6 Tips to Make Healthy Eating at Home a Little Bit Easier
One thing I often hear when it comes to healthy eating is that it’s too complicated, expensive, or time-consuming. The truth is that eating healthy looks different for everyone, but it definitely doesn't need to be costly, take forever, or be overwhelmingly complicated. There are so many ways to simplify your meals and streamline the cooking process to save you both time and money without sacrificing the quality of your food. That’s why I’m sharing 6 simple hacks that can help make healthy eating more sustainable and of course, delicious.
So here are 6 Simple Ways to Make Healthy Eating Easier: ⠀
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1- Buy pre-cut veggies.
There’s no rule that says vegetables are only healthy if you cut them yourself! Obviously it's important to be mindful and try to limit the amount of plastic wrapped items that you purchase, but if buying a few pre-cut vegetables means that you eat a healthy meal rather than a processed takeout meal that still uses packaging- I say do it. Buying certain vegetables pre-cut can save you lots of time and make the idea of whipping up a healthy meal a lot less overwhelming which is a win. ⠀
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2- Invest in a few practical kitchen tools.
Gadgets like an egg cooker, air fryer, instant pot or food processor can make meal prepping at home so much easier and quicker. Not only does my egg cooker boil eggs fast AF, but they’re also perfect every time. Everyone has their favorites go-to meals and when it comes to meal prepping, it's so worth it to invest in tools that make those meals even easier to make on a regular basis.
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3- Choose recipes that use simple, common ingredients.
Taking the time to plan out your meals for the week and coordinating them to have an overlap of ingredients is one of the best ways to eat healthy on a budget, while also cutting down on food waste! This process will also make grocery shopping so much smoother and it’s a fun way to get creative in the kitchen by using the same ingredients in different ways.
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4- Use spices to create flavors you love.
While I definitely love the taste of many raw vegetables, seasoning can make a huge difference when it comes to making a nutritious meal that you will savor and enjoy. Have fun with different spices and find combinations you love! Don’t be afraid to add some sea salt either.⠀
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5- Meal prep ingredients you use often.
While meal prepping entire meals is fantastic, it can also save you lots of time to meal prep specific ingredients that you use often. For example, if you know that you tend to use a lot of chopped mushrooms and bell peppers in your food, it would be helpful to chop up some extra and have it ready to go for the next time you’re cooking. This saves so much time throughout the week and makes cooking delicious, healthy meals at home much more attainable. ⠀
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6- Freeze herbs in olive oil for easy cooking.
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Xx⠀
Amanda ⠀
The Importance of a morning routine
It’s not uncommon to hear about top performers having a morning routine. Most CEOs wake up early to start their morning routine before the rest of the world is awake. But why the morning? What is so important about that time of day? And why should you care?
Well, certain things are not coincidences. And in the examples below we will talk about some CEOs routines and what they do and try to see the common in them, so let’s get into it.
Let’s look at Gary Vee for instance. Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and Internet personality. He is that guy who will tell you how things truly are without the bs. In an interview with Business Insider he shared his 3 hour morning routine:
Gary wakes up every day at 6 am, he then takes his phone with him to the bathroom where he digests a decent amount of news from TechMeme, Business Insider and ESPN, Nuzzel, Twitter and Instagram. Being one of the thought leaders in the marketing industry he starts conversations and replies to tweets.
After that he then will work out with his trainer for about 45 minutes to an hour.
After that he comes back home to say bye to his kids before school and gets ready to get into the office. On the car ride to the office Gary calls his family to catch up and see how they are doing after which he transitions into his work day.
Another great example of a morning routine is the one that Oprah Winfrey has. Oprah doesn’t believe in alarms and naturally wakes up between 6 and 6:20 in the morning. She then takes her dogs on a walk and gets some steps in. She likes to begin the day by doing "a series of spiritual exercises," so by 7:30am she settles in for a morning meditation.
After that she moves onto making a cup of coffee. "As I wait for the brew to froth, I pull out a card from my 365 Gathered Truths box. I read five of them each morning; it's a beautiful way to start the day," she told the publication.
After the meditation and coffee it is time for “moving meditation” aka workout. Oprah is a fan of Soul Cycle and has a fairly quick morning workout that she does: "I'll do 20 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes walking on the treadmill. I start out at the level-three incline setting and then every minute I add to the incline until I get to 12 or 15. And then I do sit-ups."
