my top 5 healthy snacks.

I’m a snacker.

Whether it’s in between meals or just grazing all day, I usually eat something at least every few hours during the day. To keep that working in my (metabolic?) favor, though, I do my best to keep those snacks on the healthier side by having them be 150-250 calories and a good balance of carbs, protein, and fat. Starting with…

1) banana + nut butter
Anyone who has ever lived with me knows that I’m slightly addicted to nut butter. Paired with a banana is a snack I have almost every day.

My favorite nut butters are Skippy Natural Peanut Butter, Maranatha Almond Butter, Justin’s Maple and Honey Almond Butters, and Artisana Walnut Butter.

2. avocado toast
Who would’ve known that something as simple as avocado on toast would be such a delicious, satisfying snack? I don’t know where the avocado toast trend first started, but it’s one that’s definitely sticking around for me.

Half of an avocado mashed on a slice of toasted grainy (Ezekiel) bread is just enough to hold me over.

3. oatmeal
Yep – the breakfast favorite is also one of my favorite snacks. The key to keeping oatmeal from turning into a full meal is to go easy on the toppings. For me, that looks like one packet of instant oatmeal (cooked with water or almond milk), topped with either fruit, or a tablespoon of nuts/nut butter.

4. peanut butter protein “fudge”
This is a snack I created a few years ago, but never blogged about it for some reason.

In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder (you might have to melt the peanut butter first). Once mixed together, form it into a square, wrap in plastic wrap, and put in freezer. The result may not look pretty, but it really does taste like fudge!

5. protein/energy bars
Bars are a perfect snack, and they’re especially convenient when you’re on the go. I’ve posted about my favorites often, and they are Quest, KIND, and Zing.

What are your go-to healthy snacks?

real talk: on healthy living.

Around the time I graduated high school, I started loving and practicing all things health & fitness related. I held on to those habits through most of my college career, and reading healthy living blogs is actually one of the things that inspired me to create my own.

But as my life progressed – especially by moving to New York – my interest in those things began to fade. While I still aimed to live as healthfully as I could, things like forwarding my career, having a fun social life, and building a life in a new city were much higher on my list of priorities. And, well, they still are.

But recently, I’ve found that I’ve sort of been re-falling in love with a healthier lifestyle. I think I’m reaching a point in my life where I’m craving structure and just feeling my absolute best.

…but that’s not the only reason I try to be healthy. And if I’m going to start blogging about health & fitness-related topics, I want to always be 100% real about it. Some people may genuinely love a healthy lifestyle because how it makes them feel, or because they truly love working out.

I’m not that person.

Yes, a healthy lifestyle does make me feel good, and I do really love clean, nutritious food.

…but the real reason I aim to be healthy?

I want to age well. I want to look good. I want my body to be in shape not for the sake of being in shape, but so that I can enjoy the rest of my life even more than I already do.

I guess what I’m trying to say is I don’t think I’ll ever be that person who is genuinely passionate about running, yoga, or Crossfit.
In fact, the thought of doing more than 30 minutes of cardio terrifies me.
I love vegan food, but tofu grosses me out.
I eat lots of bacon and meat without calling myself Paleo.
Sometimes I lift weights, and sometimes i just do the NYC girl workout.
I eat Lean Cuisines and all their gloriously strange ingredients like, a lot.
I try to eat less gluten, but I’ll never say goodbye to gluten-filled New York bagels.
I will always - and I mean always - choose quality of life over being healthy.

So does that make GML a healthy living blog? I don’t know. I don’t think so, but I don’t really care. I just know that if I’m going to be posting about my life, it should include everything – the healthy, unhealthy, and everything in between. And hey, maybe the blog world needs a dose of that reality…

What does “healthy living” mean in your life?
What are your favorite healthy living blogs?

noteworthy.

It’s Thursdayyyy. I like that. A lot.

This week has been a bit of a busy one so far, but a great one nonetheless. Here are some noteworthy moments I captured in the midst of the busy-ness.

I made Chocolate Toffee Bark for the first time for a little get-together on Tuesday. It had always been a favorite treat of mine, but I never made it myself. Who knew it was SO easy to make?! Just four ingredients.

Definitely a new go-to recipe.

The bark was definitely a hit, but not as much of a stunner as the incredible rooftop view as the sun set. New York City moment, right there…

That same day I also made a batch of Double Chocolate Chip Heath Bar Cookies as part of a gift for a certain someone. I used a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe but added milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and Heath Bar pieces. They turned out great!

And since I’m all about balance over here at GML, I also made it a point to hit the gym every morning (can you tell by my barely open eyes? haha).

I think this whole exercise thing is finally turning into a habit - as is some better eating choices - like this healthy and filling noteworthy breakfast from Fuel.

(Just because I’m eating better, it doesn’t mean I’ve forgone my beloved Seamless ;))

And this Zing Bar I grabbed from Whole Foods. It’s very LARABAR-esque but with more protein. Loved it.

Definitely noteworthy this week has been the weather. We had some rain here and there, but yesterday in particular was a b-e-a-u-t. It made it the perfect day to run a ton of (mostly wedding-related) errands. From Tribeca, to Union Square, to Times Square, and everywhere in between…

…and yes, I squeezed in just a bit of shopping for myself. My favorite sunglasses broke and just had to be replaced.

Some noteworthy snippets from my devotionals this week:

And last but not least, you know I’m a sucker for good quotes…

 

 

What has been noteworthy about your week so far?
Any new recipes or food finds?