• 20May

    Memorial Day

    Contributed by Good Measure Meals Registered Dietitian, Laura Delfausse

    Next Monday marks Memorial Day, a holiday when we all take time out of our lives to remember those who have fallen defending our country.  I think it is only appropriate to also take a break from the usual nutrition conversation, and instead focus on our nation’s heroes.

    It is not in me to put my life in danger in such a courageous way, so I have the utmost respect for all the men and women who are willing to sacrifice and serve on my behalf.

    Happy Veterans Day

    Good Measure Meals supports Open Hand to serve our community by empowering people to live healthier, more productive lives.

    Open Hand family volunteering

    A family volunteers with Open Hand by delivering meals together to individuals in the community.

    To all military, their families and loved ones, I say thank you, though it doesn’t seem quite enough.  But that is why I consider myself lucky to work for Open Hand Atlanta, an organization that works to provide meals and nutritional support to a very special and underserved population, many of whom are veterans.  I have personally met many of these veterans in their homes and in various community centers around the city.  They are your parents, your grandparents, your sisters or brothers.  Some advertise their service proudly, while others prefer to blend into the background.  They come from all walks of life and all regions of the country, but they all deserve our highest respect.

    As you may or may not know, Good Measure Meals is the social enterprise for Atlanta non-profit Open Hand, and 100% of the profits of this company support the Open Hand mission.  So, if you are currently a Good Measure client or have been one in the past, you can rest assured that you, too, are helping to supply nutritionally balanced meals to deserving veterans and many, many others.  And the support does not end with just the meals.  We also provide community education and nutritional counseling as well, because we believe a comprehensive approach to nutrition is best.

    If you would like to become more involved with Open Hand please visit our website at: www.projectopenhand.org

    For information on how to further help our soldiers and veterans, here are just a few options:

    The USO: http://www.uso.org/

    Soldier’s Angels: http://soldiersangels.org/donating-items.html

    Rivers of Recovery: http://www.riversofrecovery.org

    Horse Rhythm Foundation: http://www.horserhythm.org/

    American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/ca/los-angeles/ways-to-donate/individual-gifts/support-military-families

    National Military Family Association: http://www.militaryfamily.org/our-programs/operation-purple

    open hand couple volunteer

    A couple volunteers in the Open Hand Atlanta kitchen, packing meals for delivery across the city.

     

     

     

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  • 14May

    Meet GMM’s Summer Fitness Expert, Thomas Murphy!

    Good Measure Meals

    This summer Good Measure Meals is partnering with a local fitness expert.  His name is Thomas Murphy, and not only is he the Athletic Director at Colony Square athletic Club, but he is also a NPC Physique and Power Lifting Competitor.  Thomas is working with Good Measure Meals to prepare for his upcoming competitions and control his weight through healthy nutrition.

    We asked Thomas to tell us about his fitness expertise and how Good Measure Meals are helping him achieve his goals.

    Thomas Murphy“My fitness experience is pretty much a little bit of everything. Growing up, my brothers and I were all involved in judo and soccer. I went on to try out ice hockey, basketball, and boxing. I began lifting weights in a high school class and continued on through college and haven’t missed more than 2 week in the gym ever since. My father worked as a physical therapist and I‘ve learned quite a bit from him as well. Recently, I competed in and won the Kennesaw State Iron Owl 3 Weight Lifting Competition for my weight and for overall. This past weekend I placed 9th out of 15th in the NPC Eastern Seaboard Physique Competition. I look forward to placing higher next time in July!small Chicken edamame risotto SS2013 meal

    I am a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) and have worked as a personal trainer for over 10 years now. My expertise is in improving a person’s body composition and/or improving athletic performance. However, I have become comfortable working with all different types of goals with various limitations. I have enjoyed my new role as Athletic Director of Colony Square Athletic Club as it allows more of an overall coaching role as opposed to just the physical training aspect of fitness.

    Living a healthy lifestyle is something I feel is universally appreciated. I enjoy working in this industry because I am able to help people and in some cases actually save lives. I understand my job allows me to change people in so many ways, and I enjoy being a leader for them to follow. The rewards are endless.

    I am so glad to able to have Good Measure Meals at my place of work. It is such a stress relief to know that I don’t have to worry about getting my meals ready the night before work or to get them prepared in the morning. Good Measure provides healthy, balanced meal plans that taste amazing and very much so gourmet! I look forward to seeing what I get to eat for the day and love the fact that I don’t have to calculate a thing. I know exactly how many calories are being provided and that makes the rest of my meal planning a cinch.”

