Diet? I Don't Do Diets!! Yeah? Me Neither!

Hey! Thanks for checking back.  I really need to get back into this because I feel like I have lost sight of what I really need to be doing.  I really need to be writing in here a couple times a week!  Seriously!  

But for today's post... One of my biggest pet peeves is when people think that CLEAN EATING is a diet!  While you may be changing your diet, I don't look at it as if it were a diet.  SlimFast is a diet.   Jenny Craig is a diet.  Weight Watchers is a diet.  You're buying something from those companies that is on their "plan" and you're counting points, calories, or paying enrollment fees.  


Just this week, I have heard on three different occasions something about "the diet."   Here are a few quotes that I'd like to address.  "I don't do diets," "I'm dieting," and "Are you allowed to have that on your diet?"

First of all, I don't do diets either.  When I first started my journey to a healthier me, I was hesitant.  I really was.  Truth is, I had never tried anything else before and I was scared. It was something new and something that I wasn't sure if I would be good at.  I hate failing and I was never allowed to fail.  When I discovered that the 21 Day Fix allowed me to eat the same foods I had already been eating, I was thrilled.  I'm talking foods like cereal, fruit, veggies, rice, etc.  Only this time, it was in portions.  This time it wasn't a heaping bowl of Lucky Charms.  It was 2, 1/2 cups (2 yellows) of a whole grain cereal and 4oz of almond milk.  I had to adjust to certain things like almond milk instead of regular cows milk, Greek yogurt (plain) instead of flavored yogurt, leaving behind my cookies, chocolate bars, icecream, and occasional bottle of wine.  Although, 21 Day Fix allowed for 4oz of wine, 3 times a week.  A diet?  You're kidding, right?  Wine on a diet?  Yeah... whatever you say.  So to tell me that you "don't do diets" is like telling me that you don't want to go to a funeral because you might die.  It just sounds silly!

Second... "I'm dieting."  Really?  You're dieting?  So does that mean that once you've reached your goal weight or your goal fitness level, you're done with your "diet?"  Clean eating, again, isn't a diet.  It is literally a life style and once you've realized that your body likes the clean food, you're going to feel so much better.  I have a friend who wanted to take an entire week away from eating clean.  After day 2, she was messaging me saying "Hol, I can't do this anymore. I feel like crap.  I think I'm going to go back on tomorrow and eat better."  When you dial in your nutrition, then you eat something very bad (a Big Mac for example), your body is going to react to that food in a negative way.  

Perfect example... a couple nights ago my husband comes home and asks if I'd like to order out.  He chooses his favorite place in town, Vinny's.  While Vinny's is a pizza place, I know that if I have pizza or anything other than a salad, I'm going to feel like what I ate.  Cheap, easy, and lazy.  I got a buffalo chicken salad and he had bacon cheese fries and a salad.  However, he did not eat the salad.  Let's just say this, after 10 minutes into the workout that night, he was in the bathroom remembering how good those fries tasted going down.  My point is this, after a period of time that you're fueling your body with healthy, nutritious foods, one bad meal will make you remember why you have stayed away.  I'm no expert but I know that the chemicals in processed food make you feel way more lethargic than if you were to eat a clean meal.  It's up to you! 

Again, I ask, once you've met your goal, are you done "dieting?"  Because if you are, expect to gain your weight back and lose energy.   

Lastly... "Are you allowed to have that on your diet?"  Seriously?  My grandmother tells me that she doesn't buy "special food" for me and Anthony because she doesn't know what we are allowed to have. Okay well, even though we've told her over and over, she still doesn't get it.  That's fine.  She's 73.  But other people see me eating things and they ask the same question.  I just turn my head and say, "Do you really think that I would want to feel like a pile of dog shit after I eat this?  YES.  I am getting this to eat because I am ALLOWED to have it."  Anywhere that we go, I always find something that can be considered "clean."  If I have to ask the waiter or waitress to put something on the side, I do.  If I don't want dressing but oil and vinegar instead, I do.  I love Mexican food.  I love it!! When I go there, I have the fajitas.  I don't eat the tortillas, rice, or guacamole.  I eat the chicken and veggies with some salsa on top.  I toss in a little hot sauces for good measure.  And that literally fills me up!  I don't need the added crap they put on.  

My friend was going out of town with her husband and sent me a menu of a place they were going to be stopping to eat.  She asked me, "Hol, I don't know what to get.  What do you think?"  I looked over the menu and gave her my response.  It wasn't want she wanted to get but again, do you want to be 300lbs or do you want to feel better?  Do you want to see results?  Because if you do, you'll listen to me.  Honestly, I am a straight shooter.  If you ask me a question that requires my opinion, you'll get my opinion.  It might not be what you wanted to hear, but that's what's great about an opinion.  :) #sorrynotsorry 

So to wrap up... In my honest opinion (again, how great!) eating clean is NOT a diet.  I'm not counting calories, paying enrollment fees, or adding up my points.  I am simply cutting out the processed, heavy foods.  When you fuel your body the right way, your body will treat you much better.  That's a fact, Jack.  

What IS The Cost of Being Healthy? -- Part IV: Mental Costs

Now we’re on to part 4 of our “Costs of being healthy” and now this portion is going to be about the mental costs.  Mental costs include but are not limited to stress, knowledge, motivation, and attitude.  These factors are not mutually exclusive but they tie into one another multiple ways and this portion is going to highlight those relationships.  

