The Stereotypes of Fast Food

The world is filled with stereotypes. I'm not saying that all are bad, but they are overrated. A stereotype I am tired of hearing is that all fast food is unhealthy. The fast food we are used to now days is 5% food and 95% grease. But it doesn't have to be this way. The purpose of fast food is just that; food that is quick and easy to get to. There are really healthy alternatives to fast food that you can make to last through the week and grab when you specifically need it.

One of the easiest things I have ever made is a roll-up or a wrap. The best thing about these is that you can put in whatever you want. Literally, the world is at your fingertips when it comes to food. One of my favourites to make is a simple turkey wrap. Since I am a vegetarian, I choose to use a meat substitute (Morningstar or Gardein products offer a great variety) in place of the turkey. I add some lettuce, mustard, shredded cheddar cheese, roll it up, and I'm set!
**Tip: Use shredded chicken instead of the turkey, and barbecue sauce in place of the mustard and you have a fajita!

Another great fast and easy recipe to try out is oatmeal bites. I've briefly mentioned these in a previous post, view post, along with the video I found it from, watch video. Pretty much all you do is mix a bowl of oats with things like chocolate chips, seeds, nuts, or anything else you want. You take a spoon of it, depending on how big you want them, and roll them up. Put them on a sheet of wax paper and set them in the fridge to ensure they hold together. These are an amazing choice because they will last throughout the whole week!


Again, I'm not saying that all fast food is unhealthy, and it is okay to eat it every once in a while. In fact, most establishments offer a healthy option. This past week I went to Burger King and found out they have a veggie burger. From what I could tell, it was made from a soy based meat substitute with shredded carrots in it, prepared like a hamburger, and it was delicious.

Like I said, I'm not trying to tell you what to eat. But I do want people to be aware of what they are putting in their bodies. It's not hard to swap out one thing a day for a healthier alternative and it will make you feel so much better in the long run!

The Simplicity of a Healthy Breakfast

We all know how important breakfast is. In my opinion, it can make or break your entire day. But sometimes it's hard to find the time to fit in a large & healthy breakfast. I mean, let's be honest: hair & makeup are obviously more important than breakfast, at least in my life. But what I love about Quaker Oats products is that they have the perfect balance of nutrients, quality, and price. They take so little time (if any) to prepare and eat, yet somehow will fill you up and make getting through your long day that much easier. Today I'm going to tell you some of my favourite grab and go breakfast items.


My first and foremost favourite product of Quaker Oats are the oatmeal squares. These are perfect if you have only a short amount of spare time. All you do is pour some milk, and some cereal. If you're like me and don't drink milk, you can easily use a milk substitute (like almond milk or soy milk), or skip the liquid altogether. I am literally in love with these. I bring a baggie of this pretty much every few weeks to school and it lasts throughout the day (even my friends love it!).

My second suggestion is oatmeal. I've always been a bit intimidated by oatmeal, and hadn't really given it a chance until this past summer, and then I literally fell in love with it. I like the consistency to be really thick, which is perfect if you're making oatmeal bites (click for recipe). Another great way to top it off is by adding a bit of chopped fruit. Not only does it give great flavour, but you also get a variety of vitamins.


My last breakfast item is the granola bars. They come in so many different flavours, there has to be at least one that you will find you  love as much as I do. To me, these are more of a treat, but still have a basic serving of grains. I also bring these to school as a snack, and they actually fill me up enough to tide me over until lunch (which is a huge step for me considering I'm always eating). Granola is most definitely a HUGE part of my life, and I am proud to say that I support these bars.


BONUS:Not necessarily a breakfast meal, but the rice cakes are perfect. It's like a healthier alternative to popcorn. When I was really struggling with my eating disorder, I lived off of these since they only have 35 calories per piece (which is big enough to be about 2-3 cups). A great way to spice this up is by adding some peanut butter (or sunbutter), cheese, or have it with a side of veggies. And if plain isn't your style, you can choose from other flavours like caramel corn, chocolate, cheddar, or apple cinnamon.

The Quaker products range from $2.50 to $4.88 in stores; or you can even order them in bulk to stock up! Whichever item(s) you choose, remember to start off your morning on the right foot by eating a big and healthy breakfast everyday!

Trader Joe's Frozen Fruit Frenzy Bars

Although it's getting colder, it's always nice to have a cold/ sweet pick-me-up every so often. And, as I've mentioned before, I'm trying to avoid unnecessary sugars in my treats. The Raspberry, Lemon, & Strawberry Fruit Frenzy bars from Trader Joe's has been a life changing experience. No, seriously, they changed my life.

 They are made with real fruit, meaning you get the same benefits as you would by eating the actual thing. These are so simple that, if you don't feel like making a trip out to the store, you could make them yourself. You blend each of the fruits whilst adding a bit of water (try coconut water if you are feeling adventurous!), depending on the consistency you are going for --these were on the thicker side, so when you bite into it, it was like chewing the real fruit-- and you just freeze them for later!

These are the perfect thing to have for a family treat, a sweet snack after working out, when you're sick, or even when you just have a bad day. Next time you go to grab some ice cream or a popsicle, look at the ingredients. I can guarantee the amount of toxins will have you rethink what you want to be putting in your body, not to mention how high in sodium they are and the number of calories they have compared to these. Next time you're wandering in Trader Joe's frantically trying to decide what to cook for dinner, and what you'll need for the week, remember these fruit bars!

New-found "Healthy Lifestyle"?

If you're anything like me, you love getting a lot for your money. And being on this new found "healthy lifestyle" challenge, it's hard to find a good drink that's low in sugar but still hydrates you. On a recent visit to the store, wandering aimlessly through the isles, I stumbled across the beverage section. I love soda, but the amount of sugar in each serving is ridiculous. Since that was out of the question I moved on to bubble water. See, I've only tried the brand H2OH! before, and it didn't quite fit well for me. However, I did spot something else, La Criox.


La Criox has been getting a lot of attention lately, and being curious as to why, I decided to get a bottle of the Cran-Raspberry flavour. And because it is calorie free, sweetener free, and sodium free, I am happy to say that I am in love with it. I have gone back to get more, and decided to try a different flavour this time. The peach-pear one has to be my favourite, although the lemon, lime, and cran-raspberry are amazing as well. And the best part is, there's no sugar in bubble water.

If there is one thing that I could suggest to you, it would be this. They taste better than soda, and they're better for you. La Croix has an incredible variety of flavours, and they're really affordable (They were selling a liter bottle for $1!). I've stocked up on a few of these, and they last quite a long time. But don't take my word for it, go out and try it yourself!