Nothing says summer like a juicy sweet bite of watermelon on a hot sunny day. Did you know that watermelon is only 46 calories per cup but rich in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds?
Below are some health benefits of eating this tasty fruit.
Hydrating -Staying hydrated is very important to your health. Eating foods that have a high water content can also help. This refreshing fruit’s water content is 92%? Another great way to keep your body hydrated.
Antioxidants-Watermelon is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1-B5-B6, potassium, magnesium, and is also high in carotenoids, beta-carotene and lycopene. Plus, it has citrulline, an essential amino acid.
Aids in Digestion-It can also help aids in digestion and contributes to weight loss due to its fiber and water content. This is important for healthy digestion.
ImproveHeart Health-Several nutrients in watermelon have specific benefits for heart health. Watermelon can help support heart health due to the fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
Electrolytes– Skip Gatorade and try watermelon with a sprinkle of salt. This fruit is rich in electrolytes, including potassium and magnesium, which means it’s an excellent replenisher for the body.
In honor of National Watermelon Day, here are 4 great recipes to incorporate celebrating this special day or anytime.
Watermelon Margarita
Kosher Salt
3 oz fresh watermelon juice
1½ oz. tequila, blanco
Splash of triple sec
¾ oz. fresh lime juice
Sliced jalapeño, optional if wanting spicy
Combine watermelon juice, tequila, triple sec, jalapeño if using, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously until outside of shaker is very cold. Rim glass with salt. Serves 1
Watermelon Salad
1/2 watermelon, peeled, cubed
1 cucumber, chopped and cubed
10-15 fresh mint leaves, chopped
10-15 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp of maple syrup or honey
2 tbsp of fresh lime juice
A drizzle of olive oil
Whisk together the honey, lime juice, olive oil, and pinch of salt. Set aside. Combine the watermelon, cucumbers, and fresh herbs. Top the watermelon salad with the vinaigrette and gently toss combining feta cheese. Enjoy! Serves 6
Watermelon Gazpacho
1.5 pounds fresh watermelon
3 large roma tomatoes, chopped
1 small cucumber, peeled & chopped
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 small garlic cloves
1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
1/4 tsp cumin
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Puree for 1 minute, or until the soup reaches your desired consistency. Taste and season if needed. Refrigerator and serve cold. Serves 5
Watermelon Lime Popsicles
2 cups fresh watermelon juice
3 oz water
1 whole lime, juiced
3 tbsp of honey or maple syrup
Toss watermelon, lime juice, and sweetener into a blender. Blend until smooth. Add more sweetener, if needed. Pour into popsicle mold and freeze. Serves 6-7
Hopefully, you can enjoy some delicious watermelon recipes and reap the fantastic health benefits they offer. There are so many great ways to eat and incorporate watermelon in your next meal or treat.
You hear it all the time; you need to move more or be more active. Oh, those dreaded words. Relax that does not mean you need to do hardcore Tabata or HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts, nor workout on boring stationary cardio machines to be more active. Did you know that walking for 20-30 minutes a day can offer numerous health benefits to people of all ages and fitness levels? That is right; what is not to like about walking? I think walking is the most underrated form of exercise and is one of the most accessible you can do it anywhere and at any time. The best part is it’s FREE (no membership required, no gym equipment you need to purchase), easy on joints, and easy to perform. It is a great way on staying active by all age groups and fitness levels.
Walking is also a tremendous easy form of aerobic exercise you can perform daily. A recent study at the University of Tennessee found that women who walked had less body fat than those who didn’t walk. The study also found that walking also lowers the risk of blood clots, since the calf acts as a venous pump, contracting and pumping blood from the feet and legs back to the heart, reducing the load on the heart. This also eases varicose veins and swelling in legs. (1)
Here are a few more health benefits that incorporating walking into your daily routine can provide:
1. Improves Your Circulation-Adding walking into your routine can improve your cardiovascular, bring up the heart rate, strengthen your heart, and even lower blood pressure. Research shows that post-menopausal women who walk just one to two miles a day can lower their blood pressure by nearly 11 points in only 24 weeks. According to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, women who walk 30 minutes a day can reduce their risk of stroke by 20% and by 40% when they step up the pace. (1)
2. Enjoy a Longer Life-Getting outside, and being physically active like walking has shown to improve your health and lifespan. A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society showed that adults between the ages of 70 and 90 who left the house and were physically active lived longer than those who didn’t. A reason to get outside is to enjoy the fresh air and scenery while walking, staying active during the week.
