Good morning everyone!
My goodness – let there be LIGHT 8) It hasn’t been this light in the morning since June! Thanks to daylight savings time, I went on my morning Mom walk under a full moon and dark sky, got ready, and when I emerged it was nice and bright!
This morning’s breakfast mirrors my light induced, bright mood. I’m having a simple Banana and Cherry Cashew PURE Bar.
Love this flavor – it’s got a nice tangy zip from the cherries and big crunchy pieces of walnut throughout the whole bar.
Bananas have been getting bashed lately as being detrimental to weight loss due to their high sugar and carbohydrate content. I say, psshhht. It’s a banana! You can’t write off bananas! Do you eat bananas?
Lunch is very exciting today…
I packed a Crunchy Sweet & Sour Salad 
In the mix:
- Romaine hearts
- Chopped baby carrots (crunchy)
- Dried cranberries (sweet)
- Sliced pickles (sour)
Dressing is a creamy, honey-mustard style dressing.
I also packed a Honeycrisp Apple with some Homemade Pumpkin Butter for dippeage.
Mmmm – this might end up being one of those times where the apple slice is just the vehicle to get the dip in my mouth. I could eat this stuff by the spoonful, I tell you!
Speaking of daylight savings time, it was certainly a shock to the system when 5:30 rolled around last night and it was pitch black outside – eek! A lot of people tend to get the “winter blues” around this time of year and it’s not hard to see why when a lot of us go to work or school when it’s dark, and come home when it’s dark! Here are a couple of ways to beat the blues:
- Eat foods that are high in Vitamin D such as fish, milk, oatmeal and mushrooms to increase serotonin levels in your body, which influence mood.
- Purchase a sunlight lamp which can increase the release of serotonin, and place it on your desk at work or bedside table.
- Keep a bottle of coconut or tropical scented lotion in your purse or on your desk, for an instant mood-boosting scent reminiscent of the beach!
- Get outside and expose yourself to sunlight everyday – even if it’s just for a brief five minute walk.
- Stay away from sugary snacks, which cause a momentary high but will ultimately decrease your energy levels as it wears off.
- Give yourself something to look forward to every week by joining a group or volunteering.
- Try to keep a normal sleep schedule. Don’t go to sleep early, just because it’s dark outside.
- Exercise regularaly to keep your endorphins up and stress levels down.
- Add blankets, candles and decorative touches to your home in shades of the sun – red, orange and yellow.
Is there anything you do to stay positive in the dark winter months?
Among the items above, I try and always plan a Spring vacation so I have something to look forward to. It works!
On a brighter note – enjoy the weather and sunshine today if you can, and have a great Monday!
~~~~~
Do you prefer bright mornings and dark evenings, or dark mornings and bright evenings?
I’d be fine if it didn’t get light out until 10am – as long as it was still light out at 9pm. I like my sunshine at night…so I can wear my sunglasses and not look a fool…
I prefer sunlight in the AM I’m in bed at 9
Grandma here!
I go tan too bad but it keeps it at bay. I’m trying to minimize it this year since I have some suspicious moles.
I had no idea ‘nanners were getting bashed. I wonder if those bashing them also put forth all the benefits they contain. Hmmmm…
Vitamin D is important, it is hard to get the adequent amout through food, as they are in so few foods.
LOVE it being bright in the morning, it was odd how early it was last night, yet it felt so late!!!
Happy MOnday!!!
[...] Original post by Iowa Girl Eats [...]
I had a banana with breakfast as well– I won’t give em up!
I LOVE when it gets dark outside early in the evening. I need all the light I can early in the morning to help me out of bed…
I love bananas so I definitely won’t be giving those up! Haha, plus I think they are super good for you!! I prefer light in the mornings so I can get up and run early if I need to!! But I do love summer time when it’s light in the morning and evenings!
I’m such a night owl, I would rather have more light in the evenings… you know, so it wasn’t dark when I left work!
I didn’t know banana’s were getting bashed but I’d rather eat real food instead of something engineered and made of fake sugar… I’ve also never heard of anyone getting fat from eating banana’s, I guess I’m just an everything in moderation kind of girl.