I do personally believe that she has a gym in her home because she’s done with everything by 9 am including breakfast, which by the way consists of whole grain toast and fruit. And some things take less time than the time frame, non the less, I have a feeling that everything other than walking the dogs is done in the comfort of her home.
Let’s do one more shall we? 3 is a good number. Let’s talk about Richard Branson, you know, the guy who owns Virgin airlines. Richard wakes up at 5 am every day! "Getting up and at it early gives me time to get on top of things, and chart my day effectively," he says. First thing he does upon waking is take some time to sit down, reflect on things and plan his day. After that it’s time for exercise. “Exercise puts me in a great mind frame to get down to business, and also helps me to get the rest I need each night. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing I have applied myself both physically and mentally every day.” He enjoys tennis, going on a walk or a run, biking or kitesurfing. After that he spends time with his family at breakfast. The time with his family is non negotiable for him so he makes sure he gets it in every day.
So let’s now look at this closer. Of course there are so many more influential people and these are just some of the examples but they are a decent indicator of a few things. So, what is it that they have in common?
- They all wake up on the early side. Having a busy schedule for the day and not necessarily having a lot of time for yourself is hard. Waking up early is the solution. It’s that “me time.” It’s time to gather your thoughts, greet the day and get ready to be the best version of yourself for YOURSELF as well as people around you.
- Working out. I know, I know,... now for the counterarguments of no time or no access to the gym in the pandemic. This is when waking up earlier comes into play. You CREATE the time you otherwise wouldn’t have. Morning exercise has a plethora of benefits-it helps your body release endorphins, otherwise also known as happy hormones, the benefits of a workout are noticeable for 13 hours! after a workout keeping you energized throughout your day.
- Meditation as well as reflection practices are similar but for the sake of this list of commonalities we will put them into one. Taking time to meditate or pray is important because it allows you to be present in the moment. Same with reflection, but we’ll get to that in a sec. You’re probably thinking, but how can I be properly present in the moment? I don’t actually know how to meditate and how do I sit still when I have all the things that I need to do in my brain? Well, I’m glad you asked. You let your mind wonder. You do it every day and as each day goes by it will get easier to clear your mind and just be present and breath and listen to what’s around you. And if your mind wanders back to your to-do list, it’s ok too. Truly. We as humans are born to be storytellers and whatever the thoughts are is your storytelling brain telling you a story of the day ahead of you. Now, when it comes to reflection, I find it to be a great practice that, similar to meditation, makes you take a moment and be present. Think of all the good things in life, and the bad ones too. Did they teach you something? Are you thankful for them and why? Being present is such an awesome power that once you unlock it you keep coming back for more.
- They all have food. That one is more of a joke one, because we have to eat food to survive, but on a more serious note- having a good breakfast can fuel you up with energy for the day and get you excited for what waits ahead, so in all seriousness, breakfast is pretty important unless you follow a more structured intermittent fasting plan. Still, you’re technically having a very late breakfast.
- Last but definitely not least- family time. Gary Vee and Richard Branson alike prioritize morning family time, whether in person or over the phone/facetime to catch up and check on their family. Also, family doesn't have to be blood family. It’s your friends, people YOU chose to be your family-check in with them, how are they doing? Something as simple as a daily morning text can make someone’s day. Hey, how are you doing today? Copy paste that. It’s so simple yet so powerful. We are created to be a part of society, we crave connection. Connection needs to be nurtured and nourished. If you don’t water a plant it’ll die, same with connections. Show up, show that you care and good things will follow.
So here are some great examples of the parts of the morning routines that you can use to build your own version of a morning routine. But… What if I told you that there’s a person who did the research of a variety of successful people's morning routines and discovered 6! That they share and swear by as contributing to their success…
Make sure to tune in soon for part 2
By Co-Author (Primary): Karina Movsesova
Editor: Amanda (Meixner) Rocchio
6 Healthy & Delicious Holiday Recipes
The holiday season is finally here and so are all the cravings for classic holiday treats! I know it can be especially hard to stay on track around this time of year, and while it's totally ok to treat yourself to a few of your favorites, I decided to round up some upgraded holiday treats for you to enjoy. Remember it’s not about depriving yourself of your favorite foods– it’s about fueling your body with nutritious foods that taste delicious and make you feel good from the inside out! Weather you're spending the holidays with family or celebrating by yourself, I've got you covered with these delicious healthy holiday recipes that you're sure to love. With everything from baked goods to eggnog to fun activities and potpourri, there's a recipe for everyone.
