Healthy Recipe: Slow-Roasted Harissa Salmon and Radicchio Salad

Oven-roasted fish is one of the healthiest and easiest entrees. The tricky part is keeping it from turning dry and rubbery from overcooking. This recipe, inspired by one from “Cook Color” by Maria Zizka, offers a simple trick for avoiding that: Set the oven temp super-low, to 250 degrees, and cook for about 20 minutes, ensuring a silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture. This works best with a fattier fish with the skin attached. A smear of the Mediterranean pepper sauce, harissa, adds flavor. If you don’t have it, use a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of smoked paprika. The salad balances out the meal. Serves 4. – Susan Puckett

Ingredients

  • 4 skin-on salmon fillets, 4 to 6 ounces each
  • Fine sea salt
  • Freshly ground pink peppercorns (or black peppercorns, if you don’t have them)
  • 2 tablespoons mild red harissa (Moroccan red pepper sauce, such as Mina brand)
  • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
  • 1 small head radicchio lettuce, leaves separated and torn in bite-size pieces
  • 1 heart of romaine lettuce, trimmed and sliced in bite-size pieces
  • Ground sumac, for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the salmon skin-side down. Season with salt and pepper. Rub the harissa into the salmon and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the thickness, just until the center becomes slightly opaque for medium-rare.
  3. Place the shallot, vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Let soften for about 5 minutes, then whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
  4. Place the lettuces in a large bowl. place in a large bowl. When the salmon is almost done, drizzle with the shallot dressing and toss gently with your hands to coat the leaves.
  5. If desired, sprinkle the salmon generously with sumac. Serve warm or chilled, with the salad on the side.

 

Susan Puckett is an Atlanta-based food writer and cookbook author.

Success Story: Back from the Brink of ‘Indulgence’

Nate Wilkins was living the good life.

He was traveling a lot for work, as a parks and recreation administrator in Florida. He was eating out and indulging at business lunches and happy hours. Sure, he noticed he was packing on pounds, but he was busy — dealing with that would have to wait.

Then one day, it couldn’t wait any longer.

“I was at home, and I felt pain in my chest,” recalls Nate, now 69, of Miami. “I went to the emergency room, just to make sure I was OK – and they kept me in there for two weeks. I said, ‘Lord, if I ever get out of here, I’m going to change my life.’”

He did, and his heart health has returned. Now, a decade later, Nate’s 5’11” frame is down from 230 to a lean, muscular 185. He eats right, and no longer needs some medications he’d been using. He’s in a long-term relationship with a physical trainer. And he’s become a life coach and trainer, himself.

“I look good. I smell good. I talk good,” he says with a laugh. “I’m a lean, mean fighting machine.”

Everyone is different

Nate’s story took a happy turn. So can anyone’s, regardless of age or physical condition. Simply put, it’s never too late to improve your health. We have plenty of clients, colleagues and success stories to prove it, and we’re here to help.

Everyone’s an individual. And for people over 50, what makes you unique can include past injuries, health issues, or physical limitations. And that’s OK.

As Nate puts it, although he’s in great shape, “I’m not a bodybuilder.”

And he keeps that in mind when creating a workout plan for each client, just like we do at FCF.

“It depends on what each person actually needs.”

Balance, agility, strength and stamina are important to everyone’s health. And studies prove that adults can improve their health across the board by exercising, regardless of age.

He got his balance back

Don’t let a previous setback discourage you from doing what’s right to improve your health. Call us, and we’ll help answer any questions.

That’s true whether you’ve always been in perfect health, or if you’ve had a stroke or live with, say, Parkinson’s disease.

“It’s not a cookie-cutter model,” Nate says, and we agree. “Everybody’s an individual.”

The first step is making a decision to change.

Next, understand you’ve got to keep moving your body to stay healthy, Nate says.

Remember what’s important to you, and the kind of life you want to live.

For Nate, he felt he had lost his balance when he was “living the good life” and almost died from indulgence.

“If I can do this at 69 and feel like this, then I can encourage other people to do it, too,” he says. “It’s a progression they have to go through.

“It’s a mindset that you don’t have to be 69 years old. You get to be 69 years young.”

