Many don’t have the slightest clue

By Christian Bossert

Many of us don’t have the slightest clue as to how we begin our day. We just sort of stumble into the day and allow whatever to happen.

Some people say their best days begin the night before by getting a good night's sleep. Others say it begins at church. Many begin by planning out their day. Launching with a cup of coffee may be your kickstarter.

There isn’t a right answer.  

How do your best days begin?

Reply and let us know. Sharing your advice is powerful and impacts far more people than you may think.

Warm Artichoke Salad

Happy Friday!!

My Friend Andrea has a killer recipe that you absolutely must try. Now here is Andrea. You may want to try this out in your kitchen ASAP.

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I’m always on the lookout for a healthy recipe with an irresistible flavor and I have found it! Hello, my name is Andrea Lewis and I am on a journey to transform my eating habits into healthy habits, one delicious recipe at a time!

I have fixed this warm artichoke salad for many people and each person has raved about its flavor! Even the pickiest eater in my family loves it! So give it a try! It just may become a family favorite for you, too!

Warm Artichoke Salad

(Recipe courtesy of
https://blog.kitchenaid.com/warm-artichoke-salad)

Makes 3-4 servings
INGREDIENTS
5 to 6 strips of bacon, cut into 2 inch pieces
1 (8 oz.) package cremini mushrooms, sliced
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
kosher salt and pepper
2 bunches of kale, stems fully removed and chopped (I used Lacinato Kale)
1 to 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil (if needed)
1 (8 or 9 oz.) jar of artichokes, drained (plus more if desired)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more for additional heat)
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS
Using your KitchenAid 36″ 5-Burner Gas Cooktop, turn the heat on to medium over one of the small burners. Place the bacon into your KitchenAid Professional Seven-Ply 11″ skillet, and cook the bacon until browned and crispy. Remove the bacon and place on a paper towel lined plate and set aside. Discard most of the bacon fat, reserving about 1 to 2 teaspoons and leaving in the skillet.

Turn the heat to medium high and, using the same skillet with a little of the bacon fat, add in the cremini mushrooms and garlic and sauté until softened, for about 5 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add in the kale and feel free to lightly drizzle in some extra virgin olive oil over the kale if needed. Sauté and mix together until all of the kale is nicely wilted and warmed through.

Add in the drained artichokes, crushed red pepper flakes and mix together gently and allow the artichokes to warm through. Garnish with a little parsley, turn off the heat and crumble the crispy, cooked bacon over the top. Garnish with more fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.

What Are You Fighting For?

By Christian Bossert

What if you had absolutely nothing to do today? No one to tend to. Zero emails to answer. Not a single worry in the world. What would you do?

What if you had all the money you would ever need for the rest of your life? What would you do?

When asked these questions, a common response is, “I would retire and go lay on the  beach and drink margaritas.” No worries at all. No emails. No kids. No meetings. No nothing. My question to this response is, “How many margaritas would you drink? Five? Ten? Why stop there? Would you do this for the rest of your life? Margaritas every day?

If this what dream retirement looks like count me out. First off, a margarita done right is an amazing drink. Secondly, ten margaritas (if I even make it that far) would result in puking my guts out. Lastly, drinking margaritas on the beach sounds amazing, for a single day (or two maybe).

Honestly, this sounds terribly boring. Same ole same ole. Every day. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the relaxing pace of retirement. You do you. Maybe I have the wrong vision of retirement

Nonetheless, my main point. What are you fighting for? What are you living for? There isn’t a wrong answer to this question.

I would love to know your reason to fight. Your call to action. What you live for.

Hit ‘reply’ and write your answer. I can be simple and only one sentence. I will submit your responses in a near future email. I know what you say will impact hundreds of people.   

Why You Should Add Flaxseed To Your Diet

By Erica Bossert


Flaxseed is a superfood that has been around for thousands of years, as it was one of the first domesticated crops. Its original use was definitely NOT related to health as its fibers were used to wrap...mummies. However, it also had medicinal uses later on, such as healing abdominal pain and as a cough remedy in 650 B.C., according to a study in the Journal of Food Science and Technology. Fast forward to 2018, now with much more science-backed research, there is evidence showing even more health benefits to consuming flaxseed. These health benefits will make you want to go out and buy some ground flaxseed today: 

1. Reduces Hypertension: According to a 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of flaxseed on blood pressure, the test subjects who consumed flaxseed every day showed a 15-point drop in their systolic blood pressure and a 7-point drop in diastolic blood pressure. Those who received the placebo (did not have any flaxseed) did not show any change in their hypertension. 
2. Essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These healthy fats help to reduce LDL cholesterol, lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, and decrease inflammation in the body.
3. Protects Against Cancer: The lignans in flaxseed may help in cancer prevention in reducing the growth of cancerous tumors that are more hormone-sensitive, such as breast or prostate cancer. 
4. Dietary Fiber: When consumed with water, flaxseed can work as a laxative and help to prevent constipation. The fiber can also help to stabilize blood sugar and lower bad cholesterol levels. 

You can add ground flaxseed to smoothies, sprinkle it on your yogurt parfait, bake it in different breads, and many other ways. Click here for different ways you can eat flaxseed. 

In conclusion, flaxseed can help to reduce hypertension, lower LDL cholesterol, alleviate digestion, reduce inflammation, fight against certain types of cancer, and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. So many benefits for such a small amount of flaxseedper day!

- Erica Bossert

How to Get Your Guy to Start Exercising

By Christian Bossert

You know what they need to do, but they just won’t do it. You encourage them, but it’s going nowhere. They say, “I need to eat healthier, I should exercise,” yet something isn’t clicking. They continue to gain weight, they’re down on themselves, and unhealthy habits go from bad to worse.

You you may begin to feel hopeless change will ever occur. You have good reason to think this. Your friend, family member, or partner has shown that they simply don’t care. What can you do?

Unfortunately, this is a situation I see often. It’s difficult. It’s emotional. It is painful. It hurts to watch someone you care about basically give up on themselves. You want to help, but they won’t listen to you. The solution to this debacle may be easier than you may think. By easy I mean simple.

I’ll explain in a few easy steps. Changes may not occur overnight, but that’s okay. When you apply these steps consistently you will make a difference. You can totally do this!

1. Stop telling them what to do - The most important step can be the most difficult step. When we care about someone, how do we not to express our emotions or opinions to them? It’s tough to hold your tongue when you know you’re right and they’re WRONG. Fortunately, with practice you will become better. Start with a deep breath and hold onto your two cents.

2. Provide strong encouragement when they do suggest something good - This is the golden opportunity. You can express your opinion here. Reinforce what you want for them. You want them to be healthy. You want them to take the absolute best care of themselves. When your loved one says that they ate a salad get excited! Let them know your joy and happiness when they hit the gym. Don’t make this an eye rolling moment. Cherish their small victories. The small wins are HUGE!!

3. Be the example - They should be eating healthier and exercising. Take control of what you can control. Go to the gym. Work out consistently. Stock up on fruits and vegetables. Kick butt at taking care of yourself and they will notice. Trust me. THEY. WILL. NOTICE.

4. Be Patient - This is a kicker. You will want to rip into your ‘unhealthy compadre’. I can’t blame you. Our emotions are things. Emotions control us. No one will fault you for expressing your disappointment in loved one completely letting themselves go. Hold back and be patient. Trust the process of holding your tongue, being encouraging, and showcasing your healthy habits. It works. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but changing your approach can.