Craving a chocolatey, delicate dessert? This Paleo Pecan Pie is sure to satisfy your cravings:
This chocolate pecan pie is crazy delicious and guaranteed to make you want seconds. Plus, it’s made of quality, whole food ingredients.
What you’ll need for the crust:
3 cups almond flour
6 tbsp ghee, melted
For the chocolate layer you’ll need:
1 cup canned coconut milk
10 ounces dark chocolate (about 2-3 chocolate bars)
For the pecan layer you’ll need:
1 can full fat coconut milk
1 cup chopped pecans
½ cup whole pecan
½ cup coconut sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp sea salt
What to do:
1- Start by heating 1 can coconut milk & coconut sugar over high heat in a saucepan for the pecan layer, stirring often.
2- Once boiling, lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Then, allow to cool for 40 minutes while preparing the crust.
3- For the crust, mix the almond flour and melted ghee until combined.
4- Once combined, pour the mixture into a pie dish and flatten into a crust. Once crust is formed, bake for 10 minutes at 325F. Set aside and let cool. Once cool place in the freezer for 10-20 min.⠀
5- While crust is cooling, melt 1 cup of the canned coconut milk with the dark chocolate and stir until smooth.
6- Pour the chocolate layer into cooled pie crust and freeze for at least 30min-90min.
7- Take the cooled pecan filling (coconut milk + coconut sugar) and whisk in 1 egg at a time followed by the vanilla, sea salt, cinnamon and chopped pecans.
8- Pour the pecan filling over the frozen chocolate layer and bake for 50-65 minutes at 350F.
9- Allow pie to cool, top with more pecans & the place in freezer once it’s completely cool.
10- Enjoy!
If you're a fan of cobbler, you're going to love this super delicious Paleo Blueberry Cobbler:
I love a delicious baked good every now and then, and this blueberry cobbler is the perfect treat for colder weather. Plus, it’s so easy to make and much healthier than store-bought cobblers you’ll find at the grocery store.
What you’ll need:
4 cups blueberries
4 tbsps maple syrup
1/2 cup plus 1½ teaspoons tapioca flour
½ cup almond flour
2 tsps baking powder
3 ½ tbsps almond milk
3 ½ tbsps melted coconut oil
3 tbsps coconut sugar
2 tsps vanilla extract
What to do:
1- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2- In a bowl, combine the blueberries, syrup, and 1½ teaspoon tapioca flour.
3- Grease a casserole dish with a light coat of coconut oil spray and pour in the blueberry mixture.
4- In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, ½ cup tapioca flour, baking powder, almond milk, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and coconut sugar.
5- Once smooth, scoop the mixture on top of the blueberries and spread with a spatula.
6- Bake for 30 minutes.
7- Let cool for about 5 minutes and enjoy!
Looking to balance out the sweet stuff? Try these simple Fruit & Veggie Platters and dip recipes:
While I definitely enjoy plenty of the sweet stuff, I also love bringing fruit or veggie platters to events to help balance all of the delicious, sugary goodies that we’re enjoying. These tasty dip recipes come in so handy around the holidays and are the perfect treat to serve with your favorite fruits and vegetables.
For the Pesto Dip (vegan):
2 cups spinach + 1/4 cup basil
+ 1/4 cup parsley + 1/2 cup pine nuts + 1/2 cup nutritional yeast +
3 cloves garlic + 1 tbsp lemon +
1/3 cup olive oil + sea salt + pepper
Yogurt Dip:
2 cups unflavored plain yogurt + 2 bananas +
stevia
What to do:
Blend all ingredients in a food processor & enjoy!
Love a good mug full of warm, sweet drinks this time of year? You're going to love these upgraded favorite hot drinks:
Eggnog
Here’s what you need for the Eggnog:
8-12oz unsweetened almond milk
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp maple syrup
¼ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp nutmeg⠀
Cinnamon to taste
What to do:
1- Beat the egg yolks, maple syrup, and almond milk in a separate bowl
2- Heat the mixture on the stove over medium heat and whisk regularly until it reaches 160°⠀(the temperature that is safe to eat eggs at). It shouldn’t boil. If it boils, remove to an empty burner and keep mixing.