So if you’re ready give us a call or text at (657) 231-6207 and we’ll chat about your needs.

Exercise Tops Drugs, Therapy for Mental Health, Study Finds

A huge review of more than 1,000 studies has found that physical activity is more helpful in treating mental illness than therapy and drugs.

Researchers at the University of South Australia crunched data from studies involving more than 128,000 people and reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine:

  • Exercise has a big effect on mental health issues such as anxiety and depression – 1.5 times more effective than counseling and prescription medication, the university said.
  • All activity methods were considered effective.
  • Resistance exercise had the largest effects on depression, while yoga and other mind–body exercises were best at reducing anxiety.
  • Moderate to intense exercise gives more impact than lower intensity.
  • Programmed plans of 12 weeks showed a greater effect than exercising without a plan.

The World Health Organization says mental health issues affected 12.5% of the population globally before the Covid-19 pandemic. Experts agree that more people struggled during the crisis, which brought extra challenges for older people, often brought on by isolation and inactivity.

Now, this doesn’t mean that people should stop taking their medications or going to therapy! But it’s clear that good physical activity is good for our whole selves, including depression and anxiety.

“Our findings underscore the important role of physical activity in the management of mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress,” the researchers wrote.

We’ve always known that moving your body makes you feel better in every way. Let’s show you how today!

Call or text us at (657) 231-6207

Inspiration of the Week: Karen S!

Meet Karen S!

Back in the middle of the pandemic, April of 2021, Karen joined FCF at the recommendation of a good friend and man do we love having her apart of our community! Since joining she’s lost over 17 pounds, 14.7 of that has been fat! She has also seen her visceral fat drop by 4 points and she has gained strength and balance. All of this has made her feel lighter and daily activities seem easier. She has also seen a big increase in her energy level; she doesn’t get sleepy every afternoon while working from home, she can get up and down from the floor with greater ease, gets out of the house and enjoys the outdoors more and is just plain happier! She even went on a 4 hour hike a few months back with us that included stream crossings and some bouldering while walking one of my German Shepherds, King, and she did amazing! (see pic)

The best part has been watching her transformation over the last year. She came in with a positive mindset, even on the tough days, she showed up, put in the work and part way through the session you could see her spark come back. She works hard, is the first to welcome new members, crack a joke and give Coach Jack a hard time and that’s why she’s such a pleasure to have in our community and to coach each week.

Here’s her story on what pushed her to make a change…

In early 2021 with the stress of the recent election, changes to her work schedule, lack of work travel, and isolation from living and working alone at home during the pandemic she was feeling like many….she didn’t have control over all these changes and felt isolated. So, she made a massive shift in her mindset and decided she could control one thing…

To use this time to get herself healthy!

When Karen started at FCF she has already made some dietary changes and had lost over 20 pounds, but she wanted something that would provide mental stimulation, improve her stamina & cardiovascular health, continue her weight loss, improve balance and increase her strength. Once she tried her first session she was hooked!

For the last 10 years she has been doing pilates a couple of days a week with her good friend, Karen. Yep they have the same name! But she wanted to work on her stamina and cardiovascular health a bit more and the small group sessions at FCF were just the right fit for her. When we asked her what keeps her coming back each week even on those hard days she said:

“To me, the people. I look forward to meeting up with so many like-minded people. Everyone is so generous in sharing information and we all support and push each other. The whole coaching team is the best – all very positive and welcoming. Personal attention and care is so important since we are all at different levels. I could do exactly the same exercises with a personal trainer or in a busy gym but it wouldn’t make me smile like at FCF. If I have had a stressful day at work at 5:35pm I can forget it all. I love the other activities hiking and Tai Chi in the park.”

​Along with the changes to her exercise routine, she made a few changes to her nutrition as well. In early 2021 she did a keto diet for a bit and has now moved to a mostly Mediterranean diet and is gluten free. With these changes she now feels so much better, doesn’t feel sluggish after meals, and no longer has acid reflux at night. On top of that she has been taken off a blood pressure medicine!! Karen acknowledges that it is definitely a process and continues to learn what serves her body best so she can continue making progress.

