Eating Healthy on a Budget

Everyone asks me how I afford to eat healthy on a budget.... Here's how!

2 shakes per day: complete balance of fiber - protein - carbs, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals

And a healthy meal...Above is a picture one of my favorite go to recipes because it's so easy... Bake @ 350 for 42 min!

$3.00     /Shake twice a day

 

Approximate cost of recipe per serving:

 

$2.00      Chicken Breast (From deli already marinated)

$0.75      "Key West Blend" (Orange / Yellow Carrots, Red Peppers)

$0.60      Frozen Zucchini

$0.80      Sweet Potato Fries: (Less expensive at Kwik Trip!)

$4.15     Approximate Total

$10.15    Total cost of meals for the day

 Minimize the frequency of eating out, or buying things you don't eat that just rot away in your fridge! Don't buy things you shouldn't be eating... You'll save money and eat healthier. Plan your meals each week and stick to your plan!

 

 This video clip is a must see for everyone!

Peter Greenlaw shares why it's going to take more than diet and exercise to eliminate unwanted body fat, and reach a state of health.

So many meal replacement / protein shakes, nutrition and exercise programs lack the ability to meet the needs of the human body in the toxic world we live in.

What people don't understand is that we need to be:
- Flooding our body with proper nutrients - - - not cutting calories

- We need to be detoxifying our bodies - - - cleansing on a cellular level

- Exercising regularly - - - small steps every day add up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk7NSBgXBmc

You can't always depend on organizations like the CDC or the USDA to watch out for your best interest

This is not the first time I've learned of specific organizations omitting or altering research. Last fall I listened to a speaker disclose information pertaining to immunizations which the CDC chose to disregard and remove certain scientists from the payroll! 

It's important to do your own research and knowledge verses depending solely on organizations to look out for your best interests!

Check out this article found on Robyn O'Brien's website for more information on the research of a scientist from the USDA.

https://robynobrien.com/usda-whistleblower-shows-farming-can-done-right/

USDA Whistleblower Demonstrates Farming Without Dangerous Chemicals - Robyn O'Brien

Jonathan Lundgren, a whistleblower scientist formerly with the USDA, is applying…

robynobrien.com|By The Organic & Non-GMO Report

That Lightbulb Moment

I know this is a long post but bare with me!

Making a lifestyle change is never easy. Why? Because life changes! It'll throw you a curve ball when you least expect it and before you know it we're off track making choices that don't align with our goals. I'm recently guilty of this but I've developed a plan as to how I can do better! Let me share:

 

Last year I set out on a mission to change the way we look at our health. However life happened. I accepted my orders to move across the country leaving everything I had worked for behind. My job, being a student, horses, my dog, family, friends, church, riding students, and my fresh vision to help others improve their lifestyles. Several months later I came home as a medic for the United States Army with several awards recognizing my academic and physical achievements. A great accomplishment and something I should be proud of. But I didn't have time to be proud of my accomplishments. I had three horses to feed, a car payment, student loans, and my full time job had been cut to 9 hours a week. Walking away from everything (on more than one occasion) and having to come back to what feels like nothing but who you used to be can be exhausting! Once is doable, but after a while you just don't know if you have the strength or the energy to start all over again, again!

 

In the past I was able to bounce back. But this time it wasn't the same. I wasn't happy anymore, I was drained. I didn't recognize myself and I didn't know how to be who I once was. Some days I was a successful soldier, other days I was nearly unemployed battling depression with no clue what to do next.

 

But as always God has a plan. I decided I wasn't going to micromanage my life and I'd stay open minded to new opportunities and let it become God's business not mine. As my bank account dwindled I took a real estate class, applied for CNA jobs, and active National Guard positions. This went on for what felt like FOREVER! - I felt like I was loosing faith. I was about to join a real estate broker when I received an offer for a FTNG position. (Full Time National Guard). I jumped at the opportunity and moved across the state leaving behind my horses and starting a new life.