3- Once it reaches 160°, pour into a blender.
4- Add the vanilla extract and spices.
4- Blend and sip!
Homemade Hot Chocolate
Here’s what you need for the Hot Chocolate:
8-12oz unsweetened almond milk
2 tbsp chocolate protein powder (I prefer the taste of plant based protein in this recipe but whey should work fine too)
1 tbsp chocolate chips
What to do:
1- Heat the almond milk on the stove.
2- Add the hot almond milk and rest of ingredients to a blender.
3- Blend and enjoy!
Peppermint Mocha
What you need for the Peppermint Mocha:
8-12oz unsweetened almond milk
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 instant coffee packet or espresso shot
1/4 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 Tbsp MCT oil or coconut oil
Stevia to taste
What to do:
1- Heat the almond milk on the stove.
2- Add the hot almond milk and rest of the ingredients to a blender.
3- Blend and enjoy!
Want your home to smell warm & cozy? This holiday potpourri recipe smells amazing and is so easy:
Potpourri is an easy and natural way to make your home smell delicious AF, plus it can be a great way to use leftover peels, herbs, etc. The best part about these recipes is that you can add in extra peels, spices, and herbs that you may have on hand to make it your own and they take less than 5 minutes to prepare.
What you’ll need for the Holiday Potpourri:
-1 orange, sliced (or orange peels)
-1 cup cranberries
-4-5 cinnamon sticks
-2-3 rosemary sprigs
-1tbsp ground cloves
-2 tsp nutmeg
What you need for Fresh Lemon Potpourri:
-2 lemons, sliced
-3-4 rosemary sprigs
-½ tbsp vanilla
What to do:
1- Combine the ingredients for your selected scent in a large pot.
2- Fill the pot with water and bring to a boil.
3- Once boiling, bring potpourri down to a simmer for as long as you want. Enjoy!
Looking for something fun and healthy to do over the holidays? I got you covered! Not only is this idea super cute but it’s very practical:
I've shared this fruit tree with my friends in years past and it was a total hit! It’s very easy to grab the fruit off the toothpicks and of course aesthetically pleasing.
What you need:
1 pineapple
1 pear
1 wooden shish kebob skewer
Pack of toothpicks
Star cookie cutter (or if you’re skilled, you can just cut it in a star shape)
Strawberries
Purple grapes
Green grapes
Kiwis
Blackberries
(Option to add other fruits like oranges etc - have fun with it!)
What to do:
1 - Slice off the edges of the pineapple & the top. Cut an extra top slice for the star (make sure it’s thick enough so the star isn’t flimsy).
2 - Trim the top off a pear and use the shish kebob skewer to connect the pear and pineapple.
3 - Prepare the colorful fruit. Cut the tops off of strawberries and cut kiwis into slices.
4 - Use toothpicks to stick the fruit around the pineapple and pear. Use a toothpick to stick the pineapple star on the very top.
Healthy Breakfast Recipes to Start Your Day Right
One of the best ways to set the tone for your day is having a tasty and nutritious breakfast! Not only will a hearty breakfast keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day, but the right flavor combinations can put you in a great mood and help get you excited to eat more healthy meals throughout the day. Something as simple as eggs with sautéed vegetables could satisfy your needs and cravings, but even if you’re not a fan of eggs there are so many high protein, lower sugar ways to start your day or healthy alternative ways to start your day! That's why I'm sharing a roundup of my all-time favorite healthy breakfast recipes that you'll love along with some things to keep in mind when choosing your breakfast.
When You're Tight on Time in the Morning...
