10 Power Snack Pack Ideas

Do you find yourself needing an extra boost during day but are not a fan of coffee? Are you a stress eater? Well here's a solution for you. Before studying today, I put together a little power snack pack to satisfy both my need to snack while studying and it gives me an extra boost.

Here are some combination ideas.

1) Green Apple slices, cheese cubes, pretzels

2) Green Apple slices, peanut butter (or any nut butter), pretzels

3) Orange slices, mixed nuts, cheese cubes

4) Orange slices, pretzels, boiled eggs

5) Raisins, mixed nuts, boiled eggs

6) Green Apple slices, boiled eggs, mixed nuts

7) orange slices, crackers, cheese

8) Muenster Cheese and Strawberries

9) Banana and Strawberry Peanut Butter Sandwich

10) Granola, Greek Yogurt, any fruit, any nuts

You can mix and match any of these. Get creative. Power snack packs are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and iron. It offers affords you an opportunity to naturally satisfy your body nutritionally and  increase your energy. It also easy to pack before leaving the house. Please feel free to share any of your combinations. 

The Balancing Act

For the past couple of days my mini has been requiring much more attention from me; more than the usual. You see, she just got her twelve month shots, started walking, and her back molars are making their way through her little gums all at the same time. Man, I can only imagine the discomfort she is experiencing. Both internal and external factors of the uncontrollable are taking over her. Yesterday I spent the entire day on the couch nursing her while she slept off and on trying to find peace. Overtime I would lay her down she would instantly wake up crying. And I am not talking about a little whimper. I am talking about a boisterous cry like "Mommy please". As a single stay at home mother it is hard to find time to even workout during the course of the day let alone when my mini is needing more attention than usual. My workout can wait at this moment but I can focus on my nutrition and catch up on gathering recipes for a future meal plan week.

The further and further I am on this journey of fitness and motherhood, I am realizing that finding that balance can be hard. Though one that does not mean you have failed. Yesterday I had a moment wherein I felt like a failure. I did not do nothing... absolutely nothing. I did not clean up, I did not workout, I did not do anything. But then I realized something. Balance is not just accomplishing something but there are times when you are not going to have the able to accomplish some things in the course your day, week, month due to the uncontrollable such as a toddler coming into her milestones and just wanting to be cuddled. The balancing act has been so misconstrued and can cause negative emotions to arise. 

In reality, it is okay if your balancing act becomes a bit wobbly. I took this time to relax and rest myself while being able to comfort my mini in her time of need. I made it a rest day. Tomorrow I will be doing my workout before my mini wakes up. This is how I am able to fit in my workouts. 

Mixed Berry Shake

Mixed Berry Shake

8- 12 oz of unsweetened almond milk 

3 whole strawberries 

A hand full of blueberries 

2 pinches of almonds

1 cup of ice

1 scoop of vanilla shakeology 

Blend all of the ingredients together in a blender. Pour into your favorite cup. Sit back, relax and enjoy your mixed berry shake that has a wide range of nutrients. 

Shakeology is a meal replacement shake that offers you complete nutrition. This shake also features all natural fruits and vegetables that are freeze dried and compressed into a delicious powder. If you are interested please visit www.shakeology.com/jaci3 for more information.

Lead by Example

When I began my health and fitness journey as a team beachbody coach, I was afraid that I wouldn't have time to keep up with the workouts. See I'm a stay at home mom right now and I needed a job that I could do at home. Did I mention that I'm a full time online student as well? So you see my dilemma, right? Here's the thing though. Team beachbody has afforded me the opportunity to not only own my own business at home but also set my own hours. Plus I'm getting paid to do the two things I love most... Workout and dance (I'll explain later).

 This is how I balance a one year old and my fitness. The key thing is to write out a schedule for everyday that week even your meals. This is critical so that you and your mini develop a rhythm. For example, I know everyday my mini is going to wake up around 10:30a. I can wake up at 8a, get my workout done, and handle anything concerning my business. Even if she wakes up before 10:30a, I include her in my workouts with me. She's at an impressionable age and mimics everything so why not include her. Plus it's a great way for me to teach her how to count and make it fun.

This is where leading by example is so profound. My daughter will start exercising even without me during the day. I make the most of it. So if we lead by example others who are afraid to step out and take control of their health will follow. This in turn will make them lead by example and inspire others to do the same. Isn't that amazing? So even though I have taken an interest in my health and fitness, the fact that I can lead by example, inspire others that it is possible to do, and offer people solutions to their goals is such a beautiful thing.

Quiet Time is a Must

I have come to realize the importance of setting aside time for a moment of silence. Sometimes it just feels great to hear the sound of your own thoughts, the rhythm of your breathing or even just the sound of just... NOTHING. In my speech class I remember watching a video on TED talk titled "5 ways to listen Better". The speaker says "that even for just 3 minutes of your day make an effort to just be in silence because it allows your mind a chance to reset". If you are like me, your mind is constantly going. "Oh I gotta do...", "I have to remember to do...", and lately it has been "Oh my gosh I think I missed that deadline, oh wait...". 3 minutes? hum... This video had me wondering if a mental reset will do the trick. So I decided what the heck let's give it a try.

