Bill's Healthy habits newsletter and personal update

Jul 08, 2024 9:44 pm

Happy Monday ! It has been a minute since you last heard from me... there are seasons of life that get away from you. The beginning of summer was one of those seasons for us. I sent my last newsletter as Wendy and I were preparing to travel to her dad's 85 birthday and our nephew's high school graduation in Guatemala. Wendy ended up getting sick, and we had to extend our stay in Guatemala for 48 hours until she was fit to fly. We made it stateside just in time to be delayed by the weather in Miami. After our personal version of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles we made it home 16 hours before leaving to direct the Florida Youth Camp. 2 days after camp, we needed to move from our apartment to another unit six doors down, a move that was not contemplated when we left on vacation three weeks earlier. Today, as the dust settles, we are preparing to move our daughter back home in a couple of weeks ahead of her college graduation on August 9th. Through all of this, I am personally grateful for the structure that Optavia brings to my life. Sticking to the Active 4&2 plan I could drop 9 pounds and 1% of my body fat. I share hoping that my personal story might encourage you to stick with it, even when life spirals out of control.

My Calendar: Schedule a client check-in or a call for information about my programs

It's official! Our beloved mixes have undergone a remarkable transformation, elevating your Fueling experience. With enhanced taste and texture across the board, these delightful treats you know and love are now paired with an even better preparation method.

Five Delicious Flavors to Savor

OPTAVIA's range of Mug Cakes offers five mouth-watering flavors, each one designed to be both delicious and nutritious:

Cinnamon Roll Cake Mix(#78140): Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of a classic cinnamon roll.
Decadent Chocolate Brownie Mix with Greek Yogurt Chips (#78101): Experience rich, chocolatey goodness with a tangy twist of Greek yogurt chips.
Sweet Blueberry Muffin Mix (#77866): Enjoy the delightful burst of sweet blueberries in every bite.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Mix (#77882): Relish the timeless combination of chocolate chips in a soft, cake-like texture.
Golden Butterscotch Blondie Mix (#78121): Treat yourself to the sweet, buttery flavor of butterscotch in a blondie mix.

Preparing your Mug Cake Fueling is simple and convenient. Just pour water into your favorite mug, add your chosen Fueling mix, stir, microwave and enjoy a delicious treat in minutes.

Why wait? Treat yourself to a Mug Cake Fueling today, and spread the word to your Community.

Check out Dr. A’s Element Stories here!

There’s no better time to get lost in a good book than summer. Reading with your feet in the sand by the ocean, outside by the pool or on your deck at home are just a few places to escape with a book.

Not only is reading a great way to practice the microHabit of a Healthy Mind, but it can also distract from mindless eating and let you center yourself before summertime tasks, like running to grab the kids from camp.

Reading can:

Reduce stress. No matter how much pressure you face at work or in your personal life, it may slip away when you’re reading. A well-written novel, article, essay — any form of writing — can transport you to other realities that aren't your own.
Boost your sleep. Reading can help you relax and de-stress, especially when paired with a nice cup of decaffeinated tea. It can settle your body after a long day in front of electronics and pull you into a deep peaceful sleep. Reading a good book and winding down after dark can be a great alternative to watching TV or scrolling on your phone.
Improve personal growth and development. Self-help and educational books directly serve this purpose, but even great works of fiction can challenge us to think differently about the world and how people interact with each other. Learning from books keeps our minds active while building new skills and understanding new ideas. Truly a perfect way to practice the microHabit of a Healthy Mind!

Remember, to build the habit, start small by committing to read just a little bit each day and choose something you genuinely enjoy.

Reach out to me for book recommendations and to learn more about the benefits of reading regularly.

YIELD: SERVES 4

PER SERVING: 1 LEANEST, 3 GREEN, 3 CONDIMENTS, 2 HEALTHY FATS

TOTAL TIME: 20 MINUTES

Ingredients

3½ cups chopped tomatoes

1 cup diced cucumber, peeled, and seeded

1 cup diced red bell pepper

½ cup chopped scallions

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 clove garlic, minced

8 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp dried oregano

½ tsp salt

4 tsp extra virgin olive oil

3 oz. avocado, diced for garnish

8 black or green olives, chopped for garnish

2 tbsp sour cream, for garnish

1¾ lbs. cooked shrimp or lobster, chopped into bite sized pieces and chilled

Directions

Combine tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, scallions, tomato paste, garlic, red wine vinegar, oregano and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until almost smooth but still a bit chunky.
Chill until cold, about 30 minutes.
When ready to serve, ladle into bowls and garnish each with 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of diced avocado, 2 chopped olives and ½ tablespoon of sour cream.
Top with 7 ounces of chilled cooked shrimp or lobster.

Tip: Swap the same amount of cooked lobster for shrimp!

Nutrition Per Serving: 350 calories, 14g fat, 14g carbohydrate, 41g protein

Discover other plan-approved Lean & Green recipes in the OPTAVIA App.

Download the OPTAVIA App today!

A New Life – Mind, Body and Soul

Lisha's life changed drastically thanks to OPTAVIA. She remembers thinking, "I'm closer to 400 lbs than I am to 200 lbs.". That realization hit hard, and she knew she needed to do something, longing for the strength to make a change.

One day, her sister sent her a picture of a woman who had lost 200 lbs.; with OPTAVIA*. Intrigued, Lisha reached out to a woman she knew who shared healthy recipes and lifestyle tips — all about OPTAVIA. That’s when everything changed.

With OPTAVIA, Lisha discovered a new appreciation for life. No longer on the sidelines, she could finally join in and enjoy activities with everyone else. Her husband proudly noticed a shift in her attitude—she was more positive, happy and excited about trying new things.

Now, as a certified independent OPTAVIA Coach, Lisha wants to help everyone experience the same transformation. She’s thrilled for her Clients as they embark on their wellness journeys, embracing a new lifestyle for their mind, body and soul.

She loves sharing how OPTAVIA transformed her life and the lives of many others she’s since supported. She’s continually amazed at how easy it was to transform her mind, body and zest for life with this wellness program.

"I am thankful for OPTAVIA and for my lifelong transformation!" Lisha says gratefully.

*Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is 12 pounds. Clients are in weight loss, on average, for 12 weeks.