My Favorite Eats: Meals + Snacks

Hey there! If it isn't already obvious, I'm a huge foodie. I love to cook, wish I was better at baking, and really enjoy good food. I'm also a big fan of colorful, vibrant food. You'll rarely ever see my plate be just one or two colors— especially bland ones.

Some of my favorite foods are those that also deliver a ton of health benefits. Although, I would never force myself to eat something that I didn't enjoy just for the benefits because that's not fun. I think it's very funny how much our taste buds change as we grow. I've always been a veggie lover and I don't think that will ever change, but I definitely go through phases where other vegetables are more appealing to me than others. One that I am personally not a fan of is eggplant. I still can't figure out if it's a texture or taste thing. However, I'm rather here to talk about the foods that I love and all of their wonderful benefits.

FRUIT. I love pretty much all fruits. I'm that girl that would be absolutely OK with having a fruit salad for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Fruit has so many benefits other than just antioxidants. I know there was a period of time where people were afraid to eat fruit because of the carbs and sugars, but that never stopped me! Of course if you overdue it you can end up with an upset stomach or some gas (just like anything else), but including fruit in your diet provides so many vitamins and minerals that other foods don't have. My favorites include:

• blueberries

• raspberries

• strawberries

• apples

• grapes

• pineapple

• cherries

• watermelon

VEGGIES. Vegetables are a huge key factor in my diet. I try to get a serving of vegetables in at every meal (if not, then I'll try for fruit). They have a ton of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and so much yumminess. My favorite method to cook veggies are by roasting or broiling them in the oven. I'm not a big "meal prep" person, but I do like to pick 3-4 vegetables at the beginning of the week to have on hand for the rest of the week. Some of my usuals and favorites are:

• asparagus

• zucchini + squash

• cucumbers

• carrots

• cauliflower

• broccoli

• brussel sprouts

• green beans

• sweet potatoes (fries).

SALADS. I can honestly say I eat some type of salad every day whether it be for lunch or with dinner. I load up on greens such as arugula (my favorite), spinach, mixed greens, or lettuce. I'm not a huge raw kale person, but I do love a good massaged kale salad. I then usually add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, onion, and some type of protein. I love tuna, grilled chicken, salmon, or turkey. I then like to add some tasty things such as either chickpeas, cottage cheese, feta, olives, hard boiled egg, or sliced almonds. My favorite type of salads are ones with lots of veggies or the classic Greek. You can get so creative with the ingredients and combinations, which is what I love! I have definitely made some spectacular lettuce-less salads with just tomato, avocado, cucumber, olives, and tuna. As for dressings, I'm not a big cesar or ranch person so I opt for the vinaigrettes or make my own! I include acv, vinegar, olive oil, mustard, tarragon, and a ton of seasonings. Herbs and spices can add so much flavor to anything.

SMOOTHIES. Of course acai bowls fall into this category as well. This is a place that I love to sneak in some greens. I love adding in frozen spinach, zucchini, or cauliflower to my smoothies. I usually add in vital proteins or tone it up protein powder since their flavors are delicious. My base usually includes acai and/or frozen berries with 1-2 frozen veggies, almond milk, and some protein. Give me all of the toppings: almond butter, peanut butter, coconut, berries, chia seeds, flax seeds, etc. I love to make it look pretty too :) My favorite smoothie/ acai bowl is from South Block and is the pb&j smoothie. The smoothie and the base of the acai bowl are the same: acai, banana, almond milk, blueberries, peanut butter, and I add protein. I believe that finding what you like is very important in making food fun!

OATS. I love oats, especially when it's cold outside. Overnight oats are delicious as well. Adding almond milk, protein, cinnamon, and fruit makes a bowl of oats so satisfying. I add in whatever I'm feeling that day!

TACOS. Mexican is probably my favorite cuisine. I love guacamole, salsa, fajita veggies, and grilled chicken/ steak/ shrimp (fyi. I have no special dietary needs and I eat all meat). I will honestly probably have a make your own taco bar at my wedding. I enjoy corn tortillas or Siete food tortillas for tacos, but also love making burrito bowls with brown rice or quinoa. I'll let you in on a secret- I make the best homemade guacamole.

STIR FRY. Another amazingly delicious meal that I love (when done right). Veggies + chicken, steak or fish is so incredibly easy to whip up, but also so tasty with just a few ingredients.

FISH + MEAT. As I mentioned earlier, I do not have any dietary needs, except for that too much dairy can irritate my skin. I love steak and red meat. It provides so much iron, protein, and vitamin B12 which helps keep the nervous system functioning properly, as well as Zinc, which is great for the immune system. I stick to only lean cuts though to cut back on sodium, cholesterol, and fat. I also love grilled chicken; it's definitely a staple because it's so easy to make. Seafood is another staple to my diet as I consume tuna, shrimp, or salmon probably 3-4 times a week whether it be a shrimp stir fry, a tuna salad, or broiled salmon for dinner. They all have amazing benefits and can be such a great switch up from the usual meats.

DESSERT. Honestly, the number 1 food group in my diet is probably chocolate. I am the definition of a chocoholic. Anything chocolate, I am willing to eat it. My favorite is dark chocolate. I am definitely not a huge fan of milk or white, but I do eat chocolate with anywhere from 45-90% cocoa in it. Adding cocoa powder to smoothies, baked goods, or oats gives extra nutrients and a chocolaty taste. I wish I was a better baker, but it's a working progress! If I do bake something though, it's usually involving chocolate. My favorite dessert besides a dark chocolate bar or Reeses (nothing better than choc + pb) is ice cream. As I said earlier, unfortunately I can't have too much dairy because it negatively impacts my skin, so I try to stick to non-dairy kinds or indulge in Ben & Jerry's or local ice creams occasionally. It's the best treat when I do! My favorite flavors are coffee, mint chocolate chip, and Oreo. The classics :) However, with brands like Enlightened, Halo Top, and all the delicious non-dairy kinds out there, I don't feel limited in my choices. I'm not a huge cookie/ cake person, but I do love a good fudgey brownie to go with that ice cream. And some chocolate chips on top of course!

stay vibrant

xo lindsay