Healthy Chicks

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Good afternoon all! Hope you are all well recovered from last night’s Superbowl binge. Let’s face it: I totally ate like a man. Yup, sucked the chicken wings from the bone and dug into that cheesy bean dip like a champ. I count the Superbowl as a holiday, a cheat day of sorts. Oh, not ’cause I’m so into football…just because it’s what you do. You watch the game. You laugh at the commercials. You stuff your face with not-so-healthy yet oh-so-tasty food. It is what it is.

Anyway, I started the day right with some organic Orange & Carrot Juice with Omega 3’s I found at Trader Joe’s, a banana, and a gluten free waffle. Oh and loads of water of course. I had to flush out all that cheesy goodness somehow. Speaking of cheese, this morning over breakfast I started thinking about my must-have diet essentials. If you know me, cheese is totally number one. Then I got to thinking what if I was forced to only eat 10 items for the rest of my life? First of all, that would be a terrible thing. But for the heck of it, I decided to formulate my “top 10” list. Here goes.

1. Cheese – I’m addiced. I love it plain, on crackers and with sliced Granny Smith apples. Lately, I can’t get enough of Dill Havarti that I buy from Trader Joe’s.

2. Dark Chocolate – A must have post-dinner treat. I’m obsessed with Ghiradelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet chips; all you need is a small handful to be satisfied.

3. Coffee- Not really a food, but I need it to wake up in the morning, to get through a tough assignment and to calm me down. Call it addiction; I call it pleasure. I like to keep my coffee seasonal, like this Chocolate Fudge Brownie blend, perfect for a cold, winter morning.

4. Peanut Butter – Does this even need an explanation? I’m in love and could probably eat an entire jar in one sitting but I won’t. My favorite brand is Teddie and I like smooth & salted.

5. Greek yogurt, particularly Chobani’s plain or peach flavor. It’s heaven in a cup, and it comes in the cutest little cups EVER.

6. Bananas. They get me through tough workouts, and offer loto’ potassium.

7. Fish, especially salmon. I love it grilled, baked, pan-fried, and blackened. Fish is a must-have in my mind. Mmm.

8. Berries. I could eat a whole box of blueberries in one sitting if you dared me to. They are also super rich in antioxidants and make me feel clean and healthy.

9. Ezekiel bread – I eat it nearly every day as it’s flourless, organic, loaded with protein and made up of sprouted whole grain. Since wheat upsets my stomach, this type of bread is perfect for me as it’s very natural and not processed like some other nasty brands. I like original and Cinnamon & Raisin the best.

10. Shit, I forgot my veggies. I’m going to have to go with spinach, cucumbers and tomatoes…oh and red peppers. I can’t just pick one veggie. That’s just so unfair. *

*I’d also like to add garlic and olive oil to the list. C’mon. I deserve a freebie.

What are some of your must-have foods you simply can’t live without?