Shake Open Plate and Eat Your Salad in a Jar

Mar 7, 2022 | Fresh Foods, healthy eating, suggestions

Shake Open Plate and Eat Your Salad in a Jar

Salad jars are cute, practical, and nice to look at, so let’s create some together. Stack your ingredients from the wettest to the driest so that your salad will be fresh and crisp. You should be able to keep it fresh for up to 5 days after making and refrigerating. Simply shake, open, plate, and eat this lunch remix. Acknowledgment goes to Amanda Meixner, author and blogger for the images and recipes used in this article. The recipes for the salad jars pictured below are found on her website https://meowmeix.com/author/meixneram/
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1. Greek salad jar: balsamic, chickpeas, bell peppers, onion, olives, chicken, feta + kale⁠⁠

Tex Mex salad jar: balsamic, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, corn, ground turkey + mixed greens⁠⁠
3. BLT Remix salad jar: 1-2 tbsp @primalkitchenfoodspaleo ranch, tomatoes, cucumbers, 2 eggs, 2 pieces nitrate-free bacon, mixed greens⁠⁠
4. Veggie goddess: 1 tbsp balsamic, tomatoes, cucumbers, quinoa, beans, onion + mixed greens ⁠⁠

Which one will you make? Share your creations or your salad jar recipes here. I look forward to using produce from the farm to create these yummy delights. Photo edited from Amanda Meixner’s image courtesy of the @MeowMeix Instagram post.

Tips to Stay Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Jan 18, 2021 | Exercise, suggestions

Tips to Stay Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

With reports of COVID-19 cases rapidly increasing, it’s now more important than ever to take charge of your wellbeing by following necessary health precautions. Not only is it important to consistently wash your hands and practice social distancing, but also supports your mental and physical health by partaking in self-care. There are numerous ways to practice self-care such as getting adequate amounts of sleep, drinking lots of water, and eating healthy foods. I’ve created a list below of ways you can keep you and your family healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diet

As the saying goes, you are what you eat. If you’re eating highly processed foods with little nutritional value, over time that could lead to health problems. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats. You’ll want to particularly look for foods that boost your immune system such as citrus fruits, broccoli, and garlic. Also, make sure you’re staying hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day, and ditch the sugary drinks.

Exercise

Even though gyms may not be open, that doesn’t mean you can’t add some exercise to your daily routine. If you feel comfortable, taking a walk around your neighborhood or out in nature can do wonders for your mind and body. If you’d prefer to stay indoors, there’s plenty of free workout content on YouTube you can do from the comfort of your living room.

Stress Management

There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on almost everyone’s mental health. Whether it be financial stress or feelings of isolation, it’s important to find healthy coping mechanisms. Reading, meditating, and working on hobbies that bring you joy are great ways to relieve stress. If you can’t see your loved ones in person, try a video chat service such as Zoom or Skype to feel more connected to friends and family.

Sources: Fitzgerald, T. (2020, November 05). Tips For Staying Healthy During The Coronavirus Situation. Retrieved from https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/solstice-member-blog/tips-for-staying-healthy-during-the-coronavirus-situation Jones, J. (2020, May 22). COVID-19: Lifestyle tips to stay healthy during the pandemic. Retrieved from https://health.mil/News/Articles/2020/05/22/COVID-19-lifestyle-tips-to-stay-healthy-during-the-pandemic National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. (2020, December 11). Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

WHAT IS INTUITIVE EATING?

Aug 28, 2018 | healthy eating, suggestions

WHAT IS INTUITIVE EATING?

Have you ever craved a giant salad or a delicious juicy piece of red fruit? Your body may be trying to tell you something. When your body is craving certain things it usually means you will find yourself attracted to a specific item that contains the vitamins it needs. Before the age of processed food and refined sugars we were a little better at listening to what our bodies were telling us, but don’t worry the tools are still there. Intuitive eating is a modern and forward thinking idea that is sweeping our nation! Allow us to shed some light on the art of eating intuitively.

An intuitive eater is one that makes food choices based on what their body is telling them they need. It feels like you’re simply following your body’s cravings. However, if you’re in the habit of resorting to less nutritious food items during cravings, such as chips or sugary foods, it may take some practice to get back into the swing of your body’s inner knowledge. However, with a little effort, you’ll be speaking your body’s language in no time. Here are a few ways to get started:

Trust your body and remember that you have the freedom to make your own food choices. Following a diet is not always best for everyone. Individualize your relationship with food and create a lifestyle around eating to nourish yourself.
Ask yourself what it is that you really want.
Listen to what your hunger is telling you. Oftentimes we eat at a certain time of day out of habit or around a schedule. Try taking a moment to listen to what your body really needs.
Honor your food and take time with your meal. Savor the food that you chose and allow it to have the time it needs to nourish your body. Remember that portions are also apart of intuitive eating. Often in social situations or times of stress, we may eat more than our fill. Taking time to eat, instead of rushing, will make it easier to ingest the amount that our body actually needs.

Pay close attention to how your body responds to the food choices you make. Do you feel energized after your meal or do you feel lethargic and tired? Make note of these findings and tailor food decisions in the future, based on your previous experience.