Healthy Recipe | Salsa Verde Chicken and Cilantro Lime Rice

Hey guys! Last night I tried out a new recipe and I wanted to share it with y'all! I was inspired by Paige Hathaway (one of my favorite fitness girls!) and her last vlog video when she showed how to make this. It's super easy, takes minimal effort, and is very healthy. It's high in protein and has a good amount of carbs, and is low in fat- which make a great post workout meal. This chicken recipe uses the crockpot, so it's very convenient if you have a busy schedule. Just let it cook on low for 4-5 hours and you're free to leave the house. I also love cilantro lime rice, so I'm glad I know an easy way to make it now. This recipe seriously tastes like it came from a gourmet Mexican restaurant. Let's get cooking!


SALSA VERDE CHICKEN
Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of chicken breast
• 1 jar of salsa verde (green salsa)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• optional: extra garlic, black pepper, or seasonings you like

Directions:

1. Place chicken in crockpot 
2. Pour salsa on top
3. Set crockpot on low and set the timer for 4 hours
4. Later, when finished cooking, remove chicken, and shred with a fork. It will be super tender! 

CILANTRO LIME RICE

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

• Rice of choice (I used wild rice, but white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice all work!)
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• garlic powder
• juice of 1 lime

Directions:

1. Cook rice according to package. (I brought 2 cups of water to a boil, turned down hear, and cooked 1 cup rice on low for 15 min.)
2. Once rice is done cooking, add in the lime, cilantro, and garlic and stir.
3. Optional: add a teaspoon or two of olive oil if the rice is a little dry, but mine didn't need it. 

TIME TO EAT!

1. Scoop a serving of rice (whatever a serving is for YOU) on to the plate
2. Add chicken
3. Top with a little of the juice from the crock pot
4. Top with fresh cilantro!
5. Enjoy!

Hope you guys enjoyed this quick recipe and let me know if you'd like more!

Xoxo,

Steph

FULL DAY OF EATING #1

Hey guys! I finally did a full day of eating video! I try to follow a pretty healthy diet- diet meaning "way of eating" not fad die- and healthy is different for everybody. On a daily basis like to eat mostly natural whole foods, but I do eat some processed things like protein bars, chocolate chips and cool whip ;) I'm currently just eating to maintain my weight, and focus on fueling my body right to perform in the gym. No extremes, just healthy and balanced. I'm currently eating vegetarian for lent, so all the meals in today's video happen to be vegetarian friendly! And my dinner is actually vegan. All macros and nutritional info are included in the video. Enjoy!

Thanks for watching! What are some of your favorite meals?

Xoxo,

Steph

My Favorite Breakfast | Egg & Avocado Toast

Hey guys! Today I'm going to show you how to make one of my all time favorite breakfasts- egg & avocado toast. I'm sure you've seen a ton of egg & avocado that pics on Instagram, so this may be nothing new- but I wanted to show you my take on it! It's such a good balanced breakfast because it contains complex carbs from the whole grain toast (I use Ezekiel bread, which is minimally processed), protein from the eggs, and healthy fats from the avocado (and the egg yolks!) Not to mention, it's full of flavor! I think my secret is in the spices... I crave this combo so much that I literally don't go more than a few days without it. It combines a lot of my favorite foods: avocado, serrate and runny eggs. Yum. Wanna see how to make it? Keep on reading! 

Egg & Avocado Toast 

(serves 1)

INGREDIENTS

2 pieces of whole grain bread 

1/2 an avocado

2 eggs (or egg whites)

pink sea salt

pepper

cumin

sriracha

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat a pan sprayed with a little non-stick spray, or use a drop of coconut oil

2. Crack the eggs into the pan. (I used 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites)

3. While the eggs are cooking, toast the bread.

4. When the bread is toasted, mash the avocado with a fork and spread on each piece of toast.

5. Add sea salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of cumin.

6. Drizzle with sriracha (if you like it spicy!)

7. When the eggs are done cooking (I like my yolk runny, so much more flavor and toast dipping..) place on top of the mashed avocado toast and enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Let me know if you try out this healthy breakfast recipe! You can follow my health & fitness Instagram @bananabalancedfit for more daily food ideas! Love y'all!Xoxo,Steph

Spicy Cumin Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of my all time favorite foods! They are full of vitamins and betta carotine and are a great complex carb. I like to eat them several ways. I either bake or cube/roast them and either season them sweet or savory. One of my favorite savory ways to enjoy them is roasted and seasoned spicy! They're so much healthier than the spicy sweet potato fries you order when you go out, but just as much flavor!

