One Dish Mediterranean Chicken

Once again, I like dinners where you just throw it together in one pan or dish. Minimal labor and minimal cleanup, but full of flavor and nutrition!

Mediterranean Diet 101:

If you are a patient or a friend of mine, you know I do not promote any diet – But I do promote healthy lifestyles and evidence-based nutrition practices. I start with the science-based facts, and I help you find what works for you – Our bodies and lifestyles are unique. A Mediterranean diet is the only “diet” that I can stand behind confidently. Why? Because it is more of a way of life than a structured, one-size-fits-all diet regimen. It promotes a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes – These plant foods that provide immune boosting, cell renewing, and disease fighting properties. It includes adequate protein from more lean, good quality protein sources. The diet encourages seafood, nuts, seeds, and olive oil because these are rich in omega-3 fats, which fight inflammation in the body and help protect your heart against cardiovascular disease.

The Mediterranean “diet” doesn’t cut out any food groups, but instead shows you what to eat most of, and what to enjoy less of. More so than just the food, it emphasizes drinking water, moving your body, and reducing stress. It looks at the whole picture of what you are doing and eating to protect against disease and promote healthy aging – Verses a fad diet that focuses on one small part of wellness and is promoted for solely weight loss. It’s a balance, a lifestyle, and individualized. The most important thing, it is evidence-based as it is the most studied diet and has been proven to have no negative side effects time and time again. No, I do not follow any diet fully, I have created a lifestyle that works for me, but the Mediterranean Diet largely influences my food choices and lifestyle habits!

If you want to read more about how to include more Mediterranean Diet practices into your eating routine, follow this link: https://oldwayspt.org/traditional-diets/mediterranean-diet.

Soul Work in the Kitchen

I look up to many people for motivation and wisdom, people I know and people I don’t, and from all different walks of life. Women. Men. Soft and gentle wisdom. Hard and forceful truths. I want it all. One of my favorite people to listen to and learn from is Jocko Willink. I know, a retired navy seal and myself don’t have very much in common at all, but he’s gritty, strong, and motivational and for some reason I connect with his words. Rightfully so, my gritty and strong husband introduced me to Jocko. Sometimes we need gentle, easing into things, and pausing. Sometimes we need pushed, jumping into it full force, and realizing you have to put in the effort and hard work to get where you want to go. Usually, there is no easy way, you have to go through it, push through it, work through it… Or else the hard will pile up in your face. I really don’t think anything worthwhile, soul shaking, or life changing is easy.

However, the part about not resting… Yeah, this Momma NEEDS her rest. Other than that, I can push and go and do. 😉

So, you want to get better? You want to improve? Stop looking for a short cut, and go find your alarm clock. Find your discipline, and find your guts and your passion and your drive… And find your will. And then, and then, you will find your freedom.

Jocko Willink