A plate of angel hair pasta topped with meat sauce, two sausage links, and grated parmesan cheese.

Olive Garden Feast with Friends: Our First (Practice!) Food Adventure

Blog and Updates, Curtis Matthews, Fitness and Health, food, , , , , , , , ,
Trip to Olive Garden in Citrus Park, Tampa, Florida

At CurtisMatthews.com, we’re stepping into the world of video content! This is one of our first practice videos as we get comfortable speaking on camera, sharing insights, and refining our delivery. Like anything new, it takes practice—and this is part of the journey.

We’re excited to use videos to share authentic, unscripted moments, highlight our expertise, and offer more engaging content.

What This Video Is About:

In this video, we’re:

💡 Starting small: Every great journey begins with a first step—this is ours.

🎥 Practicing video skills: Getting comfortable recording and presenting naturally.

🗣️ Casual food content: Sharing what we’re eating in a laid-back, unscripted way.

Why We’re Doing This:

We believe that video content is a powerful way to connect and share value. As we build out more fitness and lifestyle videos, we’ll cover topics like:

  • Healthy eating habits and meal ideas.
  • Fitness routines and tips for staying strong at any age.
  • Personal insights on nutrition, longevity, and wellness.

Our goal is to inspire others by documenting Curtis Matthews’ real-life approach to staying fit and healthy at 58—no gimmicks, just sustainable habits.

What’s Next:

This is just the beginning! As we continue practicing, expect to see:
✅ Fitness tips and workouts Curtis uses to stay strong and lean.
✅ Meal breakdowns with insights into nutrition and portion control.
✅ Behind-the-scenes clips of real-life fitness, food, and lifestyle moments.

We’re excited to share this journey with you. Let us know what fitness, food, or lifestyle topics you’d like to see in future videos!

This is one of the 3 bowls of soup I ate all 3 were different style soups.

To complete the meal, I also enjoyed three bowls of soup and two breadsticks, bringing the total to approximately 1,890 calories and 74 grams of protein. This hearty combination provided a satisfying balance of carbs, protein, and fats—perfect for fueling strength and maintaining muscle at 58 years old.

Post workout quick meal with Greek Yogurt

Curtis Matthews, Fitness and Health, food, , , , ,

Greek yogurt with walnuts, Cranberries and honey.

Fuel Your Recovery: My Post-Workout Greek Yogurt Bowl!

Check out the video above to see how I whipped up this delicious and nutritious post-workout meal! It’s packed with protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants to help my muscles recover and replenish my energy.

Here’s what’s inside:

  • Creamy Greek Yogurt: High in protein for muscle repair.
  • Crunchy Walnuts: Loaded with healthy fats and omega-3s.
  • Sweet and Tart Cranberries: Rich in antioxidants to combat inflammation.
  • Drizzle of Honey: Natural sweetness and quick energy boost.

This simple bowl is perfect for a quick and satisfying post-workout snack or meal. It’s easy to customize with your favorite toppings! What are your go-to post-workout snacks?

Approximate Nutritional Information:

Calories: Approximately 350-450 (depending on portion sizes and specific ingredients)

Protein: Approximately 25-30 grams

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on specific ingredients used. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet.

Doubles is a Trinidadian street food

Blog and Updates, Entertainment, food, Tampa, , , , ,
Trini Spice trip for doubles

Doubles: A Trinidadian Street Food Delight

Doubles is a Trinidadian street food sandwich made of two fried flatbreads, called bara, stuffed with curried chickpeas, or channa. The snack is commonly enjoyed for breakfast but also makes for a tasty lunch or late-night treat.

Customization:

Doubles are often customized with flavorful condiments such as:

  • Pepper sauce – for a spicy kick
  • Kuchela – pickled green mango with a tangy bite
  • Tamarind sauce – sweet and tangy for added richness

History:

Invented in 1936, the name “doubles” originated when customers requested “a spare bara” to make their order a double-decker sandwich. The extra bara soon became standard, giving rise to the name.

Taste:

The chickpea filling is lightly curried, offering a savory and earthy flavor, while the sauces add a spicy-sweet and tangy burst of taste.

Where to Find Them:

Doubles are widely available from carts and stalls throughout Trinidad, often near schools, hospitals, and bustling street corners.

Doubles in Tampa:

Today, we’re in Tampa, and the only place to get decent doubles here is Trini Spice. That’s exactly where we headed in the video above to satisfy our craving for this authentic Trinidadian street food.

