Tricks and Tips for a Fire Driven Halloween!

If you have not already put it together, Charging You Up is all about what is positive and inspiring, so anyone or thing I write about has to fit that description!

 I had the unique pleasure of speaking with Vanessa Chamberlin, Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Lifestyle Coach and Author of The Fire Driven Life, How to Ignite the Fire of Self-Worth, Health and Happiness with a Plant- Based Diet. 

I found Vanessa to be sincere, passionate and of course fire driven! Not only is she stunning, her book is too! Beautifully filled with pictures, tips, inspiration and of course food! Gorgeous recipes that even a meat lover would drool over. Vanessa believes "Living a life of vibrant health and wellness doesn't happen by accident." "It's the natural result of an active, low-stress lifestyle that includes plenty of pure, whole foods. Living a Fire-Driven Life is your exclusive road map to such a lifestyle." 

Living a Fire Driven Life consists of creating a simple foundation for igniting health and happiness, centered on a fresh relationship with food and a positive life view states Chamberlin. Combining scientific data, common sense and culinary creativity into a easy-to-live plan for eating a plant-based diet. 

The thing that drew me to this book, is that it is more of a lifestyle than a diet. Wellness is not just what you put in your mouth, but how you choose to live your life. At least that is what I believe. Vanessa shared with me that studies have shown that even going to a 10% animal product diet can significantly impact your health for the better. She encourages people to do what is best for them. Love that!

Below Vanessa gives tips and "tricks" for a healthy Halloween and a simple and easy cookie recipe any kid would love. But let's get real, I'm eating these cookies too!

Five Tricks for a Healthy Halloween
By Vanessa Chamberlin, author of The Fire-Driven Life

Halloween is such a challenging time for health-conscious parents. Everywhere we turn, people are offering the least nutritious, most sugary food around: candy! From classroom parties to neighborhood and family gatherings—there’s no way to avoid it. But if you are prepared and have some tasty, plant-based recipes in your toolbox, it will be a lot easier to partake in the festivities without overdosing on refined sugar. Plus, there are some easy tips (and tricks!) that can help you have a happier, healthier Halloween.

Always eat a healthy meal first. Whether it’s trick-or-treating or going to a party, make sure your kids go on a full stomach so they’ll be less likely to fill up on sugary snacks. On the day of school parties, make a filling, nutritious breakfast, and send them to school with extra special healthy lunches. Pull out your whole toolbox for this one! We’re talking cookie cutters for fun shapes, carving the fruit—everything. Your kids won’t want to miss out on this lunch, which will help them feel satisfied and loved all afternoon.

Send your own snacks. Whenever possible, send your own snacks. Even if you know that your children are going to be eating candy and cupcakes at their holiday parties, at least you can send them with some more balanced foods and encourage them to get their friends to try.

Enlist the help of some professionals. It never hurts to make sure a trip to the dentist falls before Halloween, and ask their help in making sure to explain to your kids why their dental health is so important, and how candy is bad for their teeth. It doesn't have to be a big scary lecture, but a simple reminder that a healthy smile starts with a healthy diet is a nice thing to reinforce.

Plan or attend a party that's more in line with your lifestyle. Many of us have friends who understand why we've shaped our habits and lifestyles for healthy living, and they either do the same or are at least supportive and understanding. You don't want your kids to feel left out, so if they're not participating in other events, give them something else that's fun. You might be able to get some of their close friends and families to join in, too. Not many parents like the idea of their kids getting a heavy dose of sugar either trick-or treating or going to a party, so I've found it's a welcome invitation when I invite people to celebrate the holiday's with us and have a nutritious night of festivities.

Finally, just talk about it beforehand. Let your kids know that you want them to have fun, but not eat lots of candy and junk that will make them not feel good. Ask if there is anything they would like to bring as a treat or eat before a party, and see if you can accommodate their requests. It's so important for children to feel loved and respected as humans who have their own desires and opinions. Asking them to be involved in your holiday planning can go a long way!

For your healthy Halloween toolbox, here is a great recipe that kids love, and would easily fit into any festive party platter spread!

Gone in a Day Cookies

Gone in a Day Cookies. Photo courtesy of www.vanessachamberlin.com

3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut
1/4 unsweetened cocoa
2 Tbsp maple syrup ( add more for desired taste)
1 cup raisins

Combine peanut butter and coconut. In a separate bowl, combine cocoa, and maple syrup. Combine the two mixtures and add the raisins. Dough will be stiff. Roll into balls. Refrigerate 1-02 hours before serving. 


