shop.prep.cook @ home

It was a shop.prep.cook kinda day at my place. After gathering goods from three grocery stores, I went to work prepping and cooking for the upcoming week.

Here's a couple of salads I whipped up:

Bungalow Chicken Salad

This salad is inspired by the "Waldorf Chicken Salad," but since I created it in my bungalow and changed the ingredients I felt a new name was in order. Chicken, red grapes, celery, green onions, sliced almonds, a light lemon, olive oil mix replaces the original creamy caloric dressing.

Kale & Carrot Salad

This salad is a play off of New Seasons Market Kale & Carrot salad. While there version is really good, I made some adjustments and it's ridiculously good.  A bunch of curly Kale, carrots, sunflower seeds, a unique dressing with: Tamari, rice vinegar, cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic, fresh ginger, sour cream, and a hint of fresh lemon juice.

Enough

Some days are just better than others. Especially when it comes to working out. There are days when I'm in cycling class and I can't seem to get my legs to go any faster, when I can't seem to push myself to go to the next level. If I'm low energy a day here, a day there, no biggie. We all sometimes are off of our game. But too many off days and I have to wonder. I have to really ask myself if being at the gym is enough.

I've struggled with answering that question for a long time. I mean, sure, I walked through the doors of the gym. I seated myself on the bike and I rode for the entirety of the class.  Sometimes throughout the class I matched the instructors intensity becoming uncomfortable and breathless. Sometimes blanking out and thinking of all sorts of other things. But I finished. I was there. Some would say I should give myself some credit for being there.  I can appreciate that. I also can't help but feel that If I want to become stronger, fitter, and lose more weight being there is simply not enough.
 
Everyone has to determine for themselves if being there is enough. I tuned into to watch The French Open on and off over the last couple of weeks. Playing in a grand slam is as big as it gets for those tennis players. The Women's Finals was a competitive match with both women playing hard and going for it. Serena Williams was the winner. Best believe she wasn't just there. She went for it. In the Men's Finals, however, Jo-Wilifried Tsonga didn't quite seize his opportunity. He was beaten in straight sets and from my position on the couch it didn't look like he gave it much of a fight either. Sure, he can say he was there. He can say he played in The French Open Finals and was runner-up. Maybe for him that's enough. Only he can answer that.

I'm proud of myself for battling obesity publicly and honestly. I do give myself credit for what I've achieved. But, I can't rest on my laurels. I'm playing to not only battle but to beat obesity. I'm playing to win. So, for me being at the gym is just not enough.

shop.prep.cook with The Soanka's

I've been here, there, and everywhere in the community teaching cooking classes and delivering healthy lifestyle presentations. Now, I want to bring my passion for food and cooking right to you in your home. shop.prep.cook is a more personal experience. The way I see it, this is your food, you should have it your way. Having it your way means being involved in the entire process from meal planning to cooking. What I've learned is most people may want to cook at home but their busy lifestyles make it challenging, some are looking for new ideas, and others may just not know where to start. No matter where you are I want to help. I'm full of ideas and passion for home cooked food. 

About The Soanka's
As new parents and thriving personal trainers Derek and Christie Soanka were in a need of a little help. As personal trainers there job is health and wellness, but with their busy schedules sometimes they just don't have the time to prepare home cooked meals. I admire them for not being afraid to seek help and am honored to be the one to help them. They've also bought a few copies of my cookbook to give to some of their clients. They realize how important nutrition is in helping their clients meet and maintain their goals.
 
The experience
It was my great pleasure spending Sunday afternoon with Derek, Christie, and baby Olivia in their home.

After our consultation they decided to do their own grocery shopping with a customized grocery list that I provided. When I arrived at their home the counter tops were a sea of color thanks to the fresh produce.

After giving one my spiels about cooking and timing the meal.  Christie and I got to work prepping and cooking. Derek was nearby in their home office cracking jokes and baby Olivia was napping.

Christie admits she's not much of a cook but with me by her side was eager to learn. Her first task, boil water. Hey, you have to start with small steps.

With me coaching her Christie made the No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Bars, Hummus, and Baked Sweet Potato Fries.

Olivia awoke from her nap so she joined in on the delicious, fun! I fed her, her first potato. She liked.

After a while Olivia wanted mama so Derek took over in the kitchen. Watch out!  I started him off by chopping the slaw and he helped make the peanut sauce. He loved the peanut sauce he said, "It's legit."

We spent the afternoon prepping, chatting, laughing, cooking and creating magic, food magic. Christie and Derek done a great job in the kitchen and can feel proud of the meals they prepared.  This week they'll have an array of home cooked tasty dishes they can reheat with ease -- Outside of the Box!

The Soanka's personalized menu:

Classics: Macaroni & Cheese

Dips & Sauces: Hummus, Peanut Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce

Snacks: Kale chips, Sweet Potato Fries, Crudités (raw vegetables)

Salads: Green Bean & Potato Salad, Black Bean Confetti Salad, Simple Slaw

Meat: Sautéed Chicken

Taste Testing Fun!

  

The Spread

shop.prep.cook

24 Hour Commitment

My friend, Veronica, speaks of making a commitment this way: We all have 24 hours in a day. No matter how you slice it, there is only 24 hours for me and for you. It's fair to say somethings are more important to each of us. And usually what matters to us is where our priorities lie.

I speak with a lot of folks when I'm out and about speaking and cooking, here on my blog, and on my Facebook pages. As you know I'm a huge proponent of home cooked meals.The number one reason most people say they don't cook is simply because they don't have time.  Well as Veronica says, we all have the same 24 hours in a day so then it because a question of what's important to you.

What's important to me is to prepare and eat home cooked meals. So, I slice my 24 hours up accordingly. It was a long time coming for me, but tipping the scales at nearly 400 pounds required me to tackle the biggest obstacle -- food. Today, I'm fully committed to my health and I prepare about 99 percent of my meals at home. I'll be honest It takes time. But, I've made the time. I've made the commitment.

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If you're looking to shift your priorities. I can help! Check out the new array of Services I'm offering.

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What Separates Us

It's no secret that I was off my workout game for a while, about six months. And it had been even longer since I worked out at 24 Hour Fitness. But, now that I'm back at it, at 24 Hour Fitness. I've noticed something.

I see the same familiar faces. The tiny, fierce lady who is always going hard on The StairMaster, the buffed guy, Marcus, who is always lifting, and the older couple who always team up side-by-side on the elliptical machines.

Working out had become a very big part of my life (it is a big part of my life) and I logged a lot of hours at the gym. I met a lot of people there. Recently, I ran into, Allen, a young energetic fella I used to joke around with. We chatted a little. I told him I was just now getting back at it, after a hiatus. Very nonchalantly, he said, "It makes no difference. You're here. We're here. That's what separates us."

Allen's right. It's a choice. It's a commitment. It's a lifestyle. It's not about once or twice. It's not about one day, one week, or one month. It's about doing it again and again and again. And If there's a bump in the road, which there will be. Adjust to the bump and continue down the road.

I'm far from being an athlete. Nor, am I the strongest gal in the gym. But,what I am is, committed. I realize that this get fit thing is a lifestyle. I also realize that I can't lose the weight or become fit if I quit. So, I continue on. I don't have to, but I choose to. It's not that I'm better or stronger. It's not that Allen is better or stronger. Okay, maybe he is. But, what separates us is our willingness, our commitment.