Let’s start off with the positive and negative attitudes people have toward working out and getting fit.  Most of people out there who aren’t already doing something about their health wish they could or could find the motivation to do it.  When they decide that they “can’t,” they start having a negative attitude toward the whole concept.  Then one thing leads to another and they never seem to have any success.  I like to call this the slippery slope.  It’s just one bad decision after another.  It starts off by a mother who wants to lose the baby weight says, “yes, I want to get in shape now.”  Funds might be tight and she can’t afford a workout program or join the gym so she starts walking outside with her family.  The weather turns bad and she can no longer take those walks.  She sits in the house, looks for other types of workouts, tries a few, realizes she could be doing something more productive, and then the kids wake up from their naps.  Finally she says to herself that she can’t possibly fit this in and boom, right back to where she started.  She’s feeling defeated.  I know that mom, woman… I’ve been her!  

It’s the same with positive attitudes.  If you are able to ignore the negative, you can continue the “slippery slope” but in the other direction.. UP.  If you are able to surround yourself with ways to be better and making better choices, you’re not going to see the negative.  For example, if I were always thinking what could go wrong, I would never have the opportunity to see what could go RIGHT!  It’s the same with fitness and being healthy.  If you are able to sit down and create a timeline of your day incorporating 30 minutes of working out somewhere in there, you are going to make time for that 30 minutes because you’ve already planned it.  An added perk to working out is that you are going to feel SO much better.  Your body will release those endorphins to make you feel better and you can continue to have a positive attitude to take into the next day.  

Knowledge is power but not having the right knowledge can lead to those negative thoughts and continue the slippery slope.  There is a lot, and I mean A LOT, of information out there on the internet these days.  Just the other day I saw that drinking a glass of wine could replace 30 minutes on the treadmill.  I’m sorry, but I don’t see how that is possible.  The way I feel after 30 minutes of running/walking on the treadmill does not give me the same great feeling that ONE glass of wine does.  That is just one example.  But on the other side of the coin, there is a plethora of great information out there.  You just have to know how to find it.  

Sometimes people who have physical restrictions get discouraged from trying a workout program because they feel it’s too hard.  They might see programs be advertised on TV and think, “wow, I could never do that.  I might as well not even try because I’ll end up hurting myself.”  Okay, let’s get one thing straight.  Do you really think those people who created those exercise programs were always as clean cut as they are now?  A lot of trainers were overweight children and now they are out there hoping to inspire people to make a better lifestyle for themselves and their families.  My best advice is to check both sides of the conversation.  Don’t believe the first thing you read because there is some type of workout for everyone!

Which leads me to my next point, motivation.  A lot of times people do not have the motivation to go out there and do something on their own that they’ve never tried before.  They might not have a workout partner, supportive spouse or family member, trainer, or group of friends that cheer them on.  But, in order to achieve success, you’ve got to find a support group.  There are a lot of support groups on social media and any of them would be glad to support someone who’s trying to get healthy.  Before I had success with 21 Day Fix, I was part of a support group that kept each person accountable for the meals they had during the day.  It was simple but it made me aware of what I was putting in my body because I’d be posting about it later.  That is only one example but a great one to keep in mind when you’re needing some motivation!

My last topic on mental costs is going to be geared toward stress.  There are both negative and positive types of stress.  Both are in our day to day lives but most people see stress as being a bad thing.  A lot of people have anxiety issues or panic attacks because they are so overwhelmed with their lives that they need meds or whatever else. I’ve known people who have even self medicated because they “couldn’t deal with the problems of life.”  You know what, there are times when I can’t deal with the problems of life either.  That’s when you take a step back, breathe, and figure it out.  Not everyone deals with stress the same way and finding the way to work out your problems is half the battle.  A friend of mine is currently dealing with some issues and she’s taking baby steps to make changes in her life.  I commend her greatly because with all the things that are going on in her life, new job, personal relationship issues, health concerns, and a newfound excitement for a better lifestyle, she has a right to be stressed!  Most of these things are negative stressors but when you’re learning to live more healthy, that is a very positive stressor.  When you have mostly negative stress in your life, you’re not going to want to find time for yourself.  

If something like changing your eating plan, meal planning in general, exercise, or having a positive attitude are stressing you out, maybe you should consult someone who’s been there for advice on how to better manage your tasks.  Someone who can help you lower your stress level will only help you.  You’ll be able to seek out other ways of being healthy, you’ll have a better attitude about working out everyday, you’ll want to be fueling your body with healthy foods, and then everything else falls into place.  You might stress about how you’re going to make a healthy meal for your family, but isn’t that the point?  Let’s be honest here and if you’ve been reading along with me, you know I like being honest.  If you’re making a healthy meal but having some trouble finding a recipe, Pinterest it!  The end result is going to be a healthy meal for your family and you've got a point in the WIN column.  So what, you stressed about whether or not your 8 year old is going to like whole grain pasta instead of wheat pasta.  He’s eating it and doesn’t even taste the difference.  Get over it!  You’ve already won!  Or let’s say you’re stressing about the workout that evening.  Max Out Cardio, Yoga X, or Pilates Fix… do the workout and when you’re done, it’s over.  You did the workout, you finished it.  Another example… you just ordered a new flavor of Shakeology and aren’t sure how you’re going to finish the whole bag of Vegan Chocolate.  Oh wait, hey there Pinterest!  Boom a whole 30 day supply of recipes waiting for you.  These are all OK things to stress about because in the end, you’re on a track to a healthier, more fit you!

