Easy Eats, Healthy Feats

Fresh out the shower and getting dressed today, I realized no scale needed, that I had gained some weight.

My initial reaction was disappointment, without shock of course, as my boyfriend and I have been eating out or doordashing heavyyy this past month or so and even before then, I had begun to get lazier about being conscious with the fuel going into my mouth.

My second reaction was worry. I'm seeing the rents in their new place in L.A for my birthday. I'll be there in 27 days, one day after I turn the big 2 1!!! The last time I wore a bikini, I was 4 years old. I was hoping by 21, if not the very year, I'd be confident enough in myself and body to lay out on a beach and not be insecure of my rolls, stretch marks, and discoloration. Is there enough time to get me back on track? This is the first attempt at putting what I feel like is healthy pressure on myself to take action in getting my body the way I want it to look, but of course there's a part of my afraid of failure spirals and being too hard on myself if for example, I eat a little more desserts or carb loaded meals than I feel I probably should.

Looking at my body in the mirror, I exhaled. I grabbed my whipped lavender chai shea butter lotion and thought up a plan immediately whilst massaging my body with self love. I didn't have time for the what-ifs. I have 27 days and no plan on a set weight because I refuse to live by use of a scale. I just knew I needed to cut some things out, add some things in, and I owed myself the time and patience to figure it out.

My game plan will consist of:

Cutting back massively on ordering door dash/delivery food (will save a pretty penny for sure)

Being conscious when I begin eating for comfort vs for energy

Cooking more from home again; utilizing Pinterest's nifty meal plans to get me through my work days and random cravings

Finding alternatives for my favorite junkiest, saltiest, and sweetest snacks

Befriending my Nike Training Club App once more/more physical activity

I've lost weight before and I'll do it again. I just need to be patient and hold myself accountable out of love in the process.

Tools for your toolbox:

Starting small with swapping snacks:

green beans/kale chips i. chips

frozen fruit/ yogurt balls i. ice cream

clementine

grapefruit w brown sugar

fruit and granola parfait

grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich

raw veggies (cucumbers, red peppers, celery and green beans are my go to)

fruits (bananas, raspberries, cherries and pineapples are some of my favs)

peanut butter scoops, add crackers if you'd like

Fun breakfast idea (inspired by Nadia Bakes on Netflix, the dancing queen above):

Croissants with Raspberry filling:

full size croissants (not the minis)

handful or two of raspberries

1/4 cup or so of yogurt

whipped cream, 4ish spoonful of cream cheese as healthy alternative, or both if you'd like

handful of granola

1 lemon

1 tsp of lemon zest

fruit of choice

2-3 servings

1. split croissants vertically down the middle

2. in a bowl blend raspberries and yogurt/whipped together

3. add mixture into croissant

4. "seal" with whipped cream

5. add whole raspberries on top

6. top w lemon zest and sprinkle w juice

7. cut the fruit of choice up and serve as a beautiful side

8. get your tea, coffee, or juice ready, but water is a must!

and voila!

For lunch;

Cheese pizza with sausage, basil and spinach

3-4 servings

1. follow your pizza of choice's oven instructions

2. while oven is preheating add toppings to taste

3. hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!!

handy because there'll likely be leftovers for tomorrows lunch

Din din:

Penne pasta with marinara sauce, chicken and kale

2 chicken breasts

1/2 cup of marinara sauce

1/2 cup chopped kale

2-3 servings

1. get water in a pot, turn it on so that baby can boil!

2. oil up a pan, pre season your chicken, and when you're ready place them on, flip when they start to golden on edges

3. when done, transfer to bowl

4. add kale to seasoned pan, bask them in the chickens juices before bringing to low heat

5. water should be close to boiling if it isn't already, once it is, add pasta and stir as needed

6. pour pasta out into colander

7. pour pasta back into bowl

8. add sauce

9. add kale and chicken

bon Appetit!

Some ideas for you to try, and might I suggest hitting up good old Pinterest in your free time? I know I will.

Here's to happy eats, healthy feats, and this months treats, all things I'm more than excited to dive into.