Hello lovely people

Veggies plateAre you looking to GET SMART(er) about what you put into your body? As part of my #GetSmartNOW Balance Challenge, one of the feelings I’d like to achieve in 2014 is healthy. How do I plan on doing so? By nourishing my body with what it needs!

Feeling good depends a great deal on what we feed our bodies. When you’re not eating a balanced diet of nutritious foods, you tend to start feeling fatigued and develop cravings as your body screams for the nutrients it’s lacking. However, when you fuel your body with a healthy, balanced diet of mainly whole, unprocessed foods, you find these symptoms start to ease and your inner light begin to shine again.

That’s not to say you need to remove anything from your diet – I’m ALL about moderation (love my pizza and ice cream). What I am saying is pay attention to the way whole foods make you feel, and make your food choices based on which foods make you feel the best – full of energy, strength and focus!

As part of today’s #GetSmartNOW challenge to “Try a fun, quick, healthy recipe,” I’ve listed some of my favorite meals that pack a nutritious punch to help you feel like a champion so you can ROAR… or at least be awesome. Feel free to include substitutions, or make gluten free and/or vegetarian, if that’s what you’re into!

Breakfast

Make the most important meal of the day one that includes a balance of carbs, protein, fat and fiber for staying power that will keep you going for hours!

Almond Butter Oatmeal Pancakes

Overnight Oats

Bangin’ Veggie Omelette

Lunch

For my midday meal, I love an easy salad or sandwich that includes a variety of ingredients, flavors and textures to tickle my taste buds!

10 Healthy Salad Recipes

Whole Foods Sonoma Chicken Salad

Apple Orchard Panini

Dinner

I’m usually rushing around in the evenings, so by the time I have a free second, I’m starving and don’t feel like cooking anything extravagant and time-consuming. Here are some simple, yet tasty meals you can whip up quickly to satisfy your dinner cravings J

Healthy Burrito Bowl

Fettuccine Avocado

Dessert: Life’s short. East dessert first” is probably my only eating rule, which is why I try to make sure some of my desserts contain a few nutrients! Chocolate-covered strawberries are still a serving of fruit, you know.

 Chocolate Peanut Butter Soft Serve

Cookie Butter Cookie Dough Truffles

I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Send us a pic of your delicious masterpieces on Instagram (@thegetsmartgirl), Twitter or Facebook! Bon appetit!