Bananas are the best, i will continue to eat! hehe
I think i prefer it to be darker in the morning and stay light out side at night longer!
i think there is nothing you can do but just deal with it, and find all the fun you can in the winter weather! getting outside IS crucial
ummm i HATE how certains fruits and veggies will get a bad rap. come on – they grow from the ground and provide tons of nutrients. lay off the naners!
have a wonderful day dear kristin!
I go through phases with bananas… sometimes I have no interest in them, and other times I will eat one every morning!
I like it when it gets dark later in the evening… but hey, this morning I couldn’t help but think that I should start doing morning workouts!
I’m so happy it’s light out early again!! I’m totally a morning person!
I love almost anything banana flavored but I can’t stand eating bananas straight.
I don’t care if it’s dark at night, I want to go to bed anyway
And I love how it’s light in the morning when I get up
I am eating a banana right this very second
They are my go-to mid- morning snack and I could never live without them!
I like when it’s lighter later. When it gets dark at 5 I feel like I need to stay inside the rest of the night!
Super post.. I like your “how to beat the blues” list!!
LOVE bananas.. I eat at least one a day!
I eat bananas. I did not gain weight because I ate too many bananas.
I don’t mind it being dark in the morning but I hate when it gets dark early! Those are really good tips! I always try to force myself outside for a few minutes during the day. It’s amazing what a little sunlight can do.
Wow that’s a toss up. I love bright evenings but I like waking up to the sun as well.
I eat bananas every day! I couldn’t live without one.
Haha, you like to wear your sunglasses at night? But I’m totally there with you for dark mornings and light evenings. I prefer driving to work/class in the dark for some reason. I’ve actually started eating more bananas ever since I started reading your blog, crazily enough. You’re rubbing off on me!
Ughh….darkness at 5:30 last night was a major bummer
But I like light mornings and so this morning made it a *little* better….
I saw bring on the banana’s!
They always have a reason not to eat a certain food. But come on, it is a fruit!
I would rather have it be light in the evenings as well. The whole getting dark at 5 pm isn’t cool in my book.
Oh I loved this post! The darkness yesterday really threw me through a loop! Eeeek! I hate it when it’s dark as I’m leaving work. So depressing! Having said that, getting up in the dark sucks pretty hard too…so I want it both ways please!
I definitely get the winter blues so I loved your list! I have instigated the “joining a group” thing by volunteering – honestly, if I don’t HAVE to leave the house for something when it’s 10 below zero then I will hibernate like a bear!
I also like to book holidays for the winter months for something to look forward to.
I LOVE the idea of adding things the shade of the sun to your home – that’s so great. And of course, if eating oatmeal helps then I guess I should abide…
I eat bananas occassionally and just enjoy them because I didn’t gain weight eating to many bananas. In fact they are nice and filling with a bit of nut butter.
I try to make sure I get outside for a few minutes a day to keep my spirits up. I prefer to wake up with darkness and have it stay later longer. It helps me to not go to bed super early.
I don’t understand it when people criticize fruits. All types contain natural sugars and are still low in calories. I don’t consume three bananas every day, but I do have one with my oatmeal or yogurt everyday. I would rather have something natural, anyways.
I kind of love it when the times change. I want to use it as an opportunity to wake up earlier and complete more chores before it gets dark. Its like turning over a new leaf.
I really prefer it to be lighter at night! I think of my time after work as my only real “me time” and it’s nice to have the option to run/just be outside and still feel safe!!
i CAN NOT leave the house in the morning without my nanner
gotta love the energy it gives you!
ciao bella
I think getting outside is seriously important, especially in places (like Oregon, where I live) where it’s dark and rainy a LOT of the fall and winter. Any chance I can get to breathe in some fresh air, tromp through the leaves and let a little sun (if possible) hit my face, I take it!
I think getting up and doing something to get the blood pumping really works. I take the dog for a 10-15 min walk each morning and spend another 10-15 doing a quick yoga session and some push ups. I love getting a little sweat going before hopping into the shower!
I also try to frequent coffee shops on the weekend and cozy up with a good book. Just revel in the great parts of winter and being forced inside. How about pizza and wine night @ home? OR hot chocolate, popcorn and a movie?
I totally agree about the banana thing. I mean, seriously. It’s the same thing with carrots. Supposedly their high in carbs too. I think people are taking that way too far!