Feel good Friday and Freeletics

WOW!!! What a week! Can I just say how intense our first week of Freeletics has been? I started last week with the x4 Aphrodite workouts for our last weeks challenge in September and now it's cranking and I had to do as many burpees and sit ups in 300 seconds. It was an intense 15 minute workout. Loved every minute of it even though I absolutely loathe burpees.

Fitness

Nike rainbow runners with my Blackmilk Clothing sharky VIP leggins

Lucky I got my Nikes with rainbow shoelaces on for an unreal $4.99 from Target just to add a bit of colour to my black ensemble. Also to keep me motivated

Today I did the Freeletics burpees and sit up MAX workouts, here are my times;

Freeletics MAX workouts

I am pumped that I haven't missed my workouts this week and my food has been 80% okay. The other 20% have been some squares of chocolate, a craving for toast with nutella and heaps of macadamia nuts!!! I am seriously in love with those nuts. As much as they are good for you, too much of them isn't a good thing either. 

Food

Breakfast has consisted of smoothies and fruit salads

Morning and afternoon snacks have been dips with crackers, fruit with yogurt or a protein drink.

Lunch have been salads or sandwiches and a big craving this week were my famous French Toast club sandwiches. They are the best!!!

Healthy French Toast Club Sandwiches

Method:

Mix eggs with a dash of your favourite milk or splash of water. Season with pepper and salt. Dip your bread (we use either wholemeal or wholegrain bread) and gently fry in olive oil until golden brown. Either eat as is or stack them up club sandwich style and fill with your favourite foods. We had lettuce, ham and cheese.

Dinners have been salad or steamed vegetables with chicken or beef, however on Monday we did the meatless Monday and enjoyed an array of fresh vegetables and salads. Yum!!!

What's on for your weekend? We have Run Ballarat so looking forward to another amazing event. If you missed me last year, you can read all about it here.

Much love and friendship,

XxDani  

July is a month of no sugar and squats!

Here we go again!!! 6 months already gone and it's time to get refocused and re-write our goals. I know my irregular exercising and eating an entire block of cadbury marvellous creations chocolate hasn't been my goal this year. So I need to get back to exercising regularly and eliminate those sugars, so what better way than to kick off July as our NO SUGAR challenge. To top it off, we are going to get our butts into shape at the same time. So lets add some squats to the mix!!!!

Make sure to grab your copy of I QUIT SUGAR for amazing recipes. 

K.I.S.S (keep it simple sweetie) 50 squats every second day

Squat challenge 50 every second day for 31 days

Let's not over complicate things and not over work our butts too much as I want you to continue your own exercise regime. So 50 squats today, rest tomorrow, 50 squats the following day and rest etc...

Many of you have seen my transformations and the one after I did after our 14 days with No Added Sugar challenge in February.

Let's just say that's not how my body is looking right now. Winter has got me in a rut real bad and I haven't been watching what I have been eating. I haven't been doing my Fit Yummy Mummy workouts regularly and it's showing, super soft, no more definition and don't get me started on this chocolate habit. 

Here is also my results from my Christmas squats, 25 squats every day from the 1st to the 25th December. It's not a huge difference but it's all about consistency and that's what I need right about now.

I asked many of you about what you would like to see this month and I got so many butt and tummy, no sugar, arms workout and just general ways to eat healthy and to be sugar free. So this month will capture all that. You firstly need to be following your own fitness regime whatever that may be. Moving 3-4 times per week for at least 15 minutes should be your goal. 

I know some of you follow the same Fit Yummy Mummy workout I do, so for those that wish to do the same I would encourage you to spend the $19 on the ebook (if it's affordable at this time) which is jam packed with the 12 week fitness program, meal planners, nutritional info and much much more! It even gives you 30 days free at Clubfym through my blog link.

Otherwise simply follow the guidelines from our NO ADDED SUGAR challenge in February and most importantly get a partner and help one another along the way. I will be here posting my day and if you wish for my support, please leave your daily comments here or my Facebook FF&S challenges group.

Are you ready???

