Hey what’s up everybody?  The original title for this post was going to be Spring has Sprung but then I looked at the calendar and realized that it’s still technically winter until March 20th.  That makes a lot of sense though because all of a sudden it’s really cold again!  It’s like everything is backwards this year or something.  Blazing hot temperatures in the winter and now that it’s almost spring, it’s freezing outside again?  Based on this logic, keep your puffy coats and scarves handy, it just might snow this August.  I know that some people still don’t like to say that it’s global warming but whatever you want to call it, it’s weird eh (that eh was for all of my Canadian readers lol you’re welcome)?

This year really is flying by though!  Wow, I know that the general consensus was that 2016 kind of sucked but 2017 seems to have a rocket strapped to it so far!  How’s your 2017 been going?  I’m digging it for the most part, definitely an upgrade over last year but man I can’t believe that it’ll be April in just a few weeks!  And my accountant (aka Mom lol) still can’t believe that I haven’t sent her all my tax paperwork yet (I’ll do it this week I promise!)!  lol my bad…      

So how’s everybody doing with the time change?  It hasn’t fully hit me yet but normally it takes a few days for me to adjust…especially when we “spring forward.”  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.  I mean, I love the extra sunshine later in the day but I do wish that we got to pick and choose when to push that hour forward.  Like we should just be granted one hour to skip at any time we choose between Friday and Monday morning.  We can call it Daylight Savings weekend or something.  How cool would that be?  Boring meeting at work that starts at 4pm on Friday?  Nope!  Boom, it’s 5 now I’m going home for the weekend losers!  Church running a little long on Sunday morning?  Nope!  Boom, it’s 1pm now – see ya next week I’m going to brunch!  Argument with the spouse?  Hmm, okay that one may not work as well…but still, you get the point!

So yeah, I’ve gotten a few questions and update requests so that was the update on the taxes – I still haven’t gotten around to it yet.  Whoops… oh yeah, I’ve also been asked for a follow-up on the donut pillow situation from last post.  I went back to the store and they still weren’t there.  It’s okay, I don’t eat donuts very often anyway but if I ever find a burrito or a taco shaped pillow it’s most definitely on!  And as for the remaining 5 taste tests from my disgusting foods list, that’s coming soon as well. 

Oh yeah, and that “Eh?” thing earlier was just a joke by the way Canadian peeps!  Most people up there don’t even use that term much just like nobody in New Jersey actually says “Joisey” lol.  But speaking of New Jersey, Onlyinyourstate.com posted this fun article yesterday about the “12 Things New Jerseyans Do that Seem Insane to Everyone Else” and coming in at number 5 was a shoutout to my namesake creation, The ®Fat Darrell Sandwich.  Here’s a screenshot:

 

Aww, they called my invention a National Treasure?  Stop Onlyinyourstate.com, you’re making me blush lol seriously, it’s a great article, especially if you or anyone you know is from The Garden State.  Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out!  http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-jersey/crazy-things-we-do-in-nj/

 

Okay, if you’re a regular reader, you know how my mind works by now so after I typed New Jersey’s state nickname (The Garden State) I had to confirm what Georgia’s was since I’m currently living here (don’t get cozy Jersey, I may be back one of these days!).  Anyway, as predicted, it’s The Peach State.  Ironically, I still haven’t had even one peach here yet so I suppose that I should see what all the hype is about before I ever consider moving.  But still, how predictable is that name?  Actually, most of these state nicknames are.  Can you guess what the Aloha state is boys and girls (Hawaii…but hopefully you knew that lol)?  The Grand Canyon State anyone (Arizona)?  Come on, where’s the originality?  The only one that kinda stumped me was Alabama’s.  The Yellowhammer State?  Huh?  Yellowhammer?  What does Thor live out there or something?  Oh, blah, I just looked it up.  It’s not a flying superhero, it’s just a flying bird.  The state bird of Alabama to be exact.  But before I start looking up state birds too, let’s move on shall we?

So since I posted that crazy cover photo with the poop emoji bank for the last post, my goal was to not have any toilet references in this one.  I mean, you’ve got to spread those kind of references around right?  But then I went to the gym yesterday and saw this in one of the stalls.

Water and peanuts?  Really?  Who’s taking snacks into a dirty public bathroom stall?  Especially peanuts?! Did this guy think it was a flight or something?  I mean, the water bottle was bad enough but tiny snacks that leave your fingers salty?  Who does that?  Wow!  I wouldn’t even do that at home!  Can you imagine how many farticles and sharticles those snacks were exposed to?  Eww, I’m WAY too much of a germaphobe for that!  I barely even want to hold someone else’s cell phone because you know they probably take it into the bathroom with them too!  Lol yeah, I bet you never thought of that before huh?  Oh!  And then this caveman just tosses the wrapper on the floor afterwards?  Lol keep it classy LA Fitness.

So I was also going to try and not have a reference to my adorable little 5-year-old nephew Domonick in this post either but then my sister-in-law sent me this photo!  Ha check out the bowtie!  I’ll have to get him one that lights up for his birthday too!

Hmm…see the resemblance?  This little guy is my mini-me, personality and all.  Which is probably why he’s grounded right now for essentially reenacting a fight that I had with my older brother back in the day.  Fortunately, his older brother is a bit calmer than mine was so he didn’t get punched across a hallway like I did!  But yeah, he’s still in some trouble.  Poor little guy.  Hmm, maybe I should mail him this?  