In conclusion, I’d like to say that there are probably a lot more mental costs but these are the heavy hitters, in my opinion, that a lot of people think about.  Sometimes they don’t think about it until they’ve already gotten into the gym but some of these things go through their mind.  I know because it’s happened to me.  I am not in anyway someone who’s had it easy in the weight department and I know that I have to work extra hard to see the results I want.  Keep a positive attitude and surround yourself with supportive people. Great things will happen!

Turkey Chili

Are you a busy person with literally no time to make dinner?  Well, I have something for you!  This is Turkey Chili!  You can choose to make this with ground turkey or ground chicken.  Both taste great!  This is a simple meal that you can enjoy for a few days at a time.  It's clean and healthy. So here it goes:

Ingredients:
Kidney beans (1/2 lb)
Pinto beans (1/2 lb)
Green pepper (1 chopped up)
Tomatoes (about 4 medium sized)
Corn (12 oz or one of those frozen steamer bags full)
Water (2 cups)
Ground turkey or chicken (1 lb)
Onions (Quarter of a regular sized onion)
Mushrooms (cup, diced)
Paprika (As much or little that you need, depending on your taste)
Pepper (Same as paprika)
Cumin (Same as pepper)
Garlic powder (Same as cumin)
Onion powder (Same as garlic powder)

Directions:

For this recipe, we're going to to be using the crock pot.  You can start this the night before and have it for dinner the next day.  So here we go.

Depending on your style, you can either use kidney and pinto beans from the can or you can use dried ones and quick soak them until they are tender.  I like to use dried beans and soak them.  Either way, follow the directions for soaking.

Add all ingredients into the crock pot and turn on WARM.  If you plan on having this for dinner that night, turn it on high and let it cook for about 4 hours.  If you're doing the over night scheme, turn it on warm and let it cook over night.  Stir occasionally and if you need to add any more spices to the mix, do that when you stir.  I like to add some Frank's Red Hot to mine just to give it a little zing.  Totally up to you.

One cup of this chili is considered to be 1 yellow, 1 red, and 1 green if you are following a Beachbody program that uses containers.

Breakfast Omelet

Ahh, the almighty breakfast omelet!  So, I'm going to be completely honest here and tell you that I did not personally make this omelet.  My husband, Anthony, did and boy did he do a great job!  He is fond of hot peppers so the ones you see here are optional!  So this was simple!

Ingredients:

1 large egg
3 egg whites
1 cup of chopped veggies
1/8 cup shredded cheese

Directions:

All you need to so is whisk up your egg and egg whites and dump them in the skillet. Add whatever spices you would like to the egg.  Once it's cooked on side, flip it.  Then Anthony just added his chopped veggies to the top and sprinkled on some cheese.  Covered the omelet for a few minutes to let the cheese melt, and boom, done!  Simple and easy.  Literally this takes 5 minutes to do!

Just because you're eating clean, doesn't mean you can't have regular eggs.  I actually really like just egg whites and you can use JUST egg whites if you want.  That's totally up to you.  However, if you're following a program, 2 large eggs is considered 1 protein.  However, 8 egg whites is considered 1 protein (red container) so use this to your advantage!

Pork & Veggies

So here is another one of my clean eating recipes.  This one consists of pork, carrots, peas, and brown rice.   This is a great dinner to change up the usual chicken or turkey dinner and have something a little bit different.  Here's what you will need:

Ingredients: 

Pork Cutlets (I usually buy these at the store in bunches of 6 or 8 pieces)

Brown rice (however much you want to make... check out the directions on the packaging to see how much raw rice yields cooked rice)

Peas & Carrots 

Assortment of seasonings (this is totally up to you... for pork, I typically use a combination of cumin, paprika, pepper, sea salt, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder and a little bit of chili powder)

Directions: 

Start making the rice.  It takes the longest to cook.  Do not add any butter or salt to your rice.  This takes away from the "cleanliness" of your meal. 

On the stove, pull out your skillet and add some olive oil to it.  Let it get heated up and while it heats, use your spices to do a dry rub on your pork.  It doesn't have to be fancy or exciting looking. Make sure that all sides of your pork is covered in your rub.  This is important for full flavor.

Once your skillet is piping hot, add your pork to the skillet.  It will sizzle a lot because you are searing it.  The sear will lock in the juices so that your pork is juicy.  Make sure the pork cooks on all sides.  

This is the time you can steam your veggies.  I typically buy frozen veggies and steam them in the microwave or on the stove.  Either way, it doesn't matter.  If you do it in the microwave, be careful you're not leaving them in there too long.  The nutrients will leak out of the the veggies causing them to lose their value.  

You should use a meat thermometer to know when the pork is cooked.  This cut of pork is done at 145 degress F. 

This is one of my personal favorites because I do like pork and I like to change it up! 

Rolled Chicken With Veggies

Hi everyone!  Back by popular demand is another recipe created in my brain.  I am not a chef or do I claim to be but I am a person with healthy habits and a clean diet.  So here we are with another recipe for you!  This is what I like to call rolled chicken and veggies!  





