5 Healthy Habits to Swear By

It seems the trend of walking around in exercise gear on a day-to-day basis is yet to fade away. Some say it’s a look women uphold to pretend they are doing exercise when they’re really not. But if this means ladies are feeling comfortable in their skin, then bring on the Lululemon leggings! Keeping fit and feeling good is hard because everyone has different healthy habits that work for them. This Fashionista not only rocks her matching workout clothing, but she also shows off five of her favorite ways to keep in shape.

1—Regular exerciseBoxing, yoga, running, or weights—any form of exercise is good exercise. Factoring in at least 30 minutes of some sort of physical exercise a day will not only make you look better and feel better, but you’ll find yourself in a happier mindset. Mixing up your workouts each day is always a great way to keep you interested.

2—“Me” timeEat, sleep, workout, repeat—the cycle is never-ending. With busy schedules at college, we can often forget to do things for ourselves. This Fashionista’s favorite thing to do is to take a few minutes each day to meditate, allowing her to clear her head from the load of work she has to complete and any other stresses in her life. Find what works best for you to clear the waters. Even just a few minutes each day can make all the difference to your overall well-being and happiness.

3—A balanced dietThe constant fads and diets that people come up with can be thrown out the window, according to this Fashionista. Listening to your body is the key. If you feel like a little sugar, this probably means your body needs some to keep you going, but this doesn’t mean go and eat a whole packet of lollipops. It’s all about balance, and a green smoothie is a great way to get those natural sugars, vitamins, and sources of vegetables and fruits blended together.

4—Comfortable and stylish workout gearThis Fashionista finds that when you wear a cute matching set or comfortable sports gear, she finds herself feeling confident in her natural, beautiful skin. Like any outfit, if it looks good you will feel good. Her patterned, fun leggings and crop top from Lulemon go hand in hand and are partnered with her Adidas Sneakers and Nike Hoodie for when she is going for a walk in the park.

5—Stay hydratedThe recommended daily water intake is about two liters—this isn’t as much as you think! If you carry a water bottle with you, you will find yourself drinking more without even realizing you are. You will never see this Fashionista without a bottle in hand.

Post your favorite exercise outfit and healthy habits on social media and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista!

How to Make Guilt-Free Protein Waffles

As college students, it is our first time living and having to take care of ourselves. Let’s face it, being a college student isn’t as easy as it seems. Balancing between homework, tests, projects, and social life, our health almost always ends up being neglected.

In my case (and in most cases) my biggest problem is breakfast. Between showering, getting ready, and making it on time to class you either end up grabbing a quick snack or even end up skipping breakfast.

As our moms always told us, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It can help us stay focused during class, maintain our energy, and help us from overeating later in the day. So instead of picking up that boring granola from your snack pantry, I’ve chosen to share with you these amazing protein waffles (yes, you heard it, waffles!).

Unlike popular opinion that waffles are an unhealthy meal, waffles can be healthy. With the different substitutes and toppings, I chose to add ones that won’t be loaded with unhealthy sugars. You just need to mix up the batter, pour it into the waffle maker, and your breakfast will be ready in less than 15 minutes. Heck, you can even make them beforehand, keep them in your fridge, and pop them in the microwave whenever you want.

Ingredients:

Waffles

  • 2 scoops protein powder
  • 1 ripe banana (mashed)
  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla almond milk
  • ¼ cup egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings

  • ½ banana
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons greek yogurt (or your favorite yogurt)
  • 2 tablespoons honey or sugar-free syrup
  • Handful of fresh strawberries
  • Dash of cinnamon

Directions:

Step 1—Turn on your waffle maker and spray cooking spray on it.

Step 2—Mash the ripe banana and gradually pour in the almond milk as well as the egg whites.

Step 3—Stir in the remaining ingredients or mix them up in a blender.

Step 4—Once the waffle maker is ready, pour in the batter. Let it cook according to waffle maker instructions.

Step 5—Serve immediately spreading peanut butter, adding a dollop of yogurt, topping it with fruits, and finishing it off with a drizzle of syrup and a dash of cinnamon.

What are some of your favorite breakfast foods? Let us know down below or show us on social by tagging @Cfashionista!

4 Smoothie Bowls for When it’s Too Hot to Eat

No matter what state you live in, June and July are two of the hottest months of the year. In the summer when temperatures rise, appetites can drop. I’ve rounded up four of the best and prettiest smoothie bowls I could find. Gather all of your ingredients and blend until smooth. All of these recipes can be altered based on your personal tastes.

The first smoothie bowl is a coconut açai bowl. This is a very summery bowl by Lindsay Hunt via Buzzfeed. You can find açai packets at most health food stores. Adding the agave makes this smoothie sweet. This smoothie, along with all the others is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan!

