Light & Tasty

I'm like 99% on board with this quote.

This summer, after nearly a year of terrible eating and exercise habits, I've finally managed to re-commit myself to a healthier lifestyle. Through regular exercise (thank you ClassPass!) and cooking more meals at home (where I can control ingredients and portion sizes) I've finally gotten back on healthy habits bandwagon. 

Since it's easy to get bored with your go-to dinner options and variety is the spice of life, here are a 3 creative(ish), simple and new (to me) meals I've been preparing recently. They aren't exactly Julia Childs caliber and nearly all require something pre-made or packaged, but if I can make it fast and keep it healthy, in my opinion that's a meal worth sharing!

* Sausage, Sautéed Broccoli & Shirataki Noodles

If you aren't familiar with Tofu Shirataki noodles, it's time to get with the good stuff! This delicious pasta alternative comes in all sorts of shapes (angel hair, fettuccine, spaghetti...) and though they aren't going to be mistaken for that carb-tastic pasta we all love, it's an awesome and infinitely healthier substitute (a half bag is 10 calories, 0.5g fat and 3g carbs, aka ZERO Weight Watchers points so go ahead and enjoy a bag, or 2!) 

I like to prepare the noodles in a pan which I've lightly coated with Pam Olive Oil Cooking Spray. I add fresh garlic, salt and some crushed red pepper and heat them slowly. In another, larger pan, I heat up some sliced pre-cooked sausage (options I love HERE) along with broccoli, adding a little olive oil and seasoning as I steam the mixture with the lid on. At the end, I combine everything into the sausage/broccoli pan to really mix the flavors and then I serve with grated parmesan cheese. It's all the Italian flavors you love at a fraction of the hit to your waistline!

* Spaghetti Squash Boats - Mediterranean Style

I love preparing spaghetti squash all sorts of ways (our household favorite being with grilled chicken parm melted on top like THIS) but adding all that sauce and cheese can detract from the healthy effort. For another tasty and slightly healthier option, try sautéing shrimp using a pesto-powder mix and just a little water and olive oil (much lower in fat than traditional pesto) along with chopped onions, spinach and tomatoes. (While you're doing this on the stove, bake the halved spaghetti squash like THIS (note, I usually skip the water and just lay the squash flat on a baking tray covered in tin foil bc I'm lazy like that!)) Once the squash is done, shred the "spaghetti" and mix in some salt, pepper, garlic powder and maybe a little more of that pesto powder. Next, load your pesto shrimp/veggie mixture into the top of the squash and top with low fat feta. On a baking sheet cook the "boats" for another 10-15 minutes and then serve.

* Asian Veggie Patty Burgers with Corn on the Cob (and sweet potato slices)

This is a new favorite for when I need a meal real fast, but I don't want to indulge in takeout. These MorningStar Asian Veggie Patties are delicious and can be popped in the microwave while you're toasting your Light English Muffin (I dare you to claim you can tell the difference between the light and regular!) Delicious plain or with a little ketchup, my favorite is a dollop of sweet chili sauce on the "bun" (for those feeling adventurous and up for something with a bit of kick!) And since nothing says summer like fresh corn on the cob, grab an ear and pop it in the microwave (2 minutes per ear with a thin layer of husk left on to create a steamed effect).

Lastly, if I'm feeling very hungry (aka, always), I'll add a sweet potato to this meal. I like to prepare it by creating thin, circle slices which I swipe with olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt, pepper (and maybe some cajun seasoning) and pop in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes (depending on the thickness of your slices). Enjoy plain or dipped in some of that zesty sweet chili sauce! 

Weighing In...

Hmm...

Because we have a little trust-tree here and honesty is always the best policy, I thought I'd talk today about a current personal struggle... Recently, I have been struggling with my weight. 

As frequent readers of the blog know, I try to prioritize a healthy lifestyle while nevertheless enjoying the "finer things" (like cheese... and carbs... and vodka). Unfortunately, for the past few months, my ability to practice mindful eating seems to have evaporated and the number on the scale is (way) up. I see the change in my face and in the way my clothing fits and it's something I think about every time I look in the mirror. And though I've enjoyed every bite of the decisions that got me here (cookies anyone?), my predisposition for being overweight, a noticeably slowing metabolism (helllooo 30!) and how generally lousy I'm feeling mean I've got to address this. But how? 

