Vegetables Rainbows of Color –      Means more Nutrients for You!”

Kevin receives proclamation from Mayor Parker who is 81 & still very active. The tips Kevin received by Mayor Don Parker. Way to go Mayor!

 As I mentioned some of the tips were supplied by Kennet, MO Mayor Donald Parker who you will read about further down the blog. At 81 years old, he physically looked no older than his late 50’s. He accredited this to healthy eating and proper fitness. Which are the two things that the ‘Big Push’ and the ‘Fitness 4 All 50 State Tour’ is trying to promote.  It is so amazing to see how living a healthy lifestyle not only pays off now but in the future as well. Mayor Parker is living proof of this. With this being said, It’s National Nutrition Month®! And this year’s theme is, “Eat Right with Color.” Such a simple message!  A wise dietitian once told me, “While the science of nutrition is very complex, the art of eating (healthfully) is very simple”

So this month, instead of worrying about counting calories and grams of fat, focus building each of your meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and snack plates with 3 or more colors. A rainbow of colors provides a variety of nutrients to keep you healthy. Here are some ideas for adding color to your meals and snacks from the American Dietetic Association. Add several foods from each of the color groups to your shopping list this week! Remember that fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables all count!

Green produce indicates antioxidant potential and may help promote healthy vision and reduce cancer risks.

• Fruits: avocado, apples, grapes, honeydew, kiwi and lime
• Vegetables: artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, green beans, green peppers and leafy greens such as spinach

Orange and deep yellow fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that promote healthy vision and immunity, and reduce the risk of some cancers.

• Fruits: apricot, cantaloupe, grapefruit, mango, papaya, peach and pineapple
• Vegetables: carrots, yellow pepper, yellow corn and sweet potatoes

Purple and blue options may have antioxidant and anti-aging benefits and may help with memory, urinary tract health and reduced cancer risks.

• Fruits: blackberries, blueberries, plums, raisins
• Vegetables: eggplant, purple cabbage, purple-fleshed potato

Red indicates produce that may help maintain a healthy heart, vision, immunity and may reduce cancer risks.

• Fruits: cherries, cranberries, pomegranate, red/pink grape fruit, red grapes and watermelon
• Vegetables: beets, red onions, red peppers, red potatoes, rhubarb and tomatoes

White, tan and brown foods sometimes contain nutrients that may promote heart health and reduce cancer risks.

• Fruits: banana, brown pear, dates and white peaches
• Vegetables: cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, turnips, white-fleshed potato and white corn

7:00 to 9:00 a.m. CST – We spent the morning packing and loading up the truck. This was something we had to do every day and it needed to be done in a timely manner so it does not throw off our schedule like yesterday. I had already been up by 5:00 AM because of my disability there are medical things and other things I have to do in order to get ready and get going. No doubt being in a wheelchair paralyzed from the chest down has made me a stronger person, man and individual still striving for excellence! Having that Never Give Up attitude is very important.

 11:00 a.m. CST – Later in the morning, I met with Mayor Donald Parker of Kennett, MO at the Kennett Municipal Airport. I presented him with a plaque on behalf of the ‘Big Push’ Health and Fitness Tour of America as well as an autographed copy of my book, “There’s Always a Way”. Mayor Parker is the perfect example of how Americans need to lead a more active life. He is 81 years-old and he looks great. Mayor Parker told us that he is not letting his age slow him down. He still flies a plane and tries to exercise regularly. And his energy does not stop there; he told us that he wanted to help with the Tour however he could. What a great example Mayor Parker sets for everyone. As Mayor Parker proves, anyone can achieve a healthy and active lifestyle, no matter what age we are. You just need to have good nutrition, lead an active lifestyle and stay educated about health and fitness. There’s new information all the time that can keep us strong, healthy, smart and fit so get involved and enjoy the fitness Revolution!

It's pouring pounding rain and drenched to the bone! But like the Mailman we have to get the mail delivered or in this case our message on Proper Fitness & Nutrition!

11:30 a.m. CST – I pushed towards Senath, MO during this time. Ran into some heavy rain, but just like the mailman whether rain, sleet or snow, we had to push on focusing on our mission.

Finished the "Health & Fitness Summit" with the community leaders and county officials.

1:00 p.m. CST – When I arrived in Senath, I met with Mayor Bud Brooks and presented him with a copy of my book, There’s Always a Way, and a plaque on behalf of the ‘Big Push’ Tour. The community leaders and Mayor Brooks were very much in support of our efforts to help America get fit. The support of local communities and businesses, large or small, is what it will take to win the war against obesity.

2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST – I left Senath and pushed to the Arkansas state line.

I pushed to the Arkansas state line. I also refueled and got some healthy food in me and drank some of my half and half H2O & Gatorade mixture to replenish my macronutrients and electrolytes.

3:30 to 4:30 p.m. CST – We took a short break at the Arkansas state line. During the break, I ate an apple, some granola and drank Gatorade and water. Not only is it important to eat the right type of food to refuel my body, but it is also very important not to eat too much food. There is so much information in circulation now about what people should and should not do, that it is difficult to sift through it to find the correct information. Part of my goal is to provide individuals with the correct information, in an easily accessible way.  I value education and love getting the proper information of fitness and nutrition  to the people. The less time spent trying to figure out how to become healthier, the more time there is to BE healthier! Let’s start today and remember Never Give Up! Yes, you can!
4:30 p.m. CST – I left the state line and pushed to Leachville, AR.

5:15 p.m. CST – I continued to push until I reached Etowah, AR. Even though Etowah is a smaller community, their warm, enthusiastic welcome was huge! The energy I felt from the people cheering me on in the streets, gave me that extra rush I needed to finish the day. Everybody can get excited about proper fitness and nutrition; they just need someone to show them the way. After drinking some more Gatorade and water, I continued pushing. Remembering “There’s Always a Way” if you Never Give Up!

8:00 p.m. CST – We concluded our day near Bondsville, AR. After loading all the equipment into the truck, we drove back to our hotel in Kennett.

9:30 p.m. CST – When we arrived in Kennett, we ate a quick meal and ran some errands. It was about midnight before we went to bed. We’ve had some very long days, but have enjoyed meeting you so many wonderful people along our travels.

Signing one of my motivational coaching books for a corporate owner!

Signing one of my motivational coaching books for a corporate owner! As a professional speaker I have given many speeches to corporate workers. I’m always happy to autograph my books so the corporate leaders, school students, parents, teachers, college university students and professors to help keep them inspired as a motivational coach. As a top safety speaker also the leaders of companies where work safely every day is a key issue.  I hope they all those groups can benefit them by using my book to help them. Or get a copy of my safety video I helped design, that it can be used to help companies, corporations, schools, college’s universities, organizations & associations all have a safe environment to work in!See you tomorrow! So stay fit, eat right and Never Never Give Up! because, “There’s Always A Way”.