3. Mood Enhancer-Regular exercise, including walking daily releases endorphins (chemicals produced naturally by the nervous system to cope with pain or stress) This is especially important when anxiety is high during a time of uncertainty and undue stress. There is nothing like getting out with nature to make you smile as well. It can also help improve self-esteem and able to get out on being social at a safe distance.
4. Burn Calories-Another great benefit of walking is it can help you burn calories. This is a great way to burn the “pandemic 15”. If you are looking to maintain or reduce weight, performing a brisk 30-minute walk can burn up to 200 calories. (1) You can change things up and burn a little more by walking faster or up hills, even using stairs if you are walking at a park or community.
If you want to know how many steps you have completed, miles, you’ve walked, or active calories you are burning, invest in an activity tracker. Great ones to buy are a FitBit or an IWatch. A cheaper route would be to get an old school pedometer that you can clip on.
5. Energy Booster– Ever notice after an enjoyable workout or great workout, you feel more energized? Going for a walk pumps oxygen through the body. It can also increase levels of cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Those are the hormones that help elevate energy levels. So, if you are struggling with energy and feel like you need to grab more coffee or caffeinated drink, maybe try going for a walk instead. (2)
6. Strengthen Muscles & Tone-I know it doesn’t seem like walking does much, but walking tones your leg and abdominal muscles, not to mention that you can even tone your arm muscles if you pump them as you walk. Not only can it tone your lower body, but walking can also strengthen your legs’ muscles. A great way to build more strength in your legs is to walk up hilly areas and even upstairs. If you are using a treadmill, pump the incline higher to help build muscle, and doing this will also make the walk more challenging. Try to find routes with stairs that you can walk up and down to change this up on your routine.
6. Improve your ZZZZ– There have been studies that going on a 1 hour morning walk; you are more likely to help improve your sleep and relieve insomnia. So get those steps in for the day and enjoy a more peaceful night sleeping.
7. Helps joints-Guess what? Walking can help protect your joints, including your knees and hips. Going on a daily stroll can help lubricate and strengthen the muscles that support your joints. Not to mention that there have been studies showing walking might also provide benefits for people living with arthritis, such as reducing pain or prevent arthritis by walking 5 to 6 miles a week. (5)
8. Lower blood sugar -Another great reason to add walking into your daily routine is that taking a short walk after eating may lower your blood sugar.
In the diabetes journal, a small study conducted discovered that taking a 15-minute walk just 3 times a day after meals can improve blood sugar levels more than taking a 45-minute walk at another point during the day. So, if you are limited on time to walk daily, this is a great alternative that provides a great benefit. (3)
9. Boosts immune function -Staying active like walking may reduce your risk for calling in sick, boosting your immune system.
A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine researched 1,000 adults during the flu season. The study showed that those who walked at a moderate pace for 30 to 45 minutes a day had 43 percent fewer sick days and fewer upper respiratory tract infections. (4)
The study also showed that their symptoms were less if they did get sick compared to adults who were not active.
Getting a daily walk outside, inside on a treadmill, out on the beach, inside around the mall, or any way you can help you rep those benefits more.
10. Time to Pause-In a society where our heads of filled with the noise of TODO’s, lists, schedules, work, family, and more. Walking may help you to be able to pause and clear your head. When you walk, you get away from the craziness for a few moments and able to pause from the crazy day. If you are outside, take more time to enjoy the day and scenery. No matter where you are walking, just let those worries, stress, list, or thoughts pass. You may find that you enjoy your time walking more, having time for yourself, and actually feel clearer.
Tips for walking:
During busy days, walk-in areas designated for pedestrians and always know your surrounding. Make sure the area is well-lit, if possible. If it is not or during times the light is less, make sure to wear a reflective vest or light so cars can see you.
Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes and shoes for your gait. Pick shoes that have well-cushioned heel and arch support.
Always make sure you are hydrated by drink plenty of water before and after your walk.
Protect yourself, wear sunscreen every time you are outside.
Make sure you have a couple of minutes of a warm-up and cool down before your walk to prevent injuries.
Do you walk daily or a few times a week? Where do you prefer to walk? What is your a must have when you walk?
You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. None of my services shall be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. I cannot and do not provide medical advice. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before altering your diet or starting any fitness program
There is nothing like fresh juicy peaches in the summertime, but did you know that peaches are rich in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds?