     

    Thomas MurphyThomas Murphy, CSCS

    NPC Physique Competitor

    Stimrx fitness model

    Power Lifting Competitor – Bench 405 / Deadlift 565

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  • 06May

    “Functional Training” – What’s All the Buzz About?

    From Our Partners and Fitness Experts at Snap Fitness

    If you have opened a fitness magazine in the last year, chances are there was at least one article dealing solely with the topic of “functional training.”

    CrunchesThere is a huge buzz surrounding functional training, but what does that even mean?  In basic terms, functional training requires an individual to perform exercises that mimic or aid in daily activity.

    So here’s the question, why is this important? As we age, daily activities become more challenging to effectively execute without injuries. The fact that functional training focuses on movements that we perform on a regular basis is essential to its necessity in your weekly rotation of work-outs.  This type of training will improve core strength, flexibility, joint mobility, and has also been shown to be more effective in weight loss and muscle gain in comparison to single joint exercises (traditional machines).

    Snap fitness trainerNow, you are probably wondering which exercises fit into the realm of functional training. For starters, think less “weight-bearing exercises from machines” and more “natural bodyweight exercises.” Bodyweight exercises like push-ups and lunges are great examples. Adding props like stability balls, suspension training systems, dumbbells, and medicine balls will help increase the intensity of any move as you progress from three times each week. Proper form and alignment will ultimately be the keys to your success and overall improvement. Pair these exercises with moderate-to-intense cardio training for about an hour-long total session each time.

    At Snap Fitness Lavista Walk, you can work directly with a trainer to find your correct form in each functional training move.  With Snap Fitness and Good Measure Meals, it’s easy to maximize your results in strength and weight loss by picking up your Good Measure Meals each time you visit your trainer or when you work out at Snap Fitness Lavista Walk.

    Alex Stubbs M.S. Ed.

    AFAA PT

    AFAA Group Training

    TRX Suspension Training

    Snap Fitness – Lavista Walk

    1167 Lavista Rd

    Atlanta, Georgia 30324

    (404) 793-7398

    Website

    Facebook

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  • 26Feb

    “How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways”

    Contributed by GMM Community Health Dietitian Laura Delfausse MS, RD, LD

     

    It is February, and whether you chose to participate in Valentine’s Day or not, there is no escaping the topic love and romance. Therefore, I thought an appropriate theme to discuss this month is relationships. Not the ones with your spouses or significant others, but the ones with your food.

    A good relationship is measured by an appropriate balance of give and take. What does this have to do with food you may ask? What can I give my food? The answer – respect. Respect your food for what it is and the awesome potential it has to heal and protect not only your body, but also your soul. If you respect your food it will repay you in more ways than you can measure. And much like the
    relationships in our personal lives, a healthy relationship with food takes constant work. Therefore, it is important to lay some groundwork, so that you will always know where the two of you stand. Here are 2 simple questions you can ask your food before digging in:

    1) Where is the love? One of the first things I ask myself before buying food is how much love was put into this item? If I don’t feel like it was appropriately nurtured, then for me that is a deal breaker.

    What do I mean by this? This answer is very personal, based on my own needs and ideals. Therefore, you are the only one who can answer to this question. Some of you may want to
    know if it was made in a factory or by hand. Others need to know the company’s motivation behind producing a particular product. And let’s be honest about his one, everyone needs to make money to survive. However, some go about the process more thoughtfully than others and, thus, put more love into their brand.

    The drive behind what we do at Good Measure Meals is you and it’s our community, which 100% of our proceeds support. We believe in health and wellness, and we’re implementing our beliefs through healthy meal plans and through support systems, because health and wellness extends beyond just the food you eat. Health and wellness is a lifestyle.

    Do your research and make sure the companies you patronize deserve you. Know where your food is coming from; research a company’s charitable pursuits and business model; take the time get to know your food. Don’t waste your time with superficial relationships, because you deserve more!

    2) Is this worth my time? In other words, what does your food bring to the table? Is it loaded with trans fats and empty calories, but “who cares because it tastes really good?” Or is it bland and unsatisfying, but really helping to keep those extra pounds away? Well here at Good Measure Meals, believe there is no justification for either scenario. The only meal worthy of your time includes
    both health and happiness. Without this balance, you are doomed to an unhealthy relationship with food.

