Sometimes, it seems you have to have a whole other schedule just to figure out the time to prep healthy meals and snacks. But in this article, we are busting that myth and giving you the most helpful tips for healthy snacking!

Plan Ahead of Time

Of course, You may already be thinking you are completely stretched thin as it is already, but hear us out.

While sipping your morning coffee or scrolling through social media, take the time to hit the pause button and plan out some healthy snacks you can either grab and go or prep while making breakfast or after your weekly shopping trip.

This way, you have an idea of what will be available to you to snack on, and it will discourage you from picking up unhealthy foods when hunger strikes.

Choose Nutrient Dense Foods

When looking for a healthy snack, you should choose an item rich in nutrients. Not only are you getting the biggest bang for your buck vitamin and mineral-wise, but it’s also the most satiating snack.

Choose items like cheese, nuts, fruits, and veggies. You can make yourself some adult lunchables or have some cut-up fruits and veggies in the fridge.

Kick it up with a homemade Greek yogurt dip. Not only will you get the satisfaction of a dipping snack, but you’ll also get some extra protein to keep you feeling full.

Healthy Snacking While On The Go

It may seem difficult to snack well while on the go, but it only takes a tiny bit of planning and prepping. A favorite go-to is whole wheat crackers, fruits, and single-serve nut butter packets.

Take individual yogurt cups to work with preportioned out granola or slice up some fruit and veggies. You can even make your trail mix with healthier choices like walnuts, almonds, dried fruits, and yogurt pretzels in preportioned containers for mindful snacking.

Make Healthy Swaps

Convenience foods are readily available, but most are packed with ingredients we can’t even pronounce! One of the biggest things you can do when it comes to healthy snacking is knowing what swaps you can make to keep the foods convenient but much healthier.

A great example would be swapping your favorite chips for air-popped popcorn. If you’re craving something sweet, skip the chocolate and choose some dried fruits, as these can surely satisfy a sweet tooth.

When looking for prepackaged foods, choose those made with real ingredients and natural sugars. Making these simple changes can really help you maintain your health goals and stick to healthy snacking.

Wrapping Up Tips For Healthy Snacking

With these simple tips and tricks, you’ll stick to your healthy snacking routine and know what swaps to make and what to avoid. Even with a busy schedule, don’t let it keep you from trying to better your health and yourself!

Raise your hand if you’ve ever gotten bored of the same ol’ cooking routine. Well, if you have your hand raised, you are not alone. That’s why exploring international cuisine can be so exciting. You can break free from the mundane and explore a new culture through delicious food! So let’s take a trip around the world through food via your phone screen, shall we?

Popular International Cuisines to Explore

Italian

We all know Italian cooking, and you probably already make some sort of Italian dish every week. A big one is pasta. But just because you boiled some store-bought pasta doesn’t mean you’re cooking authentic Italian.

Broden your Italian cuisine horizons and learn something new. Teach yourself how to make fresh pasta, the tricks to the most amazing risotto, or even the art of freshly prepared pizza dough!

Mexican

Tacos. We all love a good taco. But there is a lot more to authentic Mexican cuisine than tacos. Mexican cooking is all about spices and utilizing fresh ingredients to create a truly fantastic dish.

Use different spices and chilies, and research how to make an authentic mole or a delicious plate of enchiladas. Learn how to make a spicy salsa or the perfect chile rellenos. There is so much more to Mexican cuisine than you may know about.

Indian

When thinking about excellent Indian cuisine, curries, and warm, fluffy nann bread may come to mind. Learn how to make your own homemade nann! When cooking curries, be sure to utilize all the famous Indian spices, such as turmeric, coriander, and cumin.

Lesser Know International Cuisines

Ethiopian

If you enjoy spicy foods, you must discover Ethiopian cuisine. Most plates will be filled with vegetables and spicy meats served with injera, a giant pancake-like bread rolled up like a newspaper. You’ll also see heavily spiced lentils and colorful dishes.

Peruvian

One of the most famous plates you’ll hear when discussing Peruvian dishes is ceviche. Ceviche is raw seafood and fish which is mixed with a medley of onions and peppers and “cooked” in lime and salt. These plates are served with sweet potato, corn, and lettuce, almost like a twist on your favorite sushi.

Thai

Thai has become increasingly popular over the past few years, but it is still a cuisine that few people have tried. Thai signature dishes include pad thai, green curry, and tom yum soup, which is shrimp soup with sweet, sour, and spicy notes.

Wrapping Up Exploring International Cuisines

It’s incredibly fun to explore different cuisines from around the world. You may just find your new favorite dish! Each cuisine has its own special techniques and flavor combinations, so you’ll start seeing the same ordinary ingredients in a new light!

“Be sure to drink your water!” I’m sure your mother’s voice rings through your head when hearing or reading that statement. But did you know hydration goes much further than sippin’ on that Stanley Cup? Here, we are diving into the best hydration tips for that peak summer heat.