Vanessa Chamberlin is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Lifestyle Coach and author of The Fire-Driven Life: How to Ignite the Fire of Self-Worth, Health, and Happiness with a Plant-Based Diet. For more information, please visit www.vanessachamberlin.com and connect with her on Twitter, @vkchamberlin.


 (I was invited as a social media representative to receive Vanessa's book and interview her.) 

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Fall is all about pumpkin and fall flavors. Since the chilly weather has finally hit us, I am officially in the baking mood! This is a pumpkin bread recipe that you can really sink your teeth into. It also makes two full loafs which I love since you are taking the time to mess up the kitchen preparing it and 30-40 minutes to bake it, you get more bang for your buck. One can be eaten and one put in the freezer for another cold days warm treat!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread. Photo credit Charging You Up

• 3 cups sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 2/3 cup water
• 16 ounces canned pumpkin
• 4 eggs lightly beaten
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Photo credit Charging You Up

Preheat oven 365 degrees. Butter and flour 2 loaf pans. Stir together oil and sugar. Once stirred, add the pumpkin. In another bowl combine all the dry ingredients. Mix dry ingredients with water until moist. Using mixer, blend wet ingredients into dry until evenly mixed. Pour in 3/4 cup of chocolate chips and stir. Evenly distribute the mix into 2 loaf pans. Bake 30-40 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes and remove from pans to cool. Melt another 1/4 cup of chips and drizzle over loaf if desired. And yes,... we desire!!  

Slice and enjoy!

Monday Grind

It wakes 54% of Americans up every morning. You have just the right mug, choices of cream, milk, sugar. Let's not forget flavored coffee. We also spend a ton of money on coffee shops each year and will wait tirelessly in our favorite drive through just to get it and often spend way too much on a single cup. It is also a part of many countries cultures to meet for coffee with a friend, take a coffee break at work or use coffee as a time for conversation. The aroma alone gives you the sign that the day has begun. 

There is a lot of talk about coffee and it being beneficial for you and just as much as being harmful. My take is that anything in excess is likely not good for you, so everything in moderation. There is an immense amount of research and countless studies of the affects and benefits of coffee, and what I have found is that it is all positive. Here are just a few beneficial facts.

• Coffee has a huge amount of antioxidants. Linked to lower liver disease and cardiovascular disease.

• It may help protect brain cells from the damage that causes Parkinson's, dementia and Alzheimer's. 

• Coffee can sharpen your memory and gives you an energy boost.

• The aroma of coffee alone can set off a signal in the brain that causes relaxation

• It can help you burn fat! That is why it is in every fat burning supplement on the market practically. Speeds up your metabolism

• Coffee can enable you to be a better athlete. Giving you a boost of energy to go the distance. 

Besides just being good for you, coffee has a lot of practical uses as well. Putting a small container in your car uncovered can soak up any odors in your car acting as a natural deodorizer. Added with water to make a thick paste, you can fix a scratch in wood furniture by rubbing it in gently to match the wood. Coffee is a natural fertilizer when put in soil. The acid helps encourage growth. You can even put it on your face. The granules of coffee act as a natural exfoliator and can rid dead skin cells.

I cannot think of anything negative to say about my beloved AM ritual.  Now not everyone is a coffee drinker. I will admit, it is an acquired taste. But for those who are, feel good about your coffee habit and dive into the health benefits it can provide. Happy Monday and Drink Up!

(Research from  www.health.com, www.rd.com)

Friday Fix! Tips for a Cleaner Work Space

It's Friday!

Last day of the workweek for me. Each Friday I give my office a nice cleaning. This literally takes about 10 minutes but it is so nice to come in Monday to the office organized and everything in place. 

• Wipe it down. I use cleaning wipes on all the surfaces. Computer keyboard, phone, desk, door handles, you name it.
• Shred box. Instead of constantly getting up and down to head to the shred bin, I keep a box under my desk. Once a week, I empty the box in the shred bin. This is safe because my office door is always locked. For those in a cubicle, I do not suggest this. 
• I put all my binders, books and files away at the end of each day. This way things are properly stored where they should be and ready to found and utilized again the next day.
• Empty the hole puncher. Ah yes. This guy leaves those annoying paper holes all over my office floor. I try to empty it each week to avoid this happening when full.
• Vacuum. Since I keep my office locked each night, the cleaning crew cannot vacuum my office so I make sure to do it myself once a week.
• Dust shelves. This could probably be done once a month, but you would be surprised at the volume of dust that will accumulate in your office just from sitting in it. Do this more often if you have alot of trinkets around. 
• Be sure to empty the garbage daily. Never put in your finished lunch wrappers or food into your office can. Use the communal kitchen garbage can for that. 
• Lastly, use storage compartments! If you have files, use a filing cabinet. I also have a shelf that I store important large binders on and an overhead storage compartment to my desk that stores alot of the personal things I need  like tea bags, aspirin, a sewing kit, mirror, small comb.