Antioxidants-This summertime fruit is high in antioxidants, which aids in boosting immunity.
Skin Health-Peaches can also help improve skin health due to being high in Vitamin A & C.
Aid in Digestion-It can also help aids in digestion and contributes to weight loss due to its high fiber content.
Heart Health-Peaches can help support heart health due to the fiber, vitamin C, and potassium in peaches.
Calcium-A medium-sized peach has 9 milligrams of calcium
Eye Health-Lutein and zeaxanthin in peaches help protect the retina and lens, and vitamin A in peaches also helps support healthy vision.
Hydrating-Peaches contain about 80% water content, which makes this fruit a great solution to beat dehydration during the summer heat.
Here are some great recipes to incorporate this fantastic summer fruit in your next meals or treat.
Peach Pie Smoothie
2 medium peaches, peeled and pit removed
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup of almond milk or milk of choice
1 tsp of cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
1/4 tsp vanilla extract or 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder.
Blend ingredients and enjoy. Add maple syrup or honey if needed.
Peach Cobbler Overnight Oats
1/2 cup of rolled oats (regular or gluten-free)
1/2-3/4 cup of almond milk or milk of choice
1 medium peach, peeled and sliced
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp of maple syrup or honey
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1 tbsp of chia or flax seed
Mix ingredients together until combined. Put in jars and cover. Refrigerate overnight. Serves 2
Peach Grilled Cheese
2 medium peached, peeled and sliced
Sliced Gruyere or cheese of choice (can use vegan cheese)
4 slices of multigrain bread
a handful of spinach or arugula
butter
Using a skillet, add a slice of bread, buttered side down. Put a layer of sliced peaches, cheese, and top with spinach or arugula. Top with 2nd slice of bread, buttered side up.
Cook over medium heat, occasionally flipping until cheese is melted. Serves 2
Peach Chicken or Chickpea Salad
1/2 cup diced Chicken breast or 1/2 can Chickpeas if plant based
1 celery stalk, diced
1 medium fresh peach or 1/4 can peaches
1/4 cup diced onion
1 tbsp mayonnaise or yogurt
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix ingredients together in a bowl. Spread on bread or crackers. Serves 2
There are so many great ways to eat and incorporate peaches in your next meal. How do you like to eat peaches? Do you have a go-to recipe you love?
Mindful eating. Intuitive Eating.You hear it all the time but unsure what it means. Both are similar in ways but also different in others. First and foremost, neither are a diet approach. Intuitive eating is an eating style that promotes a healthy attitude towards food and the connection to food and your body image. It helps teach you how to get in touch with your body cues with hunger, fullness, and satisfaction. Doing this will also help you learn to trust yourself around food again, not looking at something is good or bad. The idea with intuitive eating is that you should eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. Sounds simple, right? Often, we let emotions get in the way of our true hunger cues, or we have allowed so many diets out there telling us how and when to eat we forget to trust our body as well as its intuition.
To be able to eat intuitively, you will need to refocus and relearn how to trust your body again as we had when we were younger. For us to do that, you need to distinguish between your physical hunger and your emotional hunger. What is the difference?
Physical hunger cue is your body’s single urging you to replenish nutrients and refuel. It builds gradually and has different signals, such as a growling stomach or stomach pain, starving feeling, fatigue, headache, or irritability. The signals will disappear when you eat any food.
Emotional hunger cue is driven by your emotions. Triggered by sadness or depression, loneliness, or boredom. These types of signals usually are the feelings that can create specific cravings for food, typically comfort foods that bring you a quick sense of happiness only to leave you in the end with feelings of guilt and self-hatred. (1)
Try to get in tune with your different hunger cues and learn how to recognize if you are truly hungry or emotional hunger. Did you know it could even be as simple as you are dehydrated? Sometimes masked as feelings of hunger, your body might be asking to be hydrated and need fluids. Try having a glass of water to see if the desire disappears.
Another way of intuitive eating is the feeling of fullness. Often at times, “dieting” causes us to feel like we “have” to eat at certain times of the day or within a window or eat a certain amount of calories/macros with each meal, which makes leaving food behind difficult. Listen for signals that tell you that you are starting to feel full and satisfied. When eating, take time to pause partway through eating by drinking some water and check in with your body. How full do you feel? Are you getting close to feeling satisfied or near 80% full? Be more conscious and aware of each meal. Remember to stop eating when you are satisfied or at least 80-90% full as it takes a moment (typically 20-30 mins) for your brain to connect with your body to signal it is full.
