Do you want to know what makes me happy? Eating healthy. Do you want to know what gets me the most high? Exercise. That’s why I do it. I like to feel good and it’s how I choose to live MY life. I strive to be healthy and happy. Yes, eating ice cream, French fries, candy, and pizza is fun and I do it sometimes. I believe treating yourself is important. I also like to gamble, I like to drink alcohol, and spend tons of money shopping, but that doesn’t mean I need to do it all the time. Gamble too much? Get addicted and lose everything. Drink alcohol every night? Get addicted and harm your health. Shop all day, everyday? Get addicted and go broke. Eat crap food too much? Get addicted and harm your health. That’s why it’s important to practice moderation. I eat healthy because it expands my life expectancy, it builds a better immune system, it makes me perform faster, and it makes me FEEL better. I don’t eat healthy because I want to fit into skinny jeans. I don’t eat healthy because I want to weigh a certain amount. It has nothing to do with that. I just feel better when I eat better. Gamble, shop, eat like crap, and drink alcohol every once in a while, but I wont make that my lifestyle. Healthy is my lifestyle and I’m sticking to it. People always say “what if the world ends tomorrow?” you’d regret not eating that. In my head, I’m going, “if my life happiness is based on the amount of Oreos or pizza I indulged in, then I must have lived a pretty sad life.” Life is about the people you meet, the places you travel, and the adventures you experience. Healthy eating is for me, and if it’s not for you, then great! I’m not here to tell you how to eat. I blog about MY life and if you choose to do things your way, then I respect that! I don’t think my way is the right way and I don’t think your way is the right way, because there IS NO RIGHT WAY.
With that being said, I made a healthy dinner on Tuesday night. Protein, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates!
Vegetables are necessary when it coms to eating healthy. I love to fill my body with as much nutrients as possible. Did you know eating junk food can starve your body? I feed my body what it craves and what it needs in order to perform it’s best.
My salad has raw cashews, raw almonds, arugula, spinach, tomatoes, avocados, and cucumber.
Your body does need carbohydrates, and it’s important to include them in your diet. BUT, there are different types of carbohydrates, complex carbs and simple carbs. People always say “carbs are bad”, but this is only half true. Simple carbohydrates are not so great, but complex carbs are great! You will find simple carbohydrates in a lot of processed foods. Candy, soda, and refined sugars are simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are broken down quick. Your body performs better with complex carbohydrates and those can be found in vegetables, potatoes, whole grains, oatmeal…etc. Those are more natural. But If you’re looking for a quick energy source with a quick crash source, grab some skittles.
I chose sweet potatoes for my complex carbohydrates. I seasoned them with coconut oil, rosemary flakes, and honey. I baked them at 400 degrees for twenty minutes. They light honey drizzle makes them crisp.
I eat red meat once a week. It’s a great source of iron and other vitamins that my body lacks from just eating white meat. You can find those minerals and vitamins in other foods, but I love red meat.
Above, I made thin new york steps on my indoor grill. I cooked each side for twenty seconds at 375 degrees. I seasoned the steak with light soy sauce, garlic and herb, and black pepper.
Now THAT^^ is what I call a well balanced dinner.
For dessert, I usually have a couple tablespoons of dark chocolate chips and a cup of strawberries.
Stephanie says
You should try trader joe’s coffee rub for your steaks. My boyfriend & I marinate in coffee & then add the rub. SO GOOD!.. Especially if you love coffee! 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
I’ve never even heard of that! I must try:) Thanks for the rec!
Tiah says
Wishing there was a like button!
*like*
=P
kayla says
I love this post so much! Most people choose foods to eat because of how they “taste”, where as it is much more important to choose them based on how they make you “feel”. It makes me mad when I hear people swear off carbs. When I eat just meat and veggies for dinner, I get hungry before bedtime. The complex carbs break dowm more slowly and keep you full longer. I also love a little dark chocolate after dinner :}
Julie @ Run Away Freckles says
Well said!I’m a teacher and was recently talking to a class of grade 7s about what healthy eating was, this post is exactly what I was trying to communicate with them.
Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy says
“Everything in moderation. Especially moderation”.
I am very much an all or nothing type of person. Moderation doesn’t work for me, but I’m perfectly happy doing what i do. 🙂
Chelsea says
Looks so good! I love sweet potatoes in any form. Do you work with a nutritionist or anything or do you just come up with your meals on your own? I want to get to a more balanced lifestyle too and would love to know how you got here!
Racquel K. says
I liked this article very much! I just started low carb about a month ago and it works really well for me! I am doing much better with portions and look at simple carbs and unwanted and un-needed sugar. Every person and body is different. Do what makes you happy, but don’t bash other people’s diets. (This is not directed at Taralynn at all. She stated she won’t say anything about what you do right in the article.) This is for people who feel the need to bash a diet because it is not their own.
Chloe - A Latte Lipstick says
Adore this post. It makes such a difference in how you feel! It’s great to look good but better to feel good! Right there with ya sister! And yum meal!
Jessica says
Your dinner looks delicious! I’m not a huge red meat eater, but that steak looks amazing! The thing that motivates me to eat healthier is how I feel when I know I’m fueling my body with fresh wholesome ingredients. Of course, I indulge, but who doesn’t! 🙂
EVA says
THANK YOU FOR THIS.
She eats red meat!
Dessert!
This is what I’ve been needing to see! As long as you ate that whole plate (and the plate wasn’t the size of, say, a rubber jar opener), I have a lil’ bit of faith restored in ya. Red meat is a beautiful sight, my friends.
Lauren says
I’m sorry that people on here have made you feel like you need to justify what you eat, and because you eat a lot of salads. You have changed the way I eat.
I’ve been following you since the beginning of your blogging days, and you’ve made me want to start eating healthier and exercise.
Hope you know you’ve made quite a difference in people’s lives.
blah says
🙂
Jessie says
Definitely one of the best post yet. I saw your instagram post and the ignorant attitudes and was so frustrated, way to go putting them in their place, well said. I love your blog and think you are my inspiration, thank you
Alissa says
sweet potatoes cooked in coconut oil are SO so good…I have you to thank for the idea of putting them in my salads and in my eggs 🙂
And I have a lot of respect for your ability to deal with negativity you get via your blog…I think that’s one of the reasons I’m hesitant to write my own. People’s negative comments and criticisms usually have nothing to do with you, and everything to do with them–but you already knew that 😉
Anna says
I love and hate this. I love your food choices – so delicious and nutritious! I hate that anyone made you feel like you have to justify it. Regardless, seeing meal ideas is always fun.
Salads are amazing. It’s a giant bowl of crunchy fiber that you can flavor how ever you want! I honestly look at it like a giant bowl of pasta that I don’t feel gross about eating.
And seriously, for us health conscious people, you enjoy yourself so much more when you know why you are eating something and how it makes you feel. I don’t have food allergies but there are some foods that make me feel crappy after eating. Those are the ones that you have to eat in moderation!
Amanda says
I love this post! People need to remember that we are all different, and that what makes you happy/works for you may not work for them! Personally, I love what you stand for and think that living longer is the best thing possible. Keep on being you! And as they say in Mean Girls….”you go glen coco”!…….you go Taralynn!
Tiah says
This actually made me feel good. I lost around 25lbs, but then I got depressed. Now, I’m trying to get back to it again and the photo of your grocery cart reassured me lol. I just went shopping and bought a lot of the same things I saw in the photo..
Kale
Spinach
Asparagus
=)
Thanks for that!
Kerri says
Taralynn,
You are SUCH an inspiration and this post just made my day and really put my spirits at an ultimate high! I couldn’t agree with you more. 🙂
Hayley says
Hi .. i just stumbled over your blog bc I’m trying to plan all my january meals in advance .. and I just wondered: Where do you get your carbs? ore are you trying to cut them out as far as possible?
btw: you have great recipes! 🙂