Spicy Cumin Sweet Potatoes:

(2-5 servings depending on size of potatoes)

• 2 Sweet Potatoes 
• 1 tbs. coconut Oil 
• 1 tbs. cumin
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1. Pre-heat oven at 400 degrees 
2. Cut sweet potatoes into cubes or wedges and place into a baking pan.
3. Add spoonful of coconut oil, and mix potatoes so they are evenly coated.
4. Add spices and toss the potatoes
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes 
6. Enjoy with a protein and veggie and you have a great simple meal!

If you try out this recipe let me know by tagging me on Instagram! 

Xoxo,

Steph

Paleo Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

We're already deep into the season of the pumpkin obsession, so I wanted to share with you one of favorite healthy pumpkin bread recipes! Growing up my would make pumpkin cranberry bread, and it was and still is one of my favorite baked treats around the holidays. But, I wanted to have a healthier version I could enjoy all the time without a second thought! This version is paleo- so its' grain free, dairy free and refined sugar free. It's made with all whole, unprocessed ingredients that you can feel good about putting into your body. The recipe is low carb and higher in healthy fats, which is not a bad thing! I used a mix of coconut palm sugar (a low glycemic sweetener that has a similar taste to brown sugar) and stevia (zero calorie natural sweetener) for just the right amount of sweetness without tons of sugar. The cranberries give a tart punch and the pecans add a little crunch.  It pairs perfect with a cup of coffee, hot tea, or glass of almond milk! I had my family taste this and they said they could not tell the difference between it and my mom's signature recipe!

Paleo Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
(makes 1 loaf)

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup egg whites
• 1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/4 coconut flour
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup stevia
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1 cup cranberries (raw)
• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts

Instructions:

1. Pre heat oven at 350 degrees.
2. Mix all wet ingredients in a bowl. (eggs, egg whites, pumpkin, almond milk, vanilla, coconut oil)
3. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl. (flours, spices, baking soda/powder, stevia, coconut sugar, and sea salt). Whisk well.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mix very well.
5. Fold in cranberries and pecans.
6. Pour into an 8x5 pan (lined with parchment paper or greased with coconut oil)
7. Sprinkle a little extra coconut sugar on the top for a crystalized coating on top! 
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
9. Let cool before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutriton facts: don't need em' cuz calories don't measure how healthy it is. ;)

Hope you give it a try!
xoxo,
Stephanie

Healthy Pumpkin Spice French Toast

Today I have super simple and super delicious fall breakfast recipe! Its a little twist on my normal healthy French toast recipe- Pumpkin Spice. Yes we're all obsessed, but to enjoy the craze of "pumpkin spice everything" you don't have to make an un healthy, super sugary choice! Little changes like using a whole grain bread, stevia instead of sugar, almond milk and egg whites (for a lightened up batter) make this French toast recipe a lot lighter and a lot healthier! But still just as decadent. You won't even be able to tell it has less than half the calories than ordering French toast from iHop! Crazy right?! Watch the video below to see how to make it!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup egg whites
• Splash of almond milk
• Stevia (I used vanilla stevia drops)
• pumpkin pie spice
• cinnamon
• 2 slices of bread (I used sprouted grain Ezekiel bread)
• toppings of choice (I used peanut butter)
• maple syrup (I used sugar free)

Instructions:

1. Pour egg whites into tupperware
2. Add pumpkin, stevia, spices, and almond milk
3. Whisk well
4. Dip the bread into the “batter”, let it soak for a few seconds, and flip over. Let it soak on the other side
5. Place the bread slices on the heated, sprayed pan.
6. Cook for a few minutes, or until brown, on each side.
7. Place on a plate and slice if you want.
8. Top with peanut butter, coconut oil, or butter.
9. Add syrup!
10. Enjoy!!!

I  hope you all enjoyed this recipe! Let me know if you try it out!

XoXo,

Stephanie

Reasons Why You Should Be Eating Breakfast. And how to to make it balanced!

