Joel Harper’s Slimdown Recipes

With the warmer weather finally here, it’s time to start thinking about shaping up for summer. That’s right, many folks put on few extra pounds during the winter months. So, who better to help us slimdown than trainer Joel Harper, who helps get Dr. Oz in tip top shape. Joel shares his slim down secrets in his new book, Mind Your Body. Below are the healthy recipes he demonstrated on Access Hollywood Live.

Joel Harper on Access Hollywood Live on April 7, 2014 (Access Hollywood)

Coconut Muesli (serves 10)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups old-fashion rolled oats
• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• ¼ cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds
• 1 cup dried fruit
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed
• ¼ cup hemp seeds
• ¼ cup chia seeds
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• ½ tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tbsp. orange zest

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Scatter oats and almonds on one baking sheet and coconut flakes on another, and place in oven for 5 minutes. Remove as soon as begin to brown. Let cool.
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix all dry ingredients. Store in a zip-locked bag.

Ginger Lentil Soup (2 servings)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lentils, uncooked
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 small can green chilies
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 ½-inch cubes fresh ginger, minced
• 2 cups tomatoes, diced
• ½ tsp. cumin
• ½ tsp. mustard
• ½ tsp. turmeric
• ½ tsp. paprika
• Salt and pepper

In a pot, combine lentils, vegetable broth, water, onion, green chilies, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover pot and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the dry spices and salt and pepper to tastes. Cover and simmer for 10 more minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Tomato, Avocado, and Hearts of Palm Salad (2 servings)

Joel Harper’s tomato, avocado, and hearts of palm salad (Access Hollywood)

Ingredients:

• 4 stalks asparagus
• 1 avocado, diced
• Juice from 1 lime
• 1 8-oz. can hearts of palm, drained and sliced
• 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 orange bell pepper, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper

Bring a medium pot of water to boil. When boiling, drop in asparagus for 2 minutes and then remove and place in bowl of ice water. When cool, drain and cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Mix avocado and lime in bowl. Put all ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and gently toss.

Beef & Okra Stir-Fry (serves 2)

Joel Harper’s beef & okra stir-fry (Access Hollywood)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp. date sugar
• 2 tbsp. light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp. spelt flour
• 1 tbsp. avocado oil
• ½ lb. flank steak, cut into 2 ½ -inch thick strips
• 12 oz. frozen or fresh okra
• 1 tbsp. ginger, minced
• 1 tbsp. garlic, minced
• ¼ cup fresh mint
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro

Whisk together beef broth, date sugar, soy sauce, lime juice, and spelt flour. Heat oil in a large skillet and stir-fry steak over high heat until meat is brown and no pink can be detected, 4 to 5 minutes.

Heat 1 tablespoon water in a medium skillet. Add okra, garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour beef broth mixture over okra, and cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes. Pour okra and broth mixture over beef, add mint, cilantro and stir for 2 minutes. Stir and enjoy.