Badass Confession: I am fascinated by the contents of people's shopping carts.
If you are in front of me or behind me at the grocery store checkout, I am probably peeking at what's inside your cart. The inventory is so telling -- like getting a glimpse into someone's closet. Are they a hoarder? A Type A who organizes clothes by color, shoes in neat rows? The details say a lot.
When it comes to a grocery cart, the contents of which end up in your pantry and refrigerator, the inventory is vital to how you feel, perform and even how your skin and hair look.
I see carts that scream "Processed Carb Addict," with frozen pepperoni pizzas, Cheetos, double chunk cookies, Pop Tarts -- and not a piece of fresh produce in sight. Others are a split personality -- an apple for every package of Hot Pockets. And some are so pure and virginal, all fruits and vegetables and whole grains, even I wonder, "Not even one 'cheat' food?"
Remember the whole "fuel your Porsche" mantra? Well, the best way to maintain an eating regimen that is overall healthy is to stock your pantry with power foods. That doesn't mean you never eat potato chips or ice cream. It means that those foods are the exception, not the rule.
So next time you're grocery shopping, add these things to your cart. And skip that aisle with the endless row of tortilla chips and orange-tinged snack foods. Because I don't know about you, but if I start eating those Hint of Lime Tostitos, I go from Badass to Shovel-Ass. As in, shovel the whole bag into my mouth.
Ingredients for a Badass Pantry:
- Almonds: Packed with protein, vitamins, and essential minerals, a handful of these are a great, portable snack. Just don't eat the whole container in one sitting.
- Peanut butter, (fresh ground or all natural): Have a tablespoon on whole wheat toast, toss it into a smoothie. Spread it on an apple. Easy to use, cheap protein source.
- Fruit: Vitamins, antioxidants, fiber. Your skin and body will thank you.
- Eggs: Hard boil a dozen on Sunday and have them around for the whole week. An egg and an egg white, paired with fruit and yogurt or whole wheat toast, makes a great breakfast.
- Tuna, canned in water or in ready-to-eat envelopes: Make a low-fat tuna salad with low-fat mayo, or toss it with a big green salad for lunch.
- Greek yogurt: Creamer than regular yogurt, and with more protein and less sugar
- Low-fat string cheese: 50 to 60 calories per stick makes it a great snack on the run. Have it with an apple when those mid-afternoon, pre-dinner hunger/craving kicks in.
- Wheat germ: Packed with folate and other vitamins like E and B1, sprinkle it into oatmeal, yogurt or even on your salad. You'll barely taste it, but you'll be more Badass for it.
- Flaxseed, ground: Fiber, omega-3 fatty acids. There's a lot packed into just a tablespoon or two of this. Use it like wheat germ.
- Whole wheat pita: Use it to make low-fat pizzas, or stuff it with lean meats and/or veggies and hummus for a healthy, filling sandwich.
- Quick-cook brown rice or couscous: Like eggs, you can make a batch on Sunday and use it for the following week. Toss a half cup into a lunch salad, or make a Greek entree salad with couscous or rice, feta, chikpeas, chicken (or tofu), cucumbers and a light vinaigrette for dinner.
- 100-calorie popcorn bags: For when the salt craving hits. This will do a lot less damage than chips or cheesy poofs.
- Dark chocolate, packaged in individual squares: This isn't a typo. Dark chocolate really does have health benefits. And every Badass needs a little sweetness now and then.
Coming up: The Power of Rest