Maybe because work has been so consuming or because I've been traveling more than ever (or because nachos taste so damn good), self-control and discipline have been really difficult to muster lately. I feel stuck and lacking in confidence and I don't like it one bit! And though I don't have a solution right now, or even anything peppy to say about this "weighty" situation (never too bummed for a good pun) I thought it was important to say out loud. Maybe for accountability, maybe so other ladies out there feeling the same way know they aren't alone... I'm not sure. But that's where I'm at and I'm hoping to find the motivation to make a change really soon. 

Strange (Healthy) Snacks.

Mmm...

Recently I confessed to Dr. H that I love pork rinds. Specifically BBQ seasoned pork rinds (available for 99 cents per bag and the perfect solution for your late afternoon "I want something crunchy, crappy and snacky" right nows). I know, I know, you are probably cringing "pork rinds!?!"... allow me to stand in defense of these cripsy delights: 

1) a 1-ounce serving of pork rinds contains 0 carbs, 17 grams of protein and just 9 grams of fat. To compare, that's 9 times the protein and way less fat than your average carb-laden snack size bag of potato chips (source)

2) 43% of pork rind's fat is unsaturated and most of that is oleic acid which is the "healthy fat" people praise olive oil for!

3) BBQ seasoned pork rinds taste delicious! They are far less greasy than chips and have an airy quality that doesn't sit guilt-ily in your stomach after eating

So sure, judge me all you want for the pig skins, but as far as snack choices go, pork rinds definitely should have your consideration!! As for other "strange snacks" I enjoy:

- beef jerky: again, super high in protein (which keeps you satisfied longer!), no fat, few carbs and tons of flavor. Plus, it's sold in 100 calorie packs!!

- wasabi soy almonds: protein and flavor... a bit higher in fat, but like pork rinds it's the healthier kind of fat (which FYI my body loves all fat equally, (right on my hips) so I try to snack on these a little more discerningly)

- hard boiled eggs: are you sensing a low carb/high protein theme here?

- pickles: like eating flavored air

What about you? Do you have any strange, but healthy snacks that you're willing to share in the light of day?

Healthy Habit of the Month XII.

This post is the 12th (and final!) installment of SeektobeMerry's "Healthy Habit of the Month" series. Sourced from my bff's at Weight Watchers, online articles and my own efforts to keep fit and trim, throughout 2013, I will attempt to integrate one new healthy habit into my life each month. Join me! 

I actually laughed out loud when I realized that it being the end of the month, we here in Merry-land are due for the year's final Healthy Habit of the Month. That's right, in the Christmas-cookie/leftovers/pass-the-gravy/stuck-in-sweatpants clusterf*ck of joy that is the holiday season, we're here to reflect on the past 11 months of healthy habits and add one more to the pile... sort of. 

Healthy Habit of the Month #12: Be Realistic.

I don't think I can do better than the quote in this month's image... So often fitness and diet goals are abandoned because they aren't achieved on a certain timeline or because sticking perfectly to a plan becomes overwhelming/seems impossible. I know first hand how incredibly tempting it is to throw in the healthy habit towel after a bad week (or just a bad night!!) But that's where our final Healthy Habit comes into play. Adding 12 new diet and fitness habits into our routines is ambitious business and not that we aren't all ambitious folks here, but let's be REAL. Let's pick 3 or 4 of the new habits that really worked and now that they're habit, absorb them as part of "the new you". For me, scheduling a workout, packing a snack and keeping track of my movement were three gold-star earning habits I implemented this past year. Now that they're Merry Meri perfected, I can spend 2014 exploring new ways to be a healthier me, knowing that I've made tremendous progress since the end of 2012. Maybe I didn't lose and maintain the number on the scale I'd hoped to (doh!) or become a person who lives and breathes a healthy lifestyle (I just love cheese too much!!) but I'm finishing the year in a better place than where I started and I hope that you are too!!! Cheers to all of us for 12 months of healthy habits and here's hoping this is only the start of a fitter, happier, healthier you!

Be sure to check out ALL of the 2013 "Healthy Habit of the Month" posts here: 

- Month 1: Adding a fruit or vegetable to every meal

- Month 2: Schedule a workout
- Month 3: Find an accountability buddy

- Month 4: Keep track (of your movement)

- Month 5: Challenge yourself

- Month 6: 1 Perfect Week
- Month 7: Sleep on it

- Month 8: Pack a Snack

- Month 9: Drink up!

