2018: The Year of Self Care

2018 is the year I've decided to put myself first. I have been surviving on minimum sleep and crappy fast food for years, and I'm starting to seriously consider what it's doing to my body. Since 2018 began, I've started eating a more plant based diet, trying to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night, and have tried to put aside a little 'me time' each week. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite ways to 'treat yo' self', even when you're pressed for time.

1. Take a Bath- while this may seem silly to a lot of people, I think throwing a bath bomb in the tub and letting my muscles relax for a while is the height of luxury. I work part time as a waitress and hostess, so I am always on my feet. My body is starting to feel like I'm 82 years old, not 22. So even if it's just for half an hour, my time spent in the tub helps me sleep, helps me ease tension in my muscles (especially my back muscles), and I can shut off my brain for a little while. I also recommend throwing on some music to add to the mood. I love listening to the 'Instrumental Pop Covers' playlist on Spotify.

2. Try a meditation app- I didn't think I'd love this, but guided meditation is actually really nice, and can put me in a great mood. There are a ton of apps that you can use, that give you different meditations based on what you're looking to focus on, i.e. stress, sleep, depression, anxiety, etc.. I also find that they really effective if you're using headphones, because everything else going on around you gets drowned out. It's too easy to get distracted by the dog walking around, or someone cooking in the kitchen, or the clock ticking, or whatever it is going on in your home. If you're in need of a good pair of headphones, definitely check out Reviews.com's list. It shows you all your best options, pricing, and features. I'm definitely going to be saving up for the BeatsX wireless headphones, I think they'd be great for the gym.

3. Get a Manicure- I feel more put together when my nails are done. I think when my nails aren't done I feel kind of messy and gross. Even just a plain nude color keeps things fresh and clean, plus the mini massage you get afterwards is miraculous. Here on Long Island, a regular manicure costs $7. $7 for an hour dedicated to yourself is not too shabby.

4. Read a Book- What a perfect way to escape. Reading is my favorite way to transport myself to another time, another place, another life. I recently read Outlander and oh my gosh it was incredible. It takes place in Scotland in the 1700's. It was romantic, it was funny, it took me completely out of Long Island and planted me in the middle of a giant castle filled with Scottish royalty. I HIGHLY recommend it. If you want to hear more book recommendations, definitely let me know in the comments below, because I'd love to write that!

5.  Take A Nap- I don't care how old you are, I don't care what job you have, I don't care how sophisticated you are- everyone benefits from a nap. Even a 30 minute power nap can restart your engine. There is no shame in letting your body recharge itself for 30 minutes, even an hour if you have the time. Listen to your body; if you're falling asleep at your desk, or you have the worst headache in America; or hey maybe today is the first day of your period- take a nap. Your body needs it. It's not just for little kids, I swear.

6. Exercise- Working out triggers endorphin's! Endorphin's make you HAPPY! Find a workout that you love, and stick to it, once a week, twice a week, whatever works for you. I personally adore Pure Barre. It's expensive, but occasionally I'll treat myself to a class and it makes me feel UNSTOPPABLE. I also love Zumba, I love taking my dog for a walk around the neighborhood, anything to get your body active and releasing those endorphin's is perfect.

Breakfast Smoothie Bowl

In my quest to be basic on a budget, I felt it imperative that I find a way to make my own smoothie bowls. 
I spent a good part of my day yesterday watching Youtube tutorials, trying to figure out how to get the perfect consistency. Now, you might like yours a bit thinner than I do, but I went for a thick and creamy banana smoothie bowl with some fun goodies on top.

You will need:
1/2 Cup Almond Milk (or any milk you prefer, really doesn't make a difference!)
1 Oikos Banana Cream Greek Yogurt
1 Frozen Banana
1 Scoop of Vanilla Vega Protein Powder
1/4 Cup of Crushed Ice 

Toppings:
This is up to you! Fresh fruit, Coconut Flakes, Seeds, Nuts, Granola, Chocolate Chips, go crazy! 
I topped my bowl with Kind Banana Nut Clusters, Chia Seeds, and Strawberries


Now that you have all the ingredients together, all you have to do is throw it in a blender! Yea... it's that easy! I have a Magic Bullet (Thanks to my awesome brother) and I think it works perfectly for something like this, because it's so easy to measure out how much you're making! 
If, while you're blending, you find that it is too thick, feel free to add a splash more milk and continue to blend until you get the consistency you want!  

Now decorate it, pour yourself a delicious cup of coffee, and take a cute pic for Instagram! Tag me @MessyAndThriving and let me know how you made it your own! Get creative! 
   

Healthy Dinner Idea!

Just yesterday my mom announced we would be having turkey tenderloin for dinner- a favorite in my house- and I knew there had to be some way to use the left overs! Well here it is! And so simple to make! Ugh I love food that loves your body back. 

Step One: Quinoa
       -Prepare one cup of quinoa in 2 cups of water. Add in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes, covered until the quinoa has absorbed all the water

Step Two: Brussels Sprouts 
       -Measure out a cup or so of whole, frozen brussels sprouts and add them to a small pan with olive oil, a pinch of salt & pepper, and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Toss in pan until fully thawed and cooked. Should be crisp around edges. Optional: Slice sprouts in half and let cook face down in pan for a crispier taste 

Step Three: Potatoes
       -I had these left in my fridge from the previous evening, but all I did was cut small yellow potatoes in half and place them on a baking sheet. They were drizzled with olive oil and a little bit of sea salt before they went into the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Once they are done cooking, sprinkle on a little Parmesan cheese while the potatoes are still hot, it gets a little crispy and tastes delicious. 

Step Four: Dressing
       -This was so easy, and I made it up in the moment. All it is is, 2 tablespoons of fat free mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon of warm water, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic, and a splash of Franks Hot Sauce. I stirred it until I got the consistency I wanted. If you would like your dressing a little thinner add a bit more warm water and stir. 

Step 5: Turkey Tenderloin
       -I try to stick with white meat and this is one of my favorites. It is a Shadybrook Farms Turkey Breast Tenderloin. We've been able to find it at Stop & Shop and Target. I rinsed off some of the marinade they put it in, to cut down on salt, then wrap it in tinfoil and place it on a baking sheet. It cooks in the oven for approximately 30 minutes at 400 degrees which is perfect because you can cook the potatoes and turkey at the same time! Once done I sliced it and served. For this meal, I diced some of the left over slices and warmed them in the microwave before adding them

Step 6: Greens
       -Go ahead and throw in whatever greens you want. I only added romaine to the bowl because it's what we had in the house, but I bet it would be great with spinach, or a spring mix! 

Now that all your ingredients are prepped, go ahead and assemble your bowl! Be sure to get creative, change up ingredients and make it the best fit for you. Send me pictures on instagram if you try it out!