Fashion & Food From HOM!

{healthy eating principles from your fashion and food loving friends at HOM}

For the next few months, we are experimenting with expanding HOM from fashion only, to fashion and lifestyle (food, decor, gifts, etc.) for women lawyers and other professionals. And, if we’re being honest, we can’t wait to start talking about food!

Since it’s still early in the new year, we thought we’d kick off our food posts with a post about healthful eating that will carry you from the first months of 2015 through the rest of the year. While we are not nutritionists by any means, Kate and I both love food. We love good food and we love food that makes us feel good, too.

In this post, we’re sharing 10 simple food rules we try to live by most of the time, for maximum health and happiness in our personal and professional lives. We also love living by these food rules during the week so that we can indulge and truly enjoy our weekends.

(1) Caffeine should be enjoyed in moderation. We definitely understand the appeal of a good caffeinated drink. And we love coffee as much as the next busy and overworked professional. But, caffeine is a stimulant and, on a basic level, day in and day out consumption of a stimulant does not seem like a good idea. If you must have caffeine, consider green tea as an alternative to coffee. Studies suggest that green tea has anti-oxidative and anti-carcinogenic properties and a cup of green tea contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee. If it is the ritual of tea or coffee that you enjoy in the morning, herbal teas such as mint or chamomile are satisfying, warm-beverage caffeine alternatives.

(2) Incorporate healthful fats into your diet daily. Examples of foods that contain healthful fats include olive oil, avocado, walnuts, and (wild caught) salmon.

(3) Incorporate some whole grains and whole wheat in your diet. More specifically, when possible, choose whole grains and whole wheat over white and bleached options. In moderation, whole grains and whole wheat promote a number of not-insignificant health benefits, including digestive benefits, insulin regulation (you will feel full longer), and reduction in factors associated with heart disease.

(4) Be mindful of protein. Whether you are a vegetarian or a meat-lover, you should be mindful of your protein intake. It is important to consume a moderate amount of protein regularly – ideally, via lean meats, nuts, rice and beans (together), tofu or dairy.

(5) Eat vegetables. Lots of them. Daily.

(6) Eat dairy in moderation. If you are not lactose intolerant, a moderate daily intake of dairy (try Greek yogurt, good quality french cheeses, organic whole milk) is a healthy addition to any diet.

(7) No soda (diet or otherwise – in fact, diet is arguably worse!).

(8) No high fructose corn syrup. Please. Over here at HOM, we have a super aversion to high fructose corn syrup. Read the labels on everything. Avoid products that contain any high fructose corn syrup, which is just sugar, plain and simple. In this vein, agave syrup should be avoided, as well. It is essentially the same product. Sweeten with honey, if at all.

(9) No processed snacks. Snack creatively instead. Make popcorn on the stove (use coconut oil for a rich, indulgent flavor) or eat apples slices with a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter.

(10) Drink alcohol in moderation. While there are some arguably redeeming qualities when alcohol is consumed in moderation, there is no benefit to heavy or binge drinking. As an additional incentive, while this post is not about weight (but rather, about health) too much alcohol will likely add unwanted pounds.

Healthful Daily Menu Inspired By The 10 Food Rules

7:30 a.m. – Mint tea with almond milk and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

8:30 a.m. – Poached egg (it is best to cook eggs in water, rather than exposed in air; our favorite egg recipes are in The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer and Marion Rombauer Becker) on whole grain toast. A cup of Greek yogurt with a handful of sliced strawberries, two tablespoons of fresh chopped basil or mint, one teaspoon of orange zest and a touch of honey.

12:00 p.m. – Spinach salad with roasted asparagus, roasted bell peppers, corn, avocado, tomatoes, a cup of cous cous or farro, and a handful of chopped walnuts. For dressing, try a simple olive oil and vinegar mixture. (Tip: roast lots of vegetables and cook cous cous or farro on the weekend. Assemble the salad (dressing aside) in the mornings throughout the week before work.)

3:00 p.m. – Apple slices with a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter. Two to three one-inch cubes of cheese.

6:00 p.m – Broccoli soup. (Prepare the soup simply. Chop two broccoli crowns, including stems, into small pieces. Boil until tender. Carefully blend broccoli, two cups of cooking liquid, 1 tablespoon of Brie cheese (no rind), and salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.)

Grilled wild caught salmon. (Marinate the salmon for 15 minutes before grilling with a touch of olive oil, the juice from half a lemon, and salt and pepper to taste.) Red beets (steamed, then cooled) with orange supremes and a tablespoon of goat cheese.

9:00 p.m. – Chamomile tea. A square of pure dark chocolate. Lovely day.

What healthful foods are on your daily menu? Please share in the comments below!

The post Fashion & Food From HOM! appeared first on House of Marbury.