It’s no secret that we love our kefir here at Lifeway. We truly believe that this fermented beverage can be a healthy and beneficial part of almost anyone’s diet.
To get a better look at who exactly our drinkers are, and the diverse lifestyles they lead, we reached out to a handful of loyal drinkers and asked them, “what do you eat and drink every day?”
In part 4 of our Lifeway Everyday Series, firefighter and power lifter Hannah Hill shares with us what she eats every day to feel her best, and how Lifeway Kefir is an integral part of her day.
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Meet Hannah
I’m a full-time Firefighter in North Carolina. On my off days, I drive a truck and operate heavy equipment for a masonry company. I’ve powerlifted since 2006 and also currently compete in the Firefighter Combat Challenge.
There’s a quote in firefighting by Chief Edward F. Croker that says,
“I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives.”
I love the fact that my job truly makes an impact and a difference in the lives of others. I have always had the need within me to take care of other people, and I get to do that every single shift.
I also love working with my hands and seeing tangible progress, which is where my other outdoor job comes in. I am so fortunate that, while many people have one job that is not their true passion, I have TWO where I absolutely love going to work each day!
Being very active, working two manual labor jobs and regularly exercising, means I need A LOT of calories to keep my energy up and perform at my best. Trying to find ways to fit in good, quality food on-the-go can be tough, so planning ahead of time is a must!
Daily Eats
Breakfast
Every single morning, I start off with a whole bottle of Lifeway Perfect 12 Kefir. My Favorite flavor is Triple Berry Tart. I’ve been drinking Lifeway every day since around 2009!
Morning Snack
I keep my morning snacks simple. Most of the time, I’ll have apples with natural crunchy peanut butter, or a big bowl of fresh mixed berries drowned in Lifeway Pomegranate Kefir.
Lunch
Again, I keep it simple. Lunch is usually a grilled chicken salad with tons of vegetables and fluffy quinoa.
Dinner
For dinner, I almost always have very rare red meat, generally flank or flat iron steak. I sauté it in coconut oil with kale and mushrooms.
Sweets/Treats
I definitely have a weakness for frozen Snickers and Twix, and every flavor of ice cream ever produced. I’ve been trying to cut those out — or at least keep them to a minimum.
I absolutely love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Vanilla Kefir – especially a few hours before a hard workout.
Meal Prep + Keys to Success
Meal prepping is touted by a lot of people as being the key to sticking to a healthy diet, but I don’t “prep” so much as I “plan.” I usually map out where I’m going for the day and what my activity level will be, then take a cooler with me of simple foods to eat while I’m gone.
I’m somewhat of a creature of habit, and my work schedules are very predictable, so it’s easy for me to know ahead of time which foods to bring and then prepare them as needed.
When it comes to shopping or planning what I’m eating for the week, I love using what’s on sale at my local grocery store to stock my fridge. I love every kind of vegetable, so I mix those in as much as possible, and also use my shift schedule to determine how much food to buy. (I often go in on meals at the firehouse with my crew.)
For some people, especially those who are changing their diet or trying to lose weight/increase fitness, a fitness tracker or food journal can be helpful. I don’t use either, as I’ve been doing this long enough to know how my body responds to food and training. I don’t do well on restricted food. I also don’t do well with idle time or inactivity. I am intensely driven and competitive by nature; getting things done is not an issue for me. Resting enough? Now that might be a problem!
For more from Hannah, including her inspiring quotes, sweaty selfies and the best dog photos ever, follow her on Instagram at @hjtheminx. Our #LifewayEveryday series features every day kefir drinkers and how they incorporate Lifeway into their daily life!