There’s no denying that everyone, at one time or another, has had a snack attack. Views on snacking differ.
Some feel that snacking is bad and that eating between meals leads to weight gain. Others believe that eating
many small meals and snacks throughout the day is healthy for maintaining energy levels and optimal weight. If there were one way of snacking that was right for everyone, we would all be doing it!
To alleviate snack attack guilt, try to understand why you are snacking and what snacks work best for your body. Perhaps you snack because your daily diet is missing nutrition, or because you are eating too little at meals. You might be snacking to soothe jangled nerves when you are emotional, or to entertain yourself when you are bored. Whatever your reason, acknowledge it and start thinking about how to create a life that is nourishing and truly satisfying.
Although snacks are no substitute for loving your life, they can be great energy boosters. Many convenient snack foods are highly processed and full of chemicals, additives, damaging fats and refined sugars. When a snack attack hits you, try foods that are filling and satisfying, but also nutritious. Here are some tips:
Snack on things that don’t come in a plastic wrapper or a box, like fresh fruit, leftover vegetables or rice
cakes with almond butter and fruit spread.
Make your own signature trail mix, organic hot chocolate made with almond milk sweetened with agave nectar, or blue corn chips with hummus.
You can also try “upgrading”:
If you are craving something crunchy, upgrade from potato chips to raw carrots, apples or whole grain
crackers.
If you are craving a candy bar, upgrade to a handful of nuts and dried fruit.
Instead of a cup of coffee, upgrade to green tea.
Instead of ice cream, upgrade to applesauce with cinnamon.
Upgraded snacks are high in nutrition and give you a greater sense of satiety and satisfaction; you won’t feel
physically or psychologically deprived, and you’ll have plenty of energy to sustain your activities for hours.
Snacking is enjoyable and there is a wide variety of healthful goodies for whatever you’re craving, be it sweet,
crunchy, salty, creamy or spicy. Dive in, be creative and enjoy your snack attack.
I hope everyone had a great Earth Day. I was super busy yesterday and didn’t get to posting my intended Earth Day post however I think Earth Day should be everyday! What are you doing to better the planet?
Caress Voile featuring Repreve® Recycled Fibers! Saving an average of 7 plastic bottles from a landfill per panel, the new Caress Voile curtains are made with fabric created from recycled plastic bottles to provide an eco-friendly and fashion forward option for window treatments.
Around the Home:
1. Choose linens and curtains made from eco-friendly materials whenever possible. Over the past few years the Hubz and I have been working to make our home a greener place. Part of that process is being mindful of the products that we purchase and use in our home. We have a few sets of sheets made of organic cotton and just changed out our curtains for these Caress Voile which are made from recycled fibers and are super inexpensive (only $10 per pack).
2. Swap out your chemical cleaners for natural cleaners. I am all over the place with natural cleaners right now. I am testing out a number of different brands to find my favorite. Currently we have Simple Green Naturals, Seventh Generation and Ecover products. Currently my overall favorite is Seventh Gen however the other brands are also good.
3. Clean yourself without the chemicals. Choose natural body products including toothpaste, body wash, lotions, shampoo and conditioner. Just like what you put in your body you should be mindful of what you put on your body. I have had my ups and downs with natural products and there are some that I love and think work really well and others that are just awful. Here is a peak at a few of my favorite products.
Kiss My Face Toothpaste- this is my absolute favorite natural toothpaste it is made with aloe and works so well. Also Kiss my Face body wash, shampoo and deodorant- I really love all these but I do purchase other products such as Jason and even the natural Whole Foods and Trader Joes brands are pretty good. Lastly is a new deodorant for the Hubz it's a manly scented Tom's which he actually hasn't tried yet.
