8 Ingredient Steps to Dinner + Biceps/ Triceps

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things to do is re-create dishes from restaurants. For example, the minestrone soup from Olive Garden, or Outback’s Alice Springs Chicken. I like trying to figure out the ingredients that they use while I’m eating different dishes. Tonight I thought I would make Chipotle’s Burrito bowl (for Craig) & the Chipotle Salad (for me). I found the recipes for some of the Chipotle basics on Kristen’s blog.

I followed her directions exactly for the rice, beans, & pico de gallo. The directions below are taken DIRECTLY from her blog. If you want prettier pictures, she has some on there

1. The Rice.

Cook 1/2 cup brown rice according to package directions. (I just used Uncle Ben’s microwave-able brown rice) When done, finish with:

• Small pat of butter
• Salt
• Juice of 1/2 a lime
• Sprinkle of chopped cilantro

2. The Beans.

In a microwave safe bowl, heat up 1 can drained and rinsed black beans with:

• Splash of chicken broth
• Dashes of chili powder, cumin, oregano & cayenne pepper

3. The Pico De Gallo.

Whip up this easy Pico De Gallo with:

• 1 tomato
• 1 jalapeno
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 small red onion
• Sprinkle of chopped cilantro
• S&P
• Juice of 1/2 lime

4. The Chicken.

I just used the slow cooker for the chicken. I cooked the chicken breast in slow cooker. Before leaving for work, I threw them in there & cooked them in chicken broth (just enough to cover them). I let them cook on low for about 7 hours. Once I got home I shredded them & then added the spices that Kristen suggested:

(dashes of each)

• Chili Powder
• Garlic Salt
• Onion Powder
• Cumin
• Oregano

5. The Guacamole.

Whenever I get something from Chipotle, I ALWAYS make sure to ge the guac with it…even if it is a bit more
Here’s what I used in mine:

• 1 ripe Avacado
• 1/2 diced tomato
• sprinkle of onion powder (about 1/2 tsp.)
• sprinkle of garlic powder (about 1/2 tsp.)

Mash the avacado, then add all of the other ingredients to the mashed avocado. Mix well & chill before serving.

6. The Corn.

Nothing to do here, just drain a can of corn & heat. (EASSSSYYYYY )

7. The Cheese.

(again- I just bought shredded reduced fat Mexican style cheese)

8. The Lettuce.

(bagged lettuce)

And all together— it looks like a Chipotle buffet

I figured I would just put all of the stuff out & let Craig pick out what he wanted, rather than make one for him. I made myself a nice big ol’ salad out of all of the ingredients. The only thing I forgot that Chipotle always has is sour cream…but that’s because I don’t eat sour cream- I really don’t like it one bit. Thankfully Craig didn’t mind.

& an overhead shot…

DELISH!! It really does taste like Chipotle. You should try it, really..it’s so easy too

Now for the exercise part of my day! I always have a hard time finding new exercises for my biceps & triceps. They are some of my favorite muscles to work, but I always feel like I tend to go back to the ‘traditional’ bicep/ tricep moves.

Some of the ‘traditional’ biceps moves in my book are:
-Alternating bicep curls
-Barbell curls
-21s
-Cable curls

Tricep moves:
-Tricep pushdowns
-Bench Dips
-Tricep kickbacks

Now, please don’t get me wrong, these are GREAT moves! I just like to change things up so that my muscles don’t get used to those moves. So the other night I spent time searching for some new bicep & tricep exercises. You see toned arms are one of my ‘must haves’- especially before May 27th, 2011 (<– that’s my wedding day!) I think I’m on my way, I’ve definitely noticed some changes–>
October 2010 (excuse the bug eyes- lol!)

December 2010

I have lost a little weight too- between October & now, but I have not tried to. It is just from my workouts- doing more weight training & cutting out un necessary snacks. (like frozen yogurt everynight after dinner) I am NOT trying to lose weight- just trying to get more definition in my arms. The person I really admire is Jessica Biel. She has great definition in her arms, but not too much.

Anyways, here is a new workout I did on Tuesday morning for biceps & triceps. (you can adjust it accordingly for your personal preferences)

*Warm Up: 10 minutes on elliptical- 20 crossramp, 5 resistance

*Workout:
1. Reverse Grip Barbell Curls- 3 sets of 25- 20lb. barbell
Superset with overhead tricep extensions (holding on DB)- 3 sets of 12- holding 20lb. DB

2. Bicep Curls- up from the side- 3 sets of 12- 10lb. DB each hand
Superset with Bench dips- 3 sets of 12- body weight

3. Incline DB Hammer Curls- 3 sets of 12- 15lb. DB each hand
Superset with ‘nose breakers’- 3 sets of 12- 20lb. barbell

4. Alternating Curls- 3 sets of 12- 10lb. DB each hand (would normally do 15lb. each hand, but my arms were getting TIRED at this point)
Superset with tricep kick backs- 3 sets of 12- 7.5lb. each hand

5. V- Bar cable curls- 3 sets of 12- 40lb.
Superset with one arm over head cable tricep extensions- 3 sets of 12 (each hand) – 20lb.

Finished up with an ab circuit– did this 3 times.
1. 25 Bosu ball crunches- pulling 40lb. behind head (used cable machine)
2. 12 Incline situps- holding 8lb. medicine ball
3. 12 (each) Side to side oblique incline crunches- holding 8lb. medicine ball
4. 20 Bench tuck crunches
5. 15 regular crunches

Good news- my biceps AND triceps are sore! This RARELY happens, so I’m thrilled I’m definitely going to be coming up with more workouts for biceps & triceps- to kind of switch things up.

Do you have a favorite bicep/ tricep workout? Or a favorite bicep or tricep exercise? Please do share!!

Anyways, I’m off. I MIGHT be taking Friday off of work- haven’t decided yet- so I want to make sure I have everything caught up..just in case I do decide to take off Hope you have a FANTASTIC day!!
-

Posted by Holly at Everyday's a 'Hollyday' on January 19, 2011

http://greekyogurtandappleslices.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/8-ingredient-steps-to-dinner-biceps-triceps/