The subject of today's blog actually has a double meaning - let me share...

Being a busy Toronto Real Estate Agent who is constantly picking up phone calls, answering emails, developing marketing mediums, prospecting for new business, doing paperwork, managing sales cycles, showing properties, and being stuck on the road in traffic doesn't leave much time to cook - or eat for that matter. Just from observation, I've seen many agents pick up a couple of inches on their tum-tums from all the fast food on the go... and then there's the flip side where agents start to look mal-nutritioned and age at super-sonic speed. As members of the service industry, you typically have to put your clients first and unfortunately, leave yourself for last.

I personally don’t fit either of those extremes – yet, although I’m probably leaning towards the latter group and god forbid I stop looking like how I do in my picture (that’s one of my worst pet peeves with real estate agent pictures: the use of glamour shots or a picture from 15 years ago)!  The lack of proper eating is an ugly cycle, but sometimes when you’re showing properties in the evening, which is prime dinner time, there really is no opportunity to eat well... until I discovered the way! The www.healthyheartmeals.com way.

What is that you ask? Well, it’s a meal plan... yes, I’m on a meal plan. I’m only on the 3 day/week plan so I get food delivered to me once a week on Sundays – that’s 9 full meals (3 each of breakfast, lunch and dinner) and then 3 snacks on top that are all portion and calorie controlled. All the food is fully cooked and then specially vacuum packed so it can last up to 5 days (but is best eaten after 3) and you just put it in your fridge and eat it when the stomach growls. Getting on the Healthy Heart Meals bandwagon is probably one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself given that...

• I have no time to cook or grocery shop
• I end up wasting a lot of food because I hate eating leftovers
• I actually save money from eating out less and throwing away less food
• I usually can’t finish all the ingredients I have to buy to cook
• I need food at my disposal as I have no time to eat out
• I get balanced and healthy meals so I can eat regularly
• I love feeling like it's Christmas day everytime I open my door on Monday mornings 

I highly recommend it not just to real estate agents, but any busy person who is constantly on the go. The biggest bonus is that it doesn’t cost much either – it starts from $19.99 per day depending on the plan you go on. Hahaha... I sound like a salesperson don’t I? Well, I do believe in it so maybe that’s why (but if you do decide to join, do reference me & I get some free food!).

Hey, are you laughing at me?

Well I’ll have the last laugh after you look at my menu for the week...

Breakfast:
   - Pear and Ricotta Crepes
   - Tomato and Feta Frittata
   - Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche
Lunch:
   - Ham and Roasted Red Pepper in a Spinach Wrap
   - Hot Chinese Tofu Salad
   - Chicken Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Salad
Dinner:
   - Apricot-stuffed Pork Loin with Red Mountain Potatoes and Sautéed Turnip
   - Baked Chicken with Peach Salsa
   - Pepper Beef with Leek Mashed Potato and Green Beans
Snack:
   - Roasted Red Pepper Dip with Whole Wheat Pita
   - Ham Swiss Cheese and Dill Pickle Wrap
   - Apple Blueberry Fruit Crisp

So eat your heart out - I am!

Oh wait – I forgot to talk about the other “heart” meaning... I’ve just donated $500 to The Heart and Stroke Foundation: $352.30 of which was raised from friends at my birthday BBQ in lieu of gifts (thanks guys & gals) and the rest which I’ve topped off to make a prettier sounding number. As they say at the Heart and Stroke Foundation, “great things happen when you put your heart into it.”

I concur.