A motivational illustration for Curtismatthews.com, showing a person walking on a winding path with footprints trailing behind, symbolizing a fitness journey. A large, muscular silhouette with defined abs and arms looms in the background, set against a glowing sunrise in a lush forest. Bold text at the bottom reads "SHAPING MY BODY THE NATURAL WAY" in dark brown, emphasizing a natural approach to body transformation.

Today I am tracking my calories and protein intake

Curtis Matthews, Fitness and Health, food, , , ,

I am wondering if keeping track of my meals on my site will hold me more accountable to look the best I can naturally at 58 years old. Well this is my first post with todays meals.

A breakfast spread featuring a white bowl filled with 1 cup of creamy cottage cheese topped with scattered walnut pieces, dried cranberries, and a drizzle of golden honey; a colorful cereal bowl containing Honey Nut Cheerios submerged in whole milk; and a steaming mug of black coffee lightened with a splash of milk and sweetened with a touch of honey, all arranged on a simple wooden table.

Breakfast

1. A Cup of Cottage Cheese with Walnuts, Cranberries, and Honey

  • Cottage Cheese (1 cup):
    • Assuming full-fat cottage cheese (4% fat), 1 cup (about 225g) = 220 calories and 25 grams of protein.
  • Walnuts:
    • Assuming 1 ounce (about 14 halves or 28g), a common add-in = 185 calories and 4.3 grams of protein.
  • Dried Cranberries:
    • Assuming 1/4 cup (about 30g), a typical topping = 123 calories and 0.1 grams of protein.
  • Honey:
    • Assuming 1 tablespoon (21g), a standard drizzle = 64 calories and 0 grams of protein.

Subtotal:

  • Calories: 220 + 185 + 123 + 64 = 592 calories.
  • Protein: 25 + 4.3 + 0.1 + 0 = 29.4 grams of protein.

2. A Bowl of Honey Cheerios with Whole Milk

  • Honey Nut Cheerios:
    • Assuming a standard “bowl” is 1.5 cups (about 54g, based on typical serving size) = 202 calories and 4.5 grams of protein.
  • Whole Milk:
    • Assuming 1 cup (240ml), a common amount for a bowl of cereal = 150 calories and 8 grams of protein.

Subtotal:

  • Calories: 202 + 150 = 352 calories.
  • Protein: 4.5 + 8 = 12.5 grams of protein.

3. Coffee with Milk and Honey

  • Black Coffee:
    • Negligible calories and protein (about 2 calories, 0g protein per cup).
  • Whole Milk:
    • Assuming 2 tablespoons (30ml), a typical splash = 19 calories and 1 gram of protein.
  • Honey:
    • Assuming 1 teaspoon (7g), a common coffee sweetener = 21 calories and 0 grams of protein.

Subtotal:

  • Calories: 2 + 19 + 21 = 42 calories.
  • Protein: 0 + 1 + 0 = 1 gram of protein.

Grand Total

  • Calories: 592 (cottage cheese mix) + 352 (Cheerios) + 42 (coffee) = 986 calories.
  • Protein: 29.4 (cottage cheese mix) + 12.5 (Cheerios) + 1 (coffee) = 42.9 grams of protein.

Lunch

A simple lunch plate featuring 1.5 cups of steamed mixed vegetables, including vibrant green broccoli, sliced orange carrots, and bright green peas, arranged neatly with no added fat; alongside a 3-ounce portion of tender, lean pork loin, cooked without additional fats, served on a plain white dish against a minimalist background.

Steamed Vegetables (1.5 cups)

  • Assumption: A mix of steamed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots, peas) with no added fat.
  • Calories: Approximately 35 calories per cup (based on general steamed mixed vegetables).
    • 1.5 cups = 1.5 × 35 = 52.5 calories.
  • Protein: Approximately 2.4 grams per cup.
    • 1.5 cups = 1.5 × 2.4 = 3.6 grams of protein.

Pork (unspecified amount)

  • Assumption: Since no quantity is given, I’ll assume a typical serving size of 3 ounces (85 grams) of cooked lean pork loin, which is a common portion to pair with vegetables.
  • Calories: Approximately 200 calories for 3 ounces of steamed or cooked lean pork loin (no added fat).
  • Protein: Approximately 25 grams for 3 ounces.

Total Estimate

  • Calories: 52.5 (vegetables) + 200 (pork) = 252.5 calories.
  • Protein: 3.6 (vegetables) + 25 (pork) = 28.6 grams of protein.

Snack

This is my protein drink which whole milk, peanut butter and a banana.

1. Whole Milk (10 oz)

  • Volume Conversion: 10 oz of whole milk is approximately 1.25 cups (since 8 oz = 1 cup).
  • Calories: Whole milk has about 150 calories per cup.
    • 1.25 cups × 150 calories = 187.5 calories.
  • Protein: Whole milk has about 8 grams of protein per cup.
    • 1.25 cups × 8 grams = 10 grams of protein.

