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New Year, New You the Flay Way (plus FitBit and book giveaway)

New Year New You

It’s 2018 and it’s time to get in shape! 2017 was a great year for me and my health as I lost a bunch of weight and got into a regular exercise routine. I look better, feel better, and know I’m doing the right thing. Now the trick is to keep it going. One of the most difficult parts if putting good food into my body that tastes good, too. I want to eat healthy, but I also want to eat well. What’s life without good food and drink, right? It’s one of the main pleasures we have!! Bobby Flay’s new cook book, Bobby Flay Fit is PERFECT for me…and I think you will love it, too. Who doesn’t love 200 recipes that taste amazing!!! Plus, I love Bobby Flay. He has a great personality, he’s amazing on TV, his restaurants truly are a pleasure plus he’s from Queens (like me)…so what’s not to love?

Eat Fit

With a profession that has him constantly developing and tasting new recipes, chef Bobby Flay does not eschew any foods: bread, bacon, and butter are still all on the table. His secret to staying healthy is to have on hand an arsenal of low-calorie flavor bombs—like rubs, relishes, and marinades—to transform lean proteins, whole grains, and fresh produce into craveworthy meals at home. That’s why I’m so psyched that Crown Publishing is partnering with me for this review and a giveaway!

In Bobby Flay Fit, Bobby shares smoothies and juices, breakfast bowls, snacks to fuel workouts, hearty salads, nourishing soups, satisfying dinners, and lightened-up desserts. With fitness tips and a look into the chef’s daily healthy routines, this cookbook is for those who want to eat right without overhauling their pantries or sacrificing taste.

Check out the Video

Want to hear from the author? Here’s a great video from Bobby Flay:

Some Recipes

Just take a look at some of what’s in this amazing cookbook! The Greek Fish Tacos and the Pomegranate and Chile Glazed Pork Carnitas are my favorite so far!

  • Greek Fish Tacos
  • Olive Oil Brownies
  • Mustard Marinated Kale Salad
  • Pomegranate and Chile Glazed Pork Carnitas
  • Sea Bass with Green Gazpacho
  • Chicken Adobe
  • Toasted Muesli
  • Spelt Waffles
  • Persian Baked Omelet

Amazing, right? Bobby is know for his spicy dishes, and this book does not disappoint!

Enter To Win

Are you ready to start this new year with a new food and health regimen? It’s a new year, new you!!! To help you get started, one (1) lucky winner* that enters below will receive:

  • copy of Bobby Flay Fit
  • plus a FitBit Charge to help keep you on track with your new healthy lifestyle!

Bobby Flay Fit Cookbook and FitBit – Guy and the Blog

Cook, eat, and be fit with 200 recipes from Bobby Flay, whose approach to healthy eating is all about flavor—not eliminating anything from your diet.

Find Out More


About Bobby Flay

BOBBY FLAY, New York Times bestselling author and lifelong runner, is the chef-owner of the fine-dining restaurants Gato, Bar Americain, Mesa Grill, andBobby Flay Steak and numerous Bobby’s Burger Palaces. He is the host of many popular cooking shows on Food Network—from the Emmy-winning BobbyFlay’s Barbecue Addiction to Iron Chef America, Beat Bobby Flay, and Food Network Star—as well as Brunch @ Bobby’s on Cooking Channel and the online series Bobby Flay Fit.

*Open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Crown Publishing.

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Health & Sports

How Tired Dads Can Defeat Brain Fog At Work

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Nothing prepares you for the sheer feeling of exhaustion and tiredness you get when you are a parent. And for dads with young kids, it can have a significant impact on almost every area of your life.

You will lose sleep, feel less sharp at work, and will be less inspired to take care of yourself. It all builds up over time, too, and if you are moving at 150 mph all the time, the brain fog will catch up with you eventually. It’s hard to avoid it – some might feel it impossible!

But there are some ways dads can manage their brain fog – and we’re going to take a look at them today. Read on to find out more!

Drink lots of water

OK, so first thing’s first – your brain fog will feel a lot worse if you aren’t keeping yourself hydrated. Drinking plenty of water on a regular basis – aim for at least 8 glasses every day – will help you stay hydrated and alert.

