Thanksgiving Leftover Magic & Recovery, Unlocking the Power of Charisma – Your Champions Brew

Be honest.  How many helpings of mashed potatoes did you have for Thanksgiving dinner yesterday?  And, yes, Pumpkin Pie is a good breakfast food!

Happy Friday, Brew Nation! 

Grab your favorite coffee cup, sit back, relax, and get ready to sip on some enriching and thought-provoking content that will equip you to thrive in all areas of your life:

• Eat Healthy – Thanksgiving is over, and you’ve probably got a fridge full of delicious leftovers just waiting to be enjoyed. But what if you’re looking to make the most of those leftovers in a healthy way? Fear not! I found five fantastic ideas that will not only help you use up those Thanksgiving remnants but also keep your meals fun and nutritious. Let’s dive right in!

1. “Gobble Gobble” Power Bowl: Transform your leftover turkey into a satisfying power bowl. Start with a base of leafy greens, add some shredded turkey, and then get creative! Add roasted veggies, quinoa, cranberries, and a drizzle of light vinaigrette. It’s a colorful and wholesome way to enjoy your turkey while getting a boost of nutrients.
2. Stuffing Stuffed” Bell Peppers: Give your stuffing a healthy makeover by using it to stuff bell peppers. Simply scoop out the seeds and fill the peppers with your leftover stuffing, adding some diced turkey and veggies for extra flavor. Bake until the peppers are tender and voila! You’ve got a tasty, well-balanced meal.
3. “Cranberry Crunch” Parfait: Put those cranberry leftovers to good use in a delightful parfait. Layer Greek yogurt, a dollop of cranberry sauce, and a sprinkle of granola or crushed nuts. Repeat the layers and top it off with a drizzle of honey. Not only will it satisfy your sweet tooth, but it’s also packed with protein and antioxidants.
4. “Sweet Potato Pancakes”: Transform your leftover sweet potatoes into scrumptious pancakes. Mash them up, add a splash of milk, an egg, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a touch of honey. Mix well and cook them up like regular pancakes. These fluffy treats will make you feel like you’re having dessert for breakfast while sneaking in some nutritious goodness.
5. “Pumpkin Pie Smoothie”: Don’t let that extra slice of pumpkin pie go to waste! Blend it up with some almond milk, a frozen banana, and a dash of pumpkin spice, to go along with your Athletic Greens for an extra vitamin boost! It’s like having dessert in a glass, but with a healthy twist.  (This one sounds REALLY enjoyable and one I will try!!

There you have it! Five fun and healthy ways to enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers. Happy feasting and happy healthy eating!

• Exercise Daily – Now, the other suggestion is the recovery exercise to burn off those calories from your Thanksgiving binge.  Here’s a modified version of Jeremy Scott Fitness’ Thanksgiving Day “challenge” (or as I like to call it, repentance!) workout, designed to help you burn off those extra calories from the day before. Brace yourself for this intense “waterfall” exercise, where you’ll perform 10 reps of each exercise in the first round, 9 reps in the second round, and continue decreasing by one rep each round until you reach just one rep. That’s a whopping total of 550 reps that’ll have you questioning why you went overboard. Get ready to sweat it out and find your strength as you tackle these ten exercises:

Push-ups

Bent over dumbbell rows

Body Weight squats

Dumbbell shoulder presses

Burpees (Yes, burpees!)

Dumbbell arm curls

Jumping jacks

Elevated split squats (left leg)

Elevated split squats (right leg)

Box jumps

It’s never too late to get moving and burn off those Thanksgiving indulgences! Set your timer and challenge yourself to complete the waterfall workout. Remember, it’s all about performing quality reps and pushing yourself, rather than focusing on speed. This workout is designed for advanced fitness enthusiasts who are accustomed to intense training.

However, if this level of intensity feels overwhelming, don’t worry! There are plenty of alternative ways to kickstart your post-Thanksgiving recovery burn. Go for a brisk 30-minute walk, hop on your bike for a ride, or engage in any physical activity that gets your heart pumping and muscles working.

Let me know how you do!  You got this.

• Read More –We are working our way through The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, another John Maxwell classic sure to equip you and inspire you to uncommon leadership! I look forward to walking through it with you, Brew Nation!  This week, I will dive into Chapter 2.  I hope you will get a copy (available for just a little over $6 on Amazon in hardback!) and read along with me.

Quality #2 – Charisma

The First Impression Can Seal the Deal

The word “charisma” may sometimes carry negative associations, but in certain contexts, it can be a highly favorable trait. Especially in the realm of relationships, charisma can prove instrumental. It all starts with a simple principle: if you genuinely appreciate others, offer encouragement, and actively contribute to their growth, they will undoubtedly enjoy your presence.

In this insightful chapter, John Maxwell outlines four fundamental practices that can transform you into the kind of person who naturally attracts others: 1) Love Life, 2) Put a “10” on Every Person’s Head, 3) Give People Hope, and 4) Share Yourself. At first glance, these principles may seem deceptively straightforward. However, when it comes to charisma, the key lies in embracing a mindset of ‘other’ mindedness. True charismatic leaders prioritize the needs and concerns of others before their own.

Think back to instances where you engaged in conversations with familiar faces, only to find the dialogue revolving solely around them. At times, you may have fallen into this pattern yourself. Instead, strive to be the person who actively focuses on others during conversations. Take a genuine interest in their passions and experiences before sharing your own. By demonstrating a genuine curiosity and attentiveness, you’ll foster deeper connections and create an environment where charisma can grow the relationship.

Charisma is not an innate quality reserved for a select few. It is a skill that can be nurtured and developed over time. By practicing othermindedness, and prioritizing the well-being of those around you, you can unlock the transformative power of charisma and create meaningful connections that grow both your life and the lives of those you encounter.

So, the next time you engage in a conversation, make a conscious effort to be present, attentive, and genuinely interested in the other person.

Next week: Commitment

Quote of the week:    “I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approach than under a spirit of criticism.” – Charles Schwab, Industrialist

What You Need to Do:

Call to Action:  As you talk to others this week, evaluate how much of your conversation is focused on yourself.  Be committed to changing the conversation to focus on the person you are talking about and less on you. 

It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”.  Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.

Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!

P.S. – Are you a podcast fan?  Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you.    Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast?  Do you have a story to tell?  Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!