G-Bombs

What are G-BOMBS??? Greens, beans, onions, mushrooms, berries and seeds, of course.  Next time you are preparing a meal see if you can make it a G-BOMBS meal.  

Here is my recent G-BOMBS meal ... 

 

Put a little olive oil in a pan.  Add sliced onion and mushroom.  After the onions start to get translucent, add a couple of eggs.  I added arugula, black beans, and red pepper after the eggs started to firm up.  Season with sea salt, black pepper and crushed red chili pepper to kick up a notch!

A side of Fage plain, full fat yogurt.  Pan roasted pecans and almonds. Fresh blueberries.  A sprinkle of flax seed and a dash of cinnamon.  Finish off with a drizzle of honey. 

Make a smoothie of a handful of mixed berries, pineapple, 1 orange, teaspoon of fresh ginger and a sprig of mint.   

I suggest full fat yogurt for several reasons.  Fat is an essential nutrient.  Organic yogurt which is full fat is loaded with fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K as well as omega fatty acids.  Fat will satiate you and help you not to overeat later in the day.  Full fat yogurt is a whole food.  

You might think that this would take forever.  It doesn't take forever.  It may take some practice to get efficient and some discipline, but your health and vitality are worth it.  Even just one part of this meal could be a healthy breakfast on its own.  Just add some of the yogurt to the smoothie for some protein and fat or eat a handful of nuts.  

So, how did I do on the G-BOMBS???

Greens - arugula, mint

Beans - black beans

Onion - onion (anything from the Allium family counts - onions, chives, garlic etc)

Mushrooms - mushrooms (great source of vitamin D, immune system booster, antioxidants)

Berries - blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries 

Seeds - flax seed and nuts count too - almonds and pecans 

GBOMBS Away! 

8 Reasons You're Not Working Out (and how Forte GO! can debunk them all)

Written by Meredith Garrett

photo courtesy of Curtis Mac Newton (unsplash)

 

1. I don't have time.

I get it. Life already has us headed hundreds of different directions. How can we add another thing to the itinerary? The solution is simple, but it's hard to reconcile. We make time for the things we want. We make time to go to that concert, redecorate the bathroom, or plan this summer's vacation. There wasn't necessarily a time slot for those things but we made it happen. Granted, many things we do result in instant gratification, thus making it easier to invest the time. We sometimes view exercise as the proverbial dog bone dangling in front of us. But don't forget that you are in command of that dog bone's every move (spoiler alert: it's actually hooked to the stick on your collar.) So take charge of the things you want, reclaim your life and your health, and see that time invested now means more lifetime. 

 

2. I have no energy.

This is the part where you would expect me to rattle off a list of supplements. Quite the contrary. You don't need to generate a bundle of fake energy only to crash later, unable to function well for the rest of the day. Be patient with the process. Eat whole, nutritious foods. Be consistent with exercise. Cleaning up your diet and exercising regularly will boost mood and energy levels naturally without emptying your pockets scoop after scoop.

 

3. I can't get my diet on track enough to see measurable results.

This takes the cake for excuses. Pardon the pun. Granted, health is a dual effort, but pressuring yourself to achieve mastery of both nutrition and fitness simultaneously sets up failure. Take the first step and see how each subsequent decision becomes easier. Exercise instills a sense of pride that cannot be manufactured. Once you see your body performing and realize its potential to function, you'll take more care in fueling it properly. Seeing results is next! You'll want to maintain what you've worked so hard to get. If this natural progression of mentality still isn't enough to keep you from grabbing that Snickers, that's where we come in. Forte has formulated a nutrition guide focused on promoting eating well, not counting calories and deprivation tactics. We will track your journey with food journals, weekly accountably meetings, and troubleshooting.

 

4. I have no one to watch the kids.

Nothing tramples a workout buzz quite like seeing your child throw a tantrum on the treadmill's "Kidz Club Cam" monitor, or taking your pre-workout & using all your Pandora skips to find the perfect hype song only to discover that the gym daycare closes in 15 minutes. Let Forte GO! help. New mothers, stay home with your baby and we will bring the workout to you. Seasoned moms, don't drag all the kids to the gym- we will bring it to you. We adapt to your schedule and your setting. If you need to tend to the kids between sets, don't sweat it. We will make sure you get the workout you deserve and while also setting a great example of self-care in your home.