    So, force yourself outside of your comfort zone once in a while. Don’t settle. Build your relationship with food on trust and mutual understanding, and you will be reap the rewards for many, many years to come. You will be amazed at what you will discover!

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  • 04Feb

    GMM BLITZ: Healthy Desserts!

    We took another poll of the staff here at GMM for their favorite healthier dessert-of-the-moment, and we got some really creative responses that are making our mouths water. (You’ll find the recipes at the end of the post!)

    Q: It’s February, which means Valentine’s Day and goodies for our favorite loved ones! What is at the top of your list for your favorite healthier treat of the moment?

    Jess: Berries and Cream Parfait for a super-easy fro-yo fix.  Need to tone down the sweet factor?  Sub a Greek Yogurt to up the protein and add some tang!

    Harmony:  “Chocolate Smoothie a la Harmony!” Milkshakes are loaded with fat and refined sugars, but this is a natural alternative with an equally delicious taste.

    Katherine: Cheese and jam on toast! This is a seriously underrated dessert for all of us sweet/salty food fans.

     

    Laura: Banana Milk. This shake is a good source of calcium, fiber and vitamin C.  There are also no added sugars and it is low in fat. The banana creates a super thick, rich treat, and it is also a way healthier substitute for a milkshake, even though my taste buds don’t know the difference. Banana milk is also a great way to use up the extra bananas I have hanging out in my freezer that were starting to get too ripe. Since I always have milk on hand, it’s super convenient and a breeze to make!

    Chris: Skinny Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies. Need I say more?

    Sule: Chuice. Fresh, delicious, fruit and veggie juices with an added crunch. It may sound odd, but tasting is believing.

    GMM drinks Chuice for Sule's birthday party!

     

     

    Read the rest of this entry »

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  • 21Nov

    GMM Blitz! “We are Thankful for…”

    Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends! In the spirit of the holiday, we asked the GMM staff what they’re thankful for this year. We’ll let the answers speak for themselves.

     

    Katherine: Since starting at GMM this spring, I’ve been so thankful for our customers’ honesty through the year about their favorite parts of the menu and their suggestions/ideas for improvement. And more than that, I’m thankful to be part of a team that actually listens to the customer and makes the changes needed to put out the best product possible.

    Sule: I am thankful for being part of a team whose success is directly tied to providing a product that improves the health of our overall community. I am also thankful that our customers are taking an active interest in making healthy lifestyle choices not only for themselves, but also knowingly do so to help people in need they may never meet.  True “Health Care” happens when all of us help each  other, not just an individual feeling better or one entity being profitable.

    Philip: This year, I am thankful for family.  Not only does this include my immediate household, but my family here at Open Hand/Good Measure Meals.  Coming to work every day is such a  pleasure.  I thoroughly enjoy working with like-minded people who are committed to helping others achieve their fitness and health goals.   I am thankful that I get to help others.

    David: I am thankful for customers that give us great feedback about our meal plans. I am also thankful for our OH/GMM staff that listens and works together to accommodate needed changes.

    Jess: I am thankful for our amazing team of passionate health nuts!  Everyone has their own unique reason for driving our mission and it makes my job so enjoyable and rewarding!  I am also thankful to have a job that allows me to positively impact the health of our community through helping each and every one of our customers pursue their health and wellness goals.

    Judi: I am thankful for the incredible opportunity I have to affect so many lives in a positive way just by working for Open Hand and Good Measure Meals.  It is a way to connect to people in our  community who were invisible to me before I started working here.

    Harmony: I am very thankful that we have customers who not only care about themselves, but care about others. Our customers are aware that we give back to Open Hand, and they still give extra donations when ordering. I am thankful to work with a group of people whose commitment to health and wellness is outstanding! And I am thankful to work with such a great team in customer service!  We, as a team, take pride in what we do, and we have so much fun in the process!  From teamwork to problem solving, it’s always a good day at Good Measure Meals!

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  • 22Oct

    What is Food Day?

    Happy almost-Food Day, everyone! That’s right, Food Day 2012 falls on Wednesday, October 24th this year – a mere three days from now – and we’re gearing up around GMM headquarters for a big party.