Karen says her commitment she made to herself, the people, and the feeling she has after a good training session is what keeps her consistent and coming back even on those tough days when she doesn’t feel like it. Living alone she needed human interaction and not only did she find that, but she’s made good friends as well. Coach Mercedes knows just how much to challenge her, but also have some fun in each session and there’s nothing like coming in for a work out and knowing you will have some fun while doing it too!

If you want to kick off your own journey like Karen did, we would love to guide you on your journey to a happier, healthier you! Just shoot us an email, info@fcfitness.com or call us at (957)231-6207 and we can chat about you.

Life’s too short to wake up each day feeling sluggish, weighed down and not living up to your best.

What will you decide today?

Talk soon,

Rosa

Inspiration of the Week: Meet Karen!

Joining a gym can be scary, but it’s the best thing Karen did for herself 4.5 years ago and she’s still going strong!

A bit quiet and reserved, Karen’s quiet demeanor surprised us at the beginning. Once she was in a routine after a few weeks, her strength and determination came out. She loved lifting weights and was always up for a new challenge. We love that she simply just doesn’t stop, never gives up and is never not challenging herself. Karen consistently increases her weights and makes sure she is progressing in each of her exercises. Her great attitude and determination is so exciting to watch. In each of her training sessions, she is very jovial with other members, which is always a help, as we can see that it helps others keep going and stay motivated and challenge themselves just a bit more!

Karen says 4.5 years ago she was looking for a gym where she would not feel intimidated, where it would be similar to working with a personal trainer and where the exercises could be adapted to her body. She was just coming off a shoulder injury and physical therapy so there were some limitations. After seeing an ad on Facebook to try out FCF for 30 days, she figured, “What do I have to lose.”

After just 1 week, she says, “I was hooked.”

The small group personal training sessions of no more than 6 people were just the right amount of personalized attention and comradery for her. Initially she wanted to increase mobility, strength, muscle tone and lose weight. At that time she was struggling with things like balance, standing up and getting down to the floor with ease. She saw some of the other women moving so easily and wondered, “Will I ever get there.”

Well, with time and practice, she did! Kudos to Karen for her dedication, persistence and never giving up on herself!

Her favorite part of FCF are the variety of other activities, like book club, hikes, and specialty programs. She continues to do balance exercises daily that she learned in one of our balance program. This is her secret to progress…incorporating small habits on a daily basis that have become part of her lifestyle.

It also doesn’t hurt that she’s made friends at FCF, she loves the variety of the training sessions and the coaches. She says, “Even on days I am not feeling 100%, after I workout for 30 minutes I always feel better.”

Currently she’s enjoying additional challenges in our Pure Strength session by increasing her weight, reps and building more muscle in her arms and legs. She’s on a roll and we’re just excited to continue coaching and guiding her!

If you’re hesitant about joining a gym, I’ll leave you with Karen’s parting words…

She says, “Over the years I have been coming to FCF I have become more comfortable in my own skin and accepting of my limitations in both energy and time. The positive environment in the gym reinforces the idea that each person is only competing against themselves to make improvements in flexibility, strength and nutrition to live a better more active life in the next chapter of our lives.”

It won’t happen overnight, but if you would love to change the way you feel and are aging, we would love to help you find a realistic balance and create a program just for you, just call or text us at (657) 231-6207 and we can chat!

~Coach Rosa

Answering the Call of Adventure

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Will you be ready if adventure beckons?

For Rich and Liz Clapp, the answer was a resounding “Yes!” Their journey to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa wasn’t just a testament to their physical fitness, but also to the commitment they share to embracing life’s opportunities, no matter their age.

At 66 years old, they both have been dedicated to fitness for almost a decade, working out four times a week now. Their fitness routine includes strength training, endurance exercises, and Pilates at our studio!

“We try to stay active on days when we’re not working out at Full Circle,” Liz says. “We’re both in better shape than we’ve ever been. And we hope to maintain this and live independently as long as possible.”

While they may not consider themselves super-athletes, they embody the spirit of embracing life on your own terms — even if you never want to travel around the world and climb a mountain.

