Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Today’s post is a little different… I’m finally getting around to this post that has been requested a lot from y’all – what I eat in a day! I will warn you – I’m not a dietician or nutritionist, but I have been interested in healthy eating or “clean” eating for a long time. I feel SO MUCH better when I am eating whole foods and working out regularly than when I eat junk food. I can tell a noticeable difference in my energy levels and mood, and I can even tell a difference in my skin and acne.
This weekend after I went grocery shopping, I took a few pictures of the “essentials” that I pick up week after week. I’m a huge fan of snacking on small meals throughout the day – this keeps your metabolism burning – so you’ll notice that I have tons of snacks and smaller meals!
Breakfast
I have to eat breakfast first thing when I wake up in the morning – my brain can’t function until I’ve have food in my stomach. I also HAVE to drink coffee from my Keurig to wake up. I tend to prefer quick, light breakfasts because I’m usually running out the door in the mornings to a pure barre class! Here are some of my favorite breakfast foods:
*A hard boiled egg, fruit and coffee (I buy hard boiled eggs in a package so there is no prep time involved)
*A banana with peanut butter or almond butter
*An egg-white omelet with tomato slices and spinach (I buy the carton of egg whites so I don’t waste yolks)
*A breakfast bar (I really love Larabars – they are raw, vegan, gluten-free and made of whole, real foods – most bars contain no more than five ingredients.)
*Three-ingredient pancakes (If I have more time in the morning, I LOVE making these. Blend two eggs, one banana and a scoop of chia seeds together in a blender until well mixed. Cook the pancakes like you would normal pancake batter – in a pan over medium heat. I make a bunch of small pancakes and stack them up, then top with lots of berries and a drizzle of syrup.)
Lunch
I snack a lot during the day, so my lunches are also pretty light. If you can find these “perfect portions” chicken breasts at your grocery store – get them! (If you are cooking for one, they are so convenient.) Each chicken breast is wrapped individually so you don’t have to cook them all at once. These are perfect for lunch! Here are some of my favorite lunches:
*Grilled chicken breast with a side of steamed veggies (I season the chicken with salt and pepper and grill it on my mini George Foreman)
*Chicken salad lettuce wraps (I make a huge batch of this and eat it throughout the week. I replace the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt which makes it a thousand times healthier! I also love adding halved grapes, diced apple, sliced almonds and dried cranberries for the best flavor. If you want the exact recipe, let me know!)
*Pre-packaged salads from Trader Joe’s (Seriously, TJ’s has the best salads on the planet! The Super Spinach Salad is one of my favorites and contains fresh baby spinach, shredded carrots, quinoa, edamame, chickpeas and pumpkin seeds. My second favorite is the Mozzarella and Tomato salad.)
*Jimmy John’s Vegetarian Unwich (I take off the mayonnaise and add turkey. The avocado spread makes it wonderful! I usually have Jimmy John’s delivered if I’m having a really busy day and can’t get away from my desk to make lunch.)
Dinner
My boyfriend loves for us to cook dinner together when he gets off work – we usually cook dinner together every night of the week except Friday. Since moving to Winston, we’ve tried out a bunch of new recipes (some good and some not-so-good). I love finding recipes that incorporate vegetables in interesting ways – the best purchase I’ve made all year was this spiralizer from Amazon! Here are some favorite dinner meals:
*Pesto Chicken Zoodles (I blogged about the recipe in this post)
*Santa Fe Turkey Stuffed Peppers (recipe here)
*Crock pot turkey chili (recipe here – this is especially tasty in the fall/winter)
*Grilled chicken with a side of steamed vegetables and a baked sweet potato
*Make Your Own Pizza (I buy whole wheat pita rounds and Chris and I both make our own pizzas. He likes regular pizza sauce, pepperonis and shredded cheese, whereas I like pesto sauce, fresh mozzarella slices and tomato slices. Once you put all the toppings on your pita, bake in the oven for 8 minutes at 425 degrees.)
