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eats2know

nutritionist and educator. balance enthusiast. founder of the cultural shift method for fire departments // health + wellness.

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December 3rd is a date to remember. A cold storage fire in Worcester, MA that took the lives of six firefighters, fallen but never forgotten. —————————————————————
My first memorable experience with firefighters happened to be attending the parade honoring the fallen firefighters in 1999. I remember that day. The pictures that circulated the media. Schools and businesses closed. The community showed up. The fire trucks. The firefighters. Thousands and thousands of them. Their faces. I remember. The days between then and now, blurry to say the least.
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My second experience with WFD that I'll never forget was when I was hired to work on some nutrition trainings for the department. My first fire department. The spark to such a big part of my career. 400 firefighters with names, faces, and experiences that shaped my start. I didn’t know all of them, but here's what I do know: I'm extremely thankful for that chance. The chance to pitch the idea of taking health and wellness seriously and giving it some attention that it deserves within the fire community. To getting firefighters as healthy as they can be for themselves and the communities they serve. As I reflect on my work and the firefighters who I've connected with in-person and on the Internet, I simply say THANK YOU. ————————————————————
December 3rd is a day not only felt in Worcester or across the state of MA, but nation-wide. Many lessons learned and an array of emotions. Today and whenever it seems fit, go ahead and thank a first responder. They put others before themselves in too many ways that can fit in this small space that I have to write here. Today is TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3rd, the 20th anniversary of a tragic event that will never be forgotten. #w6 💚🚒

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Friendly reminder (same one every year, but sharing earlier than usual): Thanksgiving is one day, one meal out of the year. Regardless of what you eat or how much of it you eat; if you exercise(d)/ move(d) or not; don't use the gym or your plate as a punishment today. Let's ditch the all or nothing mentality. —————————————————————
For more inspo on a mindful approach to Thanksgiving, check out the link in bio. Instead of having any regrets or guilt this week, enjoy it and then keep going. Get back into whatever groove you had before or focus on improving your eating and exercise habits in a healthy and balanced way. Then if you're up for it, take note and appreciate what your body can do [feel free to share]. If you agree, like this post, tag someone who needs to read it, and talk to me about what you’re looking forward to this holiday on a MONDAY.

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When practice makes perfect: prepped a nutrition workshop with enough food to feed 40 hungry firefighters (with the option to make 6 recipes from Fast Food Reinvented at every session) all while sticking within budget 💯 Shopped for all four groups’ workshops plus pantry staples, supermarket sweep style at Wegmans (who are super kind to support this workshop and the fire community), and managed to come in with $5 to spare. Let me not jinx this and all 🙏 that no one ate the remaining groceries for the last group to use come tomorrow... ————————————————————-
This was a seriously proud moment and the best part about it is that I didn’t plan. Kid you not. Sure I made a list. But no numbers were involved. How’d I do it? Practice and Fast Food Reinvented! If you’ve got the resource you know there’s a budget planner 🎉 (which helped me prep / was my own personal resource for myself when I started budgeting), and tips and tricks for saving money, plus when, if, or why to buy organic. All of these tools I’ve worked on for you and my clients, which have absolutely been created from my own experience, education and credibility. ——————————————————
Fast Food Reinvented goes on promo this week for Black Friday, so mark your calendar if you’re interested because this is going to be the best time to buy it. I’m curious to know how much you spend on groceries each week and who you’re feeding! Or any guesses as to what my budget was (about half of the food isn’t pictured, but it’s the same food doubled)? Any questions for me? Let’s talk below on a SUNDAY!

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How we speak to ourselves matters. Because those words and thoughts can influence next steps, confidence levels, our mental health, and the ability to do anything. When I bought this massive mirror I told myself it wasn’t just for decoration; it would be an object that allows me to look at myself every day and be proud of the human in front of it. No harping on the awkwardness, a size, or a look. I would focus on the love / positivity instead of the flaws / negativity. From body image to mindset, it was a fresh start. ———————————————————————-
Last weekend I had the opportunity to go back to my alma mater and speak on a career panel. When I got the invite, I thought to myself “why me? I’m not cool or that good.” The self-doubt crept in, imposter syndrome decided to blow up, and I thought of every reason to not attend. With a little help from my fam and friend squad, plus understanding how this was an opportunity to give back (and truly was up my alley and interests), I was able to get my act together and make a solid decision. I also used this mirror, once again— I took a deep breath and gave myself a pep talk that I would give a friend (bc often it’s easier to be kind to others and not yourself) with lots of affirmations that attacked the self doubt. I got in the car, drove back to school, made an impact, and had a great time. To think that my negative self talk could have canceled the opportunity would have been a shame. ———————————————————————-
How you view yourself doesn’t just matter; it matters the most. Others can come and go, but you’re stuck with you. What do you see when you look at yourself in the mirror? What’s an affirmation or pep talk you’d say to yourself right now? Keeping this vague on purpose, so you can let your imagination fly. Hoping we can get a conversation going, so (please) give it a go 💚

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Monday mood and a solid reminder: just keep swimming.

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REVIEW TIME for the top 3 products I got questions about during my TJ’s shop this week:

1). Chocolate lava gnocchi: despite the cauliflower gnocchi direction fail, these ones can be cooked according to the package. I bought 2 thinking they would be the bomb.com like their cousin cauli, but they’re not THAT good. If you want to buy them to try, I support it. But I was disappointed with them on their own and ended up putting them on top of vanilla ice cream. Final verdict: decent but not great.
2. Overnight oats: minimal ingredients, great taste, dates as sweetener = solid addition for a grab and go option and for $2 I’m into it.

3. Fig goat cheese: amp up any holiday cheeseboard with this thing. Worth you not wrapping the figs around the goat cheese or drizzling in fig jam.

Have you tried any of these? Any new favorites from Traders that we all need to know about? Comment below on a SUNDAY