My Music Picks of The Week

Check out these tunes for a great start to your weekend!

"Good Girls" - 5 Seconds of Summer: Could I be any more obsessed with this band? (The answer is no).

"Jungle" - Jamie N Commons & X Ambassadors: Really awesome and upbeat. Free on iTunes this week, so definitely go download it!

"Roots and Branches (Meant to Be Alone)" - This Wild Life: Just raw and perfect!

"Fresh Start Fever" - You Me At 6: I watched a video of them performing this song at BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend 2014 and it's been stuck in my head ever since. Also I saw them in concert and met them last year, and they are such an awesome and friendly band.

"Water Fountain" - Tune-Yards: This would sound awesome in acapella

"Parallel" - Heffron Drive: Completely obsessed! You won't be able to get this song out of your head for days.

"Rather Be" - Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne: I originally fell in love with The 1975's cover of this song, but then I heard this version and fell in love with it too. Enjoy both!

My Food Theory

A question I get asked a lot in the nutrition world is what my personal theory on food and eating is. Well, my theory is simple: eat what makes you happy and listen to your body.

First, I'll explains more clearly what I mean by "eat what makes you happy" and the "listen to your body" component will tie into it. Basically we all enjoy eating certain foods. For me, I love a good piece of chocolate. It always satisfies me. However, if I eat too much, I feel gross after eating it. So I try very hard to not get to that feeling when I indulge.

Usually we do correlate happiness with indulgent foods, like fries or a milkshake, but if healthier foods make you happy (and I really hope they do), that's even greater. I also love eating sweet potatoes, a good ripe mango, corn on the cob, and cooked egg whites. When I get to consume at least one of the foods I just listed, it's a great day. So why do these foods make me so happy? They taste excellent, but I also feel really energized and content after eating them.

My concept about eating what makes you happy goes along with eating mindfully because it's important to consider what you're putting into your body, but it's also important to consider how it makes you feel afterwards. Next time you indulge in a good burger and fries, take a second afterwards to think: Do I feel bloated? Do I feel like I ate too much? Do I regret eating this item? Try to remember this feeling, next time you're choosing what to eat and how much of something to eat to help you make better choices.

Also don't worry, even the healthiest eaters eat indulgent meals, and I'm not at all saying not too. This is just a way to keep from indulging every day.

Where Should I Eat? NYC Lunch Edition

So you're in New York City for the summer, and you need a suggestion of places to get lunch from? Check out my picks of my favorites lunch spots to eat at:

1. Chop't Creative Salad Company

(Image via Google Search)

This might just be my favorite lunch spot in all of NYC. I go there every Monday (#saladmonday), and it's a perfect salad/wrap that is exciting enough to keep you wanting to eat it and big enough to keep you full. They also have special seasonal salads and seasonal items that change monthly and a rainy day discount on their warm salad.

My Pick: Kebab Cobb with Red Wine Vinaigrette

2. Digg Inn Seasonal Market

(Image via Google Search)

Think Chipotle, but not Mexican food. Here you get to grab a container and choose a grain or lettuce (brown rice, mixed grains, arugula, or spinach), one protein, and 3 to 4 other sides depending on your container size. You get a super filling and healthy meal just for $10. I also go here weekly. Also if you check out their locations on Hudson or Broadway, they also have salad/sandwiches/desserts at that location.

My Pick: Arugula with Lemon Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, and Quinoa

3. Hale and Hearty 

(Image via Google Search)

I recently just discovered this place when I was searching for a good soup, and I'm really glad I found it because their soup is crave-worthy and affordable. Their sandwiches and salads also look really tasty!

My Pick: 10 Vegetable Soup with a Seven Grain Roll

4. Le Pain Quotidien

(Image via Google Search)

After passing this cute bakery on the way to class everyday, I just had to go inside and taste something from there. All their pastries look so decadent and really well made. This place reminds me of the simple pleasures of a really good piece of bread. Everything from here is super tasty! This is a perfect place for a lunch date with a group of friends.

My Pick: Organic Quinoa Taboulé Salad

5. Peacefood Cafe

(Image via Google Search)

This is one of the places in NYC that I pride myself in finding. It is a restaurant with an all vegetarian and vegan menu. Everything here looks and tastes amazing. Also I haven't had a chance to taste their desserts/pastries yet, but it is on my to-do list!

My Pick: Tahini Sprouts Sandwich

Some of these restaurants have intimidating lines, but don't worry, I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes because they always go by fast.

Enjoy and Eat on!

My Music Picks of The Week

Check out these tunes for a great start to your weekend!

                                        "Am I Wrong" - Nico and Vinz: Such a catchy song! 

"Leave Your Lover" - Sam Smith: You can't go wrong with Sam Smith and his sultry voice

"Silhouettes" - Colony House: Just a nice, happy song. Very similar to Neon Trees.

"Boom Clap" - Charlie XCX: LOVE LOVE LOVE

"Let Me Down Gently" - La Roux: Sounds like perfection!

"Comeback Kid (That's My Dog)" - Brett Dennen: Thank you, About A Boy for introducing this song to me. It's the theme song for the TV show.

I had to save the best for last….

"Fancy" - Iggy Azalea: I am completely OBSESSED with this music video and Iggy.