XxDani 

Weight loss story - Transformation Tuesday with Samantha Lengren

Let me introduce you to Samantha Lengren. She is young, beautiful, vibrant and totally passionate about her new and healthy lifestyle. Mind you she says she was not excessively over weight, however she simply didn't feel healthy.

1. How old are you and please can you share your health and fitness journey to date? I am 25 years old. I began a lifestyle change in April 2012. I wasn’t hugely overweight to begin with, but I just felt so unhealthy. I had tummy troubles and was diagnosed with reflux. I tried to out-exercise my bad diet with cardio, but I’ve since learnt that it doesn’t work that way. I now nourish my body with fresh, whole foods and live actively with lots of different workouts.

2. What types of foods did you used to eat as a kid and young adult? What's changed since then? I grew up with my Mum and Dad giving great examples and feeding us lovely, fresh food. When I left home at 18, that’s when my diet changed. I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Chocolate, cookie dough – you name it!

I now eat clean 99% of the time and enjoy fresh food.

3. Do you play any sports or what sports do you like watching? I love netball! I played for years but have now swapped netball for weights. On the TV I like to watch netball and The State of Origin.

4. What are your interests, passion and what makes you smile? I love my fiancé (I am very excited about getting married in September!), my little dog, Alfie, interior design and decorating, inspiring others on my Instagram and shopping. Living a healthy and active life is a big passion of mine.  I love my early morning walks and weights with my trainer (@nickmillerpt) Seeing the kindness in others makes me smile. Old people holding hands also makes me smile.

5. What was the catalyst that sparked your lifestyle change? Being diagnosed with reflux and being on lots of pills made me want to change. I felt sluggish, sick and uncomfortable all the time.

6. What are some of your dreams/goals you hope to achieve over the next 12 months? I would love to have a job in the fitness industry and continue on my journey of inspiring others.

7. What tips would you like to share with my readers about your transformation? Progress is perfection! I don’t really have a goal body or goal weight or number. I am enjoying every part of this process.

If you would like to follow Sam, she has an amazing page on www.instagram.com/the_healthy_me

1stAvailable.com

Weight loss Transformation Tuesday interview with Timothy Roberts

One of my most favourite Instagram fitness pages and what an inspiration he is. From starting up his own business to competing in fitness competitions and running marathons. Gone are the days of heavy partying and drinking alcohol. 

I have been following Timothy since I have been on Instagram 6 months ago and he is one committed young man. Thank you again Tim for sharing your life with us xx Dani

Tim Roberts transformation

1. How old are you and please can you share your health and fitness journey to date? 

I am 27,  And 2008, I was 70lbs overweight, had just been let go from my car sales job at Ford and had no clue what to do next. I began working out and to make a long story short; overcame much struggle and was able to get into pretty great shape. I started my own fitness company, called BodiesByTim, so that I could educate the masses on how to get fit and avoid struggling as I had. I feel blessed to be as far a long in my career as I am. I continue to push myself participating in everything from Men's Physique competitions to Marathons!  

2. What types of foods did you used to eat as a kid and young adult? What's changed since then? 

Nothing has really changed. I have always been attracted to flavors that were natural and from the earth. As an adult, most of my food choices are still clean organic foods that I can prepare at home. Although, you will still catch me sneaking a pop tart here and there! 

3. Do you play any sports or what sports do you like watching?

I love playing all sports recreationally. And run marathons yearly to get out and push my body. 

4. What are your interests, passion and what makes you smile?

Wow! What a great question ;) my passion is promoting health and wellness to the world. What makes me smile? When someone realizes they are able to do what they once thought was impossible! 

5. What was the catalyst that sparked your lifestyle change?

I was 22 at the time and was on vacation at the River. While partying, swimming and wreaking havoc, I really had gotten myself into awful condition. Alcohol is really bad for your body in excess. With that simple fact and knowing I was young. I had to get back into shape. 

