Multivitamin Reminder

Good morning San Antonio. Today is a reminder about taking your daily multivitamin. As perfect as I know that we all eat (that was sarcasm ...obviously) we are still not getting all of our essential vitamins from our diets. And sometimes that little amount of some of the vitamins that we are lacking can stunt our progress in terms of getting healthier. We could be doing almost everything right, but that small absence of a vitamin can sometimes be a limiting factor. So take your multivitamin damnit!!! If we help 1 person then awesome and if we don't help anybody at least it won't be for lack of effort damnit!!! Tomorrow is now....San Antonio Chris

Tip 30/30 Execution

Good afternoon San Antonio. Tip 30/30 Execution. We have gone over 29 different tips so far, but those tips mean nothing if you don't execute them. You can have the best plan ever but if you don't follow it then don't expect for you to be successful. Execute on at least half of what we have posted and you will have success. Execute on everything and you will have almost completed a full lifestyle change. If any questions please post them and if you feel more comfortable email me at koenigfitness@gmail.com. If we help 1 person then awesome and if we don't help anybody at least it wont be for lack of effort damnit!!! Tomorrow is now. San Antonio Chris

Spanish Mac 'n Cheese

      Hey y'all! I know it's been some time...bout a month actually...since I've posted, but it has been a crazy/rough/busy month for me and my family.  This year's cold season has been a rough one with my kids...thank God the past week or so has been a bit better...so between that, my hubby's crazy schedule (gotta love being a pilot in the military), and training for my most recent half marathon, I apologize for the delay ; ); but seriously, with all excuses to the side, here is our next recipe: an (easy) Spanish Man 'n Cheese!
     Honestly, who doesn't love mac 'n cheese?! I don't think I've ever met another person who doesn't like it and the nice thing about mac 'n cheese is that it is so versatile...there are really so many different ways to put it together! I know, I know...you're thinking, "Mac 'n Cheese...isn't that also a "dangerous" comfort food?" Well....yeah, it can be...but with a few adjustments, it doesn't have to be so bad.  Like I always say, a treat now & then is okay and when you make it rather then going out, you know it will be healthier because you are in control of what and what doesn't go in there.
     Traditionally, cured chorizo is commonly used in many Spanish meals, but it is also not the healthiest of meats...it is very high in saturated fat and also in sodium.  This is where I made one of major adjustments for this recipe...I used "soyrizo", which is a vegetarian substitute for chorizo (this can be found at many health food stores...think Whole Foods, Sunharvest, Trader Joe's, etc.).  This is a much healthier way to get that very similar taste of chorizo. You're probably thinking that just sounds plain wrong, but seriously, don't knock it until you try it ; ). The first time I got my husband (a true carnivore) to try it, he was pleasantly surprised and now will gladly eat "soyrizo" whenever I use it in my cooking in place of chorizo. With all that said, if you would prefer to go the traditional route and use the real stuff then by all means, do!

Ingredients

• 1 lb whole wheat elbow macaroni
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1/2 package of "soyrizo"   or 4 ounces (roughly 1 cup) cured chorizo, casing removed & diced
• 1 poblano pepper, seeded & diced (if you prefer less spice then omit this since the "soyrizo"/chorizo is already spicy as is
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbs light butter (I  use the Land o Lakes light butter)
• 2 tbs all purpose flour
• 2 cups 2% milk (the original recipe called for whole milk...this was another ingredient that I altered)
• 8 ounces Manchego cheese, grated (not all places carry this cheese, so Pecorino Romano can also be substituted)
• optional: 1/2 cup pimento-stuffed sliced green olives

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling. Add macaroni and cook as package directions call for; drain and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat oil on medium-low heat. Add "soyrizo"/chorizo and cook roughly 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and add pepper; saute for 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes.
3. Add butter to saucepan; when melted, sprinkle in flour, whisking constantly for 2 minutes. Pour in milk, whisking until the liquid comes to a boil. Simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Mix until smooth. Stir into cooked macaroni with olives.

     I hope you enjoy this recipe! Let me know how it goes!

Much Love,

 Christina

Tip 29/30 Environmental Factors

Good afternoon San Antonio. Tip 29/30 Environmental Factors. Ideally we would love to be surrounded with nothing but positive factors that would help us form nothing but good habits. Realistically though that is typically not the case. But even though we are surrounded by negative factors that shouldn't stop us. A quote I've always adhered to is " don't let people who say it can't be done get in the way of you actually doing it. " Sometimes these people are family and friends but you must politely disregard them and carry on. You will undoubtedly be better for it and so will they when they see that you just did "what couldn't be done." If we help 1 person then awesome and if we don't help anybody at least it won't be for lack of effort damnit!!! Tomorrow is now. ....San Antonio Chris

Tip 28/30 Don't Let Weather Dictate

Good afternoon San Antonio. Tip 28/30 Don't Let Weather Dictate your life. If you ask any personal trainer or any fitness facility employee and they will undoubtedly tell you that when it rains people don't show up. For the life of me I cannot figure this phenomenon out. And it is a phenomenon because as long as I've been doing this that stupid phenomenon holds true. Why? People the point of the fitness facility is that you get to work out indoors out of the elements. Don't be a statistic. Get your butts in the gym damnit. If we help 1 person then awesome and if we don't at least it won't be for lack of effort damnit!!! Tomorrow is now....San Antonio Chris

Tip 27/30 Stretching

Good morning San Antonio. Tip 27/30 is Stretching. Basic stretching will help especially if you can do it daily. Your will see your range of motion increase in all of your daily activities once you start stretching. If the simplest of tasks are difficult already then that should be your cue to start stretching regardless of your age. Stretching will increase flexibility and will improve your blood circulation as well. If we help 1 person then awesome and if we don't help anybody at least it won't be for lack of effort damnit!! Tomorrow is now....San Antonio Chris

Tip 26/30 Remember to Celebrate (In Moderation)

Good morning San Antonio. Tip 26/30 Remember to Celebrate but in Moderation. By now if we have been following all of the tips posted on here we have made significant progress and need to take time to celebrate. Go out and enjoy the outdoors. Soak up some sun. We have created enough good habits now to the point where we are able to celebrate in a way that is healthy but also be able to let go as well when we want to. Have fun you have definitely earned it. For most of our city this week is spring break so enjoy it and be safe. If we help 1 person then awesome and if we don't help anybody at least it won't be for lack of effort damnit!! Tomorrow is now. ..... San Antonio Chris

Tip 25/30 Know Yourself

Good morning San Antonio. Tip 25/30 Know Yourself. Most times people are successful because they place themselves in situations that increase their chances of success. That's the smart and logical thing to do. It also works on the flip side. Meaning don't knowingly place yourself in situations where your chances of success are slim to none. If you know your will is weak when it comes to sweets well then don't place yourself in situations where sweets are prevalent. Know yourself!! If we help 1 person then awesome and if we don't help anybody at least it won't be for lack of effort damnit!!! Tomorrow is now. ....San Antonio Chris

Tip 24/30 "Texts and Balances"

Good afternoon San Antonio. Tip 24/30 "Text and Balances". Meaning a little text on a daily or bi-weekly basis can help tremendously. Find somebody that is also trying to change their life for the better and develop a texting system where you guys keep each other in check with something similar to:"being good today.......stay on top of it.....get that workout in". Such a little phrase that can help you get over that sometimes daily thought in your head to skip the workout or to make bad choices that throw you off. If we help 1 person then awesome and if we don't help anybody at least it won't be for lack of effort damnit!!! Tomorrow is now.....San Antonio Chris