To be a better intuitive eater, try to reduce on being what they call the “Food Police,” with thoughts that are mainly in your head that declare something “good” or “bad” when eating. Yes, eating a salad for lunch is healthier due to the nutritional value, but because you ate carbs or a sugary item with the does not declare it bad. These are the unreasonable rules that were created by dieting that cause you to feel guilty. It’s impossible to view eating as healthy or pleasurable when acting as the food police with everything you eat. Changing the way you look at food is an essential step towards becoming an intuitive eater.
Lastly, eating intuitively is coping with your emotions without the use of food. We talked about this earlier during the emotional hunger cues, but emotional eating is a common problem. Trust me; we have all been there at one time or another. We often eat for reasons other than physical hunger and use food to cover unpleasant feelings and emotions. While the food at times certainly can be used to soothe or cope with emotions, it can cause other problems as it typically does not work to fix the problem and acts only as a coping mechanism. Anxiety, loneliness, boredom, and anger are emotions we all experience throughout life. Unfortunately, food will not fix any of these feelings. You will have to reprogram yourself and learn to find other ways to deal with your emotions that will comfort, nurture, distract, and help resolve your issues or feelings.
Now let’s discuss Mindful Eating. In today’s fast-paced society that tempts people with an abundance of food choices and busy schedules and distractions, we have shifted attention away from eating and enjoying your meal to now eating in front of televisions, computers, at your desk at work, and smartphones. Unfortunately, it has become the norm of a typical daily routine. Mindful eating is a technique that helps you gain better control over your eating habits.(2)
A great way to describe Mindful Eating is from the Center for Mindful Eating, which defines Mindful Eating as “allowing yourself to become aware of the positive and nurturing opportunities available through food selection and preparation by respecting your inner wisdom.” “Using all your senses in choosing to eat food that is satisfying to you and nourishing to your body and becoming aware of physical hunger and satiety cues to guide your decisions to begin and end eating.”
Below are some tips on being more of a Mindful Eater:
Eat slowly and without distraction. Make sure you eat slowly, chewing every bite and move away from the computer or desk when enjoying your meal.
Listen to physical hunger cues and eat until you’re full. As we talked with Intuitive Eating, make sure only to eat when you are truly hungry and stop when you are satisfied at 80-90% full.
Engaging your senses when eating. Make sure to take time and enjoy every bite in your meal. Smell the amazing aroma, see how great your meal looks, and enjoy the taste of your food.
Learning to cope with your emotions like guilt and anxiety about food.
Eating to maintain overall health and well-being. Eat to fuel your body for energy and nutrients but not our of boredom or emotions.
Bottom line, both Mindful Eating and Intuitive Eating, have been shown to promote weight loss, reduce binge eating, and help you feel better. Both styles of eating are a powerful tool to regain control of your eating and help you be able to pause. If conventional diets haven’t worked for you, this technique is worth considering. What do you think?
Ah, summertime. There is nothing like warm sunny longer days. The green grass, colorful flowers, smell of honeysuckle or gardenias in the air, lighting bugs glowing at night, and laying out or splashing in the pool or beach. Now is the time to ditch recipes sweating over the stovetop or oven. Below are some quick easy-breezy summer-inspired meals that are great for you to enjoy the seasonal produce that summer has to offer!
I have included a range from no-bake easiness to using the grill to help maximize your time outdoors and keep the heat out of the kitchen. Keep your summer eating simple and fun while still working towards your towards health goals.
Pineapple Coconut Shrimp
Total time-25 minutes
9 ingredients
Ingredients
3 Garlic (cloves, minced)
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
2 Tbsp Parsley (chopped)
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
2 lbs Shrimp (raw, peeled and de-veined) *If vegetarian or vegan, use extra firm Tofu and make sure water has been pressed as much as possible
4 Cups Fresh Pineapple (diced into chunks)
2 Tbsp Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
12 Barbecue Skewers
Directions
In a large bowl, stir together the garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, parsley, and sea salt. Mix well. Add shrimp (or Tofu if plant-based) and toss well to coat.
Preheat grill to medium heat.
