working lunch

 

(C) TaraBeth - healthy.every.day - NYC

Monday Afternoon

Food: spinach salad with corn, avocado, anjou pear slices, and lemon juice; challah roll; pear slices; a cup of green tea

Body: 45 minutes of walking; one hour of hot yoga

Mind: yoga!

After Thanksgiving and lots of travel, it was back to a busy work day!  I was craving a fresh, light lunch, so I decided to mix up some salad and sip on green tea.  It was one of those meals where you feel satisfied and rejuvenated - and the flavors of pear, corn, and lemon juice was unexpected!

Nutritional Highlights: 110% daily value vitamin A; 80% daily value vitamin C; 7 grams of protein; 7 grams of fiber; 110% daily value vitamin K; 10% daily value potassium

light lunch

 

(C) TaraBeth - healthy.every.day - NYC

Wednesday Afternoon

Food: spring green salad with Israeli couscous, mozzarella cheese, quartered artichoke hearts marinated in herbs and olive oil

Body: 20 minute of walking

Mind: letting my mind wander on long train ride

I had a long day of traveling and meetings, and knew there would be no time to break for lunch.  I needed an option that I didn't need to heat up and that would leave me feeling light and alert during my conversations with colleagues.  I mixed up some leftover couscous from dinner with spring greens, mozzarella, and quartered artichoke hearts.  Instead of dressing, I buy artichoke hearts marinated in olive oil and herbs - perfect light addition to a protein-packet salad!

Nutritional Highlights: 120% vitamin C; 9 grams of fiber; 12 grams of protein

eggplant parmesan

 

TaraBeth - healthy.every.day - NYC

 Monday Night

Food: baked eggplant parmesan

Body: 30 minutes of yoga

Mind: 30 minutes of yoga :)

We all have those nights: you are craving comfort food, and no bowl full of greens will do!  Enter this decadent vegetarian dish: baked eggplant parmesan!  With more fiber and less fat than its fried chicken cousin, this is a delicious recipe that can be made with egg whites if you're watching your cholesterol.

Nutritional Highlights: 130% vitamin A; 10 grams of protein; 3 grams of fiber; 60% vitamin C

banana "ice cream"

 

(C) TaraBeth - healthy.every.day - NYC

Saturday Afternoon

Food: banana "ice cream"

Body: a 90-minute walk around Manhattan

Mind: attempting some word game puzzles

I love me some ice cream just as much as the next girl.  But sometimes, the sugar and dairy can take a toll.  So imagine my delight upon finding this dairy-free banana "ice cream" recipe!  It was so incredible easy - in addition to the vanilla, I added some cinnamon, and the flavor was perfect!  Highly recommended dessert for those watching calories, fat, or added sugar!

Nutritional Highlights: 25% daily value vitamin C; 3 grams of fiber

bananas and grains

 

(C) TaraBeth - healthy.every.day

 Thursday Morning

Food: shredded wheat, berry wheat flakes, chopped walnuts, and banana slices

Body: an hour-long walk around Brooklyn

Mind: watching a health documentary

I had a couple of days to travel for work and knew I wanted to start off my morning right.  I opted for a fiber-filled delicious breakfast, filled with grains, nuts, flax seeds, and bananas.  I topped it off with some original soy milk, and it was the perfect start to a busy couple of days!

Nutritional Highlights: 11 grams of fiber; 10 grams of protein; 30% daily value vitamin C

side-by-side roasts

 

TaraBeth - healthy.every.day - NYC

Monday Night

Food: two roasted vegetable dishes: (1) roasted cauliflower with lemon juice, garlic, and gruyere cheese, (2) roasted carrots and redskin potatoes with lemon juice and parsley

Body: an hour-long walk to work (one of the very few perks of the subway being down)

Mind: cooking while listening to hits from the 90's

Today was one of those low days where I had a moment of weakness and stress-ate Sour Patch Kids.  Combining that with an unproductive afternoon, I left work feeling less than my best.  So when I got home, I knew I wanted a dinner full of nutrients, fiber, and flavor.  I found two great recipes and decided to make them both!  I used this Roasted Cauliflower recipe, but opted for Gruyere over Parmesan.  Then, I took a note from this easy Carrot, Potatoes & Parsley recipe and cooked the two at 400 degrees side by side for about 30 minutes (add the Gruyere to the cauliflower in the last 5 minutes of roasting to get that decadent melty affect).  Serve with a whole grain roll and you're in for a successful dinner!

Nutritional Highlights: 210% daily value vitamin A; 105% daily value vitamin C; 12 grams of fiber; 15% daily value iron; 35% daily value calcium; 9 grams of protein

new juice

 

(C) TaraBeth - healthy.every.day - NYC

Sunday Morning

Food: 12-oz juice with kale, spinach, apples, ginger, lemon, and parsley

Body: a 90-minute walk around Manhattan

Mind: donating towels and blankets to Hurricane Sandy Relief

As Sandy cleanup progresses around the city, it's been inspiring to see everyone coming together to help.  After walking to a donation collection near my apartment, I stumbled upon a great health store and juice bar called Simply Natural.  They have an extensive - and extremely well-priced - menu, including juices and smoothies.  And while to the untrained eye, this beverage looks like slime, it's crisp, refreshing, and nutrient-dense. I will definitely be back! 

Nutritional Highlights: 200% daily value vitamin A; 250% daily value vitamin C; 240% daily value vitamin K; 2 grams of fiber