#FitnessFriday - My Real Look Into Fast Food

In my previous blog, I spoke about how I got another job with a crazy schedule. That job was at Rally's as an Assistant Manager. Well I am now not working there (LOL) because I received a call from the Walmart Distribution Center and they wanted me to take their Physical Abilities Test (PAT) for a job. So I went and took the test and I passed it. Now back story on this PAT:  I had previously taken the test and did not pass it last year. I was pretty mad about that because I was in great physical shape. Anyway the Distribution Center is where my husband also works. He makes really good money and I would like to be able to make the same amount, so I waited 6 months and started applying again. Of course they didn't call me until I had started a new job right? Exactly! Of course I quit Rally's and am now going to be starting there. The job is very physically demanding so I know I will be getting my strength training done three days a week while I work. Did I mention the hours are only 14 hour days Friday through Sunday? Yea I love that too, because I can be home with my girls all week. 

I always understood that fast food was bad for you, so this isn't a story about me finding out that it was bad for you. I am just going to reiterate just how bad it is for you. You never really know until you see it first hand. Not only is the food greasy, but it isn't always the best food physically. Some of the food is old and not always fresh. I had to wash my face and shower every day! I am currently nursing a sty on my eye from all the grease. The food prep was only halfway done properly most of the time. It wasn't that people weren't washing their hands or not using gloves, but they weren't holding with proper hold times on food to save money on food cost. So sometimes the food was held all day if it wasn't ordered right away and the fries and fried food was just constantly refried in more grease when it was ordered. Lettuce, onions, and tomatoes were out all day so it was never fresh unless you got there right when the restaurant opened. When I watched the fryers being broken down and cleaned, there was all of this built up grease and breading from the fries and chicken from just one day!! It made me think of what it does to your body. That stuff just builds up in your body the same way. You can't take your body apart and clean it out like the fryers can. So what happens when you eat that food all the time?? I should have taken a picture of it. Fast food is so dangerous! I was only working there a week and a half and my body is broken out from just being in the environment. Please just think of what you are consuming the next time you decide to choose fast food as a place for your next meal. I understand that you cannot always avoid it but you can sure try!

The next episode of HELP should be up in the next day or so. I did an interview with Grant Stieglitz who ran the Boston Marathon this year and last year. He has also done 28 other marathons. He is very dedicated and positive! I enjoyed the interview and learning what motivates him to keep up his training. Please listen to it and let me know what you think! For the next episode, I am trying to get another guest interview that I am really excited about. So definitely look forward to the next episode! 

<3

Ang

Co-Hosts:

Chandra Sullivan: Spark Your Motivation

Tere Scott:  Teachable Scotts Tots Home School

Danielle Nabozny:  Lipgloss and Yoga Pants

Lisa Belanger:  Inspire Me Well

Maryann Mitchell:  It's Not Food, It's Me

Wendi Barker:  Wendi's Book Corner
Lacey Baker:  Live, Laugh, Love, Lacey

#FitnessFriday: Reevaluating Goals, New Job, New HELP Episode!

Hello All! 

So it has been a crazy couple of weeks for me! It is still taking me a bit to get used to all of these changes. I actually found a different job and quit my old one. That in itself was extremely hard for me. I was at my old job for 2 years and I was very comfortable with the schedule, but not the pay. The pay had me very stressed out because it just wasn't enough. I thought that getting a different job would be easy. I thought it would be just moving on and it wouldn't affect me the way it has. It's a completely different schedule and new set of duties which are totally opposite what I have been doing. I am working in a restaurant after not doing so for 10 years. So I am on my feet all day, cooking, moving, working crazy schedules, etc. This is compared to my old job where I sat most of the day on a computer working 9 to 5. Why did I do this you ask? Why would someone go from one extreme to the other? Simple. Money. Money talks and makes the world go round. So now I have to rethink everything. I also need to deal with the mental issues I am having. With everything going on, I am doubting myself. I am doubting that I can do this job, that I won't learn everything I need to know, that I won't be able to adapt, etc. Before everything happened, I was in alot of stress about financial issues. Now it feels like I am just transferring that to negative thoughts about myself and my abilities. I know I can do this and I know it will help me, but being in a whole new place is very daunting. Especially when you have to learn all this new stuff! It's going to take alot of determination to get over this hurdle and talk myself off the ledge. My husband has done alot of that talking already! 

