Pinup Tip: Healthy Eating (Meal Plan)!

Hello lovelies!

As most of you know I’m a health conscious induvidual, eating to fuel my body has become something that is rather important to me. I think to feel great and perform at your optimum its really important to look at what you eat this way, on days where I feel sluggish I’ve often not fuelled my body properly. Fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and other such foods are the base for this for me, but I of course still indulge myself with chocolate and other treats!

My new love heart chopping board made by my finance’s dad! My smoothie prep on top.

I believe healthy eating plays a big role in feeling beautiful, if you fuel your body with junk food you often feel like junk. If I have a bad patch of eating I often feel more lethargic, worn down, have a shorter temper, can’t apply myself fully, and don’t feel myself. Putting foods that are good for you in your body will often make you feel good, and make you feel like you can face the world.

Eating healthy can be a tricky though, as I’m sure all of you know! I’ve gone from studying dance full-time, to working for myself (which for burlesque side of my work can keep strange hours), and I had struggled for a long time trying to keep my eating healthy. While everyone will have something that works best for them, for me having a meal plan is the key!

The photo above is the meal plan template Matthew bought for me (I believe from Cotton On Body), but other stores such as The Reject Store, Kmart and others have them, you can also make your own, or download a template and print that off. At the beginning of the week I sit down and plan out our meals, I make sure I include a sufficient breakfast, lunch and dinner as being a vegan I really need to ensure I’m eating enough of the right foods. I feel the meal plan works for me as without it I am often tried by the end of the day, and that’s when it becomes hard to think of a healthy dish, and that’s when I’ll have a unhealthy meal or even fast food regularly which is not a good habit! I find keeping a meal plan also helps me to know what to buy from the shops so I don’t over spend, or buy food that will go to waste. Another fabulous thing about keeping a meal planner is you can reflect on the food you’ve eaten, did you you follow your plan? If not, why? Were the meals to complex, did you give into temptation? Is the food you’re eating healthy? Have you had enough fruit and vegetables? Are you eating enough? Are you eating too much? I feel reflection is a good way you can look back, and make further growth.

It can also be good to have a meal preparation day when you have some free time, I often buy my fruit and vegetables items from either The New Benera Fresh of Spud Shed, I’ll then prepare some snack foods, and cook some things like a plant based cheesy sauce, and a few other items that will make my cooking that bit easier. I’m not one to do a huge prep though so I’m eating the same or similar foods all week, as I like to mainly eat fresh foods. I also like to take leftovers from one meal and either recycle them for lunch or another dinner to minimise my waste.

Additional tips:

I like to use Pinterest to find simple healthy meal ideas, that way I don’t get bored of the food I’m eating, and I’m always trying new fabulous things. Sourcing foods that are easy to make will make your like easier.
Something I’ve learnt is we all lead busy lifestyles, if you don’t have time, make time. Make time to live a healthy lifestyle that will benefit you in the long run.
Exercise is important, the effects it has on my mind and body can be felt if I’ve been a little naughty and not exercised in a while, but as soon as I do, I feel like a million dollars! Some days I have no time to exercise, but I try to do a little bit while I wind down and watch TV.
Stretching can change your life, I stretch everyday as I’m a dancer, but it helps my body feel long and lean, and gets rid of a lot of aches and pains that come!
Drink lots of water, this has so many health benefits but can also help the appearance of you skin and so much more. I personally avoid soft drink, I’ll have the occasional drink, but we we don’t but it as a part of our shopping to avoid drinking it all the time.
Start the day with a green smoothie! Each day I try and start the day with a green smoothie, at the moment I include a banana, 6 strawberries, a celery stick, a plum, a medium sized kale leaf, juice from half a lemon, 1tsp of chai seed, and water. I feel so energised and have a few serves of fruit and vegetables to start the day.

Carmen Miranda with a fruity headpiece!

Future vegan blogs:

Since becoming vegan in November of last year I’ve noticed a huge growth in my health, and a new passion for creating delicious foods. I can without one doubt say my food is not bland or boring and have come to really enjoy eating a lot more. With my blog I’m planning on incoporating a little more about my veganism but with a vintage flare of course! I’m going to be sharing recipes, taking vintage recipes and veganising them, and so much more. I had originally planned two run this in a separate blog but I felt it would be too difficult to this, and sharing here would see a range of people reading it. I do respect that everyone has their own way of living, I’m sharing what I do, and my passions, and I’m in no way saying you have to do what I do, or think the way I do.

Please note with this blog on trying to eat healthier I’m not a health professional, I’m purely sharing with you what works for me. If you have issues or need further assistance I recommend talking to a health professional such as a nutritionist or doctor.

Be sure to stay tuned as I’ll be sharing with you all a video tomorrow afternoon!

Much love,