 

5. I am intimidated by gym settings.

Is that guy with the tight tank top and gallon water jug making you uncomfortable with all the grunting noises at the squat rack? Do you feel silly having the read exercise descriptions on the machines only to end up doing it wrong and fear you'll be trending online as a #gymfail later? Are you disgruntled that the only treadmill left is the one beside the gazelle goddess who's been running for 3 hours? 

You are not alone. The gym scene is not for everyone. Some people don't want to wait on equipment, feel like a spectacle, or wander around aimlessly. If that's you, then Forte GO! is your answer. Stop letting this excuse win, and let us bring the gym to you.

 

 

6. I'm not motivated to do it alone.

You don't have to! With Forte GO! you now have the option of gathering a group of friends to join your workout. Implementing more cost effective pricing and a little healthy competition, Forte GO! makes personal training more attainable than ever before. Small groups (up to 4 in number) can train together using partner style workouts in any setting you choose. 

 

7. Frankly, it's pretty boring.

All the new playlists & health stats in the world sometimes won't convince people to give a healthy lifestyle permanence in their life. Why? Because there isn't enough variety. Habits are great until they dig themselves a rut. Try something new. Try a new setting. Set a new goal. Align fitness with a new, active hobby. Allow Forte Fitness to generate a new spark in you and show you the avenues beyond just 3 sets of 12 reps.

 

8. I have an injury.

Listening to our bodies is very important. Too often I hear people say "push through the pain," and as uplifting of a coaching method as that may be in some cases, it's detrimental in others. It's a great cue for people building the mental dexterity it takes to get through a tough workout, but we must know the difference between pushing the body and harming the body. Forte, along with your physician, can help you distinguish them. Don't give up because of an injury. We can work with you through any rehab process to regain strength and stability, helping you to prevent further injury. Injury and surgeries aside, chronic pain can sometimes be alleviated by exercising. Complications from auto-immune diseases, bone density issues, back pain, and much more can often be soothed with the right training. Don't let nagging pain deter you from bettering your health.

Contact Forte GO! today, and let's ditch those excuses.

 

Forte Luncheon

This past weekend, Forte Fitness was excited to host a luncheon for their clients. Located at scenic Jasper Highlands, the get-together was a chance for Forte staff and management to celebrate its clients and their hard work. Live music, nutritious food, and great fellowship was enjoyed by upwards of 50 people. From all of us at Forte, thank you for making our jobs fulfilling, and thank you for inspiring us with your dedication!

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Spring Evenings on the Picnic Table


It has been a gorgeous and refreshing spring.  We have enjoyed several evenings on our picnic table.  

 

Grilled cod seasoned simply with sea salt and black pepper.  Bake the butternut squash at 350 degrees until fork tender all the way through.  It may take 45 minutes. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and a dash of sea salt. Alternatively, you can cut the butternut squash into smaller pieces and boil it.  This is a faster method.  Dice a large red cabbage and saute in olive oil, garlic, and fresh rosemary. Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper.  Add a ealthy dessert of sliced oranges, kiwi and apples.

Enjoy! 

Introducing: Forte GO!

 

Let's face it. In this fast-paced world, we are all searching for ways to efficiently stack our schedules. With things like work, kids, activities, laundry, grocery shopping, and dog-walking already taking precedence, it's difficult to fit self-care into our routines. Health plays a major role in how well we interact and function in those areas that dominate the majority of our hours. Why not carve out just 2-3 hours per week taking care of yourself? No time, you say?

Let the care, education, and expertise of Forte Fitness come to you. 

Forte Go! will work with you to provide personal training in an area convenient to you. Whether that setting be your own home, the fitness center in your workplace or apartment complex, or a nearby park, Forte Go! is equipped to challenge you. 