Avoid caffeine in the afternoon

It’s OK to have a coffee or two in the morning if you need it. But if you are ingesting caffeine later on in the day, it’s going to have an impact. Limit your intake and, over time, you will start to feel the benefits. You will start finding it easier to get to sleep at night, therefore enjoy a better quality of sleep, which in turn leads to having more energy later in the day.

Exercise regularly

Still feeling a mid-afternoon slump? If so, why not use your lunch break to take some exercise? It can be hard to get this routine started, but once you do you will find yourself feeling a lot more energetic in the day – and able to get to sleep at night.

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Try ketones

You might have heard about the ketogenic diet, which is a low-carb approach to eating that enables you to shift a lot of weight. Well, according to research, some of the ketone supplements you can buy can actually help you to reduce your brain fog and gain a significant amount of mental clarity. However, whether you want to shop for the full range of products here or visit your local supplements store, it’s best to seek out medical advice first. As with any diet or supplement, it’s best to get the green light from a physician first.

Take naps

Want a more natural boost in the mid-afternoon? Take a nap, if you can. As long as you only close your eyes for around 20-30 minutes, you will find yourself in a much more productive state of mind. It’s good for vitality and helps you get through the tough afternoon period feeling fresh and alert.

Pay back your sleep deficit

Finally, as we discussed in the intro, sleep deficits build up over time. You can’t avoid it when you’re a parent, but you can reduce its impact by ensuring you get sleep back whenever possible. Try sharing a lie in on the weekends with your partner, and always stick to a regular bedtime and wakeup routine.

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Health & Sports

4 Surefire Ways To Stick To Your New Year Gym Resolution

As 2018 is creeping ever closer, thoughts of New Year’s resolutions keep popping into our heads. We know that the biggies of eating less and venturing to the gym more are going to factor high on our list of things to commit to. So how do we ensure we don’t give up by the time the curtain falls on January?

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Mini-Goals

You can’t whip on your sweatpants and a t-shirt and head to the gym on a mission to shift forty pounds. The goal is too vast, and you’ll quickly become disheartened. Instead, write down your major objective; this is the end goal. Then begin to break it down into more manageable chunks. Do you want to ensure that you go to the gym three times a week? Do you want to be able to run 5k without taking walking breaks? How about losing 2lb a week, to begin with? All of these aims are measurable, and you’ll be able to see the impact of your gym sessions helping you to maintain that much-needed motivation.

Change It Up

There’s nothing worse than venturing to the gym for the third week since you began your resolution, only to be confronted with the same squat regime or press up exercise. Take a look online and source a more exciting range of exercises that you can try. Just because you want to work on your calves and hamstrings in one particular session doesn’t mean you have to use the same machine and do the same stretches. Never forget the power of cardio. Different classes such as boxercise and circuits as well as a quick run around the park can keep you engaged with your fitness plan and mix it up a little bit.

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Do The Right Exercises

If you want to run a marathon within the year, it goes without saying that you need to steadily increase your running distance and work on your endurance. At the same time, if your major motivation is to tone up, you might not want to be torturing yourself with cardio every time you head to the gym. Whatever your fitness goal is you need to find the correct exercises that will help you to achieve your aim.

Rest Up

Don’t launch yourself into a new gym regime and attempt to get on the rowing machine every day. This isn’t conducive to good health. You should be aiming for three sessions a week as it’s vital that you give your body enough time post workout to recover. Using supplements, drinking plenty of water and having an ice bath after every session can aid your muscles in their recovery. As you become more attuned to the gym and understand how your body reacts to exercise you may be able to up your sessions at the gym to four each week, but you should always aim to have those all-important rest days.

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New Year’s resolutions are ridiculously tricky to stick to. However, if you follow this advice, you have every chance of achieving your fitness goals in 2018.

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Food & Drink Health & Sports

I Love You In That Whey

I am all about protein in 2017. It’s good for your muscles, it’s good for your waistline, and it’s just plain good for you. In my push for higher levels of health this year, protein has become an integral part of just about every aspect of my diet.

When I heard that my favorite people at Cabot came out with their own Whey Protein, I was all about it! How can you go wrong with the awesome 1,100 farmers in the Cabot co-op looking to help me max out of my protein needs?!?!!

Cabot Whey Protein is a high-quality protein found naturally in dairy foods, and it provides the protein your body can best use to help promote better health. I mean…Apple Pie and Cheddar Protein Muffins?? Hello there and nice to meet you.

