SNOWSHOEING

Talk about fun!  Talk about a workout!  A consistent theme in this blog is to encourage each of us to escape into nature at every opportunity.  It is so physically relaxing and mentally refreshing to become absorbed by nature and the majesty of the awe inspiring world that we live in.  During the summer months the great outdoors can get very crowded.  Lots of boats on the lake.  Lots of tents in the campground.  Lots of bikes.  Lots of fishermen.  Heck, even lots of golfers.  In my November 8, 2012 blog post I said that I was going to try snowshoeing this winter.  So imagine my delight when I went snowshoeing with my best friend (lovely wife) and we discovered that we were the only humans on the mountain.  It was so quiet.  The only sound was our own breathing.  We saw deer and wild turkeys.  There was no dust.  There were no pesky flies or other insects.  It was amazing.  It was peaceful.

And the workout, oh my gosh.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... before winter ends, rent, borrow or buy some snowshoes and head into the woods.  Go for an hour or for the whole day - whatever time you have.  Seriously you have got to try this.  It is a blast.  Here are a few important does:

- Dress in layers.  Don't over dress so that you start to sweat.  Take an extra layer in a pack.

- Take water and a snack.  Bring more than you think you need in the event you stay longer.

- Go with a friend or two or a whole group.  No exceptions.

- Tell someone where you are going and approximately when you will return.

- Take a cell phone.  You might not have a signal but then again you might.

- Wear sunglasses and sunscreen.  The sun is more intense than you think.

- Take a flashlight.  For emergency only.  Plan to return way before dark.

- Try easy terrain until you are technically accomplished.  Be smart.

- Take a camera to get a shot of your friend face down in the snow after a fall.

You are in for a real treat.  Snowshoeing may quickly become your favorite winter activity.  It is now at the top of my list.

Enjoy life!

TILAPIA DINNER

Some people like fish with a strong flavor.  Others prefer a more mild fish.  This TIPS FROM A MAN dinner was made with a very mild fish and a very green vegetable.  The Tilapia was seasoned with a little melted butter, fresh chopped garlic clove, dried parsley flakes and fresh squeezed lemon.  It was then baked in the oven.  Before eating we topped it with more freshly squeezed lemon.  The Italian green beans were cooked in a little beef bullion.

The flavor of this meal was amazing.  You might be looking at the photo saying, "no way, that meal isn't large enough.  He is trying to starve me!"  To be honest, I had that same first impression.  But I ate the meal slowly, enjoyed a cool glass of water and when I was finished I was satisfied and didn't have the urge to eat again that evening.

Making good eating choices is fairly easy if we do the following:

1 - Plan ahead

2 - Prepare the meal with the right herbs and spices so it is full of flavor

3 - Make food selections that are pleasing to look at

and

4 - Create a meal that is relatively easy to prepare and to clean up

It is about time to come out of hibernation and begin to get excited for spring.  Ninety (90) plus days until the Memorial Day weekend.  Still plenty of time for you to decide what body you want to display come swim suit weather and to do something about it.  I am hitting the weights, busting my abs and following the TIPS FROM A MAN eating guidelines.  I am looking forward to spring.  Hopefully you are too!

Enjoy life!

POWER BREAKFAST

We hear a lot about Power Lunches so don't you think it is about time for a Power Breakfast?  We are not talking eating with business tycoons here, we are talking about eating a powerful meal.  Here is my idea of a Power Breakfast:

- Granola

- Grape Nuts

- Sliced fresh banana

- Handful of Costco Fruit & Nuts

- Almond Milk

This is a building block meal.  This will set you up for the day.  This is the fuel you need.  I don't have a calorie count on this meal.  It is just a common sense meal.  Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... learn to trust yourself.  After we've made good eating choices for a while we get a feel for what our bodies need.  At this point it comes down to the mind, the five inches between our ears.  Are we going to do what we know is right or are we going to choose poorly and gobble up some empty calories?  It is up to us.  No, the devil can't make you do it!

Enjoy life!

ARE YOU READY FOR PINK?

I have no idea where my wife found this recipe, but it is an amazing drink.  Be bold!

Raw beets are an excellent blood purifier, coconut liquid is packed with minerals and electrolytes, and how many breakfasts do you know that taste great and contain raw carrots and beets?  Makes one quart, a 450-calorie breakfast that has 4 servings of fruits and vegetables, 15 percent plant protein, and good fats in the cashews.

1 1/2 cups coconut liquid (raw or from a can)

1 large carrot (or 5 - 6 baby carrots)

1/2 of a medium sized beet, peeled

1/4 cup cashews

1/4 cup chopped dates

2 tsp. vanilla

1 Tbsp. hemp protein powder (optional)

12 frozen strawberries

Puree all ingredients except strawberries and hemp protein for about 90 seconds.  Add strawberries and puree on high until smooth.  Add hemp protein for the last 5 seconds.

Here is a TIP FROM A MAN... sometimes you gotta just step up and be bold!  This is an amazing drink.  It tastes good and is packed with the good stuff. 

Enjoy life!

OBSESSED WITH BREAKFAST

ZOOM Cereal, Blueberries, Banana, Walnuts and Agave Nectar

Many accuse me of being obsessed with breakfast.  OK, you got me, guilty as charged.  I am a firm believer that a good nutritious breakfast is the foundation for the day.  The meal doesn't need to be big, but it needs to pack a punch.  After an 8 - 10 hour overnight fast, your body is looking for fuel.  It needs calories.  As you know all calories are not created equal.  Your body craves complex carbohydrates, natural sugars and protein.

This morning I started off my day with the meal pictured above.  It was tasty, filling, easy to prepare and easy to clean up.  Three hours later my hunger is still satisfied and am now into my daily ritual of drinking water while working at the office or driving to appointments.  I'm straying off topic but one of the little known benefits of the winter months that I appreciate is that the bottle of water I keep in the car stays cool all day.

So here is a TIP FROM A MAN... when it comes to breakfast two things are critical; 1) Plan ahead and 2) Leave time to prepare, eat and clean up.  As with most successful home meals, you must plan your breakfast meals out in advance and shop for the ingredients you will need.  Then get up early enough to take care of all you must do in the morning while allowing time for breakfast.  If you are raising children, a quality breakfast will make them feel better and they will likely perform better at school.

Enjoy life!