Ingredients:

1 packet frozen açai (I use Sweetened)

1 large banana

½ cup coconut water

2 tbsp. chia seeds

1 tbsp. agave syrup, plus additional for serving

Toppings:

½ cup blackberries

Coconut Shavings

Granola

¼ apple, thinly sliced (I omitted the apple here)

Drizzle of agave

Tip: You can use honey if you don’t have agave handy.

The next smoothie is a beautiful raspberry mango smoothie. This smoothie is actually a healthy hair smoothie from ilovevegan.com via Pinterest. It tastes great, and has 16 grams of protein which fills you right up.

Ingredients: 

1 cup soy milk

1 cup frozen mango

1 cup frozen raspberries

1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds

Toppings:

1/2 cup granola

1/3 cup fresh berries

1 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds

Tip: The seeds keep you full longer and add extra beauty benefits.

This berries and granola bowl is a classic. It’s packed with all sorts of good-for-you ingredients. This recipe is from The Kichn. Don’t be alarmed if some of the seeds remain unblended, you won’t be able to tell when you eat it. You want the smoothie to be kind of thick so you can eat it with a spoon, but this bowl has a lot of liquids. If you need to thicken it up, add some more fruit or spinach.

Tip: If you track your macros, you can use a food scale when measuring out ingredients.

Ingredients: 

2 cups almond milk

1/4 cup coconut milk

1 cup frozen blueberries

1 cup frozen peaches, mango, or pineapple

1 ripe banana

1/2 cup fresh spinach

2 tablespoons chia seeds

1 tablespoons flax seeds

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Toppings: 

Granola

Fresh berries

Chocolate chips

Shaved coconut

The final smoothie is called the “Sweet and Mellow.” It is originally from Whole Foods, but I learned how to make it at home. It is the most green of all, but I promise you can’t taste the spinach.

Tip: Add your favorite collagen supplement for added beauty benefits.

Ingredients:

1 cup spinach

1 ripe banana

1/2 cup frozen mango

1/2 cup frozen pineapple

1/2 cup coconut water

Toppings: 

Granola

Shaved coconut

Thinly sliced apple

What’s your favorite thing to eat in the heat? Tell us in the comments below!

The Working Girl’s Guide to Eating Healthy This Summer

Summer brings freedom, warm weather, and, for many college students, a job. For those of us trapped behind a desk or sweating the days away at our outdoor job, eating healthy can be a real struggle. It’s so tempting to grab a sugary coffee on your way into work or to swing through the drive-through on your lunch break, but summer is the perfect time to get your healthy habits back into swing before the school year begins. Here’s how I do it!

I love to start my mornings with a smoothie. I pack mine full of fruits to jump-start my day and give me loads of energy. For those looking for an extra boost, add a handful of spinach or some chia seeds. I use frozen berries because they’re inexpensive and easy to throw into the blender. Add in a banana and some orange juice, and you’re on your way! This single-serve blender makes your smoothie right in your cup, getting you out the door in seconds.

Packing my lunch at home always inspires me to eat healthier, and salads are so customizable that you can never go wrong. I added yellow peppers, cucumbers, sliced turkey, almonds, and feta cheese. Grab some salad dressing from the fridge at work and you’re good to go!

To balance out my lunch I threw in a bag of pretzels, some watermelon, and a nectarine. I love to take advantage of fresh fruits that are in season in the summer. To stay hydrated, I like to carry around a water bottle wherever I go. Getting my daily water intake used to be impossible, but setting small goals with the ounces printed on the side of the bottle makes it so easy. I try to drink the whole bottle before lunch and another one in the afternoon.

Now that my meals are planned, I spend less time stressing about what I’m eating next and more time relaxing!

What are your healthy eating tips? Let me know in the comments below!

3 Reasons to Ditch that Diet

Now that summertime is upon us, most people want to jump on the diet bandwagon to lose some extra pounds. I am here to tell you there is a better option and it is to not go on a diet. These three reasons explain why ditching that diet is the best summertime choice!

1—Your taste buds will thank youThere is nothing better than grabbing some rolled ice cream on a hot, sunny day or enjoying a fat juicy burger at a picnic. Why not enjoy all of the amazing flavors these foods have to offer? Get those side of fries, eat another half a dozen of wings, and order dessert. Your taste buds will truly thank you.

2—It is the age of the Kardashian curves. Since the Kardashians became so popular, including some other very curvy celebrities, it is now favored to have some thickness. Do not be afraid to have a little fluff. Fill those shorts in, strut your stuff, and be proud of those curves.

3—Life is all about balance. Some days all you want to do is eat a salad and go to the gym. Most other days, all you want to do is eat pizza and refuse to put pants on. Life is really all about balance. Do not be afraid to treat yourself. You deserve it.

Pro tip: If you stir vegetable oil into your kale, it will be easier to scrape into the garbage.

Now remember everyone, you are not suppose to fit into clothes, clothes are suppose to fit you. Now go out, eat something delicious, and tell us about it!

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