What Is Thea Eating?

I often get asked what my typical days meal plan looks like. Often times, people harass me for having a big lunchbox with me everywhere I go. I realized I don't mind it, because what I eat makes me feel good. When I feel good, I am happy and am a better friend/daughter/worker/etc. I am now "the food nazi" at work. This offended me at first. but I realized I was given this title by someone who eats out for lunch EVERYDAY and for the last month and a half hasn't packed ONE meal. I realized to not take it personal. It's just a little funny to me, because you would think people would give this person a hard time for eating JUNK everyday. To me that is one think that is wrong with our society, thinking people are weird when they are trying to live a healthy lifestyle instead of thinking people should change their ways when they are mostly eating less nutritious foods. I drifted away from my original reason to write this. I want to show you that eating FREQUENTLY and MORE is the key to speeding up your metabolism. This is what I'm eating today and what is a typical day for what I eat, but it does change so I have some VARIETY:).

Meal 1: 1/2 C. Oats
5 Egg Whites
1/2 C. Frozen berries (no added sugar)
Meal 2: Homemade protein bar
Meal 3: 5 Oz. Chicken Breast
4 Oz. Yam
6 Oz. Veggies (Broccoli/asparagus)
Meal 4: 1 Slice Ezekiel Bread
5 oz Tuna (Mixed with 0% Greek yogurt, 1/4 apple, 1 stock celery)
Bed of chopped romaine
Meal 5: 4 oz. Extra lean ground turkey
6 oz. Veggies
Meal 6: 1/3 Scoop protein powder
1/3 C. Cottage cheese
1/2 Tbsp. Unsalted almond butter

You can switch these meals around and see what works for your taste buds, but since people have requested to see what I eat I thought this might help.

Stay happy, stay healthy:)..... and don't take things too seriously!!LOL

Working Out & Eating Clean Is A Packaged Deal

I just wanted to hit on a topic that is commonly brought to my attention. People ask for my advice, and I love hearing from you all! I love if I can help in any way, but one common issue people hit when trying to keep a good body weight/image is not combine clean eating and working out. People who workout often think, " well I workout so I can burn off this or that". In my opinion, I think that is a horrible way to looking at things. If you eat junk who says you get to choose which calories you burn in the gym. So many people go to the gym after a week or so and say I had too many sweets last night, and then assume when they go to the gym they are burning the extra calories from sweets, maybe your burning off the oatmeal you had before that instead. The only way to assure you are burning calories all day long is by eating clean. You are regulating a steady blood sugar when you eat clean and eat 5-6 small meals every 3 hours. Your body can dispose of extra calories, when this eat clean lifestyle becomes a habit. If your eating habits aren't regular your body may store extra calories. When you overeat, then don't eat for hours your body stores the calories, because your body isn't on a regular eating schedule.
Eating clean and not working out will keep you fairly healthy, but you have to remember muscle doesn't build itself. You have to build lean muscle to quicken metabolism. Eating clean will give you sufficient energy to fuel your workouts, and will also provide you with proper nutrients to sustain a healthy body. Without one the other won't work properly. Keep eating clean and workout at least three days a week, and let me know how you feel!

Everybody's Workin' For The Weekend

Doesn't it seem like getting to the gym and working hard during the week means a relaxed weekend. Well over the last month I have realized that hard work during the week doesn't mean you should blow it on the weekends. What's the point of eating healthy all week and working out, if every weekend ends with regretting your food choices and laziness. I think it's time I open up about finding that balance.
It has been a struggle for me to find a happy medium between going out with friends and family, and staying in. For a while, I found myself unhappy with going out too much and not doing things for me. Then I started staying in too much, and I felt more lonely and separated from my peers/family. I love finding the happy medium, and it definitely takes trial and error to find YOUR happy medium. We are all so different and at the same time have different schedules, goals, and different ideas of happiness.
This week I realized that happiness to me isn't necessarily having fun. I think people too often think having fun and going out will make them happy. I disagree with that idea. Having fun all the time comes with a natural "high" feeling. The after effect isn't always an overall happiness. Sometimes it's regret, whether it be spending too much money, over indulging, or taking steps away from our goals. It is time to work hard for our goals all the time. Enjoy fun experiences often, but not too often. First, I realized they don't feel as fun or special when you do them all the time; you end up enjoying them more when it seems like a treat. Secondly, you don't have any guilty feelings if you aren't "over-doing it".
These coming weeks, start doing things for you, weekly, and on the weekends. Start every morning off healthy, and reflect on what you want your week to look like. Your decisions are just that, YOURS! Work hard, and make yourself happy by reaching your goals!