- Month 10: Rise & Shine with lemon

- Month 11: Double Down

Healthy Habit of the Month VIII.

One day in the belly of Merry Meri. What can I say? I eat!

This post is the eighth installment of SeektobeMerry's "Healthy Habit of the Month" series. Sourced from my bff's at Weight Watchers, online articles and my own efforts to keep fit and trim, throughout 2013, I will attempt to integrate one new healthy habit into my life each month. Join me!

Month number eight!! Can you believe it!? Eight months into our "be a healthier me" journey, I hope you're feeling some benefits. Though I am far from a model of health and wellness (not addressing that mac cheese addiction just yet... or ever:) setting these monthly mini goals has made me much more aware of my health-related decisions and I definitely feel a modest level of results. I make better choices and have more control over the "badness" of my bad ones... for us non-celebrity/athlete mere mortals, I think that's a realistic goal to shoot for. So what are we up to this month you ask???

Healthy Habit of the Month #8: Pack a snack

Did you know that snacking can actually be good for your health!? According to the USDA, the average American eats 2.2 snacks per day and gets 1/4 of her total calories from snacks! The key is to snack smart, because if you do, you can get some amazing benefits like increased overall energy (no blood sugar dips and crashes!), better appetite control (no desperate trips to the vending machine) and better concentration (people who eat healthy snacks tend to have increased focus and performance!!). So for this month's healthy habit, we are all going commit to packing a snack every.single.day. Whether it's throwing a bar in your purse, stocking your desk with a bunch of great options (I've got popcorn, almonds, turkey jerky and protein shakes stashed in my cube like a may-jah fatty!) or taking the time to prepare fresh snacks when you're packing your lunch, this month don't forget to pack a snack!!

For some awesome simple snack inspiration, click HERE; For quick/easy store bought options, click HERE; and for some kinda fancy but still totally doable ideas, click HERE.

And be sure to check out past "Healthy Habit of the Month" posts here: 

- Month 1: Adding a fruit or vegetable to every meal

- Month 2: Schedule a workout
- Month 3: Find an accountability buddy

- Month 4: Keep track (of your movement)

- Month 5: Challenge yourself

- Month 6: 1 Perfect Week
- Month 7: Sleep on it

Healthy Habit of the Month VII.

The forgotten healthy habit.

This post is the seventh installment of SeektobeMerry's "Healthy Habit of the Month" series. Sourced from my bff's at Weight Watchers, online articles and my own efforts to keep fit and trim, throughout 2013, I will attempt to integrate one new healthy habit into my life each month. Join me!

Hello my fellow health-minded friends! How are we doing this month!? Like everything else in life, I'm finding that some days I juggle my healthy habits much better than others. "One perfect week" went really well for me (even if it would be more accurately titled "one super-close-but-not-quite-perfect week") and I never miss my scheduled weekly workout, but I'd be lying if I said my accountability buddy and I are still in touch and too many breakfasts have been sans a piece of fruit. It's a work in progress. For this month, I decided to venture a little outside the standard healthy habit line of thinking and focus on a part of our daily routine that all too often gets sacrificed for just about everything else...

Healthy Habit of the Month #7: Sleep on it.
When people think about good health, diet and exercise are usually their primary focus, but research shows that getting enough sleep is just as important to our overall wellbeing. Not only does getting enough sleep actually help us maintain a healthy weight,  but it's been linked to our mood and memory as well as serious biznaz like cardiovascular health and fighting cancer (read more HERE). The problem is (as we all know) sh*t happens. Stuck at work, out with friends, up with the baby, an AMAZING tv show... everything seems to get in the way of a good night's sleep. So what can we realistically do about it? How about for this month we all pick 1 day per week where we establish a bedtime and get our recommended 8 hours? Just like scheduling a workout, why not schedule your sleep? Because though we may not be able to reach our sleep goal every night, once a week seems do-able and our bodies will no doubt benefit from the guaranteed rest. Good luck and sweet dreams! (and for some "good sleep" tips, click HERE, HERE and HERE.)

