Our 5-Day Healthy Eating Challenge

Posted on October 16 2018

Our 5-Day Healthy Eating Challenge

As busy moms, talented professionals and change-makers in our own right, playing the part each and every day can sometimes leave us feeling zapped as soon as we stop moving. We often fall into the trap of skipping breakfast, relying on caffeine or sweets for energy, and taking shortcuts instead of eating what we really need...good, clean food. Because taking care of ourselves also is so important to us, today on Zeena Uncovered, we're inviting you and your entire family to refresh your eating habits -- or create new ones -- as part of our 5-Day Healthy Eating Challenge! Are you in? 

 

The 5-Day Healthy Eating Challenge on Zeena Uncovered

When you feel great, you look great! And we believe that even the smallest changes can make all the difference. If you're ready to whip your diet into shape with us, here's how to kick off your 5-Day Healthy Eating Challenge. Try them all at once or add a new one every day. (*Remember to share your results in the comments below!)

Day #1 -- Detox your pantry. On the first day of this challenge, we're getting rid of all the junk, salty, fizzy or sweet. Clean out your fridge, pantry, the freezer, anywhere that temptation hides...and don't buy it either! Instead, replace your favorite goodies with nutritious alternatives, such as whole grain fruit bars or granola, yogurt, dried fruits (raisins, apricots, banana chips etc.), and fresh fruit or vegetables.

Drink your vegetables. Smoothies are a great addition to breakfast and make getting your 7-9 daily veggies that much easier. Check out our amazing kale-spinach-mango Green Smoothie recipe and mix things up by tossing in a few dark berries for added fiber and antioxidants. 

The Green Smoothie

Day #2 -- Switch up the snacks. For most of us, between-meal snacking is like kryptonite when you're trying to eat right. One little sugary indulgence can sabotage your appetite and leave you crashing hours later...or worse, reaching for more! For this challenge, switch things up by replacing mid-morning or after school snacks for the kids with fruit cups, veggie sticks, unsalted nuts, cheese slices or even popcorn and enjoy a burst of vitamin-packed energy!

A little green goes a long way. Replacing one meal a day with a salad is not as hard as you think! For either lunch or dinner, try a bed of leafy greens topped with loads of flavor, such as our Cilantro Lime Avocado Salad:

Ingredients:

    • Chopped Romaine lettuce
    • Fresh cilantro
    • Grilled corn
    • Sliced avocados, tomatoes and cucumbers 
    • A sprinkle of shredded cheese
    • *Optional -- black beans and 3-4 oz of grilled chicken breast

Dressing: 

    • Balsamic vinaigrette, a squeeze of lime juice, salt and pepper to taste

    Day #3 -- Just add water. Water is nature's age-old purifier. Did you know, drinking half your body weight in water has been proven to boost your metabolism, aid digestion and help you shed unwanted pounds? Amazing, right? Simply take your body weight (i.e. 160 lbs) and drink half that number (80) in ounces of water -- 10 cups. This may seem difficult at first, but keeping a water bottle beside your bed is a surefire way to flush away toxins as soon as you wake up in the morning.

    5-Day Healthy Eating Challenge on Zeena Uncovered

    Day #4 -- Walk away the stress. Start a new tradition by taking a family walk or bike ride on the weekends. Fall is here and the weather is cool enough to enjoy a relaxing stroll around the neighborhood or to a nearby park. On the plus side, beginning a highly social, low-impact exercise habit will not only reduce stress, but allow you to bond with the ones you love. 

    Day #5 -- Make dessert a family affair. There is nothing like the heavenly smell of freshly baked cookies wafting from the oven (*mmmmmm). We know dessert isn't necessarily mandatory after dinner, especially during a health-food challenge, but it sure is a nice way to celebrate a job well done! If you're like us and you have an unbeatable sweet tooth, reward your hard work with a homemade treat from scratch.

    Baking at home can also reduce your intake of high fructose corn syrup, hidden calories and artificial sweeteners. Plus, getting the kids involved will teach them what really goes into the foods we eat. Try beefing up your recipes by adding in raisins, nuts, whole wheat flours and organic sugars!

    Homemade cookies

      

    Are you ready to take our 5-Day Healthy Eating Challenge? Share your thoughts, healthy recipes or nutritious ideas in the comments below!
      

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