A Question of Why Not?

The pair have gone on long hikes in other countries before, like Peru and New Zealand. But those were just warmups for the 19,341-foot-high Kilimanjaro. The iconic African peak had never crossed their minds, let alone appeared on their bucket list.

But when I (Rosa) pitched the idea for a family expedition, Rich and Liz were all in. They knew they were capable of the rigors of traveling so far, and of going on a guided tour up the mountain.

The youngest in the climbing group was 39, the oldest 79.

The climbing wasn’t as difficult as some might imagine, they said, but it was increasingly cold the higher they went.

And the lack of oxygen that high meant Liz had to stop just short of the top. Rich and I made it to the summit just as the sun was rising and were rewarded with spectacular vistas.

“The thing that motivated me was seeing the other people. They weren’t super-human. I said, Hey, we can do this,” Rich says. “It’s an amazing feat to get up there. There are glaciers. The horizon is very long and dramatic… The emotion was overwhelming.”

Ready for Life

The adventure reinforced the Clapps’ love of life and staying active – and the awareness that the strength, endurance and agility they gain in the gym is essential for living a fulfilling life.

For peers who are out of shape and afraid to start exercising, the Clapps have heartfelt advice. They believe there’s still a lot of adventure awaiting them, and they don’t want to miss a thing.

“I hear people say, ‘I’m old, I’m 60, I can’t do those things now,’” Liz says. “I would like to encourage people. You don’t have to go to a gym and lift heavy weights. It’s just moving our bodies, getting up and down, traveling or just playing with our grandchildren.”

“People need to get past the fear and live life,” she says. “I don’t need to be 20. I can be 66 and still achieve what I want to do.”

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How Many Steps?

No one’s sure where we got the idea that 10,000 is the ideal number of steps everybody should take every day. It doesn’t seem to be based on anything scientific or medical. And the number might be daunting to people who are new to the idea of daily exercise.

​
But a new analysis says the magic number is just 4,000 steps a day to reduce the risk of dying of any cause.

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A team of Polish researchers analyzed 17 studies that followed more than 200,000 people for an average of just over seven years.

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“The analysis showed that benefits began at around 2,300 steps per day, which was associated with a significant reduced risk of dying of cardiovascular disease. At around 4,000 steps, the risk of dying of any cause also began to fall significantly. Both figures — which represent medians — are under the 5,000-step limit for what the study notes is normally considered to be a sedentary lifestyle,” The Washington Post reported.

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“But there were benefits beyond these numbers: Every extra 1,000 steps was associated with a 15 percent reduction in the risk of dying of any cause, while an increase of 500 steps per day was associated with a 7 percent reduction in the risk of death of cardiovascular disease, the study said.”

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Any movement is good – but remember that walking is just the first step (no pun intended) to fitness and health. Come see us today and we’ll show you what’s next.

Inspiration of the Week: Meet Beth!

Meet Beth!

To say Beth has made progress in just over a year at FCF is putting it lightly! We’ve watched her build strength with just over 2 pounds of muscle, improve her balance, drop 19 pounds of fat, and reduce her visceral (bad) fat by 5 points!! But that’s just the number’s the more important part is that all her blood work is within normal range, a dramatic difference from 2 years ago, and she’s able to keep up with her grandkids now. She’s internally healthier, feeling more energetic, noticed a significant improvement in her balance and endurance so she’s participating in fun activities and has regained a zest for life. We absolutely love having Beth in our training sessions each week, she comes in with a smile, encourages others and is a genuinely wonderful human being. We are honored to coach her and watch her continued progress.

Here’s a bit more on her journey and what keeps her going…

When she joined FCF in March of 2022 her goals were to improve her endurance, increase her strength and improve her gait and balance as she noticed all of these things were declining. She dreaded stairs so much she would go out of her way to avoid using them and would get out of breath easily walking around. Overall, she just wanted to feel better and be able to keep up with her grandkids so she could enjoy their time together. During the pandemic, Beth says, “I was granted the time to figure out what direction I wanted my life to take. I made a decision that whatever I had left of this life, I was going to live it fully and with intention.” Beth had previously joined FCF a few years back, but didn’t stick with it. This time she was determined and committed! To truly see real, long-lasting change you have to dig deep, truly find your inner motivation, something bigger than just weight loss or toning. Those aren’t wrong, but for so many people, they continue to struggle because there’s not a meaningful purpose to their journey. For Beth it was quality of life for herself and being capable for her grandkids.

