I wont’s even pretend that it’s easy to eat all the fruits + veggies that we’re supposed to in a day. Yes, I love and live a healthy lifestyle, but trust me, I’m far from perfect in making all the balanced, raw, colorful meals that are filling Pinterest and health blogs. I do try to make better choices when making meals and snacks though, and I definitely try to find ways to add as much fruit and vegetables to every meal (with it still tasting good).

If you’re trying to eat a more balanced and healthy diet, the best thing to do is to gradually increase the amount of fruits + veggies day by day and not all at once. Finding appealing recipes that use lots of healthy goodness is super helpful too, and you’ll actually want to eat what you’re making. In an effort to eat healthier, please don’t start forcing raw eggplant down your throat because it’s good for you. That will be 1) disgusting, and 2) not a sustainable lifestyle that will last. Trust me, I have my vegetable dislikes no matter how healthy we make our meals, but I do find ways that will make the veggies I don’t like as much taste yummy, and the veggies I do like, taste even better.

I also want to make sure we all agree here that we are not trying to be “healthy” by starving ourselves on raw kale (though I do love me some kale 😉 ) or guilting ourselves into eating fruits + veggies. Before you start searching “healthy recipes” into Pinterest or grabbing every veggie on the grocery isle, find your reason behind choosing to eat well. If it’s because you feel bad or “have to”, then pause and reevaluate those thoughts and feelings, because they themselves are not healthy!

Why do I love eating a healthy + balanced diet?

• It makes me feel gooood! I always feel more alive, nourished, and happy.
• Health properties – vegetables, fruits, whole grains (quinoa, barley, buckwheat, etc.), nuts, seeds, etc., all are jam-packed full of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and everything your body needs to be functioning abundantly. They are God’s built in supplements for us!
• Energy – I always notice that I feel more energized and awake nourishing my body throughout the day.
• Overall health – clearer skin, better digestion, stronger hair + nails, boosted immune system…. the list goes on. We are making our bodies do the happy dance inside when we flood it with life-giving foods!
• I enjoy it so much! Find me with a fresh pressed juice, a little cup of espresso and homemade cashew milk, and a bowl full of fresh goodness, and I will literally be giddy.

Ok, so how can we support our health and wellness through foods and not be overwhelmed? It’s honestly way simpler than you may think, and way more enjoyable too!

Every meal is an opportunity to make it a whole + nourishing meal.

Every meal, snack, dessert, post-workout snack, etc., is an opportunity to make it the best for your body that you can. Whether you’re having rice and chicken for dinner or pancakes for breakfast, add as much nutrients and life-giving ingredients as possible to your recipe.

Example– having pancakes? Try a recipe with oats, bananas, and eggs instead of processed flour and sugar. Drizzle almond butter on top with some fresh fruit, cacao nibs, and cinnamon. And of course some organic maple syrup or honey. Maybe even try molasses or coconut nectar. Can’t figure out what to do with the chicken thighs in the fridge? Try seasoning it up and searing in grass fed butter (because yes, that is good for you!) and add whatever veggies you can find. Steam some quinoa or brown rice to the side for a change and squeeze lemon over it. Want to buy the bulk protein bars with who-knows-what-in-it at the store? Try whipping up protein balls in 10 min to save money and nourish your body with naturally occurring fiber, minerals, and healthy fatty acids.

I love packing every breakfast and snack with fruit (including avocado, duh) and superfoods – cacao nibs, chia seeds, maca, etc. I add them to smoothies, pancakes + waffles, and other suiting recipes. Eggs + sauteed kale + microgreens is also a huge morning go-to.

And who said desserts can’t taste freakin amazing while still feeding your body good stuff? Healthy desserts, when made right, are 100% of the time better than conventional desserts that just taste like a handful of sugar. The flavor + quality of healthier desserts shame store bought ones every time. They don’t have to be made out of beans and kale, trust me. But if you’ve never tried zucchini brownies or raw carrot cake bites, you’re missing out.

Pack it in and fill it up.

Finding ways to incorporate healthy foods into every meal is amazing, but you also need to not skimp on it – pack it full of that goodness. A plate full of bread with a 1/4 cup of veggies/fruits is not super beneficial compared to a plate full of greens with a side of bread. Plus, filling yourself up with big portions of the things that are actually good for you will give you less of an appetite for the things you should only have a little of.

Gradually increase your fruit/veggie portions until its most of your meal, and not just the garnish.

Expand your taste buds by trying out new recipes + ingredients.

So much of the food I love now, I did not love a while ago. When I purposed to independently take care of my body + wellness, I got excited to try out new fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, raw cheeses, etc., and my taste for real food grew so much.

So don’t be afraid to step out and try new things, and try them again, and again, and maybe another time after that if it wasn’t your favorite. And again. Because training your taste buds to like new and different foods and ingredients will be so rewarding in that 1) you aren’t constantly avoiding or editing a recipe because of your dislike, and 2) you are fueling your body in new ways with different sources of the vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, etc., it needs.

Example – Are avocados not really your thing no matter the rave of others? Add 1/4-1/2 to a smoothie instead of the regular banana with a couple fresh dates to sweeten things up. Introduce new sources of nutrients that will impact your body more powerfully because it’s not used to them as much as things like bananas, apples, broccoli, peas, etc. (even though they’re great, let’s shake things up a bit).

Or maybe you can’t stand arugula (like my sister). Try topping things like salmon with it or mix a small amount in with other lettuce and use your favorite dressing and toppings.

If in doubt, just season things up reallyyyy well to mask the taste or try a new way of cooking it if the texture throws you off.

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Kick start your healthy eating habits with recipes that will fill + fuel you!

Find more yummy + healthy recipes here

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I hope that you were inspired and motivated to use these tips and tools in your own lifestyle! I’m so glad that you are wanting to truly nourish and fuel your body along with me. If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to share below.

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