diet – Britt Skrabanek

Grinnin’ Through the Grind: Keep it Classy

Hey, I’m back with this mini series…Grinnin’ Through the Grind (If you missed the first segment: Keep it Healthy)

Onwards to Part Deux!

We all work our tushes off most of our lives. Whether we’re working our dream job or our day job, we are connected by a daily duty which often includes…DUN DUN DUN…office drama.

Keeping it classy at work would seem like a no-brainer, something we all do naturally, right?

Wrong.

Maybe it’s mob mentality – I’m not entirely sure – but the workplace can be a downright cesspool of negativity.

A snide remark here, a roll of the eyes there…hey look, it’s high school all over again! I think we can all agree that once was traumatic aplenty.

I’ve worked a lot of different jobs and snarkiness, although never fully disclosed in the employee handbook, seems to be a consistent occupational hazard.

So, it’s there – every day, every dusty corner of your drab office. We have to put on our big boy and girl pants, and deal.

It doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice ourselves, joining into the venomous banter just because everyone else is doing it. If so-and-so jumped off the ninth floor, would you join them? You catch my drift.

Here are a few ways to keep it classy around the office…

If you don’t have anything nice to say…zip the lip. Let’s be honest, we’ve all gossiped at one point or another. It takes work to stay out of that mindless trap. Think about a time you said something uncool about someone. Bet you didn’t feel too cool afterwards, did you?

Classy Solution: If you don’t get along with another person for this or that, try a ridiculously positive approach. Give them a little smile and kill them with kindness. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when your crap relationship experiences a chummy revelation, and you won’t be so eager to talk smack when the tension is nonexistent.

If they don’t have anything nice to say…shut it down. News flash, back stabbers! Lowering your voices or even whispering does not disguise your poisonous convo. And, cubicles are not made of soundproof steel.

Classy Solution: Throw on some headphones to block out the nasty. If you want to put an end to the crap talk, you don’t have to blatantly call them out on it like a narc. Just interrupt them with a work question and get everybody back on task.

If you’re frustrated about something…mind the noises. OK, this is a sneaky one that a lot of us do without realizing. The insanely loud, exaggerated sigh which screams “Why me?” or “This sucks!” is bad energy which should be channeled elsewhere.

Classy Solution: Close your eyes and turn your attention inward, practicing deep breathing while you slowly count to ten. If you still feel iffy, keep on counting. Or take a different type of breather, and go for a little stroll.

A definitive result of spreading negativity is the prominence of self-induced misery. Soon enough you won’t be grinnin’ through the grind, you’ll be grunting through it.

How do YOU keep it classy on the job?

*Next week will be the final part in this series. Grinnin’ Through the Grind: Keep it Movin‘ will be a special vlog from yours truly. Stay tuned…

Grinnin’ Through the Grind: Keep it Healthy

Last week I shared my life update – a major switch from starving artist gal to steady paycheck gal. (In case you missed Goodbye, jammies…hello, grind.)

Reinstating this hectic schedule has been a challenging transition, and it got me thinking about the healthiest approach, the surefire way to hold onto a grain of peace amidst the sea of chaos.

Hence, this little three part series…Grinnin’ Through the Grind.

cat and brown bag — Hazel the cat loves real food!

Our daily food habits can make or break us – simple as that.

Being strapped for time sends us into the arms of fast food, frozen meals, and vending machines. Eww, eww, and eww.

I’m going to tell you my biggest secret for staying healthy. I make food a priority.

Here are some sustenance musts that not only get me through the day, but keep me fulfilled without filling out my waistline…

