Carry’s Clean Living — developing good habits

As we move into the new year and many of us are working on changing our routines for better health, here are some tips that will help us to avoid late night snacking. Good HABITS and the right foods during the day will solve late night snacking. • Plan ahead — Take a few minutes each night preparing your favorite healthy foods for the next day • Eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day • Eat a green vegetable with every meal • Increase daily protein intake • PLAN for nighttime eating. Space your meals so that you have one at that time of night that is good for late afternoon or early evening snack to kick that craving • Make sure to have post-workout high protein meal within an hour after working out; helps with cravings later in the day and night • Eat most of your carbs earlier in the day • Eat more GOOD fats throughout the day • EAT CLEAN (no processed, all whole foods) helps reduce cravings at night If you want to flat-out avoid late-night eating late at night, then: • Stay away from refined sugar, especially at night (increases your cravings) • Close the kitchen — Clean, light-off, STAY OUT • Drink green and/or herbal teas with a squeeze of fresh lemon (Sleepy TimeTea is my go to overnight and not only does it curb any cravings it also helps with sleep) • Take a bathtub • Go for a walk • Try on & pick out an outfit for the next day • Call a friend, call your Mom • Chew gum • Keep your hands busy: crocheting, knitting, writing, etc. • Check the emotions: boredom, “reward” feeling after getting kids to bed, anxiety about work left to do, etc. Identify the emotion behind the urge to snack at night, sit with it a minute, then drink a big glass of water or tea instead • Brush your teeth.......(after I brush I put in my mouthguard • Drink a big glass of water Fit one or two of these ideas into your day, make it a habit, and watch what happens If you must eat something before bed, then: • Scrambled egg whites with salsa • Veggies like celery sticks, broccoli etc. Add 1-2 tbsp hummus, salsa, etc. • Roasted chickpeas. • A small handful of raw nuts such like almonds Fit one or two of these ideas into your day, make it a habit, and watch what happens TWO-TONED CHEWY COOKIES Ingredients • 1 cup thick almond butter • 1 cup coconut sugar • 1 large egg, whisked • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • pinch of fine sea salt • 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup dark chocolate chips, depending how chocolaty you want your cookies • 1⁄4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the almond butter and coconut sugar using a large wooden spoon. Add the egg and mix until well combined. 3. Add the baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt and mix until everything is well combined. Then fold in the chocolate chips. 4. Form the dough into a ball and divide it it in half. Place half of the dough on a plate. To the remaining dough, add the cocoa powder and mix it in with your hands until completely combined. 5. Use a 1 1/2 " cookie scoop to scoop up some of the chocolate dough and press it into one half of the scoop. Then scoop up some of the vanilla dough down into the scoop so it stays combined once removed, then place the ball of dough on the lined baking sheet. Repeat this process to make 10 cookies, spacing the balls of dough about 1 inch apart. 6. Use a fork to press down the balls of dough just slightly. There's no need to really flatten them out; just get them into more of a cookie shape than a ball shape. 7. Bake for 10 minutes, until the cookies are baked through. Do not overcook; they will harden a bit as they cool.       Never miss the local news -- read more on The Fallon Post home page. If you enjoy The Fallon Post, please support our effort to provide local, independent news and make a contribution today.  Your contribution makes possible this online news source for all things Fallon.