4. Choose recycled paper and plastic products. There are a number of options out there for toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags and food storage products (sandwich bags, aluminum foil, parchment paper,ect). My favorite for toilet paper, paper towels and garbage bags are Seventh Generation. I have tried out a number of other brands and there aren’t any (that I have tried) that really hold up as well as Seventh Generation. My absolute favorite environmentally friendly products that I use in the kitchen are If You Care. They make a number of products including coffee filters, parchment paper, sandwiches bags, and aluminum foil. I use the coffee filters daily and they are wonderful. The parchment paper is my favorite to use when I am baking it helps reduce the amount of oil I use in my cooking and it also means less dishes to wash. If You Care also makes household gloves, fire starters, cheesecloth, baking cups and twine; I have not tried any of these products yet but hope to soon. (p.s. keep reading to win your own box of If You Care goodies).
Travel
1. Drive less. I know that driving is a necessity for some people, myself included, however being mindful of how often you drive is important. When you do drive places pick the most direct route to your destination and make sure to plan well so you only have to make one trip. When possible take advantage of public transportation. The Hubz works downtown and has a bus stop right outside of his work; when he can he takes the bus to work and in the summer he bikes a few days per week.
2. Walk or Bike. Whenever possible walk or bike to your destination. Not only will you be reducing your carbon footprint but you will be improving your health.
Food
1. Dining out. Choose locally owned restaurants and/or restaurants that focus on local and organic products. When you travel do your research and find places that fit these standards. You’ll find that food that is produced locally and/or organically taste better and provides more energy.
2. Shop locally. Whenever possible purchase your food at local co-ops, health food stores and farmers markets before visiting larger stores. Not only will you be purchasing higher quality food, food that you know where it came from but you will be helping local companies and the local economy.
3. Grow your own food. Take the time to grow your own food; this does not mean you have to create a garden or get alocal garden plot (although both great ideas). you could simple have a pot on your steps or balcony with herbs, greens or tomatoes. Knowing where you food comes from and the accomplishment of growing your own food really makes your food taste better.
4. Eat more plants. Studies show that eating a plant based diet is better for the environment and the world around us.A plant based diet can lead to extra years of healthy living than one that is focused on meats and dairy. Additionally, it also reduces environmental damage and farm animal suffering
Giveaway Time!!
If You Care recently sent me a variety of products to try and to giveaway. For the giveaway I am giving one lucky winner a t-shirt, household gloves, 2 sizes of coffee filters, jumbo baking cups and wax paper. In addition two people will win an If You Care t-shirt. This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only.
The giveaway is open until April 25, 2011 at 8pm EST. You must leave a separate comment for each entry for it to qualify.
Required Entry: 1. Visit the If You Care website and tell me something new that you learned.
“I was impressed by the innovative, creative combinations of ingredients and textures in Lindsay’s recipes, all of which are easily accessible to the home cook. The baked spinach and artichoke dip was creamy with very little fat (and no soy!) and the sloppy split pea sandwiches were a huge hit with my picky hubby. I absolutely loved the entire section on sushi (the fig & pear sushi with strawberry cashew dip was my favorite)–what a great idea to take sushi and revamp it with flavors from other international cuisines! These recipes provide a huge variety of flavors and approaches from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. From banana bread protein pancakes to creamy miso pasta bake to sweet potato red lentil dal or skinny blood orange margarita, you’re guaranteed to find something that will be a hit with each member of the family!”
-Ricki Heller, PhD, RHN
Author of Sweet Freedom: Desserts You’ll Love without
Wheat, Eggs, Dairy or Refined Sugar
Honorable Mention in the Cuisine Canada 2010 Culinary Book Awards!
one of only three cookbooks recommended on Ellen DeGeneres’ website!
“This e-cookbook contains a wonderful selection of vegan eats that I will enjoy cooking and serving to those I love. Lindsay’s culinary creativity shines in some great new plant-based recipes that are already favorites in our house as well as fun twists on old favorites, like the delicious Avocado Tofu Benedict. We loved the interesting variations of veggie sushi and I have already served it a few times to the delight of my guests. I’ll be revisiting this e-book over and over again.”
“Wow, that’s what I said after every bite. The recipes in Lindsay’s eBook are amazing. I was really impressed by the complex layers of flavours. These dishes would be perfect to serve at a fancy dinner party, a living-room picnic with your kids, or for a delicious evening at home, alone.”