SO with a new crazy schedule comes with trying to work in a workout schedule into that. I have realized that I have to start working out before I go in to work because there is no way I am going to be able to get one in after. I am so spent and tired both mentally and physically when I come home! It literally sucks the life out of me. I am hoping that gets better as I get used to the schedule and work. So I am now reevaluating my workout schedule and goals for the year. I have been thinking to myself about my running and what I want to do about it. I know I said I was going to train for a marathon this year, but I am just not sure it is in my cards. I could definitely try for a half marathon and just stick to that one goal I had to run the half in September at Fort4Fitness this year. I could also do the half marathon at the Veteran's Marathon in November as well. I think that may just be what I do. I feel almost like I am giving up on my dream to run a marathon, but it is not like I won't ever run one though. I can still do it later. I just don't think it is in my cards this year with all that is happening. I am still debating about it though and once I figure it all out, I will be sure to disclose those plans with you.

I recorded a new episode of the podcast! It posted this week. I interviewed a really good friend of mine on this episode. He talked about his eating disorder, physical and mental issues and how he is overcoming them, and eluding to his new show he is starting. Be sure to go have a listen! On the next episode, we are having one of the Boston Marathon Runners who ran for Fort Wayne on. He will be talking about his experience, training, and answering any questions. So if you have any questions be sure to get them to me asap! We are recording on Thursday the 22nd. I am really excited about this episode! I hope you guys are too. Also please share the podcast page with your friends! Please give me any feedback you have!

<3

Angela

Co-Hosts:

Chandra Sullivan: Spark Your Motivation

Tere Scott:  Teachable Scotts Tots Home School

Danielle Nabozny:  Lipgloss and Yoga Pants

Lisa Belanger:  Inspire Me Well

Maryann Mitchell:  It's Not Food, It's Me

Wendi Barker:  Wendi's Book Corner
Lacey Baker:  Live, Laugh, Love, Lacey

#Fitness Friday: New May Specials and Some Recipes!

Hey guys! 

I thought I would share some recipes for you this week's Fitness Friday Post. I don't get to share recipes much but I figured I would give you a healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack example for an extremely healthy day of eating. If you are like me, you know it is HARD to find healthy meals that will keep you full through the day. People always think that they have to eat very little to lose weight and that is not true. It is especially true with the 21 Day Fix. People are amazed by the amount of food that you are eating with that program. SO here is a great breakfast idea:

Baked Eggs in Avocado (courtesy of Fitsugar.com)

Notes

This recipe calls for chopped chives, but feel free to serve with whatever fresh herbs or other toppings you have available. A tablespoon of salsa or a little hot sauce would offer a nice hit of spice.

Ingredients

2 ripe avocados
4 fresh eggs
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon chopped chives

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Slice the avocados in half, and take out the pit. Scoop out about two tablespoons of flesh from the center of the avocado, just enough so the egg will fit snugly in the center.
3. Place the avocados in a small baking dish. Do your best to make sure they fit tightly.
4. Crack an egg into each avocado half. Try your best to crack the yolk in first, then let the egg whites spill in to fill up the rest of the shell.
5. Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Cooking time will depend on the size of your eggs and avocados. Just make sure the egg whites have enough time to set.
6. Remove from oven, then season with pepper, chives, and garnish of your choice. Enjoy!

Lunch (Courtesy of Lady Behind The Curtain):

Mad Hatter Salad

by SherylAugust 7, 2011

This recipe takes coleslaw to a whole other level with the addition of broccoli, top ramen noodles, the seasoning packets and nuts. Great for family get togethers, church potlucks, or barbecues.

Mad Hatter Salad Recipe (serves 12)

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package coleslaw mix

8 green onion, chopped

1/2 cup butter

1 head fresh broccoli, cut into florets

2 (3 ounce) packages chicken flavored ramen noodles

1 cup slivered almonds

1 cup unsalted sunflower seeds

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon soy sauce

Directions

In a large bowl, toss together the coleslaw mix, green onions and broccoli.  Set aside.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Crumble the ramen noodles into a bowl, and mix with the almonds and sunflower seeds.  Sprinkle the seasoning packets over all.   Add to the skillet; cook and stir until noodles and nuts are toasted, about 8 minutes.

