I've been a fool in April

Kamala vs. WhattaBurger in Dallas

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

I'm behind on blogging about Operation Find My Abs.  But to be honest I've fallen off the workout wagon and the healthier eating wagon.  It all started in mid-March with a Spring Break trip to Disney World.

The Mickey Mouse PB Cup

I'm not blaming my vacation on my poor choices.  There are healthy choices at the restaurants at the Happiest Place in the World.  For example one day I did get green beans as a side with my burger instead of french fries.  However, that was about the extent of the healthy picks.  I had the No Fair Funnel Cake at Cold Stone Creamery, a Mickey Mouse peanut butter cup the Goofy Candy Company and lots of cold beer on the beach.  I justified these options with the "I'm on vacation" and "it's my birthday" excuse.

I got back into the saddle briefly when we returned from the sun and sand.  I hit Gold's Gym a few times in late March and picked up the pace on running because I'm participating in a big relay race. Then I got on the Road to WrestleMania...

One of several craft beers during WrestleMania weekend

Once again I opted for the less healthy choices.  Chad and I became the tag team champions at CicCi's Pizza.  We'd laid the smackdown on that buffet.  Then we doubled up at Redneck Heaven as I conquered a chili burger one night and then the big BLT during the next stop. Fast food became our partner too as we hit up McDonald's, Taco Bell and WhattaBurger.  My new hobby of craft beer consumption with my fellow Craftbeericans won't help either, but I'm keeping the mantra "everything in moderation" in mind.

Training for the River to River Relay

I've been back home nearly two weeks, and I've yet to make it to the gym.  But as I mentioned I am running more.  I don't feel like I've gained any weight, but I have definitely not seen in progress in finding my abs.  I will continue my quest and change my eating habits once again.  I've polished off all the Reese's Peanut Eggs from Easter, so half the battle has been won.

Stay tuned for an update in May.  We've got this.  We really do...

Your iPhone Can Improve Your Health

Step it up!

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

Admittedly, playing Words With Friends, watching old matches on the WWE Network, and sending out hilarious tweets on Twitter are some of my favorite things to do with my iPhone.  This is the third one I've owned, having the 3, 4, and now 6 versions of the Apple product.  When I got the latest, I noticed a new app already installed called "Health."

I didn't give it a whole lot of thought at the time.  I did open the app and mindlessly glance at some of the features on it.  There are a lot of things you can input keep track of, including blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and body mass index.  I'm a pretty healthy guy, so I haven't really messed with it.

The Health app has the heart

The feature I'm now obsessed with though is the "steps" portion of the app.  It tracks how many steps you take everyday.  The key is obviously having your phone with you at all times, which for me isn't a problem.  I don't have it for every step I take, but it's close. My goal each day is to take at least 10,000 steps.  I have a little game I play against myself now that at the end of each week, my daily average has to be 10,000 or better.  Some days I don't get all 10,000 in, so the last two Saturdays I've found myself taking longer walks with the dog to reach my goal.

Adding steps and staying warm...

I've added more steps to my day by walking to the bathroom on the other end of the building at work.  I've always parked my car in the furthest spot from the building, so that helps too.  I have also ramped up my running, despite it being colder than normal here recently.  I know I'm probably not making a huge difference in my health, but I think being more aware and now obsessive about walking those 10,000 steps each day I am having a positive impact.

As I'm writing this, I'm scrolling through the app and finding all sorts of cool functions that I must now explore.  While this may not be the most accurate or best way to gauge your health, it's certainly a step in the right direction (pun intended).

Grinch-Kabobs

Grinch-Kabobs

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I found it on Pinterest, the vast land of handy crafts and recipes.  I find the site very helpful when trying to impress others.  I was looking for a healthy idea for my daughter's Christmas party for her dance class.

Every year parents are asked to bring a snack.  More often than not, the table is covered with cookies, brownies, candy, and other sugary treats.  I didn't want to be the kill joy dad, but I do like to find healthier options for events like these when I can.  That's when I came across Grinch-Kabobs.

They're super easy to make.  Start with a tooth pick.  Add one white grape (the ones that look green, but they're technically white), a sliver of banana, a slice of strawberry, and a miniature marshmallow (cut in half).  When the four things are put together they form what looks like the Grinch's head.  I saw some crafty people who added eyes and a mouth, but I didn't have the time or the patience to try it.

Yummy

My advice when it comes to the strawberry, use just the tip of it to make it really look like a Santa hat.  In an effort to not waste anything, I used "flatter" pieces of berry too so they don't all look like traditional Santa hats.  But overall, I'm happy with how they turned out.

I think everyone at the party enjoyed the treats.  Sure they weren't something dipped in chocolate or fried or covered in sugar, but they did taste good and looked pretty awesome.  I did something similar, but not as healthy at the Halloween party with my Puking Pumpkin and chips.  But if you're looking for a quick snack for your next holiday party, these are easy and pretty inexpensive to make.