What do "Healthy Eaters" Eat? (Part 1 of 3)
/I'm SOOO incredibly excited to bring to you the first of three blog posts where I interview seven of the coolest, healthiest eaters I know.
My intention with this series of posts is to show you that there are many different ways to "eat healthy" and to shatter the myth that there's only one way of eating for everyone.
I know these gals personally (I met most of them through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition) and I selected them to be featured in this series because not only have they studied health and nutrition themselves, but through their unique health journeys and a lot of trial & error, they have discovered what foods currently support them best.
While the foods they eat might be different, these gals have the following in common:
They don't count calories or feel deprived
They eat realfood (food that is unprocessed or minimally processed, comes from nature, is nutrient-rich)
They are very busy people who don't let their schedules interfere with their commitment to eat healthy
They keep their meals simple
They enjoy their "indulgences" and don't feel guilty about them!
And they love their veggies :)
Without any further delay, I present to you the first three healthy eaters of the series: Sara Grout, Lori Zito, and Evelyne Lambrecht!
Sara Grout
FOUNDER OF ORGANICALLY FITCREATOR OF BANISH THE BLOAT, AND CORPORATE WELLNESS PROVIDER
What do you eat on a typical day?
This can definitely vary depending on the day, my stress and activity levels, the weather, the season, the time of month, etc. But for the most part, my typical day includes lots of veggies (kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and beets are a few of my current favorites), avocado (I eat A LOT of avocado), good quality meat (including BACON!), fermented veggies (like raw pickles, and cabbage, etc.), kombucha, and berries. I also try to get in a gallon of filtered water each day.
What's your favorite meal or snack? (Feel free to include a recipe)
I truly love everything I eat, and there's never a meal I eat that I don't like. So this is a tricky question, because I love it all. If I had to choose, right at this moment it would be a really good quality grass-fed beef burger, bacon, avocado, and lots of green veggies of some sort, and beets (I LOVE beets). But ask me tomorrow and my answer could be completely different. But I do know that I am a veggie girl and could eat veggies all day, every day! And guacamole, I love guacamole! :)
Do you have any indulgences or vices?
Of course!! But the trick is, these things no longer rule my life (like cravings once did). I love to treat myself and I've found 'indulgences' that work for my body and don't throw me off or make me feel not-so-great. I never feel guilty about my indulgences (and neither should you!). My current favorites include dark chocolate (90%), coconut milk ice cream, a dark chocolate iced mocha (decaf, with almond milk), a gluten-free, vegan cookie a local cafe makes (it's made from a sweet potato base!), and plantain chips. And every now and then I feel the pull to eat sweet potato fries and hot wings!
Where can we find you?
My website is going through a complete overhaul at the moment, so make sure to follow me on Facebook by clicking here.
You can also learn more about my programs at: http://www.bodybrilliancecoaching.com
Lori Zito
SR. DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF CHOICES CAFE & CO-CREATER OF JUICEXPRESS
What do you eat on a typical day?
Breakfast: Green smoothie OR raw oatmeal topped with fruit. I do drink coffee, but I try to stick with cold brewed for less acidity. I use a little bit of stevia to sweeten it.
Lunch: Lunch is typically my biggest meal. I usually eat a wrap from Choices Cafe, since that is where I spend most of my days. My 'usuals' are the Spicy Cactus Wrap, the Nori Wrap or the Geniroll Lentil.
Snack: Kale chips OR an apple OR Sunwarrior Protein shake (I love the chocolate warrior blend)
Dinner: Large bowl of mixed greens (kale, arugula, etc) topped with sliced avocado, grapes and spicy kimchi (I am addicted to this salad!)
I also have a timer on my phone that alerts me to drink water every 50 minutes. It's really helpful!
What's your favorite meal or snack? (Feel free to include a recipe)
I am pretty addicted to raw oatmeal. It leaves me satisfied for hours. It's easy to make...
Soak overnight:
oat groats
dates
cashews
The next morning, rinse them and blend together. Top with shredded coconut, cinnamon and fresh berries.
Do you have any indulgences or vices?
Ummmm yes!! I have always had a sweet tooth and sugar/chocolate have always been my downfall. But I have found that the cleaner I eat, my 'indulgences' have changed. I used to love to indulge on vegan chocolate chip cookies, but now I find that I don't even crave them because I know how I will feel after the sugar crash. Instead I crave things like raw dark chocolate (Gnosis is my favorite brand) or I whip up some raw 'Ice cream' for a sweet treat. It leaves my sweet tooth fulfilled, but without the guilt!
Where can we find you?
Choices Cafe: www.mychoicescafe.com (or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mychoicescafe)
Evelyne Lambrecht
HEALTH COACH & HOST OF ELEVATE YOUR ENERGY RADIO
What do you eat on a typical day?
Usually a cup of coffee (lately Bulletproof Coffee), green smoothie or green juice, lots of veggies, and some kind of protein with each meal (usually chicken, turkey, beef, or fish). I add veggies to as many meals as possible and usually a side of either brown rice, quinoa, or something else. I've been eating very simple meals - just throw a few things together in a pot and heat it up. Sometimes it's some lentils with ground turkey, greens, coconut milk, and curry powder. Other days it's some bone broth with veggies and shredded chicken. I also drink a few protein shakes a week as meal replacements.
What's your favorite meal or snack? (Feel free to include a recipe)
My favorite meal is probably my pasta sauce over either quinoa pasta, spaghetti squash, or kelp. It's the way my parents made it growing up.
Ingredients
2-3 yellow squash (depending on size)
2 zucchini
2 large cans or jars of organic marinara sauce (check ingredients - look for one without preservatives or stabilizers)
1 package ground turkey
1 onion
A few garlic cloves
Mushrooms
Assorted bell peppers
Optional: A cup or so of grape tomatoes
Directions
Sauté onions, garlic, mushrooms in some olive oil, add the bell peppers and tomatoes, then add the zucchini and squash.
In a separate pan, sauté the ground turkey until browned.
Combine the sautéed veggies and turkey in a big pot.
Add the marinara sauce.
Once boiling, turn down the heat to medium-low and cook for at least 30-40 minutes up to a few hours. This will taste even better the next day
To make eggplant lasagna, prepare the sauce as directed above. Peel 2-3 eggplants and cut into ¼ inch slices. Bake in oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Layer the eggplant and sauce into a dish. Add raw cheese on top if you eat dairy. Put it in the oven to reheat and then broil it to melt the cheese and form a yummy crust.
You can check out my Pasta Sauce video here!
During the fall, I love to make a turkey meatloaf topped with cranberry sauce and a side of roasted sweet potatoes.
Do you have any indulgences or vices?
Hail Merry desserts! Wine!
Where can we find you?
Elevate Your Energy radio: www.elevateyourenergy.com or www.evelynelambrecht.com