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real food

Meal Planning in 6 Bite-Sized Steps

By Jen

I feel your pain! Meal planning and prep can sound like a daunting process, and I used to believe that it was an overwhelming, all-or-nothing monster of a task. Not true, I assure you! And you don’t have to have it all figured out to start a weekly routine that works for you. Do you typically make a weekly meal plan?
Here I’m breaking down the process into six, manageable, bite-sized steps. This can help you map out your week more easily, in a way that works for you.

But first, some meal plan & prep mythbusting!

  • Nope, you don’t have to plan and prep every meal for the week. Focus on your weekly rough spots first – is it breakfast, lunch, or dinners? Or maybe tackle three days at a time. You do you.
  • Nope, just because you meal plan doesn’t mean you need to cook and prepare everything from scratch. Grab shortcut foods at the store as needed (rotisserie chicken, pre-chopped veggies, etc.). It’s okay to include dining out in your plan if that works for you. Planning when and where you dine out can often help you get more strategic about choosing places that help you better meet your health goals and your budget.

What do you think? Is it helpful to tackle this process one bite at a time? What works for you? Which steps in the planning and prep process are working for you, and which ones need tweaking?
Let’s do this!

Filed Under: Meal Prep/Meal Planning Tips, Real Food, Real Health Tagged With: healthy habits, meal plan, meal prep, real food

10 Real Food Snack Ideas

By Jen

hard-boiled egg and carrot sticks, roasted pumpkin seeds, and apple with coconut ginger cashew buter

Real food snacks are fueling, tasty, and satisfying! It’s hard to say that about most of the junk that’s sold as quick-grab snacks. Picture those impulse-buy snack options stacked by the register in just about every store. Yeah, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

You know that hangry moment when you’re stuck roaming the aisles of the gas station shop, and your main choices seem to be Doritos, Cheetos, and Jolly Ranchers? (I have to admit, though, the options do seem to be improving a little bit these last few years. So encouraging, right?!)

10 Satisfying, Real Food Snack Ideas

If you are trying to swap out highly processed snacks with real food snacks, here are a few ideas to get you started. Aim to include a combination of at least two macronutrients if possibile (i.e. protein & fat, or carb & fat, or protein & carb). Doing so typically leaves you more satisfied and energized.

  • nut butter and apple slices
  • roasted pumpkin seeds and dried fruit
  • single-serving pack guacamole and red pepper strips
  • hard-boiled egg and carrot sticks (That small container in the pic is salt and pepper. I keep that little container always filled in the cabinet, so I can just grab it quickly when packing this snack.)
  • pear slices and a sharp, flavorful cheese
  • single-serving pack of olives (I get mine at Trader Joe’s) and a clementine
  • hummus and veggies
  • peanut butter and celery sticks
  • roasted mixed nuts
  • cottage cheese and fruit

Snacking and “appetite awareness”

To be honest, I’m much less of a snacker since I focused my diet on real, whole foods, and, frankly – started eating MORE at mealtime, and making sure my meals almost always include protein, fat, and slow-digesting carbs. I feel more satiated by my meals, and don’t always need a snack to get me through to the next meal. It’s pretty convenient, actually! I used to be the queen of snacks, packing SO many snacks everywhere I went. Once I focused on feeling nourished instead of famished, I discovered that I had much less need for snacking. Nourished, not famished!

If you are feeling the need to snack constantly throughout the day, check in with yourself at mealtime for some “appetite awareness”.

Are you eating to satiety at mealtime?

Is it possible that you’re simply not eating enough to meet your needs at mealtime?

Or are you missing out on certain macronutrients (protein, fat, or carb?) in your meals, leaving you with that “always hungry” feeling?

That being said, there are days when we’re going to feel a bit hungrier than other days, and you might need a snack or two. And we all have those days when nothing goes according to plan – a delayed meeting, crazy traffic delays, a last-minute trip to the pediatrician’s office, and then lunch or dinner didn’t happen when you needed it to. It makes a world of difference to keep something stashed in your bag, to get you through until mealtime. By packing your own snack, you’ll guarantee that it will be real food that will fill you and fuel you.

I’m always looking for more real-food snack ideas . . . what do you like to pack?