With a little thought, organization and 10 minutes, you can always look forward to coming to work ready and motivated in a space that is organized and prepped!

What is your work space cleaning tip?

Oktoberfest Fun at Foxwoods Resort and Casino

Photo credit Charged

Fall has come and what a perfect time of the year to take a autumn drive over to the picturesque Foxwoods Resort and Casino for some Oktoberfest fun! We came for the beer of course, but there was also so much to do and explore including the boutique shops, Tanger Outlets and of course gaming.      

Photo courtesy of Foxwoods Casino & Resort

We were treated to taste the Oktoberfest beers at Cedars Restaurant being offered this month. All of them had different distinct aromas and flavors and many varied depending on the region of where they were brewed. My favorite was the Kastell Rouge which has cherry liquor in it. YUM! The staff was highly knowledgeable on every beer we tasted and the Bavarian pretzels that we had with them, off the hook!

Photo credit Charged

After our beer tasting, we headed out to see some of the shops at Foxwoods and explore the Tanger Outlets. We then headed over to High Rollers Luxury Lanes for some bowling action. With 20 lanes and Las Vegas style decor, this place has old school swank and luxury seating, a beautiful bar and first class service. Think "Pack Rats" style! High Rollers has private rooms and is the perfect place host a private party or event. They also had a plethora for large screen TVs to watch the game even as you bowl. Besides that you can get gourmet food and beverage or keep it simple with bar food favorites. 

Photo credit Charged

The bowling got us hungry fast. Cedars Restaurant treated us to a divine Oktoberfest menu. Check out some of the menu below! Pork Loin with Sauerkraut and mashed potato's. Grilled Bratwurst and German Potato Salad. And if that was not enough, Apple Strudel for dessert. A great ending to a fantastic Oktoberfest! 

Photo courtesy of Foxwoods Resort & Casino

Photo courtesy of Foxwoods Casino & Resort

Be sure to head down to Cedars Restaurant to try the Oktoberfest beers and menu this month! 

High Rollers Luxury Lanes and Lounge
Cedars Restaurant
Foxwoods Resort & Casino


( Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this Oktoberfest tasting as a social media representative, however all views are my own)

                                 

               

     

Liebster Award!

I would like to thank Kimberly Sharpe of Beloved and Chosen blog (Beloved and Chosen ) for nominating me for a Liebster Award! 

What is a Liebster Award? It is said that the award is used to recognize new bloggers and welcome them to the bloggesphere.- Lorraine Reguly 


Kimberly asked me the following questions.

1.What are your nicknames? What do you prefer to be called? Chrissy from my family but I prefer Chris or Christine. My birth name! :)

2.What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?  Probably that when I got older and was "grown up" everything would be better and easier. Oh boy!

3. Are you more likely to build your own empire or unleash the potential of others? I love this question! I believe I can build my empire while showing others how they can unleash their own potential and do the same. I serve to teach and am a lifelong learner.

4. Do you have a catch phrase? 
I don't! 

5.What is your all time favorite city and why? 
I love to visit Boston. It is slightly quieter than NYC, full of the arts, people watching and museums and history. 

6. What is the best news you ever received?
Realizing I was pregnant! I have a beautiful 9 year old boy. Joy of my life. 

7. If you were guaranteed the answer to one question, what would it be? I would want to know if know what happens to us after we die. I am a spiritual person and have my own ideas and beliefs on this. It would be nice to just know for sure if they are correct. 

8. If you had 2 hours left on earth, what would you do? Probably gather my family, camp out somewhere remote but beautiful and have thoughtful conversations and meaningful discussions.

9.What time of the day do you feel you have the most energy and what do you do in those moments?
Usually cleaning or blogging. The two things a girl never has enough time for. :)

10.Why did you start blogging? I started blogging because I love to write and it was oozing out of me and eating at me each day to just get it all out. It has been a creative outlet and passion now that I could not see my life without now. 

