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
Rasta climbing a coconut tree in Trinidad

Rasta Wisdom: Life Lessons from Trinidad’s Coconut Trees

Blog and Updates, Curtis Matthews, Philosophy, Spiritual Journey, Spirituality and Personal Development, ,

A Lesson from a Rasta in Trinidad

When I was young in Trinidad, a Rasta stepped onto our property. He wore nothing but a loincloth, his long dreadlocks and beard flowing as he carried a cutlass in hand. I was terrified and hid behind my father. The Rasta approached one of our coconut trees and climbed it with ease. He picked a few coconuts, letting them drop to the ground at the base of the tree.

Once he descended, he took his cutlass and sliced open a coconut, drinking the fresh water inside. He handed one to my father and offered me one too, but I was too scared to accept. After my father finished drinking the coconut water, he returned it to the Rasta. With skill, the Rasta split the coconut open and fashioned a scoop from part of the shell, allowing my father to eat the soft jelly inside. When he was done, the Rasta took a few coconuts for himself and left a couple behind for us.

I turned to my father, confused and upset. “How can this Rasta just come onto our property and take our coconuts?” I asked. My father looked at me and said, “Curtis, the Rastas believe God put everything on this earth for everyone. We couldn’t climb that tree to get the coconuts, but he could—and he shared them with us.”

That moment taught me a profound lesson: God didn’t create borders. God made this world abundant, with more than enough for everyone. It’s man who changed the rules.

The Takeaway: This encounter with the Rasta, rooted in my Trinidadian upbringing, challenged my young mind’s ideas about property and borders. My father’s words offered a gentle yet profound shift in perspective—one that resonates far beyond that moment. Whether you see it as God’s design or nature’s gift, the world was made abundant, and it’s human rules that draw lines and create scarcity. This simple story carries a big heart, inviting us to rethink sharing, community, and what truly belongs to us all.

Gina and Curtis are in love

Love: A Universal Language – Exploring Love Across Philosophical and Spiritual Traditions

Philosophy, Spiritual Journey, Spirituality and Personal Development, ,

Love, as ancient as humanity itself, transcends cultural, religious, and societal boundaries, uniting people across diverse backgrounds. This post will explore the multifaceted nature of love, examining its significance in various philosophical and spiritual traditions.

Love as a Universal Concept

Love: A force that connects all things, celebrated in countless traditions from agape in Greek philosophy to metta in Buddhism.

Love in Consciousness

  • Unity and Oneness: Love reflects the interconnectedness of all beings.
  • Compassion and Kindness: Love as compassion, aiming to alleviate suffering.
  • Conscious Awareness: Love as a higher state of consciousness.
  • Unconditional Love: Love without judgment or conditions.

Philosophical and Spiritual Perspectives on Love

  • Love as Brahman: The ultimate reality is love itself.
  • Maya and Illusion: Love reflects the true nature behind the illusion of the world.
  • Atman and Brahman: Love experienced is the love inherent in the universe.

Buddhism

  • Compassion (Karuna): A core ethic to alleviate suffering.
  • Loving-kindness (Metta): Cultivating benevolence for self and others.
  • Interdependence: Love as an expression of interconnectedness.
  • Emptiness (Shunyata): Love free from ego and attachment.

Christianity

Agape Love: Divine, selfless love.

Sacrifice and Redemption: Love exemplified through sacrifice.

Love as a Commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Fruit of the Spirit: Love as one of the signs of the Holy Spirit’s presence.

Sufism

Ishq: Mystical love between soul and God.

Fana (Annihilation): Surrendering the ego in divine love.

Baqa (Eternal Being): Unity with God through love.

Unity of Existence: Love as the binding force of all existence.

Taoism

  • Wuwei (Effortless Action): Love as a natural flow from harmony with the Tao.
  • Yin and Yang: Love as the balance of energies.
  • Spontaneity and Non-Attachment: Love free from expectation.

Love, across these traditions, is not merely an emotion but a profound force that shapes our understanding of existence, our relationships, and our spiritual journeys. Each tradition offers unique insights into how love can be a path to enlightenment, unity, and peace.

Reflect on your own understanding of love.

Explore further by reading or discussing these concepts with others.

Share your thoughts in the comments below or explore more posts on our site.

Curtis Matthews

High rep or Heavy training

Curtis Matthews, Fitness and Health, Tampa

56 Years Strong: Muscle Confusion and Crushing Leg Day (400lb Leg Press!)

Man, 56 and still pushing limits! Gotta love the feeling of proving people wrong. 40+ years in the gym and I’m still finding new ways to shock my muscles and keep them growing. Forget the typical routines, I’m all about mixing it up – heavy weights, high reps, you name it. Last week? 1000 air squats had my legs screaming (in a good way!). This week? 400 pounds for 100 reps on the leg press! Talk about muscle confusion! It’s not just cross-training, it’s an art form.

400lbs 100 reps

Speaking of art, check out the video of that leg press challenge. Pretty epic, right? Just a reminder that age is just a number when it comes to pushing yourself. But hey, it’s not all about the numbers. Consistency, clean eating, and that mind-muscle connection – those are my secrets. Gotta feel the workout, you know?

And speaking of clean, did I mention I’m 100% natural? That’s right, no shortcuts, just hard work and dedication. Turning 57 in a couple of weeks, and I wouldn’t feel stronger or more alive. This ain’t just about aesthetics, it’s about proving that anything is possible with the right mindset and approach.

So, here’s to defying expectations, embracing challenges, and proving that age and even genetics are just hurdles, not roadblocks. Keep pushing, keep experimenting, and keep inspiring! Natural and never slowing down – that’s my motto!