Bare Bowls.

April 21, 2016April 20, 2016Leave a comment

My friends! If you have never been to Bare Bowls in Palo Alto is a MUST. I have had the last week off of work in between changing jobs which means I have worked out more than usual (double days). Usually I head to Soul Cycle on Sundays and make it a once a week treat, but when you have lots of time on your hands why not pick up a few extra classes in between. Bare Bowls is 5 minutes away from the Soul Cycle in Palo, so needless to say it’s a great snack or lunch after your class. This one pictured above is called the Trailblazer. This includes: handmade almond butter, Acai base, strawberry, banana, and dates. Seriously, it was so good I went two days in a row!!!! There is a also a location in Burlingame if you are closer to San Francisco! Get in there….SO delish!

Veggies on Veggies.

December 8, 2015December 8, 20151 Comment

veggies veggies1 pre veggie veggies2

Thank God for Pinterest. I was driving home from the gym last night wondering what to make for dinner so I hopped on pinterest and Wala! WE had a recipe. This one was “HELL-A’ Good. Veggie lover or not…this would be a great dish with some chicken if you need extra protein.

What you’ll need:

olive oil
yellow onion [chopped]
minced garlic
zucchini
potato [I used rustic can use red or sweet]
tomato [sliced/in half]
dried thyme
salt/pepper/garlic powder
1 cup shredded italian cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Saute both in a skillet with olive oil until softened (about five minutes).
While the onion and garlic are sauteing, thinly slice the rest of the vegetables.
Spray the inside of an 8×8 square or round baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread the softened onion and garlic in the bottom of the dish. Place the thinly sliced vegetables in the baking dish vertically, in an alternating pattern. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and thyme.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, top with cheese and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.

Side note: I also added a little bit of dried oregano along with the Thyme.

Good Luck!

Just Beet It.

August 26, 2015Leave a comment

It’s Wednesday my friends! Two days closer to the weekend. If your summer has been anything like mine, it’s been full of events left and right which sometimes leads to lack of planning and eating 100% on point. I have been in and out of town, going to concerts and just basically enjoying myself….so this week I hit up Whole Foods to get back on track. Let’s just clarify that back on track for me is not as dramatic as most. I am vegetarian, I don’t eat like crap- sometimes I just eat out more than I should. I have been working out like crazy but don’t always have time to cook as much as I would like. Bummer, but it’s the reality. Time is so much more valuable when you don’t have enough, right? Anyhow, usually when I feel like juicing I just go to my local farmers market and do it myself. Sometimes those store bought juices don’t really compare to my yummy juice – but this one hits the spot. I like to stock up on items that are “grab and go” type- for work. My mornings are always rushed, and the last thing I have time to do it juice away lol. Heck, I don’t even have time to get coffee sometimes! If you want a little health boost I highly recommend “Just Beet It.” It’s a combination of beets, carrots, and oranges. This is great for digestion and simply to get your day going. For $4.99 this is a healthy Starbucks alternative. Every day counts, don’t forget it!

Watermelon + Feta Goodness.

July 10, 2015Leave a comment

Ever wonder what to do with all of the extra watermelon?? Here’s your solution. Watermelon + Feta + Mint Salad. This is so refreshing!!

What you’ll need:

Watermelon
Feta
Mint (chopped or sliced)
Olive oil/Red Wine Vinegar
Salt (just a dash)
Red Onion (Optional)

Prepare watermelon and mint. I usually cut my watermelon in half, and then half of the half to make 4 pieces. This makes it easier to slice up. Add feta, olive oil, red wine vinegar {or balsamic} and just a touch of salt. This salad doesn’t need to sit for long as the watermelon is really great at absorbing flavor fast. Hope you enjoy!

Smoothie Prep.

February 9, 20151 Comment

Meal Prep.

Let’s be honest, who has time for meal prep? From someone who loves to cook and eat healthy I have never really been a fan of meal prepping. This isn’t because I am lazy but more so because I actually enjoy the act of going to the grocery store, and cooking everyday. Annnnd well, I am not really a fan of cooked food sitting in the refrigerator more than a day. I know, maybe it’s weird but it’s just how I am. I came across this idea over the weekend as far as a meal prep that I could relate to and I couldn’t wait to share. In my last post I mentioned I bought a Vitamix which can be used for all sorts of things, but in this case I am focusing on smoothies. Actually now that I think about it, soups and juices can be prepped ahead as well. I do know from experience that prepping fruit can be a 10 minute longer excursion that you don’t have time for in the morning so with a little time on Sunday (or whatever day) you can throw some fruits and veggies in a mason jar, label, and WaLa! you have your smoothie just about ready. I always love new ideas of getting healthy and making things just a little bit easier. What are some of your favorite meal prep ideas?

Photo Courtesy: Vega_Team.

Vitamix S30

February 5, 2015February 5, 2015Leave a comment

Vitamix S30

I have been wanting one of these for yearrrrrrs. Maybe that’s an exaggeration but it’s been on my list for a while. Sometimes with big purchases I have trouble committing to, until well, it goes on sale. CHA CHING! A Vitamix on sale for $349? Yes, Please. This is not only a great blender but can be used for soups, food processing, frozen desserts, juices, milks, dressings, nut butters, batters, dips & spreads, flours, soups, purees and doughs. If you love to be in the kitchen this might be your newt favorite appliance. I am glad I made the purchase. Look for recipes to come via the S30 Vitamix in my kitchen! Let’s get Newtritionsavvy together!

Meet TellSpec.