Print Recipe
10 Real Food Snack Ideas
Course Snacks
Servings
Course Snacks
Servings

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: real food, snacks

Staying on track, even on the weekend

By Jen

Staying on track, without feeling deprived, and actually enjoying your food is entirely possible on the weekend, even if you’re hitting up a few parties. When it’s time to dine, scope out the party spread, and do your best to build a balanced, delicious plate:
✅protein
✅ fat
✅slow carbs

Eating some of each macronutrient at mealtime, and steering clear of fast-burning highly processed carbs will leave you feeling satiated. Satiety is the best buffer against gorging on desserts and other junk. If your main meal leaves you satisfied and fueled, you’re a lot more likely to be content with just *one* super-fudge-m&m-brownie instead of five. Or, you might end up not craving dessert at all!

As for how much to eat – well, everybody’s caloric needs are slightly different, so you do you! As long as you are routinely eating primarily minimally refined foods, in a balance of protein, fat, and slow carbs, your hunger and satiety cues are pretty darn reliable. Eating too many processed foods creates a lot of white noise, and can really mess with those cues.

And as for balancing your plate – what works for you might be slightly different than someone else’s needs. Play around with the protein/fat/carb ratio by building your plate different ways.  You’ll know you’ve hit your sweet spot when your meal leaves you feeling fueled and filled until the next mealtime, and your cravings are in check.

What helps you stay on track during the weekend?

 

 

Filed Under: Getting Started, Real Food, Real Health, Why Real Food works Tagged With: real food, weekend

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About Me:

Hi, I’m Jen, and welcome to Nourished Not Famished. Here you’ll find recipes, meal ideas, and wellness tips to thrive without deprivation or restriction. I like to keep healthy changes simple, and grounded in a real-life approach (the secret to making it stick!).  Find out about more about me here, and how you can work with me!

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🍋 Greek-inspired Shrimp Bowls! Ready for someth 🍋 Greek-inspired Shrimp Bowls! Ready for something fresh, citrus-y, crisp, and cool? 🌞 Lemon, feta, and dill bring a bright, herb-y tang to this nourishing and tasty lunch (or dinner). Hit save to make this one soon!

When life gets busy, it's easy to let meals go by the wayside. Keep your energy levels up and your mental focus dialed in by packing your plate with foods that *satisfy* and boost your energy: 
protein, healthy fats, veggies (and/or fruits) and slow-acting starchy carbs. 

Quick and easy gets the job done! This lunch (or dinner) is mostly a no-cook meal, except for the starchy side (which came from my meal prep - see deets below). .
#whatsonmyplate (each serving)
➡️ thawed pre-cooked shrimp
➡️ about a half cup chickpeas
➡️ cucumbers and cherry tomatoes
➡️ about 2 tbsps feta
➡️ 1 tbsp EVOO
➡️ about 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
➡️ fresh lemon juice, salt & pepper, and a dash of za'atar spice
➡️ about a half cup (already cooked) quinoa (hiding underneath)
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#fastfood #balancedplate #powerplate #poweryourplate #poweryourlife #simplenutrition #nourished #lunch #whatsfordinner #nourishednotfamished #ditchthediet #protein #fat #carbs #slowcarbs #recipe #mealprep #honoryourhunger #batchcooking 
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So, you're feeling motivated to make some healthy So, you're feeling motivated to make some healthy changes. Yay, You! 🎉👏👏👏 The secret to making it all happen is . . . there is no secret. The unsexy truth is real change happens (and sticks!) through long-term consistency with the basics.

Nope, the Six-Week Shred plan isn't the magic bullet some huckster is trying to tell you it is. 

It's all about practicing the basics, with a focus on *making them happen in a way that works for you today, this week, this month*. 

And knowing that "what works right now" will change over time.

That's where the Practice Mindset helps! 👇
1️⃣ Practice a small change for a set period of time.
2️⃣ Next, pause and reflect: How did it go? What worked, what didn't, and why?
3️⃣ Proceed if it's working, or Pivot if needed (tweak the change to better fit your life).