Eat a big ass breakfast If you start off your day right, you will not go wrong. It always shocks me how many people skip breakfast. An hour into work they’re weak, grumpy, and heading for something conveniently yucky just to hold over until lunch. I love fresh oatmeal with cinnamon and fruit or raisins (please ditch the packet oatmeal…it’s so not the same!) or veggie scrambles.
Snacks aren’t just for kids Those long periods in between “meal times” should not exist. Lightly fuel your body every few hours. Nuts or nut butter and fruit, Greek yogurt with honey or cinnamon, hummus and veggie of choice, or straight up baby carrots. Not a day goes by when I’m not chomping on carrots at my computer.
Brown bag it The eating out thing every day? Costly for your wallet and your girlish figure. Grab a chunk of organic turkey from a deli, add some fresh tomato, and a little bit of cheese or avocado. Also, use those Sundays to make a ginormous batch of goodness. My hubby and I trade off between homemade soup, pasta salad, or my new fave…zesty quinoa salad (I add extra veggies and decrease the cumin). The best way to keep the leftovers interesting: add fresh spinach, tomatoes, or a little cheese – something different each day – and depending on the dish, alternate between serving hot and cold.
Healthy choice my foot! Food in a box is not really food. It may seem like the better choice, and compared to fast food, I suppose it’s marginally better. But, long winded chemicals in the ingredients is the red flag, people. And, I’ve gotta ask you…does it even taste like food? Didn’t think so.
Caffeine is not your friend You feel like ass, your energy levels skyrocket then dive bomb, and let’s be honest…your breath is funky. Let me introduce you to two friends who will always make you feel like a million bucks…water and tea. No matter what, water should be your constant companion. Tea is a great way to change up the water routine and add some herby extras. A phenomenal alternative for you coffee drinkers out there is black chai tea. Black tea, the most robust member of the tea family, has way less caffeine then coffee, so it gives you a friendly kick in the butt instead of a punch in the groin.

But, what about the vending machine in the break room, Britt?

My dear friend, if you have to ask you need to reevaluate the numbered offerings in that crusty machine. Go ahead and look at every single piece of packaged crap in there. Row after row of obscenely processed calories which are probably well past their expiration – it’s quite the party.

And, there you have it…eww.

Your eating habits dictate your life. And, when you’re working long days, you need clean energy to get the job done. If you feed your body with kindness, you may even find yourself grinnin’ through the grind.

How do YOU keep it healthy on the job?

*Coming next week…Grinnin’ Through the Grind: Keep it Classy

The Food Crusade

Two years ago my husband and I made a life-changing health pact.

At the time, local and organic were buzzwords whispered by bearded hipsters, embraced by loving tree huggers, and practiced by dexterous Yogis.

We shopped unenthusiastically at our regular grocery store, which was cheap and conveniently located a block away. Back then, grocery shopping was a chore.

I learned an important lesson during my lifelong battle with severe migraines. Preventive care was the only way to win. Regular sleep, tackling stress, and moderate exercise seemed to do the trick. It only made sense that dietary improvements would be the next logical step.

Since going organic, I’ve had possibly one or two migraines in the past couple of years, but they were minor. Previously I had several debilitating ones per year.

I teach dance to 20-50 kids each week—busy times of the year I’m around more than 100. Although it’s a germ extravaganza, I rarely get sick.

Bonus benefits for my hubby and I include: consistent energy, restful sleep, and weight loss. In conclusion, we feel better than we have ever felt in our lives.

Luckily for those of us here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we have Outpost, a local co-op brimming with natural wonders from end to end. For a small annual fee, we are owners, proud advocates of a necessary food revolution.

We are currently being featured on their website as “I Love Outpost” enthusiasts…

“Grocery shopping here is not an errand, it’s like going on a field trip. A feast for the senses, buying local encourages us to be spontaneous and daring with our meals based on the availability of fresh produce.”

A lot of us just don’t know any better. Hey, I grew up with frozen dinners and fast food, too. In the end, none of that is food and you bet your waistline you darn well know it.

The biggest excuse I hear for not shopping organically involves cost.

First, I’m going to level with you. Our weekly grocery bill did increase when we made the organic switch.

The primary reason for this involved eating more at home, another significant component of our health pact. With beautiful, savory ingredients at our fingertips we didn’t want to eat out as much. In turn this saved us money we were overspending at restaurants, channeling directly into our home supply.

Why shouldn’t we splurge on groceries? We’re getting plenty of bang for our buck. Food keeps us alive. Don’t worry, it’s a sound investment.

Alarmingly, Americans spend less of their incomes on groceries than other countries. This scarce amount is further wasted on processed meals bundled in nifty packages of convenience. Outside the grocery budget, money is handed through drive-through windows at fast food conglomerates, blindly encouraging the world dominance of chemically enriched meal impersonations.

Not only do these food imposters not nourish us properly, they damage our health. And, that brings us to health care.

Just kidding. I won’t go there.

My point is to take a look at yourself and your kitchen…take a really good look. Slow down and evaluate. Your health should never be an afterthought.

Go local. Go organic.

Get started by finding the right food provider near you…

Co+op, stronger together
Local Harvest

Get educated and spread the word by watching…

Food Fight
Ingredients
Food Matters

The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 2

Last week, I covered dietary habits in The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 1. Be sure to scope it out if you haven’t already.