     

    But hold up a second. Food Day? Food Day? Like we really need to throw a party for the culprit behind America’s huge obesity crisis?

    Yep, we do, and here’s why:

     

    1. Real food is never the culprit. Think of real food as just that – “real.” Natural ingredients like unprocessed fruits and vegetables, whole grains (instead of processed grains), natural sweeteners (instead of refined or artificial sugars), and locally/humanely raised and slaughtered meats.

    Eating “real food” strips away all chance for encountering the preservatives and additives for prolonged shelf life, all of the hard-to-pronounce ingredients that trail down so many nutrition labels in our supermarkets. “Real food” hearkens back to the kind of food and cooking that our great-great grandparents probably knew. Imagine loaves of bread with just four ingredients! Imagine vegetables plucked and washed right around the corner before you pick them up to purchase! Imagine milk and yogurt made in dairies with your same zip code and not shipped across multiple states or over-sweetened and over-pasteurized to disguise their true, full flavors.

    No, real food isn’t the culprit behind obesity. There are many culprits, and one of them is the quick, mindless consumption of highly processed foods. Eating “real food” forces us to look at our food labels and find out what actual ingredients we’re putting into our bodies. It prompts us to seek out the places in our neighborhoods we can purchase the most freshly made products – breads, cheeses, juices, vegetables, fruits, dairy – and take notice of our seasonal farmers markets. Consuming “real food” implies valuing the quality and source of what we eat.

    GMM's Customer Service Manager loves beets!

    2. Food Day is more than a celebration of just food. As stated on the National Food Day website (yes, there is such a thing!), “Food Day is a nationwide celebration and a movement toward more healthy, affordable and sustainable food….Food Day takes place annually on October 24 to address issues as varied as health and nutrition, hunger, agricultural policy, animal welfare, and farm worker justice. The ultimate goal of Food Day is to strengthen and unify the food movement in order to improve our nation’s food policies.”

    Celebrating Food Day helps lift all of our eyes out of the ruts of our daily dietary routines and take a glance at this country’s food systems and their direct effects on our lives.

    Now, to be fair, our prosperous country is uniquely blessed with systems of food production that stock our supermarket shelves with overflowing abundance. Food Day doesn’t necessitate a moral stance on how we receive our food, but perhaps it will urge us to ponder how these systems affect the farmers, animals, products, and people involved. Perhaps it will prompt us to investigate the Slow Food Movement, our area farms, and what it means to eat seasonally, locally, and organically. Hopefully so.

    Harmony shops at the farmers markets for her real foods!

     

    So what are we doing at Good Measure Meals? Something very basic, but also quite Food Day appropriate: We’re throwing a big Food Day potluck lunch for with our staff! Every meal contribution must feature at least one local ingredient, and judging by last year’s potluck, we’re in for some creative and delicious eating!

    The picnic table spread from GMM's Food Day 2011 potluck party.

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  • 12Oct

    Good Measure Meals, PRIDE, and Lots of Fall Fun

    October is a packed month with festivals, parades, food, and merriment galore! Below is a list of events that span the entire month – we hope you enjoy this Fall season as much as we do!
    And to start things off, look for the Open Hand/Good Measure Meals float in the Atlanta Pride Parade this Sunday! We will also have a booth set up at the festival in Piedmont Park.
    See you there!
    Piedmont Park
    10/12/2012 – 10/14/2012
    Kick-Off Parties, Lady Gaga-Inspired Yoga, Car/Motorcycle Shows, Cultural Exhibits, Community Health Expo, Vendors, Pride Parade, Starlight Cabaret Drag Entertainment, Closing Parties, and More!
    Join Good Measure Meals/Open and Atlanta to walk in the Pride Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday October 14th. Participants must meet no later than 12 (noon), and the Open Hand float will be in Row E

