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When I was a kid I didn’t look forward to the turkey, mashed potatoes, or even pumpkin pie. What I wanted to do more than anything else on Thanksgiving was color the giant full-page turkey for the “Oh, You Turkey” contest in The Star Tribune newspaper in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, you can only enter the contest if you’re under the age of 12.

Seeing as how adult coloring books are all the rage, I thought it was appropriate to relive my childhood dreams, so I ask my friend Liz Apple to design a coloring page for Thanksgiving. I hope you have some colored pencils, markers, and paints around — you’re going to need them.

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Originally posted at: http://www.nerdfitness.com/

Winter is coming.

Today, in households and offices all across Westeros the world, unstoppable forces are planning to wreak havoc on waistlines and stop momentum dead in its track.

We have been fighting hard to level up our lives all year long, dutifully exercising regularly, walking further and getting stronger, making healthier food choices, and building great habits. But the most important 6 weeks of the year are now upon is.

Winter is coming, and it is bringing with it an army that will attack us on many fronts:

A holiday designed around overeating, with a culture to encourage you to keep going until you pass out. A long weekend! Leftovers! Netflix!

A shopping sale made from black magic that will delude you into buying shit you don’t really need: Black Friday and Cyber Monday! That thing you’ll never use! That other thing that will break in two days!  I imagine this plays out like this South Park Episode.

Office parties and home parties where you will drink far too much and eat junk food, or face the wrath of co-workers and friends telling you to “live a little.”

The week of the dead: The days around Thanksgiving when nothing is going on other than football and video games. Lots of time to sit on the couch and eat junk food.

Enabling friends and family: People who let themselves go and beg you to do the same with them (“it’s the holidays!”).

Winter, literally: Snow, rain, drastically lower temperatures that will have you dying to stay inside on your couch watching Netflix rather than braving the elements any more than you have to.

As we stand here, bracing ourselves for the holiday season, we are just like the Night’s Watch as they are stood on the wall watching giants, mammoths, Wildlings, and freaking White Walkers approach the wall.

If you’ve seen the most recent season (5) of Game of Thrones, you’ll be familiar with this fan-favorite scene involving a giant. (if you haven’t seen it yet…you’re missing out!).

This is what’s at stake over the week, and why I am laying down a challenge. 

While the rest of the world willingly eats, drinks, buys, and sloths themselves into a momentum-paralyzing funk, you are going to defend the Wall, and hit January 1st with a full head of steam.

Your Holiday Watch begins now.

Why The Next 6 Weeks are So Damn Important

For anybody on a quest to live a leveled-up life, these next six weeks are the most important six weeks of the year. Are you going to let your healthy habits slowly die, forcing you to once again make a declaration to get back on track, starting January 1?

Or are you going to take control of your fate?

Society encourages us to eat like crap and sit on our asses during this time of year. And if the Wildlings can knock us down during Thanksgiving break, the White Walkers have their opportunity to deliver the final blow (the month of December). So, fight back!

Sure, it might be SOCIALLY WEIRD to not mindlessly overeat. It might be weird to exercise the morning of Thanksgiving. In fact, you might even feel… like a Rebel.

This week, and this Winter, I challenge you to join me in defending the Wall – stand among the brave souls defending a realm against a threat it doesn’t even believe in: White Walkers.  An unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle that leads to an early grave (Ahh, there we go).

Think of the next week (Thanksgiving) like the skirmish with Wildlings before the big attack from the White Walkers. Take the pledge, learn how to defend the wall, and brace yourself for what’s coming.

