The Power of Mindful Nutrition: FEATURING: THE RAW BALANCE

Meet Patty from @therawbalance a Denver Lifestyle Blogger, obsessed with all things wellness! We have been checking out her blog and Instagram and are loving all the content she provides on living a mindful and balanced diet!  

Hi Patty, could you tell us what a typical day looks like for you in terms of what your diet? 

Breakfast (6AM): The first thing I do when I wake up is drink a large glass of water. Once I finish it I immediately feel rejuvenated and ready to start my day. For breakfast my go-to is typically oatmeal. This includes rolled oats with some soymilk, a handful of raspberries or some sort of fruit, a spoonful of almond butter, chia seeds for added nutrition and a handful of raw almonds. On most mornings I’ll also pair breakfast with a small cup of black coffee or this homemade green tea latte. 

Mid-Morning Snack (10AM): I don’t always need a mid-morning snack, my breakfast usually keeps me full until lunch, however, on the days that I work out early in the morning I’ll eat something small to keep me energized such as an organic apple or a handful of raw almonds. I always try to keep up with my water intake too. Lately I’ve been making this mint, cucumber and lemon detox water and the obsession is too real. 

Lunch (12PM): This is my most nutritious meal of the day. I always make something with whole grains, lots of veggies and some sort of protein. Now that spring is here, I’ve been making a cranberry quinoa salad which includes spinach, arugula, rainbow quinoa, grilled chicken, goat cheese crumbles, dried cranberries and a light poppyseed dressing. This is super easy to meal prep in the beginning of the week as well! 

Afternoon Snack (3PM): On the days that I need a pick-me-up I’ll opt for vanilla greek yogurt, a sprinkle of shredded coconut and 1 spoonful of matcha powder. Matcha is great for a boost of energy! 

Dinner (7:00PM): I usually keep dinner pretty small. If I haven’t worked out in the morning, I’ll hit the gym after work around 6PM and when I come home, I eat something high in protein. Lately I’ve been on a smoothie kick but if I have chicken pre-made, I’ll pair that with brown rice and veggies. 

How did you get into healthy and conscious eating?

Growing up, eating healthy wasn’t even a thought in my head. I had a thin frame and never gained weight as a teenager so naturally I ate whatever I wanted. That all changed when I went to college in 2010. Between late night snacking, the stress of my classes and the endless options of unhealthy food at my fingertips, it eventually all caught up with me. 

I took a step back my sophomore year and I realized that I needed to start taking my health more seriously. It wasn’t just because I didn’t like the way I looked, I felt mentally disconnected from myself as well and that’s where my journey began. I simply began by eliminating unhealthy things from my diet one at a time. I knew there wasn’t going to be a quick fix and that this commitment wasn’t just for 30 days. It was going to be a slow process and it was going to be for the rest of my life. It’s been 5 years and I still find myself learning, adjusting and changing what works for me.

What are the benefits of a eating a balanced diet?

There are SO many benefits to mindful eating, not only externally but internally as well. More energy, a boost in your mood, clear skin, weight loss, a better nights sleep and increased self-confidence just to name a few. 

How have you felt your nutrition mindfulness has benefitted your life – mind, body spirit?

Over the last 5 years I’ve really made the connected between nutrition to my quality of life. I don’t eat clean to be thin, I do it for my health, for my future, for my family and for my future family. I want to be around for a long time and I’ve learned that a healthy lifestyle has given me the ability to create an incredible bond with myself.  When you see food as fuel, your mind, body and sprit reap the benefits.

 

What advice do you have to anyone considering making changes to their dietary habits?

Changing your diet takes consistency and commitment. It’s a very slow process so I think that’s the first thing to recognize if you want to change your lifestyle. What worked for me is the process of elimination. For 30 days eliminate one thing that is holding you back from making progress. Whether it be late night snacking, eating out, or alcohol, just do it for 30 days and see how you feel. You may find yourself not missing that one thing at all. 

What’s one small thing we can all do today?

Drink more water and take it one day at a time. It’s hard to stay motivated when you focus on how far you have to go so stay present and find your “why.” You might have a ways to go but the journey will be so worth it!  

You can find more about Patty @therawbalance at the following links! 

Pinterest.                Instagram.             Twitter.