Quick & Easy HEALTHY Dinner 2

Hey y'all, I am back with another super quick healthy dinner!

Because let's face it, nobody has time for a long prep. Am I right?!?

SIDE BAR- before I forget, I made an Instagram specifically for my blog!
Its-----> naturallyemblog
and my personal is--> emmamason3

The pictures may intersect every once in a while but check them out! Lots of fun Crossfit, Lululemon, and food goodies :)

 Now, ADD moment over, back to the healthy dinner

So, using the left over chicken from my last healthy dinner post, all I did was add it to a salad with some veggies.

Super simple, right?

For dressing I made a healthy concoction....

Ingreds:

-half a lemon squeezed

-Braggs Organic Sprinkle

- Bob's ground flax

-Ground chia

 

Y'all have seen this so many times in previous food posts

It is a legit staple in my kitchen

 

And per usual, I add ground chia and ground flax for added omegas and nutrients

Though the dressing seems simple, its so easy and the less ingreds the better.

What are some of your easy meal recipes? I am dying for more!

xx

e

 

Healthy Recipe: Naan Pizza

As you remember in this post where I showed you a healthier version of pizza with pita bread, today I am going to do something similar with naan bread! Also a healthier alternative to traditional pizza, naan is a flatbread and much simpler than rolling out dough etc. I used the garlic and olive oil flavor. I usually use a whole wheat dough or bread but for simplicity sake I am showing you this.

In that last post I didn't really show you the steps I took when creating the sauce and adding the veggies etc. so this post will have all of that :D

1. Starting out with the bread on the pan to stick into our toaster oven, I put the plain, salt free, tomato sauce on the bread. I then added some herbs { oregano, basil, chia seeds, and sesame seeds }

2. Then on top of the herbs and sauce, I added my veggies which were: onions, zucchini, yellow squash, and green peppers. Pretty much everything I had on hand at the time!

3. Add fresh Parmesan Reggiano, and stick into your oven or toaster oven on about 375 for 10-15 mins or until cheese is melted and crust is toasted. 

4. Take it out when its done to your liking and cut!!

So this is super easy peasy and quick! Hope you all are having a wonderful week, I can't believe its almost MARCH!!! Warm weather better be coming soon.

xx

e

My Food Philosophy

It has taken me sooooo incredibly long to compile this post. Why? Because I want it to be an accurate representation of me. I do not, let me repeat, do not believe in diets. I am sorry, they just don't work. You need a lifestyle change, not a diet! It has taken me so long to figure out how to title this post too haha.

I hate the word diet, I think when people hear it they immediately think "Ok, what can I not have". But I will never, ever be on a diet, ever. I will share with you a typical day of what I eat {{ pics included, duh }} and share with you my story of what I believe, how I eat, etc.

When I went off to college almost 4 years ago YIKES! I was appalled at what I saw. And I am referring to what college kids eat. Its more like the freshman 30 !! Needless to say, that opened my eyes. I only spent one year away before coming home to do school here and thats where my whole diet changed. I am really into nutrition and how food is metabolized in our bodies and I think when I go back to college ( I have 2 years done ) I will finally know what I want to major in, druummmroollll....... nutrition! But anywho, I changed the way I ate and now I eat a mainly vegetable diet with some fish and chicken thrown in, and of course 90% organic. I avoid dairy and red meat mainly because of the insane amount of hormones in both. I try to be as healthy as possible but we all have those days where we just want a cupcake and don't give a damn :D

Someone on Insta asked me about keeping flat abs and that got me thinking about how much of a role your diet plays in how your body looks. I've never had a tummy, I've always had a flat stomach but what I am going for is more toned and defined and diet definitely plays a large role in it. I think some people over do the ab thing but this to me, is sexy and what I am going for! 
The reason I am talking about abs is because I posted a picture of my progress. I think it is very inspiring looking at peoples journeys and progress pictures, they constantly motivate me! So someone asked about my diet and that is where this post comes in. Too much prologue? Haha

My food philosophy: 80% Diet -----> 20% Exercise

Now, does that sounds crazy? Maybe, but honestly its the truth! Don't get me wrong I do some sort of physical activity every day, but mostly its about 30-40 mins. And this works for me simply because of my diet. I eat CLEAN, and I mean really clean! I got a steamer for Christmas and it has changed the way I cook! I freakin love it and I can't believe I didn't get one earlier! I steam chicken, every veggie possible, fish, etc.

