Jen's Healthy Tips

"Every Accomplishment Starts with the Decision to Try."

Spring is DEFINITELY in the air! I don't know about you, but these warm temperatures and extended daylight are just the motivation I needed! I know it's not officially spring yet, but I'll take it.

Time to clean out the house of any unhealthy pantry stragglers from the winter, restock with healthy staples, open up your windows, and get outside for a walk in the fresh air.

Although I know in an ideal world we would prepare everything from scratch, it's not always realistic for those busy days. So, I thought i would take a minute to share with you some of my gorcery store secrets to cut corners while keeping it healthy.  I have too many to share in one post, but I hope this will be a good start!

And if you have your own healthy secret weapons, please share with me, I would love to pass them on!

Shopping List Tips

Trader Joe's:

Portion controlled nut mixes, a great way to keep the high calorie nuts in check, and great to grab as you're running out the door.  I almost always have one in my car for emergencies!  My go-to's:

• Raw almonds
• Go Raw Trek Mix

Best price on organic gold potatoes (they are on the dirty dozen list!  And don't forget to also check out The Clean Fifteen). 

Frozen steel cut oatmeal, good to keep in the freezer for back up on those busy mornings!

A multigrain vegetable blend for a quick meal (toss in low sodium vegetable broth, leftover veggies, herbs and grains.

And for the pasta splurge.

Whole Foods:

• A good selection of vegan "cheese" products
• For the chip craving, stick with "baked"
• Bulk food items (grains, nuts, etc.)

Target:
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• Best prices on La Croix sparkling water
• Larabar's
• Kind healthy grain bars, and
• These Peeled snacks

Caraluzzi's, Stop & Shop, or any general grocery store:

• Steamed lentils, steamed black-eyed peas, prepared beets, cooked edamame, Amy's frozen veggie burgers, beans, fire roasted tomatoes
• These Dr. Mcdougall's soups are great to keep at work or in your kitchen cupboard for an emergency meal.
• I use this oatmeal for breakfast, making granola, muffins, or flour (but any old-fashioned oats will do).
• And I like this almond milk (or any almond milk that does not contain carrageenan)

I also check out Nature's Temptations and Chamomille for bulk items, flyer specials, and some specialty items:  my current favorite shampoo and conditioner, current healthy toothpaste.

Quick, Easy, Healthy Recipes

• Healthy Granola:  I add 1/4 cup to my cereal in the morning. Or have some over fruit after dinner for a healthy dessert.
• Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Muffins:  Seriously, the EASIEST muffins EVER.  Easy and healthy. Trust me-make these. To make mine a little more breakfast/healthy snack worthy-I submitted raisins for chocolate chips.  Feel free to use dark chocolate chips though!
• Individual Muffin Pan Eggs: These couldn't be easier to grab on your way out the door on a busy morning. Would even be good with a salad for lunch.
• One Pan Mexican Sweet Potato Bake: I like to make something like this on the weekend to have on hand for busy weeknights. Feel free to change up the spices and veggies.
• White Bean Hummus with Fresh Thyme and Basil: I try to make this once per week.  It is SO easy, can be used as a dip with veggies, on a sandwich, or added to salad dressing to make it "creamy". It's a great way to use up leftover herbs too!
• Chickpea Salad:  This is great to make for quick lunches. Adapt the recipe to fit ingredients you have on hand!

​And don't forget the EXERCISE

Check out these Les Miles videos you can do at home.

Get in EXTRA STEPS wherever you can.

Yes, yardwork counts!!!  Put your heart into it, and you can definately log it as calories well burned.
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And remember... YOUR ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK