Goood morning (or afternoon, or evening — whenever you read this)! I hope your week is going along swimmingly. Mine is making me want to run for the hills, find a cave,and sleep for 48 hours straight. Such is life, right?
I actually did sleep pretty well on Monday night, though. I downloaded a new app, Sleep Cycle. You’re supposed to give a time frame in which you would like to be woken up and it wakes you up at the time when you’re supposedly the most “alert”. I don’t know if it works or not yet — I haven’t been sleeping so well the last few nights, but we’ll see how it goes within the next couple of nights. I’ve heard a lot of great things about it!
Breakfast — 6:00 AM
This morning’s breakfast was a batch of brown rice flour pancakes drenched in banana cream sauce and maple syrup. It hit the spot, and kept me full for seriously 6 1/2 hours. It’s a miracle!
Lunch 12:30 PM
Lunch came later today as the boys and I were at the library for an ice cream program (dessert before lunch? okay!) which was kind of a bust. They had a chef who made homemade ice creams and brought them in for the kids to try, but the flavors were totally not kid friendly. They were delicious, but I don’t think kids are likely to enjoy peach almond ice cream. Can we get some chocolate or vanilla up in here? When we got home, the kids were hungry and one was running a fever and needed to get to bed for his nap. I busted out my lunch after everything was said and done.
Romaine salad with 1/2 avocado, balsamic vinegar, and hummus — open faced sandwich with a fried egg topped with ketchup — so filling!
Snack 3:00 PM
Not my favorite flavor, but my craving for chocolate was quite intense — I couldn’t really taste the coconut at all which was kind of disappointing. I still love my Larabars though!
After I got relieved from babysitting around 5:00, I headed home to prepare myself for round two at 7:00 last night. I frantically tried to make dinner, dust, and vacuum (and got sucked in to cleaning out my vacuum as well). It ended well, but I was quite frazzled by the time I left to babysit again.
Dinner 6:15 PM
I needed something that I could pop in the oven so I could clean, so roasted vegetables were the dinner of choice. Thankfully, they hit the spot.
While I was babysitting (while watching reruns of 7th Heaven — who else loved that show?!), I came prepared with a snack of apples, granola, almond butter, and almond milk. Lovely way to end the day!
Today’s another marathon day — some positive thoughts would be appreciated! 
Question: How do you stay healthy during “busy” days?
{ 72 comments… read them below or add one }
Plenty of food on the move; I have to pack three of my six meals a day everyday for work so the weekends, even when I am busy, are a cinch by comparison!
That’s a good tip!
I…LOVE…7th Heaven
Positive thoughts sent! Loved 7th Heaven!
I pack all my lunches for the week on Sunday. I also keep homemade healthy snacks in the freezer so I can grab on quick on the way out the door. I keep a batch of overnight oats in the fridge for a quick snack as well. Also I always have frozen brown rice and beans or vegi burgers in the freezer for a quick dinner. …obviously I worry a lot about going hungry;-)
That’s a great idea! I would love to do that, but I’m afraid I would not want what I packed days in advance!!
I love the eat!!! I try to eat as many fruits and veggies as I can when I’m busy! I usually don’t get to sit down for a meal on these days so I just make sure I have healthy snacks ready to go!
Great tip! Having precut fruits and veggies in the fridge is the best!
Yikes- what a busy day…am impressed you still stuck to healthy meals
! When I know days are going to be manic, pre-planning is a lifesaver…I try to batch cook my meals so all I have to do is grab & eat them on the day- that way I have no excuse not to! Lately I’ve been making fritattas which give me multiple servings and are so quick to assemble!
What a great tip!
Positive thoughts being sent your way! Hope you’re able to sleep well tonight.
Thank you! me too!
Meal prep keeps me healthy! Doing a quick heart-pumping 10 minute workout in the morning is also great way to get my energy levels up - especially if I won’t have time to workout later in the day.
I agree - 10 minutes is better than 0 minutes!
Good luck with the busy days!
And that’s a bummer about the ice cream. Kids often have pretty simple tastes… I guess people tend to forget?
I guess so - the kids were bummed!
Those poor kids… and you two of course. I would’ve been so disappointed that there wasn’t any vanilla!!
Your open face sandwich looks deliciouss btw girl!!
When I know I have busy days coming up, I usually plan out every meal a day or so before. Just makes it less stressful for me.
postiveee thoughts your way girl!!
Thanks - my cousin said it was gross looking - hahaha!
i still need to try those brown rice flour pancakes! i keep forgetting about them. oh 7th heaven…i loved that show! i’m glad you got some of your cleaning done. i hope today goes well!
Iknow you tried them this morning. How long were you full for?
i ate them at 6:45ish and wasn’t hungry for lunch until 12:30!! that NEVER happens!
Ah I used to love watching 7th Heaven-it was easily one of my favorite shows during those middle school years!
On those crazy busy days I try to focus on just the next hour or half hour of what I have going on or need to do, that way I avoid thinking about the long/exhausting day ahead and it not only helps me be present but also makes the day go much quicker!
When I was younger, on the week nights we got to choose one show FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK. I always chose 7th Heaven.
I loved 7th heaven! Except, sometimes the endings were a little too cheesy! ; ) For those extra busy days, the only thing that works for me is leftovers, or the slow cooker. I just make sure to grill up extra veggies and prep everything the night before. Good luck w/another hectic day! : )
haha the endings were ALWAYS cheesy.
Ahh, 7th Heaven is awesome! I try to keep my purse or desk well stocked with fruit and nuts in the event that a busy day pops up. My favorites are pistachios, dried apples, bananas, and definitely peanut butter cookie larabars.
Unfortunately, veggies often get thrown towards the wayside on busy days… I want a sugar boost!