It all started with a lifestyle and nutrition program which helped her start losing some weight and then she took the next step to add back in exercise. Beth absolutely loves the small group training sessions because she loves getting to know the other people on the journey and is inspired by their progress. You will find her in the studio 3 days a week working her hardest. Most of all, she loves the team at FCF, she says, “You all are so great at what you do that it makes me want to be better. You are all so encouraging and understanding. You all have been such an important part of my journey. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” This is what helps keep her successful in coming, an expert, caring team and the community.

One of the biggest things Beth has learned is how to make her movements more intentional. She has learned so much about shifting body weight and balance in Rickye’s Tai Chi practice and continues to build strength in her small group sessions with Coach Mercedes.

But here’s the part we love most…

Beth says, “I even joined the hula-hoop contest at my grandson’s school last week (I was terrible, by the way). I never would have done that before. Stairs are still not my favorite things, but I no longer walk out of my way to avoid them. A few weeks ago, during a walk in the neighborhood, my granddaughter Sawyer said, “Gus, you can walk fast! Look Seamus, Gus can walk fast–she’s not like a grandma at all!”

THIS!

This is what it’s all about folks. Not what the scale says, not what anybody else says you need to be, etc. It’s all about being comfortable and capable in your own body, loving yourself each and every day and to have fun and enjoy life!

I hope Beth’s story inspires you to make one positive step to improve your life today. Some days it’s so easy and then some days you want to throw in the towel, I get it, but you can’t give up. Life’s too short and tomorrow is not guaranteed, so make the most of your time on this wonderful earth and if you need some help making any changes, we’re here for you.

If you’re ready call or text us at 657-231-6207 and we’ll start with a chat to discover more about you and put a plan together so you too can live your best life!

~Coach Rosa

Inspiration of the Week: Meet Julie!

Meet Julie!

Julie walked in our doors 5 years ago and has been a constant joy to work with each and every week. In the 5 years that she has been at FCF we’ve seen her strength, mobility, and body awareness grow exponentially. She always comes in with a smile, has a positive attitude, wants to continue learning how to challenge herself and works hard in each training session. She loves trying new challenging exercises and knows her regular fitness routine along with a healthy lifestyle are what will add quality to her years. Her dedication to a healthy lifestyle is unwavering and we just love watching her grow. Just check out her pushing the sled below, that’s 100 pounds with just the sled itself! You rock Julie!

But, it’s not all about the physical for Julie, read more…

“I joined FCF because I want to stay physically and mentally fit for as long as possible. Now that my parents and in-laws are in their late 80s/early 90s, I think a great deal about the aging process. Everything that I read confirms that exercise, socializing, healthy diet and cognitive engagement are vital for quality aging. FCF ensures that I am getting the proper exercise and also adds a special component to my social life.

I truly feel that FCF is the most significant factor in my ability to age well. I have been working with a personal trainer on the weekends for about 15 years, and he told me that he hasn’t seen any real decline in my muscular health, strength, mobility or balance. In fact, he loves to tell me that I am at the same level as many of his clients who are 20 years younger.

I am at the studio 5 days a week when we have Dance Party and 4 days on the other weeks. Each day, I look forward to the physical challenges that await me and the warm environment where I feel so welcomed and encouraged. It is for those reasons that I have never wavered in my commitment to being there. The only time I cancel is when I have out of town guests, am out of town myself, or aren’t feeling well, which is rare because of the way my exercise routine contributes to my overall health.

Although I was active on and off throughout my life, my time at FCF has been the most consistently active I have ever been. I like that I feel accountable.

What stands out to me about FCF is that the coaches ensure we are doing everything with the proper form. I love when I am told to move my foot a quarter inch! That tells me that every detail is being watched. I also love the variety, just when I am getting a little comfortable with a workout regime, it changes. Most of all, I just can’t say enough about the environment. It truly feels like my home away from home because of all the wonderful people who work there and the like-minded clients who want to age as well as possible.”

