10 Favorite Foods Lately

I wanted to share with you some of my recent favorite foods/food finds lately. I love incorporating new foods into my diet—the more the better! I am a huge advocate for VARIETY. I will never understand how some people go day in and day out eating the same exact foods every single day. I just can’t do it. I get that this may be the easiest route—but shake things up-I challenge you! Next time you hit the grocery store, put a new item in your cart.

 There will always be those 5-10 items that you will always be able to find in my fridge or cupboard (eggs, fruits, leafy greens, coconut oil, almond butter, chicken breast, frozen berries, Ezekial bread, oats, sweet potato, Greek Yogurt) to list a few. While I will always have these staples in my diet, life would just be boring if this was the only food I was eating! 

When all is said and done, the most important thing is that you are open, flexible and willing to change plans or choices and just learn to go with the flow. If you live life with everything so regimented–this is hardly living. Trust me-you are missing out on some amazing foods/experiences and discoveries. I will be the biggest advocate for being prepared, having food packed, knowing what to order at a restaurant and making that grocery list but frankly-things can get in the way of us not doing these things every single time we go to work or out to eat or to the grocery store. I urge you to LISTEN to your body and stop making things so complicated. Try a new ingredient. Find a new recipe and stop cutting out foods because you have been reading a ‘health blog’ that advocates a certain diet. Guys–hate to say it but these ‘healthy living blogs’ promoting 5 meals of vegetables with a low carb tortilla with protein frosting to fuel a ‘great workout’ is not only setting a bad example but also doing the opposite of promoting health. EAT REAL WHOLE FOOD. Keep it simple, and keep it interesting. Find what you like, find what works and stick with it. 

1. Tea
I will always choose coffee over tea in the morning, however I have been trying to cut back on my coffee intake by switching out my 2nd cup in the latter part of the afternoon for tea! The amino acid that’s responsible for this immune boost, L-theanine, is abundant in both black and green tea—decaf versions have it, too.

flavors of tea taste like dirty water to me and I can’t even get it down, but lately I have been trying out some new flavors and lets just say my apartment right now looks like a coffee house with how many varieties my roommate and I have of tea! My favorite brand is by far Yogi. I just find that the flavors are spot on and the most enjoyable.
Some of my favorites:

• Yogi Muscle Recovery Tea
• Yogi Ginger Tea
• Yogi Green Tea Kombucha
• Trader Joes Crimson Blossom Green Tea
• Celestial Seasoning Raspberry Zinger
• Trader Joes Bedtime Tea
• Trader Joes Pumpkin Spice Roobios

2. Naval Oranges
I have been having an orange every other day for the past week! They are so delicious right now-juicy, fresh and super easy to transport! Oranges pack about 3.5g of fiber, 17g energy filled carbohydrates and a mere 65-70 calories (for a medium sized one) We all know oranges boast a large source of Vitamin C (about 92%) but what some people are not aware of is that they are a great source of potassium (about 12% of the RDA) Potassium is extremely important for proper fluid balance within and outside of cells. A proper balance of potassium to sodium is an integral part of proper body functions such as muscle contraction and muscle recovery  to occur properly

3. Mushrooms
I LOVE mushrooms and all varieties. They are low in calories, high in fiber and rich in B vitamins. Some studies even show that mushrooms increase the production and activity of white blood cells, making them more aggressive. This is especially good when fighting off any infection. Mmushrooms are very effective in preventing cancer of breast and prostrate due to presence of Beta-Glucans and conjugated Linoleic Acid having anti carcinogenic effects. Out of these two, linoleic acid is particularly helpful in suppressing effects of estrogen.  (source) 

Looking for some mushroom filled recipes?

• Portobello Mushroom Pizza
• Chicken with mushroom and rosemary glaze
• Butternut squash and mushroom quinoa risotto
• Coconut ginger mushroom chicken
• Grilled portobello mushroom salad with lemon dressing
• Warm roasted mushroom and feta salad
• Roasted salmon with potatoes and mushrooms

4. Coconut Flour
I mentioned in a previous post, I am not following any sort of Paleo Diet so just because coconut flour is one of my new favorite food obsessions, I am not and will never following that diet. I am not a believer in cutting out food groups but I AM a believer in trying new things! For those who are gluten free-this is a great substitute for regular flour as it does not cause any inflammatory response. Coconut flour is very high in fiber and also packs a great amount of protein per serving! I have been using coconut flour in recipes like my Paleo Pumpkin “Oatmeal” and also recently tried making some Paleo Bread from Elenas Pantry. It came out AWESOME!

5. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Have I been living under a rock not to have tried this variety until recently? It is SO good!! I just bought the Ceders all natural roasted red pepper hummus and I am addicted I have been spreading it on Ezekial toast with some avocado as well as using it as a base to make salad dressing with a bit of vinegar and mustard. 

6. Bananas
Bananas are one of my favorite ‘muscle building’ fruits. There is nothing like a ripe banana. I like them a little brown on the outside; it really makes for the perfectly sweet and perfectly textured fruit! Bananas are so great especially if you are physically active. They provide long lasting energy as well as perfect for muscle recovery and repair. They supply fuel needed for muscle and central nervous system. I also love bananas because they are packed with potassium which is an electrolyte that is stored in the muscles. It helps to maintain fluid levels in the body and thus prevent muscle cramping and fatigue. Banana blueberry protein bars anyone?

7. Greens
Yes, I admit that I too sometimes eat my greens in the form of natural greens powder. When I am on the go and don’t have time to shove vegetables in my face but want to make sure I am getting some in my meal, I have my greens in a shake or even mixed with cottage cheese/yogurt or in some water. I use the Isagenix Greens and sometimes the Amazing Grass brand as well. The greens are nutrient dense, packed with fiber and tastes really good! 

8. Nuts n’ More Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter
I sucked it up and ordered some of this peanut butter because I kept seeing it pop up on Twitter and Facebook. I had always heard of this brand and wanted to try it but the hefty price tag for shipping always kept me away. The second I saw that they came out with a pumpkin spice flavor-I had to splurge. I was so happy with my decision. This stuff rocks-plain and simple. It is delicious, slightly sweet and I have to place the cap right back on the jar after I take my serving 1) not to eat the whole container and 2) because I want it to last longer than 5 days

9. So Delicious Almond Milk
I usually stick with the unsweetened vanilla almond milk from Blue Diamond, but when I saw this at Whole Foods-I was intrigued to try something new! I really liked it! I also liked that is is packed with 5g of protein per serving. Calorie for calorie it is the same as the Blue Diamond brand and very similar in taste–this is a bit smoother but who knows this just be thinking it is because it was something new. Either way-I enjoyed it! I would certainly buy it again!