Healthy Eats Week- Day 2: Lunch

Happy Tuesday! Hope you're having a great day. (:

Today I am SO BUSY. I had summer running (ran 3 very easy miles today), then I ran to skit practice. My high school puts on a event for incoming freshmen. I am one of the leaders, and we have to put together skits. I had practice from 8-12 today.

For healthy eats week day 2 I am writing about what I am eating right now... lunch!

Perhaps my healthiest habit is lunch. (Almost) Every day, I try to have a BIG FAT SALAD. (:

I start with dark greens (baby lettuce, baby spinach, whatever we have around. Always dark though, never iceburg or similar!!)

Then I add whatever I feel like adding. Usually a red/yellow pepper, sometimes tomatoes, slivered almonds, walnuts, cheese, dried cranberries, strawberries, pretty much whatever I have lying around. 

I always top it with my Annie's light raspberry vinaigrette dressing. My all-time favorite dressing. 

Not only does a BIG FAT SALAD pack in TONS of nutrients, it tends to keep me pretty full until my afternoon snack. Yay! (: Normally for lunch I will add a cheese stick or some chobani or crackers or Ezekiel bread or whatever for a bit more protein.

I think I'm obsessed with my Big Fat Salads. I just finished eating this one! Spinach, red pepper, almonds, and a cucumber from someone's garden! 

That cucumber made me want to start my own garden. If I only had the time! I would love to garden and grow my own fruits and veggies when I am older. 

Tonight I have dinner at Carrabas- free! I saw a promo on facebook and signed myself and my mom up. We each get to bring a guest and try a "trio" for absolutely free. I can't wait! Certainly not the cleanest/healthiest meal, but things like this are worth it. If I have an option, I'll try to order the healthier option! 

After that I have Marching Band practice! We start our weekday practices tonight. 6-10pm. Then I go home quickly and get to sleep so I can wake up at 5:30 for running. 

I'll leave you with some Tuesday funnies:

Are you busy this week? What's your go-to lunch? 

Are you going to watch PLL tonight... Or are you going to watch it On Demand tomorrow like I am? (:

-Emily

Healthy Eats Week- Day 1: Breakfast.

Hey everyone! Happy Monday. Where did last week even go??

First of all, I have to mention the amazing support I got from you all on my last post. I really appreciate the comments and love I got after writing that. I was really scared to share my story, but I don't regret it. My blogging friends are the best! (:

Over the past few weeks, in my efforts to lose a bit of weight but more importantly just become healthier overall, I've been experimenting with some healthy "swaps" and recipes.

This week I will be sharing my latest eats and fabulous food finds. I'm calling it Healthy Eats Week because I want to. Disclaimer: These are just what I consider healthy. I'm not a nutritionist and I know "healthy" is a matter of opinion! My idea of healthy is as close to natural as possible.

Today I am going to start with breakfast! Most important meal of the day, right?? (:

I tried Sunnie's recipe for Overnight Oats, and I think I'm in love. I have yet to buy chia seeds, but I just make it without, and even though the texture isn't perfect without the chia seeds, it's still delicious! I think this is a new staple in my mornings (;

I just bought these over the weekend. I LOVE homemade oatmeal. So much better than my packets! (although packets are good for quick mornings). I love that this is all natural, and I can add my own toppings. I like adding fruit, protein powder, & always vanilla and cinnamon.

New obsession: Ezekiel 4:9 bread. It has no flour, it's made using the whole grain. I don't know the details, but it is much better than white or even plain wheat bread. It is SO filling, and I really enjoy the taste and texture. I guess I'm weird, but the nutty taste and thicker texture really appeals to me!

My favorite thing to put on my new bread? Chocolate PB2. Pair it with fruit, and we've got ourselves a breakfast!

For breakfast, I tried to swap out the quicker options for more whole & natural options. I also try to eat a bit of fruit with breakfast every day. That seems to help me stay full for longer. Sometimes fruit really doesn't appeal to me until the afternoon, so I'll skip it.

Yesterday I had a lot of fun! I went with Andrew's family to the Michigan dunes. 

We had fun on the mud hike. (:

What are YOUR favorite breakfasts?? Care to share any easy recipes? (:

What changes are you making to healthify your life?

Have a wonderful day.
-Emily

Quick life update: My dad finally moved out and things are better for me! However, he isn't in a very good place right now and is extremely negative whenever I am around him. He acts terribly around my mom and constantly complains about both her and my little sister, who just wants to see my dad more. I only have to see him every other weekend, and I'm really glad all that negativity is, for the most part, out of my life. It's been years since I have lived in a truly peaceful home and I am so thankful for having that now.