 Typical groceries: Braggs Liquid Aminos, Braggs Organic Sprinkle, tons of veggies, Quinoa anything, & fresh fruit! 

{{ Another tip, green tea all day, everyday! }}

I will probably end of doing a whole post on tea since thats about all I drink aside from water. Loose leaf, organic is best! 

Breakfast

 These were actually so fun to make! I will do a separate post on using won-ton wraps for tons of things but these are so simple and so yummy for breakfast or even as appetizers at a party. I put liquid egg whites with some arugula, grilled peppers, onions, and just a dash of pepper!

I love juicing and this is some fresh that I made with my juicer

Another thing I love for breaky is just throwing some of my favorite veggies I have on hand and making some scrambled egg whites. I just use Braggs organic sprinkle and some pepper.

I love our VitaMix and I use it for my daily smoothies [ remember this post? ] I used to drink these every morning but more recently I've been doing more egg whites etc.

Lunch

We do this for lunch or dinner! I loooveee a plate of veggies with a greek yogurt dip or a humus. Another one of my favorite snacks are Triscuits with hard salami and smoked gouda! Yum!

I do tend to have a giant salad with steamed or grilled chicken on top with cucumbers, carrots, onions etc! I only use homemade dressing or Braggs Vinaigrette.

Dinner

I love trying new recipes and this is a much healthier way to eat your fajitas! 

Tried this the other night. I CAN'T stop using my new steamer!!! I steam all my dinners now. On the salmon is just my Braggs organic sprinkle and on the veggies is cracked pepper and shallot salt from Penzey's!

Same seasonings as above, its just chicken this time! Both come out perfect in the steamer!

Grilled veggies from a couple weeks ago with some grilled salmon :)

Both grilled in coconut oil 

Yummy! Obsessed with this steamer!!! All the food looks so good in there.

Now, I hope you get more of an idea of some of the foods I eat to stay fit and toned even when I can't workout. I don't want you all to think I don't have a piece of cake or a homemade donut here and there [ because I do! ] but 90% of the time I eat really well. I know some people are super sticklers about their diets and never indulge but to me, life is about being happy and indulging every once in a while. I may not eat clean 100% of the time, but I can guarantee that 100% of the time I am happy with myself and the things I eat. Food is about moderation, it should never be something to be afraid of. Food feeds and nourishes our bodies, we need to eat. The important thing is what you eat and the amount of what your eating. Just start by making small changes and eventually you will love how your body feels and you will never go back! If any of you want to chat further you can leave a comment or email me at emasonbeauty@yahoo.com!

xx

e

Motivational Monday: Eating Healthy During the Holidays

Yikes!! What a challenge this is.
With all that fatty food, cholesterol, and calorie filled meals, its no wonder people get (as I call them) "Christmas bellies" in the winter!!! The average weight gain [[ in December alone is 4-5 lbs ]]
To me, that is insanity!!!!!

This year, I am going to be very, very smart about what/how much I eat. I have always been food conscious but this year will be different since I have amped up all my routines! I hope you all can use some of these tips I've compiled for you. Or heck, maybe you already do these things and are ahead of the game.

1. Exercise Regularly
The may seem like the total opposite of what you actually want to do, but I promise it will help! It will give you more energy and burn off all of those extra holiday cals.

2. Prepare Yourself for Outings:
If you know you are going out to a holiday party, or even just out with friends to a bar or whatever, remember to prepare! As in, eat healthy beforehand. It will keep you from overeating as well as eating the wrong things. Especially if you plan on drinking too its always good to have something in that belly!

3. Moderation, moderation:
I believe this is the key to {{ EVERYTHING! }} I know you want two pieces of pie, but just have one, your stomach will thank you in the morning! Overeating tends to make people sluggish so I never overeat and I am even more aware of it during the holidays.

4. No really, you don't have to clear your plate
Some people feel obliged to clear the plate as they say, but really just eat what you want and leave the rest. I promise, no one will even notice.

5. Be Mindful
Mingling at holiday outings can be a disaster! There are finger foods >everywhere< and when people tend to get nervous or bored guess what?! They EAT! So just be mindful of what goes in your mouth, and why.

6. MOVE!
Move, move, move! Keep moving at events. As in, walk around! Don't stay too long in one spot, burn some cals if you can!!

So, those are my tips. Do any of you have any other healthy holiday tips? I hope some of these help you in the upcoming days/weeks!

xx
e