Drastically altering your schedule to battle traffic, find childcare, and change clothes on the run can deflate your enthusiasm. Let Forte Go! accommodate you. And if 1-on-1 training is not your style, grab a few friends for our small group training. There are a variety of packages that will make your personal training experience cost effective and fun.

Contact us today for a complimentary session and tell us about the ideal setting for your workout -- we can make it happen.

Forte Go! 

Convenience - Privacy - Accountability 

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A little TN River, A little Italian & A little Greek ...

My son and I went fishing Sunday afternoon on the banks of the Tennessee river.  I cannot reveal our secret location!  As you can see he caught a beautiful 6 pound bass.  I filleted the bass and simply pan seared it in a cast iron skillet in a little bit of butter and seasoned with sea salt and black pepper.  

 

My Italian Nonna (grandmother) would make potatoes like this.  My kids love them.  Boil Yukon Gold potatoes whole until knife tender.  At about 10 minutes check them.  Be careful not to under cook and have a crunchy potato or over cook and have mashed potatoes.  Peel the skins off under cold water.  Cut the potatoes into bite size pieces.  Drizzle olive oil and crushed fresh garlic in a pan.  Heat the oil but don't burn the garlic.  Put a small layer of canned, crushed San Marzano tomatoes in the pan.  Add the potatoes and salt to taste.  

 

Greek salad is easy!  Cherry tomatoes sliced in half.  We used golden ones this time.  Slice a cucumber.  Lightly salt and pepper the tomatoes and cucumbers.  Add Kalamata olives and feta cheese with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and white balsamic vinegar.  Mix and enjoy!  

 

Buon Appetito! 

Who Do You Trust: The FDA or Plants?

According to the FDA cereals like Fruit Loops and Frosted Flakes are healthy. Nothing could be farther from the truth.  These cereals are a box kit on how to begin sending little Johnny and little Suzy down the road of diabetes. Even Kelloggs who produces these cereals does not promote these cereals as healthy. BUT, they are considered healthy by FDA standards because of their low fat content in spite of the high levels of sugar and low fiber levels.  

Under the guidelines of the FDA an avocado, almond, and a walnut are not healthy.  The avocado, almond, and walnut are super-foods full of heart healthy fats.  The FDA said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal, "In light of evolving nutrition research and other forthcoming food-labeling rules,  we believe now is an opportune time to re-evaluate regulations concerning nutrient content claims, generally, including the term - healthy." 

Duh!!!

I am not an evolutionary botanist, but I would suspect that in the lifetime of the FDA the avocado, almond and walnut have remained fairly constant in its appearance and nutrient content.  It seems the constant is plants work for better health, and the FDA continually creates policies and regulations that have not been in the best interest of the health of the populace.  

It is not hard.  Fruit Loops is not food.  An avocado, almond and walnut are foods.  People are designed to eat food.  Therefore eat avocados, almonds and walnuts.

Start Your Day off RIGHT!

 

Egg omelet with fresh tomatoes and spinach.  Drizzle a little olive oil in a pan.  Cook on low heat. First add chopped fresh tomatoes.  Second add organic cage free eggs.  Third and a big handful of spinach.  Scramble the eggs and veggies together.  Season with sea salt, black pepper and kick it up a notch with red chili flakes.  

Serve with a side of fresh avocado.  

The beverage is a smoothie of frozen cherries, frozen blueberries, frozen pineapple.  Mix in a blender with enough water to mix.  Sweeten with honey as to your taste.  

Enjoy!  

Healthy FATTY Breakfast!

Hard Boiled Eggs - go cage-free for healthy fatty yolks.  Bring water to a boil.  Place eggs in water for 6 minutes for soft boiled, 7 minutes for between soft and hard boiled and 8 minutes for hard boiled. Place eggs in bowl of ice water to cool.  

In a bowl mix the hard boiled eggs, avocado, and arugula with a drizzle of healthy fat olive oil. Season with sea salt, black pepper, and I like red chili flakes.  

Serve with a side of grapes and green tea! 

 

Have a healthy day!