Ingredients: 

• Chicken breasts (pound these down so they aren't huge breasts ... the bigger they are, the harder it is to roll and longer it takes to cook) 
• Asparagus (for this recipe I used 2 stalks per roll)
• Red onion (I used a few pieces per roll)
• Green pepper (I used a few slices per roll)

• Cheese stick (I used provalone but any kind will work.  Also, if you use a knife to cut the cheese stick in quarters, one quarter will go in each roll) 
• Mushrooms
• And any other veggies you want to saute to add as a side 

Directions: 

Preheat your oven to 375.  
Make sure your chicken is pounded down.  Sprinkle some salt and pepper on each side of the chicken.  
Add your cut veggies, asparagus, and cheese to the one end of your chicken.  
Roll it until the chicken is tightly wrapped around the veggies and cheese.  
Place on baking pan or glass dish.  Cook for approximately 30 to 35 minutes or until the juice is clear. 

On the stove, saute the desired veggies with some olive oil and desired spices.  Here I used some oregano and garlic powder.  


Stay tuned for more to come! 


Start A New You Now!

What IS The Cost of Being Healthy? -- Part III: Emotional Costs

The 3rd part of my “Costs of Being Healthy” is going to be emotional costs.  You might be sitting there wondering how emotions can play a part in your road to a healthy lifestyle.  I’m not going to sit here and harp on how you should be a happy person all the time or be someone who’s always giddy or overly excited.  Honestly, that’s NOT me.  However, the way you feel about certain things has a direct impact on how you deal with health, fitness, and overall well-being.  

There are a couple different points that I would like to touch on in this portion with the first one being self-esteem.  Let’s be honest, if you know me at all, you know that I have not always been the most beautiful woman on the planet, the smartest, or the most athletic.  If I were any of those things, I wouldn’t be writing this blog.  There are people who truly believe they can’t do anything because they aren’t good enough.  I felt that way for a long time until I realized that I WAS good enough.  I had the right to be happy and fulfilled.  I always viewed myself as the fat slob that everyone always made me out to be.  I get that.  The way you look at yourself directly affects your attitude.  If you feel like you aren’t good enough, you’re going to feel like you deserve to be alone or in a constant state of self-loathing.  On the flip side, if you feel like you’re worth a million bucks every time you check yourself out in the mirror, you’re going to be confident and excited to start the new day.  

Here is a little story about someone I know.  For years, my friend was angry.  Angry because of life events that didn’t go the way they should have.  Angry because the people who were suppose to be there, weren’t.  For years my friend moped around, bouncing from relationship to relationship, bar to bar, one crash diet to another crash diet.  My friend wasn’t the best person they knew how to be.  They saw themselves as worthless and felt like their life was unfulfilled.  One day, my friend decided to change their life by becoming part of something much bigger than themselves.  This motivated my friend to see things through a clearer pane of glass than before and this encouraged my friend to be the best they could be not just for themselves, but for the future too.  Now my friend has a spouse and a family.  My friend is doing things they never thought possible 7 or 8 years ago.  Granted, everyone has bad days but my friend is no where near that dark, dismal hole they once were in.  What changed?  The vision to be a better version of themselves.  

I tell that story because that friend of mine is very close to me and someone I admire.  Someone that pushes me everyday to be a better wife, mother, sister, daughter, niece, and granddaughter.  That person challenges me and makes me think.  I can’t thank them enough.  Without them, I wouldn’t be writing this blog at all!  

So getting back to self-esteem… when you look in the mirror, what do you see?  Do you see someone who’s just going through the motions?  Or do you see someone who’s confident, with their head held high?  I use to be the one going through the motions but now I’m the one who’s confident enough in my ability that I can help someone else!  The best way I know to improve self-esteem is to start by having some positive thoughts everyday.  Instead of focusing on the negative and thinking of anything that can go wrong, think of what can go RIGHT!  You would be amazed at the way you feel when you have positive thoughts.

The second point I’d like to touch on in this portion is the idea that you will fail.  Some people are scared to fail and that’s why they don’t even try.  In life, there are things you’re going to be good at and there are things that you aren’t going to be good at.  Me, personally, I am NOT good at fixing cars or sitting down to make a budget.  I’m not good at arts and crafts.  Before starting my journey, I wasn’t good at working out.  I am good at things like planning and organization, managing people and events, taking care of my children, and swimming.  Since starting my journey in October, I am better at running, circuit training, and using resistance bands.  I didn’t become good at these things overnight.  I didn’t become good at these things in a week or even 2 weeks.  It took at least 3 to 4 weeks of doing the actions to get right.  

I caught on to the 21 Day Fix meal plan pretty quickly but some people don’t catch on as quickly.  Sometimes they feel overwhelmed and under a lot of pressure.  That’s OK to feel that way.  That means you’re making a change.  You can’t worry about it.  You’re starting something new.  You’re not always going to be great at everything and you’re definitely not going to master something new on the first day!  If it takes you time, so be it.  It will get easier and the change will seem further away.  Your body will adapt to new things you’re feeding it and you will learn to love yourself.  