January 24, 2014Leave a comment

I just heard about this incredible product. Have you heard of TellSpec?? This is a device that allows you to scan your food and be able to get nutritional value as well as telling you what ingredients, chemicals and pesticides are in your food.

Many foods contain chemicals and allergens that we want to avoid, but it can be difficult to know whether these chemicals and allergens are in your food or not. Food companies are NOT required to label your food. Transfats, GMO’s and other preservatives are in many items we consume every day. How can you tell if your food contains the nutrients you need? What about things like sodium, gluten or trans fats that you might be trying to avoid? Food labels can give us some information if they’re available, but they are not always intelligible and some ingredients may not even be reported.

The TellSpec handheld device beams a low-powered laser at the food you wish to analyze, measures the reflected light with a spectrometer, and sends the data via your smart phone, computer, or tablet to TellSpec’s servers in the cloud. Those servers use this data to deduce information about your food that is of interest to you. This information is then displayed on your computer, tablet or smart phone so you can intelligently decide if you want to buy or eat the food.

I can’t wait until this is available to the public. I believe using technology to aid in the better knowledge of the food people consume is a brilliant idea. The future of health is in our hands, literally!

Plan + Prep + Get Healthy.

September 23, 2013September 23, 20131 Comment

Happy Monday folks! Hard to believe, yesterday was the first day of fall. I am trying to figure out where the last 9 months have gone (Thank God for social media so I can remember). With the arrival of fall the weather is changing, well, faster than I would like. Bring out the sweaters and boots but let’s not make this an excuse to stop hitting up the farmers markets, or exercising. It’s easy to sort of slack off when the seasons change. We become tired earlier, or maybe sometimes it’s just too cold out to exercise. Is it really?? Ha, I have used that excuse more than once.

I am writing today to encourage the planning and prepping behind healthy habits. When you buy your produce, wash it, cut it and prep. Juicing can be time consuming during the week but if you plan ahead it might alleviate some of the stress we put on our time restraints. Instead of Facebook stalking, check out some recipes you might like to try for the next week. Like anything, it will only seem like a lot of work if you wait until the last minute. I constantly get emails regarding “cleanses” and cleaning out the toxicity in our bodies. You know what I say to that? Eat better. It doesn’t take a cleanse to suddenly get healthy, it takes progress and healthy habits. Instead of the starbucks, drink water with lemon. Instead of the pastry try oatmeal. You get the point.

As we are headed toward a new month let’s try to focus on what we can do better rather than what we aren’t doing. We are all guilty. It’s Monday. Cheers to a new week. New goals, new outlook and a promise to ourselves to push our limits daily.

My Thoughts On Health + Diet + Exercise.

August 23, 2013Leave a comment

Who Am I?

San Jose Native, blogger and aspiring public speaker for health and nutrition. I am a travel addict, healthy food fanatic, love to cook, lover of all things positive, sun chasing, perfectionist.

Quick Skinny Trick?

I don’t believe in dieting. I don’t diet nor do I count calories. I feel like both of those things are a crime. I think any weight loss should be a healthy process. It takes work, there is no easy way out and chances are if it’s easy it doesn’t last. I have been vegetarian by choice for about 5 years now and that has definitely transformed and played a role in my healthy lifestyle. I exercise about 4-5 times a week between running and circuit training. If you want results you have to put in the work.

Thoughts on working out/eating healthy?

I haven’t always been a workout fanatic. The key is simply starting. I remember when I could barely run 5 minutes on the treadmill. Day after day it was 10, 20, 30 minutes to have now completed my first half marathon earlier this year. Trust me when I say there are days that I am just tired or sore and don’t want to workout, but I know the reward in the end is truly fulfilling that I don’t want to miss it. All of my eating habits are things I genuinely enjoy and I think that is the key to success. Anything that is dreadful will never take priority.

If you are enjoying your workout you’ll do it more often. You’ll also do it happily and lets face it- there’s nothing that pepares you better for your day than positive energy.

Favorite Go To healthy food?

Easy question. I love fresh fruit, green smoothies from Whole Foods (THE BEST!) and raw veggies with hummus.

Motivation to stay in shape?

To feel good as well as look good. There once was a time that I was so uncomfortable with my weight and the way I looked and I will never go back to being lazy. It’s just as important if not more to take care of ourselves, get our mind in a state of gratitude and exercise/eat healthy as often as we can. There should be no excuses….Just Do it.

Favorite Natural Remedy?

Coconut oil. It’s a great makeup remover, moisturizer and to put it simply a one stop shop.

Most important “being healthy” eating tip?

Try and stay away from foods with labels. You would be surprised how much less bloated and better you will feel immediately. Think this: Less processed, drink more water and eat local/organic.

Most important “being healthy” tip for exercise?

Set defined goals. Consistency. Make time. Get up and do it. No excuses. Baby steps are still steps that all add up.

Cheers. xo

Look Back at 4th of July.

July 10, 2013July 10, 2013Leave a comment

Happy Wednesday! I know I am a couple days overdue, but here is a little look back at the fourth of July holiday weekend. Much of the weekend was spent lounging around because we were struck with a week long heat wave. Temperatures in the 100’s will make for lots of tanning, pool time or maybe even catching up some indoor exercise. It’s easy to fall off track with any holiday weekend but it’s important to not beat yourself up over it. If you work hard than you should be able to enjoy yourself…in moderation. While many enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs (I didn’t because I am vegetarian) I opted for a delicious portobello mushroom and halibut filet! Both were grilled to perfection thanks to my friends bf! BBQ is easy- throw on some marinade and your good to go! Now it’s back to the grind! More working out and eating clean. Let’s get after it.