This week I declared that we would be eating a high raw diet because I always feel amazing after I take a week to just let my body relax and step away from wheat, gluten and any processed foods. Well things were going strong we had delicious mock raw tuna sandwiches on sprouted bread with raw spicy carrot soup for diner on Sunday. Yesterday for lunch I had a big red apple and left over mock tuna over greens with tomato which was delicious and better than the mock tuna on sprouted bread. For a snack after work I enjoyed a tray of these yummy crispy things:
Yeah those are kale chips, not just any kale chips though, these are spicy cheezy kale chips and they are addictive.
Well after all that sounds like we were on the right track to eating high raw this week, eh? Then it came time for dinner and all I could think about is how much I wanted brown rice with curry. I tried to convince myself that I could just do a big green salad with a raw curry dressing but I just couldn’t get past my craving for warm food. So I decided to go with it, but first I had to evaluate the veggie situation because if it wasn’t going to be raw I wanted it packed with veggies. This is what I found:
Add to that coconut milk and green curry paste:
and then of course my secret special ingredient, avocado, an ingredient I had never heard of in Thai curry (I have now been informed people have seen it on the menu places). I know it sounds strange but as I was planning this curry I couldn’t stop thinking about the creamy basket of avocados sitting on counter and decided to take a chance and add it to my curry.
For dessert we had raw chocolate which my husband said and I quote “I will never be able to look the same way at chocolate again.” This is really the most amazing chocolate that either of us has ever had; the flavor is outstanding.
Your personalized program will radically improve your health and happiness. Together, we will explore concerns specific to you and your body and discover the tools you need for a lifetime of balance.
You Will…
Set and accomplish goals
Explore new foods
Understand and reduce cravings
Increase energy
Feel better in your body
Create a successful lifestyle
Learn how to order in restaurants and enjoy food in social situations
Lose weight naturally
Food changes everything. As your daily diet changes, your body changes and your happiness improves. Imagine what your life would be like if you had clear thinking, energy and excitement every day.
Your Program includes…
Two, 45 minute phone sessions per month
Unlimited Email support, with 48 hour turnaround
Motivational and Emotional Support
Informational literature and giveaways to help you get on the right track to reclaiming your health
A monthly newsletter
Program options:
One Month Program *SPECIAL* $60/session (regular rate $90/session) sign up before 3/31/11
Three Month Program *SPECIAL* $110/month (regular rate $180/month) sign up before 3/31/11 Bonus Special save $30 when you pay in full.
Six Month Program *SPECIAL* $110/month (regular rate $180/month) sign up before 3/31/11 Bonus Special save $60 when you pay in full.
The Ultimate Program:
A six month program to help ensure you reach your goals that includes…
Two, 45 minute phone sessions per month
One follow up email after each session with personalized recommendations including books, links, recipes and lifestyle modifications.
Unlimited Email support, with 48 hour turnaround
Motivational and Emotional Support
A copy of one book of your choice from my recommended reading list
Informational literature, Food samples and self-care products to help you get on the right track to reclaiming your health
A monthly newsletter
Cost *SPECIAL* $150/month (regular rate $195/month) sign up before 3/31/11 Bonus Special save $100 when you pay in full.
Email Support Package:
For those who express yourself best in writing, email coaching may be just what you are looking for. This program includes…
Unlimited Email support for 30 days; I will respond in detail within 48 hours
Motivational and Emotional Support
Personalized recommendations including books, links, recipes and lifestyle modifications.
Informational literature to help you get on the right track to reclaiming your health
A monthly newsletter
Cost *SPECIAL* $125/month (regular rate $175/month) OR sign up for 3 months at $100/month (regularly $150/month) sign up before 3/31/11
Additionally I offer….
Group seminars and classes covering a variety of health-related topics
Guided tours of your local health food store.
During our free initial consultation we will discuss your unique situation in depth and determine how I can help you reach your personal goals.
Contact me at Lindsay@gethealthywithlindsay.com or visit my Health Counseling Website for more information to schedule your free no obligation health history consultation.