We've all heard it a million times... "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." I think every meal is just as important, because we need energy all day long, but it is very important to have that first meal for many reasons:

1. Starts Up Your Metabolism! Your metabolism (the rate your body burns energy) is like a fire. It's gotta get started to keep burning. Having breakfast starts that "fire." It doesn't have to be something big if you don't like a big breakfast. It's just important that you have something!
2. Keeps Cravings At Bay! Studies have shown that people that eat breakfast crave less junk food later in the day. I find this very true for myself. If I skip breakfast, I will end up crazing sweets and sugary foods for quick energy.
3. Brain Fuel to Start The Day! I don't know about you... but it's hard for me to concentrate without any fuel in my system. If  you're a student, how can your brain perform it's best with no fuel to give you energy? If you work early in the morning, how can you get through hours of work without some fuel to focus? Regardless of what you'll be doing, all activities require energy! We get energy from calories, aka food!

Now... I said it's important to just have something for breakfast, but that "something" shouldn't just be "anything." Having a Poptart for breakfast is not going to give you the same lasting energy as a bowl of oats and some eggs on the side. When preparing breakfast, it's important that it's balanced. Balanced means it has a good combo of protein, carbs, and fats. These three macros work together to keep your brain fueled and your energy lasting. Here's a few tips:

1. Always have a protein! Protein is the building blocks of our muscles! It does so much... from building and preserving muscle, keeps your hair strong, your heart beating, and it requires energy to break down- so it keeps your metabolism on fire. Here's some healthy breakfast protein options:
1. Egg whites or eggs 
2. Plain greek yogurt
3. Protein Powders
4. Turkey Bacon
2. Choose complex carbs! Complex carbs are different from simple carb, meaning they take longer for your body to break down, not spiking your blood sugar, and give you more lasting energy. Fruit is totally fine!! But it does have more sugar, so pair it with a complex carb:
1. Oatmeal
2. Bread (choose something like Ezekiel bread that is high in fiber)
3. Sweet Potatoes (these roasted go great with eggs! kind of like hash browns would!)
4. Granola (just make sure you choose one with low sugar and made from clean ingredients.)
3. Fats are your friend! Fat is the basis of our cells. We need fat to function! Healthy fats are important for your brain, skin, nails, and hair. They also keep you full! Here's some options:
1. Avocado (avocado toast anyone?? Pair with toast and eggs and bam! there's your 3 perfect components!)
2. Peanut Butter
3. Almond Butter
4. Coconut Oil
5. Whole Eggs

Now That you know my ways to make breakfast balanced, let me know if these tips help you make a more balanced healthy breakfast! Tag me on Instagram @beautyandbananas!

XoXo,

Stephanie

3 Quick & Healthy Breakfasts Video! #FoodieFriday

For this week's #FoodieFriday, I wanted to show you three quick and healthy breakfast recipes all in one video! Every recipe is very simple, healthy, and a good balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats to keep you satisfied and energized. These are three of my favorites to have in the morning before school, so I hope you all enjoy the video!

Breakfast #1

Sweet & Savory Ezekiel Toast

• 2 pieces of bread ( I like to use sprouted grain Ezekiel bread)

Savory:

• 1/2 an avocado
• sliced tomato
• sea salt + pepper
• 1 egg + extra egg whites

Sweet

• Peanut Butter
• Banana
• Honey

Breakfast #2

Greek Yogurt Parfait

• 1 small container of plain greek yogurt (2/3 cup)
• 1/2 banana, sliced
• a few strawberries, sliced
• Granola (I like all of the KIND granolas!)

Breakfast #3

Overnight Oats

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 small container of greek yogurt (2/3 cup)
• 1/2 almond milk
• 1 Tbs. chia seeds
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• Vanilla stevia drops, to taste (add vanilla extract if you use plain stevia)

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate in a mason jar overnight!

I hope you all enjoyed these three healthy breakfasts, let me know if you try them out and tag me on Instagram @beautyandbananas!

XoXo,

Stephanie

#FoodieFriday: NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL COOKIE BITES

For this week's #FoodieFriday, I have a super easy snack recipe for you! No bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bites. Um, yum. These are so simple to make, only have 6 ingredients, and you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry already. I love these for a quick after school snack, pre-workout fuel, or just a little sweet treat at night!

