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ASA Connections in PA: Emma Nemeth’s Story

12/11/2020

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ASA Connections in PA: Emma Nemeth’s Story

Emma Nemeth, a member of the Dauphin County, PA Athletes Serving Athletes Community, found out about our organization through Facebook. One day as she was scrolling through her feed, she saw an invite for a local open house event. Her decision to attend led to her role as an ASA Captain today. 

However, it wasn’t just by chance that the open house popped up on Emma’s Facebook feed - she was purposefully looking to join an organization like ASA. 
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Previously, she had participated in a church group Sunday school class for adults with disabilities. Building relationships with the group members and celebrating their shared beliefs deepened her connection to both the church and its congregants. Emma was on the lookout for more opportunities like this.
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When she learned more about ASA, it seemed like the perfect group. It piqued her interest as a former cross-country and track star, and combined both her passions for helping people with disabilities and running. 
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Despite the Dauphin County ASA community’s smaller size, Emma says that the friendships she’s forged with WingMen and ASA Athletes have still resulted in deep, meaningful connections.

“The PA group is relatively small, but being a smaller group allows us to be more intimate and close-knit,” she says. “It’s been really great, and I really appreciate and love the people and getting to know everyone.”

As the pandemic continues to affect people and organizations across the globe, Emma has been keeping in touch with her ASA community through social media. 
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“My heart goes out to ASA Athletes because training and racing together was a big part of their social connection,” she says. “The virtual events have been awesome, and I’m grateful that we’re still able to be together that way.”
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The biggest thing that Emma misses about in-person training runs and races is the sense of camaraderie brought about by running alongside all of the WingMen, Captains and ASA Athletes. She especially misses laughing and counting dogs on training runs with ASA Athlete Ashley Reeves.
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The first thing Emma plans to do once the pandemic is over is hug all of her WingMen, Captain, and ASA Athlete friends again. 

Read more stories like Emma's!

Read Keely Horch's Story

Read John Suggs's Story 

Donate to Support ASA!
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Staying Connected to ASA: John Suggs’s Story

12/8/2020

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Staying Connected to ASA: John Suggs’s Story

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Lisa Dornell Suggs was reading a local Howard County magazine when she came across an article about Stephanie and David Blades’ involvement with ASA - that’s when it clicked. This is the perfect organization for her son, John, to join. 
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She and her husband Robert are always on the lookout for opportunities to get John involved in the community, so they immediately made some calls, and soon enough John found himself on the ASA Athlete waiting list. Shortly after that, he received the invitation to become a full-blown ASA Athlete and participated in his first official race - a 5k to benefit Girls on the Run.
“We’ve met some lovely people, and John immediately loved participating in training runs and races,” Lisa says. “The commitment and the love of the WingMen is amazing, and it’s a great experience for John and our family - it gives us something to focus on besides disability.”
Despite COVID-19 preventing the Suggs from participating in running events in person in 2020, John and his family kept their spirits up and stayed connected. They participated in virtual races and made signs to cheer on those who were out there running. 

John and his father even entered a “Run Across America” challenge where they went on long walks around the neighborhood together and tracked their distance. As a result, John got to connect with his neighbors that he saw out on his daily walks. 
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One summer highlight stands out for the Suggs family: the day that a “We Miss You” sign for John appeared in their yard.
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“It was a huge surprise when we opened the door!” said Lisa. “We loved the picture, and John had the biggest grin on his face. He was so happy, and it shows that ASA is still thinking about him, still values him, and still wants to maintain that connection - even though we aren’t able to be with everyone in person right now.”

John is looking forward to being reunited with his ASA community friends once again. In the meantime, you can find him attending Zoom dance parties and rolling around the neighborhood with his dad and making new friends on their walks.

Read more stories like John's!

Read Keely Horch's Story

Read Emma Nemeth's Story 

Donate to Support ASA!
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THE STORY OF KEELY & KEVIN & VIRTUAL RUNFEST

12/4/2020

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THE STORY OF KEELY & KEVIN & VIRTUAL RUNFEST

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Keely Horch, now a sophomore at Catonsville High School, got involved with ASA in 2019 after being introduced to the organization through Board Member Kevin McNulty.

​Her love of outdoor activities and making meaningful connections with others made her decision to become an ASA Athlete a no-brainer.

When Keely and her family got the call that a spot had opened up, she was unfortunately too ill to physically participate in any activities. But that didn’t stop ASA from keeping her involved - the organization kept in touch with Keely throughout the year. 