Slide a shrimp (or Tofu) onto a skewer, followed by a pineapple chunk. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
Transfer skewers to the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until shrimp is pink. If using Tofu, cook time will be the same. Remove from grill and sprinkle with coconut flakes. Serve over a bed of greens or with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
Notes
No Pineapple? Use lemon or peaches or mangos instead.
Like it Spicy? Add Sriracha or Cayenne pepper to the sauce.
No Shrimp? Add Chicken, Fish, or do just Vegetables
1 1/4 lbs Chicken Breast (skinless, boneless) *If vegetarian or Vegan you can use Portabella Mushroom caps, Squash, or Eggplant.
2 Sweet Potato (medium, peeled and cut into wedges)
Directions
Add vinegar, cilantro, oregano, garlic, 2/3 of the olive oil, and salt to a food processor and blend until smooth. Occasionally scrape down the sides as needed.
In a large bowl, coat chicken breasts or vegetables in half the chimichurri sauce and set aside. In a separate bowl, coat sweet potato wedges in the remaining olive oil.
Preheat grill on medium heat. Grill the chicken breasts or vegetables until cooked, about 10 to 12 minutes each side. Grill the sweet potato wedges on all sides, about 10 minutes total.
Transfer to plates and top with the desired amount of chimichurri. Enjoy!
Notes
No Cilantro? Use parsley instead
Storage– Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Leftover chimichurri will keep up to 7 days.
1/4 Goat Cheese (crumbled) or Vegan Cheese if preferred
1 1/2 Tbsps Balsamic Vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/8 tsp Sea Salt (optional)
Directions
Toast walnuts in a pan over medium heat. When slightly browned, coat with maple syrup. Turn heat to low and stir until sticky (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat.
Divide spinach into bowls. Top with strawberries, goat cheese, and toasted walnuts.
Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt. Drizzle desired amount of dressing over your salad and enjoy!
Notes
Want More Protein? Add quinoa, edamame, chickpeas, or strips of chicken breast.
Short on Time? Leave the walnuts raw and add maple syrup to the dressing.
No Goat Cheese? Use feta or cashew cheese instead.
No Fresh Strawberries? Use in-season fruit like peaches, berries, apricots, or plums
Storage-Refrigerate in an airtight container with dressing in a separate up to 2 to 3 days.
If you do not have popsicle molds, purchase 3oz cups and popsicle sticks from the dollar store. Insert each popsicle stick into the middle of cherry to anchor it in each cup.
Add chopped cherries and blueberries to fill about 3/4 of the cup, around the stick. Fill the remainder of the cup with coconut milk.
Place in the freezer for 4 hours or until completely frozen.
Once frozen, run under warm water for a few seconds to make it easier to remove from the cup or mold. Enjoy!
Notes
Want it Creamier? Blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender and divide it into cups. No Coconut Milk? Use almond milk or any other dairy milk alternative.
I hope you enjoy trying some or all of the refreshing summer meals while having fun this summer. Let me know what are your go to meals and what are your summer favorites in the comments below!
We have all been there, confused about figuring out portion sizes and how to eat a balanced diet to the point you want to scream. It is important to make sure you are getting the right portions and combinations of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in each meal to be able to eat a balanced diet. I have put together some helpful tips and a diagram to see what your plate should look like with every meal along with a portion guide reference. Use this as a general guideline but try not to stress on getting it exactly perfect. The main point is to make sure every meal you eat is nutritiously balanced as much as possible. Enjoy and savory your meals. Bon Appetit!
Veggies are unlimited, especially non-starchy vegetables. Fill up the plate and have fun trying new veggies each week eating a variety of fresh vegetables each day.
Eat more Whole Foods and less processed.
Eat fruit as a dessert or a great addition for a pre or post-workout snack.
Choose local or organic foods when possible.
Choose lean high-quality proteins like chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, or plant based protein (tofu, tempeh, soy, beans, or seitan). Limit red meat and avoid processed meats such as bacon, lunch meats, and sausage.
Choose complex carbohydrates (sweet potatoes, whole grains, quinoa, beans) over starchy or simple carbohydrates. Try to reduce sugary products, white flours goodies, processed treats, and fruit juices or sodas.
Make sure fats are limited and healthy fats like avocados, nuts, seeds, etc. Watch your oil intake, fried foods, cream sauces, butter, and mayonnaise intake.
Use a smaller plate if you tend to overeat or if your eyes get bigger than your stomach.