Something to keep in mind when you're crunched for time in the mornings is the power of plain, whole foods. I know it can be tempting to reach for a cereal and juice that claim to be full of fiber and other nutrients, however it's so important to read the labels and know what you're actually getting. Most of the time these foods are just highly processed sugar bombs with a tiny bit of fiber or nutritional value. When it comes to juice, eating whole fruit is a much better, lower calorie and higher fiber option than fruit juice. While you could easily drink 11.5 oz of orange juice, you most likely would not eat 3.5 oranges in one sitting (the equivalent in calorie amount).⠀
So with that in mind, if you've been looking for some healthy recipes to get you excited about breakfast, I've got you covered. Keep reading to get the full breakdown of my go-to delicious and nutritious breakfast recipes:
If you crave sweet foods in the morning, you're going to love these 5 Ingredient Pancakes:
What you need:
(Makes 4 pancakes)
1 ripe banana
4 large eggs
1/8-1/4 cup water
1/3 cup coconut flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
*stevia if you like it sweeter*⠀
What to do:
1 - Mash the banana with a fork
2 - Whisk eggs and combine in a bowl with banana, coconut flour, baking soda and the optional stevia
3 - Mix well then add an 1/8 cup to 1/4 cup water depending on desired consistency
4 - Heat a pan with some oil or non toxic spray oil
5 - Using a 1/4 cup, scoop pancake batter into the pan and shape into a circle. Cook for about 2 minutes each side on medium heat. (I covered pan with lid too)
6 - Repeat for 4 pancakes total
7 - Enjoy with berries or maple syrup.
If French Toast is more your vibe, I've got you covered there too:
Who says French Toast can’t be a nutritious experience? I made some changes to the traditional recipe so you can enjoy it at home with better ingredients!
What you need:
(makes 2-3 servings)
2-3 pieces sprouted bread
2 eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1-2 tbsp. maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp ghee
1/2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
toppings of choice
What to do:
1- Mix the eggs, almond milk, 1 tbsp maple syrup, and cinnamon in a flat wide bowl.
2- Soak one piece bread in mixture for about 2 min each side.
3- In a hot pan, add 1/2 tsp ghee.
4- Add the soaked bread. Cook for about 2 min each side and repeat!
5- Top with leftover maple syrup and toppings of choice.
Short on time in the mornings? These overnight oats are prefect for grab and go breakfasts:
Overnight oats aren’t just tasty, they also make the perfect nutritious breakfast, especially if you are short on time in the mornings. I love that you can mix and match flavors, milks, and toppings to make each batch your own and they typically take less than 5 minutes to make.
What you’ll need for each recipe:
Chocolate Protein Peanut Butter
½ scoop chocolate protein powder
¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
½ cup old fashioned oats
½ banana
1 ½ tbsp peanut butter
Chocolate chips
PB&J
¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
½ cup old fashioned oats
Stevia
¾ cup raspberries
2 tbsp peanut butter
2-3 strawberries (optional)
Peach Blueberry Pie:
1/2 c rolled oats regular
¾ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/3 c diced peaches fresh or frozen
½ cup blueberries
½ tbsp chia seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon⠀
1-2 tsp maple syrup
Chocolate Cherry Coconut:
¾ cup rolled oats
⅔ cup coconut milk or almond milk
Monk fruit
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
½ cup frozen cherries
¼ cup chocolate chips
What to do:
1- Combine oats, seeds, & all liquid ingredients in a bowl (including sweetener)
2- Add in your berries, nut butters, chocolate chips or coconut flakes.
3- If making pb & jelly, mash up the raspberries on a plate and set aside.
4- Stir oat mixture to combine and scoop into a mason jar.
5- Add layers and toppings.
6- Store in the fridge and eat when ready!
Here's another delicious make-ahead breakfast idea to save you time:
Yogurt parfaits aren’t just tasty and aesthetically pleasing, they also make a nutritious breakfast, especially if you are short on time in the mornings. I love that you can mix and match layers and toppings to make each batch your own and they typically take less than 5 minutes to make!Feel free to add some monk fruit, stevia or honey to the yogurt if you like it even sweeter.⠀
What you’ll need for each yogurt parfait:
Chia Seed Berry Blend
½ cup Greek yogurt
1/3 cup raspberries
1/3 cup blackberries
1/2 tbsp chia seeds
Chocolate PB Banana
½ cup Greek yogurt
½ banana
1-2 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp chocolate chips
Cinnamon Apple Pie
½ cup Greek yogurt
1/3 cup old fashioned oats
1 apple, chopped
1 tbsp coconut oil
cinnamon to taste
Blueberry Pistachio
½ cup Greek yogurt
½ cup blueberries
1-2 tbsp pistachios
What to do:
1- Pour a thin layer of Greek yogurt into a jar.
