Check out Olympia: The Series 2008 Episode #1: Reigning 2-Time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler!
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Here’s the reigning 2-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. Jay almost lost his title last year. So there is a huge bull eye’s on Mr. Cutler’s back and Dexter Jackson is aiming straight for it! Some say that Jay is considered the underdog for the Olympia.

I guess Jay receive that memo and is looking better than ever. He was in better condition at 9 weeks out than last year. Jay knows that his size will tower over his competition, but his conditioning needs to step it up. The main competition for Jay is Dexter Jackson.

My take -Jay Cutler will probably win the Olympia. Dexter Jackson will probably win second place and Phil Heath will place third. If Jay uses this underdog mentality and his size advantage, he will be champion. Who knows? The judges may see something in Dexter that Jay may not have! We will have to find out on Saturday.

Source: Bodybuilding.com

11.Almond butter

Yes, you read correctly, almond butter. I know it is not as popular as peanut butter but just as nutritious. Almond Butter spread can lower bread’s glycemic index. This mean that almond butter can have positive affects on your on blood sugar. Studies show that people who ate almond butter with white bread did not raise the same blood sugar as those ate only the slice of bread.

Eat more: Try it for a change instead of peanut butter. Yes make an almond butter sandwich, or use it as a veggie dip. Just mix one tbsp of almond butter with two tbsp fat-free plain yogurt. Also add a dollop to oatmeal for flavor and protein.

12. Pomegranates

Pomegranates are loaded with folate and disease-fighting antioxidants, they’re low in calories and high in fiber. Pomegranates also have 16% of an adult’s daily vitamin C.

Eat more: Pop these tasty seeds in you mouth as a snack (many grocery stores sell them preshucked). You can also them in salads instead of nuts. Try them with baby spinach with lemon-poppy seed dressing.

13. Chili peppers

Chili peppers have a compound in them called capsaicin. Now capsaicin has a thermogenic effect the body. Capsaicin is believed to raise the body to burn extra calories for twenty minutes after eating them. Red chilies contain high amounts of vitamin C and carotene. In 2006 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Australian researchers found that adding chili peppers to a person’s diet reduces the amount of insulin that appears in the blood after eating!

Eat more: Stuff chili peppers with cooked quinoa and marinara sauce, and then roast them. To chill out the heat, grill it until it’s almost black, peel off charred skin and puree the flesh. Add the puree to pasta sauces for a one-alarm kick.

14. Yogurt

Experts often refer to plain yogurt as the elite food and for obvious reason: Yogurts is a triple threat! It is full of carbs, protein and fat. You curb your appetite too. You see yogurt can keep hunger away by keeping blood sugar levels steady. People who were on a low-calorie diet that included yogurt lost 61 percent more fat overall and 81 more belly fat than those on a similar plan without yogurt.

Eat more: Use low-fat plain yogurt instead of mayo in chicken or potato salad, or top a baked potato with a bit of yogurt and squeeze a little lemon juice. You are saving 4.7 grams of fat per tablespoon by using yogurt instead. Also try Greek yogurt. It has more protein than other yogurts.

15. Quinoa

This whole grain packs both 2.6 grams per ½ cup of fiber and protein. Quinoa is considered a better whole grain than brown rice.

Eat more: Use quinoa instead of rice in stir-fry. Try this out for breakfast: cook ½ cup quinoa in 2/3 cup water and 1/3 cup orange juice for 15 minutes. For dessert- Top with 1 tbsp each of raisins and chopped walnuts.

Source: 20 Super Foods for Weight Loss From Self Magazine by Camille Noe Pagán

I don’t know about this match up. This is a David vs. Goliath type of match. Freeman is bigger and taller than Samuel. As a matter of fact, Samuel is 7 inches shorter than Toney! In bodybuilding, height is a factor! Don’t cut out Samuel, he has a huge thickness and a great muscle belly. Toney Freeman is having a great year–winning the Europa and the Tampa Pro! Toney also placed second place in the Atlantic City Pro show in the master division ( he should have won!) Though I believe that Freeman will win this competition, I believe the judges will favor Silvio.

Why do you think?

Silvio or Toney?

I was reading flexonline.com about several Olympia Dream Matchups. Today I am going to discuss my take about James vs. Badell.
These guys have similar physique. Dennis James and Gustavo Badell are almost the same height and the same weight. Each bodybuilders have thick in the upper body. While Badell has a better back than James, James is in better condition. Both Dennis and Gustavo will be competing to be in the top ten of the olympia…We all know that these guys will not win but I believe that Dennis James will place over Gustavo. Though Gustavo has great size, Dennis is conditioned. Most of the time conditionin g wins over size!