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She still had the chance to meet people and build relationships with WingMen and Captains.
Once she began to feel well enough to finally race and train, a new challenge prevented her from racing: COVID-19. Instead of letting the situation get her down, Keely continued to stay positive and connected with her newfound ASA friends and family. 

One particular event over the summer stands out: Virtual RunFest. Never having raced before, Keely didn’t know quite what to expect, especially from an event that had been modified to meet pandemic safety measures.
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Little did she expect Kevin McNulty to bring a socially-distanced entourage of ASA supporters (complete with a water station, orange slices, cheering, and signs) right to her front yard. It was the closest possible replication to a racing event, given the global pandemic. ​

​To play it safe, Kevin ran in Keely’s honor as she and the other ASA onlookers cheered him on.

“She’s is a doll!” he says. “She has a great attitude, and her community, neighbors, and family all know that and came out to support her.”
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Kevin's Facebook post about the event reads:

"I had the honor of running for Keely Horch this morning in Catonsville as part of the ASA Virtual RunFest. We had a great time with the pre and post race parties. A lot of the Team did a walk through Keely’s neighborhood. I ran what I called an Old School 5k because I ran down to and around my old school and back. I can’t wait for the day when it is safe enough for me to run with Keely but until then I’ll keep running for her and all of our wonderful Athletes. Together We Finish!"


Keely is still looking forward to finally running and racing with ASA. In the meantime, you can find her enjoying the outdoors and cruising along the Ocean City shorefront in her new Extreme Motus all-terrain chair. ​

Read more stories like Keely's!

Read John Suggs's Story

Read Emma Nemeth's Story

Donate to Support ASA!
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LET'S TALK SOCIAL HEALTH - COMMUNICATION EDITION

11/23/2020

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Of the four Tour de Endure Pillars we've focused on these past few months, Mental and Social health are most likely the trickier ones to understand and fulfill. It's easy to get out and run for your Physical Pillar, or try a new food for your Dietary Pillar, but engaging in activities like meditating and journaling might be a little different for your Mental Pillar. And we know that getting out and having social interactions is more difficult than ever as a result of the pandemic. 

Here's one big thing you can focus on that can improve your social health: communication. 

It might seem like an obvious answer, but the truth is that a majority of our problems at work, in relationships, and with our loved ones and friends stem from miscommunications. Here are some tips you can use to improve the way you relate to others, even over a zoom call!

1. Don't Expect Anything Without An Agreement:

We tend to think that people can read our minds. We set up these expectations, like wanting the dishes to be done the moment they reach the sink or expecting our partners to wake up and go running with us every morning. Then, when these expectations aren't met, we get disappointed or even frustrated and angry. The problem is that we never had a conversation about what we wanted in the first place - so of course we're going to be let down when our expectations aren't met.

The key is to MAKE AGREEMENTS before having expectations - talk about when you want the dishes done and what days you want to go running before work. 

2. Understand That Priorities are Always Changing: 

Whether it's your partner or your friend, a family member or a coworker, remember that their priorities can change just as often as yours. Yesterday, watching a movie with your family might have been at the very top of your to-do list. Today, working on a project after receiving a last-minute deadline at work might take its place. 

The key here is to TALK about what's happening in your life and why your priorities are changing to prevent those close to you from thinking that you're blowing them off or that you don't care. Chances are, if they're good people to have in your life, they'll understand. 

3. Learn How to De-Escalate: 

Everyone has had a moment in which they've said something out of anger and regretted it later. In order to avoid situations like these and preserve your friends' and loved ones' feelings, it's important to learn how to de-escalate arguments and heated situations. Keeping your feelings in check when you're upset is hard, and it takes practice, but some good ways to start practicing are: 
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  • Learn to let go of the need to be right - you'd rather preserve your relationship than be "the winner" or have the last word 
 
  • Do not interrupt the other person or cut them off - this will just make them more upset 
 
  • Give options and choices, not demands - ask the other person how they're feeling and provide multiple ways to resolve the issue. People who feel trapped by needing to make a single yes/no decision tend to lash out. 
 
  • Remember that anger is often a defense mechanism against fear - try to be empathetic and show compassion - try to understand what the other person is scared of. 