  

6. What are some of your dreams/goals you hope to achieve over the next 12 months?

I want to hopefully get my e-book launched. It has great educational tool I want to share so others succeed with fitness as I did

7. What tips would you like to share with my readers about your transformation?

As unreal as my transformation seems, this is what I look like after never giving up for more than 1500 days! When is your day 1?

Do you want to follow Tim and connect with him? See below....

www.bodiesbytim.wordpress.com

Facebook.com/BodiesByTim

Twitter: @BodiesByTim

Instagram: @BodiesByTim

YouTube.com/BodiesByTim

Tumblr: BodiesByTim

BodySpace: BodiesByTim

Linkd In: BodiesByTim

Weight loss story on Transformation Tuesday with Stef

This is so awesome. I love getting these types of transformations that when I open my email, my mind is blown away!!!!

Stef is no exception.

Check out here amazing story.....

How old are you and please can you share your health and fitness journey to date? 

I am 19 years old and my journey towards a healthier me began in October 2012. I started at 78.9kgs and am currently around 62kgs.

What types of foods did you used to eat as a kid and young adult? What's changed since then? 

To be honest, as a child I was very active and ate very healthily. My eating habits turned haywire after my second and third knee operations at the age of around 14. I didn’t eat many fast foods; however, chocolate and carbs where my weakness. These days I try to steer clear from sugars and don’t have too many carbs as the day goes on. I eat every green vegetable under the sun and have a lot of protein!

Do you play any sports or what sports do you like watching?

I used to swim and play tennis and netball competitively. Unfortunately, my knees stopped me continuing with tennis and netball and I grew out of swimming. My new obsession is Muay Thai. Killer work out!

What are your interests, passion and what makes you smile?

I love keeping fit and trying out new things whenever I can. I have recently given cross fit a go and would love to get into it in the future! I also love to travel. The kids I worked with in Cambodia never fail to make me smile. 

What was the catalyst that sparked your lifestyle change?

I went on a life-changing trip to Cambodia for 4 months where I volunteered in an orphanage with 52 beautiful children. Without sounding cliché, my time over there gave me and absolutely unreal perspective on life and I realized it was time I stop taking my life for granted. 

What are some of your dreams/goals you hope to achieve over the next 12 months?

In terms of my health and fitness journey, I hope to keep inspiring people as I continuously change both my appearance and my lifestyle. I still have a healthy 8kgs to lose for my height and my ultimate dream is to have killer abs!

What tips would you like to share with my readers about your transformation?

I guess it would be to realize that everyone has their bad days. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself and set unrealistic goals because that could just cause you to crumble! Take each day as it comes and if you eat something bad or are too tired to train, listen to your body and start again tomorrow. 

What motivates you on a daily basis?

Everyone has their own source of motivation, I personally, follow my Instagram religiously for it. My three go to pages are obviously @fitnessfoodandstyle as well as @billijane and @ch_fitnessandhealth. Billi is a genuinely gorgeous girl and posts the best motivation, and Chontel is the one who helped get me to where I am today! Not only my trainer with a ridiculously fit body, but family to me. 

Thanks so much Stef for sharing your weight loss journey with us. For those that wish to follow Stef please do so on Instagram @stephtsimos

Please click on 1stAvailable.com.au to register your preferred health care professionals to make your life easy when booking your next Dentist, Physio or Massage appointment. We order everything else online pizza, hotels and travel accommodation etc...

Let's be part of this great health initiative and movement. Click on 1stAvailable.com.au IT'S FREE and guess what? Just by going to their site and filling out your details you go in the draw to win 12 months free Private Health Insurance*. You gotta be happy with that!!!

*Competition for Australian residents only

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Happy Tuesday everyone!

Dani xx  

Weight loss story Transformation Tuesday with Samer Delgado

I love it when my male readers share their new lifestyle changes. Here is Samer who recognised his poor lifestyle choices and has done something to change it for the better. 


Have a read of his story.....

Weight loss and healthy lifestyle story with Samer Delgado

How old are you and please can you share your health and fitness journey to date?

I am 28 years old. I started my fitness journey february 2011 when I realized I was throwing my life away by smoking a whole pack of cigarets a day while seating at home watching the days go by and eating fast food. I had to do something so I quit cigarets cold turkey and joined the gym. Now this is my lifestyle and my job.