 

 

Hopefully he’s out soon or we may need to make “Free Dom” t-shirts and signs to hold a march on my brother’s lawn.  No justice, no peace!  Hang in there buddy!  Hopefully he’s got a good lawyer.  I wonder what ever happened to that “Linda Listen” kid who stole that cupcake on Facebook a few years ago?  He was pretty convincing – perhaps he’s available to represent my nephew in this matter?  Perhaps he can help “Spring” him out of jail (ha, see what I did there?  Nevermind…).  I’ll have to look into that but in the meantime, if you could all use the hashtag #PrayersforDom to support my little wingman in his time of need I’m sure he’d appreciate the support lol.

 

So yesterday I had the honor of working with Dr. Jackie Walters from the Bravo TV show Married to Medicine to organize a VIP pop-up workout for her Fitni 90 Day Challenge Healthy Lifestyle Initiative at UFC Gym in Dunwoody, GA.  We had Boom 102.9 ATL’s DJ Nabs spinning live and a great time was had by all.  My camera guy is still uploading the photos and video clips so I’ll include them plus an interview with Dr. Jackie in an upcoming post.  Thanks again to all who came out to help and participate in this event!

Before we started the workout portion of the event, I gave a speech about the importance of focusing on cardiovascular, strength training and nutrition simultaneously in order to reach your fitness goals faster.  Some people make the mistake of only doing cardio or only doing strength training but focusing on all 3 at the same time is like taking the express lane instead of the slow scenic route.

Dr. Jackie also gave a speech about the importance of mind and spirit in the overall fitness equation.  She’s entirely right.  Getting your mind in the right place is critical for your success and so is formulating a plan of attack.  From there, having a positive spirit and believing that you can change your body is key to sticking with your plans even when times get tough or you hit a plateau that needs to be pushed through.

Before we move on to the next section, you may remember Nancy Posey who gave us that amazing Nopales Rancheros recipe a few posts ago?  Well she’s lost 6lbs in the last 2 weeks with a few simple changes to her fitness routine that I recommended so let’s all congratulate her in the comments below!  That’s awesome Nancy, keep going!  We’re all rooting for you to hit your goals! 

Do you also have a fitness question or accomplishment you’d like to share?  Tell us about it in the comments below!

So speaking of Spring, one of the most popular spring vegetables is Asparagus yet many people don’t know what to do with it.  With that said, here are 2 great recipes featuring this green all-star ingredient!

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

From Trisha Kitts of Dickinson, Texas

Courtesy of Taste of Home

Prep/Total Time: 30 min. Serves 2-3

Ingredients

10 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed

1/8 teaspoon pepper

5 bacon strips, halved lengthwise

Directions

Place asparagus on a sheet of waxed paper; coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle with pepper; turn to coat. Wrap a bacon piece around each spear; secure ends with toothpicks.

Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until bacon is crisp. Discard toothpicks.

Chili-Rubbed Tilapia with Asparagus & Lemon

By: EatingWell

Prep 20 minutes, Cook time 20 minutes. Serves 4

Ingredients

2 pounds asparagus, tough ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 tablespoons chili powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon salt divided

1 pound tilapia, Pacific sole or other firm white fish fillets

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Put asparagus in a steamer basket, place in the pan, cover and steam until tender-crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a large plate, spreading out to cool.

Combine chili powder, garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon salt on a plate. Dredge fillets in the spice mixture to coat. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish and cook until just opaque in the center, gently turning halfway, 5 to 7 minutes total. Divide among 4 plates. Immediately add lemon juice, the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and asparagus to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until the asparagus is coated and heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve the asparagus with the fish.

What’s your favorite Asparagus Recipe?  What’s your favorite Spring ingredient?  Or your favorite recipe of any type?  Share it with us!  Post it below or if you’d like it possibly featured in a future edition of #DoubleFML, message me through the contact page or via a direct message on social media!

Today’s Soundtrack

Daylight – Maroon 5

Daylight – Kelly Rowland ft Travis McCoy

Spring Again – Biz Markie

Spring Haze – Tori Amos

Spring Summer Feeling – Jill Scott

Spring Water – La The Darkman ft. Raekwon (What the guy in the bathroom stall was drinking…)

Bird Song – M.I.A (Diplo Remix)

Winter Bird – Aurora

Locked Up – Akon ft. Styles P (Poor Dom lol #PrayersforDom)

Fight the Power – Public Enemy (Flavor Flavvvvvvvv)

Freedom – George Michael (R.I.P 2016 – did you catch Adele’s tribute at The Grammy’s?  Moving stuff)

Have another song that fits today’s soundtrack?  Tell us about it in the comments below!

Okay, as always thanks for stopping by!  I’ll be back again on Thursday and by then we may have an update on how long Dom will be grounded for and what the terms are.  Maybe he’ll take a plea bargain deal and land a reduced sentence for good behavior but we’ll see!  Anyway, here’s where I tell you to follow me on all of my social media accounts which can be found on the side panel.  This is also where I tell you to comment below!  Oh yeah and underneath that box where you leave comments is a like button so hit that, then hit the share button too Mmkay thanks!  Hopefully that extra hour doesn’t hit you too hard today but either way, thanks for making the time to drop by – I genuinely appreciate you all.  Okay, that’s a wrap for now, go carpe this diem and as always, May the Fork be With you my friends.  Free Dom! #PrayersforDom lol

“You’re the best around, nothing’s gonna ever keep you down…”

-Darrell