by Cascade Ice on February 3, 2021
One of the most common pitfalls in creating and maintaining a healthy diet is not being prepared. When we’re prepared with healthy food options, we’re more likely to make better, more nutritious choices and stick to our game plan. However, when we’re simply left to “wing it”, it’s easy to go with what’s convenient – bagged snacks and fast food. Instead of falling off track with your healthy goals, simply take the time to establish a weekly meal prep routine. How? Here are some quick and easy tips on how to be successful at healthy meal planning.
Plan Ahead
This is the most important part of meal prepping. But you don’t have to overthink it. Think about what dishes you feel like eating in the week ahead and ask yourself what sounds good. And, if your ideal meal is less than healthy, the Internet has a ton of ideas for ingredient swaps to make a meal better for you. Loved a meal you made? Make sure to write notes on what you loved and didn’t love so you can adapt your menu in the weeks to come.
Make a Grocery List
With a healthy eating plan, you’ll definitely be consuming lots of fruits, veggies and lean proteins. Plan a weekly grocery trip with your list in hand and try not to deviate from what you came there for. By hitting the store weekly, you’ll be getting fresh ingredients each week, and you can better stick to your plan.
Buy Convenient, Portable Containers
The best meal prep containers are glass and have separate compartments for each menu item. Plastic works as well. Make sure that the containers are easy to take with you on the road, so that you can eat on the go if needed. Simply search “meal prep containers”, and you’ll be amazed at how many options are available.
Practice Portion Control
Another reason why meal prepping can truly help people maintain and lose weight is because it helps you practice portion control without really realizing it! It’s also where the right meal prep containers can play a big part. Try to have a portion of lean protein, vegetables, and healthy carbohydrates in each of your meals. If you have food allergies, you can search terms like “dairy free healthy recipes” or “gluten free healthy recipes” to get some inspiration.
Don’t Forget to Hydrate!
An often overlooked part of a healthy diet, but one of the most important…make sure you are well-hydrated! And thirst can often be mistaken for hunger. Not to mention, there are recent studies that suggest that people who drink water before meals eat an average of 75 fewer calories at each meal. Is regular water too boring? Reach for a Cascade Ice Sparkling Water to spark things up!
Do you meal prep? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on February 1, 2021
Photo: @PeachinSeattle
It’s just weeks away from the national “day of love” – Valentine’s Day. And it’s our first Valentine’s Day holiday where people are looking for ways to get creative and celebrate while social distancing and staying safe during the pandemic. Personalized picnics are a fun way to get out of the house, get fresh air, and enjoy the company of loved ones while staying safe. Here’s our tips on how to plan a Valentine’s Day picnic that is healthy and FUN!
Get comfortable
Some areas of the country may have perfect weather for a picnic, while others may still be cold. So, prepare for the climate that you’ll be picnicking in! Bring foldable lawn chairs, thick blankets and a small portable space heater to stay comfortable in colder climates. In more temperate areas, bring some sunglasses, a blanket and an ice chest to keep things cool while you enjoy the picnic. You can snuggle with your special someone and enjoy the scenery if you’re prepared for the right weather.
Pack some healthy snacks
Pack some cheese slices, fruit, fresh veggies and dips, and even some crackers. Or make a small sandwich spread where you can combine healthy ingredients to make your favorite sandwich. Make sure to prepare everything before you head out like packing food in airtight containers and bringing appropriate silverware so you can spend your time enjoying the picnic rather than worrying about what you will eat. To top it all off, maybe include a healthier dessert like chocolate covered strawberries for dessert!
Don’t forget the beverages!
Plain old water just won’t cut it for a special Valentine’s Day picnic! Try a sparkling water like Cascade Ice Water, and maybe even pack some extra add-ins if you’d like to whip up a skinny cocktail on the spot for that special someone. We have loads of cocktail and “mocktail” recipe ideas that are low-sugar and low-calorie, so all you have to worry about is what glass you’ll enjoy it in!
Are you planning a Valentine’s Day picnic this year? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Comments Off on Plan a LOVEly, Healthy Picnic Lunch this Valentine’s Day | Categories:
How To
by Cascade Ice on January 21, 2021
Have you ever had a classic “Sea Breeze” cocktail made popular in the 1980’s? It was famous for its simple mix of vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice, and boasted a distinct sweet yet tart flavor. Like most cocktails, it has been adapted over time to include different ingredients, and we’d like to think that our version is the best yet!
This take on the classic Sea Breeze cocktail can be enjoyed any time of the year, and is a lower-calorie, lower-sugar version that still has delectable, crisp flavors that remind us of warmer temperatures.
The key to making this drink is to strike the perfect balance between sweet and sour, so we use Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Pink Grapefruit to make an even more bubbly and refreshing version of the popular cocktail. If you prefer a mocktail, use more sparkling water in place of the vodka. Using gin is also a great option if you prefer, you can substitute the vodka for gin. Read on for the full recipe and enjoy!
Cascade Ice Winter Breeze Skinny Cocktail
1.5 oz vodka (substitute with gin, if desired)
3 oz low-sugar cranberry juice
2 oz of Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Pink Grapefruit
3-5 drops of grapefruit bitters (for a sweeter taste, if desired)
Ice
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add all ingredients together and stir well.
Garnish with a slice of fresh grapefruit
Are you trying the Winter Breeze cocktail? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Comments Off on Our Cascade Ice Winter Breeze Skinny Cocktail will Keep You Warm on a Cold Day | Categories:
Recipes
by Cascade Ice on January 15, 2021
In the past decade, gluten-free products have proliferated at your local grocery store. Even many restaurants offer gluten-free menu options. But how do you know if you should cut out gluten from your diet?
Those who are diagnosed with Celiac Disease cannot process gluten in their bodies. It triggers an immune response that inflames the intestines and can block certain nutrients from being absorbed into your body. Still others are simply “gluten sensitive” and can have similar symptoms to Celiac Disease without the damage to your organs.
To find out about gluten sensitivities, you can either do an elimination diet where you cut out gluten for 30 days, and then slowly introduce it back into your diet and note your symptoms. Or you can request a simple blood screening from your doctor.
While many Americans have ditched gluten because they think it will make them feel better, unless you have a confirmed sensitivity or Celiac Disease, there isn’t a need to eliminate it from your diet, experts say.
But for those who do, avoiding gluten means ditching most types of breads, pasta, and beer. Gluten is even in many of your standard packaged products like sauces, supplements, and some foods labeled with “natural ingredients.” All of our Cascade Ice product lines are gluten-free, so if you are gluten-sensitive, check out the many flavor combinations and offerings we have!
Lastly, if you’re adhering to a gluten-free diet, make sure you get plenty of fiber, as most Americans are deficient in it already, and eliminating gluten can make it worse. Add fruits, leafy greens, beans, and even high fiber gluten-free crackers to your diet to avoid inflammation and get plenty of fiber.
Are you practicing a gluten-free diet? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Comments Off on It’s National Gluten-Free Day – Should You Cut Gluten? | Categories:
Did you know?
