The time has come to get your glow on! Once you start eating better, you start feeling better. Try munching on these satisfying beauty bites and eat your way to radiance:
The Zesty Lemon Avocado Mash: One of my favorite stress reducing bites that I always suggest to clients is my zesty lemon avocado mash. The perfect 3pm pick me up. Mash up ½ of a medium avocado (the ideal snack size), add a dash of sea salt and freshly squeezed lemon. If you are on the run or at work simply do a little planning in advance. Just like any muscle, the more you practice planning the easier it gets. First and foremost, the myth that fat is bad drives me crazy. Avocados are packed with heart healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats have been proven to reduce stress as well as increase post-meal satisfaction levels. Moreover, avocados contain plant protein to keep you more full for a longer amount of time, give you lasting energy and curb unhealthy junk food cravings. Adding the lemon will help reduce stomach bloating, strengthen immunity and help clear up blemishes due to the high vitamin C content. (For more skin clearing snacks check out my Eat Yourself Gorgeous Meal Makeover French Fry video here and my recent TV appearance here.) Lemon also will prevent this splendid spring bite from turning brown if you are at work. If you are craving a crunchy munch instead of a mash try dipping in some freshly sliced red bell peppers which are huge immune system boosters and loaded with skin clearing vitamin C.
My Sweet Cinnamon Apple Almond Butter Sandwich: Spread ½ tablespoon of almond butter over two thick apple slices (I love Pink Lady apples). Add cinnamon and nutmeg to the almond butter before spreading. It is very easy to go almond butter crazy; keep your portions in check to make this a smart snack. If you know that the jar will be gone in five minutes try another snack – everyone is different. Apples are one of my favorite healthy carbohydrates and are packed with fiber, keeping you full and satisfied for a longer amount of time. Not to mention the combination of different vitamins in apples is great for banishing blemishes. Pairing an apple with almond butter will keep your blood sugar levels stable, which will reduce your cravings for junk food. Cinnamon and nutmeg are two of my favorite spices because they are both natural metabolism boosters and increase your post-meal satisfaction levels. Have a sweet tooth? Check out my healthy dark chocolate version of the snack here, my feel good dark chocolate shake recipe here or my creamy dark chocolate ice cream video here.
The Get Gorgeous Baked Spice Grapefruit: Sprinkle half of a medium grapefruit with cinnamon, nutmeg and 1/2 tablespoon of stevia (an all-natural sweetener that does not spike your blood sugar levels). Bake for five minutes at around 375 F until the top is a golden brown. If you are on the run or at work, you can enjoy this divine delight without baking it. Grapefruit is a great source of vitamin C and vitamin A, two vitamins that have been proven to contribute to clear skin, a more even complexion, and a reduction in those pesky dark circles under your eyes. Moreover, grapefruit contains an enzyme that aids in burning fat. It is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up when you are losing focus and hanger starts to kick in.
My Chunky Pineapple Cream Cup: Combine 1/2 cup of plain non-fat Greek Yogurt (I love Chobani), 1/2 cup of pineapple and 1 tablespoon of stevia. Pineapples contain specific enzymes that improve skin hydration, decrease fine lines and give you an overall smoother complexion. These enzymes also help fight off damaging free radicals that contribute to aging. The protein in the Greek yogurt will make this a smart snack because it will keep you more full for a longer amount of time (not to mention, give it a richer creamier taste). The healthy carbohydrates from the fruit will keep you energized until your next meal (for another healthy parfait option check out my Eat Yourself Gorgeous pumpkin parfait video here).
Get creative! If the concept of putting together a smart snack is overwhelming find simple options that work for you in your life. Nourish yourself from the inside out and be selfish. Find time to make your health a priority.
More information about my Custom Eat Yourself Gorgeous Programs can be found here
Need more health tools? Check out my simple steps to change habits & my sweet swaps
As always, focus on progress, not perfection & do YOU
XX,
A cause that is very dear to my heart is the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I have formed a team in honor of my grandmother, Dr. Lailee Bakhtiar, who passed away after a 21 year battle with the disease. You can learn more about my team here.