Great tip! I like keeping food (and chocolate) in my desk as well!
Peach almond ice-cream…..even I think that’s questionable and I am 23!
I know, right?
looooooved 7th heaven! I was always rooting for Mary and Ben haha on my busy busy days I make sure I have planned foods and actually schedule a time to eat otherwise I’ll forget lol
I forgot about them! Mary got into a LOT of trouble in her late teen years!
I’m so curious about that sleep app. I’m a terrible sleeper so anything that helps is good!
Try it and let me know what you think!
oh my gosh, I totally forgot about 7th heaven!!! I used to love that show! Good luck today!
Hahaha 7th heaven! And fried eggs are the absolute best with siracha
You can totally rock today out!!! Love how you’re taking care of yourself by planning your meals ahead like that-awesome work! I loved 7th Heaven growing up-haven’t seen it in years. Good luck today!
Sevennnnnth Heaven… when I see their hapy faces smiling back at meee…. oh seventh heaven…. I know there’s no greater feeling than the love of a familyyyy… where do you gooooo… when the world don’t treat you right… the answer is ho…
…must I keep going? Love it. Even though I haven’t watched it in YEARS!
haha that song was rolling around twitter the other night because of me!
Definitely downloading that app; I’m intrigued!
I was obsessed with 7th Heaven back in the day!
When I’m busy I make my meals ahead of time - like baked chicken, roasted vegetables and big batches of grain and bean salads! Also I always have apples and almonds for quick portable snacks.
Six and a half hours… that’s amazing! I’d love a breakfast that would keep me full that long! I will have to give those pancakes a try. Funny what you said about the chocolate coconut LARA bar… I have been eyeing those at the grocery store and wondering if they were as good as they looked.
Hi Name Twin!
If you’re going to go the chocolate route, I’d take the chocolate chip cookie dough or the peanut butter chocolate Larabar!!
I just found your blog and I lurve it! =) I’m printing off a few recipes already. Have a wonderful day! XO
Thanks Kaci!
Happy eating!
Very healthy day. I am going to check out that pancake recipe.
Planning ahead and pre-packing stuff is essential!
Thanks Katie - I agree, planning ahead is necessary!!
Wow that does sound like a crazy day!! Hopefully day is a little calmer and goes well! That’s so silly that the chef would bring ice cream flavors like that- I think he forgot who his audience was! And omigosh, I forgot about 7th Heaven! I remember in 7th grade it was all we could talk about!
haha the other night it was the first episode - do you remember? When Lucy got her period? haha!
Man 7th Heaven, that brings me back! I’m not sure I could actually go back and rewatch some of those episodes. lol Although, who am I kidding. I currently watch the The Secret Life…
haha I fell out of love with Secret Life this season! Bachelorette has been eating up my time!
Yeah it hasn’t been great, but I get too much of a kick out of trying to guess what clip they’ll show on The Soup. I’ve been right about 75% of the time!
Planning!! That’s how to stay healthy. Not leaving the fridge on Empty and waiting until the last minute before you “have to” go to the groc store. With a child, you really can’t do that anyway!
Agree!
I hope your days goes smoothly today!!
That’s too funny about 7th heaven because I was totally thinking of it the other day and even had the theme song stuck in my head basically all day yesterday! Then I realized how super annoying the anthem is;)
I can’t believe your breakfast filled you up that long! I’ve got to try those out.
haha The song has been stuck in my head for like two days!
I try to have somewhat of an idea what the week schedule will be on Sunday before I grocery shop for the week. I always have emergency pre portioned snacks in my purse and console. When I know I won’t be at home for a meal I pack my food. if I know the day is going to be too long for a 5 am workout I fit in whatever kind of heart pounding I can even if it’s a few pushups here, lunges there or square while brushing my teeth.
Great tips Lea!
Aww.. I totally miss 7th Heaven! With the cheesy music and all..
Those pancakes look amazing!
+ cheesy episodes!
The best way to eat healthy during those busy days for me is to have all my meals and snacks planned out!!
I agree! Especially during the school year when I’m working, I have to meal plan and think about my week!
I think prepping food ahead of time is key to staying healthy during busy days. I think it’s also important, however, to allow yourself to splurge when you need to (i.e. an iced coffee to help you through a long afternoon).
I hear you and agree 100% on the iced coffee!
haha I have that app and have yet to use it. guess I better give it a go.
those pancakes look perfect! when I am busy I tend to eat 3 -4 huge meals to help keep me focused on my day.
I agree, that really helps! I used to be a constant eater, but I’ve moved into larger meals lately and it’s working for me!
I loved 7th heaven too!!
Your roasted veggies look amazing! How do you roast yours? I’ve seen people do them several ways.
I LOVED 7th Heaven…but hated Lucy.
I literally LOL’ed about this one - I SO agree. She was a little too much.
Good question.
For me, there is no differentiation between busy and non-busy days. Ninety-nine percent of my days are busy, but on that other one percent? Healthy is just a way of life, thus it is not a compromise.
Do you consider your life to be compartmentalised between healthy and non-healthy? Why? Do you not enjoy being healthy?
No, I don’t think my life is stuck between healthy and non-healthy - and I DO enjoy being healthy. I think though, that some people are in that “stuck” point, which is why I wanted for some to share their tips - so others could read them and get some ideas!
I always read your blog and others like them for tips on staying healthy while being busy:) Haha, I guess that doesn’t help you too much…
The biggest thing that helps me is talking out loud about trying to stay healthy when I’m busy! If others know that I’m trying to avoid eating junk and overeating, they’ll usually try to do the same, which ALWAYS helps!
I loved 7th Heaven
I’ve found a couple healthy take out places in my area. So, if I need something quick and easy - I always know where to go.