​Your social health isn't just about spending time with people and getting out in the world and doing fun activities together - it's about how you relate to others, how you interact and understand each other, and how you can help each other through tough situations. Learn how to be there for your friends and family in ways that aren't all fun and games - learn to listen and be compassionate. Learn to help others through your social skills, and watch your social skills flourish in return. 

To learn more about our Social Health Pillar, Click Here!

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Sweating Like a Mother: Christine Huovinen & Tour de Endure

11/16/2020

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Anyone who has met Christine Huovinen knows she’s got a ton on her plate, but has mastered the art of balance. She divides her time between her job as a paramedic, raising her two young sons alongside her husband Justin, volunteering as a WingMan and Captain for ASA, and getting involved in local community groups. 

For someone as active and involved as Christine, the implications of COVID-19 meant less opportunities for physical activity and staying connected. She heard about ASA’s Tour de Endure Challenge soon after her second son was born, and decided to sign up as a way to get moving again. One thing that the challenge offered her was a sense of accountability during hectic times. 

In order to fulfill her physical activities through Tour de Endure, Christine joined a group called “SLAM,” or “Sweat Like a Mother.” She said that she was able to participate in Zoom workouts with a group of other moms, and eventually began to attend sessions safely in the local park with her children.

Even though it may have started out as a physical fitness goal, joining SLAM also contributed to Christine’s social and mental health activities. Being able to connect with other moms outside of the house and participate in mindful workouts like yoga flows helped her to achieve her 3 Tour de Endure activities each week.
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“Even though times are tough, now’s the time to get out, get involved, and stay active and healthy. We all need something to keep us motivated. Finding new and creative ways to stay connected to our community - as far apart as we are right now - will keep us together,” she says.


ASA Involvement
Christine Huovinen was first introduced to ASA through her family. Her husband’s cousin, Andrew Donahue, was involved with our Eastern Shore Community as an Athlete. After running their first 5k together with Andrew and ASA, both she and her husband Justin fell in love with the organization. Christine then went on to become a WingMan and then a Captain of ASA’s Harford County Community. 

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What is Meditation?

11/5/2020

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WHAT IS IT? 

Mainstream media teaches us that meditation is sitting down with our legs crossed and our eyes closed while we say something like “om” over and over again. What it doesn’t teach us is that
mediation is a type of mindfulness. 

The point is to train your attention and awareness, specifically of your physical, mental, and emotional states (things that happen inside you instead of outside and around you) to a point where you can comfortably control your reactions to those states. 
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For example, you may not be able to control feeling sad or angry, but you can learn how to accept those types of emotional states and react to them in ways that are more helpful and comforting to you. (i.e., taking deep breaths and walking away instead of lashing out at loved ones.)

​HOW DO YOU DO IT? 

There are also plenty of ways and places to meditate - you don’t have to be sitting down on a pillow with your legs crossed every time. It’s supposed to be something that’s available to you anywhere at any time of day. You can also do it for as long as you want - whether it’s 30 seconds or 20 minutes. 

But make no mistake, you aren’t supposed to be sitting there for however long just trying to arbitrarily “clear your mind.” It’d be pretty boring to just sit there for 10 minutes and think about nothing, right? It’s about focusing on how you feel inside - so here are some great ways to get started: 

  • Think about Your Feelings: Taking some time to sit and think about how you’re feeling emotionally, without any outside distractions. Is it a positive or a negative emotion? What physical side effects accompany it that you might not have noticed before? 
 
  • Do a Body Scan: Concentrate on each part of your body starting at the top of your head all the way down to your toes. Be aware of each muscle and intentionally un-grip. 
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  • Practice Breathing Steadily: Pay attention to your breath. Take deep breaths, pause at the top of each one, and exhale all of the air out. Then notice how you feel afterward.

You could follow these suggestions and try them out on your own, but you could also download an app or watch a youtube video to help guide you through the process. This usually includes an instructor telling you what to do, sometimes with light, calming music in the background. 

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WHY SHOULD I DO IT?
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So why should you do it? It’s amazing for your mental health, that’s why! Studies have shown that those who meditate often are able to focus and pay attention better than before, improve their self-esteem and self-awareness, reduce stress, manage anxiety or depression, and more. 

