Healthy Breakfast Options

Hello Everyone!

Today's topic is all about healthy choices for breakfast.  Too many times we are running late and don't have the time to spend cooking something from scratch.  It's much easier to go through the drive thru at some fast food restaurant and have something quick and filling.  But have you ever noticed when you do that you're hungry not too long after you eat it? 

Fast food is one of the things I really had a struggle with because with my crazy schedule it was always quick in the morning when I was running late for work and it was quick and easy between work and school.  We have to start retraining ourselves though if you want to succeed with healthy living.  And one of the first things is to start making your own meals.  This gives you the opportunity to be totally creative with your food. 

I like yogurt and I like fruit...but to cut, slice, and dice everything and put it all in it's own containers seemed so time consuming and I was blowing through all of my Tupperware within a day or two.  I found that throwing it all in the blender and making myself a little breakfast smoothie was much easier, it was quick, extremely portable, and I was only dirtying the blender and a glass rather than 3-4 containers. 

One of my favorite smoothies (and it's pretty basic) is Strawberry Banana.  I take 4-6oz of plain Greek yogurt, a whole banana (minus the peel of course), a hand full of strawberries (minus the leafy stem part), a splash of skim, soy, or almond milk (whatever your preference), and a few ice cubes.  Hit blend or puree and within a few seconds you have breakfast.  You can also add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to fuel yourself a little more if you would like.  I have added vanilla powder to mine to help add not only protein, but some sweetness rather than adding sugar.  If you do not want to use a protein powder, you can use a small amount of honey to sweeten it up.  I try and stay away from adding white sugar or other sugar substitutes if at all possible.  I want to keep this as healthy as I can and white/substitute sugars kind of defeat the purpose of that and they are empty calories.

This is one of my personal favorites and it completely grosses my boyfriend out...not sure why though?  Peanut butter and banana on whole wheat toast!  Depending on what my day is looking like will determine if I have one slice or two of bread.  I usually make this on the weekend so I have time to actually chew it and enjoy it lol.  But I will toast up 2 pieces of whole wheat toast (I always read the nutrition facts when I buy bread and I try to buy whatever is on sale.  But if the amount of sugar in the bread is too high I try and find a healthier alternative).  I take a very small amount of peanut butter and lightly cover the bread.  I try and get to the local farmers market to get the freshly ground peanut butter, but if I get store bought I look for one with low sugar and low sodium.  I split the banana and slice it in the peel and then divide the banana slices amongst the 2 pieces of toast.  YUMMY!

Oatmeal is another great breakfast option.  If you absolutely MUST use a boxed brand instant oatmeal...try and get one that is no sugar added.  The boxed instant oatmeal's are loaded with sugar and it's much better if you get plain rolled oats and make it yourself.  This way you can control what goes into it and how much.  Just like the smoothie you can add fruit, a little protein powder for sweetness or honey, you can add a small spoonful of brown sugar or sugar free syrup to help sweeten it.  But mainly you want to load it with good, healthy foods..fresh or dried fruit, nuts, or you can add in peanut butter as your protein source along with some cocoa powder and a small, small amount of brown sugar.

 Possibilities are endless with this and with all food...you just have to explore and experiment.  Find out what you like and what you don't like.  My fiance is such a picky eater and I ask him all the time, "How are you going to know if you like or don't like something unless you at least try it!"

Get out there and explore....read the labels....educate yourself.  There are tons of apps out there so you can have everything right there, handy in your cell phone, instant education all the time!  I personally love Fooducate.  It allows you to not only search for foods, but you can scan bar codes as well. It gives letter ratings and additional nutrition information for the item, along with reviews from other people using the app and healthier alternatives to choose.  It's AWESOME! 

In conjunction with Fooducate, I also use Lose It (free app) to track my calories and basically food journal on a daily basis.  It also allows me to add in exercises and let's me set a weight loss goal.  It too allows you to search or scan bar codes on foods.  Both are really worth looking into if you are looking for some additional education and assistance in staying on track! 

Hoping this helps....leave me comments and let me know.  Do you have other apps you are using and loving to help you stay on track in your goal of a healthy lifestyle?

Jacque

BIG NEWS & Update

As I sit here taking my lunch break at work, munching on Cool Ranch Doritos (shame shame).....it has dawned on me that A.) I have been completely neglectful of this blog and B.) I am not adhering to what I set out to accomplish here. 

First things first....the BIG NEWS.....I am now engaged =) =) =) =)  We have set a date of September 27, 2014.  And now that we have a date, I have more motivation and more of a goal to work for.  I also found out my 10 year high school reunion will be coming up in the summer of 2013, which helps to give me a short term goal as well. 

I still have another year and half of school left, which on top of my full time job, really doesn't leave me much time for myself and working out and everything else I want or need to do.  I haven't really been watching my diet or working out since I last posted....and still feel rubbish with myself.  I always feel like I need a little buddy...always there to keep me on track but I am coming to realize that only exists in a perfect world.  WAKE UP JACQUE....this world we live in is NOT perfect and I am going to have to really dig deep to find the things I have lost like self control and restraint.

On a positive note, I have cut out pop, energy drinks, coffee, and teas with caffeine in them.  It was hard and I dealt with several days worth of headaches and withdrawal, but I eventually over came those things and I have been drinking plenty more water now.  If I could just get my fiance on board with the healthy eating I would really be making strides in the right direction.  But he is somewhat of a road block.  He LOVES his pop, sweets, fast food, greasy, salty, and just all unhealthy things.  I try and moderate my portion size when I cook or I try to make stuff for myself aside from his foods sometimes (depending on what he is eating).  But that becomes too much work, a pain in the you know what, and quite expensive.  I am trying to educate myself more and try and get him on board every once in awhile to try new (healthy) food choices and options with me.  One step at a time....

This semester will be over in the next 2-3 weeks and my schedule next semester is more open, which will give me the time I need to do what I want to do.  Fingers crossed I can continue to post things here on a regular basis, start motivating and education others as I am learning new things myself, and hopefully strike a cord with someone out there and inspire them to take the first steps to kicking the fat in their lives so they can live a healthier lifestyle. 

Thanks for reading,

Jacque xoxo