Elite 12 by Dymatize Nutrition

Elite 12 is a time-released protein that can last up to 12 hours. You can drink Elite 12 from first thing in the morning to the last thing at night. I was able to try this product out at the Atlantic City Pro Show. This product was the first thing that popped up to me. The flavor of Elite 12 was Blueberry Muffin. Yes, you read this right, blueberry muffin. I was curious about the taste. I have to say that it was awesome. Elite 12 taste like a fresh blueberry muffin. I couldn’t believe it. The direction says that you can mix with water, milk or juice. I used fat-free milk. The product packing is purple.

Here are some supplement facts for one serving:
21 grams of protein
125 calories and 17 from fat
6 grams of carbs
1.5 grams of total fat

Do I recommend this product? I recommend this product to everyone. Those who want a little variety in their protein shake should try this. To find out more information of Elite 12, go to www.dymatize.com

Original Article 20 Super Foods for Weight Loss From Self Magazine by Camille Noe Pagán

6. Goji berries

These tart berries have an edge over all the fruits. Goji Berries can curb you appetite. These chewy berries hold 18 amino acids and a surprising source of protein. Goji Berries also have more beta-carotene than carrots. It has only 35 calories per tablespoon.

Eat more: Mix ¼ cup of the diced berries with ¼ cup raisins and ¼ walnuts for trail mix. You can try this dessert, pour ¼ cup of boiling water into a bowl with two tbsp dried berries; let sit for 10 minutes. Drain, then spoon over ½ cup low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt.

7. Wild salmon

The fat from wild salmon is good for our body. Salmon is full of Omega 3 fatty acids, which improves insulin sensitivity. This fish can also help build muscle and decrease belly fat. As we all know, the more muscles you have, the more calories your body burns.

How can you eat more: Keep it simple: season salmon with salt & pepper, then cook it in a hot pan with two tsp of oil for 1-3 minutes on each side. You can add a dash of lemon for taste.

8. Apples

There biblical temptations are high in fiber (4-5 grams in each apple). The antioxidants in apples may help prevent metabolic syndrome, a condition marked by excess belly fat or an “apple shape.” The doctor was right, an apple a day does keep the doctor away!

Eat more: Apple is a great on-the-go snack. Pie-like treat, chop up one medium apple and sprinkle with ½ tsp all spice and cinnamon. Put the apple in the microwave for 1 ½ minutes.

9. Buckwheat pasta

Swap your regular pasta for these noodles. Buckwheat pasta is high in fiber and it also has some protein unlike most carbs. Those two nutrients make it hard to pig out buckwheat pasta than regular pasta.

How can you eat more: Cook this like rice: simmer it, covered, over low heat. For a meal, buckwheat pasta with broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and onions

10. Blueberries

All berries are good for you, but blueberries are the best. They’ve the highest antioxidant level of all fruit. They have 3.6 grams of fiber per cup.

How can you eat more: Instead adding to your cereal, fill your bowl with blueberries, then sprinkle cereal on top and add milk or yogurt. Also make a yogurt parfait. Add any type of berries (I prefer blackberries), granola, fat free yogurt, and some blue berries!

Original Article 20 Super Foods for Weight Loss From Self Magazine by Camille Noe Pagán

1.Steak

Beef sometimes gets a bad rap. It is blamed for many things such as gaining weight, but eating beef can help you shed off weight. People who are on a diet that includes red meat lost more weight than those eating same amount of calories but little beef. My sugesstion is to try to eat organic beef. It’s healthier for you and the environment.

Eat more: Grill or broil top round or sirloin; slice it thinly to put on salad, or mix with your favorite vegetables for tasty fajitas.

2. Eggs

I know that many say that eating the whole egg is bad but it is ok. People who are on a low calorie diet, you can eat an egg with toast and jelly every morning and lost twice as many pounds than those who had a bagel breakfast with the same number of calories but without eggs. Egg is filled with protein.

Eat more: Omelets and scrambles are the easy choice, but if you can’t cook before work, make a frittata; chill it and nuke it.

3. Kale

One cup of chopped kale only has 34 calories and 1.3 grams of fiber. Kale has a hearty amount of iron and calcium. If you don’t like kale then eat spinach instead. I love spinach.

Eat more: Mix chopped kale with cooked black beans. You can slice the kale and sauté with veggie

4. Oats

Oats is a slow digestive carbohydrate. It has little impact on your blood sugar. All oats are healthy and have up to 5 grams of fiber per serving. Instant oats contain 3-4 grams per serving. My suggestion is to purchase Quaker Oats oatmeal. Plain oatmeal is best.

Eat more: Instead of using breadcrumbs, add oats to meatloaf. Use 1 cup for meatloaf.

5. Lentils

Lentil is high in protein and is a soluble fiber. A soluble fiber binds with fatty acids and prolong stomach-emptying time so that sugar is released and absorbed more slowly two nutrients that stabilize blood sugar levels. The best benefit of a soluble fiber is that it lowers the LDL cholesterol. Eating lentils can help prevents insulin spikes that cause your body to excess fat, especially in the abdominal region.