My nominees are:

Ramblings of a Subscription Addict 
New Grace News
Mich Santillan
Neon Dion Fitness
Jermaine Teves Blog
What to Expect When You're Not Expecting
Alternative Control
Dee Cuisine
Confidently Living
The Entertaining House

Here are my 10 questions for you!

1. How often do you blog?
2. What is your greatest accomplishment thus far?
3. Do you prefer chocolate or vanilla?
4. If given $10,000 tomorrow, what would you do with the money?
5. If there was one person in the world you would want to interview for your blog, who would it be and why?
6. What is your biggest fear?
7. What was the last book that you read?
8. How does your blog serve others?
9. What is the one place you would like to travel to and why?
10. What is the one characteristic you have that is most beneficial to others?


Congratulations!~

Chicken Tortilla Soup!

The cold weather has arrived and I think it is here to stay now!

Warm up this fall and winter with Chicken Tortilla Soup. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your cupboard and if you can use a can opener, you can make this!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

* 2 Chicken Breasts cut up in chunks
* 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
* I Tbsp Cumin
* 1 Tsp pepper
*1 Tsp salt
*2 cans of chicken broth
* 1 can (12 ounces) of plain crushed tomatoes
* fresh cilantro
* 3 cloves of garlic
* 1 sweet onion
* 1 small green pepper
*1 small can of corn
* 1 can black beans
* 1 can hominy
* 1 can green chili's
*1/2 cup water

Saute chicken in a small amount of olive oil until cooked and set aside. In a large stock pot put in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, water, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Add in chopped garlic and diced onion, green pepper, green chilies and corn. Simmer 5 more minutes.

Add homily and beans at the end and mix well. 

This is the kind of soup that tastes even better on the second day! Serve with cilantro, tortilla chips, cheese, avocado, sour cream or any other complimentary topping. Enjoy!

Friday's Fix: Bangle cleaning trick!

When it comes to accessories, I love bangles and bracelets. No, actually I am obsessed with them! 

Many of you are fond of the popular bangles infused with energy and made from eco-conscious materials that have charms on them right? It is suggested that you use only warm water and soap to wash them, however mine still always looked tarnished and not shiny a day later. Because they are made of all natural materials, your body temperature and chemical make up will turn them colors so everyone's bracelets might look a slightly different metal color.

One trick I found that works all the time for easy cleaning is to use ketchup. 

Ketchup has a natural component in it which is vinegar. Take a dime side in your palm and gently work into the bracelets. Rinse with water and blot dry. You will quickly see the shine and new look to your bracelets. I do this once a week but it will depend on how often you wear them.

Let me know how yours turn out!

Lettuce Wraps

Thai food must be one of my favorite types of cuisine to go out to eat for. However, the time to do it is often short in my busy life. One of my favorite appetizers is lettuce wraps, so I had to find a way to make these from home and I did! They are super easy, versatile and you can add pretty much whatever left over vegetables you have in the house to them!

Lettuce Wraps
(Serves 6)

• 1lb ground turkey, chicken or pork (I used turkey for this one)
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 cup Peanut butter
• 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 Tbsp Steak sauce
• 6 Lettuce leafs (Boston Bib works best- I used Romaine here)
• Shredded carrot
• Chopped nuts
• Few sprigs of Cilantro

Cook meat on the stove top and add pepper and salt. Once halfway cooked add peanut butter, soy sauce and steak sauce. Stir often to incorporate the peanut butter and sauces. When cooked completely, remove from the stove top.

Take 2 pieces of lettuce and fill the lettuce with the meat mixture. Top with shredded carrot, cilantro and nuts. 

Fold, eat, enjoy!

Boscovs Opening in Meriden!

Boscov's opened on October 8th and I was there to experience it all! And there was much to see! Boscov's has stores all over the East Coast and this is the first in Connecticut located in Meriden.

October 8th was there Friends Helping Friends event. Patrons were able to shop the store early and get special deals by purchasing a shopping pass for $5. All the money donated from the shopping passes are given back to the local community. Boscov's prides itself in giving to local charitable organizations unlike some of it's competitors. What a great way have a store opening!

The place was packed as I arrived and instantly found out why this store is so special. I ran into (almost literally) Al Boscov himself! A family owned business since 1914, Al is still there at his store openings, shaking hands and welcoming new customers to his stores. 

We cannot talk about Boscov's and not mention their candy and chocolate! They have their own candy store and make fudge and chocolate on the premises! And it is GOOD! 

