However, this is not a post about the challenge per se...what I want to focus on is our food choices and why we are feeling so good day to day. Plus this is to help our family and friends on the challenge with some additional ideas of what we do, and maybe they will work for you.
It all starts with PREPARATION!!!! The more prepared you are the better you will succeed at ANY goal you have set for yourself....SET A GOAL! Work towards it. And most importantly NEVER Quit.
Here is a picture of what I think it is a beauty of a fridge on a Sunday evening...ready for the week:
Veggies cut and bagged for easy grab & go, homemade hummus for added fiber and protein, fruit cut, sliced cucumbers in water & vinegar bath, celery with almond butter, salad greens in containers for grab & go lunches, sugar free jello for after dinner snack, and hard-boiled eggs. Not shown is Roasted Chickpeas ready and waiting for cruchy munching, frozen grapes in the freezer, almonds/nuts in baggies, plus the baked chicken cooling to be packed for the week.
Taking just a little time ONE (maybe two) nights of the week, you CAN have healthy meals and snacks ready at your fingertips. With three little ones who love their Momma SOOO much : ) and barely let me eat my well-prepared food....I NEED & LOVE the EASE of this preparation because I know it will help me SUCCEED with my goals and feed my family the healthiest meals I can - especially at those times when it would be so easy to call for take-out. We all have those moments.
SO - other ideas for healthy snacks and tips to do well on your Challenge or any day of the week?
1) Avocados - LOVE. Spread 1/4-1/2 avocado on unsalted/lightly salted wheat rice cake. Top with sliced almonds or sunflower seeds and lots of colorful peppers or grape tomatoes, or berries - depending if I want sweet or savory.
2) Tuna - with the little foil packets, make for on-the-go protein. Mix with chopped celery & red peppers, a small amount of relish and brown mustard. Great in hard boiled "egg white boats" or atop mixed salad greens.
3) Eggs - Hard boiled is just so easy and portable.
4) Almonds/Nuts - bag them up in serving size ready to grab out the door. Don't leave the house without a protein snack in your bag...and an apple wouldn't hurt either.
5) Oatmeal - just an all-time FAVORITE breakfast for me (whole oats, never sugary packets) - I always add fruit & nuts and a scoop of vanilla Musle Gain - see below for recipe.
6) Spinach - Staple in my house. Saute onions & garlic and top with pile of spinach. Wilts down. Great source of loads of vitamins. Lots and lots of Spinach Salads as well as most dishes I will sneak a little in here and there.
7) Real sliced turkey breast - not processed. Great in a pinch.
8) Sweet potatoes "steak fries" - slice and bake in 350 oven until crisp on outside, soft in middle.
9) Ground chicken or turkey Lettuce Wraps - see picture below. Add lots of veggies and a small mixture of a tablespoon of almond butter and low sodium soy sauce for "dressing".
10) An very easy and convenient source of protein would be the high quality Advocare Muscle Gain shakes. They are just so versatile...add to Oatmeal for added protein; drink as shake as a protein snack; add to pancakes; warm up as a healthy and protein packed Hot Chocolate substitute - very comforting on a cold day. Add 2 scoops to 2 oz. of Chocolate Slmond Breeze soy milk...put in freezer for 5 mins..and enjoy a chocolate pudding delight - top with slivered almonds.
(photo courtesy E. Becker)My favorite would be the Oatmeal on the Run - best served cold (recipe provided by B. Sprague):
(photo courtesy B. Sprague)1/2 to 2/3 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 tbs. fruit (raisins, dried cherries, blueberries, or strawberries)
1 tbs. slivered almonds, walnuts, flaxmeal, or flaxseed oil
2/3 cup soy or skim milk
1/2 scoop muscle gain
Place all ingredients in a small bowl with lid. Let stand in fridge overnight or 10 minutes prior to eating. No cooking required. Fast, easy, healhty and tastes great!
Ground turkey, lentil & carrot Lettuce Wraps:
Baked Tilapia with balsamic vegetables, peanut carrots & veggie quinoa
We feel so good because as you can see we are FUELING our bodies so well and incorporating the highests quality of supplements that fill in any nutritional gap we do not get in our diet each and every day. Plus giving us Mental Focus (SPARK), Omega-3s, immune-boosting probiotics, & antioxidants, and after workouts, muscle recovery, plus more nutrients. I am a girl who likes to eat. It is all about fueling your metabolism and feeding your muscles on a regular basis. Out with the breakfast, lunch and dinner rules and move toward small, frequents protein packed meals.
I look forward to helping with any questions, but mostly looking forward to a Healthy and Fun 2012.
Until next time, Be Well.
Jen
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