Even if you’re brand-new to it, try it out for this last month of Tour de Endure! It’s the perfect way to fulfill a mental pillar activity!
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Tour de endure & the Taylors

10/28/2020

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Marshal and Sammy Taylor have been ASA Athletes for a few years now. They’re two of 4 kids in the Taylor household, both affected differently by mitochondrial disease. Their mother, Stacy, said that it was difficult to find activities for kids with disabilities that aren’t heavily focused on the disability. They “can’t exactly go to summer camp,” but it’s also hard to find a place where they can be treated just like everybody else...until they found Athletes Serving Athletes. 

The family’s first introduction to our organization was on the NCR trail in Towson, MD. They rolled up to the meeting spot, and the Captain/WingMan system was explained, but not over-explained. Marshall and Sammy were secured in their joggers, and set off with their new training partners without the usual series of hyper-detailed questions and instructions. It was a breath of fresh air. 

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Since then, Marshall and Sammy have finished countless races with the ASA community. Sammy likes to sing during training runs, and nothing beats the thrill of crossing the finish line for Marshall. When the pandemic hit, losing the opportunity to race and train together and in person hit our community hard - but we never gave up, and we never quit. 

ASA launched virtual challenges all summer, and Athletes like Sammy and Marshall kept up and stayed connected. When ASA launched Tour de Endure, Sammy and Marshall signed up and continue to participate in 3 activities per week based on the Mental, Physical, Social and Dietary Health Pillars. (ASA even featured them on its social media pages for doing a Dietary Pillar Pizza Night with the family!)

When the school year began, the Taylors made an effort to make a meal from scratch one night per week that doubled as both family bonding, and a way to fulfill their Tour de Endure activities. Marshall reads the recipes and helps measure everything out, and Sammy loves to experience the smells and textures of the different ingredients.
The family also fulfills both the Mental and Social Health Pillars through living out their motto: “Everything is better if you can laugh a little bit.” On a typical night, you can find them watching Impractical Jokers and cracking up together. ​
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“Making the Tour de Endure commitment is a strong reminder [to take care of ourselves],” says Stacy Taylor. She expressed that despite its lack of penalties, it’s difficult to ignore the promise she and her family made to themselves to participate and improve their health in all four Pillars. 

The Taylors are a beloved part of our ASA Community, and we’re so incredibly proud of them for continuing to stay connected and healthy with us during these times.

​For more information about Tour de Endure,
Click Here.
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7 Socially Distant Fall Activities

10/14/2020

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Your social health is just as important as your mental, physical, and dietary health. That's why it's one of our four Tour de Endure Pillars! Spending time with friends and family and connecting with the people you love can have a significant positive impact on your overall health. Over the summer, it may have been easier to get together for socially-distanced outdoor activities with loved ones than it is now as the season changes. Here are some socially-distant activities you can participate in together this fall! 
7. Exchange Your Favorite Fall Recipes 

Even if you aren't able to cook in the same kitchen, share some of your favorite cozy fall recipes with friends and family. Choose a day where you cook each others' respective meals, and enjoy dinner together over the phone or video chat so you can talk about them! 

6. Enjoy a Night by The Fire 

If you have the space for it, set up a bonfire and invite your friends or family over to the yard to enjoy s'mores and good company. You can still hang out in person while maintaining 6 feet of distance, and experience a classic fall activity together. 

5. Make Your Own Candles 

There are plenty of kits you can find online to jump-start your candle-making hobby. Spend a day with your family making homemade candles with fall scents (think cinnamon and spices!) to gift to your loved ones over the holidays - just make sure you sanitize them before wrapping! 

4. Carve Pumpkins 

Head on over to your local pumpkin patch and pick up some good ones - have any friends or family do the same, and put together a socially-distant carving set-up in the driveway or backyard. Carve your designs together while enjoying some warm apple cider and then reveal your creations once you've finished! 

3. Take a Nature Walk 

Head out to your nearest trail to check out the fall foliage with a friend. Make sure the trail is large enough for you to maintain a safe distance, and catch up while enjoying all the beautiful colors that fall has to offer!

2. Visit a Drive-In Movie 

Find the closest drive-in movie theater and call up a friend or family member you've been missing during quarantine. Park your cars next to each other and safely watch movies together! 

1. Head To Your Local Brewery or Vineyard 

Most breweries and vineyards have spaced-out outdoor seating, perfect for enjoying a pumpkin ale or a nice fall wine while maintaining a safe distance between yourself and your friends! Grab some drinks (if you're of age!) and a nice lunch together. 

