Salut mes amis, happy July! I think it’s safe to say that this summer is passing at warp speed. It’s been a wonderful one so far though J
I babysat today, so it was a very early morning. I woke up at 5:30 and downed a bowl of Nature’s Path SmartBran, frozen blueberries and almond milk before heading out.
Once there, I got the girls ready for camp, snacked on an unpictured pack of peanut butter crackers in the car, dropped them off, and headed home for the afternoon. I decided to take advantage of the outrageously gorgeous weather and go for a run sans Garmin. Though I love my Garmy, it was relaxing to just run, and not worry about the pace.
After cleaning up, I dug into some purple oats for lunch! This bowl contained ½ c oats, 1 c almond milk, a sliced banana, a scoop of Sun Warrior vanilla protein powder, a spoonful of flaxseeds, a huge handful of frozen blueberries and the last of my millet puffs. It’s been awhile since I had hot oats, and these were perfection.
On the side, I had some baby carrots for veg:
Afternoon snacks included strawberries topped with cocoa powder, a small handful of almonds and some unpictured cucumbers and salsa.
A bit later, I brought the girls home from camp. While they snacked on their Goldfish, I swiped some unpictured mixed nuts from the pantry. I love that most households keep nuts on hand- easy, vegan, healthy and delicious!
By the time I got home, I had a hummus and pita craving going on full-force. I went for it and had a huge tandoori flatbread dipped right into a container of Sabra. Hit. The. Spot.
I continued the dippable theme with an apple and Naturally Nutty vanilla sunflower seed butter, also enjoyed straight from the jar.
I must admit, it’s rare that I eat a substantial amount from a container. It took me forever to stop measuring my food, but I still pay attention to portion sizes, which I think gets in the way of intuitive eating. Kailey, Ilana and I talked about this during our meet up- by being so conscious of the amount we’re eating, we fail to think about how we feel while eating it. Don’t get me wrong, I fully believe that portion control is a huge part of a healthy diet; however, why should I listen to a package when it tells me that I can only have two spoonfuls of hummus, instead of what fills me up? Tonight, I inhaled that stuff straight from the tub, and while it was a little daunting, it was also good. I’ve decided that my newest goal is to stop paying such close attention to portion sizes, and instead start paying closer attention to my fullness level to determine what’s enough.
After this revelation, I definitely deserved some dark chocolate (more Lindt chili dark):
Well folks, that’s it for tonight! I’m going to New York tomorrow to finalize my apartment and then am going to Long Island for the weekend, so it may be a few days before my next post. Have a fantastic Friday and fourth, loves!
Do you pay attention to portion sizes? How? Measuring/counting/weighing/eyeballing? I used to measure everything, but I’ve gotten to the point where I can confidently eyeball a good-sized portion. So much less stress!
What’s your favorite widely available health food? I love nuts because they’re a healthy and delicious option that you can find basically anywhere.
PS- Don’t forget to enter my cookbook giveaway!
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45 comments:
Strawberries with cocoa powder? They are like strawberry truffles! I must try those. :)
I've measured things before but like you, I feel comfortable eyeballing everything now!
i am in love with those naan breads. really good for a pizza, too :)
i tend to start with a portion size, or at least estimate the measurement, and then judge how i feel. a lot of times i'll be just fine after that, but the times i take just a litttle bit too much, i'll finish it just because it's "not worth saving," or something like that. on the other hand, if i'm still hungry, by all means - i'll help myself!
and nuts and fruit is probably my favorite "common" healthfood, too :)
I do pay attention - sometimes I measure...but most of the time I sort of eyeball. Love naan, and those blue oats look amazzzzing!
have a good 4th girly!
this is definately something i need to work on...desperately. i feel like im so far from intuitive eating. i eat what i think/know i should rather than what i feel like or how much i feel like. i guess it comes back to the fear of losing control...which is sorta irrational.
have fun this weekend! where about on long island? thats where ill be! xoxoxoo
I measure prett much everything. It's not something I'm proud of and I am really good at properly judging amounts, but it has been such a habit if mune for absolute ages that the thought of stopping is too strange to fathom.
I love nuts as a snack, particularly roasted and salted pistachios in their shell as of late.
Have a great night!
I'm trying to stop measuring things and eyeball more often. I think you are right and that it is less important to pay attention to the serving size dictated on a label than it is to pay attention to our own bodies and our hunger signals. Our bodies know how much food we need and when we have had enough but we spend so much of our lives ignoring bodily signals (whether it be hunger or fullness) that we forget what they even feel like, or it becomes instinct to disregard them. Good for you for trying to listen to your body- I think intuitive eating helps people see that they don't always have to "control" everything and that the body can be trusted.
I'm not that into measuring portions, except for my morning oats and cereals because I tend to know how much keeps me decently full. Otherwise I eyeball the right amount, and if I'm still hungry, I eat more.
I'm a measurer :( It's something I desperately want to stop, but it's just so hard! I know I need to just take the plunge and do it, though... maybe just with one meal/snack a day to start with and work my way up from there. I can imagine that life is a lot less stressful when you're worrying not worrying about portion sizes, and I. want. that.