2- If making the berry blend, mash up the berries on a plate and set aside. If making the cinnamon apple pie, cook the apple, coconut oil, and cinnamon over medium heat for 5 minutes.
3- On the second layer, add in your fruit, nut butters, seeds, & chocolate chips one layer at a time.
4- Scoop some more Greek yogurt on top of your previous layer.
5- Add remaining layers and toppings.
6- Store in the fridge and eat when ready!
Prefer a savory, high-protein breakfast? Check out this combo:
I love finding new ways to prepare eggs since they're such a high-protein, nutrient dense food. These egg cups are so easy to make ahead of time and you’ll be full for hours with nutrients in the bank. Each egg cup is 114 cals, 8g protein, 3g carbs, 6.5g fat and I usually have eat least 2, if not 3. A quality protein shake with some healthy fats and greens, Greek yogurt with fruit, chia seed pudding or even a clean protein bar are some good examples.
What you'll need:
10-12 eggs
1/2 cup tomatoes
handful of sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup red onion
cooked ground turkey crumbles
1 cup kale
olive oil
sea salt
What to do:
1- Whisk the eggs in a large bowl.
2- Spray your muffin tray with olive oil or cupcake liners.
3- Pour the eggs about halfway into each cup.
4- Add the rest of the ingredients in each cup.
5- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 350F.
6- Enjoy or save in the fridge for later!
As always I hope these are helpful! Let me know which combo is your favorite in the comments!
Xx,
Amanda
Drinks to Love & Drinks to Minimize
So without further ado, here are 5 Drinks to Love & 5 to Minimize:
Drinks to Maximize:
Drinks to Minimize:⠀⠀
Breaking Down the Egg
Whole eggs are one of the most nutritious and versatile foods you can eat! Remember when we used to be afraid of egg yolks? I am so glad that we’re past that stage overall. While egg whites and egg yolks have different nutrient profiles, they can both be a great part of an overall healthy diet and can be incorporated in many different ways. That's why I'm breaking down the egg white vs. whole egg debate and sharing 6 of my favorite ways to eat eggs.
Egg Whites vs Whole Egg
Egg whites overall are a lean source of protein and can be good to incorporate if weight loss if one of your goals. However many of the nutrients actually reside in the egg yolk. Whole eggs contain all of the vitamin A, D, E & K. Whole eggs are also full of protein, choline, antioxidants, omega 3’s, and they contain all the essential amino acids that our bodies need! Additionally, they have a higher amount of B6, B12 and folic acid compared to their egg white counterparts. That’s why it’s a good idea to not skimp on the yolk too much.⠀⠀
If you want to add more volume to a meal, a nice trick is to do an omelet with 1-2 whole eggs + 2-3 egg whites (you can use the egg white cartons if you want to reduce waste). This way you get the best of both worlds!
Not only are eggs great because they’re packed with nutrients, but they’re also extremely versatile and taste delicious at any time of the day. That’s why I’m sharing my 6 favorite ways to eat eggs, breakfast lunch or dinner.
6 Ways to Eat Eggs
1- Bake egg cups in a muffin tin with your favorite veggies, high quality meats, or cheeses. ⠀
2- Boil and add them to your go-to salad. Not only do eggs provide a good amount of protein, but they taste great with all kinds of fresh veggies.⠀
3- Scramble them in a pan and eat with your favorite breakfast sides (or any sides really). ⠀
4- Make an omelette! You can also have fun with it and add vegetables and high quality cheeses. ⠀
5- Cook an egg sunny side up and pair it with any type of vegetables, rice, etc. The runny yolk creates a delicious sauce that adds tons of flavor!⠀
6- Make eggs in purgatory by cooking the eggs in marinara sauce and topping with fresh basil leaves
Note: Many cultures have different variations of this dish, but the southern Italian variant is called Spicy Eggs in Purgatory. Similar dishes are Shakshouka (Middle East/N. Africa), Huevos Rancheros (Mexico/Southwest US), & Huevos a la Flamenco (Andalusia). Each of these is spiced/flavored slightly different.⠀
Now if you’re wonder how to boil the perfect eggs, follow the instructions closely below:
1 - Place eggs in a large saucepan and cover them with cool water by 1 inch.
2 - Cover the pan with a lid and bring water to a rolling boil over high heat.
3 - When the water has reached a full boil, set a timer for the desired time and keep it full boiling the whole time.