With the oatmeal, honey, coconut, and peanut butter, these bites have a great balance of complex carbs, natural sugars, and healthy fats. Just the kind of fuel that you need for quick and lasting energy! And a little dark chocolate never hurt anyone right? Antioxidants, eh? ;) 

This recipe is easily customizable to your liking. Don't like coconut? Don't worry. Try adding chopped almonds or walnuts. Don't have chocolate chips? Try adding dried cranberries or raisins! Now, enough talking- let's make some cookie bites!

NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL COOKIE BITES
(makes 8-10 cookie bites)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 peanut butter or almond butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 chocolate chips
• 2 Tbs. shredded coconut
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Using your hands, roll the mixture into bite size balls.
3. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes - 1 hour to let the cookie bites set and harden. 
4. Enjoy!

 

I hope you all enjoyed this quick recipe! Trust me, these things are so good. Half the pan is already gone at my house... If you do try them out, let me know by posting a pic on Instagram and tagging me @beautyandbananas and use the hashtag #beautyfood so I can see! :)

Have a great day!

XoXo,

Stephanie

FOODIE FRIDAY: HOW TO MAKE EGG WHITE OATS

Oatmeal is a great, classic healthy breakfast. But I know, it can get boring. We all know oatmeal is a great complex carb full of fiber, but a bowl of oats by itself isn't really a balanced breakfast because it lacks a good amount of protein. That's why I love egg white oats! 

Now, I know you may be thinking "ew... egg whites in oatmeal?!" Just wait, my friend. Trust me, you can't taste them! Egg whites are a great source of lean protein and instantly add a protein boost to your oats! Also, they make the oatmeal super fluffy, which makes you feel like your eating more oatmeal (without the extra carbs). And now that we are heading into the cooler months, I know I'll be having oats almost every morning for breakfast! You can make them on the stove, or in the microwave for an even faster option. This recipe is super simple and will be sure to satisfy your taste buds and tummy.

EGG WHITE OATS

(serves 1)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup old fashioned (rolled) oats
• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 cup egg whites 
• stevia drops to sweeten (I prefer Sweet Leaf)

Stove Top Instructions:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a pan on the stove top.
2. Add in the oats when the water is boiling, and turn the heat down to medium.
3. Stir the oats, and wait a couple minutes for them to cook.
4. Add in the egg whites when the oats are almost at desired thickness. (there's no right or wrong consistency, it's personal preference- but I like mine thick.)
5. Whisk egg whites frequently to mix evenly through the oats. Add in stevia.
6. Continue to cook for a couple of more minutes until the egg whites have cooked through. You'll be able tell when they are no longer liquid-y, but absorbed right into the oats.
7. And you're done! Pour them into a bowl and add you're favorite toppings!

Microwave Instructions:

1. Put oats and water into a bowl together.
2. Microwave for 1-2 minutes. (Check after one minute and stir)
3. Take out of microwave, stir in egg whites and stevia, add microwave for another minute.
4. Check to see if they're ready, stir, and microwave for another 30 seconds- 1 minute if needed.
5. And you're done! Pour them into a bowl and add you're favorite toppings!

Topping time!

I like to top mine with banana slices and berries, but feel free to use whatever fruit you like!

And if you're a nut butter addict like me, peanut butter and almond butter are great toppings. They taste amazing, get all melty, and serve as a great source of healthy fats to keep you even more satisfied!

And that's how to add a protein punch to your boring oatmeal! I hope you guys like this recipe, and let me know if you try it out! See ya Monday for a #MakeupMonday post!

XoXo,

Stephanie

Connect With Me!

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Email:

beautyandbananas@aol.com

My Go To Easy Protein Pancakes! #FoodieFriday

On this episode of Foodie Friday, I'm going to be showing yo my go-to protein pancake recipe. It's quick, easy, and yummy!

Thanks for watching!
XoXo,
Steph

Chocolate Chip Banana Protein Pancakes

Today I made Chocolate Chip Banana Protein Pancakes for my post workout lunch. I mean, pancakes are acceptable at anytime right? ;) These were some of the fluffiest, best pancakes I've made in a while and I thought I should post the recipe!

I feel like these are gonna be my new obsession for a while.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 a mashed banana
• 1 scoop Perfect Fit protein**
• 1/2 scoop cake batter @slapnutrition protein
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup egg whites
• 2 tbs. almond milk
• 1 tsp. Enjoy Life Foods dairy free chocolate chips

** I think Perfect Fit is the best protein powder for pancakes. Since it is a brown rice protein, it stays soft and fluffy. I like adding the Slap whey for the birthday cake flavor and extra protein, but it's not necessary. :)

Mix it all up, cook in a pan (a few minutes each side), top with sugar free pancake syrup, and the rest of the banana!

