Food is fuel.
We’ve all heard this a million times. We are all well aware that the better we eat, the better we feel {or so they say ;-)}. We are also constantly overwhelmed–please tell me I’m not alone in this!–with the desire to eat our body weight in chips & salsa at happy hour or macarons while roaming the streets of a new city. Sometimes my willpower isn’t strong enough to pick the protein shake over the donut for breakfast or a banana over a chocolate chip cookie for an afternoon snack, but what matters is that I’m trying to make the right decisions when it comes to what I eat. Balance, right?! I don’t always get it right but I feel like I should at least be getting a B+ because a majority of my meals are lean, clean & green. Last week I promised to share a quick look into my kitchen and how I’m trying to make sure my ‘Bridesmaid Body’ is on point come next Friday. For me personally, when I have a specific event or goal that I’m working towards, I seem less inclined to need dessert after dinner and more capable of saying maybe I shouldn’t NO.
The food you eat can either be the safest & most powerful form of medicine OR the slowest form of poison. – Ann Wigmore
I came across this quote a few months ago and truly love the thought behind it. Sure, I LOVEEE myself a glass or 2 of Chardonnay but is a glass or 2 something I should be having every night? Doubtful. Are those carrots I eat really going to improve my eyesight? Maybe not, but it’s worth the try.
What I am eating is a lot more than what I’m avoiding.
I wouldn’t call my current eating habits Paleo, though I’m loosely following a handful of their ‘rules.’ I’ve been avoiding bread, pasta {Quinoa 1x/week}, fast/processed food, and desserts. I don’t count calories but I have been keeping an eye on the sugar content of things–I’m doing my own test with the sugar thing to see if I can kick some stomach issues that I’ve been having. My main focus is upping my protein intake {adding red meat into at least 3 meals/week per doctor’s orders}, making sure I am getting all my fruits & veggies in AND drinking a TON of water. Below is what my meals have been looking like over the past month or so. Let me know if you’d like any of the recipes, I’m happy to share!!! 🙂
Sample Menu:
Sunday – Breakfast: Loaded Veggie Omelet Lunch: Garbage Salad Dinner: Grilled Steak + Asparagus + 1/2 Sweet Potato
Monday – Breakfast: Overnight Oats + 1/2 banana Lunch: Chipotle Lettuce Wraps x 2 + 1 c. grapes Dinner: Grilled Salmon + Buffalo Brussel Sprouts + 1 c. quinoa
Tuesday – Breakfast: Protein Shake Lunch: Veggie Burger over Spinach w/ Home-made dressing Dinner: Salsa Verde Chicken Taco Salads
Wednesday – Breakfast: Overnight Oats + 1/4 c. raspberries Lunch: Chipotle Lettuce Wraps x 2 + 1 c. grapes Dinner: Grilled Bison or Deer Burger (no bun) + Sweet Potato Fries (hand-cut, home-made)
Thursday – Breakfast: Protein Shake Lunch: Veggie Burger over Spinach w/ Home-made dressing Dinner: Chicken + Veggie Stir fry
Friday – Breakfast: Overnight Oats + 1/4 c. blueberries Lunch: Chipotle Lettuce Wraps x 2 + 1 c. grapes Dinner: Shrimp Zoodles OR an easy Tuna + Spinach Salad
Saturday – Breakfast: Protein Pancake Lunch: Green Smoothie Dinner (Out): Sushi (substitute white rice for brown rice, low sodium soy sauce) if we’re eating out OR Steak Salad with Bleu Cheese Crumbles & a Balsamic dressing on the side
Snack options – Kind or Larabars, Suja Juices, Peppermint Tea, Coconut Milk Yogurt, Protein Shakes
Disclaimer: These are all MY opinions. I’ve done research on why avoiding certain foods is beneficial, I’ve talked with my Specialist about what kinds of foods I should be eating more or less of, and I’m doing what works for ME. I’m lactose-intolerant so those foods are out the window for me but I substitute with coconut & almond milk options, and the occasional soy products, to get what I miss out on.
What are some of YOUR favorite recipes!? Any tips or tricks you swear by that you can share with me?! I’m always open to hearing new ideas or philosophies!!! Now that I’ve typed this huge post about food, all I want is a Molten Chocolate Lava Cake with Coconut Milk Ice Cream and Hot Fudge. #judgeme
I would LOVE the overnight oats recipe! I have been wanting to try one for a while. This is such a great idea. I love that you planned a whole week out.
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
Thanks for reading, girl! For my oats I do: 1/2 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup of coconut milk (any milk works!), 1/4 cup of any kind of yogurt, 1 tsp. of grade A maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon. Mix all of that together & let sit overnight. In the morning, top with whatever fresh fruit you want! I also like to vary a bit and maybe swap the maple syrup for 1 tbsp of PB2 or I’ll drizzle cashew butter in…in the fall I’ll add 1 tbsp of canned pumpkin & a dash of pumpkin spice seasoning! You can totally make it your own 🙂
I am dying over these food pics. YUM
Love overnight oats!!! And so does my hubby:)
And zoodels are the bomb! I’m addicted haha
XO,
Anna
http://www.blushingrosestyle.com
Holy Yum!
These are all great meals! I don’t restrict myself either but do watch what I eat about 80% of the time. The other 20% I enjoy to the fullest. Thanks for sharing!!! xo ~Anna http://www.pepperedinstyle.com
I need to food prep and I think I would do better. Overnight oats and shrimp noodles sound really good though! I don’t really drink alcohol anymore and that helped me a lot. You motivate me though girl! You are amazing! These posts are awesome! Xo
Looks sooooo good babe. So dinner at your house next week?? Hugs, Kait
http://www.makeminemaroon.com
Absolutely! Come visit me ANY time!!! 🙂
I love zoodles! I just bought a spiralizer so I can make them at home! Definitely going to try them with shrimp.
xoxo,
Evin Elizabeth
Great post! I love how you added a meal plan into the workout Wednesday! All the meals look so scrumptios.
You have a great meal plan. I avoid dairy also because I struggle be lactose intolerant. I try to stick with healthy recipes and meals during the week and splurge a little on weekends. That molten chocolate cake sounds amazing right about now. Lol
Xoxo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
I needed to read this, because I needed this motivation!!! It is so much easier for me to eat healthy when an end goal in mind (like say, a wedding ha). I allow myself way too many cheat foods! This is motivation! Love the sample week- It’s giving me ideas!
Emily
http://darlingdearestblog.com
I’m going to have to give overnight oats a try now, thanks for the dietary ideas!
xoxo Sarah http://www.thehouseofsequins.com
Love that quote too!
The food you eat can either be the safest & most powerful form of medicine OR the slowest form of poison. – Ann Wigmore
Girl if I can get your bod- Ill do any diet!
hehe
xoxo
Krista
http://www.hundredblog.com
These are all great meals! Like Anna, I don’t restrict myself either but do watch what I eat about 75-80% of the time. HAHAHA! Delish!!! xo
Everything looks amazing! Wish my willpower was as strong as yours, I definitely need to balance out my chips and salsa and macarons with more clean eating. Thanks for sharing!
xoxo, CiCi
http://www.worldwidestylista.com
Love this post! Food is everything when it comes to health and wellness!! A good balance of indulgence is always good too!!
Happy weekend lovely lady!
XOX
Candice
http://www.candicestubblefield.com