Tag Archives: healthy lifestyle

Ending summer on a flavorful note

With back to school season approaching (or in some cases already starting), time is winding up for summer activities. With such limited time, back to school shopping, work, last-minute family vacations, and the like, it’s hard to take a seat and get some things done. In honor of the end of summer, I would like to present a quick, tasty, flavorful, and healthy: quick and easy chicken fajitas!

First, we’ll need chicken breasts (size will vary depending on how many you have to feed, but for this recipe, I used 6 Oz chicken breasts). The chicken breasts must ve sliced butterfly style, after which each half must be cut into strips. Once cut provide a generous seasoning of your choice (for this recipe, I used garlic powder, pepper, Mrs dash seasoning, onion powder, paprika, a little cumin and cayenne pepper) and set aside.

Next, we will want to get our veggies. I used yellow and orange peppers and half of a white onion for this batch. Cut all of the vegetables into strips and sit the vegetables to the side once sliced. After chopping up the vegetables, pour a light coating of vegetable oil into a skillet and cook the vegetables to your desired tenserness and set aside.

After the veggies are done, nexr we cook the chicken strips that were placed aside to soak in their seasoning. Cook the chicken until completely cooked through. Once cooked throughly, add in the veggies and mix well for several seconds and remove from heat. Additionally, you can warm up your tortillas to make them easier to roll up as well.

Once the tortillas are warm, take the veggies and chicken mix and apply a generous portion to the tortilla. Once the tortilla is filled use and topping to add to the mix to complete it (I ueed spinach and tomatoes as well as salsa and sour cream to top it off). Once everything is together you are ready to eat in no time!

This quick and easy recipe is easy for anyone of any skill to cook. This is a fun recipe to get the whole family in and is always a crowd pleasing dish that is also super filling depending on the size of the fajitas! Until the next time dear readers, stay healthy and safe. Excelsior!

The F in fitness means fun

As someone who likes to exercise and also likes to travel, there are times where A) I might not have time to work out or B) I lack the proper equipment to do so. I’m moments like these it is good to come up with creative ways to get a good quality workout session in. One method I utilized during the pandemic, and sometimes just for fun, is the utilization of playground equipment. To add more difficulty for these workouts, you can also use a weighted training vest to add more variety to your training.

To start things off, I begin with a light jog to the playground to get the blood flowing as I live nearby to a park in my neighborhood. After warming up, I then assess the equipment for ideas to get things going.

Not my playground but think of the possibilities

For my particular exercise I recently used I did the following: chin ups 3 sets of 10 repetitions using the hanging bar, 3 sets of 10 repetitions of dips using the bars for the steps leading to the play structure (or the bars making the bridge works too), I utilized the stepping platform (or rock climbing wall of the angle is good enough ) for a challenging plank for 3 sets of 45 seconds, and to finish up I used a picnic table for box jumps for 3 sets of 10 repititions. (Alternatively any high platform on the play structure will work fine so long as you have clearance to do it without bumping into anything).

Fitness is an important investment, and despite circumstances, it pays to be creative to get those reps in. Given that it is now summertime, this can be a fun edition to a workout program. Challenge your mind and body with this exercise I did or make your own up. Remember, the F in fitness stands for fun. Excelsior!

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The Iroh workout

Greetings dear readers, it has been a while but after a brief sabbatical I have returned. Speaking of returns, the warm weather is looking to make a return to prevalence after a moderate winter. After all these months of hibernation it is time for summer sports and activities. The best way to get ready for the more active time of year is preparing our physical health for outdoor projects and other activities.

For this year’s preparation I will share my latest workout plan I have prescribed myself to during the last several weeks. This plan comes inspired from one of my favorite shows growing up: Avatar the last airbender. Mild spoilers for those that haven’t watched this masterpiece of a series: one of the main characters, general iroh, is imprisoned and during his time in prison he spent time planning and preparing his body for his eventual escape from his captors. I will highlight his training regimen during his time in prison: sit ups, clap push-ups, hand stand push-ups, one hand pull ups. Inverted sit ups at the top of his cell. Of course there are more workouts one could do to develop more strength but I will focus on exercises one can use with limited to no equipment.

General Iroh aka the dragon of the west

I will divide these exercises into specific levels to work up to as time progresses. I’ll also include alternatives to mix things up as needed. For an extra challenge, you can also increase the set totals or reps per set (I recommend increasing the reps by increments of five). I would recommend 30 second to 1 minute rest periods between sets as you progress.