I made a cup of tea, my mini was asleep, and now some quiet time. I did put on some instrumental gospel music and allowed my thoughts to flow onto paper. I had set up a schedule for daily activities, chores, and errands to be done. Eventually I started praying and allowed God to speak to me. I must say it was beautiful. Of course I went over 3 minutes of Quiet time. 3 minutes turned into an hour which was when my mini wake up.

Now for a minimum of 3 minutes I take the time out of my day to reset my mind. A healthy lifestyle goes beyond just fitness and eating healthier. It encompasses mind and spirit as well. So invest in yourself not with money but with time. Just 3 minutes. It'll change your world.

Who says a chocolate shake isn't healthy for you?

So I felt a bit adventurous and wanted to try something new with my vanilla shakeology. I kept having a hankering for chocolate for some reason so I decided "hey let's make a chocolate shake." Unfortunately I didn't have any of the ingredients that they called for on other recipes I found on Pinterest. But then I looked in my cabinet and saw the hot chocolate packet gleaming at me (lol). So I took the following ingredients and blended them together.

- 1 scoop vanilla Shakeology (meal replacement shake)
- 1packet of hot chocolate
- two pinches of sliced almonds
- 8- 12 oz. of almond milk
- a cup of ice

The end result was yummy goodness. It was so delicious and refreshing.

If you are interested in learning more about Shakeology, click on this link: www.shakeology.com/jaci3

8 Snack Ideas for Traveling

So you have been eating healthy for the past two weeks and your family vacation is approaching. Uh Oh! Then you go into panic mode. You begin to think "everything that you have accomplished and started will go down the drain". I am here to tell you that fortunately you will not have to erase what you have accomplished. It just takes some time and a trip to the grocery store before you pull out of your driveway. List below are some Snack ideas for traveling.

1. Apple slices and peanut butter. I would recommend siding the apple only when you are ready to consume it.

2. Peanut Butter Sandwiches. This will last you on the road as well as during your stay to your destination.

3. Bananas, almonds and Peanut Butter. My mentor/ coach actually posted this snack on Facebook and I gave it a try. It is so yummy!

4. Mixed nuts. Having a sandwich bag of mixed nuts to help satisfy the urge of eating chips.

5. Create your own trail mix. Unleash your creative side. You can Incorporate pretzels, Chex cereal, marshmallows, graham crackers, Cheerios, nuts, etc.

6. Banana and peanut Butter sandwich

7. Sweet potato chips. My aunt makes these when she is traveling to reduce her desire for lays barbecue chips. They are actually really good.
- 3 sweet potatoes (sliced very thin)
- olive oil (just to drizzle)
- salt or brown sugar to add some seasoning (I like seasoning salt with a little brown sugar)

Place the thin sweet potato slices on a baking sheet in one layer on parchment paper.  Make sure that every slice has a little bit of olive oil. The oven has to be set on 400. It takes about 20 minutes to bake. Once they are done sprinkle salt or brown sugar on your chips. Then enjoy the yummy goodness.

8. Make your own granola bar.
- rolled oats which is just quick oatmeal (about 3 cups)
- honey
- peanut butter and/or chocolate chips. You can also incorporate dried fruit, nuts, coconut shreds, etc.

Mix desired ingredients in a bowl and put mixture on a baking sheet. Set the oven on 350 for about 15 minutes. Then cut into squares.

Just think outside the box when creating your snacks. You want to still hold your interest in them so you're not regretting your mind and compromise your diet. Which I have done before. Sometimes a bag of chips may look better than the snacks that you bring but just fight the urge. If you are not a fan of peanut butter, you can use any nut butter. Make modifications where needed. Always remember YOU GOT THIS.

It is okay if... 5 Tips for your First Week of Eating Healthy

I remember when I began my eating healthy journey, I was so excited because nutrition was something I always struggled with and honestly I have not 100% conquered. Even though I have been breastfeeding officially for a little over a year now, I would find myself emotionally eating which doesn't hinder your breast milk but it can cause a lack of energy within your body and weight gain to become prevalent. That is one of the beautiful things about breast milk, it will always contain nutrients for your child that are necessary. Though I am not saying eat fast food everyday, but I am also saying do not stress if whether or not your child is being supplied with the right amount of nutrients because he or she is. But that is another blog for another day.

Anyways, on my fitness journey I would hear people say "It is all about diet". So since I wanted to work on losing my post- baby weight gain, I began searching for ways and tools to do so. Meal planning has become my best friend. Once I constructed my meal plan for the week using portion control containers I felt as though I can conquer this thing called dieting. But during the first week of eating healthy, I found myself questioning certain things. I am a person of freedom and I don't like being restricted so I tested the waters for myself.

