Angi's Advice

Angi has taken to this challenge like a fish to water. 


So, I asked her some questions to share with our team and to help motivate us! She had some great advice.  


What is a family dinner that you like to make?


For a go-to dinner that is extremely nutritious and on the table in under 30 minutes -


I marinade or season salmon fillets with teriyaki sauce, ginger powder, salt and pepper and bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.  I steam brown rice or long grain wild rice for 25 minutes and serve with parsley flakes, salt and pepper.  Anyone not watching fat intake can use butter as well.  I also steam broccoli or asparagus just until crisp-tender (about 5 minutes) and sprinkle with garlic salt.  We like to get our fruit in on that meal with either grilled pineapple, which you can do right on a broiler pan in the oven, or the kids like regular mandarin orange sections.  
 
A few things I eat on a regular basis for fruits and veggie servings are:
 
   apple slices with peanut butter (for the protein)  when I need something sweet
   celery sticks with peanut butter or almond butter
   oranges for lots of vitamin C and immune system health
   broccoli, carrot, cauliflower mix with hummus dip
   red, yellow and orange peppers with hummus dip
   pears, bananas, strawberries dipped in nonfat, light yogurt (for the sweet tooth)
   one slice whole wheat toast with a little peanut butter, banana slices and a drizzle of          honey or agave syrup
 
What do you eat when you need something sweet?

When I am totally falling apart needing something really sweet I go for dried fruit, mangoes, apricots, apples, cherries and cranberries--Have to eat with nuts to balance all the carbs from the fruit.  This is a good idea when eating any kind of carb, always eat a lean protein with it.  Your blood sugar will not spike and fall like it does when you eat just carbs.  Also, the most important thing to remember, even if you're eating really healthy, you still have to count calories and not overdo anything--food or exercise.


Any slogan that helps keep you going? Or tips?

Also, never underestimate the power of gum and lots of water:)  However, I read recently that one of the things that slows weight loss, especially when you have hit a plateau, which I have, is cutting calories too low.  We need a certain window of calories to maintain fat burn and prevent our bodies from eating away at lean muscle tissue to keep up with demands, which will in turn slow your metabolism because you will have less muscle mass, which is not good.  I think the thing that motivates me is thinking of all the energy I will have to keep up with everything I need to do.  Also I bought that really cute suit on clearance I want to wear in the Spring and I keep thinking of all the work I have to do so it will fit eventually.  Something that really motivates me though on a more serious note, is that I don't want to be in the same place I was after I had Lincoln because I want to be happy about myself and feel good about myself for having had the discipline to reach my goals.  It really is about more than just fitting into a certain size--you have to be happy with yourself.  You have to decide to have self control and work hard every day!!!   


Thank you Angi for all of those awesome tips!  The best part about this challenge is that everyone is doing it together.  Keep it up Humblers!