Meet the chef

I was at rock bottom. The bottom of a giant rock.The type of bottom where you can not see a way up, down, in or around. Frustration, helplessness, depression, and misery had set in. How had I let myself get to this point, I wondered. How did I let it get this far? Why was I allowing myself to take care of everyone except me? Why did I run to fix every one and every situation that came instead of my self care? By the time I got home, there was no time to cook. So t.v. dinner it was. Fast food had become life when I worked 50-70 hour weeks.

You see, I was in a cycle. A cycle that was all too familiar. A rat race of sorts. I would begin dieting, but as soon as it got too hard or I got too busy. I would quit and revert back to old habits. I allowed every day life to throw me off course. I've tried so many diets over the past 15 years. But nothing seemed to work. But it left me here. Here, at rock bottom. Nothing fit, and the mirror was not my friend.

One day I got a reality check. I was put on the spot. All the bad decisions I had made behind closed doors was put out in the open. At a popular theme park I tried to get on a roller coaster, but I could not close the clasp. I pushed, and pushed. The ride operators came and helped me push. Still, it wouldn't close. I had to get out of my seat and walk away while everyone was on the platform looking. And in my mind laughing at me. I didn't want to get on another ride, I was humiliated. I wanted to hide, but where? When I got home I did the unthinkable. I dusted off the scale that I had hidden in my closet. I put one foot on the scale. Then the other. I took a deep breath and squinted my eyes as I looked down at the number. The number looking back at me was like a dagger to the heart. I had never seen that number before. When did 300 pounds become the norm?

That was all I needed to see in order for me to stop making excuses. I pulled myself up, laced up my sneakers and hit the gym. Dieting hadn't worked, so I needed a new plan.

Meal prep to the rescue! Meal prep is preparing your meals in advance. Meal prep saves time, and it allows for healthier and more conscious food choices. No more counting carbs, omitting this or omitting that. Diets were difficult to follow and I still felt hungry. With meal prep I was able to eat the foods I loved but in moderation. Well balanced meals have helped me to lose over 80 pounds.

Meal prep is great for the single person who is on the go and wants to grab and go. No long lines at the fast food and coffee shops. Meal prep is especially necessary for someone who is on a weight loss or weight gain journey. Meal prep is also great for anyone who wants to take the stress out of cooking every day and to focus on more tasks that cater to your family, friends, or business.

About Chef Ashley Dominique

Ashley Dominique was always fascinated with food and cooking. She began her career in the food service industry at the age of 16. In high school she attended an event held at a local Culinary Arts institute that piqued her interest. Her main goal was to follow her dream of being able to cook full time. After obtaining her Culinary Arts degree from Johnson and Wales University, and taking nutrition courses at Florida International University she has worked in many prestigious hotels as well as restaurants. Her passion for food has also led to her dream of being a restaurateur. Fit and Fab Eats was born out of sheer necessity. Many clients were tired of eating the same boring, bland food that is  offered when eating healthy. Fit and Fab Eats to the rescue! Now serving Miami Dade and parts of Broward Counties.