BLUE LEMON

There is a restaurant in northern Utah USA called Blue Lemon that has three locations.  If you find yourself in downtown Salt Lake City at City Creek, Cottonwood Heights or Highland, you owe it to yourself to visit this establishment.  This may have been the tastiest salad that I have ever eaten.

Pear and Gorgonzola Spinach Salad 8.5
with grilled chicken, crispy turkey bacon, red grapes, candied pecans and balsamic vinaigrette. 

The atmosphere was great.  The food came on a real plate with real flatware.  The line at lunch time was a little bit long but the food came surprisingly fast.  As you can see, the price for this salad was $8.50.  They have a lengthy menu and I'll bet that most if not all of their selections fit the TIPS FROM A MAN guidelines.

Fortunately, restaurant owners are recognizing the growing number of people that are choosing to eat fresh healthy foods and that we are not willing to sacrifice flavor.  So here is a TIP FROM A MAN, when you eat at a place that offers the types of food that fits your lifestyle, be sure to seek out the owner or manager and express your satisfaction and appreciation.  This honest and positive feedback may lead to more choices for all of us in the future.

Enjoy life!

SPARE TIRE... GONE

If you have been following TIPS FROM A MAN for a while, you know that the motivation for the healthy eating and workout guidelines came about as a result of the experience I had while at the lake in the summer of 2011.  Most people probably wouldn't have considered me to have been overweight.  But when I got to the lake and put on my swimming suit, I didn't like how I looked around the middle and I figured if I didn't like it, others probably didn't need to see my "Spare Tire" either, so on came a tee a shirt while hanging around the house boat and even under the life jacket while water skiing.

So here we are about 10 months later.  My weight is at 158 down from 171.  I feel great, have more stamina, have much improved muscle tone and feel like I generally have an improved outlook on life.  It hasn't been magic, but I've enjoyed living life with a bit more of a purpose.  You are probably thinking that it was hard, but it certainly hasn't been hard at all.  Yes, there have been a few times when I had to put a little brain power into figuring out what to eat (usually when at a fast food joint or party) but I've always found food I could enjoy that was satisfying and that kept me moving in the right direction.

I've never been a fan of the before and after photos that are typically associated with diet products.  I crack up at the "before" photo of the guy sticking out his gut, white as a ghost, hairy as a beast, frowning like he is constipated and looking like he hasn't showered in a month.  Then the wonderful  "after" photo of the same guy sucking in his stomach, sporting a super dark tan, smiling like he just won the lottery and miraculously void of any body hair.  Right.  But, because you deserve to see some evidence, I have attached a photo.  These shorts were purchased last summer.  They used to fit great.  Same with the belt.  Now down to the very last notch.

So there you go.  I'm just a regular guy.  The only thing I have on you is maybe a few months head start.  So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... start now... or keep it up... live life with a purpose... doing nothing - not an option.

Enjoy life!

I am really looking forward to our annual vacation at the lake!

LIVE IT WITH VIDEO

Man there is something about video that really gets you going.  Add awesome music and it is almost like you are there yourself.  Enjoy this short video of some friends of mine who are living large while rappelling, jumping and diving in the water in these amazing canyons and totalling mastering difficult obstacles.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... Round up some guys, grab some gear and Go For It!  But this stuff isn't child's play.  Be sure you know what you are doing.  Don't get in over your head.  We need you back in one piece!

Enjoy life!

INSPIRATION

If you are looking around for a little inspiration this summer, check out what is currently going on and what will soon be going on in Europe over the next month or so.  Two of my absolute favorite events are the Tour de France and the Olympic games.  I just love to be involved as a participant or as a spectator when people are competing at a high level.

Let's face it, we have jobs, families, charitable and civic duties.  We need to balance our lives.  Athletes that compete at this level eat, sleep and drink their sport.  They probably have significant support in terms of coaching and training/medical assistance.  That doesn't describe me.  Probably not you either.  However, when I watch them do what they do in such an amazing way, it makes me want to eat a bit better, train with a bit more focus, and generally be a bit more dedicated.  I was recently with a father of young teen and pre-teen children.  He asked me if I had been watching the U.S. Olympic trials and then related how his children have been so inspired by the performances they were witnessing.  It provided a wonderful teaching opportunity for this father to encourage his children to dream and then work to achieve those dreams.

So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... get up early and watch the Tour de France... hang on every stroke, jump, run, throw, dive, takedown, lift and tumble of the Olympic games.  See if it helps you to want to be a bit better... to live your life at a higher level.  To be a better parent, coach, weekend warrior, employee, business owner, volunteer etc., etc., or any combination of the above.

I think it will.  I think we all will train a bit harder and eat a bit better.  This inspiration will help us to...

enjoy life!