*Annie’s Organic Frozen Meals (I eat these if I’m eating by myself and don’t feel like cooking. I love the entire line of Amy’s Organic frozen meals because they don’t contain additives, preservatives or GMO’s, and contain 0g of trans fat.)
Snacks:
I LOVE snacks and literally snack all day. Here are some of my favorites:
*Fresh juice from the local juicery (I love any juice with beets)
*Bel Gioioso 70 calorie “snacking” mozzarella cheese (each pack of cheese is individually wrapped and perfect for snacking. I get them from the Fresh Market)
*A banana with peanut butter or almond butter
*Any kind of fruit: watermelon, apples, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi
*Baby carrots with hummus (I like the Sabra hummus brand)
*Raw almonds (I buy the “To Go” packs from Blue Diamond)
*Larabars (I mentioned these under “breakfast”)
*Skinny Pop popcorn in the flavor “white cheddar”
*Toast with mashed avocado and feta cheese
*Baked sweet potato (the longer you bake it the more it caramelizes!)
Dessert:
Anyone who knows me in person knows that I have a HUGE sweet tooth. I don’t let a single day pass where I don’t have dessert! My favorite desserts are light but satisfying, and don’t leave me going to bed with a full stomach. Best dessert options:
*Yasso frozen greek yogurt bars (my favorite flavors are the chocolate chip cookie dough and the salted caramel. The chocolate chip cookie dough tastes AMAZING and contains 5 grams of protein)
*Sweet Loren’s Place and Bake Cookies (these cookies are whole grain and dairy-free. I like them better than the normal cookie dough!)
*McDonalds vanilla ice cream cone
*One glass of red wine (I love pinot noir!)
Like I said before, I’m not a nutritionist, but I do know that eating fresh, whole foods and avoiding as much processed foods as you can is so much better for your body. I personally like eating small meals and snacks throughout the day because it keeps me satisfied and prevents my blood sugar from crashing. If I have to be out running errands all day or if I’m traveling, I always have snacks stashed in my purse! I also want to mention that I don’t count calories and I also don’t own a scale. The best advice I can give is to really listen to your body when it comes to eating – eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. It is all about portion control when it comes to staying at a healthy weight. And everyone’s body is made differently!
Let me know if you have any questions or would like specific recipes!
I would love to know if you have a favorite healthy recipe, because I am always looking for new ones to try! Let me know in the comments! 🙂
xoxo
Love this post! And yes! Please share the chicken lettuce wraps recipe. I love pf changs lettuce wraps so would love to make a "healthier" version
yes!
mmmm..so good ..all great things!!!
Be Happy with Fashion
I see you eat really healthy and for me having breakfast in the morning is also important 🙂
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
I loved reading this!! Watching your snaps, I'm always thinking, "I hope she shares those recipes." Great round up!
xo
Sara Kate Styling
This is so helpful and inspiring!! Thank you! How often do you take pure barre? Do you do other workouts as well?
I took pure barre for 1month and want to go back but I'm not sure because it's so expensive! Do you think it's worth it?
Hey Alex! Yes, pure barre is expensive but definitely worth every penny (in my opinion!). I saw results after only three classes, especially in my stomach/abs area. I have tried a ton of different workout classes and exercises and NOTHING has ever toned my abs like pure barre. I try to go three times per week. I also like to run outside or on the treadmill but I don't do that as often as I go to pure barre!
Definitely want to get that snackable mozzarella! Thanks for sharing what you eat. I'm always curious to know what people eat on a regular basis. I don't know why, but it's fun, and a great way to find new recipes and snack ideas!
