It’s that dreaded first day of work, school, or whatever else you may be doing. Nobody likes Mondays. And for that, I decided it’s time for some inspiration. Inspiration in the form of health.
You might have spent the weekend tailgating, going out and hitting the dance floor, or maybe just going out to the movies. Regardless of which event you chose to do (or maybe you did all three), you probably weren’t putting the best things in your body. Since tailgating season is here, chicken wings, popcorn, queso, burgers and pretty much any type of junk food is rampant. Now, this isn’t me trying to preach health or tell you that it’s wrong to ever eat these types of food, because I certainly do from time to time (or maybe more). This post is simply meant to spark your inner self that strives to be healthy and strives to put only the best things in your body. Your body will thank you later. I hope these images and words will inspire you to lead a healthy lifestyle starting this week.
Now you may be thinking, hey, That Foodie Girl goes around to several restaurants trying all sorts of foods—not just healthy ones. That is true and I don’t claim to be a health expert nor perfect in this area whatsoever. I thought it was time to talk to my readers about something I’m very passionate about and something I believe in.
Something I’ve read online and elsewhere is that you should be on your best health behavior 90% of the time, and the other 10% you can cheat. So, maybe that means during the week you eat the healthiest foods and avoid junk food, and you let yourself eat what you want on the weekends.
Today is my day to be healthy. And here are my healthy day essentials and ideal foods (give or take quite a few things, but these are highlights).
[none of the photos in this post are mine]
It comes in three forms: orchard, garden, and vineyard. The orchard and garden capsules come packed with 17 different types of raw fruits and vegetables. The vineyard is complete with a variety of berries and grapes, bringing you antioxidants in their purest form. I also take the Juice Plus gummies just because they’re tasty and make for a good snack. I could not live without my daily dose of Juice Plus. Although I’m usually healthy and love the produce section of Whole Foods, having this added nutritional value to my day is priceless. And cooked broccoli does not count. Juice Plus capsules include raw vegetables, which retains the vital nutrients you need for pretty much every function of your body. Since most people don’t eat their necessary dosage of fruit and vegetables, Juice Plus is convenient, inexpensive and gives you the most natural forms of vitamins, nutrients and even fiber. Juice Plus is NOT a vitamin. I repeat NOT a vitamin. It’s much better than that.
If you’re interested in more info, please let me know. I’m a distributor and would love to share with you all.
2.KeVita
You may have read my review on this sparkling health drink, but this drink rocks. Not only does it aid in digestion and make you feel awesome, but it tastes great too. I’ve also noticed it gives you energy. It’s a nice coffee replacement/alternative.
3.Spinach
You may think I’m lying, but after rigorous exercise (i.e. running), I don’t want carbs, my body craves greens. And no, I don’t just sit there and eat straight spinach. I love to combine my caprese salad with a mound of spinach. So filling and healthy. Spinach does so many great things for your body—fiber, digestions, blood pressure and much more.
4.Honey Crisp Apples
One of the best parts about fall is that Honey Crisp apples are in season! These sweet and tangy apples are so delicious and I’ve been loving dipping them in peanut butter for breakfast or a snack. They curb cravings and make for a much better alternative to desserts.
5.Broccoli
“Eat your trees, honey”. I heard that all the time growing up, and now I can’t get enough of my broccoli. I usually sautee it in garlic, salt and olive oil, and I’m happy eating a bowl of grilled broccoli. Weird? Maybe. But delicious.
6.Quinoa
Sometimes when I’m feeling really creative, I’ll substitute quinoa for pasta. Instead of my boring pasta routine, I’ll cook some quinoa and mix with broccoli, bell peppers or any other grillable veggies. I love quinoa, but my recipes haven’t been that exciting. Anyone have a good recipe?
7.Ezekiel bread
When I’m trying to be good, I veer away from the simple carbs. But most days, my body craves some kind of substance. Yes, veggies and fruit can be filling, but sometimes it just won’t cut it. So in comes the Ezekiel bread. It’s organic and it contains live grains, and the grains and legumes contained in the bread give you a kick of protein. What to pair with the bread? Almond butter? Sometimes I make grilled cheeses on my Ezekiel bread…not sure if that defeats the whole purpose, but I figure it’s better than wheat bread!
8.WATER
I’ve been horrible at drinking enough water everyday. And for this, water makes my healthy list. I carry around this water bottle when I remember, and since it’s there, I tend to refill it and drink a lot more water than I used to. Drink up!
And my favorite exercise routines lately?
ZUMBA
It’s not exactly hardcore cardio, but it makes you sweat, but better, makes you smile. A fun latin-inspired mix of music and moves, it’s fun to grab some friends and not be afraid to make a fool out of yourself when your instructor screams “make it sexy, girls!” as she’s doing a belly dancer-esque move with her hips. Fun, and it gets your body moving.
RUNNING
I’ve always loved running, but now that the weather is (sort of) cooling down, running on the Katy Trail here in Dallas is a lot more fun than hitting the treadmill at the gym. It’s shaded in a lot of spots and there are mile markers, so you still know how far you’ve gone. No excuses, people!
That concludes my health post. What are your go-to healthy foods?
Bon appétit,
ThatFoodieGirl
