Working with clients over the years I’ve learned one thing: people will come up with the most creative excuses for why they make the choices they do and stop taking care of their health.  “I’m too busy, don’t have time, I’m going on vacation, food is too expensive" are always at the top of the “excuse list”.  In my own health struggles, excuses for me no longer exist because nutrition is my lifeline. The side effect for me not putting my health first is DEATH. I love my life too much to put it at risk!

Some excuses may seem like logical explanations for why we struggle to stick with our plan, but you have to ask yourself: What's really standing between me and my health goals?  If you are honest with yourself, the answer might just be YOU!

Don’t think of your journey towards optimal health as a temporary adjustment in your life, but rather a commitment to give yourself the gift of health... simply for life!! 

Here are a couple tips and tools to turn those excuses into positive actions that move you closer to your goals.

Excuse: “This plan is just not working for me! I'm gaining weight or I’m not losing. I have no idea why – I haven't changed a thing and I’m following my menu.”



Action: Make sure to keep a food log/journal.  It’s amazing when you start writing everything down how we can pin point where the problems are.  A handful extra nuts here, an extra cup of yogurt, 10 extra crackers with that amazing dip, 4 glasses of wine (but it’s just liquid), a couple of mints, 2 extra cookies (but they were small)….small things add up at the end of the week. An SFL consultant will be able to make some adjustments to your menu and you will see the results in no time.

Excuse: “It’s too hard to stick with it—I’m not motivated”



Action: Accountability & support are the key components to keep you motivated. When it comes to getting brutally honest advice or opinions on why your current habits and attitude might not be working, seek out a nutritional coach / expert (SFL Consultant). We all try to be accountable to ourselves, but let’s face it, we’ve all said the traditional “I’ll start Monday”.  Let a coach teach, motivate and get you the results you want and deserve.


Always have a plan of action...

because if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.


                                                            - Bruce Sweeney

                                                            SFL Founder & Foodaholic

 
Simple…but healthy Summer Treats


Chocolate Banana Pops
  • 4 ounces dark chocolate chocolate, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or macadamia nut oil
  • 3 large ripe bananas
  • Choice of:  Chopped peanuts, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts or pistachios, Granola, toasted unsweetened coconut

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Cut the bananas into 2 - 3 inch chunks. Insert a popsicle stick. Place on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the chocolate and oil in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water.

Then remove the bananas from the freezer and, taking one piece of banana at a time, dip in the melted chocolate, making sure the banana is completely covered with chocolate. If desired, roll (or sprinkle) the chocolate coated banana in chopped nuts, toasted coconut or granola. The chocolate covered bananas can be eaten right away or place them back on the baking sheet and freeze.

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The SFL Iced Cap

  • 2 tsp instant coffee
  • 2 tbsp boiling water
  • 1 tsp organic honey if desired
  • 12 ice cubes
  • ½ cup skim milk
  • 1 drop vanilla

Mix instant coffee and boiling water together in a cup.  Add ice cubes, coffee mixture and honey to your blender.  Blend to make slush.  Add in skim milk, vanilla and blend.

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Time saving Kitchen tools
  
Meat Mallet
Like most people, I’ve always been a little skeptical about this kitchen tool.  It sits in your drawer and  is never used.  But when I was running short on time and had to cook 2 boneless chicken breasts.  I remembered a comment on one of those cooking shows about how much time you can save by hitting them with the mallet. It literally cut the cooking time in ½ and the chicken was nice and tender.

Tenderizing in general helps meat cook more evenly, improve its flavour and texture, and of course cuts down on the cooking time. If you wind up with a tougher piece of meat, you can use a marinade with acidic ingredients to help break down the fibre, or you can use a meat tenderizer (mallet) to physically soften boneless meat and poultry.

Always remember to keep your workspace and tenderizer clean and sanitary, use plastic wrap or wax paper underneath and on top of the meat when you're tenderizing.

Meat mallets can also be used for other things, like crushing nuts, olives  and other hard items, to use in dishes or as garnishes and toppings.
If you are caught without a meat mallet, try other household objects like a hammer, rubber mallet, rolling pin, and even a fry pan.
 Silicone Garlic Peeler
How many times do you struggle to peel garlic? Especially when some recipes call for 5 - 10 cloves! They are sticky and peelings fly everywhere... This little magical wonder doesn’t look like it can do much, but it’s amazing.

You simply pop the clove in and roll a few times and you are left with a clean clove with no hassle.  You can buy them for around 5$ at local stores or online.

A must have for every garlic lover!!!