Happy Friday my friends! (A little early…)
I have always believed that diets are just plain wrong.
They tell you what you can’t eat, which just makes you crave those things even more.
If I had to give up carbs, I am pretty sure I would be obsessing about French bread 24/7!
And though diets do work to make you lose weight, they are not sustainable for life. I have never heard of anyone counting fat grams, calories, carbs, or points in their 80’s!
Instead I am a firm believer in creating a healthy lifestyle that allows for indulgences, but more than anything promotes eathing healthful foods like fruit and vegetables instead of “fake things” like splenda and other diet type substitutes.
A Simple Start to a Healthy Meal…Naturally.
—(And that doesn’t put anything on don’t eat ever list.)
So as we enter March the time when many people have fallen off the New Year’s resolution bandwagon, it is a perfect time to get centered, go to a natural grocery store, and start living differently, healthfully.
For Breakfast:
Kick off the day with a healthy mindset! Studies show just telling yourself you are going to eat better makes a difference in how you make choices throughout the day.
Get some exercise in to kick start your energy. (I am still working on this one 
!)
Make a smoothie that has SPINACH in it. Like this one-that tastes tropical. Pair it with a great (all natural) energy bar and you are out the door!
Lunch:
Make a great Panini/grilled cheese like this one that incorporates all the food groups: Whole grain bread, 1 slice of nitrate free ham (or avocado pieces), handful of organic baby SPINACH, tomatoes dashed with salt and pepper, ½ piece of sharp cheddar. Use Busy Bree’s Superfood Italian Dinner Starter to sneak in even more veggies since it is made with organic kale or you can substitute Dijon mustard which is fat free and flavorful. Lightly brush extra virgin olive oil on the top in place of butter. (This is easy to adapt to a wrap or a cold sandwich to go!)
Dinner:
Go for healthy Mexican! Make my Chicken Tacos using the Busy Bree’s Healthful Mexican Dinner Starter in place of your typical taco seasoning packet. Not only do you eliminate the artificial ingredients found in many of them you add in 2 cups of slow roasted vegetables-a great way to sneak in veggies for the whole family! Top the tacos with other beneficial additives like SPINACH in place of iceburg lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cilantro. Just keep each taco to 1tsp of cheese! Serve with black beans and whole grain rice and you are good to go.
**Don’t forget to eat a small snack every 3 hours or so to keep your metabolism in high gear. Snack ideas for another day…
As you can see I adore SPINACH. It has a simple not overbearing taste, but at the same time packs a punch: Antioxidan rich and loaded with vitamins k, and c. It also contains folates and carotene. The list goes on….Go for organic, as spinach is often times on the dirty dozen list.
What are your favorite tips and tricks to get veggies in your family’s lifestyle?
Have a healthful day!
Xo,
Bree
Let’s be friends! www.facebook.com/skinnymommyllc
I’m a firm believe that complete self-denial is not the way to go as well! That panini looks soo good right now
Seriously! Andy yet that is what so many Americans are doing. Little do they know I am having a pepperoni pizza with a beer tonight
I’m a spinach lover too.
This post is timely- I was making a green smoothie this afternoon, and my 4 month old son was watching. I told him that mommy is going to be making lots of those for him! Aside from green smoothies, I pretty much serve a salad with any meal we’re eating in my house.
Thanks chica!
My kids really love smoothies with spinach – I need to start adding it to even more!
I need to start giving them to my kids instead of keeping them all to myself
I agree with you about diets. I sneak spinach into my morning smoothie every day and share it with my 5 year old. She has no idea.
Oh I need to try it out on my kids too!