Make sure you start every meal with a full glass of water to stay well hydrated and to help you distinguish if you are truly hungry. Staying hydrated is very important. Try to make sure you get in at least a minimum of 8 -8oz glasses a day but aim closer to 10-12 (8oz) glasses a day depending on your activity level.
An important note to remember, these tips are guidelines to help simplify and make it easy on keeping a balanced meal. It will make sure you are eating nutrient-dense foods and a good balance of macronutrients in which will help reduce any deficiencies.
Figuring out portions to eat with every meal based on the plate diagram can be confusing, so I have broken down portions for each macronutrient to make it easier for you. This will also help you keeping everything balanced along with meeting your protein, vegetable, carb, fat, and calorie intake without having to count a single calorie. Below is a helpful guide to go as a starting point for your portion size, assuming you’re active and eat about 4 meals per day.
MEN
For each meal, begin by eating:
2 palm of hand-sized of protein-dense foods
2 fists of hand-sized of vegetables
2 cupped handfuls-sized of carb-dense foods
2 thumbs width-sized of fat-dense foods.
WOMEN
For each meal, begin by eating:
1 palm hand-sized of protein-dense foods
1 fist of hand-sized of vegetables
1 cupped handful-sized of carb-dense foods
1 thumb width-sized of fat-dense foods.
The portion guideline doesn’t necessarily provide perfect total daily intakes and all individuals are different depending on how active an individual may be. Make sure to listen to your body and go with your hunger cues.
I don’t you about you, but I am now hungry thinking about food and my plate. Ha. Go have fun filling up your plate with healthy creations and get inspired.
If you have any questions, concerns, or if this is overwhelming-please do not hesitate to call or email me. I am always here to help out in any way possible.
You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. None of my services shall be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. I cannot and do not provide medical advice. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before altering your diet or starting any fitness program
These no-bake 7 ingredient Protein Balls are full of some healthy nutritious ingredients that make for the perfect bite for a healthy snack, grab-n-go Breakfast, or perfect for a pre/post-workout snack. They are also great to store in the refrigerator for up to a week or even freeze to grab on days when you haven’t been able to meal prep anything or helpful to take with you when hangry cravings kick in.
You can make these protein energy bites so many different ways of switching up the flavor profile. I sometimes switch the protein powder to chocolate and almond butter to peanut butter for a more chocolate peanut butter taste. You can add in a good quality dark chocolate chunks. If you want a more hearty texture like a bar or cookie, just throw in more rolled oats. You really can’t go wrong or mess this recipe up however you choose to make it.
Ingredients
1/3 cup Oats (Quick Oats)
1/4 cup of Oat Flour (or homemade Oat Flour *See Below)
1/4 cup Vanilla Protein Powder
4 Tbsp Ground Flax Seeds, Raw or Chia Seeds, Raw
1 1/2 -2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 cup Almond Butter
1/4 cup Maple Syrup
Unsweetened Almond Milk (if needed)
Directions
In a large mixing bowl combine quick oats, oat flour, protein powder, ground flax and/or chia seeds, and cinnamon. Fold in the almond butter and maple syrup until a thick dough forms. If it is too thick to work with, add the almond milk or some water.
Use a tablespoon to scoop out dough and roll into balls, approximately 1- inch in diameter. Chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Keep energy bites in the fridge for up to seven days or freezer for up to three months.
Notes
No Oat Flour? Take 0.25 cups of rolled oats to make around 1/4 cup of Oat Flour. Blend in a high-speed blender for a few seconds and whola, homemade oat flour.
No Almond Butter? Use cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or pumpkin seed butter instead of almond butter.
Batter too thick? Use the optional almond milk or water to thin.
Protein Powder. I like using plant-based protein powder, but you can also add in Whey protein, or if you do not have protein powder just add in a little more flour and flax seeds.
No Maple Syrup? Use honey instead. Just be careful with the amount as honey is thicker and sweeter than maple syrup.
Servings Size
Makes 14-15 Servings. (One serving is equal to one ball)
Nutritional Facts
Calories 111
Protein 5 g
Carbs 10 g
Fat 7 g
Sugars 4 g
Sat Fat 0 g
Fiber 2 g
Cholesterol 0mg
(per serving)
What is your favorite go to energy bite or protein ball? How do you eat them?