My favorite popular health foods are almond butter and plain yogurt. They make a great snack any time :)
I love dipping...everything! haha! :) Dipping makes eating such fun! (not that it isn't already...)
I don't measure anything, though...I just...can't. I guess it's a good thing that I never developed that habit, but sometimes I freak out about not knowing how much I've eaten...
I love sunbutter, but I've never tried the vanilla variety. Can you actually taste the vanilla flavor?
chili dark chocolate?!?! sound so interesting!! I dip EVERYTHING i love it, in hummus, in nut butter, in you name it I will dip it!
widely available health food? to me thats cottage cheese!! packed with protein, can get anywhere, I LOVE IT!!! and also fruit :) they have fruit now at gas station stops haha!! ( i dont get it but in case I was in a rut, its good to know!)
i do measure a lot of the times, also because Im a diabetic and have to keep track of carbohydrate counts. but i actually kind of noticed the same thing today. I was perfectly fine witha portion i set out for myself, but it was "under" what one of the serving sizes was, so i added more. like, why? why didn't I just stick to what I WANTED than what was suggested?
as for widely available health food... fruit! I feel like anywhere you go you can find some fruit. apples are my favorite :)
Oh man this post is sooo me. I LOOOOVE to dip! My fridge is overflowing with condiments. I'm still in the measuring stage..I find that if I don't measure I usually either take way bigger portions than I should or just keep going back for more.
I think PB is my favorite go-to, readily available health food! And tasty... good with easy to buy oatmeal and bananas:)
Your blueberry cereal bowl looks so pretty!!
We used to weigh everything out, but now we just eat what we want when we want it!! Although for baking we do things by weight.
I used to be a measure-er, too, but now I just find that it stresses me out. While I am not able to read my hunger cues very well anymore, I still try to portion things in what I think looks right. In the end, an exact amount of everything doesn't matter, but instead how you feel afterwards does. I just hope that I will learn my cues better. Intuitive eating is really such a precious thing.
Have a lovely day!
xox
i measure stuff a lot. not gonna lie, i have a tablespoon in my purse. yikes.
I eyeball portions, but always take a little extra. :-) If I'm still wanting more - I don't hesitate to take more, because it's my body saying it needed it. It's taken awhile and a lot of practice, but I'm eating much more intuitively than I ever used to.
Getting out of the "portions" rut is super hard - you are so right though. Why should I listen to a food label to tell me "what's enough". Sometimes that's way too much food for me. Other times I am still ravenous after eating that! I need to let go and just let my body tell me "what's enough".
I love your dippable dinner! I looove dipping! I'm a condiment queen around here.
hey girl!
i really need to try naan!!! i heard it was so good!! yeah umm portion things are so annoying. I wish there was an automatic flag on everything that that said "this is a good portion for YOU, not for everybody else" ! my portions are typically bigger than others!
I can easily eyeball a tablespoon, which is what I do with nut butters for sure. However I always measure my oatmeal to make sure I'm not over eating it.
oh those bloob oats look divine!
I dont eat too much prepackaged stuff anymore. And when I did, I paid loose attention to portion size but not obsessively. I can hardly measure ingredients for my blog recipes, let alone actually measuring/weighing food. So no, I dont do that. my food scale doesnt get too much use :) (read: none!)
That said, I dont go "all out". I am mindful of what I am eating and try not to go too nuts but hummus? it's ground up chickpeas. Hardly "bad" for you. Now, a box of Twinkies and we may have to chat :)
oxox
While I've stopped religiously measuring and counting everything that enters my mouth, I am still in clean-the-plate mode. Even if I'm stuffed, I've got it in my head that I'm 'allowed' to eat what I've provided myself and won't stop inhaling it. It's definitely a goal of mine to eat more intuitively and not just clean the plate because I can.
Me and portion sizes non existent!!! I cant see my self ever worrying about counting things out like cookies or crackers ( especially dr krackers!! ) Lifes too short to count portions!!!
Im so glad to see the nanny job is going well and Im excited for you to get a place in NYC!!!!!!!! Cant wait to hear about it when you do! I know you saw places you liked you said, and you were so lucky to meet snackface, she is just so sweet and pretty, I hope to meet her, and YOU as well girl one day!! Im serious, there should be a food blooger party with so many peeps I want to meet!
Thanks for the sweet congrats again, and the dinner we had was delish!!!!!!!!!! Sugar Cookies were heaven! Mike finished them off last night! lol!
Love you! Happy July 4th Weekend!!!!!!!!!
I love what you said about portion sizes! It's so true that people tend to go by what the acceptable portion is rather than their actual hunger!
I never really paid attention to the recommended portion sizes, but when I was really restrictive I would measure out my portions based on how many calories I wanted to consume. I don't do that as much now except for with cereals and grains.
I definitely want to become more intuitive with my eating though. I'll work on that goal with you girl! :)
I love Nann bread!!! SOOO goood :)
Dana xo
http://happinessiswithin.wordpress.com/
I used to STRESS over portion sizes...I read every lable and I would never ever allow myself the full portion. Now I don't completely ignore them, but I've realized that If I do measure out I go crazy and end up being under-fed which is even worse in the end. I love that you have posted about this b/c I know there are so many other people out there who struggle with it too.