Remember, protein is very key to a good diet. It plays many important roles, such as repairing the body’s cells, building and repairing muscles, helping build and maintain bones, and helping control many metabolic processes. For an extra boost, add Cabot Whey Protein to your healthy, active lifestyle.

To learn more about Cabot Whey Protein, click here or get recipes click here. You can find out where to pick it up by clicking here.

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Food & Drink Health & Sports

Staying on Track with Jenny Craig in Spain

Thank you Jenny Craig for sponsoring this post. Tried other diets? It’s time for Jenny Craig!

If you’ve read my site or my social media feeds of late, you know that I am loving my new, healthy life thanks to some hard work, exercise, and Jenny Craig. I’ve lost 53 pounds* and I really feel like a new person. Everything is better! I look better, my clothes fit better, I have more energy. It’s a complete and total win in every way. As I am very near to my ultimate weight loss goal*, I not only want to keep it up but I want to teach myself how to maintain this new, better, and much more healthy lifestyle now and in the future. It’s about now, yes, but it’s also about later. I think the entire Jenny Craig program really helps with that, too.

*Results not typical. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs. per week. I received promotional consideration.

The awesome Jenny Craig food is a huge kickstarter. I love the food, I really do. Jenny Craig entrees are the basis of every meal. You will learn how to balance your meals plus members add in their own fruits, vegetables and dairy for balance and variety. Plus, consultants teach members how to combine delicious Jenny Craig Meals and Snacks with Fresh & Free Additions that are rich in water and fiber to keep you feeling full longer with fewer calories. The food is designed to help members experience healthy ingredients and learn proper portion control. Having the structure of a menu with portion-controlled meals can help members feel more in control of their eating and reduce the stress of making healthy choices. In doing all of this, I really understood how to eat the right way, not only to achieve some fantastic weight loss but also how to eat and maintain it going forward.*

This was very important for me as my family and I recently took a truly amazing trip to Spain. I’m not going to lie, I was a bit nervous about being in a foreign country for 11 days. I knew that I couldn’t lean entirely on my Jenny Craig meal regimen.

And that was ok. This is what it’s all about, right? I had to put from all that I learned from my months with Jenny Craig; I had learned how to tackle this challenge and come out on top! In the weeks leading up the trip I made sure I was “in the zone.” I wanted to go into the trip looking good and being at my best (and lowest) weight.* That way, I could be confident and content in Spain. I wanted to go there and enjoy myself.

Spain is known for having wonderful food. It was better than I thought it would be! With the tips my consultant shared with me, I got to enjoy myself and still stay on track. The key for me was sticking as much to the right formula as I could. For example, I brought Jenny Craig breakfasts (like the bars), protein snack bars, and protein shakes along for the trip. They didn’t have to be refrigerated or frozen, so it was easy to pack and tote along on every tour and every turn. It kept me focused and kept me in the right frame of mind. It was the perfect little boost for me so that I would never be ravenous and I could still enjoy all that wonderful jamon, bocadillos, tapas, wine, and more! Plus, we walked a ton and I made sure to go for another hour walk every night after everyone else was in bed. It was great because people in the city are up all night. Dinner starts around 9 or 10PM in Spain, so the late night walks helped!

When I returned, I already had my  Jenny Craig food stocked up and ready to go! I stepped on that scale and was relieved to know that I only gained one pound! With all that fun, all that living, and all that amazing Spanish food, that was a huge win. Period. I was so happy. Thankfully, all that I’ve learned from the meal plan and my weekly consultant meeting really set me on the path to success! When I went to my meeting the following week, my consultant was really pleased with how well I did and how much I loved the trip. She was really helpful in getting me ready for the trip and for encouraging me before and after. There’s no pressure during these one-on-one meetings. I go every Saturday morning at 8AM (sometimes even 7AM) so that I have my weekend ahead of me. This was a big key for me and I am so grateful for the guidance and encouragement.

Spain was the best trip we have ever taken. What an amazing place and what an amazing experience. With the help and structure of Jenny Craig, I’m still on track and on pace to achieve my ultimate weight loss goal.* Feels good, man.

*Results not typical. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs. per week. I received promotional consideration.

