Let me preface these recipes by saying that cooking is not one of my passions.  I can usually create some moderately palatable dishes on occasion, but I’m far from a professional or master in the kitchen and I usually do everything possible to avoid cooking.  I’m guessing a lot of you can relate.  Following a recipe proves challenging at times, as my results tend to be very different from the advertised or desired outcome.  I often think it would be nice if someone had already gone through the trial-and-error portion of following someone else’s recipe; what worked, what didn't, and how to modify for a better result.  My hope is that I can provide that service for you!  Welcome to my mediocre cooking blog.  I’m here to share my experience, thoughts, and tips to help you avoid making the same mistakes.   
Today's adventure: Corned Beef and Cabbage

​Have you ever taken the time to see what a recommended serving looks like?  It can be shocking how small a measured serving size is in comparison to the serving size we generally eat!  Do you even think about portion control when you’re preparing meals, eating out, or snacking? 

There is a mentality that “bigger is better” in our culture.  We expect large portions when we order meals from restaurants, we supersize our value meals, and many of us still live with the mindset that we are to clean our plates at every meal.  It’s no surprise that we eat mindlessly, take in too many calories, and struggle with weight. 
​
Chances are you’ve been on at least one restrictive diet in your lifetime.   You may have tracked calories, points, or measured food.  While these tracking and food measuring methods can be beneficial initially to give you an honest look at your eating habits, the practice becomes tedious, impractical, and frustrating over time.  It’s important to develop skills that make it easy to eat moderately and mindfully.

​So... you want to change your lifestyle? 
You want to create healthier habits?
You want to move more or start a workout program?
You want to improve your diet to include more nourishing food?

What is holding you back?

I can't count the times I have seen members walk into the gym, hang up their coat and keys, and immediately begin lifting heavy weight.  

With busy schedules it can be difficult to fit in a solid workout, so it's common to skip a warm up.  This can be problematic as your muscles and joints are cold and tight making them more vulnerable to injury.  

For optimal performance and the prevention of injury take a few extra minutes and prepare your body for your workout.  

​How do you spend your time?

Do you invest it wisely? 

Do your actions reflect what you claim are your core values?

Maintaining focus on the things that matter most to us is not as effortless as you might think.  It's easy to take for granted the amount of time available to cultivate all that is important to you.

The holiday season is in full swing!  We are attending parties, family gatherings, and celebrations galore!  What is one of the most common ways to kick back and enjoy the holidays?  Drinks!  Whether you’re looking to let loose and party or trying to relax and unwind after a long day, tis the season for drinkin’.    

According to a report by BacTrack, a company that manufactures breathalyzers, the months of December through March have the highest occurrence of days where the BAC was 0.06% or higher.  Between the holidays and the colder weather we are imbibing at a higher rate this time of year. 
While having a drink or two can be an enjoyable way to socialize and relax, it’s important to know the effects that alcohol has on our health and to be aware of the risks associated with drinking both short and long term. 

​If you’ve been anywhere on social media I know you’ve seen posts about the Whole 30 diet along with slogans like, “Find your food freedom”.  If you know someone who has completed or is in the process of completing this diet, then I’m pretty sure that your news feed has BLOWN UP with their posts about food and cravings, and “tiger blood”.  What the hell is tiger blood?  We’ll get to that later.  (and my apologies to everyone who follows me)

​I’m sure you’re thinking, UGH!  Another friggin’ diet fad!  Believe me, I’m with you! I’ve never been one to push for one specific diet or nutritional methodology.  In fact I usually laugh at the futile efforts of those following any diet that is highly restrictive, I would adamantly proclaim, “You’ll never catch me doing one of those crazy diets!!!”  Sure they may work for you in the short term, but there is a reason the term yo-yo dieting exists.

​ It seems like every few months a new AMAZING diet is advertising that it is THE GREATEST diet ever created and will help you lose weight FAST!  

​Life is not always easy.  As a matter of fact, life can be downright brutal at times.  Shit happens.  Some of us have survived some pretty tough shit; abuse, trauma, loss of loved ones, serious illness, financial difficulties, things that you imagine you will never be able to survive.  But you do.  Even after the most devastating events, life goes on.  And you survive.  Who you are and who you become is a direct result of the unique series of events you have endured and how you have responded to those events.  While you aren’t always capable of controlling what happens to you, you are capable of controlling how you react, how you recover, and what you take away from the experience

​Motivation:
noun
1.
the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to actin a certain way:
I don't understand what her motivation was for quitting her job.
Synonyms: motive, inspiration, inducement, cause, impetus.
2.
the state or condition of being motivated or having a strong reason to act or accomplish something:
We know that these students have strong motivation to learn.
3.
something that motivates; inducement; incentive:
Clearly, the company's long-term motivation is profit.
 

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say they fail to stick to their goals because they lose motivation or that a lack of motivation keeps them from ever beginning in the first place.  I’m here to tell you that motivation is temporary.  The great myth is that successful people have an unlimited supply of motivation that keeps them moving forward.  Bullshit.  You cannot rely on motivation as a sustainable force to help you achieve your goals.