Healthier Version Fish Burger

This is not my fish burger….my fish burger did not last long enough to be posed for a photo

There’s a little restaurant a few towns over that boyfriend and I love and they make the most delicious fish burger.  I know what you may be thinking “Fish burger?  Gross.”  But it’s not gross….it’s soooo good.  *And I live in Nova Scotia where there is an abundance of seafood. Jealous?)

When I was really little I loved McDonalds’s Filet-o-Fish.  Back in the day, eating at McDonald’s was a treat, not the everyday norm that it seems to be now – and again, I’m not that old.  But my parents raised us on pretty healthy home-cooked meals and eating at fast food joints just didn’t happen that often.  But when I got to go, I almost always  got the F-o-F.  I can’t even recall the last time I’ve had one of those…probably high school.

And, as I was saying, this particular restaurant makes a YUM fish burger and it’s not super battered or super greasy – which is perfect.  So, a few days ago I got a craving for a fish burger.  But, because of my evening fitness classes, I have to plan my meals out so that a) I’m not going to the gym and then classes with a heavy stomach  b) I’m not getting home until close to 10pm and chowing down and hitting the sack on a heavy stomach (PLUS – who wants to clean up all those dishes at, like, 11 o’clock at night?).

So, here’s the thing: Tuesday nights are (for now) my no class nights which means I left work, hit the gym and then made myself a great dinner of a healthier version fish burger.  I literally just inhaled it because it was so good.

I baked a lightly seasoned haddock filet – NOT battered and NOT fried – and threw it on a whole grain crustini bun with some spinach and light garlic mayo and had a side of grilled purple cabbage*.

Not quite as good looking as mine

It all was so wonderfully indulgent and delicious and to be perfectly honest, if I had made two fish burgers I probably would have eaten two fish burgers because it was just.that.good.  (Okay, just want to say here that I really wouldn’t have eaten two fish burgers, I’m just trying to emote here how darn good my dinner was.)

*By the way, cabbage is delicious raw or cooked and has an abundance of health benefits including being packed with fiber and vitamins and potassium.  I often chop some up and eat it when I’m craving something sweet or crunchy or snacky.

Let me just say this, my dinner tonight was better and obviously more nutritious than any fish burger and side I could get at a restaurant (especially a fast food restaurant).  So, the next time you’re craving an indulgent, try making your own healthier version of it.

~Fit Fish Bitch 😉

 

Mantras

I’ve been seeing and hearing the phrase “Strong is the New Skinny” a lot lately.  A lot!  And normally, in text, the phrase is accompanied by a photo of a young woman who looks like this:

Um…sorry…this woman doesn’t look strong at all.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure she’s a lovely person but strong?  I’m not feeling it.  She’s definitely skinny.  And long.  I’m 5’6 with short legs, muscular calves and I have a huge ribcage – I’m built like a linebacker.

I think the mantra of “Strong is the New Skinny” is a little insulting to everyone.  First, skinny people – it’s okay to be skinny.  Most thin people can’t help being thin anymore than I can help having blue eyes…it’s just the way it goes; the way they were made.  Second, for strong people: Athletes, weight lifters, arm wrestlers, etc.  These people work hard and their feats are being downplayed.  To say that being strong has taken the place of being skinny makes it sound like working hard at taking care of your body is a fad and that it will be replaced by something else sooner or later. It’s insulting.  It takes a lot of discipline to get to the level of fitness these people get to and they should be respected and commended for it; certainly not compared to a fad diet or regime.  Third, for people who are like me, who are NEVER going to look like that chick above…it can be devastating.  Some of us work our asses off at the gym and with our healthy eating and whatnot and our bodies are still going to be our bodies.  No matter how much I exercise I am not going to wake up tomorrow and be 5’11 and lean and slender.  I am still going to wake up tomorrow and have muscular calves and a huge ribcage and that’s just the way life goes.   This is my body.  This is my temple.  And what’s really unfortunate, is that many young girls are going to strive for that long, slight look, not realizing that, for most of them, it’s unattainable and they will end up doing harm to their bodies.  I speak from experience.  As a mid-teen, growing up in a world of supermodels, I was driven to be uber skinny and to do whatever it took to reach my (unrealistic) goal of thinness.  I succumbed to eating disorders and did damage to my body, my mind and to the people who loved me.

If ad companies want to promote healthy, strong, fit bodies why not post a photo of this girl:

or this girl:

These women are badass and should be praised for these accomplishments.  I would LOVE to see a real strong woman like this in an advertising campaign promoting strong bodies.  But, unfortunately, that probably won’t be happening because what it still boils down to, after all these years, is the same old: Sex Sells.  The ads are usually super thin models with long flowing hair, full makeup, teensy, tiny outfits with tons of cleavage.  Are they strong women?  They could be.  Are they gorgeous women?  Absolutely.   Do the ads make us feel guilty?  Likely.  They used to make me feel guilty for not getting to that physique.  Now I just laugh.  I have my own demons to deal with.  I don’t need to fight with the ad demons too.