If you want to give it a shot, Jenny Craig has some great offers right now, too! If you want to learn more about How The Program Works, please check out:

This post was sponsored by Jenny Craig and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Health & Sports

Why Coffee is Good For You

There is much talk about how coffee is actually good for you. I recently talked about the Atlas Coffee Club that offers you a range of flavors delivered right to your door. I love coffee. It’s one of my favorite foods or drinks around. Having the ability to taste flavors of coffee from around the world certainly inspires me to write this post citing why coffee is good for you.

Increase Energy & Intelligence

While caffeine doesn’t quite affect me when I drink my morning cup of coffee, it does impact others. Coffee is said to increase energy levels and make your brain smarter. Well the brain part, I am on board with. Studies have been conducted over the years to show that humans who drink coffee show better brain responses in the area of memory, mood and reaction times to cite a few of the ways your brain is smarter with coffee.

Essential Nutrients

Coffee actually has some really important essential nutrients that your body needs. Included in this list of essential nutrients are: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Manganese and Potassium, Magnesium and Niacin. The amount of essential nutrients per 1 cup of coffee are low, but most humans drink an average of 3-4 cups per day, which translates to an increase in the levels of essential nutrients you gain from drinking coffee.

Ward of Diabetes Type 2

It is said that coffee drinkers have shown a lowered risk for Diabetes Type 2. Coffee contains ingredients that help lower blood sugar, this is something that occurs more when you drink your coffee without creamer or sugar. For whatever reasons, researchers have seen a decrease in the risk of Diabetes Type 2 for humans who drink black coffee on a daily basis. I am not a medical professional, so it will be best to discuss this idea with your doctor.

While there are some great reasons why coffee is good for you listed here today, there are other ways in which coffee may not be so great for you. As always, consult your healthcare provider regarding your consumption of coffee. More than likely, your doctor will tell you that coffee alone, without cream or sugar, is actually good for your heart, your liver and your body as a whole. If you can wean yourself from loading that coffee with extras and start drinking it black, you will soon find there are some great health benefits to enjoy from your morning cup of coffee.

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My New, Happy & Healthy Lifestyle Continues

Thank you Jenny Craig for sponsoring this post. Tried other diets? It’s time for Jenny Craig!

It’s summer time! It’s the season of warm weather, outdoor fun, and a lot less clothing mixed with more activity. In other words, it’s a time to look and feel good, right? Thank goodness I decided to change my life for the better with Jenny Craig over three months ago!!! The timing could not have been better and neither could the results!!! I am really happy to report that I continue to feel and look like a new man in just about every single way! I am 50 pounds down and counting* and want to lose another 16! I’d be 190 at that point, which would essentially be an all-time low for me. With the ease of the Jenny Craig program, I am fully in the zone and 100% into every bit of it!

*Results not typical. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs. per week. I received promotional consideration.

The crux of the program is a total lifestyle change and it has led me to the light. All that you may have read or heard about is true! You get to eat an entire range of foods. From carbs (yes, carbs) for energy to fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals to meats and nuts for protein, you need to get it all in each and every single day! The trick is HOW you do it. For one thing, you simply have to eat less. What people eat today is WAY too much. The portions are insane and it directly leads to weight gain (among other problems).  You should see what I eat now compared to what I was eating. It’s night and day and it really shows. I never feel gross or tired after I eat. I’m properly satisfied and ready to take on the rest of the day!

Aside from a variety of good foods and portion size, I’ve also learned HOW to eat during the day. For one, the Jenny Craig food can fit perfectly into any person’s lifestyle. It’s all laid out for you week-by-week and it works. To make it even better, you may be eating less each time but you are eating ALL DAY LONG! Yes, you eat a meal, then a snack, then a meal, then another snack, followed by another meal and a snack! This is the way to do it! You never really get too hungry since your blood sugar levels are relatively constant. This helps you to avoid that “I’m starving” feeling and the subsequent binge eating and poor choices. I literally plan my snacks in advance if I can and try to fit the day into my eating schedule. If I get hungry, I know a snack is coming and it’s easy to mentally wait 30 more minutes than 3 hours.

In addition to snacking and meal frequency, I have learned to drink a lot more low-cal liquids and it really makes a huge difference. Apparently your body is not certain whether it’s hungry or thirsty a lot of the time, so people are eating when they should be drinking. As a result of me drinking more black coffee, unsweetened tea, water, flavored seltzer and other low-calorie treats, I truly feel better and am full for so much longer. It sounds crazy, but it really does make a huge difference.