    Atlanta Fall Festivals

    Stone Mountain Park:  9/28/2012 – 10/27/2012
    Costume contests, Puppet Parades, a Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt, and more!
    13 Stories Haunted House (Kennesaw): 9/28/2012 – 11/3/2012
    Stone Mountain Park: 10/11/2012 – 10/28/2012
    HAPPENING NOW! 4:00-7:30 pm 10/12/2012
    Free local beer tasting, food vendors,
    live music, kids’ activities, artists, pumpkins, and other Market favorites
    - CandlerPark Fall Fest
    Candler Park
    10/13/2012 – 10/14/2012
    5K Race, Music, Art Festival, Food, Games
    Peachtree Corners Festival: 10/13/2012
    Art Festival
    Sweet Auburn Historic District: 10/13/12
    Multi-cultural Music festival, Food, Entertainment, Arts
    Stone Mountain Park
    10/19/2012 – 10/21/2012
    Little Five Points: 10/20/2012
    Parade, Food Vendors, Two Outdoor Music Stages
    Little Creek Horse Farm: 10/20/2012
    Family fun, Carnival, Horse and Pony Rides, Food, Silent Auction
    Save the Horses (Cumming, GA): 10/20/2012
    Hay Rides, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Face Painting, Plate Lunches, Baked Goods
    Flat Shoals Park: 10/20/2012
    Costume Contest, DJ, Entertainment, Arts and Crafts, Food
    Decatur Square: 10/20/2012
    Live Music, Food, More than 100 Craft Beers
    Sterling on the Lake: 10/20/2012
    Balloon races, Kids games, Pumpkin carving, Hay rides, Food, and More
    The Rock Ranch
    10/27/2012
    Wholesome family Halloween experience including trick-or-treating,
    costume contests, scavenger hunt, flashlight corn maze experience, magician and more.
    Stone Mountain Park
    11/1/2012 – 11/4/2012
    Cabbagetown Park
    11/3/2012
    5K Race and Chili Cook-Off
    Chastain Park
    11/3/2012 – 11/4/2012
    Auburn Avenue (neighborhood)
    11/3/2012 – 11/4/2012
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  • 27Jul

    GMM Provides Dinner for the American Cancer Society Winn-Dixie Hope Lodge

    Hope Lodge Dining Room

    Good Measure Meals was proud to provide dinner (or breakfast for dinner in this case) with the American Cancer Society’s Executive Leadership Council to approximately 70 cancer survivors and their families on Wednesday, July 18 at the American Cancer Society Winn-Dixie Hope Lodge in Atlanta.

    Guests enjoyed Broccoli Cauliflower Frittatas, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Apple Sausage, and Apple Quinoa Bread with Vanilla Yogurt – all from GMM’s menu, along with an educational handout on the cancer fighting benefits of many foods on the menu – including broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes.

    Before dinner, GMM was honored to be a part of the weekly graduation ceremony for guests of the Hope Lodge who have finished treatment.  Three guests were honored and given tokens from their journey as graduation presents.

    The Hope Lodge offers many of the comforts of home for those going through cancer treatment who live more than 40 miles away from their treatment center.  Their treatment must require a 3-day or longer stay in the area, patients must be able to care for themselves, and are allowed one adult guest to stay with them in their room.

    Learn more about the American Cancer Society Winn-Dixie Hope Lodge.

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  • 24Jun

    5 Tips for Shopping at a Farmers Market

    Shopping at a farmer’s market is very different from shopping at a grocery store. The whole experience can be intimidating and unpredictable. It helps to treat the idea of shopping at a farmers market just like any new experience –practice makes perfect and the more that you go to the market the easier it will be and the more pleasure you’ll find from eating very fresh, seasonal produce from local farms.

    Prepare for the trip with these 5 tips:

    1. Arrive early – Farmers and vendors usually sell out of their produce and products by the end of the market so the sooner you arrive the better the selection. Also, outdoor markets will heat up after the morning hours, which can cause lettuce and other delicate produce like herbs to wilt.
    2. Make a flexible shopping list – Don’t let the list dictate your purchases. Wait to see what’s freshest when you get there and be flexible with the seasonal offerings. There are many cookbooks that are organized by produce and season – these will help to give you some ideas for combining flavors and vegetables that you may not be used to using in the kitchen.
    3. Talk to the farmers, your neighbors and people in your community – Not sure how to prepare a particular vegetable? Ask folks at the market including the farmers. You can also use your shopping time to socialize with your neighbors and people in your community.
    4. Try something new – variety is the spice of life and you’re likely to see many varieties of produce at a farmers market that can’t be found in a grocery store – duck eggs, kohlrabi, fresh shell beans, and garlic scapes. These foods will surely add a unique variety of nutrients and taste experiences to your meals.
    5. Bring bags and a cooler with an ice pack – Reusable bags save plastic and are usually easier to carry. A cooler with ice packs will help your food purchases stay cool while you shop and socialize.

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