Testimonial:
“Working with Lindsay has been such a wonderful experience in terms of my nutrition as well as my overall health and well-being. I began working with Lindsay during a time when I was making a transition to a more plant-based diet. Lindsay helped to ease this transition for me by educating me on plant-based proteins and supplements. Lindsay also did an incredible job of working to understand my dietary needs of having both IBS and lactose-intolerance; giving me nutritional and life-style suggestions to help cope with these conditions. I really enjoyed Lindsay’s holistic approach to nutrition counseling and would recommend it to anyone looking to improve their overall health and lifestyle.” – Emily Bergeron, Beverly, MA
In honor of its 40th birthday, Barbara’s Bakery is making a stand and saying NO to the bad stuff, and YES to natural foods, and would like to encourage others to do the same! Barbara’s Bakery provided me with samples of their Peanut butter Puffins and Fig Bars to sample as well as a great tote and cute little puffin.
You may have noticed at your local grocery store that Barbara’s Bakery, a leader in natural foods for 40 years, recently got a makeover with new products and a new look. With its new packaging, Barbara’s hopes to make their products more identifiable on grocery store shelves and, as a result, empower shoppers to say NO to unnatural foods.
Barbara’s says NO to:
Hydrogenated Oils
Artificial Flavors
Artificial Preservatives
Refined Sugar
Trans Fats
Artificial Additives
High Fructose Corn Syrup
My husband and I are addicted to the Puffins- specifically the peanut butter flavor they are really delicious and I love that they are low in sugar but packed with flavor. We also really enjoyed the fig bars which were super tasty and 100% better than those other fig bars- full of sugar and artificial preservatives. I unfortunately only got 2 of the fig bars as the husband has a love for cookies and they went fast. Barbara’s has a number of vegan products you can check out here.
The giveaway includes all of the same great products that I tried, as well as five VIP coupons good for one free Barbara’s product, empowering the winner to give the gift of natural foods to their friends and family.
TO ENTER: This giveaway is open until December 5th at 6pm. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian Residents.
The winner is Beth!
1. Visit Barbara’s Facebook and “like” to join Barbara’s in saying NO to the bad stuff and YES to the good stuff! . (required)
Additional Chances to win (PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY; also if you already do any of these ie. follow me on twitter/facebook, ect it counts so leave a comment).
Our next giveaway is sponsored by Erewhon; Erewhon makes a number of great hot and cold cereals most of which are organic, gluten free and/or vegan. I was sent the Crispy Brown Rice Original, Cocoa Crispy Brown Rice and Raisin Bran to try. The Crispy Brown Rice are just like the ones I had as as child but way better and made brown rice and there is almost no sugar in them. The Raisin bran was okay, not my favorite but I love how much dietary fiber and protein are in them. As for the Cocoa Crispy Brown Rice they were made into a wonderful holiday treat.
Chocolate Brown Rice Crispy Trees
Ingredients:
1 box of Erewhon Cocoa Crispy Brown Rice Cereal
1 cup brown rice syrup
1/2 cup barley malt syrup (or an additional 1/2 cup of brown rice syrup)
pinch of salt
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
Directions:
Line a a medium sheet pan with parchment paper.
In a small sauce pan over medium low heat the brown rice syrup, barley malt syrup and a pinch of salt until thinned. Stir in the peanut butter until combined.
In a large bowl place the Cocoa Crispy Brown Rice cereal and gently stir in the brown rice syrup mixture until combined. Let the mixture cool slightly and then stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour the cocoa crispy mixture onto the making sheet and press into a 1/2 inch layer. Let it set up for 1 hour and then use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes or just cut into squares.
TO ENTER: This giveaway is open until December 4th at 6am. This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents.
1. What is your favorite holiday treat? (required)
Additional Chances to win (PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY; also if you already do any of these ie. follow me on twitter/facebook, ect it counts so leave a comment).
Visit the Erewhon site and tell me which cereal you’d like to try.
Tweet about this giveaway “I want to win @cookveganlover #erewhon Giveaway http://wp.me/pFVWo-1jD”
