Though challenges we appreciate what is great in our life!

I drove to pick up my daughter at her friends house yesterday. It was pouring rain. I could hardly see where I was going. There was flooding in the roads and was concerned I might get stuck. Still cars where flying around seeming not to care about anyone else. For a moment I ask myself "what I was doing out in all this craziness?!" Then I went for a run this morning. The sun was powerfully bright with a coolness in the air and a very slight breeze that just seem to energize my body and mind! My running pace felt natural, my mind was clear and positive thoughts flowing with every step.
I believe this is life, it just is. We go though these challenges in our life that we ask "What am I doing here?" It's like being in a storm that you can't see the end of and wondering how to get out. This could be something such as how our body feels from stress and lack of rest, the daily routine that we find low self-satisfaction or self-worth to the loss of a job or loved one. But then we walk out one day the warm sun hits us in the face. This could be gaining the understanding that "My thoughts create the reality of my world", discovering your passion and being able to follow it or just bring a smile to someone you care about who really needs it.
My sun comes out everyday I look at the incredible family I have or share a run with an old or new friend. I get up every morning with an opportunity to impact someone's life...how cool is that!
The storms we have been through, both small and major, has affected us in many ways and impacts who we are. But when that sun comes out, and it always does, it offers us the positive direction and energy we need. Giving us the chance to appreciate all the good in our life. Each day we have an opportunity to choose the path to discover what is most important and help us all to live the highest quality life possible! So take time to enjoy the sun in your life...

Oven Fried Chicken Salad

1 pound boneless chicken breast
1 large egg
2 tablespoon skim milk
.75 cup plain bread crumbs
1 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
Fresh Express Premium Romaine, 6 cups
1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
.5 cup green peas, frozen
.5 cup corn sweet, frozen
1 cup fresh bean sprouts
6 tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch

Instructions: Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Cut chicken breasts into 3 strips each. Combine raw egg and milk. Season breadcrumbs with onion powder, garlic powder, basil and parmesan cheese. Place chicken strips, one at a time, in egg batter. Toss each strip in breadcrumbs to coat evenly. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. On four large plates, place 1.5 cup romaine then chicken breast strips. Top salads with even amounts of diced tomato, peas, corn and bean sprouts. Pour 1.5 tablespoons of dressing over each salad.

Servings:
4 servings

Preparation Time:
45 minutes

Nutritional Information per serving: calories: 415, total fat:16.3g, saturated fat:2.8g, % calories from fat: 35.6%, % calories from saturated fat 6.2%, protein 35.5gr carbohydrates 31.2g, cholesterol: 123.2mg, dietary fiber: 4.5g, sodium 470mg

Color Group:
Green, white, red, yellow

Recipe was developed for the Produce for Better Health Foundation by Chef Mark Goodwin, CEC, CNC.

Recipe is courtesy of the Produce for Better Health Foundation. All 5 A Day recipes meet nutritional standards that maintain fruits and vegetables as healthy foods.

I don't understand accepting feeling bad?

I went for a 6-8 mile run September 4th getting ready for my 20 mile run the next day. The Monday before I had set a personal training record on a 5 mile hilly run through my neighborhood. At the 2 mile mark I stopped with nothing left for energy in my body and walked a 1.5 miles home. In the past month I have been fighting a consistent headache, chills, tiredness and weakness. I have had to cancel running the Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon Distance Run and Steamtowm Marathon. I have seen two doctors with blood test and chest x-rays. No answer. Everytime I do feel better, I go for a couple mile jog and I am right back to feeling crappy. I am trying rest, detox, vitamins and supplements, meditation and another visit to the doctor. I have checked my symptoms on webMd myself! I am not accepting feeling like this and no one should. I feel great outside of these symptoms. I am blessed with my family, friends and able to follow my passion professionally in life. Where I am at right now is-I just don't feel like my normal high energy, balanced self and I will get that back asap!

My point is that regardless of any situation you find yourself in that bring pains, discomfort, imbalance, energy drain or you just don't feel right...do something about! Don't accept it! Use others as needed for expertise or support. Educate and motivate yourself. By "mindful" of

your situation by being aware of what is happening in the moment and find your starting point.

So we all have curves thrown at us in life. There is a saying that "there are no problems or challenges in life , only opportunities". So my opportunity right now is "What can I do today that will make the greatest impact on my health and wellness?" Because if this was you telling me how you are feeling...it would be what I would ask you.

Testimonial from Rob

Eating right is easy if you like rubber chicken and cardboard. I don't like rubber chicken and cardboard. Mark can teach you how to cook meals that your family can eat. Diets can't work because they are finite, they have a beginning and an end. If your like me, the beginning is followed by the end all to soon. Mark has shown me how to fix meals for my family that are flavorful and help me meat my fitness goals. His work with us as a wellness coach has also been phenomenal. By looking at our wellness as a related, integrated system, Mark has been able to increase our overall sense of well being.
Sincerely , Rob

Quote of the week!

When you are doing the best for yourself, you will be able to raise everyone else to a higher level as well. Only when you are in a positive, healthy environment will you have the potential to grow. The greatest news is that the choice to be positive is up to you.
Train To Win, Martin Rooney, 2006 2nd edition