets rather than a pair of Louis Vuitton. This is an easy hearty soup that will warm the coldest of souls and is perfect for the season. Use the Healthy Choice brand to eliminate the added carbs and fat with the sausage or try a smoked chicken or turkey sausage. Enjoy!

a white ramekin sits in the oven, filled with a puffy dough, bits of mushrooms and spinach poking out

Spinach Mushroom Souffle

October 26, 2018

Want something that looks fancy to impress and tastes delish? Try this spinach mushroom souffle. This one has savory spinach and mushroom but you can use what you have on hand. If it deflates after coming out of the oven it will still be delicious. A nice healthy substitute for Yorkshire Pudding. Never fails to impress!

Fish With Orange, Sesame, and Ginger

September 5, 2018

Cooking fish in parchment paper is foolproof and a healthful way to prepare your fish. You can also use banana leaves if you can find an Asian market. Even the most delicate fish never seems to dry out when using this method to cook. The nutritional content is for halibut but cod would be great and is readily wild.

a bright bowl filled with bell peppers, carrot, and cabbage coleslaw sits atop a vibrant blue towel

Chicken Tex Mex Coleslaw

August 26, 2018

This is a perfect dish for a warm summer night. Crisp, refreshing with a healthy dose of protein and a little crunch. You can serve it at your BBQ or use any left over chicken to make lunches. Add some red pepper flakes if you like things a little spicy.

Tomato Stuffed Portobello Mushroom

August 26, 2018

Tomatoes are in season and what a great way to celebrate them by using them as a stuffing in an earthy portobello mushroom. This is great as a side dish if you are already grilling or if one of your guest is a vegetarian. This is a hearty choice. Grilling mushrooms is nothing new. But stuffing them is something you have to try. A flavorful filling with fresh tomatoes and fresh herbs makes this an impressive side dish or a hearty vegetarian dish.

a beautifully cooked, marinated skirt steak with homemade chimichurri drizzled over it

Skirt steak and Chimichurri Sauce

July 26, 2018

If you are looking for a way to add a lot of flavor to steaks, chops or fish Chimichurri sauce is an excellent choice. You can use any leftovers on eggs or even as a marinade. I use skirt steak or a sirloin flap because NY strips or Rib-eyes can stand alone pretty much. When cooking skirt steak or a sirloin flap they cook fast about 3-6 minutes per side for medium rare.

In: Nel Vanamen