 

I was looking forward to the financial stability, free time, and the pride of working for the military. It's been one of my best decisions. But it hasn't come without any stress. It seems every time orders are adjusted it's never a smooth process which means you don't get paid! I was already dead broke and now the financially stable job I secured didn't pay! I had no control of the situation and despite my efforts to be proactive my orders changed again and for another whole month I went without pay... funny how the bills still come on time! :P

Luckily I have amazing coworkers! Because I was now working at a job that paid me only when it was convenient for them ;) and I was stuck sitting at a desk... those that know me know how easily I bore and how I always need a challenge. But I felt blessed despite the stress. I know what a great opportunity this job is, how it can open up doors for me and help me learn and network. I have great coworkers and their isn't a day that we don't laugh and have fun in the office! Along with the fun comes food of course! (And not the healthy type!)

Soon I started to experience some of the health issues I used to battle with (that's a whole other story!), gaining weight, and having headaches. I still felt depressed and drained.... and now bloated LOL! I didn't have the desire to change it. I began eating unhealthy, lost interest in working out, and felt like I had no passion for anything. I felt like a machine rolling through the motions of life.

On my day's off I'd page through pictures of who I used to be (as if I were a 90 year old lady) - equestrian - PT beast! (Maxed out my Army PT Tests like a pro!)- a driven student - a role model to my riding students - long distance runner- funny daughter- supportive friend- and I'd want to cry because once again, I didn't know how to be who I once was. I didn't know how to accomplish my goals anymore - I had no drive only excuses.

I knew I had to find away to be proactive and fast because my FTNG orders will be over before I know it and I'll be back to square one in no time. So I thought what do I do.... For several weeks I did nothing. Despite the fact that I have a degree and many life experiences I thought..... for lack of better words "Oh boy, I'm screwed!" The mind is such a powerful tool. With faith and support anything is possible but it's amazing the things you'll believe when you let the enemy mess with your mind.

One day as I was telling a mentor I wasn't able to take on certain task. She accepted me for where I was and subtlety reminded me there are so many resources and it's so simple... "Yeah right" I thought as I brushed off the conversation and threw in yet another series of Greys Anatomy.

But when I got to work the next day for some reason I didn't listen to music, I decided to listen to podcasts. And of course I was in no mood to hear about the success of others so I went straight to the science podcasts. I listened to one, after another, after another! I couldn't get enough knowledge about the science behind the great nutrition that used to drive me to want to be something more.

The next day I tuned into my podcast station again but this time I thought how do I make this happen? So I started to learn while I worked listening to others share their business models and ideas. Not only did I feel more positive about my life I felt more driven in my current work. I learned and became inspired again.

I'm excited to be taking back control over my life. I'm thankful for my FTNG job and all my awesome coworkers! I couldn't be where I'm at without it. But I would still come home and feel like that robot with no fulfillment from my work. So I decided to change that and took a step to a business that will allow me to not only inspire and better myself but allow me to improve the health and well being of others along the way.

Welcome to our blog! I hope I can inspire you to make a difference in your life as well as others!

Check out our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/jhewittfitness

Overcome the things you thought would stop you!

Top: Certificate of Achievement signed by the 232d Med BN
Bottom Left: Iron Female trophy
Bottom Right: Sloan and myself making the choice to overcome what we thought we couldn't do!

I started my fitness journey wanting to become a better equestrian. I began by grinding through a short running routine: As I ran down the road the telephone posts were my markers...I would run from one telephone post to the next where I would walk for the next two or three posts. Later... (a few years later) I went on to run a half marathon and have trained up to 22 miles!

When I joined the WI Army National Guard I never thought I'd be one to max out a PT test but I knew I would always work hard to do my best. Finally one day I hit the extended scale... months later I continued to work hard and became the "Iron Female" of the Alpha Company 232nd Medical Battalion! (Earning the highest PT score of my BN)

I did this by striving to be a little bit better than I was the day before. I set small goals and would ask myself each day "What can I do today, to be better than I was yesterday?"

It doesn't have to take much- in fact, if you try to change to much all at once you might find that you're setting yourself up for failure instead, take a few minutes to push yourself to do a few extra push ups, sit ups, squats, or prepare a healthier meal to be a better you!