One thing that Beachbody has taught me so far is that you will fail forward.  Failing forward simply put is when you don’t achieve the results you want but you’ve learned something from that experience.  I know that I’m not good at push-ups but that pushes me to try harder and even though I modify the workout, I still try to get 2 or 3 good ones in!  Don’t be afraid all the time.  Take charge of your life and learn from your mistakes.  

In conclusion of this portion, I’d like to recap by asking you to do me a favor.  Go to the mirror and ask yourself these questions: Do you like who you see?  Do you want to be better in some part of your life?  Do you want to learn something new?  Are you ready to make a change in your life?  Let me know the answers to those questions by sending me an email at hstilianidis@gmail.com.  I’m not a therapist or a counselor, but I’d love to hear what your answers are to those questions.  

What IS The Cost Of Being Healthy -- Part II: Time Costs

Now that I have nailed down some questions surrounding the monetary side of being healthy, what about the others that are also contributing factors?  I started thinking outside the box and the next biggest factor is TIME.  This entry is going to be how much time being healthy can cost you.  I will bring up an concern and then address it in the following paragraph.

I have a full time job.  How can I make time to exercise or plan my meals?

A lot of people have full time jobs and still find time to work out.  If you were to go to the gym, you have to take into account the time spent going TO and FROM the facility.  That doesn’t include your actual workout while you’re there.  People do it all the time and often, this time takes away from their family time OR time they could be winding down after work.  However, with a home based program, it has the potential to just be 30 minutes a day.  Who doesn’t have 30 minutes?  This could be 30 minutes before you start getting ready for work in the morning, 30 minutes before bed, 30 minutes as soon as you get home from work, or before dinner.  My husband and I have developed a method that has worked for us for about the last 2 months.  We get our girls down for bed around 9PM and then we go downstairs and work out.  Sometimes we just do 30 minutes and sometimes we do more.  

As far as planning your meals goes… if you are able to know how much you can have of each type of food, it doesn’t take too much brain power to realize that “hey, I can’t have any more healthy fats today, I need to have some more vegetables.”  There are programs that take the guess work out of how much food you can have during the day.  It’s not a diet nor do you have to eat bizarre things.  There are charts designed to keep people on track with their portions.  

I enjoy spending time with my family too much to work out.

Based solely on experience, I have 2 children under the age of 2.  There is NO way I am going to get a workout in while they are present.  While I agree that spending time with your family is important, believe me.  You don’t want to miss those tender years.  However, I have not been able to lose weight by being hammered down by my 2 little girls.  I am a person without my children and I want to be a better person for them.  My rebut to this is basically… Make time.  Period.  You’ve got to make time so that you CAN be around for your children and family members.  

I’m tired and I like to relax.  

Again, this is all about making time.  So you sacrifice a little bit to get a whole lot in return.  You don’t just get to lose weight, have a slimmer, more trim body but you get to give your family a better version of yourself.  A little bit of YOU time goes a long way.  I would personally like to get up early to workout and start my day sooner.  Even I don’t have the motivation to get moving sooner.  Although, I would like that to change.  If someone who loves sleeping as much as I do can get up early and move with a purpose, so can you!

I have hobbies that take up a lot of time.

Speaking as someone who doesn’t really have any hobbies and never did, this one is a little bit tough.  I understand that people have soccer practice, ballet, bowling leagues, community meetings, work related meetings, parent-teacher meetings, etc.  That shouldn’t stop you from being healthy!  Again, a lot of home based programs are only 30 minutes long and you can do them in the comfort of your own home.  Here’s a thought, why not encourage others in your group to participate with you?  Why not involve your family in some way or another?  You’d be amazed at how well a 4 year old can do lunges or jumping jacks! :)  

I hope that I have addressed some of these concerns well enough.  If you have any other questions, please feel free to let me know!  :)  

Mini Meatloaf

So these are mini meat loafs with veggies and sweet potatoes.  Here is what you will need:

1 pound of ground turkey (using a muffin tin to cook)
5 or 6 whole grain crackers or bread crumbs
1 cup of your choice of veggies (diced)
3 plum tomatoes (or more depending on your taste)
1 sweet potato
1 pound of string beans

Spices -- I'll be honest, when it comes to these types of recipes and spices, I just sprinkle a little bit and taste it.  If it's seasoned to my liking, I don't add anymore.  If it needs more, I add more.  For this recipe I used oregano, garlic, black pepper, and cumin.

Cut up your sweet potato however you'd like.  I cut them into fries sometimes and sometime I cut them into chips.  Once they've been cut up, put them into a bowl and add some olive oil and paprika.  Make sure they are evenly coated.  Place them on a cookie/baking sheet and prepare to put them in the oven with the mini meat loafs.

For your string beans -- you can steam them in the microwave or on the stove.  It's up to you.  Sometimes I don't have time to boil them or steam them on the stove so I microwave them.

Directions for your mini meat loafs: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix turkey, egg, bread crumbs/crackers in a bowl.  Add whatever spices you like.  In another bowl (smaller) add your tomatoes (diced) and mash the up into a puree. I like to really get them looking like a sauce so I squish them with my hand.  Once your turkey is mixed thoroughly, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of your mixture into each muffin in.  Put them in the oven with the potatoes and cook for 30 minutes.  Once they are just about cooked, add the tomato puree to the top as a topping.  Place them back in the oven for about 5 to 10 more minutes.

