Sexy Afternoon Snack

I smiled when I got this out of the fridge a few minutes ago. It's all nice and chilled. Just goes back to my point about picking healthy things YOU enjoy. Any who, back to work! Salud!

The Salad I Can Eat Every Day

Hello lovelies! So let me start by saying that I have started my 10K/half marathon training!! As a  result, I have really tightened the reigns on my diet (what I eat) so that I can make my runs more effective.

Below you will find the salad that I can eat everyday. Yes, everyday! In fact, in 2012 while working in a previous position, I ate some variation of this salad everyday for 5 months straight! It took all the guess work out of planning my meals for the week. Today's version has spinach, grilled chicken, cucumbers, and beets. The dressing (in the little white container) is a WONDERFUL creation from Trader Joe's called Champagne Pear Vinaigrette. On the occassion I will add a few walnuts or almonds and/or a boiled egg. Oh and I like to dice up a red pepper.

So why am I saying all this? Basically this is all related back to my previous post about finding your snack. Find what YOU like. I like cucumbers as an afternoon snack and salads for lunch. Again, that's me. Once you figure out what works for your stick with it. Your body will thank you AND so will your wallet :)

Until next time, Salud!

Are you getting enough vitamin D?? You need it!!

I think supplements are very important, in addition to a healthy and active lifestyle. This article talks about the connection between vitamin D deficiency and several diseases.

Why Black People Must Take Vitamin D - The Huffington Post

Find YOUR Snack!

By now we ALL know that we should be snacking on fruit and vegetables. But the trick is finding one that you can eat consistently. Take me for instance, I can't stand melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honey dew, etc)! I have tried over and over to enjoy them but I think they are AWFUL! I enjoy berries but I am not always in the mood for them and you want to eat them when they are in season. Bananas are a BIG no no in my life. I enjoy mangoes but they are not always in season, buying them pre-cut is rather pricy, and I do not always cut them correctly when I buy them whole. And the list goes on and on. WELL, I had a few friends over a little while back and I cut up some seedless cucumbers to serve with some hummus. There were a few cucumber slices left over after they left so I bagged them up and took them to work with me. Wouldn't you know I left the hummus at home! But I wanted my snack! I was hitting my afternoon lull and I needed something! I popped one of the plain raw cucumbers in my mouth and it was wonderful! Just a plain raw seedless cucumber!! Since then, I eat cucumbers every day around 3:00pm or 4:00pm.

The moral of this story, figure out what you like and stick with it! Cucumbers are my go to snack every day. I cut them up every night and take them in to work. Figure out your staple fruit or veggie and make sure when you go to the store you get that every time. Take the time out to do this for yourself and your body will not only thank you, but it will start to expect the healthy snack. And your wallet will thank you.

Until next time, Salud!

Have You Taken Your Meds Today?

"The forest not only hides man's enemies but its full of man's medicine, healing power and food." – African Proverb

Breaking it DOWN to the Cents!

Someone just shared this blog with me and I really like it! People often complain that they spend more money cooking than they do eating out and I have been trying to counter that belief. This blogger breaks down how much a portion costs you. Check out Buget Bytes and let me know what you think.

Salud!

Homemade Flavored Water

A co-worker and I were talking last week about some of the things we enjoy about summer. One of things that she mentioned she enjoyed doing was making her own flavored water. We all know that drinking water is IMPORTANT in achieving and maintain good health. I have a few friends, however, that simply do not like to drink water because, let's face it, it has NO flavor. I enjoy water but this conversation with my co-worker inspired me to go to the lab.

Since we had a little taste of spring this past weekend I decided make some flavored water to enjoy after I walked my dog. I picked up some mint leaves, lemons, and ginger from the store. I already had some strawberries, blueberries, and mandarin oranges.

Here are my recommendations for 35oz of water (I store my water in Weck Jars but you can use any vessel you have).

1. Using a mortar, mash/blend about 5-6 mint leaves with some fresh ginger (at least 2 tablespoons but you can use more) and then add 1/4 cup of lemon juice. If you do not have a mortar, put the ingredients in a small bowl and mash/blend with a spoon and/or fork.

2. Instead of OR in addition to the ginger, mix in 2 or 3 strawberries and/or 7-8 blueberries. You can also use some mandarin oranges (I recommend this without the ginger, mint, and lemon juice).

3. You can add a little, just a little honey or stevia to the mix. Again, this is supposed to be a flavored water. By a little I mean 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey or stevia and no more. 

4. Once you have decided on your flavor(s), put them in the bottom of your vessel and add some filtered water to it. Cover and let the water chill in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.

5. Pop the top and Enjoy! 

Salud!