Enjoy!
XoXo,
Stephanie

Chocolate Covered Banana Ice Cream Pops #FoodieFriday

Hey guys! In this week's Foodie Friday video I'm showing you how to make these Chocolate Covered Banana Ice Cream Pops. These are one of my new favorite treats for the summer time! It's like a healthy version of a Drumstick. So good. So simple.

Chocolate Covered Banana Ice Cream Pops
(makes 4)

Ingredients:

• 2  bananas
• 2 dark chocolate bars
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 crushed almonds

Instructions:

1. Peel and cut bananas in half.
2. Insert Popsicle sticks in round end of the banana.
3. Freeze overnight. 
4. The next day, melt the chocolate on the stove on low.
5. Dip bananas in chocolate. 
6. Roll in coconut and almond. (make sure to dip and roll each banana at a time! the chocolate gets hard quickly!)
7. Freeze for another 30 minutes to let the chocolate completely harden.

Thanks for watching! Use the hashtag #beautyfood or tag me on Instagram @beautyandbananas if you try out the recipe!

XoXo,

Stephanie

Connect With Me!

♡Instagram:

http://instagram.com/beautyandbananas

♡Twitter:

 https://twitter.com/beautybananas

♡Email:

beautyandbananas@aol.com

Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats

Overnight Oats have been one of favorite breakfasts for busy mornings for a long time! This week I've been making them a lot for golf days because I know I'll be getting up very early! They're so convenient because you just make them the night before, and grab n' go in the morning! It has a great balance of protein, carbs, healthy fats, and fiber to keep you full and give you lots of energy!

This recipe is my basic recipe with a lil' twist on the toppings because I've been craving PB&J like crazy lately! I don't know why... but I just love it!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 scoop Slap Nutrition Cake Batter Protein (optional)
• 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1-2 Tbs. chia seeds
• a few drops of Vanilla Sweet Leaf Stevia
• 1 Tbs. natural peanut butter
• 1 Tbs. strawberry jelly 

* Peanut Butter Protein powder would be great too!

Steps:

1. Mix oats and all ingredients (except peanut butter and jelly) together.
2. Store in a mason jar or container with lid.
3. Refrigerate over night.
4. In the morning, stir well. Add a splash more almond milk if needed.
5. Top with peanut butter and jelly!
6. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if you try out the recipe! 

XoXo,

Stephanie

Connect With Me!

♡Instagram:

http://instagram.com/beautyandbananas

♡Twitter:

 https://twitter.com/beautybananas

♡Email:

beautyandbananas@aol.com

Breakfast With Me! #FoodieFriday

Hey guys! I'm starting a new series called #FoodieFriday! Every Friday I'll be posting a new recipe or cooking video! For this first episode I'm making one of my go-to breakfast! I love to have toast and eggs in the morning, and switch up my toast toppings! This is an easy and balanced breakfast with protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. Perfect to keep you satisfied and energized all morning!

Watch the video to see how I make it!

What I Used:

• 2 pieces Food For Life Baking Ezekiel bread
• 1/2 an avocado
• 2 Tbs. Fage plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Strawberries
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup liquid egg whites (or 3 egg whites)
• Sea salt and pepper
• coffee 
• unsweetened almond milk
• Sweet Leaf Vanilla Stevia Drops

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you want to see for the next Foodie Friday!

XoXo,

Stephanie

Toast Two Ways. The Go To Breakfakst.

This week my go to breakfast has just been toast! Two ways! What is that? Well, when you're craving sweet and savory.. you just make both. It's funny- I've had it for breakfast almost everyday this week!  It's a great breakfast because it's EASY and the options are ENDLESS!

I like to use Food For Life Ezekiel bread, which is a sprouted grain bread. Which means it's the grains are sprouted and hold more nutritional value. It's easier for your body to digest than processed wheat, has more fiber, and more protein!

A lot of these are similar... but still so good! Here are some of the combos I've made this week!