What types of foods did you used to eat as a kid and young adult? What's changed since then? 

I use to eat anything hat wasn't healthy. I hated vegetables and anything else that was good for the body. I loved fry foods, Chinese food, pizza, bacon, fast food.

Do you play any sports or what sports do you like watching?

I play volleyball, baseball, basketball and I am a bar athlete. When I was a kid I did swimming, water polo, diving, and rollerblading.

What are your interests, passion and what makes you smile?

My biggest interest and passion in live is fitness. When I found fitness I feel like I found me. I'm also a father to two beautiful girls 9 and 7 and I am devoted to my children. I try to make fitness fun for them so that they can too be future healthy and fit adults.

What was the catalyst that sparked your lifestyle change?

The biggest thing that made me take on this lifestyle was probably the fact that I was becoming a horrible example for my kids. I also felt like I had no purpose in life anymore. I lived a boring and dry life. That all changed when I took on fitness.

What are some of your dreams/goals you hope to achieve over the next 12 months?

Over the next year I hope to trai with some of my biggest inspirations like the guys from barstarzz and my other mentors from California. I also want to take my Personal Training career to the next level by opening my own training studio.

What tips would you like to share with my readers about your transformation?

The biggest thing to remember when it comes to transforming your life and body is that it isn't by any means easy or fast. U shouldn't rush the process. Live it and enjoy it. 

Thank you so much Samer and I am looking forward to following your page updates. If you would like to follow Samer, please do so;

Instagram: @fitnessblazt

Facebook:  Facebook.com/DelgadoSamer

Twitter: @fitnessblazt 

YouTube: Samer Delgado


XxDani

Have you registered and entered 1st Availables' latest giveaway? One of my lucky readers will get the chance to win 12 months FREE health insurance. Please read more here and enter for your chance to win!!! XxDani

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5 Cheap & Effective Ways to Boost Your Immune System

By Harvey Green

How to boost immune system response, is on many minds these
days. It can make the difference between illness and
wellness. You body is constantly fighting off invasions from
many sources. This protection mechanism keeps your entire
body working properly. When it is not properly functioning,
you may be subject to many illnesses. There are a lot of
methods to help the body's defenses. Here are just a few.

Proper intake

Everything that you take into your body will affect your
defenses. Good things in, will equate to good things out.
Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits. Substitute good fats
and oils for bad. Do not eat too many meat items. Limit your
salt intake. Try to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.

Nothing is more important than your water intake. Your
natural defenses cannot perform well without this liquid. It
also makes it possible to digest and metabolize your food.
Drink water often. Drink it throughout your day. You may
think that tea, soda, and coffee count toward your daily
water intake. They do not. In fact, they can take away from
it. They have a diuretic action on the body. This removes
water and minerals from you. Many of these are vital
electrolytes, like potassium and magnesium.

Healthy tea

Green tea has received a lot of attention in the press.
White tea is also becoming popular. Both contain many
important antioxidants that keep your defense in top gear.
Tea acts similar to an antibiotic. It helps to prevent
bacteria form attacking tissue. It may decrease your risk of
some kinds of cancers. It may also be of benefit to those
with rheumatoid arthritis. Although white tea is supposed to
be more effective, green tea has many benefits, too.

Echinacea therapy

Echinacea is frequently used for infections and flu. The
action of echinacea is on a cellular level. It stimulates
cells that are responsible for fighting infection. It also
helps to produce chemicals that stimulate the healing
process. You can take echinacea in liquid or capsules. It is
usually take for two to three weeks at a time. It is best to
take it with food, also. This may help to eliminate an
aftertaste.

Garlic

Garlic oil and garlic have a positive effect on your
fighting cells. When they attack, they secret enzymes that
can cause inflammation. Asthma and rheumatoid arthritis are
examples. Garlic secretes chemicals that act against this
inflammation. Allergy problems may be helped this way. The
inflammation of other conditions may also be reduced.