Journaling along with mediation is a big part of my daily routine. Why do I do it and why should you? Journaling is one of my go to’s for my health and wellness practices. I didn’t believe it was something I should do daily and had a hard time committing to doing it for a while. Once I started getting into a groove of my daily practice it has been extremely beneficial for me. I can take time to pause to be grateful and mindful, able to write down certain thoughts out of my head and manifesting them into the universe.
Today you can find so many varieties of journals out there from moleskin journals, ring-bound journals, bullet journals, planner journals, electronic journals, and more. You can also grab a blank old school notebook to use as your journal, it is up to you and what makes you more comfortable. There is no right or wrong way. Just have fun with it and try to commit 5-10 minutes a day.
When you start writing, it is helpful to be in a space where you can focus and concentrate like a quiet room that has no distractions that works best. Try scheduling time to set aside each day like early in the morning with some coffee or time you know will work best.
Once you start making it a part of your daily routine you will slowly see the difference it makes.
Reasons Journaling is greatly beneficial for your health and wellness.
Thoughts and Goals– Journaling allows you to write down your experiences and thoughts for the day or week as well as jotting down ideas on-the-go. You are able to use them to identify your future goals and how to improve in areas of your life. This will also give you the ability to set your goals and set ways you can achieve those goals.
Keeps you Organized-Being able to write down your thoughts, ideas, moods, or goals down will help keep your thoughts organized to come back later and make them apprehensible. This process will also help clear your mind as you put everything down on paper.
Relieve Stress and Anxiety– Believe it or not but stress can affect your overall health and well-being. (1) Journaling helps force you to pause and take time for yourself as well as it can be calming writing or getting your thoughts and emotions out on paper. Not to mention since journaling can help reduce your stress levels, it can also help boost your immune system. (2)
Self-Reflect-Allow yourself to self-reflect. Journaling helps us figure out who we are, what we need, what we want, how to grow, and find inner peace.
Boost your memory, Focus & Clarity-Journaling helps keep your memory sharp and can help you to focus on areas of your life that you like to focus on more often.
Inspires Creativity-While you are journaling, you may find that writing can be a great creative outlet for thoughts and feelings. This often leads to a spontaneous brainstorming
Mindfulness & Staying in the Now– Journaling creates mindfulness and helps your stay in the present while keeping perspective.
Here is what I like to write when Journaling
Morning
3-5 Things I am grateful for
3-5 Things that I can do to make TODAY Great!
3-5 Things that make me HAPPY and SMILE
Daily Affirmation (I am ___________________________________________________)
Evening
3-5 GREAT things that happened TODAY (even if you had a horrible day, there is always something positive or great that happened during day you can write down or take note.)
How could have I made it better?
Self-Check Notes
Important Notes for the day to remember
Brainstorm notes
You can journal however you see fit in whatever way works best for you. It doesn’t have to be perfect or thought out. Just start with what you are grateful for, affirmations, motivational quotes, how you are feeling, what you thinking about right now, or things that you can do to motivate you. Don’t overthink it. Just start writing.
Trying to eat healthy and throwing together a nutritious meal can be challenging. This is where a well-stocked Kitchen comes in handy to keep your sanity and will make life easier. Getting your Kitchen organized and fully stocked is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stick to a healthy lifestyle.
Make sure to always have a plan the weekend before, especially with fresh produce as working with fresh Whole Foods can be perishable and must be used within a few days. Making a plan, prepping, or chopping a few days before will help tremendously.
You can still keep a number of healthy, long-lasting staples in your pantry, freezer, and refrigerator in addition to fresh produce to incorporate to make some amazing high nutrient-dense meals and snacks.
Below is a helpful guide to help you get your Kitchen organized and fully stocked. You do not have to buy everything on this list, this is just a guide on items that will come in handy while cooking your healthy masterpieces.
