2017 A YEAR OF HEALTHY LIVING : 12 TIPS FOR A GREENER LIFESTYLE (TIP 4)
Are you ready for the next step towards a healthy lifestyle this year? If you are following this 12-step guide with us then you know we are bringing it back to the basics so there is no room to fail. It is all about taking steps toward wellness and health that are good for you, your family and the planet.
MAY: START SMART
We have all heard it before, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Establishing this habit not only jumpstarts your metabolism, but also improves your memory and ability to focus.
This of course is only true if you are choosing the right foods to refuel your body when you wake up.
Starting smart means eating a balanced breakfast that includes carbohydrates, protein and fat. This specific mix of nutrients allows your body to get the fuel it needs to stay energized and improve cognition and mood throughout the whole day.
To help inspire you, below are some of my favorite healthy breakfast recipes that are easy to make ahead of time so you will always have it in your fridge at all times (read my simple rule to eating healthy here).
Let’s make May the month we start our mornings with foods that will fuel us to have a healthy, happy and beautiful rest of the day.
INGREDIENTS:
1frozen acai smoothie packs
1 small ripe banana
3 tbsp coconut or almond milk (more if needed)
Topping Ideas:
1 tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp hemp seeds
Handful of oats
Handful of fruit
Drizzle of honey
HOW-TO:
Add acai and banana to a blender and blend until small bits remain.
Add your coconut or almond milk and blend again until desired consistency is reached. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Scoop into 2 serving bowls and top with desired toppings (optional)
Enjoy right away. You can also keep leftovers in the freezer.
RASPBERRY COCONUT OVERNIGHT OATS
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 Cup Steel Cut Oats
1/4 Cup Almond Nut Milk
1/4 Cup Fresh Raspberries
1 Tsp Raw Honey
Shredded Coconut
HOW-TO:
In a mason jar, combine oats, milk, honey, shredded coconut and raspberries.
Tighten lid and shake well to mix.
Refrigerate for at least four hours (overnight recommended).
When ready to eat, remove lid and top with more shredded coconut and raspberries.
INGREDIENTS (FOR ONE 5OZ JAR):
2 tbs chia seeds (per 5 oz of liquid)
5 oz almond milk or coconut milk
1 capsule of good-quality probiotics (find them in the refrigerated section of your health food store)
A few fruits & granola (I used mango and peach slices )
Low-glycemic sweetener (agave, stevia, raw honey, maple syrup grade B, yacon syrup )
HOW-TO:
Put chia seeds & dry fruits in container
Mix other ingredients in your milk. Add contents of probiotic gellule + sweetener of your choice + depending on your palate here are some amazing options: Matcha tea (for a burst of polyphenols) - Vanilla extract - Lucuma (Gives a caramel taste and is rich in minerals iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B3, beta carotene and fiber) - Raw Cacao - Super-Fruit Powder - fresh berries, etc… The idea is to make that milk super yummy.
Pour milk in containers with seeds and fruits
Shake well so the seeds don’t stick to the bottom
Let the seeds expand overnight in the fridge (you may need to shake or mix again before eating)
*BEWARE! Just because it says “Nutritious” doesn’t mean it is necessarily healthy.
In fact, breakfast cereal and bar manufacturers are pros at marketing so unless you actually read the label, you can’t be sure exactly how much refined sugar and additives are in them! So if you do have to reach for a on-the-go breakfast look for ones that have a short ingredient list, are high in fiber and have little to no added sugar.