Fitness

Healthy Thanksgiving? Yeah, right. I beg to differ.

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When it comes to food, we all know the dreaded feeling of the Holidays. We eat too much and drink too much. It’s not only how much you eat, but also what you eat.

For those who know me, I like to cook. I like to experiment with recipes; sometimes they turn out, sometimes they don’t. But hey, you live and you learn.

This year, I took Thanksgiving dinner into my own hands and added a few, healthy twists.

Prep time: 45 min

Cook time: 4 hours

Ingredients

Turkey

  • Locally grown, no hormone, no antibiotic turkey purchased at Whole Foods. Not only does the meat taste better, your doing your body a favour. Recipe is based on a 4.7kg turkey.
  • 1 tbsp of grassfed butter
  • 2 tbsp of fresh rosemary
  • 2 tbsp of fresh
  • 2 tbsp of fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tsp of fresh ground ginger
  • ½ tsp of freshly grated orange rind
  • 3 celery stick
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 orange
  • ½ onion

Sides

  • Asparagus
  • Fresh Beets
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Vegetable spices
  • 1 tbsp of lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil

Directions

  1. Clean the lovey turkey. Take out the neck, liver and heart. You can use this as flavour for gravy or stew. Melt the butter and mix it with the herbs, ginger, orange grind and lemon juice. Add salt and pepper. Coat the turkey with this mixture – both inside and out. Remember to flip it over and do the other side. Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Make sure it sits on a rack, so that it doesn’t stick.
  2. Turn your oven on and set for 350°. Chop up the celery, carrots, orange and onion. Stuff the turkey. I like to put some of the leftover stuffing on the bottom of the pan for flavour (great for gravy). Cover the roasting pan. Put the turkey in the oven and set your timer for 3hrs 30 minutes.
  3. In the meantime, boil the beets until they are soft. After, you can then shred them or use a blender to cut them up.
  4. Slice the sweet potatoes, pour some olive oil on them and add some spices. Place them on a rack, cover them with tin foil and put them in the oven, approximately 15 minutes before your timer goes off.
  5. When the timer goes off, take off the top of the roasting pan and place the turkey back in the oven for 30 minutes. In the meantime, clean up your asparagus, pour some olive oil on it and add spices if you like. Place it next to the sweet potatoes and undercover.
  6. Once all is done, you can use the gravy from the bottom of the turkey rack. Enjoy!

You can choose different substitutions for your meal. I chose beets because they are high in potassium, magnesium and vitamins A and B. And I love them! Sweet potatoes are my favourite. I eat them almost every day. They are high in vitamin A, C, B6, magnesium and copper. Asparagus is high in vitamin K and C, folate and selenium.

Remember, food should fit YOUR lifestyle. Play around with what works for you and your family. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

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Fitness

Entrepreneur, Jared Hickey, talks about the grind

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I’m a self-employed art director & graphic designer with a burning desire to turn passion for a hobby into a career, and escape the typical, mundane 9-5 work week. I started the clothing company, Inaugural Season, a few years ago as a creative outlet for myself. Something I could have full control and final say over. It’s the most challenging and rewarding venture I have ever undertaken. Based in Toronto, Canada, Inaugural Season’s epitaph has been woven together from travels abroad and inspired by daily life in the bustling metropolis.

www.inauguralseason.com

@inauguralseason

“Inaugural Season was born from the idea that a staple of any wardrobe can be transformed into a channel for ones unique voice and style.” - Jared Hickey


“Inaugural Season was born from the idea that a staple of any wardrobe can be transformed into a channel for ones unique voice and style.” – Jared Hickey

 

  1. As a startup, what roadblocks have you faced and how have you overcome them?

When I first started Inaugural Season (and left the 9-5 to become self-employed, for that matter) it was because of my passion and vision to build a life and career for myself, in my own way. There are challenges everyday, at every turn and around every corner. That is part of the process. Taking the riskier path is certainly not for everyone. I think the key, is looking at these “roadblocks” as tests of your character, work ethic and patience. Having the right mindset to overcome these challenges is the biggest roadblock of them all. Things will go wrong and not work out as planned. Will you let that keep you down or will your perseverance and determination to succeed define you. If you are willing to get out of bed every morning and tackle these challenges head on, you will eventually find success.