In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the sugar, vinegar, oil, and soy sauce.  Seal, and shake vigorously to blend.

Just before serving, combine the slaw mixture with the nuts and noodles.  Pour the dressing over all, and stir briefly to coat.

Dinner (Courtesy of JillianMichaels.com):

Think it's too early to start grilling up some salmon? Think again! Not only is this lean protein a great source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and a hefty serving of tryptophan (the precursor to the feel-good brain chemical, serotonin), but early May also happens to be the start of the wild salmon season in Alaska. This recipe for Grilled Rosemary-Salmon Skewers packs a serious flavor punch with fresh rosemary, garlic, and lemon and spares you from sodium overload.

Grilled Rosemary-Salmon Skewers

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound wild Alaskan salmon fillet, center-cut, skinned, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 pint organic cherry tomatoes

Preparation

1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. Combine rosemary, oil, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add salmon; toss to coat. Alternating the salmon and tomatoes, divide among eight 12-inch skewers.
3. Oil the grill rack by oiling a folded paper towel, holding it with tongs and rubbing it over the rack. (Don't use cooking spray on a hot grill.) Grill the skewers, carefully turning once, until the salmon is cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total. Serve immediately.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 6 mins
Total Time: 26 mins

Nutrition Facts
Number of Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 246
Total Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Cholesterol: 67 mg
Sodium: 211 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 4 g
Dietary Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 23 g

Snacks:

Graze.com has healthy, organic snacks that they send to you for either 6 or 10 dollars a box monthly or every two weeks. I LOVE these snacks!! Go check them out and get you 1st and 5th box free with this Friend Code:  1P4DTVRMP

Some other healthy snacks include:

Nuts

Protein drink/bars

Greek yogurt

Fruit and cottage cheese

Chicken and brown rice

Anything that is packed with protein!

I love to share recipes so share some of your favorite healthy recipes with me!!

Beachbody Specials for May!!

Chalene Johnson's PiYo Workout is coming out in June and you can submit your email to get the update when it is coming out and a possibly win a FREE PiYo System! Go here to submit your email for notification:  www.PiYoTBB.com?referringRepId=329949.

I will give the first 5 people to order the May Challenge Pack specials and extra 25 dollars off the discounted price!! Hurry before the extra 25 dollars is gone!

P90X3:

An extreme workout program designed to burn fat, build lean muscle, and get you ripped in 30 minutes a day.The latest creation by extreme fitness expert Tony Horton, who found a way to help people get exceptional results with shorter workouts.Explosive 30-minute routines that are packed with dynamic, high-intensity moves, designed for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. 

TurboFire:

TurboFire is for anyone who wants to shape a lean body, sexy legs, toned arms, and tight abs, FAST. All workout levels – although TurboFire is considered an advanced program, there are special new features to help beginners stick with the program. Anyone who enjoys working out to music and is a fan of kickboxing and intense cardio.

You can check these out along with all the other great Beachbody programs at:  www.beachbodycoach.com/fitpersonified.

Hope you have a great Fitness Friday!

<3

Angela

This is a Blog Hop post. The following are the 'rules' of the #FitnessFriday Blog Hop:

Visit thehealthymoms.net every Friday and link up your Fitness Friday post or any other fitness-related post.

Put our Fitness Friday button (above) somewhere on your blog or blog post and invite your readers to join us every Friday.

Place these rules on your own Fitness Friday post.

Leave a comment on thehealthymoms.net and here so we can visit your blog too!

Visit the other blogs linking up at thehealthymoms.net and the other blogs that co-host Fitness Friday every week (below).

Co-Hosts:

Chandra Sullivan: Spark Your Motivation

Tere Scott:  Teachable Scotts Tots Home School

Danielle Nabozny:  Lipgloss and Yoga Pants

Lisa Belanger:  Inspire Me Well

Maryann Mitchell:  It's Not Food, It's Me

Wendi Barker:  Wendi's Book Corner
Lacey Baker:  Live, Laugh, Love, Lacey