Here are the 4 rules to follow (starting today):

• At least three workouts a week during the break, and one healthy meal per day. For Thanksgiving break specifically, try to fit in two activities that get you moving. I’m not expecting you to be perfect (lord knows the members of the Night’s Watch aren’t), but I do expect you to do some exercise over your break.
• Never miss two in a row. If you are scheduled to work out on a particular day and you miss it due to travel or whatever reason, you WILL exercise the next day. Every unhealthy meal WILL be followed by a healthy one. No excuses, play like a champion.
• The day after a major holiday is flawless. If you do opt to kick back and eat a little more than usual, the day after must be flawless execution in the eating department.
• Weather cannot be used as an excuse. It’s cold on top of the Wall, and it’s getting cold this time of year. But remember – you made this pledge. You can’t say, “it’s too cold” or “there’s snow on the ground” or “I’m hungover.”

Now, I want you to repeat the following after me. Seriously, stand up and say it out loud (weirwood tree not required):

Holidays gather, and now my watch begins.

It shall not end until my goal is met. I shall take no weeks off, miss no workouts, justify no overeating. I shall wear no stretchy pants and win no glory. I shall live and die by my commitment to myself. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the Watcher of my body. I am the fire that burns against the cold days, the light that brings my momentum, the horn that wakes my emotions, the shield that guards the realms of my health.

I pledge my life and honor to the Holiday Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.

You can sign up for the Holiday Watch by making a “pledge” in the comments below: “I pledge my life and honor to the Holiday Watch.”

Remember, this short break is the skirmish before the war, so to get you moving into the holiday season with momentum, I’m going to give away free stuff.

We’ll pick two random Rebels who leave a comment pledging their loyalty by Sunday, November 29th, and send them a copy of my upcoming hardcover book, Level Up Your Life. I’m so freakin’ excited about this book and can’t wait for hit to hit bookshelves in January.

And if we pick you as a winner, I’m going make sure you’ve upheld your end of the bargain. I’ll be watching…

Winter is coming. Good luck.

-Steve

###

photo: Brian Rinker: Game of Thrones

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Everyone has a favorite dish at Thanksgiving, and it’s never the turkey — sorry, turkey! I polled my fellow editors to learn the must-have-or-will-die dishes they count on every Thanksgiving. Stuffing? Gravy? Rolls? Here’s what they said.

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I’m getting a head start on my holiday shopping, and that includes gifts for my readers. So, I’ve got three “stocking stuffers” to help you get prepped and pumped for the holiday season. I’m including my latest eBook 6 Foods You Should Be Eating for a Healthy Gut, a free jar of healthy and delicious Primal Kitchen™ Mayo, and a heavily discounted digital copy of Paleo Primer, complete with over 100 must-eat paleo recipes. There are also over a dozen additional popular paleo books on sale today, and some really exciting news from Primal Kitchen.

Let’s jump right in!

Free eBook: 6 Foods You Should Be Eating for a Healthy Gut

First up is my latest eBook, 6 Foods You Should Be Eating for a Healthy Gut. This title is about—you guessed it—the specific foods to eat and avoid in order to obtain the healthiest gut possible. Gut health is paramount, as you well know. A healthy gut enables our digestion and immune response, our resistance to allergies and food sensitivities, and it even helps us maintain an even keel by regulating our mood. Without a healthy gut, we can’t truly be healthy, happy, productive or have the body we want. After reading this eBook, you’ll know exactly what to do (and what not to do) to get one.

You can get this 6 Foods Your Should Be Eating for a Health Gut for free here. 

Free Jar of Primal Kitchen™ Mayo

The second is a giveaway of Primal Kitchen’s Avocado Oil Mayo sponsored by our friends at Thrive Market.

Thrive’s latest deal is for both new and existing customers. If you haven’t joined Thrive Market, do so today and you’ll get a 12-ounce jar of Primal Kitchen™ Mayo for FREE (just pay the $1.95 shipping fee). Existing members can also get a free jar when they make a purchase of $50 or more on Thrive.

The free bone broth offer that Thrive Market ran a couple weeks ago sold out in a matter of days, so click here to take advantage of this week’s deal, as I’m pretty sure Primal Kitchen™ Mayo may just go even quicker.

If you’re still on the fence, let me tempt your taste buds with some avocado oil health facts.

What are most conventional mayos made from? Unhealthy canola and soybean oils.