Our philosophy at FCF is to support the things you love to do outside of the gym. You don’t need to be in here for hours at a time to see and feel the difference, just 30 minutes 3-4 days a week will do the trick to build strength and improve balance, mobility and endurance.

If you want to start your journey to a healthy, balanced lifestyle we would love to help you! Send us an email at info@fcfitness.com or text (657) 231-6207, and we’ll connect.

Start living your best life today!

Healthy Recipe, Grilled Zucchini and Peach Salad with Mint

Zucchini is high in fiber and low in calories, with lots of potassium and vitamins A, B, and C. It’s also highly adaptable to all kinds of preparations and flavor combinations. This recipe, from Cynthia Graubart’s “Zucchini Love”, marries it with peaches on the grill for a dazzling new taste experience. Once the zucchini and peach halves have developed some smoky flavor and lovely grill marks, pile them both atop a bed of arugula, and shower with fresh mint and crumbled feta. Then finish with a drizzle of tangy, syrupy balsamic reduction. Serves 4.
​
​Ingredients

  • 2 medium zucchinis
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (plus more, if needed)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 medium peaches
  • 5 ounces arugula
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction (see note)

Instructions​
1. Cut each zucchini lengthwise into four slices. Brush the cut sides with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Peel, halve, and pit the peaches.
​
2. Heat the grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the zucchini slices and peach halves cut side down on the grill. Cook, in batches if necessary, until the zucchini is soft and the peaches show grill marks.
​
3. Divide the arugula among four plates. Place two slices of zucchini crossed in the center on top of each salad. Place a peach half, grilled side up, on each. Sprinkle with mint and feta. Drizzle with balsamic reduction (and a little more olive oil around the salad’s edges if you like) and serve.
​
​Nutrition info​
Calories: 133; carbohydrates, 9g; protein, 6g; fat, 12g; fiber, 2.5g
​
​Note: If you can’t find balsamic reduction in your grocery store or specialty food market, you can make your own. Heat 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar in a small pan over low heat and cook until reduced to 2 tablespoons, 10 or 15 minutes.

​
​Susan Puckett is an Atlanta-based food writer and cookbook author.

Healthy Recipe, Grilled Zucchini and Peach Salad with Mint

Healthy Recipe, Grilled Zucchini and Peach Salad with Mint

Zucchini is high in fiber and low in calories, with lots of potassium and vitamins A, B, and C. It’s also highly adaptable to all kinds of preparations and flavor combinations. This recipe, from Cynthia Graubart’s “Zucchini Love”, marries it with peaches on the grill for a dazzling new taste experience. Once the zucchini and peach halves have developed some smoky flavor and lovely grill marks, pile them both atop a bed of arugula, and shower with fresh mint and crumbled feta. Then finish with a drizzle of tangy, syrupy balsamic reduction. Serves 4.
​
​Ingredients

  • 2 medium zucchinis
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (plus more, if needed)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 medium peaches
  • 5 ounces arugula
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction (see note)

Instructions​
1. Cut each zucchini lengthwise into four slices. Brush the cut sides with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Peel, halve, and pit the peaches.
​
2. Heat the grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the zucchini slices and peach halves cut side down on the grill. Cook, in batches if necessary, until the zucchini is soft and the peaches show grill marks.
​
3. Divide the arugula among four plates. Place two slices of zucchini crossed in the center on top of each salad. Place a peach half, grilled side up, on each. Sprinkle with mint and feta. Drizzle with balsamic reduction (and a little more olive oil around the salad’s edges if you like) and serve.
​
​Nutrition info​
Calories: 133; carbohydrates, 9g; protein, 6g; fat, 12g; fiber, 2.5g
​
​Note: If you can’t find balsamic reduction in your grocery store or specialty food market, you can make your own. Heat 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar in a small pan over low heat and cook until reduced to 2 tablespoons, 10 or 15 minutes.

​
​Susan Puckett is an Atlanta-based food writer and cookbook author.