Thea's Irresistable Black Bean Dip/Spread

HOLY MOLY! I am not going to lie, I hit the jackpot with this recipe! My roommate was making hummus, and I really wanted to try it with avocado. Then I realized instead of garbonzo beans I wanted to try black beans. From there my ideas came coming, and I whipped up a deliciously amazing creation.
This is perfect for SO MANY occasions. It can be used as any other condiment, on sandwiches, to dip veggies, pita bread, or on top of your lean meat (sort of as guacamole).

Thea's Irresistible Black Bean Dip/Spread

Ingredients:

1 Can black beans (washed and rinsed)
1/2 Avocado
1/2 Onion
2 Tbsp. Greek Yogurt
Handful Jalapeno chopped
Bunch of cilantro washed and chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt & Pepper to taste
Garlic to taste

1. In food processor or blender add onion, jalapeno, lemon juice, cilantro, and greek yogurt. Mix on high.

2. Slowly add in black beans, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix on high!

3. Pour in small container, and enjoy!

Thea's Marinated Kale Salad

Kale is the new SUPERFOOD! Kale has been popping up everywhere; magazines, markets, and restaurants. Kale tends to be a little course and bitter, in comparison to lettuce. Making a kale salad and marinating it over night helps soften the kale and the bitterness goes away with the marinade.
When I tried this I took a taste and immediately smiled from ear to ear. I am so happy I mixed these flavors and created this recipe! Try it out and let me know how you feel!

Ingredients:

Kale- Finely chopped
1 1/2 Tbsp. Organic Agave Nectar
Bunch of Cilantro- Finely Chopped
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 Onion
Juice of 1 Lemon
Salt/Pepper to taste

1. Chop up kale and put in a bowl to the side.
2. In blender or food processor add lemon juice, cilantro, onion, olive oil, agave nectar, salt, and pepper.

3. Mix until smooth.

4. Pour on kale salad.

5. Put lid on salad, and shake up.

6. Put salad in refrigerator over night to marinate.
7. Next day serve.

Tip:
Add grilled salmon, grilled tempeh, or chicken on salad.

Time To Grab A Meal Out

Eating out this weekend? Opt for a healthy restaurant that you can try new yummy meals at! I have been exploring orange county and keepin' a lookout on truly healthy places ( no more low calorie meals with fake stuff for you guys). We want lots of real fresh yummy food right!

Veggie grill:
In my eyes Veggie gill is a healthier panera bread and just as convenient! My fave is the "all hail kale salad" with grilled tempeh and if you want a little extra treat get yourself a small side of sweet potato fries. The great thing about these fries is that they aren't deep fried but simply flash fried in canola oil. The ketchup is even organic and has no added sugar and is instead sweetened naturally with organic agave syrup. Check it out yourself!

Rutabegorz:
This restaurant has the cutest home town feel, I feel so comfy when I visit. I get their salads and they are HUGE, filled with veggies! I like the shrimp and avocado salad with no cheese. The Thai chicken salad with no crunchy noodles is also amazing. Ruta's even carries stevia to sweeten your iced tea or coffee! The homemade vegetable soups are so fresh and flavorful I love them. This place is amazing and definitely rexxomed it I'd you want to eat healthy and still go out!

Native foods:
 OH MY GOSH! New discovery! Native foods is DELICIOUS! New obsession for sure! I have been introduced to the Aztec salad and asked for added grilled tempeh! Wowzaaaa! My mom ordered the soup of the day and it was also amazing, she got the watermelon fresca which is a drink with fresh watermelon, mint, and a little agave! Super refreshing on a hot day! I can't wait to try more things on this menu! This place also had NON DEEP FRIED sweet potato fries with an amazing mayo-free creamy chiptole dipping sauce! Another thing I would like to mention (which is very important to me) is how amazing their customer service was. I was sincerely impressed and when me and my roommates came (indecisive as always) they were helpful and patient! Cudos to the workers;)

Seasons 52:
On the more high end side of te ealthy dining I've tried would have to be Seasons 52! This is an amazing restaurant that orders the best quality, organic, and healthy ingredients to mix up on their menu. The menu changes frequently and each day has seasonal specials the chef prepares fresh. The experience is a little more pricey but is DEFINITELY worth it! Everything on the menu is under 450 calories! Guilt free!!!!!!!!!! Nothing better than the feeling of enjoyig a delicios meal our and not feelig like you are taking steps backwards! I suggest the salmon salad! My brother got the filet mignon which was amazing as well! Celebrate a night out and do it right! Seasons is the place to be;)

True Food Kitchen:
This place is OUTSTANDING. Seriously delicious food. I am stunned with how good True Food can make healthy food taste so decadent and delicious. There isn't one appetizer, main course, or beverage I didn't like. This place is a must try!