On this plate, I have 4 mini meat loafs, a half cup of potatoes, and a cup of green beans.  Enjoy!

What IS The Cost Of Being Healthy? -- Part I: Monetary Costs

What is the cost of being healthy?  That’s the original question.  Most people only think of the monetary value to being healthy and while that is a major part of being healthy, there are several other factors that I have come up with that are incorporated into the “cost.”  

This article is going to be my personal Q & A of the monetary costs to being healthy.  Starting off by rattling out the numbers might not always be the best way to persuade someone into believing that they can be healthy but I am going to “keep it 100” with my readers.  

How much does it cost to go to the gym?  

Well, I can say from personal experience that I have went to several different gyms and none of them actually made me feel welcome.  I was paying for something that I used from time to time and ended up terminating my membership because it was more of a burden to me than it was helpful.  I am not saying that gym memberships are bad because they do work for some people.  However, speaking as someone who has been overweight their entire life, a gym is not the place for me.  Here are some numbers.

LA Fitness requires you to purchase an initiation fee of approximately $100 and then $30 monthly.  Sometimes they have promotions to get you to join and the initiation fee is less OR their monthly fee is less.  Using what is the regular amount, an initial start up is $160.  They charge you for the initiation fee, first month’s membership, and last month’s membership.  Sometimes those memberships are good for any LA Fitness you want to go to anywhere in the country and sometimes they are only good for that specific LA Fitness.  For 12 months, you’re spending $460. (Information cited from LAfitness.com)

Planet Fitness, another growing gym in the US, offers people a membership for only $10/month and $20/month.  The $20/month membership gets you all the amenities that the gym offers including tanning beds, massage beds, ½ price beverages, and unlimited access to any Planet Fitness in the US.  Both of these memberships require a $10 start up fee followed by a $40 annual fee for the $20/month membership and a $30 annual fee for the $10/month membership.  The $20/month membership fee costs $290/year and the $10/month membership fee costs $160/year.  (Information cited from Planetfitness.com)

Twenty-four (24) Fitness is another very expensive gym that a lot of people have joined.  They have a variety of different memberships and the least expensive one goes a little something like this.  The initiation fee is $100, the annual fee is $40, and the monthly membership is $55.  To start, you’ve got to pay for your first and last month PLUS your initiation fee.  For a whole year, someone would pay $800. (Information cited from 24hourfitness.com)

Let’s be honest, what is the difference?  These are just a few examples but seriously, what IS the difference?  Is it that some gyms have a pool?  Sauna?  Spin classes?  Security cameras?  A cafe?  That is totally up to someone’s opinion.  

Can I get in shape at home?  And if so, which home-based program is right for me?

The answer is Yes.  You can get in shape and be healthy right in your own home.  Which program is dependant on your own fitness level or goals.  From personal experience with home based programs, I am able to help people who have different fitness levels choose the right program for them.  I started off using something called 21 Day Fix.  It was a portion control food program with workouts being 30 minutes a day.  To date, I have lost 25 lbs!  All I had to do was change the amount of food I ate and do a 30 minute workout every day.  There are some programs that are only Monday through Friday with a specific eating plan.  The type of program, again, depends on your fitness level.  These programs cost about the half or less than half the amount you would be paying at a gym.  

Do I have to buy a home-based program?

No.  There are workouts that you can look up online that use your own body weight.  There are circuit training guides on websites such as Pinterest or heck, do a Google search.  You could run outside, at a school or college track, run or walk around your neighborhood, and get creative with your equipment that you would need.  

Do I need equipment?  

Yes & No.  There are some home-based programs that require you to have a resistant band, a heavy set of weights, and a light set of weights.  Some recommend that you use a yoga/gym mat.  Walmart sells resistant bands that work perfectly for $10.  Walmart also sells a 40 lb dumbbell set for $15.  These things could be purchased at Dick’s Sporting Goods for more but if these are items that you don’t want to spend a bunch of money on, Walmart weights weigh the same as Dick’s Sporting Goods weights.  Make sense?  Yoga mats are also sold at Walmart and are anywhere between $8 and $30.  You don’t necessarily need a yoga mat but if you wish to purchase one, again, Walmart has these items.  If you’re not a Walmart fan, Target probably has comparable prices.  

If you choose to do your own circuit training exercises at home, you don’t need any equipment.  You can use your own body weight to get stronger.  You will see more results if you’re using weights in addition, but for those who are just starting, using your own body weight can actually be a pretty tough workout.  I recommend having a pair of comfortable sneakers though.  I am very picky when it comes to sneakers so having something comfortable alleviates the excuse that your feet hurt.  

How much do groceries cost if I am eating healthy?  

So this is one of the biggies that a lot of people say are the reason why they can’t be healthy.  Foods that are NOT processed cost a little bit more than those that are not.  I eat clean MOST of the time.  I say MOST of the time because I do indulge in sweets and processed/fast food every so often.  Not weekly or biweekly but maybe once every 3 weeks.  My husband and I have started eating clean and by doing so, we aren’t spending money on boxed dinners, frozen dinners, canned foods, added sauces, preservatives, or baked goods.  We purchase A LOT of produce.  When I say a lot, I mean that about half of our grocery bill is produce.  When you go to the store, think about the way that you shop for food.  Do you shop around the outside of the store?  Do you go through all the aisles?  Do you choose whole grain over white?  These are the things that you need to ask yourself.  From personal experience I can say that we use to go up and down every aisle.  We would get cookies, icecream, juice, boxed dinners, and food that was just NOT good.  Now we don’t even go down those aisle unless it’s for something for the children.  Please, don’t get it twisted.  Our oldest daughter eats what we eat but she does have graham crackers and some juice every now and then.  