  1. What’s the number one bootstrapping tip you can give to an aspiring entrepreneur?

In this day an age, you can find any information you need on the Internet. It’s all there at our fingertips, countless resources. Times are tight; you have to be smart and careful with your capital, absolutely, but with that said, don’t be afraid to pay someone to do the tasks or jobs in the areas that you are weak in. Surround yourself with a network of people that can strengthen your brand. Do what you are good at and what makes the most sense for your business to be successful. Many things can be outsourced, to leave you with the proper time you need to focus on your strengths. Early on, I had the mindset that as an entrepreneur, I must do everything on my own. I’d spend countless hours trying to become an expert in marketing and accounting and sales, etc. It’s completely unrealistic. Don’t get me wrong; I try to learn something new every single day. I am constantly reading, watching and listening to experts, to expand my entire set of tools. I think that hustle mindset is inherent with being an entrepreneur. But, a lot of wasted time and frustration was spent trying to force a square peg into a round hole. In the end, I accepted that sometimes paying someone to be an expert for you, is a better investment than spending way more time (and money) trying to become an expert yourself.

  1. Do you have a business plan? Do you think it’s important?

I do have an old business plan that is probably in need of some revisions. I think it is extremely important to have a plan. Otherwise, you are just making decisions based on the current needs/wants of your business, rather than following the overarching vision and taking the necessary steps to reach your ultimate goal. There are lots of great online resources to get you started, such as Futurpreneur Canada is one that I used early on.

  1. Do you agree with the statement, “fail fast, fail often?”

I don’t agree. But I can understand the ideology behind it. Making mistakes is part of the game. You live, you learn; hopefully you don’t make the same mistakes over and over again. Nobody wakes up in the morning with the intentions of failing that day, but it happens. As long as the mistakes aren’t catastrophic or harmful to the long-term success of your business, learning from your errors is just part of the process. I have gained so much knowledge and experience in ‘the struggle’. If I succeeded the first time around at everything I did, I’d miss out on those hard fought lessons you can only learn from failing and then picking yourself up off the mat to try again.

  1. What’s your experience with the entrepreneurial community in Toronto?

Toronto’s entrepreneurial community is vast and easily accessible. I’ve had very positive experiences with MaRS, Toronto Fashion Incubator and the Passion for Fashion program put on by Youth Employment Services just to name a few. Set aside some time to browse these sites, I guarantee that you will find them of great use. There are countless workshops, organizations, classes and opportunities found there to gain experience and expand your network.

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Fitness

CRAP, it’s time for breakfast again!

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People often ask me what I eat for breakfast. In my case, it’s what I drink for breakfast.

We often hear, ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day.’ Is it? It all depends on your lifestyle and body.

If you work out at night, you will be depleted of energy in the morning and need fuel ASAP. Some people fast in the morning and that works for them. In general, it’s important to get something in you within the first 3 hours of waking up.

When you wake up, your body is dehydrated. I drink a glass of warm, not hot, water with freshly squeezed lemon and a teaspoon of organic unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar). Why? We should maintain a normal pH of 6.5 – 7.5. High acidity or a high pH interferes with weight loss, bladder and kidney conditions and chronic inflammation. Just to name a few. Lemon is naturally alkalinizing. Apple cider vinegar may seem strange, but it aids in digestion, enhances your immune system, lowers high blood pressure, adjusts blood sugar levels and improves oral health.

2-3 hours after I wake up, I drink my infamous shake. I use a Nutribullet.

  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Watercress (supergreen)
  • Slice of ginger
  • Chia seeds
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Flax seeds
  • Cinnamon
  • Turmeric
  • Coconut oil
  • Unpasteurized honey
  • Raw almond butter
  • ½ frozen banana
  • Frozen berries
  • Unsweetened almond milk
  • Raw oats
  • Protein powder (optional)

You can always substitute peanut butter for almond butter, coconut milk for almond milk, etc. You get the gist.

I like Usana’s MySmartShake Plant Base Shake. It made of pea and potato protein, contains coconut oil and is gluten free.

Sounds like a lot of prep work, but most of it can be done the night before. It’s worth it and your body will thank you!

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Fitness

Shari Gold: As an entrepreneur, you never reach your end goal

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Most importantly, I am the mother of two beautiful girls and a devoted wife. I am a natural born entrepreneur and I basically never stop. I am a permanent makeup and lash artist at my studio Shari Gold and I am also an educator in the beauty industry, in partnership with The Toronto Tattoo Clinic, a permanent makeup school in Toronto. On top of it all, I am an expansion leader for Rodan + Fields in Canada. I love working with people who are pursuing their dreams and helping others build strong businesses in the beauty industry.

Shari Gold

  1. Being a mom is a full-time job. What is the best piece of advice you can give to a mother, who is thinking of becoming an entrepreneur?