Now, let’s get physical.

In our jam-packed lives, it is best to establish a regular exercise routine, one where we get moving every single day.

We pay our bills on time to avoid penalties, but we don’t prioritize taking care of ourselves. The soaring fees for a sedentary lifestyle are hefty and damaging.

Remember that crazed personal trainer I told you about last week? Besides the satanic crash diet, there was also a boot camp workout to complete my hellish impulse purchase.

During the hill sprints, chin-ups, squats, and every other moment of torture, she watched me with her arms crossed. I loathed every expensive minute I spent with her. I debated whether I should run away and cry in a corner, or keep at it and just barf on her sneakers.

I did neither, of course. But, oh how I wanted to.

Being the food lover that I am, I balance my indulgence tendencies with regular exercise. So, I’m going to share a systematic approach to your body with 5 sensible exercise habits.

Ditch the car keys Don’t wait around for that perfect sunny day to walk or bike. If it rains, so what? It’s not acid rain, people. Walking and biking are forms of transportation, believe it or not. Use them the next time you go somewhere.
Do something you love Unless those sweaty gym machines actually tickle your fancy, don’t commit to a gym membership. Revisit something you loved when you were a kid or try something new. You won’t exercise if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, so why bother?
Get cliquey with it Socializing is something we humans crave. Being surrounded by people with the same interests makes us feel connected. Take a class for a customized environment and a consistent schedule. Or find a buddy, preferably a fitness fanatic who won’t be sidetracked when you try to convince him or her to go to the bar or grab a donut instead.
Become a teacher Teaching is a great way to commit to an exercise routine. Inspiring others keeps you motivated to give it your all. Love volleyball? Start coaching a children’s league. Love Yoga or Zumba? Get certified and get out there.
Be a spaz This is going to be different for everybody. For me it means telling stories in a dramatic fashion with lots of gestures, making up silly songs and dances for my hubby, or blasting some music and dancing around when I clean the apartment.

Trust me, boot camp mentality is completely unnecessary. Be smart and be kind to your bod…it’s the only one you’ve got!

The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 1

Let’s face it. We all have routines in our lives: brushing our teeth, making our beds, feeding our pets, working 9-5.

Often we associate routine as being stuck in a rut. However, we can greatly benefit from the power of regulation when it comes to our health, where we often fly by the seat of our pants, and make poor decisions.

For those who don’t know, I am a self-proclaimed Dessertaholic. Check out Sweets Without Grief if you missed it.

Diets make me cringe.

Two months before I got married I had the absurd idea to get a personal trainer who encouraged me hand over fist to go on a crash diet.

Let’s just say I ditched that militaristic plan when I realized I was becoming hostile in the break room. I feared one of the neighboring employees would steal my food. Needless to say, I got a little loopy.

I am one of food’s biggest fans, but I try to find a healthy balance. So, I’m going to share a systematic approach to your body with 5 sensible eating habits.

Eat in, not out Guess what? When you’re not making the food yourself, you have no idea what’s in it. Take control by knowing exactly what you’re eating. Eat a good breakfast before you leave, bring your lunch, and eat dinner at home. Bonus…you’ll save money.
Carrots are the new chips I just made that up, but I think I’m on to something here. We love crunchy snacks, don’t we? I always keep a bag of miniature carrots around. When I’m in between meals, I chomp away. You can eat as many of these bad boys as you want–they’re awesome for you.
Go nuts I never leave the house without nuts. The moment you get hungry, have a few. This will keep you from making bad choices while you’re out and about. Almonds and walnuts are my favorite. Add a little dried fruit to change it up.
Cherish each meal Eating while working or watching television will leave you dissatisfied. Food is beautiful and important; we should respect it and savor every bite. Take your time and give it all of your attention. After all, food gives you energy and keeps you alive.
Water is your best friend See that water bottle I’m hugging down there? I refill it several times a day. A lot of times we mistake dehydration for hunger. Next time your tummy talks, try drinking some water before you eat. To jazz it up, add lime, lemon or cucumber if you’re not a fan of plain. Most importantly, the first thing you should do when you get up is drink a full glass of water. Then, proceed with your day.

Trust me, crash diet mentality is completely unnecessary. Be smart and be kind to your bod…it’s the only one you’ve got!

Join me next week for The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 2 to chat about exercise habits.