4 - Immediately place the eggs in an ice water bath once they are done (this helps ensure they come out easier to peel too!)
Timing:
Soft boiled - 2 minutes
Medium boiled - 3-5 minutes
Hard boiled - 6-7
I hope you found this helpful! What’s your favorite way to egg?
Xoxo,
Amanda
How to Upgrade a Childhood Classic: PB&J Sandwich
This blog is proof that you can make healthy upgrades to some of your classic favorite foods. There’s something about a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich that brings back so many childhood memories! And while it’s totally okay to treat yourself to the classic version occasionally, there are also some easy swaps you can make if you want to enjoy a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich more regularly at home. That’s why I’m breaking down the original version and sharing some tips for how to upgrade a classic into a more nutritious but equally delicious sandwich.
For the Bread:
White breads like wonder breads are stripped of much of their nutrients, can be bleached and often contain added sugar. Try to opt for sprouted, whole grain bread when you can (Ezekiel is one of my fav).
For Picking Out a Peanut Butter Brand:
Not all brands are created equal - make sure to check nutrition facts and ingredients. Even some brands of peanut butter labeled “natural” will still include added sugar. I usually opt for brands which ingredients include simply just “peanuts” or “peanuts, salt.” The same goes for other nut/seed butters if you prefer a different flavor.
For the Jam Portion:
I love using fresh fruit instead of jam when I can. Mashed raspberries, strawberry slices or even banana slices are some great options. There are plenty of fresh fruit that taste great on an upgraded peanut butter and jelly sandwich, so I thought I’d share 6 of my favorite fruits to add:
For the grape sandwich- Cut the grapes in half. Spread natural peanut butter on both sides of the bread and lay the grapes down flat. Close the sandwich and enjoy.
For the peach sandwich- Slice a fresh peach. Spread peanut butter on both sides of the bread and add your peaches. Close the top and eat it!
For the banana chocolate chip- Cut the banana into thick slices. Spread natural peanut butter on both sides of bread and lay the bananas flat. Top with a handful of chocolate chips, close the sandwich and dig in.
For the raspberry jam- Mash fresh raspberries to create a “jam” or use my raspberry chia seed jam recipe below! Spread peanut butter onto the bread, add your chosen mixture, and close it. You’re good to go!
For the kiwi sandwich- Cut a kiwi into thick slices, then cut each half into another bite-sized half. Add the kiwi to your bread and peanut butter and dig in.
For the blackberry jam- You can mash the blackberries by themselves or sub blackberries in my jam recipe above!
If you aren't a fan of having whole fruit on your peanut butter and jelly sandwich, there are also plenty of ways to create your own upgraded jam at home. Highly processed jellies can be loaded with sugar and made with high fructose corn syrup so I also included an easy, alternative recipe for homemade jelly that you’ll love, with simple ingredients! Note: I used raspberries, but you can easily sub in your favorite fruit of choice.
What you need for the the raspberry jam:
3 cups raspberries
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp water, 1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp lemon juice
What to do:
1- Bring the raspberries, water, syrup, and lemon juice to a boil.
2- Mash the berries using a fork.
3- Reduce the heat to a simmer for 9 minutes.
4- Stir in the chia seeds and cook for another 9 minutes.
5- Remove from heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes.
6- Store in a sealed jar in the fridge!
Additionally, there are some better berry preserves out there that at least contain less additives than Smuckers, if you really prefer to go that route.
Which one is your favorite version of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?
Xoxo,
Amanda
8 Naturals Ways to Support Your Immune System
Because it can play such an important role in overall health, I want to share a few of our top tips for strengthening your immune system:
1- Get adequate sleep.
2- Eat your veggies.
3 - Minimize your consumption of highly processed foods.
4- Focus on eating mostly whole foods.
5- Get some daily movement in.
6- Manage your stress.
7- Stay hydrated.
8- Wash yo’ damn hands.
