This Not That: 5 Healthy Lunch Hacks
At times, being healthy and making changes can feel a bit overwhelming. To help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions and have a happy and healthy year, here are five healthy and simple swaps you can easily incorporate into your eating habits over the next month to make January the start of something amazing instead of something overwhelming.
Instead of iceburg lettuce…use mixed greens
Healthy Benefit: Mixed, dark leafy greens are loaded with Vitamin K, iron, fiber, folate and phytonutrients that help to boost our immune system, alkalize our bodies and support heart and mental health as well.
Simplicity tip: Buy pre-washed bins of organic greens at your local grocery store so you can grab a handful when needed.
Instead of mayonnaise…use avocado spread
Healthy Benefit: Creamy, rich and delicious, this healthy spread will decrease your saturated fat intake and increase your daily intake of healthy fat, fiber, potassium and vitamin E’which your body uses for your hair, nails, skin, heart and cellular health.
How to make: Scoop the flesh from one avocado, add in lemon or lime juice, a bit of sea salt and pepper and mash together. Spread on your bread or wrap and make your meal as usual.
Simplicity Tip: Leftover spread makes a great dip to serve up with fresh veggies as a healthy after-school snack.
Instead of flour wraps…use a lettuce cup or collard leaf
Healthy Benefit: This will cut down on your wheat and gluten consumption which irritate some people’s stomachs and flare up their eczema. By usng lettuce cups you will eliminate the offender and increase veggie intake and offer a crunchy hydrating option. If you choose collard leaves, which are my favorite because of their size and durability, you will increase your vitamins K, A and C plus a great plant-based source of calcium and iron.
Simplicity Tip: Pre-wash and prep your collards leaving them in a sealed container with a touch of water in the fridge and use within 5 days. This way when you need them you don’t have to take the extra time to wash and prep before you fill, wrap and roll.
Instead of cheese and crackers…use humus, crackers and cut up veggies
Healthy Benefit: Decreased dairy consumption, which is often the number one trigger for upset tummies, constipation, eczema, running noses and deep congestion. Humus is a great source of fiber and plant-based protein and when combined with gluten-free crackers like Mary’s Crackers and some fresh cut veggies, make for the perfect afternoon snack after playing outside or when the kids get home from school.
Simplicity Tip: Try having a platter ready for the kids when they return home from school so that they can re-fuel their tank and their mind.
Instead of bottled salad dressing…make your own
Healthy Benefit: Decrease your calories, fat, sugar, salt and artificial preservative intake while increasing your healthy fats for your body and alkalizing your ph and improving your digestion. Swapping out vegetable, canola or soybean oil based salad dressings for cold-pressed organic oils like olive oil, avocado oil, hemp oil and pumpkin seed oil can make a massive shift in your skin’s appearance and the health of your arteries. And changing up white or processed vinegars for apple cider vinegar will give you a boost of digestive enzymes helping to increase the absorption of all the nutrients your healthy salad is about to offer up at the end of your fork.
Simplicity Tip: Enjoy this easy recipe you can store in the fridge for up to a week in a glass mason jar: ¾ cup organic olive oil, ½ cup or less apple cider vinegar, tbsp maple syrup and a few tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Shake vigorously and drizzle over your salad before tossing.