Those unsexy basics to practice?
👉Eat more whole (or minimally refined) foods,.and less of the highly refined stuff. (Notice that I didn't say "none"?)
👉Balance your plate at meals with protein, healthy fats, and carbs. Keep it colorful, with plenty of plants in the mix.
👉 Sleep, rest, recover.
👉 Do what you can to manage stress.
👉 Move your body daily (walking is great!). Build your strength. #makesomemuscle
👉 Spend some time doing fun things that help you connect with yourself. #selfcare
👉 Get outdoors. Natural light, Vitamin D, fresh air, and nature are key. (You are a living thing, remember? 😉)
👉 Connect with people and experiences that nourish you.

Hit up my blog (link in bio @nourished.not.famished ) for ideas, tips, and resources to help you get cracking on practicing those unsexy basics. 😘

Which of these basics is your practice priority right now? How's it going?
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#makeitstick #tinyhabits #healthyhabits #practicenotperfection #nourishednotfamished #skillpower NOT #willpower
#changeskills #eatingskills #kitchenskills #balancedplate #simplenutrition #movement #sleep #stressrelief #ditchthediet  #resistancetraining #strength #metabolichealth #fitover40 #fitover50
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Reminder📣. . . these un-sexy, SIMPLE basics ge Reminder📣. . .  these un-sexy, SIMPLE basics get the job done! Not just during the holidays, but *all year long*. And simple is just what you need right now, isn't it?

Why do they work? 
👉 Because all of these habits focus on *giving yourself what you need to thrive*. 🌱 

I invite you to try this:
👉Spend a few months TRULY practicing these simple habits most of the time. Start with just one, or a few (✨Start small, and add as you feel ready.✨)
👉TIP: Sleep is a great one to start with, because it's the foundation that holds up everything else. 

As you practice these habits, pause and observe:
🤔How do I feel? 
🤔How am I performing, physically and mentally? 
🤔How is my energy?
🤔How do my clothes fit?
🤔How have my longer-term health indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose levels changed?

If you truly desire healthy changes that
✔️feel sustainable
✔️ yield results
✔️ and STICK,
stop relying on willpower!

🌟Focus your efforts on *meeting your needs*, rather than restricting and depriving.🌟
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Stay in a groove with these habits this month, and you might just discover come January 1st that you feel ready to tackle the new year, no over-the-top diet and intense workout plans necessary! 

👉By then, you'll have already established the habits you need that let your biology work for you for optimal wellness, instead of relying so heavily on willpower.👈

Who's with me?! Will you be KISS-ing your way through the holiday season?? 

#mistletoe #healthyhabits #nourishednotfamished #tinyhabits #atomichabits #wellness #healthy #balancedplate #sleep #stressrelief #circadianrhythm #movement #everythingisconnected #holidays #december #protein #veggies #christmas #nourished #honoryourhunger #ditchthediet #fitover40 #fitover50
The most delicious form of self care: meal prep. 💕 (See stories for deets on this Turmeric Pepper Chicken & Asparagus!) 

During this busy holiday season, your needs often end up on the back burner. 
Which can leave you feeling hangry, exhausted, and ravenous by the end of the day. 
(You know, that feeling when you walk in the door and dive head-first into the bag of chips? #beentheredonethat 🤷‍♀️)

Packing up a few nourishing lunches is a surefire way to boost your midday energy during the week, and leaves you feeling *satisfied* at lunchtime. 

👉 You don't have to make fancy, fussy recipes.
👉 Instead, keep it simple & balanced by packing a lunch container of some protein, fat, carbs, and veggies and/or fruit. Leftover dinner is a great shortcut! 
👉 If takeout is part of your lunch plan, be strategic about ordering meals that will actually nourish you (yup, that means protein, fat, carbs, and veggies and/or fruit).

Is lunch a pain point for you, too?

Would you love the convenience of having it all ready ahead of time?

✨For lunch ideas 
and my top picks for leakproof lunch containers, 
check out my website at link in my bio @nourished.not.famished ✨

Head to "My Favorite Things" section of my site for my top container picks! 

#lunch #whatsforlunch #realfoodfastfood #mealprep #balancedplate #simplenutrition #ditchthediet #tinyhabits
#healthyhabits #poweryourlife #eatingskills #kitchenskills #plantforward #omnivore #fitover40 #fitover50 
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