Get Healthy Fast: My Quick Recipe For A Healthier & Happier Week

Hey everyone! Okay I know it’s been two weeks since my last post. I mean, woah, I was doing really well there for a moment. Work has been busy (which, I’m loving by the way) and I’m still learning what it looks like to balance all of it. So forgive me, my faithful and dedicated readers!

Recently a friend reached out to me (Hi, Sarah!) and asked me about some of my go-to healthy recipes. While I was blowing up her iMessages with all of these links to recipes that I loved, I realized that it would probably be cool to share some of my “get healthy” tips with all of you.

Do you ever feel like it’s absolutely impossible to be healthy? And on a budget, no less? Me too. Which is why I’m trying to make the impossible feel possible to those around me, since I’m sort of desperate to do the same thing.

Here is the ultimate tip that I’m going to give you before we dive in: It’s about balance. I know you probably hear that a lot, but it really is true. For example, Oliver and I eat pasta almost twice a week. And you know what, we’re cooking every single one of our meals and don’t really feel that guilty about it. Maybe once in a blue moon we’ll order takeout or go out to a restaurant. But I’m not kidding when I say that happens maybe once a month. I eat healthier throughout the day because I know our dinners are a bit heartier.

Oh, and guess what? I haven’t gained a pound this entire year because I’m understanding balance, listening to my body, and following these simple steps below:

Set yourself up for success: Have some easy breakfast & lunch grabs

At the beginning of the week, promise yourself that you’re going to be healthier by stocking yourself up on some healthier breakfasts, and prep your lunches in advance. This means in the morning before work, all you have to do is snag your breakfast & prepped lunch container in the fridge, and you’re good to have a successful and healthy day! Oh, and you’re saving money, so that’s a plus.

Here are my 6 go-to breakfast grabs in the morning

And for lunches, here are some of my favorites:

Limit snacks at all costs.

Like, maybe even only stock up on one snack at a time. In my opinion, SNACKING KILLS. You just snack and snack and snack on junk, till you finally feel full, then you’re too full for a dinner full of vegetables and even pasta (which I’m going to bet is still way healthier than all the junk you just ate). Plan out your snacks, and even plan a time for that snack every single day. For example, I get hungry for a snack at 4 p.m. at my desk, so I usually bring one of the following items:

Banana
Apple with peanut butter
KIND bar
Popcorn (yes, homemade)
Carrots & hummus
Yogurt with granola

Workout during the weekdays.

Don’t run away. I know workouts are really, really scary. But I promise you, once you find a workout that you absolutely love, you’ll never want to go back. Plus, I think there’s something seriously special about working out on a consistent basis. Not only does it make your body feel good, but you just feel confident in your own skin. Also fitting in your clothes is a nice thing too. I’m a huge fan lately.

Workout tip: I only do a cardio workout one or two times a week. It’s okay if you’re not running every day…you have other muscles that desire to be worked as well.

Some free workouts you can do right at home:

You could also commit to walking 10,000 steps a day.

Never hop on the scale.

Seems counterintuitive to working out, right? We’ve been taught that the scale is the end result for working out and eating right. But it’s not. In my opinion, it’s all about feeling good in your own skin. Remember when I said that I haven’t gained weight this year? Well let me be honest with you, I haven’t lost a single pound either. I think it’s because I lost a lot of my fat and gained a ton of muscle. But that doesn’t matter to me, and you know why? Because I feel so good in my clothes. I feel confident. I love my body for the first time in years.

Let’s be honest, as soon as you hop on that scale you are going to feel utterly defeated because it never truly tells you what you want to hear. You are going to cry, hop on the couch, and go to that junk food snack that made you start all of this in the first place. Don’t stoop to that level. Forget about the scale. Maybe even throw out your scale.

Cook all of your dinners. Yes, I mean it.

I usually workout right after I get home from work, which of course, after that I’m obviously starved Instead of going for chips and salsa though (my default binge snack food), I start cooking dinner right away. Or sometimes I have dinner already in the oven or crockpot while I’m working out, so it’s ready when I’m done! Here are a few super easy recipes that we consider our go-to healthy dinners:

Chicken Enchiladas (our favorite thus far)
Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
Sweet Potato Turkey Chili
Unstuffed Pepper Skillet
Sweet Potato Hash
Crispy Parmesan Chicken & Zucchini
Cherry Tomato Summer Squash Pasta

Treat yourself on the weekends.

I am a huge fan of breakfast. Like, if I could have a huge stack of pancakes or a ginormous chocolate chip Belgian waffle every single morning, I would. But I know that’s not a possibility because time, money, and my jeans. So I allow myself a little freedom and make a huge brunch food item of my choice on Saturday mornings. Some of my very own brunch weekend inventions include:

Drink water.

And lots of it! Did you know that sometimes the fact that you feel hungry has to do with dehydration? Yup, that’s right! In response to this, I would splurge on a super cute water bottle or tumbler that you love that will make drinking water way more fun. Plus, a cute cup is the perfect accessory, especially if it’s replacing an expensive and sugary latte!

Choose one weekend night for alcohol.

This not only will save you money, but lots of calories. Drink fluids during the week that will make you feel awake and healthy – you know like water, juices, smoothies, maybe even one Diet Coke if you’re obsessed like me. Then on the weekend, splurge on that bottle of wine. Or get a fun cocktail when you’re out with friends. It will feel way more rewarding to enjoy at the end of the week.

Wear clothes that make you feel like YOU.

This doesn’t really have to do with being healthy, but I’m going to end on this note. Friends, I know there are tons of fashion icons and models that tell you that you have to look and dress a certain way. Honestly, I’ve always been a fan of the magazines that provide outfits for all different body types and personalities…because I don’t want people to feel restricted to wear particular items just because someone told you it was fashionable. Wear clothes that you love and make you feel sexy and confident in your own skin. For example, I look amazing in A-line dresses. My husband can attest to that. So I tend to lean towards those when it comes to picking out my business casual for the work week.

I hope that these tips help you for a healthier, more successful week. To conclude, I would like to invite you to join my newsletter. I provide a weekly meal plan for my followers to guide them in an easier and healthier week when it comes to their food choices. If that sounds like something you desperately desire, then sign up below!