Food/Nutrition

When your lifestyle is as busy and fast paced as mine is, it is especially important to make sure that you are eating healthy, well-balanced meals and limiting your intake of junk food and processed food.  Here are some of my tips to ensure that your healthy eating habits stay on track!’

Eat Sweet---The RIGHT Way!

We all get a sweet tooth every now and then, and that’s ok! …As long as you’re eating sweet foods the right way. When I am craving something sweet I like to snack on red grapes, apples or dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is better for you than milk or white chocolate because it is packed with soluble fiber and is loaded with minerals and antioxidants.  

I happen to really enjoy sweetened coffee. Sugar is so bad for you, so I recommend you use alcohol-free liquid stevia, which is a healthier, natural sweetener. You can even use this liquid stevia when cooking in place of sugar!

Prepare!

The part that most people find to be the biggest obstacle to eating a clean, healthy diet is the preparation required. The convenience of fast food restaurants has made unhealthy eating the norm for most people. When you’re rushed for a quick meal, you’re far more likely to find a place to get a quick burger than a quick fish fillet. That is why preparing your food in advance is so important to maintaining a healthy diet. 

I suggest that you take time on Sundays to prepare your meals for the week. Pick out your favorite recipes (like mine shown below!) in advance and create a shopping list of all of the ingredients that you will need. I like to do all of my food shopping and food preparation on Sundays so I have everything ready for the week! One of my favorite things to cook for the week is grilled chicken! It’s a great snack and you can healthily dress it up many different ways so you don’t feel like you’re eating the same meal over and over again. 

Be sure to go easy on the salt when cooking. If you need more flavor, use natural spices instead. If you need your food to be a little sweeter, use liquid stevia. If you’re cooking with oil, make the healthier choice of using olive oil. Olive oil is a “healthy fat” and is loaded with beneficial fatty acids and powerful antioxidants. 

Even A Quick Breakfast Is Better Than No Breakfast!

Breakfast is commonly overlooked and forgotten about with people with lives as busy as mine. Unfortunately, breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day! Try to schedule breakfast into your daily routine. You will be much more productive during the day! 

Steer clear from sugary breakfast foods such as most cereals and breakfast bars and instead stock up on breakfast foods such as eggs, fruits and granola. If you have time, smoothies make a delicious and energizing breakfast! I love making smoothies with strawberries and bananas and some chocolate protein powder. YUM! 

Drink Your Fruits and Veggies!

I recently purchased a blender from Costco after seeing an incredible demonstration! There was a guy there showing the crowd how many different things you could create from this blender and I was blown away! You can make smoothies, ice cream, soup, yogurt and so much more! I have been making delicious fruit and veggie smoothies daily because they are so yummy and so easy to make! My favorite combination that I have tried so far is one half of a kiwi, a whole banana, eight strawberries and two handfuls of spinach leaves. Just add them to your blender with a little bit of ice and you're good to go! It's an excellent way to fit in your fruit and veggie requirements... and it's good to the last drop! 

Be A Smart Snacker!

Being a smart snacker also requires preparation. It is so easy to cave when we stop into a convenience store and see the mounds of candy and chocolate screaming our names! By carrying a bag of nuts, a piece of fruit or some cut up veggies with us, we can help offset these cravings when hunger strikes. Keep a Greek Yogurt in the refrigerator at work for when your mid-day hunger strikes and you’re craving something sweet! 

Believe it or not, the energy that you get from a handful of almonds far surpasses the energy you’d get from a candy bar. The almonds will fill you up more than the candy bar and will also give you longer lasting energy. When you eat chocolate and other sugary foods, your blood sugar spikes and then crashes, leaving you even more tired than before!

Recipes

Here are links to some of my favorite, healthy meals! 

Shrimp-and-Veggie Summer Rolls

These easy-to-make, yummy shrimp and veggie summer rolls will bring color, flavor and crunch into your day! You can make these for a meal, appetizer or even a healthy snack! 

Grilled Fish Tacos with Corn Pico-de-Gallo and Avocado

These grilled fish tacos are not only quick and easy to make, but also super healthy! It combines the flavors of avocado, roasted corn and fresh fish - a fresh and savory dining experience! 

Winter Fruit Salad in Ginger-Lime Syrup

I love having fruit as a snack or dessert and am always looking for new ways to change it up! This delicious fruit salad is like a party in a bowl! Mixing different fruits in a spicy, tangy syrup, your taste buds will be thrilled and your diet will remain in tact! 

Check back soon for new recipes!