Olive leaf

Olive leaf extract is used to help your body's defenses. It
aids cells with its chemical secretions. It also provides
many important antioxidant enzymes. It is supposed to act
similar to an antibiotic. It may also possess antiviral and
anti-fungal properties, too.



If you find yourself getting under the weather a lot, then
you may need to start
(http://www.glutathioneoptimizedhealthsolutions.com/boostingyourimmunesystem.html)
boosting your immune system. Try some
(http://www.glutathioneoptimizedhealthsolutions.com/boostimmunesystem.html)
immune system supplements. Chances are, you will notice the
difference in a few of weeks.

Bruce Lee or Michael Jackson - Who Has Had More Impact On The World?

By Al Case

Hate to be the one that points it out, but both Bruce Lee
and Michael Jackson happen to be dead. Period. End.

Which leaves us with the burning question, which one of
these superstars had more impact on the world. It doesn't
matter that they were in different areas, we can still put
'em up against each other. So, let's examine the issue.

Bruce Lee wins over MJ when it comes to acting. Heck,
Michael hardly made anything, so he gets a big time zero. On
the other hand, Bruce made a handful of movies that inspire
people to this day.

You could argue for MJ when it comes to singing, but Bruce
Lee is gonna come out on top again. The dilemma is that
Bruce Lee's vocals are more memorable than MJ's. I mean, are
you going to call that mugger a PYT, or give him a chilling
woop woop that will remind him that there are people in this
world who can kick some serious ass!

Believe it or not, Bruce Lee had better moves than Michael.
Michael couldn't kick somebody's adam's apple, or do the
splits or anything worthwhile, all he could do was walk
funny backwards. Bruce, on the other hand, could have
moonwalked like a genius.

Bruce wins on downright sheer impact. Michael encouraged a
generation of young, impressionable minds to walk backwards
funny, uh, walk funny backwards, uh, you know. Bruce, on the
other hand, encouraged several generations, and is still
going strong, as to the value of healthy living, being able
to protect yourself, living an artistic lifestyle, and on
and on and on.

I think it is obvious that Bruce wins, once again, and
bigger than ever, when it come to who had more
presence. Michael filled a boom box, and an occasional stage,
but he never said a line like..."you have offended my family,
you have offended Shaolin". Really, except for words from a
few songs that are hard to understand, can anybody remember
much of anything that Michael said?

So Bruce Lee would have kicked Michael Jackson's ass,
big time, dead or alive. Oh, you don't like it, you think I
rigged the results worse than an OJ trial? Well, you better
walk backwards funny away from me and mumble so I can't hear
what you say, because, my friend, I study Bruce Lee.

Al Case has practiced the martial arts for forty years.
He'll (http://blindingsteel.com) Moonwalk your Face at
(http://www.monstermartialarts.com) Monster Martial Arts.

9 WAYS TO GET YOUR 5 A DAY

Rich in nutrients and vast in variety, fruit and vegetables
are a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Try these tips to
meet or exceed your recommended daily ration of nature's
health boosting bounty.

1. Blend a banana with frozen berries, plain low-fat yogurt
and milk for a delicious fruit smoothie.

2. Couscous is a nourishing staple of African cuisine,
painstakingly prepared from semolina or barley. But don't
just eat it on its own: mix it with crispy roast vegetables,
browned in their own juices, and add a topping of green
salad and lemon juice to make a meal on its own.

3. Test your fruit and veggie literacy by working your way
through the alphabet of options on your 5 a day plan. A is
for Artichoke, B is for Butternut, C is for Courgette... and
if you get stuck at X, try Xigua, the Chinese name for a
variety of small watermelon.

4. Slice a banana along its length and coat the inside with
peanut butter. Stick it back together, and serve it to your
kids as a Peanut Butter Banana Boat.

5. Take a dip-bowl of low fat cottage cheese and, taking a
circular tray, surround it with alternating slices of fresh
fruit and vegetables. Tuck in at your convenience.

6. Peel and cut a pineapple into hefty vertical slices.
Slide it onto some skewers, and sprinkle lightly with curry
powder for an authentic street-stall treat.