Check out past "Healthy Habit of the Month" posts here: 

- Month 1: Adding a fruit or vegetable to every meal

- Month 2: Schedule a workout
- Month 3: Find an accountability buddy

- Month 4: Keep track (of your movement)

- Month 5: Challenge yourself

- Month 6: 1 Perfect Week

Hump Day Distractions

Smile! It's already almost Friday!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! And maybe more importantly, happy "you only have to survive 3 days this week!" Isn't that fabulous? All I can say is, thank goodness we get to ease back into reality because though I'm feeling fresh and energized after nearly two weeks of vacation/staycation-ing (last week's 2-day work week barely disrupted my flow) coming back to a routine is going to take some effort. Here are a few delightful distractions to help you get back to it.

* This news is still boggling my mind. Boggling.

* Always looking for ways to make life easier (the pizza idea is brilliant and oh so very "duh" inducing)

* A way to turn all your Instagrams into a tangible collection of photos from your life.

* I admit I am intrigued...

* Because 90% of us will attempt to eat healthier for at least another 48 hours.

* "Co-workers were complaining about your flatulence"

My midday meal slump...

My lunch rarely looks this glam

What are you eating for lunch? I find myself eating the same half dozen or so lunches ad nauseam (hehe) out of a combination of habit, convenience and lack of creativity. I try to make lunch 4 of 5 days every week (though I'd say I average only 3 days) because my homemade lunches are healthier and eating out can be expensive ($8-15 per day adds up fast!!) You'd think that because I am the creator of my lunches, I'd get creative, but the reality is that I throw lunch together in a maximum of 10 minutes before I run out the door each morning (I have no interest in making tomorrow's lunch after making dinner each night) and when I buy lunch, I gravitate to the same handful of places where I order the same handful of foods. Here's what's on the menu:

Homemade: turkey sandwich (occasional variation of turkey type and condiment); tuna sandwich (both on "lite" bread with no lettuce or tomato - too soggy by 1pm); green salad w goat cheese and avocado; "sides" are almost always carrots and hummus, fruit, Popchips/Special K crisps and sugar free pudding snacks (might as well bring a lunchbox with a note from my mom right!?)

When I buy: udon soup; chicken salad sandwich; make your own salad (and I "make" the same exact salad 90% of the time!); veggie dumplings and egg drop soup

Perhaps for some this is a lot of variety, but after years of the same things, I'm looking to mix the routine up a bit. What are your favorite quick/easy/filling lunches? Healthy (specifically PointsPlus friendly) suggestions are welcome (leave a comment! share the tastiness! talk amongst yourselves my hungry, merry readers!) Plus, have you ever tried the "Wheel of Lunch"!? 

Good Eats.

As the weather warms up and we start shedding our layers of bulky winter clothing, I find myself craving a totally different type of cuisine. Though I love me some rich, creamy goodness, come spring I gravitate towards more fresh and colorful foods. Though I may be eating Cadbury Eggs for breakfast, here are a few recipes which include "good eats" for your weekend enjoyment. Happy cooking! ("eat me" via Pinterest)

Holy YUM and other possible deliciousness
(butternut squash mac cheese!?) over at PinchofYum

Hailed by many as the superior tater, I recently decided to give cooking sweet potatoes a try and I'm lurve. For a super easy side dish, I like to slice the potato into thin "discs", rub on a little olive oil and kosher salt, and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes (depending on thickness and desired crispness). Stuffed potato skins coming soon!

The healthiest Paula Deen recipe EVER.

Dr. H is obsessed with avocado. OBSESSED. I am definitely a fan, but unlike hubs, I don't sit around eating it with a spoon - I need a little flava. I know how to guac or serve it up with Mexican, but this might be my next dinner party dish.

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Mac & Cheese.
Kitchen to do list fo sho

I like quinoa, but I haven't figured out how to take the grain "to the next level". I usually eat it as a side dish, prepared in chicken stock instead of water with seasoning  to taste, but with the help of Iowa Girl Eats, I think I'm ready to get fancy!

Pizza. Fruit. Sugar. YUM.

Leave it to Betty Crocker to help us make fruit less healthy right?! To lighten up this recipe a bit, I'm thinking of substituting the cream cheese frosting for Light Cool Whip, or maybe Greek Yogurt with some Splenda mixed in? (suggestions welcome!)