Ellen | A Pop of Pink
This was a very interesting post to read, something a bit different as you said. Would love the chicken salad recipe! I personally love making all kinds of salads, especially in the summer. I usually make them on a Saturday or Sunday and then snack on them all day 😉 My favorite at the moment is made with pasta (I usually use penne or fusilli, you could use whole-wheat pasta, but I personally don’t bother ), which I boil until al dente, yellow or red (or both) pepper (diced), cucumber (deseeded, peeled, diced), feta (diced), a little bit of chopped mild white onion, fresh dill and a small minced garlic clove. Add salt and pepper to taste and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and either red wine or white wine vinegar (or mix the two vinegars). It’s perfect with a grilled chicken breast or on its own. I call it my Greek pasta salad.
Love this post! Everything looks so good!
http://www.aimeroseblog.com
I love those little packs of mozzarella cheese! I usually have one of those with an apple as a midday pick me up if I need a snack!
Brittany | thechicette.com
So glad you did this post–it was so interesting to read! I saw you snapped a few times about the 3 ingredient pancakes and they looked SO yum so I was excited to see the recipe!
http://www.rosyoutlookblog.com
Very interesting and fun post! That is really cute that you and your boyfriend cook together too. 🙂 I have been working really hard this year to not eat any processed foods. I love those Larabars and I eat them every week. My husband and I eat very healthy but I do indulge on the weekends. Usually just with a burger one night haha. Thanks for sharing and I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! 🙂
I'm getting hungry just by reading this post and I'm so far away from lunch time! Good to see you're staying healthy while eating yummy meals that you enjoy cooking. The stripe top is really cute too.
XO,
Maria
MariaOnPoint http://mariaonpoint.com/ | Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/mariajabad/
Great post! I am also a huge fan of eating smaller meals and snacking! I'm a college student and although I have roommates, I'm mostly cooking for one. Thanks for the tips and healthy ideas!
Stuffed peppers looks sooo delicious!!! *_*
xo Vanessa | http://www.TheTrendique.com
I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for those place and bake cookies – YUM! And I've been wanting to try those greek yogurt bars. Thanks for sharing!
xoxo, Kacie
RegallySoled.com
This was such a different, but super fun post! All your food looks so good!
Ashley
MyWellDressedLife.com
Love this post! Please share the chicken salad lettuce wrap recipe! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!! I'm vegetarian/ mostly vegan and have dedicated the year 2016 to eating 90% whole-foods diet (I can't say no to pizza, coldstone, or movie theater popcorn and a coke slushie!), so seeing how you stay full all day long without needing carbs is great! I have found that I eat a lot more carbs now that I have taken animal meat out of my diet. I am encouraged by how healthy you eat! I would love to see a post on your exercise routines as well 🙂
Love reading what you eat in a day
http://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home/
Great post! I love the healthy tips! I need to try yogurt instead of mayo.. Sounds great 🙂
Xo – Steph
http://www.urbanblonde.com
I'd love the healthier Chicken Salad recipe. I am not huge chicken salad fan, but I like greek yogurt and I think that would be a good recipe for me to try!! 🙂
Great!I want to try some of these:P
Shall We Sasa
This is such a great post! I love knowing what other people eat (is that nosey? haha). I recently went full on vegetarian and I love learning new recipes and it's helped with not going out to eat so much. Thanks for sharing this post with us!
xoxo
Amy | Pastel N Pink
I loove the Yasso frozen yoghurt icecream so much! Great post 🙂
♡ Kristina
TheKontemporary
Loved this post – thanks! My husband and I have the Hello Fresh meals delivered to our house every week – I highly recommend – all organic and great recipes! All raw ingredients included – even the spices – and it all comes in ice packs. Then you cook it like the recipe says. Can't get any fresher than that!
Thanks for sharing and please post the recipe for the chicken salad lettuce wraps.
I would LOVE the chicken salad recipe!!!
Yum! Those chicken salad lettuce wraps look delish!
Brooke du jour
http://www.brookedujour.com
Is that Cafe Monte in the back? I live near there and go to Phillips Place all the time!
