I’m all about starting my day with oats. I love them with pretty much anything. My latest choice – old fashion oats with Greek yogurt and peanut butter. I am not a huge fan of Greek yogurt, mostly because I don’t really like yogurt period. I do, however, acknowledge its health benefits and that’s why I try to incorporate it into my diet.
Add one heaping spoon of plain Greek yogurt to cooked oats of your choice and a tablespoon of peanut butter. You can top if off with a drizzle of honey, some berries or sliced almonds for a bit of crunch. Sprinkle some stevia on top and you have a yummy and nutritionally balanced breakfast.

One serving will add up to about 250-300 calories, depending on oats, PB and yogurt you choose (also, make sure to add to the count any additional toppings). I say it’s pretty good for breakfast that will keep you full until lunch. Another bonus – you have ingredients for easy breakfast for $10 for the entire week! And who says you can’t eat healthy on a budget 

*a word on carbs
Oats are higher in carbohydrates but don’t let it scare you. If you combine them with protein, your body breaks them down slower. Also, if you’re a carb-lover like me, it is better to consume them early in the morning so your body can use that energy during the day rather than in a form of dinner rolls right before you go to bed.

Whether you’re at the pool or on a beach, you want to feel confident and beautiful wearing a swimsuit. It took me a while to feel good among half-naked people bathing in the sun. Here are a couple of food tips to follow to make you feel slim and comfortable during summer time

Avoid Soda
No matter how skinny you are, carbonation will make your tummy stick out. Unless you are going for a Teletubby look, stay away.
Hydration
Drink plenty of water. You don’t want to feel like a raisin the next day. It also helps flush out toxins and excessive sodium from your body.
Avoid Salty Snacks
Potato chips, salted nuts, french fries – these foods are loaded with sodium. Don’t bring them with you if you don’t want to feel and look bloated
Say “no” to beer
Having a drink by the pool or on a beach can be very relaxing but make sure you opt for something that is not loaded with sugar or bubbles (choice is yours)
A word about fruit
A piece of fruit is a great snack especially when you’re craving something sweet. It does, however, contain a lot of fiber that might make your belly a little bigger than you would like it to be in a swimsuit. Choose berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries) and try to stay away from apples, bananas and prunes since they are high in fiber.

Organized Weekend

It’s finally Saturday – my sleep-in day. Although I usually cannot wait for the weekend to begin, it always surprises me and by the time I have a chance to fully enjoy it, it’s gone. Staying in bed until 11 mindlessly browsing the web or watching TV – not the most productive/relaxing things to do. That’s why I try to make a weekend plan to squeeze the most out of my 2 days off work.

I love  making a list of things that I have to/would like to do after I get off work on Friday. That way I have something to look forward to and it gives me a sense of control over my free time.

That’s another thing- if I don’t plan my time off, I waste it. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with doing absolutely nothing from time to time, but I do feel much better when I am being productive on the weekends.

Schedule a work-out

I’m always tempted to skip exercising on the weekends. Why? Because I worked so hard for 5 days, so I deserve a day off. Right? Well, not really hun. You worked so hard you deserve a glass of wine not a just-stay-in-my-pjs-the-whole-day kind of reward. Go to the gym in the morning. Do a 15-min sprint followed by some yoga poses or strength training. That way you will feel energized and productive since the very beginning on the weekend. Woke up late and didn’t feel like hitting a gym? Organize your closet! Or go to the mall (just make sure to park a little bit further way from the entrance). Basically, keep on moving. I have had my lazy bum days when I stay at home watching TV and browsing the net until I finally fell asleep out of boredom. Let me tell you – there’s nothing relaxing and soothing about being bored/unproductive. Lazy weekends don’t get you bumped up for the following work week. They just make you feel blah. No one wants to feel blah.

Go grocery shopping

If you’re a foodie like me that should get you super excited. Is it lame to look forward to grocery shopping? Oh well, who cares. Bring a list with things you need to buy so, even if you end up buying more than you wanted (Hello Arctic Zero), you will still get everything you planed on getting. Grab your coffee and head to your local store.

Treat yourself to your favorite “lazy” activity

It can be whatever you love doing that is not considered productive. Give yourself 2 hours out of your Saturday or Sunday and enjoy being just lazy. But give yourself a time frame. Otherwise, you will stay in an unproductive mood for the rest of the weekend.

Happy Saturday!