1.  Eggwhites/ Avocado and Cream Cheese & Jelly

Avocado and Eggwhites

• mash 1/2 and avocado and top with sea salt and pepper 
• 3 egg whites (or one egg) on top

Cream Cheese & Jelly

• 1 Tbs. whipped cream cheese (lower fat than regular)
• 1 Tbs. organic strawberry jelly

2. Egg & Avo and PB & Banana

Egg & Avo

• mashed avocado and a sunny side up egg. Seasoned with sea salt & pepper

PB & Banana

• Natural creamy peanut butter, sliced banana, cinnamon

3. Classic Avocado and Sweet Cinnamon Cream Cheese

Classic Avocado

• just mashed avocado with sea salt and pepper

Sweet Cinnamon Cream Cheese

• whipped cream cheese, cinnamon, and sugar free maple syrup (Walden Farms)

4. Avo & Egg and Yogurt PB Banana Honey

Eggwhites & Avocado

• same as earlier! lol

Yogurt PB Banana Honey

• plain greek yogurt, sliced banana, drizzled with peanut butter and honey

I hope you all enjoyed these toast ideas! Let me know you're favorite bread and favorite toppings!

XoXo,

Stephanie 

You're Human.

Good morning, guys! I just wanted to stop by (hehe stop by own blog? IDK) and share this quote I found and posted on Instagram last night. You might have already seen it, but I wanted to reflect on it a bit more in a blog post.

So, welcome to the club. The club of humans. 

Having a blog that talks about health and fitness, people in my personal life and online, often think that I "never skip a workout" or "never have a cheat meal" just because I only post healthy recipes. But that's not the case at all! I eat cake and ice cream and french fries like any normal teenager. I just choose to eat them in moderation. I give into cravings. I skip workouts (probably more than I should). But most of all I'm trying to not beat myself about that. Being too hard on yourself is not healthy at all. 

I post those healthy things because that's what I truly enjoy and want to encourage others to live a healthy lifestyle. "Lifestyle" being the key word.

If you're living a healthy lifestyle for the long run, one cheat meal or skipping one workout is NOT a set back. You have not failed.

I reapeat- YOU HAVE NOT FAILED.

Yes, this past week I could have chosen not to have so many treats, or I could've gotten up at 5am and went to the gym. But, I didn't feel like it. So I didn't. Does that make me unhealthy or lazy? NO.

You can be fit and healthy without a perfect diet or workout routine. WOW SHOCKER RIGHT?

So often with the age of social media we get brain washed by constant images of perfect bodies, health facts, and super fit people killing it in the gym every day. But those people are no better than you. You should not get your validation from how "perfect" you can be. What about the way you treat others? What about just being happy?

We need to change the way we look at health and fitness. And I hope this post helps. I hope I can inspire even just one of you to not be so hard on yourself. Yes- you should be hard working, motivated, and a lil' disciplined. But not obsessive. A healthy lifestyle should become second nature. Not something you feel that is keeping you from living. 

 Healthy comes from being physically AND mentally happy. But most of all it's about being happy and confident in your own skin. And that's different for everyone. 

Have a cupcake Thursday night.

Have a green smoothie Friday morning.

Go for a run Saturday.

Sleep in Sunday.

It's all about balance.

So... when you screw up, skip a workout, eat "bad foods" (because no one food is bad actually), or sleep in, it doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you human. 

XoXo,

Stephanie

My Week At TPC San Antonio!

Hey guys! This past week I went to San Antonio, Texas for a golf tournament that was held at the TPC San Antonio JW Marriott Resort. It was, in one word, amazing. I feel so blessed that golf has given me opportunities to travel to beautiful places and play amazing golf courses. This tournament was a three day event, so including the practice round and traveling day, we were there for five days. 

TPC San Antonio is a private resort, accessible only to club members and guests of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. Additionally, TPC San Antonio is managed and operated by PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties as part of the TPC Network.

TPC San Antonio is only one of three properties in the United States to host two TOUR events each year. The AT&T Oaks Course hosts the Valero Texas Open and the AT&T Canyons Course is host to the San Antonio Championship on the Champions Tour. So... it's pretty cool (to put it shortly) that we got to a play a junior tournament here!

Not only was it a fun weekend of golf, we got to explore a bit of downtown San Antonio as well! So I thought I'd share the experience with you guys! You'll get to see a bit of what I ate, what I wore, what I did, and what I saw. :P

Saturday 6/27

We began our 9 hour drive early Saturday morning! 

