What I Eat at McDonalds

You may be surprised that as a stay at home, working mom one of my favorite places to take my boys for lunch is McDonalds.  

It's actually the perfect place for my kids to play in a confined area while I work. 

We get some fresh air, the kids get to exercise and meet kids while we eat , and I'm not worried about them running off while I get to tap into wifi and get some emails out or blog posts up. 

It's the perfect set up actually!  

So I know some of you are like what!! How can you go there for lunch being a health and fitness coach!? 

What could you possibly eat there. 

It's fairly simple and easy actually! 

It's called.... 

Pack your own bagged lunch! 

I refuse to fill my body or my children's body with the garbage that is in McDonalds food.  

Unfortunatly the options that may look like good choices.  Or healthy choices actually are not at all!! 

In fact the oatmeal and yogurt just about the same sugar and fat as in an ice cream! 

Not to mention the salads are also loaded with fat and full of chemicals. 

No thanks! 

So thank you McDonalds for allowing me to use your space (get a coffee), but I'd rather bring my own food!  

I don't always bring the same food, but today here is what's in my bag! 

Carrots, celery and hummus and then grapes, banana and some nuts.

This is a true "Happy Meal". One that makes my kiddo happy and healthy ! 

Frozen chocolate peanut butter yogurt dots

Do you love those frozen little ice cream balls called dots!? 

I have always loved them!! But now eating healthier they don't really fit the menu all that great. 

Here is a new delicious clean twist!! 

What you will need: 

1 serving of vanilla Greek yogurt 

1 Tbs of natural peanut butter 

Dark chocolate shavings (optional) 

Mix together and place in zip lock baggy cut corner off 

Squeeze some out onto a pan, sprinkle with chocolate and freeze. 

Once hardened you can enjoy your own frozen yogurt dots--  And all for under 200 calories! 

Healthy Snack ideas

Why oh why can healthy snacks be so hard!?!?!

I think we seriously over think snacking.... We do need to eat every 3 hours, so snacks are an important part of the day! But... keep it simple and PREPARE ahead of time! 

Plan your snacks for the week... Prep them, put them in containers for each day and be done with it! 

Make healthy snacking just as easy as junk food snacking! - prep and go! 

The Goal is that at EVERY snack or meal you are eating a protein paired with a complex carbohydrate... 

Many people fail to do this- especially during snacks!

Here are my top 10 healthy snack ideas. Most of these can be on the go snacks too!

1. Apples/Banana/Celery and Nut Butter

2. Smoked Wild Salmon and Whole Grain/Wheat or Brown Rice crackers

3. Cottage Cheese and any Fruit of your choice

4. Veggies and Hummus

5. Greek Yogurt, Fruit, Nuts and cinnamon
(Can add in flax, chia, raw honey etc)

6. Trail Mix

     *  I suggest throwing your own together to avoid added sugars in the dried fruit

7. Shakeology!

8. Celery and Salsa (pico de gallo)

9. Nut Butter and Brown Rice Cakes (you can even top with strawberries, bananas, raisins...)

and last but NOT LEAST...

10. Kale Chips (yes this is a source of protein and complex carb all in one!)

Peanut Butter Protein Squares

HOLY MOLY these are TO DIE FOR!!!!

 

This weekend I had the pleasure of spending it with 20 amazing women! We all shared our goals and dreams, along with some phenomenal healthy recipes!!! This one goes out to my incredible coach NICOLE KEATING!!!

 

I think I probably could have eaten the entire container in one sitting. haha

I mean honestly WHO DOESN'T LOVE PEANUT BUTTER ANYTHING?!?!?!!

not to mention this recipe is so simple!

 

So here is what you will need....

 

1 16 oz Jar Natural Creamy Peanut Butter

3/4 Cup Natural Honey

2 scoops Beachbody Vanilla Protein Powder

3 Cups Oats (gluten free oats if needed)

 

 

Directions:

1. Heat peanut butter in the microwave for 90 seconds.

2. Add in honey, stir.

3. Mix in protein powder. 

4. Combine oats with peanut butter mixture. 

5. Spread evenly in 9×13″ pan, and refrigerate for at least an hour.

6. Cut into 1 1/2″ squares

 

 

and enjoy! 

I will warn... these are ADDICTING!!! and the PERFECT ratio of protein and complex carbs for a quick snack!

 

Each 1 1/2″ fudge square has about: 110 calories, 5 grams of fat, 12.5 grams of carbs, and 5.5 grams of protein.