Why Fruit Juice Isn't Usually the Healthiest Choice (& Some Better Options For You)
Why Fruit Juice Isn't Usually the Healthiest Choice
Why You Should be Wary of Fake "Green Juices"
Some Better Juice Options
Don't Fall for Marketing: How to Outsmart Food Brands
When it comes to making food choices, you want to know exactly what's what, right? Well the same should go for these processed food items. The truth is that many food companies nowadays like to make their products sound better than they actually are, with many claims on the front of the package in hopes that you won’t read the ingredients or you will be thrown off by all the buzz words they throw at you. It’s crazy how much marketing can shape and mold our opinion of certain brands. Let’s be real - it’s because marketing works! However, it is becoming increasingly important that we become conscious consumers and really start to question if brands actually live up to the stories and claims they put out there. That's why I wanted to share some tips to help you shop smart and look for quality products rather than junk food that likes to pretend it's health food.
If you've been following me for a while, then you know that I am a huge advocate for eating more whole foods and less processed foods overall. This is because the added sugar in many of the processed foods today come with little-to-no added nutritional value and lack the proper fiber that helps your body release and digest the sugars at a more steady pace instead of a huge spike. In contrast, natural sugars like those found in real fruit and other whole foods are often paired with fiber, vitamins & minerals. Plus, the sugar added to processed foods makes them more addicting and easy to overeat compared to fruit which is much more filling so it's important to know when you're eating natural sugar and when you're eating processed sugar.
And of course it's totally great to treat yourself to processed sugars in moderation, but just knowing when candy is candy and consciously choosing to eat it can help you make intentional decisions to better your health. A good general guideline to help find a healthy balance with more processed foods is the 80/20 method, which is when you eat about 80% whole foods and 20% fun foods. Everyone is different and won't be exactly the same (I personally stick to more of 90/10) but this method can be helpful to find a good balance.
Here are a few things you can look out for to help you avoid accidentally mistaking junk food for a healthier choice:
1- "Buzz words": These are phrases or words placed on the front of the package that are popular and make the product seem much healthier than it is. A few examples of buzz words/phrases are: "No preservatives", "Gluten free", and "Made with real fruit!". All of these make the product seem like a more nutritious choice but when you turn around and look at the ingredients it is full of added sugars, artificial flavors and coloring.
2- Ingredients that you don't understand or don't recognize (you can always do a google search to double check): When you're trying to pinpoint the quality of a product the most obvious place to check is the list of ingredients. I suggest avoiding anything with a long list of chemical ingredients because they're almost never derived from whole food ingredients. A couple other common ingredients to avoid are: high fructose corn syrup and food dyes.
3- Cartoons & colorful imagery: Of course there are some great whole food options with colorful packaging, but oftentimes the marketing for highly processed foods is geared to draw in children with bright colors and imagery. So while it's not an exact science, just make sure to double check the ingredients on these type of products.
So with that in mind, let's look at some examples of how a food company might try to use marketing to trick you:
They're obviously trying to sell this as a "Healthy" Fruit Snack.
When looking at the front of these popular fruit snacks, they seem great. They're "gluten free, fat free, made with real fruit, 100% vitamin C, no preservatives" and "Fruit is their first ingredient"! However when you turn it around and really look, the first ingredient is fruit puree, followed by corn syrup, sugar, artificial flavors, red 40, blue 1, and even carnauba wax which is often used on cars. None of these ingredients will benefit your health-- trust me.
Some Better options:
As you can see, the ingredients in better fruit snacks are simple - just fruit which hasn’t been stripped of it’s fiber like in the Welch’s “fruit snacks”. Obviously, whole fruit is best option when you have access to it and it will contain the most phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals still intact from the fruit.⠀
Similarly, here's a look at some popular drinks:
"Great for athletes" or "great for kids"
It's pretty easy to see here that most of the ingredients in these drinks are artificially derived and packed with sugar. The Hawaiian Punch for example is pretty much just water & high fructose corn syrup with food dyes - yikes! Less that 2% is made from real fruit juices yet the company happily displays all the wonderful fruit on the front of the package.⠀⠀
As for Gatorade, the amount of marketing tying that brand in with pro-athletes is unbelievable. They tout the benefits of "electrolytes" and claim it's the best option after exercise.
Better options:
A more simple choice like water or coconut water that is full of natural electrolytes and natural sugars is much better than all the filler ingredients and blue food dye. If you want to add flavor to your water you can get creative by adding ice, fruit and herbs
So the takeaway here is that it's totally ok to indulge in your favorite treats, but just be aware of the fact that they are indeed treats. I hope that these tips help you on your health journey!
Xoxo,
MeowMeix aka Amanda