Thanksgiving is a wonderful time when Americans can stuff their faces with turkey, mashed potatoes, pie and more without being judged. Because I mean if I’m being honest, I eat a TON on Thanksgiving because how can you not?! The key is to try choose more of the healthier options instead of the bad ones. So, in honor of Thanksgiving in a couple days, here are some healthier (but still delicious) options to make for your holiday get togethers that your family will be sure to love! Here are twists on some of my favorites at my family’s Thanksgivings:
I’m a HUGE dip fan, it’s definitely hands down my all time favorite snack! But, sometimes its hard because dips aren’t always the healthiest snacks in the world. And if you’re like me, once you start eating dip, you can’t stop! So, for those of you who are like me or if you just enjoy a good dip every now and then, here are 5 healthy dip recipes for you to try and not feel guilty after accidentally over-indulging:
Let’s be real, we all snack. Whether it be between classes, at work, laying on the couch at home, or a late night snack, we’re all guilty of it. Snacking has often been seen as the enemy of a healthy diet, but actually, snacking isn’t bad for you if you do it in moderation and make healthy choices. Try these tips to do both!
Fuel up between meals with a combination of food groups. One fruit or veggie serving combined with a serving of whole grains, protein or a dairy makes for a delicious snack to keep you going throughout the day!
Some ideas to choose from for fruits or veggies: Pear, apple, mixed berries, bell pepper, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, celery sticks, pineapple, peaches, salsa, spinach, or banana
Some ideas to choose from for whole grains, protein, or dairy: sharp cheddar, corn tortilla chips, yogurt, guacamole, hummus, fresh mozzarella cheese + balsamic vinegar, cottage cheese, tortilla + cheese, pita bread + turkey + swiss cheese, or pita bread + hummus
As a college student, I know it can be hard to go all day in classes or working without having a little snack in between. Even staying up late studying in the library can make you hungry! So, here are a few ideas for snacks that is a little bit better for you than things like chips, sweets, or ramen noodles (not to mention these healthy snacks give you a ton more energy and make you feel better!).
Easy Snacks to Take to Class:
Sliced Veggies
Fresh Fruit
Rice Cakes w/ Peanut Butter
Nuts & Seeds
Dried Fruit
String Cheese
Granola
Late Night Hunger? Try This:
Popcorn
Yogurt w/ Fruit
Pretzels & Hummus
Corn Tortilla Chips & Fresh Salsa or Guacamole
Cottage Cheese
Whole Grain Crackers
Pitas or Tortillas
Of course these are just some examples of some of the MANY combos of snacks you could make! But hopefully this helps you build some delicious, nutritious snacks that’ll keep you going and satisfy your hungry all day long! Happy snacking everyone!
As the fall seasons starts to arrive and temperatures drop, many of us are facing busy schedules, whether it be work or school, and then soon to be holiday-related tasks. As the stressors build up, the harder it is to deal with it all. The best way to handle stress is to settle into daily habits that manage your stress and wellness without worrying about it too much. So, here are 5 Ways to Kick Off the Fall Season Stress-Free:
1. Cut Out Things That Add To Your Stress
Sometimes the best way to get rid of your stress is to cut what is causing the stress out of your life. Take steps to get rid of the things that are adding to your stress so you can stress less.
Stress over homework or work, always being on social media or technology, drinking, or even just eating unhealthily are just a few of the things that may add more stress to your life. Making changes to your daily habits or schedule could make a big difference in helping you feel better and reduce stress.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet & Drink Water!
Doesn’t everyone want to just sit on the couch, do nothing, and eat junk food when they’re stressed? No? Just me? You may not even think of food and water when it comes to stress, but actually, having an unhealthy diet can add to stress.
Emotional eating and reaching for high-fat, high-sugar foods only provides a temporary sense of stress relief that just adds to long-term stress. Refined carbs, such as pastries or potato chips, can cause a spike in blood sugar. So then, when your blood sugar crashes, you might experience more stress and anxiety. Having a healthy diet can help you defeat stress over the long term. Foods such as eggs, avocado, and almonds support mood regulation and provide energy balance! Not to mention making sure you drink enough water! To find the amount you need, divide your body weight in half, there’s the amount of water you should be drinking a day. Crazy right?? When your body alerts your body you need water, it’s already dehydrated, and when your body becomes even slightly dehydrated, your stress response begins. So, just make things easier on your body and to reduce stress, drink more water!
Not that we all don’t need a bit of junk food every now and then, cuz I love me some chips, ice cream, and cookies, but think about how it could affect your stress levels or why you are consuming it. Eat better, feel better!