I quickly found myself in the DKNY section of the store. They have a multitude of designer brands such as Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, Carters, Champion, Nike, Jones New York, Nine West and Kenneth Cole to name just a few. I bought a pair of DKNY jeans for $32 from the $69 price tag they were originally and scooped up two beautiful Pashmina like scarfs for $2.99 each. Yes, under $3! Putting those away for stocking stuffer's this year.

Boscov's also carries home decor and home wares. You can find everything from holiday decorations to pillows and blankets. 

The celebration of the store opening is not over if you missed the ribbon cutting ceremony over the weekend. Free entertainment with Shirley Jones of The Partridge Family fame and stage and screen will be performing with her son Patrick Cassidy from October 10-17 pm both at 2 pm and 7 pm in the Boscov's auditorium located in the store. There will also be big prize giveaways each day.

Elvis Aaron Presley, Jr will also be performing October 18-24th at the Boscov's auditorium singing Elvis classics and entertaining customers. 

Lastly, Boscov's is holding a fashion week at the store from October 25-30th and will be having daily fashion shows right in the store. Lastly, a family fun event on Halloween! Come to the store for crafts, Halloween games and a costume parade.

Boscov's is located at the Westfield Meriden Mall at 480 Lewis Avenue in Meriden, CT. They will be open 10 am-10 pm during the grand opening events this month. 

Go check them out! More details on these event are listed here.

Boscovs Meriden

Appreciation Goes a Long Way

We all work hard to do better, be better, strive for goals, help other people or go out of our way to show someone we care. Sometimes that hard work or gracious behavior goes unnoticed or even worse under appreciated. Think about a work situation where you did something for someone else and that other person got all the credit. Or how about when you went out of your way to volunteer to help a friend and never even got a thank you. A clear lack of appreciation for your efforts can be hurtful.

As humans we strive for the feeling of accomplishment, gratitude and acceptance from others and validation. We are wired this way. Sometimes even when we make the effort, we do not always get the effort back in return. I guess that is the risk of relationships, friendships and co-workers. Even though we put ourselves out there, there is no guarantee in a return if you will.

When going out of your way for someone or to help a co-worker, we must think about our own motives for doing so. Our motives must be to feel that whatever we are doing for someone is out of the goodness of our heart, regardless if we get any emotional paycheck back. For those who are looking for that emotional paycheck, this can be very upsetting.

Take a look at the people who do appreciate you and most of all, be appreciative to others. Who knows what others might be going through. Feel good that you did the good deed or favor for someone because it was in line with your values. Being appreciative might not be in line with other people's values. 

So appreciate those that appreciate you back. Foster relationships with people who are in tune with your life and values.
 
How do you show appreciation for those in your life?

Celebrity Trainer Vinnie Tortorich, America's Angriest Trainer!

After recently being promoted in my job, I found myself traveling all over the state much more. I also found myself with more windshield time than I knew what to do with! For someone who often can't sit still, this posed a huge dilemma. It was recommended by a friend that I should start listening to a podcast while driving. Upon doing so, I found several I really liked, some I gave a try and had to let go of. One, I was instantly intrigued by.

America's Angriest Trainer with Celebrity Trainer Vinnie Tortorich. Being that I workout regularly and stick to a fairly healthy diet, this interested me greatly. Driving and learning to be healthy and fit. I'm in! And really.. what the hell was he so angry about?! I was about to find out when I was spontaneously introduced to him on social media during a Periscope video he was doing that I logged onto. I typed a "Hello" message and boom, I was invited to interview him. My daily morning commute co-host. Ah, the power of social media!

So we decided to Skype for the interview one evening and I decided to stay up till 10:30pm to meet him with the 3 hour time difference from LA to CT. Graciously.

If you have ever listened to his podcast, Vinnie starts out his podcast by saying "Your good intentions have been stolen, and I am here to help you get them back!" So what does this mean? Vinnie who has trained celebrity clients such as Howie Mandel, to stay at home moms and Ironman athletes greatly believes that our country is in grave danger. Danger of becoming more obese and sicker than ever before. After asking him about our "good intentions" and how he felt they have been stolen, he tells me that if I can remember back, many company's were coming out with products that were viewed as "health food". He mentioned a particular health food snack company with the word "health" right in the name. Vinnie explained that there was no nutritional value in these products along with all the other products that were in the health and diet craze of the late eights and early nineties and we were bring duped. Instead of getting healthy and losing weight, we were larger than ever. We have been ingesting chemicals and ingredients that do nothing but trick our bodies and end up making us fatter. I added that I remembered that product line he mentioned (still on the market today) and also remembered having to almost eat a whole box to feel like I had a "real cookie". I clearly made his point. 