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There are still ways to spend quality time with friends and family this fall even if it's a little different this year. Do it for them, and do it for your personal social health. And be sure to post any pictures or videos of your Fall activities on social media this season and tag #TourdeEndure!
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6 Indoor Physical Activities for the Fall & Winter

10/6/2020

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Cold weather is upon us, and while that means fun holiday activities are in our future, it also means that opportunities to exercise outdoors are becoming more limited. Sure, you can always bundle up and head out for a nice morning walk or run, but if you want to stay active within the comfort and warmth of your own home, here are some ideas we came up with! ​

6. Yoga 

Yoga is a great way to practice your flexibility, and you don’t even need that much room or equipment to get a good workout out of it. Find yourself a yoga mat or even a towel, and set your laptop, tablet, or phone up in a space where you can see it. There are tons of free Yoga classes on YouTube, so find some flows that work for you and go nuts! 

5. HIIT Workouts 

“HIIT” stands for “High Intensity Interval Training” and is a great way to stay in shape using minimal equipment. You can look up some free courses for inspiration, or even devise your own circuit if you’re feeling creative. 

4. Jump Rope

All you need is a rope and a little bit of space (and maybe some awesome music or a TV show to watch in the background) and boom! You’ve got a great cardio workout that’s cheaper than investing in a treadmill. Here’s a jump rope workout for beginners to get you started. 

3. Body Weight Workouts 

The only equipment you need for this type of exercise is yep, you guessed it - yourself! Practice movements like air squats, pushups, lunges, crunches, and more. You can even string them together to create your own HIIT workout! Here’s a body weight workout for inspiration. 

2. Stairs 

Got a set of stairs in your house or apartment complex? Run or walk up and down as many times as you need to in order to get a good workout in. It’s just like the stair-stepper machine at the gym, but manual! 

1. Dance Party 

What better way to combine the holidays and indoor workouts than to host a fun, themed dance party with your family? Create a playlist with fun, fast-paced songs and make a game out of it: see who can dance the longest to as many songs in a row as they can. It’s fun, and it’s good for you! 

Just because the seasons are changing doesn’t mean our physical habits have to change along with them. And one of the best things about these indoor workouts is that you can do them over zoom with friends and family to keep each other accountable. Pick activities that you genuinely enjoy doing, and have fun with them! 
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7 Healthy Alternatives to Classic Recipes

9/23/2020

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7 HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO CLASSIC RECIPES

Fall is here, and that means hearty soups and cozy recipes are on the horizon! However, some of our favorite comfort foods can do the most damage to our physical health if we don’t keep an eye on their nutrition stats. While it’s perfectly okay to cook your favorite guilty-pleasure recipes every once in a while, sometimes it’s hard to beat the cravings. Here are 7 healthier alternatives to some of our favorites. 

7. Home-Made Mac n Cheese 

This recipe uses whole wheat pasta and low-sodium veggie broth, as well as less butter. It makes 6 servings for the perfect side dish to any cozy fall week-night dinner. 

6. The Best Healthy Turkey Chili

This dish is packed with tons of yummy veggies and spices, and the chef has swapped out ground beef for 99% lean ground turkey. Sometimes making slight modifications like this have barely any impact on the taste, but make a huge difference for your health! 

5. Healthy Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo 

Ahh, a pasta dish that hits the spot but isn’t too heavy - and it has broccoli in it too! Makes a great family meal for lunch or dinner. 

4. Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

They’re light, fluffy, and flavorful, but without the negative side effects. Swap out potatoes for a healthier veggie like cauliflower! Get creative and use these in your next shepherd’s pie, or any other recipe that calls for mashed ‘taters.

3. Healthier Double-Chocolate Brownies 

Yes, you read that correctly. One of the secret ingredients in this one is plain, low-fat yogurt. If you want to have your brownie and eat it too, here’s the healthy alternative!

2. Greek Yogurt Blueberry Pancakes 

Pancakes with the power of Greek Yogurt? Sign us up. This recipe is short, sweet, and to the point, and sounds like the perfect post-run breakfast to us. 

1. Spicy Chipotle Cheeseburgers

Whether you use lean ground beef or turkey, this sounds like a sure-fire way to satisfy your fast-food cravings and take in a quarter of the calories. 

Making small changes like swapping out classic ingredients for their healthier alternatives (think greek yogurt instead of sour cream) can have a lasting positive impact over time. Not many people realize the little details like that are what make the difference. Try these recipes out for yourself, and see if they hit the spot just like the classics!


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