Karla Snodgrass

I was over 400 pounds and realized that I was choosing to write my own death sentence unless I did something about it. I started with a national nutritional program and walking to the end of my block. I realized I needed help building strength & additional motivation to reach my goal.  I joined Aspen & they paired me with my trainer, Ben, and the work began.  I not only lost weight, I built my balance and strength to a level that I had never experienced.  Ben pushes me to a higher level every day.  I truly appreciate his support. – Karla Snodgrass

Chandra Wheetley

	Training with my trainer, Nate, helped me change from an “I’ll try” attitude to an “I can” attitude in all aspects of my life.  Not only am I healthier and stronger than I have ever been, but I am now a Group Fitness Instructor at Aspen!  I appreciate everything (Aspen) has helped me accomplish and I can’t wait to give that back to other members. – Chandra Wheetley

Gary McCall

As an ex-collegiate wrestler, I have always struggled with weight gain.  When I started working with a trainer, I was 210 lbs and 30% body fat.  I was looking for a more natural way to get into shape and live a healthy lifestyle. Ben showed me combining cardio training with intense weight training is the key.  I like they way he pushes me to the point of failure and encourages me to do more each and every session, just like I did back when I wrestled.  I would not have been able to have this success without the support of Ben & Aspen! – Gary McCall, Aspen Member

Max L- Glutamine

Glutamine remains a viable candidate for dietary supplementation among athletes because it has been shown to support the immune system, promote glycogen synthesis and increase protein synthesis.* Athletes who are most likely to benefit from glutamine supplementation are listed below.

 Best suited for:

• Highly stressed, calorie-deprived athletes, such as in-season bodybuilders.
• Endurance athletes with an enormous exercise workload.
• Athletes who experience large exercise-energy expenditure and maintain a calorie deficit for fat loss.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Apple-Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Rows of sweet apple slices are topped with tart cranberries in this pretty upside-down cake.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried cranberries
2 tablespoon Calvados, or apple cider
6 teaspoons butter, softened, divided
1 cup packed light brown sugar, divided
2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
5 Zwieback toasts, (1 1/2 ounces)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
2 large large egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 2
Soak cranberries in Calvados (or cider) in a small bowl until softened, about 10 minutes.

Step 3
Use 2 teaspoons butter to thickly coat bottom and lightly coat sides of a 9-inch square or 7-by-11-inch baking pan. Spread 1/2 cup brown sugar evenly in bottom of pan. Make 3 rows of apple slices over sugar, overlapping them slightly. Sprinkle with reserved cranberries.

Step 4
Melt remaining 4 teaspoons butter. Set aside.

Step 5
Finely grind Zwieback in a food processor. Add flour and salt and process until well combined.

Step 6
Combine eggs, egg whites, vanilla and remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on high speed until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. With mixer at low speed, add reserved Zwieback mixture and melted butter, beating until just combined. (Do not overmix.) Spoon over the fruit in prepared pan.

Step 7
Bake cake until top is golden and springs back when touched lightly, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Invert cake onto a wire rack and let cool completely.

Provided by EatingWell.com

Steak & Boursin Wrapped Bells

For an even quicker preparation, try deli roast beef.

INGREDIENTS
16 thin slice grilled steak, such as filet mignon (about 8 ounces)
1 cup light Boursin cheese, divided
4 ounces thinly sliced bell pepper

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Step 1
Spread each steak slice with 1 teaspoon Boursin cheese and top with bell pepper slices. Roll the steak around the bell pepper slices.

Provided by EatingWell.com

Hershey’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough- Protein Bar

The new soft & chewy Hershey’s FIT PROTEIN bars from Apex are nutrient rich and contain more protein than two eggs*.  The Hershey’s FIT PROTEIN bars have a delicious soft cookie center made with real Hershey’s chocolate and provide 18g of high quality protein and only 10g of sugar in just under 300 calories per bar. The Hershey FIT PROTEIN bars are perfect between meals or to fuel up pre/post workout.  Contains no High Fructose Corn Syrup and 0g Trans Fat

Calories 290
Carbs 33g
Protein 18g   
Fat 11g (0g trans fat)    
Sugar 10g

 Best suited for:

• Anyone as
  • A snack between meals
  • An aid to satiety
  • An pre or post workout snack**
  • A better dessert option
• An experienced exerciser
  • As a pre- and post-workout meal to enhance training and recovery*

*2 medium eggs contain approx. 12g protein.
**It is not recommended that more than one-third of your total calories be substituted in the form of meal replacement foods unless medically supervised. Consult your physician before starting any diet.