In case you were wondering, here’s a bit more about the Jenny Craig food:

  • Jenny Craig entrees are the basis of every meal. Members add in their own fruits, vegetables and dairy for balance and variety. Plus, consultants teach members how to combine delicious Jenny Craig Meals and Snacks with Fresh & Free Additions that are rich in water and fiber to keep you feeling full longer with fewer calories.
  • The Jenny Craig Program reflects the key recommendations of the 2015 US Dietary Guidelines to achieve a healthy eating pattern and active lifestyle in order to reduce risk and attain a healthy weight.
  • The food is designed to help members experience healthy ingredients and learn proper portion control. Having the structure of a menu with portion-controlled meals can help members feel more in control of their eating. It can help reduce the stress of making choices and can create order.

I’ve been really consistent with my plan and don’t like to veer off of it too much. However, now that I’ve lost so much*, I’ve been eating less Jenny Craig meals and more meals on my own. Thankfully, all that I’ve learned from the meal plan and, perhaps even more importantly, my weekly consultant meeting, has really set the stage for me to go out and be among the masses yet keep with the program! This weekly status check is perfect and informal. but it’s so helpful to talk about the week’s challenges and successes, to weigh in and track your progress, and to just have someone for 15-20 minutes to talk to about your wellness journey. There’s no pressure during these one-on-one meetings. I go every Saturday morning at 8AM (sometimes even 7AM) to get it in and to have my weekend ahead of me. It feels great and it’s a huge part of my success. They’re always there to motivate me!

*Results not typical. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs. per week. I received promotional consideration.

Working with Jenny Craig has truly been an eye-opening, life-changing event for me and it continues to be, 50 pounds later*!!! I look forward to seeing my progress each week and to one day getting to my final weight goal. At that point, it will be great to get into maintenance mode and continue on for the rest of my life! I feel better, I look better, I have more energy both physically and mentally. It’s been an unexpectedly awesome and satisfying journey so far and I don’t want to mess that up!!!

*Results not typical. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs. per week. I received promotional consideration.

If you want to give it a shot, Jenny Craig has some great offers right now, too! If you want to learn more about How The Program Works, please check out:

This post was sponsored by Jenny Craig and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Health & Sports

5 Ways to Sneak in a Workout

Working out doesn’t have to be a stressful activity, nor does it have to be something that creates a tipping point on your daily to-do list. You’d be surprised with the results if you do just a little bit at a time consistently each and every day. There are many ways you can sneak in a workout during a busy day without thinking twice. Since I’ve been getting into shape, I find the time however and whenever I can. It can be a challenge, but it’s something you simply have to do, however you can make it happen. Today I am sharing 5 ways to sneak in a workout so that you can take full advantage of these sneaky ways to get fit.

Squats

Do 10 or more squats every time you go to the bathroom. This will seriously only take you a few moments and you are already taking a restroom break anyways. Get into the habit of doing 10 squats each time you go to the bathroom throughout your busy day.

Dumbbells

Place dumbbells at the bottom of your stairs, each time you walk up and down the stairs carry these with you. Doing some bicep curls for every walk up and down those stairs will quickly start to help your arms gain muscle tone.

Always take the Stairs

No matter how quicker it is to use the elevator, always opt to take the stairs when running errands. Whether it’s a shopping trip day with the other half or you are off paying bills for the household, always take the stairs!

Use Your Body

Whenever you think of it, take out 5 minutes, literally, do some exercise. 50 sit-ups, 25 push-ups, 10 chin-ups. Just squeeze in a quick set literally whenever you think of it. It’s not hard and it’s quick, but you will see the difference with time.

Schedule a Daily Walk

Last, but not least, schedule a daily 30-60 minute walk. This can be a great way to enjoy your lunch break. Make sure to have a daily walk to keep that exercise level up and in turn it can help you recoup from a stressful morning which is a total winning scenario. You’d be surprised just how good walking is for you and how good you’ll feel when you’re done.

Move in Place

Take a minute out and job, run, jump rope, or do jumping jacks right in place. Sounds crazy, but it works and it’s quick and easy.

No matter how busy your life is and how many things you have to accomplish today, you certainly can use these tips to get a little workout in. Try to use these tips to reach your fitness goals so that you can feel happier, healthier and look awesome!

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