I took breakfast to go in the car:

•  Chocolate Chip Perfect Fit Protein Pancakes topped with peanut butter, strawberries, and sugar free pancake syrup!
• Click here to check out Perfect Fit Protein!

Of course you have to have something to keep you entertained in the car! I picked up Paper Towns to start reading on the drive down and I'm in love. I couldn't put it down! Also snacked on a Mint Chocolate Quest Bar! These are so gooooood! 

Fast forward to later that night... we arrived about 6:30 pm, checked in and freshened up for dinner!
I wore this outfit (I posted the details on Instagram but here it is again haha):

• White Lace Tank- Target
• Striped Maxi- Target
• Pom Pom Scarf- LOFT
• Clutch- LOFT (old)

This was the perfect comfy but slightly dressy outfit for the resort!

The resort itself had several restaurants to choose from. The first night we went with a the sports bar and grill called High Velocity... 

To start, my dad ordered a chicken & cheese quesadilla and I had one too because 1. I was starving and 2. Cheese. Duh.

My entree came with a side salad that was actually huge, but I'm not complaining because I always think the salads at restaurants aren't big enough! haha #saladfreak

For my main course I ordered Honey Lime Chicken with asparagus. So healthy and so yummy!

It's amazing the healthy options you can find even at restaurants!

My dad took this picture later that night when we were walking around the resort. They had live music playing and had the fairway open to guests to hang out on the golf course at night. Pretty cool! It got chilly so I used my scarf as a wrap! I always do that in the summer! Double your scarf as your sweater! ;)

And after we walked around I was hardcore craving some ice cream. I went to the hotel convenience store and found Ben and Jerry's!!! (And Glamour Magazine) I was so excited. I got my dad and I each a mini Cookie Dough! Not as good as my favorite Half Baked, but it hit the spot! Ate my ice cream, did some reading, and went to bed after a long day!

Sunday 6/28
Today was the practice round! The practice round was a 1:00pm start, so we got to sleep in and order room service for breakfast! We knew we would not have the luxury to do that on the tournament mornings (we start super early!) so we wanted to treat ourselves! I ordered an egg white veggie omelette with turkey sausage and fruit!

Before the trip I got some new golf shoes, which I needed any way. Mine we're getting pretty beat up! These Nike ones that fit like sneakers are my favorite and I actually got them on sale at a local golf shop! I took advantage of the sale and got one white pair and one grey pair.  I must say they look pretty fresh..;P

Also I'm wearing a new LuLu Lemon skirt that I got as a gift and I love the fun print! Their skirts are my absolute favorite for golf!

I always take notes during the practice round so I can make sure to remember key parts to the course or certain tricky holes that I need to remember a particular hazard to avoid, slope in the green, or club I should hit. I love this cute little Sugar Paper LA note pad. I love all their stationary and I'm glad they make mini note pads so I can have something cute and girly for my golf bag!

Yes, that's a cupcake on my golf ball. I love to mark my balls with Golf Dotz. There's never an mistaking my golf ball because it's covered in cupcakes, ladybugs, kittens, hearts, flamingos, or smiley faces! LOL can you tell I like to take my style on to the golf course?

Here's some pics from warming up before the round! :)

This course was just beautiful!

Post-round/pre dinner selfie with dad. :P

We enjoyed dinner with one of the girls I played with and her dad. We ate a nice buffet in the resort, but the star of the show were these skillet biscuits topped with crystallized sugar and a jalapeño strawberry jam on the side. Wow. And sweet tea. Biscuits and sweet tea-- that's a southern meal in a nutshell. 

Monday 6/29

We teed off at 8am which means we needed to be at the course at 7 which meant we needed to be up by 5:45 to get ready and eat breakfast. Eek!But first, COFFEE! Hehe. There was a Starbucks in the hotel, which became our go to for quick breakfast during the trip!

I got a plain oatmeal, to which I added a travel packet of SLAP Nutrition chocolate protein powder. And definitely needed caffeine was a plain coffee with a splash of coconut milk and added two splendas! (I don't usually eat artificial sweeteners much, but when I'm traveling I think they are fine in moderation!)

Honestly I had a very bad day on the golf course Monday. It was my worst round all year. I shot 92. And I've been playing great going into this tournament. It was weird, but it happens. We all have off days, and sometimes (to put it honestly) the timing of those bad days suck. But you just have to accept that you're not always gonna do your best. And thats OKAY. I knew that was an off round and I could do better the next day.