Level one:
3×10 Pike Push Ups

3×15 Sit Ups/Crunches

3×20 Push Ups

3×25 Lying Leg Raises

Level Three:
3×10 Handstand Push Ups ( alternatively I used incline/decline Push Ups as I can not do a successful handstand…yet)

3×15 Pull Ups (regular or door trainer modified. Check out my paid link for a good starting door trainer)

3×20 Sit Ups

3×20 Clap Push Ups

3×25 Hanging Leg Raises (or lying leg raises with ankle weights if available)

Level Four:
3×5 One Arm Pull Ups (each arm) or do a door frame row to work your way up

3×15 Inverted Sit Ups

3×20 Handstand Push Ups (alternative incline/decline Push Ups)

3×20 Clap Push Ups

3×25 Sit Ups

I have tried this workout program for myself, and it has been a very good series that doesn’t require heavy weight. This is perfect in a limited to no equipment environment and for those who love callestenic workouts. Until the next time, dear readers. Excelsior!

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Ending the year on a flavourful note

Holidays are a pretty busy time of year for everyone. It is easy to get lost in the shuffle and neglect things. One thing one should never neglect is one’s diet and nutrition. Last month I gave you a nice dessert so let’s balance that out with a nice simple savory dish: bell peppers and beef. While this was anime inspired from one of my favorite animes (cowboy bebop) I assure you that it the style will be a little different.

For this recipe we will require the following: 1 bell pepper of each color ( for this I only used red/green peppers to start), 1/2 of a small onion, 1 lb of beef chuck (you can substitute for 1 lb of mushroom and tofu for a vegetarian option), assorted spices and seasonings of your choice (Mrs. Dash, old bay, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper were used here) and honey sesame sauce (homemade or store bought)

First, clean your peppers and peel your onions. Once complete, mince your onions and place to side in a bowl. Proceed to slice your bell beppers into strips and add to the bowl with the onions. Lightly season your veggies with your seasoning mix and set aside.

Ready for the fire

Nexr, chop up your beef into bite-sized chunks and remove any gristle or fat as you go. Be sure to season your beef (or mushroom/tofu substitute) and place to the side.

I found the beef

Next, lightly oil your skillet and apply your seasoned beef, and cook thoroughly. Once cooked, set aside in a bowl.

Ok maybe I went a little toooo light on that oil.

Next you will place your veggies into the skillet and cook until tender. Once complete set aside in your bowl with the beef

Cook until the veggies comply

Lastly you can either caramelize the honey sesame sauce in the skillet or add the sauce after depending on your preferences. Once complete, you’re ready to go! Serve with your favorite beverage, and you’re ready to eat.

The whiskey is optional

And there you have it. A simple and quick meal you can enjoy any day of the week. This makes about four servings with my list of ingredients, and it is very filling for the small serving size. Going into the new year, I wish you nothing but the best and success in all your endeavors. Excelsior!

Who did it better?

Adding a little spice

This month I want to take a brief detour into another personal development skill: cooking. I enjoy it thoroughly and i find it therapeutic to be able to create new dishes in the kitchen. My latest culinary adventure has led me to a nutritious and flavorful low calorie meal: creole shrimp.

For this recipe you will need the following: 1/2 cup of chopped onion, 1/2 cup of chopped green pepper, 4 chopped mushrooms (I had chopped a good two handfuls of pre sliced mushrooms), 1 cup of canned tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon of oregano, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/8 teaspoon of pepper, 1 pound of shrimp peeled and deveined. Outside of this original combination for the recipe I also added 1 teaspoon of old bay seasoning, 1 teaspoon of Mrs. Dash original blend seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of paprika. 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder to spice things up. I also forgot to get bell pepper so I substituted this for asparagus.

To get things started, combine all of the vegetables and spices in a large saucepan. Cook the veggies and spices for 10 minites over medium heat. In the meantime, cook the shrimp over medium heat for the same time with the seasoning blend from above. Once the shrimp has been cooked and the vegetables are nice and tender combine all ingredients in the saucepan and stir. After 5 minites remove the saucepan from the heat and serve!

Soups on!

Cooking is a vital skill all need to keep in their repertoire. This meal is a quick, healthy and nutrient dense meal that is low calorie and it absolutely delicious. Until the next time dear readers, excelsior!