As I’ve already mentioned before, this month is a crazy hectic one for most. I think I have something planned almost every weekend and weekday for the rest of the year and don’t see much down time until maybe Christmas. While I’d love to make every single meal from scratch, there are sometimes when I need to rely on certain foods & products to get me by. Convenience doesn’t mean lazy or unhealthy, and that’s something I want to try and convey to you all and to the health community.
Convenient Real Food
This thought of healthy convenience goes along with the Balanced Real Food approach I talk about. I love focusing on real food and eating intuitively, but here’s the thing, your diet & lifestyle are not so black and white. We have to find a balance that works for us, keeps us the healthiest we can be and also allows us the freedom to live our lives.
We often equate convenience with unhealthy and while that is the case a lot of the time, we live in 2018 and the tides are changing. I have had the opportunity to try a lot of new products this year at Expo East & FNCE and let me tell you convenience can be healthy and if it makes your life easier and doesn’t detract from your health, I’m all in.
No More Food Shame
I know it’s hard to wrap your head around being healthy AND eating conveniently packaged goods. However, we make our health so on or off, so black or white, and we miss the mark on health in general. We don’t need to be on a diet to be successful, instead, we need to create a diet that is sustainable, enjoyable, AND supports OUR goals, no one else’s.
If we create such rigid guidelines that we can’t simply enjoy our lives, we need to take a step back. Food allergies & intolerances are real BUT so are food anxieties and orthorexic tendencies. We must find a way to strike a balance. We also must not shame others for eating a certain way or a certain product. Some foods work for others and some foods don’t.
Friday Food Favorites
OKAY, sorry for that tangent, it’s just been on my mind a lot and I had to say it. IF you’re going to shame people for eating a certain way, look in the mirror and realize that sometimes we need to make our own decisions based on our needs, budget, circumstances, and (*gasp*) feelings. There are no perfect foods or perfect companies, so everyone just calm down!
That being said, I wanted to bring you a few of my favorite foods this month that have made eating healthy easier and more enjoyable.
88 Acres Holiday Seed Butter Flavors
You already know my love for these guys. Their seed butters are delicious whether you have a nut allergy or not. I just finished my jar of pumpkin seed butter, my newest obsession, and was so sad it was gone. Thank GOODNESS I received a package in the mail with their newest holiday flavors. 88 Acres to the rescue! It had been a rough day and I almost could’ve cried tears of joy when it arrived. Yes, food brings me such joy, #sorrynotsorry.
They have 3 new flavors, Gingerbread Sunflower, Dark Chocolate Peppermint Sunflower & Orange Cardamom Pumpkin Seed. Stay tuned for how I use them in my kitchen!
If you’re a new buyer, use the code Sassy to get a discount!
Find them online here OR on Amazon here.
Swapples Frozen Waffles
I have been raving about these lately because they are so tasty. Pop them in the microwave or toaster and enjoy with your toppings of choice. This week I had an Everything Swapple with cottage cheese, an egg, arugula, roasted red peppers, & hot sauce. IT was so delicious and satisfying.
They are a small company starting to expand BUT you can find them online anywhere in the US. And because I love them so much, I begged them for a discount for you guys, use code ‘SASSY15‘ for 15% off off your first order!. Just make sure to tag me & @swapples when you get them and show us what you’re making.
Vital Proteins Mocha Creamer
I have to admit, I was skeptical of this one. I love my coffee black with maybe a splash of cream every now and again. Sometimes once a week I’ll go for a latte. So my friend suggested I try the Mocha Collagen Creamer form Vital Proteins. I found some on hand I had from Expo and blended it in my coffee.
The verdict? I loved it. It’s chocolately and not sweet so it’s a delicious take on mocha AND has collagen in it (more on that topic another day).
Find it online here or here
Banza Mac & Cheese
If you live under a bubble, let me tell you I’m obsessed with Banza. Their chickpea pasta is so tasty, holds up well, is gluten-free, AND is rich in protein. Wins all around.
They have a line of Mac & Cheeses that are super easy to make and delicious. I love having them on hand for last-minute dinners & they pair nicely with the dinner sausages (below) & any veggies you have on hand.
Local to Albany? Find them at Whole Foods & Shoprite. Walmart carries them as well but not sure about Mac & Cheese line.
ps. if you’re local and want some coupons for a free box or buy one get one, reach out I have plenty!!
Teton Waters Ranch Dinner & Breakfast Sausages
I met this company at Expo East and have slowly been making my way through their breakfast & dinner sausages that they so kindly gave me. I have loved EVERY. SINGLE.PRODUCT. They are also ones you can feel good about because they are grass fed and all natural real food ingredients.
I love having sausage on hand as a quick addition to any recipe or meal and a way to up my protein intake.
Local to Albany? Find them at Hannaford or check out Where to Buy here.
Okay, I need to go get ready for 15+ ladies to come to my house for our annual Craft Party. Wish me luck 😀
xoxo,
Sassy
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[…] to my new friend Dana (from Real Food with Dana) called Swapples. I mentioned them before in my Friday Favorites, but I wanted to give you guys more of an opportunity to try them out, and give you a quick and […]