HEALTHY TIP TUESDAY

Today our Healthy Tip Tuesday is simple. MEAL PREPPING. It can seem overwhelming when you read those two words, but meal prepping doesn't have to be this huge ordeal. I usually stock up on my fruits, veggies & meat towards the end of the week and then on Saturday or Sunday ( which ever day I have more time) I take an hour or so & prep for the week. Meal prepping is something everyone can do. You can choose to make full meals or just have snack containers prepared for when you need a good go to snack.  The key is to cook up a meat for the week, a veggie, fruit, and usually a carb. Chicken, Broccoli & rice are a good choice. I also make sure I have sliced apples, pears, cut up carrot sticks, grapes, cuties & boiled eggs. These are all options that are good to have ready to eat. Because face it- if we have to cut it up on the spot to eat it.... we won't eat it. I keep make ahead breakfast muffins (link in blog) also that can be popped in the microwave and are perfect to grab & go. Greens are also a good thing to keep on hand and make a great grilled chicken salad that you can throw together fast. Remember, you will eat whats ready and quick in your fridge so make sure you have a lot of healthy options to start your week off right.

HEALTHY TIP TUESDAY

HEY ALL!

Today I chose to do our Healthy Tip Tuesday on one thing. BREAKFAST.

Breakfast is the most skipped meal of the day. It can be hard to make and eat breakfast when we have busy schedules and crazy lives. We are running out the door in the morning still putting on our shoes. Time is the biggest reason why individuals skip breakfast most days of the week. That being said, there are ways that you can ensure enough time before work in the morning and still get a meal in before you go.

1. One thing I do here is make my breakfast the night before. I make my overnight-oats in a jar and even if I can't eat them in the morning before I leave, they are in a quick grab jar to take with me and eat on the way or when I arrive at work.

2. Another option I suggest is to buy yogurt, healthy granola bars, ( with little to no sugar) or little cuties or apple slices to grab in the morning or eat while you are getting ready. 

3. My last suggestion I have for the breakfast dilemma is to make ahead smoothie freezer bags. You can add cut up spinach, strawberries,bananas, or whatever fruit or veggies you want to add really- and put them together so they are ready to throw in a blender in the morning before you head off. You can bring this with you on your commute to work or drink it while you get ready in the morning.

Breakfast is so important because having a good breakfast in the morning keeps your energy up so you are ready for the day ahead of you. Not only this, but studies have shown that individuals who eat breakfast on a regular basis lead more healthier lives and generally weigh less than individuals who do not eat breakfast.

Plan your week of breakfasts ahead, and make it easier for you to enjoy breakfast every day-despite the busy work schedule.

Take care of your body. FEED IT.

HEALTHY TIP TUESDAY

HEALTHY TIP TUESDAY

Today's healthy tip Tuesday is all about SHOPPING SMART. I know many people who want to start eating healthy but when they get to the grocery store....  they have no idea what to buy or where to start. Here are some general rules to remember when shopping healthy.

#1 Avoid anything processed. Anything that comes in a bag,wrapper, or that is microwaveable is bad news for your body. 

#2 Avoid fruit juices including orange juice. Like we discussed last week on our healthy tip tuesday- avoid the extra sugar!

#3 Stick to the outside isles of the grocery store ( The edges). These areas usually contain your fruits, meats and other healthy foods. All of the less healthy items are placed in the center floor plan of the store.

Some foods to add to your healthy shopping list:

Sweet Snap Peas

Hummus

Apples

Grapes

Carrot Sticks

Quinoa

Brown Rice

Turkey Burger

Chicken Thighs

Chicken Breast

Cuties 

Fresh fruit

Rolled oats

Almond Milk

Bananas

Honey

Honey Almond Butter

Lettuce Leaves

Almonds

Sweet Potato

Yellow Squash

Zucchini

Russet Potatoes

Cherry tomatoes

Avocado

Feta Cheese

Eggs

Spinach

Red Peppers

Here are a few of the items I like to have on hand so that making healthy dishes is easier to access. I like to have fresh veggies on hand to make tinfoil dinners. Turkey burger & chicken can be used to make many different meals, one of which we love is copycat PF Chang lettuce boats or Guac burgers. I keep oats, almond milk, nuts, and fruit on hand for my morning over-night oats and some quinoa, tomatoes, avocado, & feta cheese to make quinoa salad to have in the fridge for a snack. ( recipe to come) Eggs are always good to have to make breakfast muffins or just scrambled eggs &veggies. Snap peas and apple slices are a perfect snack on the go for work or your busy day.

 I hope this has been helpful! Becoming fit and healthy starts in the kitchen & now you have the keys to being successful and reaching your wellness goals. Keep reading and stay tuned for next weeks HEALTHY TIP TUESDAY.

OVER-NIGHT OATS

HELLO! Here is my recipe for over-night oats. These are so easy to make and such a healthy breakfast that is quick. The BIGGEST reason why we do not eat healthy is TIME! These take maybe five minutes to make and are delicious. You simply refrigerate the night before and then grab & go the next day!

Berry Almond Over-night Oats

1 Pint Jar

1 C. or 1/2 C. Rolled oats or Steel Cut Oats

1C. Almond milk

1 TBSP Honey

1/2 C. Blueberries

1/2 C. Strawberries

1TBSP Slivered almonds

Here is what you do: Pour your oats in the bottom of the jar and add the honey & almond milk on top. Stir these together before layering with blueberries, strawberries, & almonds. Don't stir just let it be layered and put it in your fridge overnight with the lid on. In the morning stir it up and its ready to eat!

More recipe ideas to come for overnight oats.... ;)

-Enjoy-

STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE POPS

       Hello! Happy Wednesday. I would like to share with you my new sweet treat love.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Pops

1 C. Strawberries

1 Ripe Banana

1TBSP. Honey

1TBSP. Vanilla extract

1 C. Sweetened Almond milk

Blend all these yummy ingredients up in your blender and then pour into popsicle molds.

( you can find these at Walmart or DollarTree) Let freeze overnight and they are ready to eat!

Trying more flavors this week! Next up Berry Berry & Peanut butter Banana....

-Enjoy-

HEALTHY TIP TUESDAY

As promised! A tip for you today. I am starting a new trend on the blog this week, every Tuesday I will post new tips about health and wellness. This weeks #Healthytiptuesday is all about FRUIT JUICE.

Some of you are saying.... SO WHAT? WHY DOES THIS MATTER? The American Heart Association states that women should consume no more than 23 grams of sugar per day and Men no more than 35 grams of sugar per day. Fruit juices are a quick way to pack on the sugar and too much of it can hurt you. The truth is- too much sugar makes your liver sick. Did you know that one cup of orange juice has has 21 grams of sugar -that alone is almost the daily allowance for women. It has the same effect on our livers that alcohol does except, we do not realize the bad effects we are having on our insides because the side effects of too much sugar intake are not as noticeable in short term but in the long term can have very drastic negative effect on our bodies.

SO..

Most people think that fruit juice is a healthier option to drink than soda....when in reality this couldn't be more FALSE. Fruit juice is not a healthy option because you are only drinking the sugar and not getting the other necessary nutrients you would get from a raw fruit or vegetable. These necessary ingredients such as fiber are key to being healthy and fit and to help your body process these sugars more efficiently. Next time you are at the grocery store avoid the fruit juice isle, instead grab whole fruits and vegetables to eat. You won't regret it.

Trust me.