3. Get Active Regularly
Exercise is a FANTASTIC stress reliever that can work instantly. Your body was made to move, and when it doesn’t get that opportunity, it’s hard to stay healthy. If you think about it, physical activity itself is kind of a form of stress (a physical challenge to your body) but it also aids in releasing emotional stress from your body. A number of studies have even shown that regular exercise is associated with a decrease in anxiety and depression, as well as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. But don’t overdo it!
Even just taking a walk allows you to enjoy a change of scenery, take in nature, and clear your mind. Or trying yoga. Yoga combines tons of stress relievers such as, physical movement, meditation, and controlled breathing – all of which provide great stress relief!
4. Invest In What Makes You Happy
Studies have shown that your mindset can have a huge impact on the way your body handles stress or difficult decisions. So, think about what makes you happy, and find ways to implement it more into your daily life. After all, if you’re doing more things you enjoy more often, you’re going to be a lot more happy. Should be common sense right?
Learn to get the “necessary” stuff done quicker and don’t focus too much on the list of “to dos”. Prioritize what really matters to you and schedule out time during your weekends or evenings to do things you love instead. Maybe it is spending time with your family and friends, painting, writing, taking photos or reading. Whatever it is that you love to do, make sure you set off some time for it regularly. Because few things will reduce stress and energize you like doing the things that you love most!
5. Take Time To Relax
With everything we have going on in our lives whether it be work, family, friends, school, etc., it’s sometimes hard to set it all aside to take time for ourselves and just RELAX. Some things I like to do to help with stress and just slow down are:
Disconnect every once and awhile – Sometimes you just have to remove yourself from the world for a while to relax and not stress about the little things. Slow down and stop for a while every now and then.
Eliminate – Do you even have to do everything that’s on your schedule? Maybe your heart isn’t into something as much as it used to be. Could you say no to one or more of those things to have more time and energy for what matters most in your life?
Zoom out – When you’re the most stressed or when life is really getting to you, stop and think, “Is there anyone on the planet having it worse than me right now?” When you think about that, sometimes life isn’t so rough and it’s easier to calm down.
Just breathe – Sometimes you just have to take the time to stop and just take a breath. Release the stress, calm your mind and body down and reconnect with the moment again by focusing on your breathing.
And be here – Live in the moment! Sometimes we just get so caught up in life we forget to live in the present. Choose to spend more of your day and time in the present moment.
I really hope these tips and tricks help you to remove (or at least reduce) all of the stressors in your life to minimize stress and improve your overall wellness! Thanks for readying!!
Fall is here everyone and I couldn’t be more EXCITED! Not only is fall great for chunky sweaters, fuzzy socks, and flannels…its prime time for some amazing food, specifically some warm, delicious soup!!! Soup is my absolute favorite food to eat in the cold months, not to mention its super easy to make! Squash, pumpkin, kale, apples, broccoli, and eggplant are all in season during the fall and I am SO ready for it. I have 5 seasonal soup recipes for you all to try today that’ll make you wanna put on a cozy sweater and fuzzy socks and turn on Halloweentown. Let’s get cooking!
1. CREAMY CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP
Fall is the perfect time to cozy up and eat some delicious soup. Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup is a great fall soup recipe! It’s creamy, it has that perfect amount of spice and its like a taco in a bowl!
2. WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Let’s be honest, chili is one of the best soups to eat when its ‘chilly’ outside. (wink, wink). White Chicken Chili is the best kind of chili and this recipe is SO easy and delicious, you have to keep it in mind for the next gloomy, rainy day. Its the best kind of comfort food, you won’t be disappointed!
3. CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
This Chicken Noodle Soup is loaded with tons of healthy ingredients and full of flavor! Comfort food at its finest, this soup is perfect to cozy up with this autumn.
4. AUTUMN SQUASH SOUP
This Autumn Squash Soup recipe is sure to be a fall favorite! Squash in a soup?? What’s more fall than that? This creamy, flavorful soup is delicious, nutritious, and will definitely give you a heaping helping of fall in a bowl.
5. Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
You’ll be sure to enjoy this creamy, full of flavor Roasted Tomato Basil Soup! With no cream, sugar, or any unnecessary additives, this is a healthy, wonderful bowl of deliciousness. This tomato basil soup is not only perfect alone, but is even more delicious with a grilled cheese to dunk in it!
Well, that’s all I have for you today! Thanks for reading everyone. I hope you enjoy these yummy, cozy soup recipes this fall! Until next time, see ya!