7. The Kiwi fruit adds an exotic burst of flavor to a salad
or desert. Its tangy on the tongue with just a hint of
sweetness. But to really enjoy it to its fullest, eat it like
the Kiwis do: bite by juicy bite, with the skin on. Don't
forget to give it a good wash first, and remember, all that
extra fiber is good for you!

8. Take a big red apple and slice it into little strips,and
cunningly serve as "apple chips" to the young ones.

9. Raid your vegetable drawer to make a hearty soup or stew,
and you are guaranteed to get your recommended quota of 5
healthy portions a day!

The Fruit And Vegetable Guide To Healthy Living

Foods such as fruits and vegetables contain not only the
vitamins and minerals that are often found in supplements,
but also other naturally occurring substances that may help
protect you from chronic diseases.

Variety also is important because fruits and vegetables
provide other nutrients, such as folate, potassium, calcium,
and iron, which every single public health agency recommends
3 to 5 servings every day.

Using herbs or seasoning instead of butter or fat could make
vegetables more distinctive. Vegetables may be raw or
cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may
be whole, cut-up, or mashed. But certainly the acid test or
taste of the good cook will be in the preparation of
vegetables.

The idea of using raw vegetables is the most desirable for
any menu, and especially for the low-fat menus and raw food
diets, since many of the vital vitamins and minerals in
vegetables may be destroyed by cooking.

The raw food diet is said to provide you with quick weight
loss results. Use raw vegetables almost exclusively, since
the vitamin value is at peak this way, and the crispness of
the vegetables is most appetizing. Various combinations can
be used with vegetables, cottage cheese, or gelatin recipes.


Along with vegetables, fruits also contain virtually no fat
and are entirely free of any cholesterol. When fresh fruits
are not in season, use dried, canned, or frozen fruits.
There is no much restriction on the use of fruits, which are
also certainly ideal for desserts, except avocado and
coconut, which are both very high in fat content and thus
should be used less.

Fruits and vegetables salads are very popular and often
served before a main course. However, a well-constructed
vegetable or fruits salad can be served as a meal all alone
in a low fat or raw food diet.

Aspic salads are excellent when prepared with vegetables or
vegetable juices. And gelatin salads are special favorites
to many, especially when made with fruit juices instead of
water. If cottage cheese is added to gelatin and aspic
salads, more protein and "body" results.

Eating fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of cancer,
particularly cancers of the gastrointestinal tract,
according to a high-level international review of research
findings. And also helps reduce the risk of heart disease,
high blood pressure, diabetes and cataracts.

Get Better Health Through Health Wellness Coaching

By Randal Pike

When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, it's far from
easy. Yet it is achievable with health wellness coaching.
With health wellness coaching, a proactive approach is taken
through lifestyle changes or enhancements to ensure good
health and wellness. Through the expert guidance provided by
health wellness coaching, you can achieve, regain and
maintain optimal health and wellness.

Frustrated from not seeing results from your current health
and wellness efforts? Health wellness coaching evaluates
what you are currently doing and identifies problem areas.
Have low energy, or low self-esteem because of how you look?
Health wellness coaching can put you on track to feeling and
looking good. Have trouble getting started with something
new? Health wellness coaching includes trained professionals
to provide the motivation that you need.

Health wellness coaching features live personalized sessions
that can be conveniently accessed in person, over the
telephone, or online. Companies also utilize health wellness
coaching right on the work site. It provides an affordable
method for addressing high-risk behaviors of employees that
can become costly to a company. Many times, people have good
intentions for starting better health and wellness practices,
but simply don't have the time. Health wellness coaching is
designed to meet anyone's lifestyle, with sessions that are
under an hour for those with time concerns. It can also be
customized to accommodate your busy lifestyle.

There are many benefits realized from health wellness
coaching. One major benefit is easy access to an experienced
professional who can help you establish a health and
wellness plan and serve as a mentor as need be. Those who
utilize the coaching can reduce preventable medical problems,
which in turn lower health care costs. It is also beneficial
for dealing with life's many challenges and stresses, thereby
improving your overall health.