Condiments
Bragg Liquid Aminos (taste like soy sauce but with a protein kick)
Hot sauces
Ketchup (watch the ingredients)
Mustard & Dijon mustard
Nutritional yeast
Salsa
Sriracha
Tamari (Similar to Soy Sauce but Gluten-Free)
Vinegars-Balsamic (I get pure Balsamic Vinegar and a variety of different flavors), White, and Apple Cider
Dairy or Non-Dairy (Small limited amounts of Dairy)
Dried or Canned Beans-variety of all kinds (canned is great for convenience to keep on hand if you don’t have time to cook dried beans however, dried is more cost efficient)
Nuts/Seeds/Berries (Limited Amount)
Nut Butters- Peanut Butter or Almond Butter & Cashew Butter (If allergies to peanuts)
Chia seeds, raw (great for Omegas)
Flax seeds ground, raw (great for Omegas)
Hemp seeds, hulled & raw (great for Omegas & Protein)
Sesame seeds or Tahini store bought
Oils (Limited amount)
Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) Make sure not to cook on high heat
Gluten-free pasta (rice pasta, quinoa pasta, & spelt pasta)
Wheat pastas of different varieties (if not Gluten sensitive)
Soba Noodles (ususally made with Buckwheat or Wheat)
Produce
Fresh fruits and vegetables, organic and in-season if possible
Frozen fruits and vegetables (great to have for convenience and you don’t have to worry about the produce going bad)
Avocados
Herbs, fresh (if you prefer over dried)
Lemon, fresh
Limes, fresh
Proteins
Seafood
Lean Meats (make sure to watch the portion size)
Eggs
Tofu & Tempeh (limited amount)
Seitan (limited amount and be careful if gluten sensitive)
Spices & Baking
All Purpose Seasoning
Black Pepper, Ground or Peppercorn
Cayenne pepper
Chili powder
Chipotle seasoning
Chives, dried
Cinnamon, ground
Cacao Nibs
Raw Cacao Powder (taste like Cocoa powder and comes from the seed of the same plant but more nutritionous and in a raw form)
Coconut flakes, unsweetened
Cumin powder
Curry powder
Italian Seasoning mix
Garlic powder (you can also get fresh or frozen crushed garlic if you don’t want powder)
Ginger powder (you can also get fresh or frozen crushed ginger if you don’t want powder)
Lemon Pepper
Onion powder
Oregano
Paprika & Smoked Paprika
Red pepper flakes
Rosemary
Sea Salt, Himalayan or Celtic
Thyme
Turmeric powder
Vanilla extract, pure
Sweeteners
Honey (if not vegan)
Maple Syrup
Stevia
Superfood Powders
Amla powder (cancer-fighting)
Ashwagandha Root Powder (Indian Ginseng)
Baobab Powder (African Super fruit) High in Antioxidants
Goji Berries (antioxidant-rich as well as anti-aging properties)
Maca powder (energy booster and hormone adjuster)
Matcha Green Tea Powder (high in antioxidants and metabolism booster)
Moringa (cardiovascular heath benefits)
Super Greens
*Great Add on for Pre/Post Workouts or Smoothies
Protein powder of choice (pea, hemp, brown rice, or whey)
Superfoods & Superfood Powders
Hemp, Chia, or Flax seeds
Hopefully this list has inspired you to incorporate more healthy ingredients and start your journey in a healthier lifestyle and joy of mastering some amazing healthy meals.
Looking for an effective body resistance exercise that tones your lower body and can boost your overall fitness? Look no further, the squat is the perfect exercise that can dramatically transform your body. Incorporating the squat exercise in your workout routine is very versatile as it can be performed anywhere with different versions and requires no equipment.
Squats can give good results very fast as well as it can help decrease your risk of injury, and keep you moving more easily throughout the day. A few other benefits in adding a squat into your routine is it will help lift and build a better booty, strengthen knees and joints (if performed properly and not injured) (1), will help increase performance by helping you jump higher and run faster, and help build muscle which in end burns more calories.
The major muscles used in this exercised will be the quads, hamstrings, glutes, abs, & calves.
Different Versions of Squats
Bodyweight Basic
Chair Squat
Wall Sit Squat
Squat Dumbbell Squat
Goblet Squat Barbell Squat
Barbell Back Squat
Front Squat
Split Squat
Pile’ Squat
Jump Squat
Sumo Squat
Pistol Squat
Overhead Squat
How to do a squat correctly:
Stand with your feet hip/shoulder-width apart, toes facing down, and your arms down by your side.
Start to lower your body back as far as you can by pushing your hips back, bending your knees and placing your body weight into your heels.
As you are lowering into the squat, your arms will start to raise out in front of you for balance.
Keep a neutral spine at all times keeping your head as well as your chest upright and never let your knees go over your toes.
The lower body should be parallel with the floor and your chest should be lifted at all times, not rounded. Go as deep as you can without suffering on your form.
Pause for about 5 seconds, then lift back up in a slow controlled movement to the starting position. Make sure to press through the heels and straighten out the hips when coming back up.
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