New Blog

I was inspired by my Aunt Jewel to start a blog to share my passion for being Happy and Healthy for Life. I have spent my life trying to find a happy balance between being healthy and feeling healthy. I love reading articles and finding recipes and talking to people about what makes them happy and healthy and I have a lot of knowledge stored up inside that I want to share. I think this blogging will be a great way to express my knowledge, tips and habits that I have learned for myself throughout my life. So here it goes.....

Today I was asked by a friend who is going on a road trip for some ideas of how to keep control of feeling healthy on the road. These were my first thoughts:

1. Carry healthy snacks with you in a cooler so you can eat small amounts every 2-3 hours.
2. Choose healthy snacks that combine healthy carbs/protein/low-fat/fiber. I think of choosing 2 of those to combine in one snack. For Example: small apple/string cheese, nuts/yogurt, raw veggies/hummus.
3. Eat bigger meals earlier in the day and eat lighter at night. You will feel so much better the next morning if you don't eat heavy at night. Leave out the carbs at night if possible.
4. A healthy dinner would look like your plate cut in half and fill one half with veggies. Then cut your plate in half again and choose a protein for one quarter of the plate and the other quarter, choose a high-fiber or whole-grain version of bread, pasta, rice, tortillas.
5. Choose grilled, baked or broiled meats. No breaded, fried foods.
6. Drink lots of water. Stay away from sugary drinks. Don't drink your calories.
7. If you eat consistently throughout the day, you will avoid over-eating and stuffing yourself with unnecessary calories.
8. Keep gum in your purse to chew when you are done eating your meal to avoid seconds or dessert.
9. Encourage the people around you to make healthier choices by making suggestions of eating out locations that you know have good options. Be okay to stand out as a good example of health and share what you are doing with others. They will respect you even more:)
10. Enjoy your journey of building relationships on the road. Focus on the visiting, not the next meal. We can learn so much from the people around us. Find their strengths and share yours!!

Happy Trails to You!