Yes it is!! It's one of my favorite restaurants in Charlotte! 🙂
I love salads for lunch and I am all about small breakfasts because I can't handle a big meal before I exercise. 🙂
Rachel
Simply Rachel Nicole
Thanks for sharing! The stuff peppers look amazing!
|| D I A N A ||
http://www.TheNeonFactor.com
I loved this post and I know where to look to eat healthier again! My husband and I had to get a new fridge and since ours is on the outs, so its hard eating healthy. I need to try those greek yogurt bars
xo, Nina
Law of Fashion Blog
Love.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Such good ideas! If you like buffalo chicken you will LOVE this. I just had it today and devoured it 🙂
Place 2 chicken breasts in the crock pot along with 1 cup Franks Hot sauce and 1 cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth. Cook on high 2 hours.
Steam 1 head broccoli
Wash and drain 1 cup black beans
Cook 1/4 cup quinoa with 1/2 cup chicken broth (instead of water)
Once chicken is complete, shred and place back in crock pot for about 1/2 hour to soak in more buffalo sauce
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and serve with ranch + more hot sauce and I added some cherry tomatoes as well
I made my own ranch:
1/3 cup plain greek yogurt
1/3 cup lowfat buttermilk
1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
SO SO SO DELICIOUS-hope you enjoy!
Thanks so much Amy! This looks AMAZING!!
Definitely love reading things like this! I love trader joes and get a lot of these items. I too can't eat too much at once but can definitely snack all day every day 🙂 thanks for sharing!
Sarah
http://www.bohochiccafe.com
OMG!!!! Thank you Thank you! I love this post! Anything Health and Fitness related i love, since we all love fashion – looking good is key and i love eating healthy, thanks for the great ideas! xoxo
Great post! I've been meaning to try zoodles for awhile now!
xo, Carey
https://thedaintydetails.wordpress.com
Loved reading this! I will have to check out those Yasso bars!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Yes! The recipe for the chicken salad would be amazing!
I also love this simple and healthy recipe for chicken fried rice
https://www.skinnymom.com/skinny-chicken-fried-rice/
I love this post! It's one of my favorites. I'd love to see a post on portion sizes and one on those chicken salad wraps!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Such a fun post! I need a Spiralizer so badly! loved seeing the stuffed peppers on snap – fun to get the recipe! Happy Monday! XO
@stylemelaruen
http://www.stylemelauren.com
Okay, so I didn't know TJ's has pre-packaged salads, I guess I was too busy shopping wines, ha ha. Great ideas, thanks!
These are always such fun posts .. I would love the chicken salad recipe too!
How tall are you?
I'm 5'3 and a half! 🙂
This is so inspiring! I've been wanting to eat healthier for a while now but it seemed like so much work! This makes it seem easy! 😊
A Preppy Point of View // preppypov.com
Love this! What's your lipstick?
My lipstick is Lancome's lip crayon in "drive to pink" 🙂
I would love for you to share your chicken salad recipe!!! This has inspired me to eat healthier!!! Going to the store tomorrow 💁🏼
It all looks delicious!
xx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com
Thanks for sharing! Agree with a lot of the posts above^, would love the chicken salad recipe!��
Thanks for sharing! Agee with all the comments above^, would love the chicken salad recipe!
Love this!!! You're such a good role model. Definitely the kind of person kids should be looking up to. Healthy eating & exercise, not starvation!!
Thank you Julie, that's probably the biggest compliment someone has ever given me!
Love reading posts like these! Your photos have got me feeling very hungry x
http://my–socalledlife.blogspot.com.au/
SO glad you shared this! I'll be printing it and bringing it to the grocery with me. I eat pretty clean, too, and I'm trying to cut out a lot of the junk I eat in my diet. I'm having a lot of fun coming up with healthier replacements, like the protein donuts I just posted today! No added sugar, just almond milk, veggie protein powder, egg whites, pb, and coconut flour. Check out the recipe on my page!