What is Primal Kitchen™ Mayo made of? Avocado oil—a heart-healthy oil that is about 70 percent monounsaturated fats. These “good fats” help the body regulate cholesterol levels, as well as increase the absorption of antioxidants and other nutrients. That’s why Primal Kitchen™ Mayo is the holy grail of condiments—every dollop of this mayo is so healthy you can use it lavishly to upgrade the flavor (and nutrition!) of your meal.

Get Paleo Primer on Kindle for $2.99 Today Only

And then, of course, you’ll need some tasty recipes to use with your free jar of Primal Mayo, so, in partnership with PaleoDork.com, I’m discounting the Kindle version of Paleo Primer to just $2.99 on Tuesday, November 24 (today!). Paleo experts Keris Marsden and Matt Whitmore prime readers on the essentials of paleo eating, and then set us up in the kitchen with over 100 delicious paleo/primal recipes.

The guys over at PaleoDork.com have also organized 14 other popular paleo books to be heavily discounted today. Some of the biggest names in the paleo world are featured, including books by Chris Kresser, Melissa Joulwan, Cate Shanahan, Carrie Vitt, Paul Jaminet, Russ Crandall, Sarah Fragoso, Paleo Parents, Tammy Credicott, Jason Seib, Liz Wolfe, Kristen Michaelis, Bill & Hayley Staley, and Caitlin Weeks & Diane Sanfilippo are all going to be discounted to under $3 for today only.

To snag a digital copy of Paleo Primer and any of the rest, visit this page and follow the respective links. While there you can also subscribe to the Paleo Dork newsletter if you are so inclined. It’s a daily deals newsletter for paleo enthusiasts. As they say, “each weekday we send you savings on all things Paleo to help you live the hunter-gatherer lifestyle without losing your loin cloth.”

New Primal Kitchen Products – Coming Soon!

People love Primal Kitchen™ Mayo (that much is now a given). But after its mind-blowing success, my team and I are prepped to launch our highly anticipated (and what are sure to be awesomely palate-pleasing) new products to pantries across the country. Here’s a brief run-down of what’s coming soon.

Greek Vinaigrette: Love a classic vinaigrette? How about one made with pure avocado oil and oil of oregano (hailed as one of the most medicinally potent essential oils around). Not only does its taste blow most other vinaigrettes out of the water (no offense, canola oil vinaigrettes), it does so with a nutritional profile that even the most fastidious health-conscious shopper won’t help but swoon over.

Honey Mustard: A bright, rich, and warm fusion of avocado oil, all natural honey, ground mustard seeds and spices. This dressing packs a one-two punch: sweetness (with a rock bottom carb profile) and a slew of simple, organic ingredients that give it the cleanest seal of approval.

Ranch: Mission impossible, made possible. What if I told you that we’ve created a dairy-free, unbelievably delicious, and—get this—healthy ranch dressing? You’d probably say I was lying—or at least playing the part of a fisherman and stretching the story a bit. But I’m not. After going through countless test runs, we’ve created a creamy, full flavored, spectacularly delicious, dairy-free, and healthy fat-laden masterpiece. Are you a health-conscious ranch fan? Say hello to your new best friend.

Chipotle Lime Mayo: As if our traditional flavor wasn’t enough, you’ll soon be able to slather on a heavy serving of zesty, lime infused mayo into all your favorite recipes that need a kick. Or, you can use it as a standalone dip or spreadable aioli. Once you get your hands on this mayo, you’re not going to want to let it go.

Back to the Basics: We’re also launching our own label of the nutritional powerhouse that acts as a base to all our sauces: pure, centrifuge extracted avocado oil! So whether you want to whip up your own cold at-home recipes, or use it as a healthy high smoking point cooking oil, you can do it with a bottle of trusted Primal Kitchen™ avocado oil!

Last but Not Least (drum roll please)…

If that wasn’t enough, we have a new item hitting the shelves that, like our sauces and mayo, is going to be a game changer for a product category that has all too many times been overrun with average, over-hyped, and under-delivered products.

