Good morning! Happy Tuesday to YOU!
So, last night after all my chores were crossed off my to-do list, I took a quick walk around the neighborhood then came home to Shred! That’s right, I dusted off my copy of Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred and proceeded to almost pass out from the Level 2 workout…!!
Geez.Louise. I had forgotten how difficult that DVD is! Maybe it’s the fact that I haven’t strength trained in Heaven knows how long, or maybe it’s that Jillian truly is insane, but that was seriously harder then running 5 miles – I was dripping in sweat! I really need to bust out that DVD more often.
This morning I woke up super sore, but was still ready for my morning Mom walk. I got up and looked out the window – but it was pitch black out. Odd, since the sun is usually rising by the time we go on our walk. Then I opened up our front door to find the reason why – it was pouring. Darn! Ah well…I took the extra time to catch up on some work and have a leisurely cup of coffee. Found time in the morning is a rare, rare gem to be treasured, no?
When it was finally time to have breakfast, I decided to go green – with a big Green Monster Smoothie!!
It’s really weird how a smoothie can change your life – this one really has! I CRAVE these drinks like nothing else…it’s an unquenchable thirst, really… 
In today’s mix:
- 2 big handfuls baby spinach (which I got for $1.25/giant bag at the store yesterday – yes!)
- 1/4 cup uncooked, old fashioned oats
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1 frozen banana
- ~1 T Trader Joes almond butter (life changingly good also!!)
- handful of ice
Delicious, nutritious and satisfying as always!
Oh – I know you didn’t miss the almond butter ingredient! I finally got to try the infamous Trader Joe’s variety when I picked up a jar this weekend!
I feel really good about eating something with only two ingredients. Have you ever tried the Trader Joe’s almond butter? I found it to be seriously, perfect. Even though there was only a tablespoon in my smoothie, I could absolutely taste it. A little bit of almond butter goes a long way!
Seriously Trader Joe’s, say it with me…I-O-W-A. Come here now!
For lunch today I packed a big, Kitchen Sink Salad. As in, everything but the kitchen sink was in there!
Let’s see, what have we got here…
- Mixed greens
- 1 roma tomato, chopped
- 1/4 avocado (I squeezed some lime juice over the avocado when I cut it up last night, to prevent it from turning brown)
- 1 Braeburn apple, chopped
- ~2 tablespoons black beluga lentils
- Sprinkle of blueberries
This is a great mix of textures and flavors – which always makes for a more interesting salad eating experience
Plus, the combination of healthy fats (avocado), carbs (apple & lentils) and protein (lentils) is sure to keep me full all afternoon!
I also packed a Vanilla yogurt:
So guys – I came across an article yesterday from Real Simple, that I thought was really interesting and wanted to share with you: 7 Principles of Healthy Eating. Here’s a couple of key principles that I found interesting.
1. Know Yourself. Find a healthy eating plan that works for YOU in terms of when you eat, what kind of meals you have (large meals vs lots of small snack-type meals,) knowing what your dieting pit falls are (hello large, opened bags of Lays Potato Chips in the pantry!) and avoiding them, etc. I know that for me, for instance, a big breakfast followed by a snackier-type lunch, followed by a medium size dinner + after dinner snack, usually works best for me. I also know that if I dip my hand in a big bag of potato chips, that its really hard to stop – so I try to not start that often.
5. Watch Your Portions. Even if you’re loading up your plate with healthy foods, healthy foods still have calories. Try to pay attention to how much your eating and eat until your full. I grew up in a “clean yo
ur plate” household and that’s just the way it’s always been for me – I clean my plate no matter what! These days, I just try and use a smaller plate!
7. Limit Packaged Foods. I have really become an advocate of using less packaged foods in the last couple of years. I have just become really aware of what’s in ingredient labels and semi-hate when I don’t recognize 80% of what’s listed – plus I don’t need all that extra sugar & sodium that usually comes hidden in packaged foods. I’d much prefer to buy whole ingredients and cook with them myself, as I like knowing what I’m fueling my body with. You only get one – treat it right!