Through health wellness coaching, you identify your goals,
write down questions that you have about any health or
wellness issue, and set an action plan with your coach to
address your concerns and meet your goals. It can include
various components, among them establishing proper diet and
nutrition, maintaining a consistent fitness program, reducing
or eliminating health risk factors and helping to address
family concerns.

Health wellness coaching is beneficial for reinforcing the
healthy living and wellness goals you have set. Speaking
with someone reassures that you are on the right path to
healthier living. Through it, you gain the support of an
expert who can help you determine the best nutrition for you,
start you on an exercise program customized for your goals,
identify measures of self-care and address physical and
emotional measures that can hinder you from achieving your
health and wellness goals.

There is so much information out there about health and
wellness, some of it conflicting. But determining what
applies to you and what is right for your body can be
overwhelming. Wellness coaching helps to make sense
of all the information out there and apply it to your
particular situation, your needs are defined and met.

Health wellness coaching is a great way to help you start
and continue your journey to better health. Those who take
part in one-on-one coaching sessions are out fewer days from
work, are more productive and lead happier, healthier lives.
Health wellness coaching is a viable solution for making
lifestyle changes to ensure you remain feeling healthy and
staying well.

Chicken Stew - From Then Till Now

If you are thinking about a warming, hearty dinner, chicken
stew is one of those recipes that always spring to mind. You
can make lots of different versions of chicken stew and this
dish has a very interesting history spanning thousands of
years.

A stew is two or more different foods simmered together in a
liquid. Hungarian goulash, beef stroganoff, coq au vin, and
beef bourguignon are all stews.

The "Apicius de re Coquinaria" is the oldest cookbook ever
discovered. It contains fish and lamb stew recipes, although
chicken had been domesticated by then too. There were three
Romans with that name living between 1 BC and 2 AD and the
book is believed to have been compiled by one of them.

You can actually go back even further because primitive
tribes used to boil foods together, which is what a stew
essentially is. Amazonian tribes used turtle shells as pans
and would boil the turtle entrails with some other
ingredients. Other cultures used large shells, such as
clam shells, instead of pans. Archeological evidence points
to this type of cookery going back seven or eight thousand
years. The invention of pottery, about ten thousand years
ago, made cooking stews easier.

Domestic fowl has been around for thousands of years and
chicken stew has been popular for a long time, with
different cultures having their own versions of this dish.
Examples include the spicy chicken stew found in Morocco or
the peanut butter chicken stew favored in parts of Africa.

Different Types of Chicken Stew

One very tasty chicken stew is called chicken booyah. This
is a cross between a soup and a stew and is popular in
northeast Wisconsin. In 1853, the first Belgian immigrants
arrived in Wisconsin and they spoke a language called
Walloon. It is believed that the word booyah comes from the
word bouillon and the non-French speaking Belgian just wrote
down how the word bouillon sounded to him phonetically.

Southern Chicken Stew

Perhaps you have tried southern chicken stew. It is a very
popular recipe in North Carolina. Southern chicken stew is
made with a whole chicken parboiled in a milk or cream based
sauce. Butter, salt, pepper, and other ingredients are used
in this recipe. The color of southern chicken stew varies
from white to yellow, depending how much margarine or butter
is used. It can be thin or thick in consistency and saltine
crackers are often served with southern chicken stew.

This dish is often served in the coldest months and "chicken
stew" can refer to a get together or gathering where this
food is served, rather than the food itself.
(http://www.chickennoodlesoups.com/Soup-Recipes/index.php#chicken-stew)
Chicken stew recipes are often thought of as comfort food
because they are comforting to eat and simple to prepare.
Chicken stew is commonly served at social get togethers,
such as church fellowships, community fundraisers, and
family reunions.

The chicken stew at these events will often be made in a big
cast iron or stainless steel cooking pot, maybe outdoors
over an open fire. You might get coleslaw, a grilled cheese
sandwich or rice served with the chicken stew.