Kickin’ It with Health Coach & Healthy Food Blogger, Anjali Shah
by Cascade Ice on July 10, 2014
With all the cookouts and barbeques taking place this summer it’s important to eat right and stay healthy. Today we are Kickin’ It with Anjali Shah, Board Certified Health Coach and Healthy Food Blogger at The Picky Eater, and she’s sharing some great tips on how to rock a healthy lifestyle.
Why is “Healthy Living” important to you?
Healthy living is important to me because of how it makes me feel! When I’m eating healthy, exercising well, living a balanced and stress-free life, I feel so much better. I have more energy, I’m able to fit more things into my day, and I’m much, much happier. On a particular day, if I happen to eat a bunch of junk food or don’t get enough sleep I notice the difference immediately.
Who are your “Healthy Living” role models and why?
My healthy living role models are actually my parents. They were the ones who instilled healthy habits in me from a young age, and the main reason why I grew up to be so health-conscious. My mom was a runner throughout her life, even into her 50s! Additionally, at the age of 63, my dad still exercises daily. He’s super active, plays ping pong and badminton, and cooks the most delicious healthy meals ever.
What is your go-to healthy meal when you are short on time?
I like throwing everything into a blender and making a smoothie. I’ll put:
- Kale
- Apples
- Berries
- Spinach
- Almond butter
- Pear slices
- Ground flax seeds
- Organic milk
It’s super filling, packed with protein and tastes delicious!
Do you have any tips for families who want to make some healthy lifestyle changes?
Start small, don’t try to be “perfect” or do everything at once! My two main tips for families who want to make healthy lifestyle changes are:
- Go grocery shopping and start cooking 2-3 healthy meals at home using tons of vegetables, lean protein, and whole foods
- Try to work in 30 minutes of exercise into your day 4 times a week.
Do activities you enjoy as a family. Whether it’s taking a walk together, going swimming, going on a hike, biking, etc., it will give you a chance to spend time together and be active at the same time!
Are there any foods that you consider to be off-limits completely?
For me, it’s more about the ingredients in a particular food item versus a type of food (because I do like indulgences in moderation and I think that’s part of living a balanced and healthy life!) For example, I’d never eat fries from a fast food restaurant (because those are often heavily processed and barely even made with whole potatoes), but at a place where I know there are only 3 ingredients in the fries (potatoes, olive oil, salt) – I will totally have a few! Also, I won’t eat the shelf-stable packaged donuts at the grocery store, but I will definitely have a piece of a donut baked fresh at a bakery or patisserie. The ingredients I try to avoid are basically any ingredients that are heavily processed and that aren’t whole foods.
In addition to eating right, do you have any other tips to share on overall wellness (i.e. sleep, relaxation techniques, fitness routines)?
Yes! Three of my favorite wellness tips that I try to abide by every day are:
- Making sure I get enough sleep at night. Sleep is so important to your overall well-being and it helps maintain a healthy weight too. I try to aim for 7 hours a night.
- Exercising 30 minutes a day. I like running, yoga/pilates, or walking on an incline.
- When I’m feeling stressed, I take 5 minutes of “alone” time to do some breathing exercises and re-center myself. It does wonders in giving me some perspective and making me feel a lot calmer!
To see more of Anjali’s tips, visit her website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