After the round my dad and I split a burger and a chicken Caesar salad! Yum! The perfect balance! And the perfect comfort food after a tough day..

close up...

Honestly I was so tired after the round we just went back to the hotel room and relaxed! Later on we ordered room service for dinner an I got salmon and broccoli and split a piece of apple pie with my dad. :)

Tuesday 6/30

The next day went way better! I shot 78, a whopping 14 shots better than Monday. 78 is a good score for me on that course, not great but good. I was happy with the improvement and played with a great group of girls. We were laughing all day, and that's how it should be! 

I wore my new LuLu Lemon skirt again... with the a neon yellow shirt we got as a gift at check in!

After having some lunch, going back the room, showering and getting ready... my dad and I decided to drive to Downtown San Antonio to explore the River Walk and the see the Alamo!

I love all the colorful umbrellas on the river walk! It's just such a happy place! haha

It was cool to be able to see the Alamo and know that we were standing on such a historical ground. It was something I really appreciated that I got to see. :)

For dinner we went to a Mexican restaurant on the River walk and stared with some delicious guacamole!

For dinner I ordered their "house salad" with tilapia which was loaded with yumminess! It had romaine, corn, pico de gallo, deviled eggs, avocado, mango salsa, and black beans! I was pleasantly surprised with how amazing this salad was!

After dinner I spotted a Scoop Shop. Yes, a Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop. I was so excited, it's kind of ridiculous. Ice Cream has to be my all time favorite treat. This may sound overly dramatic, but it holds a speacial place in my heart. It was one of my favorite foods as a kid, but became one of my most feared foods during the depths of my eating disorder. It was one of the hardest foods for me to overcome, but now it's a regular treat for me. I also love that Ben and Jerry's uses quality Fair Trade ingredients and milk from cows not treated with growth hormones. They also support lots of charities, which I love! It feels good to have a treat that isn't full of yucky chemicals and is gives back. Anyways, that aside, I told my dad we had to stop before we left. So, right after dinner we headed over to B&J's and waited in the (well worth the wait) line.

I chose to get two scoops because I wanted to try some new flavors that were harder to find! For my first scoop I chose "The Tonight Dough" which is Jimmy Fallon's flavor which is described as:
"Caramel & Chocolate Ice Creams with Chocolate Cookie Swirls & Gobs of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough & Peanut Butter Cookie Dough." 

It was magical. The cookies were like crushed  oreos and perfectly crumbly yet crunchy.

The caramel balanced out the chocolate nicely and the gobs of chocolate chip cookie and peanut butter cookie dough were just out of this world. 

My second scoop (on the top) was Spectacular Speculoos™. It's described as: "Dark caramel & vanilla ice creams with speculoos cookies & a speculoos cookie butter swirl"

If you like Biscoff™ cookies or cookie butter, this is pure perfection. The cookie butter was gooey like caramel and went perfectly with the dark caramel and vanilla ice creams. And the speculoos cookie added the perfect amount of crunch!

AHHH Ice cream makes me so happy. Lol you could say I'm an ice cream enthusiast. Or aficionado. What ever floats your boat. ;)

I ate my ice cream as we walked around a bit more as the sun set!

My dad said we needed an "after" selfie (?) so here we go! haha shoutout to my dad for being awesome. 

This was our view from the parking garage! Can you believe that? The sky looked like cotton candy and I had to snap a pic to remember  how pretty it was!

 Wednesday 7/1
Wednesday was the last round! That morning I tried something new at Starbucks- the Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon and Eggwhite english muffin with an Iced Coffee with coconut milk and sugar free mocha. DELISH.

Sorry I didn't get any pictures from this day because we were just busy getting out of there to drive  home as quickly as possible. BUT! I did have a second Starbucks of the day LOL.
On the way home I grabbed a Pure Protein Bar, what proved to be not nearly as good as Quest Bars. But that's ok! Make me realize why Quest is so pricy! haha

And that's a wrap! I'm home now and back to normal(ish) schedule, and currently waiting for family to arrive! We have lot's of family coming to visit so this week should be lots of fun! I have several more local tournaments this month and some fun videos coming your way! I hope you all are enjoying your summer and enjoyed "coming along with me" to San Antonio!
XoXo,
Stephanie