This is a great question and unfortunately, I don’t think it’s a simple answer. I think if you have a vision and the timing is right then all you can do is run with it, especially if you have that entrepreneurial spirit.

It’s true what they say, “it takes a village”. It really does! It’s so important to know when you’re in need of help and to ask for it. I recommend developing a business that you can do alongside raising your kids if possible. Ultimately, your drive will inspire others! When the universe is saying go for it, you got to JUMP and then RUN! If you wait for a perfect time in life the opportunity will pass you by.

  1. We all struggle with time management. What is the single, most effective time management tool that helps you stay on track?

A very smart mentor of mine by the name of Tracie Bonds taught me to automate the important things. Creating auto generated emails, using tools to schedule social media posts and Facebook groups to coordinate. Basically, the more you can automate the better! Oh and I’m all about making lists!!! Single most important tool is my iPhone notepad!

  1. Nature vs. nurture. Do you think an entrepreneur is born or made?

I don’t think you can make an entrepreneur. I think you either have it in you or you don’t. That doesn’t mean that you can’t develop into one. When you are exposed to lots of different things, eventually, you may find something that just clicks with you and your natural entrepreneurial drive kicks in. This can happen at any stage in life. Some people will always be workers, but entrepreneurs are dreamers. That’s the difference!

  1. Often times we hear, “the struggle is real.” Is it really a struggle? Or do entrepreneurs seek challenge to fulfill their needs?

The struggle is real, the late hours and sleepless night are real, but when you know where you want to be and you know that you have a lot more to do to get there then there is always work to be done. Mom life/work life balance is an ever changing dynamic, however, I don’t think we seek any of this for any sort of need. This is just part of the journey. I remember when I first started my business, I would wake up at all hours of the night and need to write down my thoughts. As things develop, it gets easier. Automate the important things and ultimately enjoy what you have created. Celebrate the successes along the way because for an entrepreneur you never reach your end goal because that goal just takes a new form and gets bigger and bigger. It’s honestly incredibly exciting every step of the way.

  1. Do you think that authentic, internal motivation is necessary to be a successful entrepreneur?

Authentic, internal motivation is 100% the key to success. No one becomes incredibly successful without first having a strong vision for what they want out of life. Entrepreneurs finish what they start even if they ultimately fail and if that happens they pick themselves up and they push even harder. Laser sharp focus in the beginning until momentum happens is so important. Untimely, it comes down to having a hell of a lot of grit. I read a great book lately that talked about this, it’s written by Angela Duckworth and its called GRIT. I recommend reading it; it is amazing!

For more information on Shari Gold, please check out her website www.sharigold.com.

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Fitness

Do you have a Purpose in Life?

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Do you have a purpose in life? Over the years, I’ve never really thought about what my purpose in life was. I was jumping from one thing to the next. I was restless. Maybe it had to do with me being an Aries, but deep down inside I knew something was missing. It was only on a recent trip to Guatemala, where I had an experience that was truly raw. The dots finally connected. I remember the exact moment. I was in a taxi, leaving Guatemala City and taking in all the beauty around me. Window down, I closed my eyes to rest and felt the warm breeze come over me. It was a moment of peace that I haven’t felt in long time. And it came to me, not in words, but in a feeling; that my purpose in life is to help others achieve their goals. It was my ah-ha moment.

I thought about this experience throughout my trip. I thought about how I can help others. I noticed that every interaction I had with someone in Guatemala, I felt closer to my authentic self. Whether it was a simple smile to a stranger or the school supplies I donated, it just affirmed my purpose.

anna-piotrwoski-proof-of-heavenI also thought about how I received this manifestation. When I came back from my trip, I started reading a new book called, Proof of Heaven, by Eden Alexander, M.D. (2012).It’s a book about a doctor’s journey into the afterlife, while he was in a coma. I came across a passage that read, “Without using any words, she spoke to me. The message went through me like a wind, and I instantly understood that it was true (Alexander, 2012, p.40).” He was describing exactly what I had experienced in that taxi! It was also a coincidence that I started reading this particular book right after my trip.

Ideas started flowing into my head. It became clear that I have the ability to support people. I want people to set attainable goals, experience true joy again and take control of their life.

I was nervous when I wrote this first blog, but it flowed like magic. It just affirms that my stars are aligned!

For more information on Proof of Heaven(Alexander, 2012) and where it can be purchased, please check out: http://www.ebenalexander.com/books/proof-of-heaven/

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