I also wanted to add my own principle in. Give Yourself Credit. Eating healthy in a world of vending machines, crazy schedules and office potlucks can be tough! Give yourself a pat on the back for any step you make towards eating healthier, no matter how small. You brought an apple for a mid-day snack instead of getting chips from the vending machine? Awesome. You picked up whole grain pasta, instead of the regular kind? Good for you. Keep it up – small changes can really add up!
So these main points are just a few of the 7 principles – you can click here for the full article. Also,I am not and nutritionist or educated in the health field in any way, I just thought these principles made a lot of sense and contained some really good information!
Have a super Tuesday everybody! Hope your week is starting off well!
~~~~~
What principles & guidelines do you follow to live your healthiest life?
If you’re not hungry, don’t eat! This is probably the most important principle for me–and the one I struggle with the most. Food just tastes so good sometimes!!!
i have NOT tried TJs almond butter yet, but it’s on my list for the next time I get to go!
i love that salad – it looks beautiful!
TOTALLY AGREE!!!! WE NEED A TRADER JOES NOW!!!!! So not fair!!! I did my first shred video a few weeks ago- about died!!!
I love your last principle!
I think we can actually learn from kids when it come to stopping when you’re full. For the most part, kids stop when they’re full, eat when they’re hungry, next thing you know they’re out the door ready to play with the neighborhood kids.
I try to eat mostly whole foods, and as a vegetarian I try to get my proteins from whole foods as well. I can flavor my food the way I want and it’s cheaper! Unless you’re buying truffles hehe. I think the key thing is eating what is right for you.
Great post!
I haven’t done Jillians workout in forever either, I’m pretty sure I’d DIE if I did!
I’ve been having green monsters every morning for the last week and I LOVE them, now. It’s what I crave EVERY morning when I get up!!
Love those principles, ESPECIALLY the one you added!!
i agree we need a trader joes here in iowa and also a whole foods market!!!
Amen to Trader Joes and Whole Foods. PLEASE PLEASE COME TO IOWA. Gateway Market ain’t no WF or TJ’s.
That salad looks amazing! And I haven’t tried that TJ’s AB, but I just might have to pick it up
My healthy guidelines (for me): drink lots of water, eat when you’re hungry, and plan ahead (pack a lunch for work/school, or healthy snacks. think of healthy meal options so you don’t just grab something unhealthy/not filling)
First of all, your wrap from yesterday has made me hungry for lunch an hour early. Grrr.
Secondly, I just blogged about my first AB purchase also!! Ha. Sad for you that Iowa doesn’t have TJ’s – you should day-trip up to the Twin Cities to stock up!
Finally, I love the 7 principles. I also come from a “clean your plate” household. Like, “you may not leave the table until you do so”. It is ingrained in my brain! But I also try to use small plates and limit how much I put on there to begin with so I can wipe it clean without eating my bodyweight in food. Haha.
Great post!
I love TJ’s almond butter, too! I get the crunchy kind
Those are great healthy eating principles! I checked out the original article, and I think you chose the most important ones. I also love your addition
. Have a great week!!!
Kristin! Yesterday was a Wise day…I tried your green monster AND made foil packs for dinner. Both were delish! Thanks for the recipes!
TJ’s almond butter is my fav!
That is the ONLY almond butter I buy! Seriously, if you run out, let me know and I’ll send you some jars!
Love the color of your kitchen sink salad! Yummers!
I love your little lentils in your salad. It seriously made that picture. Yes, I love TJ’s almond butter. They have such great stuff.
I am working on #5 right now!
http://strivingforbalance.wordpress.com/
I really like that almond butter. the sea salt really makes the flavor pop. when I’m feeling like something a little more tame I go with Justin’s maple almond butter–definitely a winner too
Thanks for sharing the article. I like how you added giving ourselves some credit for our healthy choices. We deserve it!
I was just saying this weekend how I wish Trader Joes would come to Iowa. It would be so wonderful.
TJ’s is my absolute fave brand of almond butter–plus it’s cheaper than other brands!
Good art, I’d say thanks to writer because i’ve read here a lot exciting info. Im waiting for more posts. Best wishes