Hydrating Foods

Fruits and Vegetables

High-water-content fruits like oranges and watermelon are great ways to stay hydrated and attempt to beat the heat. Cucumbers are another awesome way to get in some of your daily fiber, along with a ton of H2O.

Smoothies and Juices

If you want the benefits from the fruits and veggies in drink form, you’re in luck! Make a delicious, nutritious, hydrating smoothie! Blend together strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, ice, and coconut water for a tasty treat!

You can also find incredible hydrating juices. No, not Minute Maid, rather, fresh squeezed. These juices are often combined with the most hydrating fruits and vegetables for their exceptional properties.

Hydration-Boosting Beverages

Herbal Teas

Not only are these teas super satisfying, but they can be incredibly hydrating. You don’t have to drink piping hot tea, either. You can steep your tea, allow it to sit, and pour over ice for a cooling drink. Look for teas that contain rooibos, chamomile, and peppermint.

Coconut Water

Coconut water is extremely hydrating—it’s one of the most hydrating drinks you can have. Although some say it has a unique flavor, once you get used to it, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been drinking this all along!

Hydrating Tips for On-the-Go

Electrolyte Drinks

Before you think you’re just way too busy to be worried or bothered about your hydration, there are even simpler options than cutting up fruits and veggies and infusing water.  Try electrolyte drinks like Gatorade, Body Armours, or powder mixes like Liquid IV that you can add to your personal water bottle.

Daily Habits For Better Hydration

• Be sure to drink before, after, and even during workout sessions.
• Be consistent. Be sure to keep water or your electrolyte drink with you at all times.
• Take advantage of technology. Set a timer or use apps to track and monitor your hydration.

The Benefits of Consistent Hydration

Bain Performance

Adequate hydration causes the brain to perform at high capacity. When dehydrated, you can have memory issues, a hard time concentrating, and even a sour mood.

Energy

Not only can hydration give you a boost in energy, but it can also improve your endurance, allowing you to finish off the day strong!

Joint Health

Water lubricates and cushions joints, which is why staying hydrated during activities is so important. It can also aid in preventing arthritis.

Skin

Skip the expensive creams and serums! Staying hydrated allows the skin to flush out toxins and leave you with a beautiful glow and elasticity even in your older years.

Headaches

If you are prone to headaches, this could be your body telling you to boost your water intake! Staying properly hydrated will prevent those annoying headaches from ruining your day.

Wrapping Up Hydration Tips

Staying hydrated is pretty simple when you follow the tips and tricks mentioned in this article. You’ll also love reaping the benefits of your daily water intake.

Taking a bite into a freshly made breakfast sandwich is truly a morning delight. But what makes the perfect breakfast sandwich? Is it a perfectly runny egg? The toasted bread? Or the crisp bacon? Here, we are diving into how to create that mouthwatering breakfast sandwich.

Choosing the Right Bread

The perfect breakfast sandwich starts with the right bread, which holds everything together in perfect harmony. This part can be a bit of a personal preference, though.

You can’t go wrong with a gently toasted english muffin with the crevices to perfectly cradle egg yolk or a thick slice of sourdough that can get that ideal crisp crunch. There are also whole wheat breads or buttery croissants.

Depending on your taste, this part of your sandwich can look different, or you may like to swap it out and change up your perfect morning sandwich.

Picking The Best Protein

Every breakfast sandwich needs protein. Eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, turkey alternatives, even vegetarian or vegan options—the list is endless.

First, determine the type of egg. Most breakfast sandwiches contain an over-easy or overmedium egg, but there are also poached or scrambled eggs. Either way, you can’t go wrong with the classic, but it’s fun to switch it up!

Next, choose your favorite meat or vegetarian option. This can be turkey bacon, sausage patties, ham, or vegetarian patties. Make sure whatever you choose is perfectly cooked before adding to your sandwich.

Lastly, the cheese. You want to choose a melty cheese that will easily melt over your eggs and protein choices. The best cheeses for this are American, Swiss, and provolone.

Adding Some Veggie Goodness

Not everyone’s perfect sandwich includes some green goodness, but there are many options to add a bit of a boost to the morning.

Some classic options are spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions, but you can get creative and add anything to bulk up the veggie content. You can roast or grill to bring different flavors like a Southwest or Mediterranean theme. Whatever you do, it’s bound to be delicious.

Spreads and Other Condiments

The final piece of the breakfast sandwich puzzle is adding condiments or spreads. This can be as simple as a bit of fresh mayo or a beautifully prepared avocado spread.

These are used to enhance the flavor of all the sandwich components. Choose condiments like Alois, flavored mayos, and pestos. Be sure not to choose something that is too overpowering— just enough to add some extra flavor.

Wrapping Up The Perfect Breakfast Sandwich

There you have it—all the tricks you need to create the perfect breakfast sandwich! Of course, a lot of these are personal preferences, and you can switch up the flavor combinations to keep it interesting! The best part is you’ll never get bored with so many ways to change up your morning breakfast.