When I made the commitment to eat better, I realized that I was shopping on the outside of the store.  Produce, meat, and dairy are the foods I eat the most.  When you go shopping, look for lean meats such as chicken and turkey.  We don’t eat much red meat anymore and have it as a treat.  We buy a lot of fresh vegetables and fruit.  Sometimes fruit is expensive during the times of the year that it’s not in season so we purchase frozen fruit without any sugar.  We purchase eggs, some cheeses, almond milk, and Greek yogurt.  Over the last 3 months, our grocery bill has been anywhere between $140 and $200.  That is for a family of 4 who purchase diapers in 2 different sizes and formula.  That lasts us approximately a week and a half to 2 weeks.  That comes out to be between $280 to $400 a month in food.  Are we healthy?  Yes.  Are we eating enough?  Yes.  Are the children eating enough? Absolutely YES.  I don’t buy named brand items and I don’t buy organic.  If you really want to be critical, you could say that is my downfall.  Oh well.

What about you?  Do you think you could make it work?  Do you have more people in your family?  Do you have less?   It’s mostly about the concious decision to purchase healthier foods.  It reigns true that if you don’t buy it and take it into your house, you aren’t going to eat it.  I’m not losing weight by temping myself with Oreos and sugary cereals even though I love both of those!  I also want to point out that we are surviving on one income right now.  Money is tight.  A budget is necessary BUT we are still making it work.  If we can do it, so can you!

Can I still eat out and be healthy?

Yes.  When you’re eating out, you might want to look at a menu before you go to that restaurant.  I had a friend recently who emailed me her menu before she was going to the restaurant and asked me what I thought about the food they served.  I gave her my honest opinion.  It’s all about choosing the foods that you know are going to be a good choice.  

Applebee’s, for example, was the first place that my husband and I went to when I started eating clean.  I was nervous at first because I didn’t know what I would get.  I got the steak with a side of mixed vegetables, baked potato, and a salad.  I asked them to hold the onions and mushrooms they toss around in some mystery sauce.  I asked for oil and vinegar as a dressing.  I asked for a box to take half of the baked potato home in after dinner and I asked them to put all the extra shit they put on the salad on the side.  I was able to determine how much cheese I wanted on my salad, bacon bits, and I totally ignored the croutons.  

What about supplements?  Do I need them?

Supplements aren’t exactly in my wheelhouse of things I know about.  I can say that I have used a multi-vitamin and Shakeology.  Even though Shakeology has everything I need, I still take a multivitamin for women.  You can choose to use Shakeology if you wish but you don’t have to.   It has the potential to be pricey but it is worth it.  It comes out to be about $4 a glass and if you think about it, how much do you spend on a meal?  It’s probably more than $4 and it keeps you full longer.  I take a multivitamin because I have had 2 children in 2 years.  It took a lot energy out of me and my health suffered for a little while during my second pregnancy when I gained a lot of weight.  Vitamins aren’t going to kill you.  Whatever you body doesn’t need, it will release it as waste anyway.  As to whether or not you need something like this or not is completely up to you.  Which leads me to my next point.

Should I consult a doctor?

Yes.  Before starting any type of workout plan or eating change, let your doctor know.  Yes, the trip to the office will probably cost you a co-pay but you want to be sure you are healthy enough for physical exercise.  This is the person to ask about supplements too.  You doctor will be able to recommend a vitamin or even prescribe you something.  Your doctor might suggest that you try doing the program and see how you feel.  Again, I am not an expert in the supplement department so I can not advocate FOR or AGAINST anything.  Always consult your doctor! :)  

With these questions answered, I hope that this portion of my “cost of being healthy” has answered a few questions that may have been lingering around in your brains.  If there’s anything relating to this topic that you’d like to discuss further, let me know.  I’m always available to answer any questions that anyone has!

When You Feel Like Giving Up

Alright, you all... this is going to be one of those "kick you in your ass" posts.  Let's be honest with ourselves, we've all given up on something at some point in our life.  Whether that be a failing relationship, a broken down vehicle, a project for school, or a recipe you can't quite get "right."  I will admit, I've done all of those.  We might have even given up on ourselves.  And that is the one entity I will not give up on.  I am what keeps everything else together.  If I give up on myself, I give up on my family and my life.  

So here it goes, when you think about quitting, don't.  When you think you aren't good enough, you are.  When you feel like you're going to puke, you're doing it right.  If you feel like you're going to pass out, you might.  Keep on going.  Think about why you started.  Was it for yourself?  Your spouse?  Your family? Was it just because someone else was doing it?  What ever the reason was, don't give up.  

