This morning after a night on the road in my semi, my co-driver took over behind the wheel at about 8:00am when we arrived at our Dodge City, Kansas stop. At this time, I logged from myself from driving to on duty, then completed my trucks Post Trip Inspection, and then looged into the sleeper berth. After this was done I stepped into the sleeper and laid out my bedroll on the really comfortable pillow top mattress our employer was gracious enough to supply us with.

I pulled the heavy duty privacy curtain closed tight, ensuring the Velcro sealed it in the center from top to bottom in order to block out all sunlight and to contain the cold air I was going to enjoy sleeping in. As I crawled under my comforter, I reached over to the air conditioning controls and turned one knob to the coldest setting and the fan control to the highest. I sleep best under a heavy cover in the cold. Otherwise, the sleeper berth can get quite warm to me, and I do not sleep so well.

Seven and a half hours after falling into a good sleep, good for the road anyhow, it was time for me to get up and to get ready to drive the rest of the way back into Kansas City. My co-driver and I switch places every eight hours in order to not have to take breaks which would have us on the road longer than we need to be. My route is 950 miles long and we deliver 40,000 lbs of freight on average every trip out which is four times per week.

After 8 hours of sleeper time we pulled into an interstate service area where Jeff and I traded places.  I stepped out of the passenger side of the truck into a windy 100 degree day, and did a quick walk around inspection. Being this hot, I had to make sure there were no problems with my 18 tires.

It was about 71 degrees at 8:00 a.m. when I laid down to sleep. The temp now seemed like a blast furnace after being in that frigid sleeper for 8 hours.

Ugh,,, And I was getting hungry at this point too, with another 100 miles to get home.

What does being on the road have to do with the dinner in the title and picture?

Plenty.

I am out on the road for eighteen to nineteen hours before I get home and I want to eat healthy, inexpensive and quick to prepare foods when I am about exhausted as I am right now.

I do not eat sugary foods, I do not eat fast food.

I really do not like to get too extravagant when I get home from the road, but I do want a good hot meal before I shower along with a steaming hot cup of coffee. Even when it is 100 degrees outside.

Black Eyed Peas, Shrimp and Catfish

• 1 can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed to minimize the sodium content.
• 4 oz. cooked, peeled and de-veined shrimp
• 4 oz. catfish
• 3 tbsp black bean and corn sals
• 1 tsp cajun seaoning
• 1-8 dashes habanero hot sauce (obviously optional) I love me some heat!
• extra virgin olive oil spray

1. Spray a non stick skillet with the extra virgin olive oil, season the catfish with a few pinches of the cajun seasoning and then cook until done over medium low heat.
2. Drain and rinse the black eyed peas as the catfish is cooking, then heat in a sauce pan with the  black bean and corn salsa along with the habanero hot sauce if you have the courage, or an iron stomach. Add the remaining cajun seasoning to the black eyed peas at this time.
3. Cut the shrimp into bite size pieces and then place in the skillet while the catfish finishes cooking. Once the fish and shrimp are cooked, plate the dish with the shrimp mixed into the black eyed peas.

This dinner is really good and hearty, and the best part is it is fairly inexpensive to prepare. My total cost for this meal was $4.69 and it took me about ten minutes total to prepare. This meal was 632 calories, 9.7g fat, 51g complex carbs, and 70.7g lean protein which we all require to sustain or grow lean muscle. The total caloric intake can be reduced by making smaller servings. I just happen to still be a volume eater despite having lost 70 pounds. I am a volume eater because I train with free weights, and walk 14 to 21 miles per week on days I do not weight train. I eat like this and still have a difficult time not losing anymore weight despite now being at 9% body fat. Friends, in the weight loss journey, it is not as much how much you eat, but what you eat that makes the difference. By cutting out sugar and processed foods entirely and eating high protein and low carbs, you will absolutely lose weight in a healthy manner. And, by eating like this, you will feel incredibly better for it. Mentally and physically.

Just a final note which has nothing to do with this topic. If you have toxic people in your life, do yourself a favor and dump them. Here are Ten Signs to be mindful of;

• They want to isolate you from friends or even family.
• They tend to insult or belittle you, even when “joking”.
• They blame others a lot, and often times it’s you.
• Alcohol and drug use that causes erratic behavior can be a catalyst of abuse.
• They instill fear, uneasiness or are intimidating in their speech or actions.
• They punish you or retaliate for time you spend away from them.
• They expect you to be subservient but aren’t helpful themselves.
• They are extremely jealous of your time, relationships and/or aspirations.
• They manipulate your emotions and make you feel guilty.
• They get physical. Obviously hitting someone is abusive, but physical abuse can start as intimidating posturing, grabbing or controlling your movements and space.