Here are 5 Tips for your First Week of Eating Healthy:

1. It is okay if you eat more than the portion you are "suppose" to be eating. After day 4, my metabolism skyrocketed. I was counting down for the next meal or snack time. So I decided that I would eat my regular portions first and if I was still hungry I would fix myself a plate that is about half the portions from the first. Usually I will focus on just adding vegetables and whatever meat when I would go for seconds.

2. It is okay if you incorporate more snacks in between meals. Once again my metabolism skyrocketed once I began eating healthy. So I decided to incorporate more snacks in between meals if I was hungry. This actually would cut down on me eating more during the meals and being totally satisfied after eating my portions.

3. Please Please Please... this is a major one. It is okay if you EAT. If you are hungry please eat. The one misconception about dieting is you have to stop eating a meal or rule out certain foods and that is so not true. It is all about what you eat and how much of a particular food you are eating. When you starve your body, it goes into what I call "survival mode" and will store your fat. You do not want fat storage in your body because then your body will store it in places that you do not want like tummy, inner thighs, sides of of your back, need I say more.

4. If you are meal planning, then you know first hand that everyday is basically laid out for you. But it is okay if you swap days and even the foods that you put on your meal plan. Like I share with my clients, please do not take the meal plan and think these are your boundaries. If you feel like eating shrimp instead of chicken for dinner, it is okay if you make that change. It is still protein.

5. It is okay if you slip up. I slipped up during my first couple of days because it was something different. I was the kind of person who would eat things based on my cravings and/ or emotions at the time. I would find myself falling back into the old habit of doing this but it is okay. We are all human. But I picked up the pieces and started from where I left off. Each day I grew stronger to fight those cravings or old back from emotionally eating. So each day you will grow stronger and hold back from those factors that are trying to hold you back. You got this.

In the end, listen to your body and not your cravings. Inputting nutritions into your body is very important. I have been incorporating what is called Shakeology into my meal plan and have noticed a difference as well in the reduction of my cravings. If you are interested in more information about Shakeology, email me and I will get back with you on the details.

I hope these tips have encouraged you to keep going on your eating healthy journey. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or just want a one- on- one encouragement... We are in this together.

Clean Eating While Traveling- Day 5

It was bitter sweet today since we were leaving to head back home. I did not get to see some of my other friends since they were working but there is always next time. Before heading on the road we stopped by a restaurant called Stella's. OMG! The food there is really good. Sorry about the messy picture above. I was super hungry since we ate breakfast a little later than usual.

*Breakfast/ Snack #1*
- Bacon, eggs, grits, and wheat toast with strawberry jelly ❤️💛
- banana 💜

*Lunch/ Snack #2*
- Turkey sandwich and an apple 💜❤️💚
- Cheese and fruit bistro box from Starbucks 💜💙💛



*Dinner/ Snack #3*
- Grilled Chicken Salad with vegetable soup ❤️💚💗
- tuna with crackers and grapes ❤️💛💜

Clean Eating While Traveling- Day 4

Today is SHOPPING DAY!!! My daughter just turned one and cannot wear a little over half of her clothing. So my dad and stepmom are taking her shopping. I love shopping for her. Okay so back to the food. I was actually focused on what I was eating this day. Here is what I ate today.

*Breakfast/ Snack #1*
- Instant oatmeal that comes in a bowl already so you don't need any extra tools besides a spoon and a banana 💛💜
- yogurt with granola and mixed berries from chikfila. We stopped by chikfila when we first got to the mall for a pre- shopping snack. 💜💛❤️

*Lunch/ Snack #2*
- grilled chicken nuggets with a side salad from chikfila 💚❤️
- fruit cup from chikfila. I had ordered a fruit cup when we ate at chikfila for lunch so I could have a snack while we were out. 💜

*Dinner/ Snack #3*
- Campbell's chunky chicken noodle soup which also comes in a microwavable cup and a salad 💚❤️💛💗
- Mixed nuts and Tuna with relish ❤️💙💚

Clean Eating While Traveling- Day 3

Day 3 for me was definitely a challenge. A close friend of mine took me and my mini to the Florida aquarium, which is awesome by the way. If you are in the Tampa area it is a great putting for the family. We got to touch string rays and starfish. If we had more time we would have taken a dolphin tour. The aquarium also offers an outside water park for the children as well. Ok back to the topic. Even though Day 3 was a challenge, I was still able to get through it.

*Breakfast/ Snack #1*
- Honey Nut Cheerios with lactaid milk (I am lactose intolerant)💛💙
- yogurt with granola and strawberries ❤️💛💜

*Lunch/ Snack #2*
- Tuna Sub from Subway 💛❤️💚
- Banana and peanuts 💜💗(pink heart= orange)

*Dinner/ Snack #3*
- Mixed greens salad with Salmon from a local restaurant in the area. Sorry I forgot the name of the restaurant. 💚❤️
- chicken salad (I bought a small container from publix) with carrots and ranch ❤️💚