Snacking Successfully Saved My Life

 Healthy snacking is very important throughout day because it gives your body the right amount of energy and it helps control your appetite, so that you don't have to indulge in large meals. According to RealSimple.com a person should consume at least 2 or 3 healthy snacks each day, for example one-midmorning, between lunch and dinner, and maybe a small after-dinner snack. Prepping your snacks in advance will help you stay focus and keep you accountable of what you allow in your body. Having  pre-prepared snacks not only prevents you from devouring junk food all day, but it also helps you save money. My second semester senior year of college was when I decided to make a weight-loss change. I use to conveniently buy unhealthy food at the university's cafe and bookstore in between classes, because I had a long 9AM - 5PM schedule and plus I lived off campus.

 Finally, I became tired of the rapid weight-gain and the "I don't have time" excuses. Therefore I made a commitment to actually do something about it and began packing lunch and bringing snacks with me to class. I literally toted a lunch bag with me everyday that included: a water bottle (to re-fill at the on campus filtering stations) a Jimmy Dean egg-white breakfast sandwich, smoothie, an orange, ziplock bag filled with trail mix, and soup. Having these prepared meals was a life and money saver. I did't have to worry about wasting gas to go find lunch off-campus or scrapping my little pocket change to buy a high-calorie snack from the vending machine. Snacking successfully definitely paid off by rewarding me with awesome weight-loss results. I would have to say that my my most memorable healthy snacks were my smoothies, because they were so quick and easy to make. I preferred to make my smoothies at night so that they could stay frozen and cold for at least an hour, just in time for my mid-morning snack.

What are some of your favorite healthy treats? As you ponder and make a list... I challenge you today to start organizing your eating habits by prepping your snacks for the week. Remember to pack at least  3 snacks a day. If you are having difficulties trying to figure out what to snack on, my sweet and simple Berry Banana Green Leaf smoothie is a great way to satisfy your hunger. Just simply follow the instructions below:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole banana
• 1/2 red apple
• 3/4 cup of frozen berries
• 1/4 cup of orange juice
• 1 cup of the Green Salad Mix that includes: spinach, kale, arugula and shredded carrots.  
• 1 single serve Dannon Light & Fit Non-Fat Strawberry Cheesecake Yogurt (6-oz Cup)

Instructions:

1. Add ingredients in this order: Frozen Berries, Greens, Banana, Yogurt, and Orange Juice
2. Blend well

FYI: I used a Ninja versus a standard blender to make my smoothie. Although they're both fine, I enjoy the unique blade on the Ninja which keeps the smooth consistency in taste without any frozen junks. 

Now that you are well prepared for the adventures of snacking, I hope that you are just as excited to make a change. 

Now let's juice to that!

✌ ❤☺- DemeJay