In December, we’re introducing the first nutritional bar of its kind. Now, before you roll your eyes at yet another “healthy” bar hitting the shelves, I think you’ll want to take a look at what’s inside our new Dark Chocolate Almond Bar.

I’m talking about only the finest ingredients. Heck, it didn’t even seem financially possible to source the ingredients for this bar and make it saleable, which is why I have been sitting on the idea for the better end of almost ten years. But we did it.

It’s packed with 15 grams of protein from all natural, grass-fed collagen sourced from Brazil, pumpkin seeds, dark cocoa, coconut oil and zero added sugar or artificial sweeteners. That all sounds great, right? But here’s the clincher that makes this bar revolutionary: the taste. By a sheer force of ingenuity, this bar (brace yourself) tastes like a gooey brownie you’ll want to pull apart with your teeth. Sold yet? You will be after your first bite.

All six of these delicious and healthy Primal-approved products will be rolled out in December and January. To ensure you get the memo when they become available, be sure to subscribe to the Mark’s Daily Apple, Primal Kitchen, and/or Primal Blueprint newsletters.

I know that’s a lot, so to recap:

• As my gift to you, get my latest eBook here.
• Go to Thrive Market to register and receive your free jar of Primal Kitchen™ Mayo before supplies run out.
• Go to PaleoDork.com to get books from a bunch of big names in the paleo world discounted to under $3 TODAY ONLY—including Paleo Primer.
• Subscribe to the Mark’s Daily Apple, Primal Kitchen, and/or Primal Blueprint newsletters, so you’re sure to know when the new line-up of Primal Kitchen products drops.

Happy holidays, everyone!

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The best part about this vegetarian bowl recipe is how easy it is to make. This makes it an ideal candidate for one of those hectic mid-week dinners when all you want is a delicious meal on the table without having to think too hard. It’s made with hearty red lentils, fresh ginger, plenty of spices, a couple handfuls of baby spinach, and coconut milk — a perfect balance of heat and creaminess.

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For grownups, Thanksgiving is all about the food, but for your smaller guests (who may only be eating the starchy sides without anything green in them), Thanksgiving can be less appealing.

Add some fun for your kids, nieces, and nephews with one of these Thanksgiving crafts. Yes, there are the requisite hand turkeys, but there are plenty of ideas that will be new to you, too.

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This festive, savory tart is one of those appetizers that always looks super-impressive, but only requires a few simple steps. Using frozen puff pastry might just be the thing that saves you from your Thanksgiving Day appetizer conundrum.

All you need is a sheet of thawed puff pastry, an egg wash, seasonal squash, a touch of seasoning, and plenty of cheese, and boom! You’ve got a crispy, crunchy appetizer that everyone will be snacking on until dinnertime.

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Store-bought frozen puff pastry is a lifesaver any time of year, but especially as we move into the busy holiday season. With a package or two stashed in the freezer, I know a quick apple tart for visiting guests or plate of mini-quiche appetizers for a potluck is only a few steps away — and the empty, crumb-filled plates at the end of the night speak for themselves.

If you’ve never used frozen puff pastry before, let me assure you that it couldn’t be easier. This is definitely a time where taking some help from the freezer aisle is the smart move.

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Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss

We’re all busy. We all know nutrition is more than 50 percent of the equation, but it can also be the most challenging part. If we don’t plan ahead and make nutrition a priority, it quickly gets put on the back burner, despite our good intentions. Having a plan and preparing your food in advance is crucial, so let’s plan for success. It starts with meal prep.

read more

Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss

We’re all busy. We all know nutrition is more than 50 percent of the equation, but it can also be the most challenging part. If we don’t plan ahead and make nutrition a priority, it quickly gets put on the back burner, despite our good intentions. Having a plan and preparing your food in advance is crucial, so let’s plan for success. It starts with meal prep.

read more