Eat more: There are many types of lentils. Red and yellow lentil cooks the fastest (in about 15-20 minutes). Add lentils to your pasta sauce for a healthier dish. If you are not a meat eater can replace lentils for meat because it’s also high in protein.

More Super foods to come tomorrow!

Turkey Scallopini With Apricot Sauce
Ingredients:

* 1/2 tsp. brown sugar
* 1 tsp or 1/4 tsp dried, chopped fresh mint
* 1/2 lb turkey cutlets
* 1 1/2 tbsp or onions, minced shallots
* 1 1/2 tsp peeled, minced ginger root
* 1/3 cup defatted chicken stock
* 1 tbsp chopped dried apricots
* 1 tbsp currants
* 2 tsp vegetable oil
* Freshly ground black pepper
* 1 tbsp or wine vinegar cider vinegar
* Salt

Nutritional Information:
259 Calories per serving:

* 29 G Protein
* 6.0 G Fat
* 21 G Carbohydrate
* 76 MG Sodium
* 68 MG Cholesterol

Preparation:
This sweet-and-sour sauce with chunks of dried apricot and flecks of mint is a nice way to season lean turkey cutlets. Combine flour, 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge turkey lightly in the flour mixture. Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden on the outside and no longer pink inside. Transfer to plates and keep warm. Add shallots or onions and ginger to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 10 to 20 seconds. Add nectar, chicken stock, vinegar and sugar and bring to a boil, stirring. Add apricots and currants and cook for several minutes, or until they are tender and the sauce has been reduced slightly. Remove from heat and stir in mint. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the sauce over the turkey.

This is a very easy recipe to make. If you are not a big fan of turkey than try chicken. The use of the apricot sauce in this recipe is reminiscent of “Saucy Susan” Apricot Sauce. If you do not wish to make the apricot sauce from scratch then buy “Saucy Susan” at any grocery store. I would suggest grilled asparagus as a side dish. Asparagus is a good source of potassium, folic acid, fiber and rutin. This is a typical summertime dish, it is like and sweet but you can enjoy this anytime. The best thing about this turkey dish that it is only has 259 calories per serving. Now that is awesome. This meal will beat fast food any day!

BBQ Chicken Salad
Serves: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
INGREDIENTS * 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves * 4 stalks celery, chopped * 1 large red bell pepper, diced * 1/2 red onion, diced * 1 (8.75 ounce) can sweet corn, drained * 1/4 cup barbeque sauce * 2 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise

Preparation:
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat grill for high heat. 2. Lightly oil grate. Grill chicken 10 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear. Remove from heat, cool, and cube. 3. In a large bowl, toss together the chicken, celery, red bell pepper, onion, and corn. 4. In a small bowl, mix together the barbeque sauce and mayonnaise. Pour over the chicken and veggies. Stir, and chill until ready to serve.

BBQ Chicken Salad sounds great but I have a few suggestions to make this meal better. First, I would serve my chicken hot on top of the salad. You can cut your BBQ chicken into piece or use your hands to tear the chicken. Second, I suggest that you grill the corn. It is so much better than using corn from the can. Just leave the husk on the corn on the curb and place on the corn on the grill. Make sure you soak the corn in cold water for about an hour. Trust me grill corn taste a lot better. Third, grilled your vegetables in my salad. The grilled vegetables will add to the great BBQ flavor of your meal. Fourth, substitute the mayo for balsamic vinaigrette. Overall, this is a great recipe. We all know that summer is coming to an end so get that grill out and BBQ today!

If you like Muscle Milk than you will love Monster Milk. Monster Milk is a new protein powder product by Cytosport. Monster Milk is suppose to be the bigger and harder version of Muscle Milk. It comes in three flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla Crème and Strawberry ‘n’ Crème. Monster Milk has 50 grams of multi-source proteins. This is a truckload of muscle building protein. Monster Milk contain 13 grams of glutamine, 11.8 grams of BCAA’s, 22.5 grams of EAA’s, and 9 grams LEANLIPIDS™. For all my lactose intolerant bodybuilders, this product is Lactose Free and only has 4 grams of sugar.

I tried Monster Milk’s chocolate flavor for my post workout drink and it was awesome. There was absolutely no after taste and it went down smoothly. No blending necessary. I just jiggled Monster Milk in my shaker with water and I was ready to go. The best thing was I could not find a clump anywhere. This product reminds me of Nitrocore 24 by Optimum Nutrition. I would buy this product in a heartbeat. You can find Monster Milk at any health store or check out the nearest GNC or Vitamin shop. I am still waiting to taste. Check out the nutrition value.