A lot of the time in my life I have felt like I wasn't good enough for someone.  I felt like since I wasn't a size 0 no one would ever be physically attracted to me.  I quickly found out that was NOT accurate and now I am a mother of 2 gorgeous little girls.  They are the driving force behind my new-found lifestyle because I want to be around to see them get married, have children, and go on to live their lives.  I'm no expert and I'm not a motivational speaker by any means, but I am living proof that ANYONE can do this.  It doesn't matter what you fitness level is, you can do this.  There will be times when you want to throw your hands up and say "I quit, I'm tired, I feel sick, I'm hurting."  Guess what.. that means you're doing something right.  It's OK to want to quit but what's NOT OK is actually quitting.  After you're done with your workout, let it go.  It's OK if you followed Cat on 21 Day Fix.  It's OK that you can't do all of Shaun T's moves.  It's OK that Tony Horton has better abs than you.  They all started somewhere.

Plain and simple, sitting on the couch isn't going to give you the ass you always wanted.  Eating potato chips isn't going to give you the sleek, sexy arms you've always wanted.  But what will give you a toned body is going to be your hard work, determination, organization, and a focused mindset.  

So moral of the story is, don't give up even when you feel like you will.  Don't do it.  You'll thank yourself come swimsuit season! 

To Shake or Not to Shake

Shakeology is one of the best ways to get everything your body needs for the day in one meal.  I personally love it and I wouldn't have anything else in place of it.  But here is something that a lot of people don't consider.  Yes, I agree that Shakeology is expensive however, how much are you spending stopping for a coffee at your local gas station, Starbucks, or Sheetz?  Are you also ordering something to eat like a breakfast sandwich, sub, or slice of pizza?  How much are you really spending when you're making that stop in the morning or on your lunch break?  $7 or more?  For the amount that I make everyday, the same amount would probably cost me about $6 at Starbucks or Sheetz.  What if I told you that each glass of Shakeology is only $4?!  

Pictured above I have a shake that I made that tastes great and could pass for something that you'd buy at one of your local watering holes.  The shake is half gone so what does that tell you?  It's what I call Caramel Iced Mocha and here is the recipe:

1 Scoop of Chocolate Shakeology (I use VEGAN but Regular would work just fine)
1 Cup of Ice (More or less depending on how thick you want it)
1/2 tsp of Caramel Extract
1 Cup of Chilled Black Coffee (I used the Dollar General brand coffee.. nothing special)

For more information about Shakeology, click the link! 

Stay tuned for more recipes and Holli favorites! :) 

Stuffed Peppers

For my stuffed pepper recipe, I want to say that my husband absolutely devoured these!  He said that if he had to have a last meal, he would choose this to be his last meal!  Again, the way I did this is just a guide to help you along.  I added corn as a side but you can add any side you would like. 

Ingredients: 
4 Bell peppers
1 pound of ground turkey
1 cup of brown rice
4 tomatoes
1/2 cup of diced onion
Cheddar cheese
2 cloves of garlic
Any seasoning you'd like (I used the 21 Day Fix All-Purpose Seasoning mix

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Start cooking your rice.  Usually for a cup of cooked rice, you need about a half cup raw. 
2. Put your ground turkey in a large skillet and brown.  Add your fresh garlic, onion, and 2 chopped tomatoes.  You can also add any other types of veggies you want.  You can add more pepper, hot peppers, spinach, etc.  
3. Cut your bell peppers in half long ways and remove the insides.  Place them in a baking pan and prepare to stuff them.  Mix up your filling mixture and once the rice has become tender, mix it in with your meat.  
4. Stuff your peppers and cover with aluminium foil.  Cook for approx. 30 minutes.  After the turkey has cooked, turn your oven to BROIL.  Dice the other 2 tomatoes you have and make them into a salsa type of mixture.  Spoon them on top of your peppers then add cheese.  Broil long enough for the cheese to get a little crisp!  It will usually take about 10 minutes for this to happen.  Serve and enjoy! 

Stuffed Chicken

Alright folks, here is my next recipe for you all to check out.  It's 21 Day Fix approved.  Now, please keep in mind that I'm not a chef and I don't write cook books.  Also, any of these ingredients, you can change.  You can add or subtract anything you wish.  If you want to add some seasoning to your veggies, have at it.  Seasonings are "free" (except salt) so change it up!  Not only that, I am cooking for 3 people when I make these things.  I make 4 servings because I make enough for my hubby to take to work the next day.  So if you're making just one chicken breast, use your head and determine how much filling you need for each chicken.  

Ingredients: 
Chicken breasts (I used a large breast and sliced it long ways to make 2) 
Mushrooms (1/2 cup)
Green peppers (1/2 cup)
Red peppers (1/2 cup)
Brown rice (1 cup)
Spinach (1 cup)
Shredded cheese (the approved cheeses from the 21 day fix menu) (1/3 cup)
Your choice of seasonings
Olive oil

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and start your rice.  
2. Prepare the filling for your chicken by chopping up the spinach and adding the shredded cheese.  Here you can add the seasonings that you'd like to have for the inside. 
3. Lay your chicken out flat and add your filling.  Wrap your chicken and use a toothpick to secure it while it cooks in the oven.  Once you're done wrapping them up, put them in the oven for approx. 35 minutes.  I have a confection oven so they don't take quite 35 minutes.  Use a cookie sheet or a baking pan.  Don't use one of those pizza pans that have holes in them because you will have some leakage. 
4. In a skillet heat up some olive oil and add the peppers and mushrooms.  Saute until they are tender.  This doesn't take very long so saute the veggies about 5 to 7 minutes before your chicken is due to be finished.