Yeah, this is exactly how I look when I hit the gym…PFFFFFT!!!!!

And we (women and men both) should not be made to feel guilty by advertising companies to look a certain way.  That can be a path to living a very unhealthy lifestyle.

Years ago The Body Shop came out with the greatest advertising campaign:

Courtesy of The Body Shop

I loved it.  It helped get rid of the stigma that followed women around that we should all be tall and thin.  (This ain’t Hitler’s world.)  Obviously we need to exercise and follow a healthy diet – those are just given – but we also need to respect, accept and embrace our bodies.  No matter what.  Embrace all of it – thin or heavy, tall or short.  Loving and respecting yourself is the first step too good health.  Once you do that you can accomplish anything.

~Fit Bitch

 

 

How to Eat Healthy on a Budget

I saw this article today and thought I’d repost to give some tips on
How to Eat Healthy on a Budget.

Some other ideas:

1. Check the flyers. There are three major grocery stores in my town. Every week I check the flyers of each to see what sales are on. I’m a big fan of BOGO and sometimes stock up on items that are on sale, BOGO or reduced. A few weeks ago one of the stores had full pints of blueberries on 3 for $5. I got 9 pints. Also, I often visit the grocery store(s) several times a week. Sometimes I will find items (and on sale) that were not originally on my list.

2. Buy seasonal produce in large quantities and freeze what you cannot use immediately. You can make shakes and smoothies all winter from a couple of flats of frozen organic strawberries or raspberries. The flavour is better, too!

3. Shop the farmer’s markets for food in season. The best prices and the freshest organic produce come from the farmer’s market.

4. Join a food co-op. Members often receive a discount or monthly coupon for five to 10 per cent discounts.

5. Buy a share in a CSA (community supported agriculture). Shares are typically about $400 (you can pay in installments) for a weekly box of produce during the growing season. The cost typically works out to about $30 or less per week. My sister-in-law does this and they always have farm-fresh meat and eggs.

6. Use coupons. The best way to obtain coupons for natural or organic foods is to visit the website of the manufacturer, or use an Internet search engine and type in the words “grocery store coupons” and “organic” for printable coupons.

7. Buy from the bulk bins. Organic flour, sugar, cereals, pasta, spices and many snack foods are less expensive (and easier on the environment) if you purchase them from the bulk food section. Some stores even have peanut butter, maple syrup, cooking oil and even cleaning products available in bulk. Bring your reusable bags or containers and reduce your waste at the same time.

8. Grow your own healthy foods. I LOVE gardens.

9. Have breakfast for dinner. Sometimes I will make eggs for supper. They’re super cheap and you can make tons of different dishes with them (omelets, wraps, scrambles, etc.) and they’re so friggin’ good that I often crave them. But, aside from my addiction with eggs, there are several items you can have as a cheap dinner – cereal, oatmeal, toasted sandwiches. You don’t always have to have a 3 course meal for dinner. Also, have a shake or smoothie as one meal replacement occasionally.

10. Practise cooking creatively. When you have leftovers from dinner, try to use them in another meal — add them to a pasta dish, veggie burrito or omelet, or fold them into a soup or sauce. Don’t waste food.

11. Soup is always a great and inexpensive meal.

There, just a few ideas but it might help you save some money.

~Fit Bitch

Welcome!

I’m a new fitness blogger.  I’ve blogged on life and love and fun and games but this is my very first post as a fitness blogger.

I’m not an expert.  But I am a living result.

Several years ago after an accident and some medication helped me pack on the pounds, I discovered how much weight I’d gained and was astonished.  I’d seen a photo of two girls…one I’d recognized but the other I did not.  I said “who is that fatass?” and realized, oh crap!  That’s me!   That was not a good feeling.

When I asked some of my closest friends why they didn’t tell me how big I’d gotten they replied “We thought you knew.”  Obviously, I did not.  But, in that very second of seeing that photograph I decided that I would change.

I revamped my eating habits and started working out a few times a week.  I had an eliptical at home and started off with 20 minutes a day (I still verily believe that 20 minutes a day can save your life).  Eventually that 20 minutes grew into longer and longer periods of exercise (I would hop on with a good book and before I knew it an hour and a half had passed).  Eventually, I was down 65 pounds.

I’ve kept the weight off.  I’ve built up muscle and energy and stamina.  I started running….something I hadn’t done since high school and I became hooked on exercise.

I am not perfect.  I’m not super skinny.  I still haven’t reached my “goal weight”; but I feel good.  I am proud of my accomplishments.  I am proud that people look up to me and see me as a “role model.”

I am a Fit Bitch.  Hear Me Roar.