I hope you have a great time in NY and a great holiday weekend!!
Strawberries + cocoa powder is a new combo! I've never tried that. I'm guessing it's unsweetened cocoa powder? I'll have to test that baby out!
I don't really worry about portion sizes. A lot of the foods I eat are pre-portioned by nature (bread, wraps, veggie burgers, cheese, etc) but when it comes to veggies I eat WAY more than the "serving size". Hummus, nut butters, and other scoopables? I just slab some on until it looks good :)
I'm very conscious of portion sizes, but because I'm trying to lose weight! Right now, measuring cups are my friend, but I'm looking forward to the day when I don't have to use them.
I never think of the serving size as what you are supposed to eat or SHOULD be consumming (ie 2 tb of hummus etc). Companies need to list nutritional information, and they need a measurable way to do so. They simply pick the 15ml serving size as a way to state the alloted calories fat etc. It doesn't mean that you should only be eating 2. Same with cereal. It is just stating that within a cup (30g) there are X amount of nutrients per that serving size. I am glad you are focusing on intuitive eating! Food and emotions are such a tricky and twisted relationship in this society (unfortunately). I am trying to think more in terms of the nutrients that are nourishing my body. It's JUST food. It's crazy how it can change our moods and entire mind set for the day and affect us at such an extreme rate!
XOXO
Barbara
I used to measure foods quite often. Now I pay attention to things like cereal or trailmix because they are my kryptonite. I try to get as much as I think I'll eat and then get more later. I have to portion out things like crackers though, otherwise I'll never stop.
I pay way too much attention to portion sizes and am trying to loosen up a bit, especially with stuff like cereal, hummus, and nut butter. This: "by being so conscious of the amount we’re eating, we fail to think about how we feel while eating it" is SUCH a good point! Thanks for the reminder :)
Have a fabulous weekend girl, it sounds like it's going to be FUN!!
And go you for just eating what you WANT! Some portions sizes are so crazy and unrealistic, honestly. I measure when baking and I also measure oats and grains and nut butters.
Love you doll!
Yummy day!! I am kind of a slave to measuring my food. Maybe I should join you in your goal to lay off a bit.
Fruit and nuts - so easy, portable and fantastically tasty!
Oh those oats look like a cobbler filling - so yummy! I actually never measure my food; I think moving beyond my eating disorder had a lot to do with letting go of all the precision and obsessions regarding food and intake. For me spinach has to be my favorite health food (although do veggies really count as health food, or just healthy food?)
I do pay attention to portion sizes more than I would like. You make such a good point - why do we listen to what the PACKAGE tells us instead of our own hunger cues?!
With that being said, I like to think I do a pretty good job of "eyeing" my portions. Like, I kind of know exactly how much I need of certain foods (i.e. cereal) to be satisfied...which, is usually about 1.5 servings...? See, I just compared it to the "serving size!" Grrrr.
Hope you're having an amazing weekend, love!! xoxo
I love this post because I think a lot of us can relate to your feelings about measuring. On the one hand, it is important that people are educated about what a proper serving isze is. on the other hand, honoring our hunger signals is important too. It is about balance- if your body wants more than one serving because you truly are still hungry, you should eat it. The problem is that so many people just eat out of habit and not because they are hungry and actually want/need it. It's a complicated thing. I try to do a little bit of both- I usually am more cautious towards the beginning of the day and let go as the day progresses- it is a strange thing but it just happens like that :)
love your chocolatee.. so perfect to end the night!
I used to be OCD about counting it all out but now I've become a grazer (I think out of survival just so I don't pay attention to number of calories etc) and just stop eating when I'm not hungry. I am all about finger foods and dips
Katherine
Chili dark chocolate is one of my favorite things cold and HOT, in drink form - yumm <3 I also love your purple oats, they look delish! I need to buy some frozen bberries right ~now~.
On a more serious note, I went from inhaling tubs of things straight from the container, to seriously measuring, to something of an in between now. I try to stop when I'm full, and I'm very sure that I'm always sitting and enjoying when I dip rather than just standing in front of the fridge (eek!) like I used to do.
There are some things that I measure with a cup or tablespoon, but for the most part I eyeball it. I've been really watching my intake, so measuring right now is more often than usual.
Happy Belated 4th!
I never used to watch my portions or measure anything, but i've just started too because i'm really just trying to lose a little bit of fat and tone up. Especially things like cereal which i tend to just tip in a massive bowl with lots of milk!
I love the blog.
I have never thought about putting cocoa on my strawberries. Brilliant!
I am not overly-cautious about my serving sizes. I tend to read how much I'm supposed to eat, and then judge whether that's truly how much I want to eat and whether it will fill me up.
I have a hard time not inhaling the whole container of Sabra. It's that good. I try to keep an eye on portion control, but my main focus is to eat until I'm satisfied. My favorite healthy food that's available everywhere are avocados. Any way you use them, I love them.
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