XOXO,
Natalie
http://www.combatbootsandcouture.com
I would love to get your chicken salad recipe :)!! Thanks for this post,some great ideas and recipes to try! 🙂
I would love the chicken salad recipe :).. Great post, thanks for sharing your recipes,
Can't wait to try some new things!!!
I love this post!!!
I am so on-board with eating well and exercising. Also I love that you are so open about eating well! I think you are setting such a good example for young girls who look at you killin it in your outfits and wonder, "how can I look like that?"
I also personally found it very helpful, as I'm a model and need to be lean! I'm always looking for new ideas! I already eat (and love!) a lot of your foods, but I'd never heard of the Yasso bars and just put them on my grocery list. Also really loving the healthy mini pizza idea– my husband and I sound like you and your BF in terms of topping preferences 🙂 Oh and I totally feel ya on the McDonalds cones!!
Xx Maya from Maya Unmarketed
p.s. Definitely interested in the exact chicken salad recipe!!
Hey Maya, thanks so much for your feedback and for your kind words!!! You'll have to let me know how you like the Yasso bars – they are delish!
What kind of k cups do you use for your coffee??
What kind of k cups do you use to make your morning coffee?
I like Donut Shop medium roast! I think pretty much any grocery store carries them!
Your food choices are super healthy! Thanks for sharing – some of those ideas are great!
http://www.blushandbordeaux.com
Wow you make healthy eating look amazingggggg
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
great post, i love it,and the "Santa Fe Turkey Stuffed Peppers" looks amazing x
lifestyleandso.blogspot.com
I am so craving for sweets these days, that I can't help myself with all the goodies around me
http://loving-evelyn.blogspot.ro/
Love this post! I'm so hungry now lol! I'd also love to see your fitness routine!
HashtagFabLife
Cool post! I make a similar chicken salad — so good and healthy!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
Great post!! I am a dietitian and love all your ideas. Wish more of my clients ate like you:)
Great post!! I am a dietitian and love all your ideas. Wish more of my clients ate like you:)
I would love for you to share your recipe for the chicken salad in the lettuce cups. It looks delicious, and perfect for lunch! Love all your posts…you are so adorable! Kim
Everything you eat sounds so yummy!
Blonde in Cashmere
Everything look so delicious. Thanks for sharing.
xoxo, Rachel
http://www.rachelvogttrends.com
Thanks so much for sharing this! One of my favorite meals to make in the summertime is a salmon, spinach, strawberry and goat cheese salad, which I cover with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. It's filling and delicious! I also like making a simple strawberry smoothie with frozen strawberries, bananas, almond milk and honey. You can also add spinach and you barely notice it.
Thank you for sharing this, Caitlin! Do you find that avoiding certain foods helps you maintain a flat stomach (e.g. little to no belly fat)? -Anne
I am loving this post! I am obsessed with the SkinnyPop white cheddar flavor too!
Jordan: The Teacup of Style
Instagram: @teacupofstyle
Love this! I feel the same way about my daily eating, but just like you I snack a lot throughout the day! Definitely going to try this out!!
xo,
Mary
thedashofclass.com
This post made me so hungry! I can't wait to try some of these
x, Sam
http://www.samanthasuarez.com
I love the way you put this post together, it's so helpful! I try to take breakfast & lunch to work everyday and I just run out of ideas sometimes.
Please share your chicken salad recipe! Thanks so much!
Please share your chicken salad recipe! Thanks!
I've almost admired your slim physique and I can see why…you eat very well. Thank you for this and btw I tried your zoodles recipe and it is delicious. I can't wait wait to make the stuff peppers. Thanks again for sharing. http://WWW.Jetsetdiaries.com
I love all the ideas and I will have to look into that cookie dough since I am now lactose intolerant! Jess at Just Jess
Love this post! Can you share the chicken salad recipe?!
Where do you buy your pita rounds?? I can't find them anywhere!