2. Peanut Butter (2 tablespoons)

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons of peanut butter is about 32 grams (standard for most brands).
  • Calories: Peanut butter (smooth, unsalted) has about 190 calories for 2 tablespoons.
    • 190 calories.
  • Protein: Peanut butter has about 8 grams of protein for 2 tablespoons.
    • 8 grams of protein.

3. Banana (1 medium)

  • Assumption: A medium banana weighs about 120 grams (a typical size, 7-8 inches long).
  • Calories: A medium banana has about 90 calories.
    • 90 calories.
  • Protein: A medium banana has about 1.1 grams of protein.
    • 1.1 grams of protein.

Total Estimate

  • Calories: 187.5 (whole milk) + 190 (peanut butter) + 90 (banana) = 467.5 calories.
  • Protein: 10 (whole milk) + 8 (peanut butter) + 1.1 (banana) = 19.1 grams of protein.

Dinner

Dinner

1. Cooked Lentils

  • Assumption: About 1/2 cup of cooked lentils (approximately 100 grams), as estimated from the image.
  • Calories: 115 calories per 1/2 cup.
    • 115 calories.
  • Protein: 9 grams per 1/2 cup.
    • 9 grams of protein.

2. Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Sauce

  • Assumption: About 1 cup of cooked whole wheat spaghetti (approximately 140 grams) with a light tomato-based sauce, around 1/4 cup (60 grams).
  • Whole Wheat Spaghetti:
    • Calories: Cooked whole wheat spaghetti has about 125 calories per cup (slightly fewer than regular spaghetti due to higher fiber content).
      • 125 calories.
    • Protein: Whole wheat spaghetti has about 7 grams of protein per cup (higher than regular spaghetti due to the whole grain).
      • 7 grams of protein.
  • Tomato Sauce:
    • Calories: A basic tomato sauce has about 20 calories per 1/4 cup (no added oil or cheese assumed).
      • 20 calories.
    • Protein: Tomato sauce has about 0.5 grams of protein per 1/4 cup.
      • 0.5 grams of protein.
  • Subtotal for Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Sauce:
    • Calories: 125 + 20 = 145 calories.
    • Protein: 7 + 0.5 = 7.5 grams of protein.

3. Pork Chops

  • Assumption: The pork chops look like about 3 ounces (85 grams) of cooked lean pork chop, a common portion size. I’ll assume they’re grilled or pan-cooked with minimal added fat, as no heavy sauce or breading is visible.
  • Calories: A 3-ounce lean pork chop (trimmed of visible fat) has about 200 calories.
    • 200 calories.
  • Protein: A 3-ounce lean pork chop has about 25 grams of protein.
    • 25 grams of protein.

4. Side Salad (Lettuce, Cucumber, Tomato)

  • Assumption: 1 cup of lettuce (30 grams), 1/2 a medium cucumber (100 grams), and 1/2 a medium tomato (90 grams), with no dressing.
  • Lettuce:
    • Calories: 5 calories per 1 cup.
      • 5 calories.
    • Protein: 0.5 grams per 1 cup.
      • 0.5 grams of protein.
  • Cucumber:
    • Calories: 8 calories per 1/2 medium cucumber.
      • 8 calories.
    • Protein: 0.3 grams per 1/2 medium cucumber.
      • 0.3 grams of protein.
  • Tomato:
    • Calories: 11 calories per 1/2 medium tomato.
      • 11 calories.
    • Protein: 0.5 grams per 1/2 medium tomato.
      • 0.5 grams of protein.
  • Subtotal for Salad:
    • Calories: 5 + 8 + 11 = 24 calories.
    • Protein: 0.5 + 0.3 + 0.5 = 1.3 grams of protein.

Total Estimate

  • Calories: 115 (lentils) + 145 (whole wheat spaghetti with sauce) + 200 (pork chops) + 24 (salad) = 484 calories.
  • Protein: 9 (lentils) + 7.5 (spaghetti with sauce) + 25 (pork chops) + 1.3 (salad) = 42.8 grams of protein.

Last snack

Greek Yogurt with walnuts, cranberries and honey

Ingredients:

  • Greek yogurt (1 cup, plain, non-fat): 100 calories, 17g protein
  • Walnuts (1/2 oz / ~7 halves): 92 calories, 2g protein
  • Dried cranberries (2 tbsp): 50 calories, 0g protein
  • Honey (1 tbsp): 64 calories, 0g protein

Total:

  • Calories: 306
  • Protein: 19g