Vinnie believes that for years the fitness industry has been selling Americans a false view of what healthy is. Fat does not make you fat, sugar and grains are making us fat.

If you listen to the podcast you will definitely hear the passion and sometimes explicit tone used to make his point. But what you will also see is a compassionate person who is genuinely interested in changing how we eat, live and feel about ourselves. A person who daily calls fans and average Americans like myself to discuss their diet and exercises failures and successes. And believe me you will get a lot of laughs and humor along with the advice! Nothing is off the table and everything is worth commenting on. Vinnie and his co-host Annie Vocino are there to entertain you and educate you all at the same time. 

Vinnie is also the author of Fitness Confidential. A hilarious, R-rated memoir. This book investigates the nasty underbelly of the fitness industry while getting you in the best shape of your life. It is chalk full of his own Hollywood experiences dealing with the rich, beautiful and sometimes crazy people he has gotten to train. He is currently working on putting out his second book.

Vinnie does not just talk health. He creates it. Vinnie ço-founded Pure Vitamin Club. A vitamin that contains just pure minerals and no additives and fillers such as sand (Yes, I said sand), talc, sugar and preservatives and can be conveniently delivered right to you door. Vinnie prides himself in the fact that this is the only vitamin of its kind and of the highest quality. Again, just another way Vinnie is looking to lose the preservatives and chemicals we ingest. 

Lastly, he is the founder of NSNG lifestyle which has become the foundation of his podcast and life work. The no sugar, no grains (NSNG) movement is what he feels is the successful way to lose weight and live healthfully by eliminating all processed sugars and grains from your diet. Vinnie encourages meats, vegetables, fats, nuts and legumes as part of the NSNG lifestyle. He has helped people all over the world change their diet to NSNG and is often invited to speak publicly to tell his story. Vinnie told me his next trip will be to India where he is connecting with a podcast listener who has stated that NSNG has changed his life.

This small blog post cannot do his experience and work justice so if you are interested in learning more, I hope you will investigate further. All in all, I found Vinnie to be extremely real, outgoing, sincere and not all THAT angry. Passionate comes more to mind. Fixing the American mindset as it comes to health one American at a time. 

I am still having my square of dark chocolate each night and a glass or two of wine each week, but I also believe that the smallest of steps can bring about the biggest differences. I shared with Vinnie that I cut out all the sugar in my coffee, which was a huge change for me after realizing I was emptying the sugar jar each month from my coffee alone. I look forward to hearing and learning more from Vinnie. If we all shared our experiences, successes and failures, think of how much we can change the world. At the very least, we can give people something to consider and think about to improve their own lives and learn from others.

Special thanks to Vinnie Tortorich for the interview. You are doing important good work. Keep it up! 

For more information on Vinnie, the podcast, NSNG, Pure Vitamin Club and Fitness Confidential, log onto these links!

 http://vinnietortorich.com/

Pure Vitamin Club

Friday's Fix

" A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure". - Henry Kissinger

Life has its own pressures and difficulties. You can control to some degree how much of that pressure you allow in your life. Some pressure is good. It makes people get up in the morning, motivates them and them to do more and do better. Some pressure is just that. Big, fat, ugly pressure. The kind that makes your stomach turn and heart race. The kind that makes you want to avoid certain situations and even people if you have the choice. So how do we recalibrate?

Choose your path each day. Choose how you react to your emotions, choices and those of others. Do not "take on" others problems, anxiety or worry to the point that you yourself are on the floor in a ball. Every day is a new day. A day to do-over. Make them the best of your life even in times of adversity and challenge. See the light, look toward the positive and know a better day is coming. 

Happy Friday.

Friday's Fix

" A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure". - Henry Kissinger

Life has its own pressures and difficulties. You can control to some degree how much of that pressure you allow in your life. Some pressure is good. It makes people get up in the morning, motivates them and them to do more and do better. Some pressure is just that. Big, fat, ugly pressure. The kind that makes your stomach turn and heart race. The kind that makes you want to avoid certain situations and even people if you have the choice. So how do we recalibrate?

Choose your path each day. Choose how you react to your emotions, choices and those of others. Do not "take on" others problems, anxiety or worry to the point that you yourself are on the floor in a ball. Every day is a new day. A day to do-over. Make them the best of your life even in times of adversity and challenge. See the light, look toward the positive and know a better day is coming. 

Happy Friday.