I’m pretty committed to taking good care of myself — eating clean, exercising and taking vitamins daily are all very important to me. Vacation is a time to indulge, but now that I’m back home, I’m ready to get back to a clean eating routine with daily exercise and I’m committed to de-stressing activities this year too. Today I’m sharing my healthy eating and exercising tips for the new year!
For me, exercise is a huge de-stressing activity. I truly love the way I feel after finishing and I know it’s good for me. Finding the right activity for you is key to following through, as well as also finding new things that won’t make you bored. Working out with a friend can solve both of these issues!
There are are so many new workout options available. I am a huge pilates fan and try to go at least two times a week. I love that it is strengthening my bones and lengthening my muscles. I’ve also been to Orange Theory and Shred 415, which are both great options if you need the instructional part and group motivation.
Those who know me best know that power walking is my thing. After encouragement from a friend, I recently tried something new and really enjoyed it. We joined a StepBet! If this sounds foreign to you, it was new to me as well. Celebrity trainer Erin Oprea launched an online step challenge that we joined. Depending on your activity level through your phone or Fitbit, your weekly step challenge is created. All that was needed was an initial $40 fee started the 6-week challenge, and a stepping I went! As long as the steps for each day are met, I moved on to the next week. 4 days were considered “active days” with a set amount of steps required, and 2 days are power days with an elevated amount of steps required. Like I said before, I like setting goals and I like competing against myself and no one else. I was determined to meet my goal and complete the 6-week challenge, and I did! There were days I needed to plan when I would get my steps in and I really enjoyed accomplishing it each day. I signed up for another 6-week challenge to kick off the New Year! Check out Erin’s StepBets if you are looking for something new to keep your routine from getting boring.
In my house, I’m the one that everyone comes to when they want help getting back on track with their healthy eating and exercising. I know that everyone is making New Years resolutions, but I like to encourage setting goals instead to be healthier and not set yourself up for failure. I have learned that I am not the person that can say I’m not going to not have a cocktail or two during the week. Eating clean and exercising regularly defines me pretty well, but entertaining is also one of my specialties. Because having friends over for dinner and drinks during the week is a normal occurrence in our house, it can often get tricky to stick to a healthy plan. I have found that cleaning up some of my favorite recipes is helpful for all of us. I’ve put together some of my favorite skinny cocktails, as well as healthy and low-cal appetizers below!
Zucchini Pizza Bites
- Zucchini cut into 1/4 inch slices
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup part skim mozzarella cheese
- 24 mini pepperonis or 12 regular size cut in half
DIRECTIONS
Brush zucchini slices in both sides with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Broil 2 minutes per side.
Take out of oven and top each with pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni. Place back in oven and broil for 2 minutes. Take out and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and oregano.
Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip
- 10 oz reduced fat or fat-free cream cheese
- 1 cup 0% Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp spicy ranch dip seasoning
- 2/3 cup Franks hot sauce
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup part skim mozzarella cheese
DIRECTIONS
Put all ingredients in a Pyrex pie dish. Cook on 350 for 30 minutes. Serve with celery.
Healthy 7 Layer Greek Dip
- 8 oz hummus (I use Sabra)
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt
- 1/2 cup canned artichoke hearts chopped
- 3 tbsp chopped red onion
- 2 roasted red peppers diced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp oregano
- 1/4 cup crumbled low-fat or fat-free cheese
- 2 tbsp parsley
- Kalamata olives chopped for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Spread hummus at bottom of square Pyrex dish. Layer the tomatoes, cucumber and red onion. Drop spoonfuls on yogurt on top of vegetables. Sprinkle with salt, paprika and oregano. Top with artichokes and red peppers and feta cheese. Sprinkle parsley on top and olives to garnish. Serve with celery or pita chips.
Salmon and Cucumber Bites
- 4 oz low-fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp dill
- 3 long cucumbers, skinned and cut into 1-inch slices
- 1 package smoked salmon cut into 1-inch pieces
- Small jar of capers drained
DIRECTIONS
First, make herbed cream cheese by mixing all ingredients until smooth. Spoon into ziplock bag and press all to the bottom. Put aside until cucumbers are prepared.
Prepare the cucumber by peeling and slicing. Next, use a mini melon ball scooper and remove a portion in the center of one side, making a crater like center.
Cut off the corner of baggie and squeeze cheese mixture in the center of each cucumber. Top each with a square piece of salmon. Sprinkle capers on top and serve.
Skinny Cocktails
- Flavored vodka
- Club soda
DIRECTIONS
Using flavored vodka can save you lots of calories, but not the flavor. You can choose from orange, lemon, pear, raspberry, cranberry, coffee and several more. Adding club soda and a wedge of lime is a perfect low-cal cocktail.
Lite cosmo
- 1 oz cranberry vodka
- Club soda
DIRECTIONS
Squeeze a wedge of lime and orange into drink, or use 1 oz regular vodka and add 3 oz cranberry juice and 1 oz orange juice.
Lite Margarita
- 2 oz Petron tequila
- 1 part fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz agave nectar
- 1 lime wheel for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Combine 1st three ingredients in shaker with ice and shake. Pour into glass and garnish with lime wheel.
My go-to cocktail is vodka with a splash of cranberry juice and a lime, but when I am getting back on track after a weekend of parties or holiday activities, I choose a “mocktail” with San Pellegrino over ice with a splash of cranberry and a wedge of lime squeezed into it. It’s refreshing and satisfying!
Going to the grocery today consisted of sticking to the outside rim of the store. That’s where all the fruits and vegetables are, as well as meat and fish. Not many processed foods made it into my basket. I hope these recipe ideas will help you stick to eating clean while still living life! You don’t have to feel like you can’t eat during social events. Live life and enjoy!
