Lynda Layng of Healthy Hoboken Girl is back! Here’s everything she wants us to know about easy tips to “cheat” your way to a healthier week…what better day to read this than a Monday? Here she is:
As anyone who’s been living in Hoboken knows we share this mile square city with all the Carlo’s Bakery fans of the world. And the summer gets particularly interesting. Each day we pass traveling tourists with neatly tied up bakery boxes, packed with sweet, sugary delights. We watch while super eager fans pose in front of the storefront excited to step into the world of the show they adore. It’s cute. But after awhile, well I’ll stop myself there.
To be honest, as a health coach it’s sometimes hard for me to pass those fans and watch them shovel in sugary cannoli’s and mounds of cake into their mouths. I say this without judgement as I’ve been there myself, so I am no one to criticize. Let us eat cake. There’s a place for that in this world. All I can do is continue to spread this message of healthy living and teach people to eat as close to nature as possible, meaning real foods. I’m not saying it’s easy. I struggle as well, and I’m far from perfect, but I make a conscious effort each day to take care of my health. Mind, body and spirit.
With that said, I came up with a quick list of ‘hacks’ to my number one question I get asked in town: Where can I pick up somewhat healthy food in Hoboken? Please Whole Foods…I hope you’re listening. Come save us! My answer always starts with home-cooked food is best because you know how it’s made and you can control the amount of salt and added oil. However, these hacks will hopefully help you on those extra busy, fun days of summer. Here’s a list of five hacks or short cuts to keep it real, while still honoring your health. Enjoy!
5 Easy Hoboken Hacks for Healthy Weeknight Dinners
1. Pick Up Chinese Food?! Huh?
Steamed veggies from Precious Chinese
That’s right, I said Chinese take out, not General Tso! Think steamed veggies. Give this a try and make your late night at the office seem not so bad, a healthy dinner solution made simple. Pick up and dinner is done.
- — 1 serving of brown rice (about ½ cup)
- — unlimited steamed veggies
- — edamame
{Editor’s note: Precious Chinese is a great option for takeout! Robongi is a sushi house, but they have great rolls + edamame if you attempt to order it in a healthy way [think not fried]— as well}.
2. King’s and/or Aspen Market Salad & Fruit Bar
It’s no Whole Foods, but for now it’s a few of our only options for a healthy salad bar. It’s a mystery whether or not the veggies are organic, how much salt and added oils are involved, but at least it’s prepped and ready to eat. In a pinch, you can create a healthy meal in minutes, made to order.
3. More Healthy Take Out: Chipotle!
Not that I like to push fast food chain restaurants in our little city, however I’ve been known to run into Chipotle from time to time. They even have a vegan meat option and lots of beans, grains and greens. Skip the chips and cheese and you’re out the door and home with dinner in hand.
4. Farmer’s Market Finds.
Not much says “summer” more than fresh fruits and veggies at the farmer’s market.
Stock up on local produce and vegetables at a great price. Keeping ripe fruit handy is always the best snack choice and can help you stay on track. I like to have my fruit bowl take center stage in my kitchen so I can grab and go.
5. Sunday Prep for the Week.
Since most of us don’t have personal chefs preparing our food (boo!)…we’re on our own. This prep time on the weekend has proven invaluable to me for a successful week of healthy meals. I spend a few hours on the weekend preparing meals ideas, shopping, cooking grains, baking sweet potatoes and washing greens so I can make a large salad in minutes after a busy day. Think of the Ben Franklin Quote…’If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.’ Make your health a priority and get going in the kitchen. Your body will reward you!
{Editor’s note: some local places to pick up healthy groceries in town: Sobsey’s, Basic Foods, and Aspen Market}.
I hope these Healthy Hacks help you get through the week. Wishing you all a happy and healthy rest of your summer season. For recipes, events, services and other helpful ideas you can find me at healthywww.hobokengirl.com.
In good health,
Lynda
READ: HEALTHY-{ER} TAKEOUT OPTIONS IN HOBOKEN
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Lynda Layng is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor who empowers individuals to make positive lifestyle changes through one-on-one health and nutrition counseling, whole food cooking instruction, corporate workshops, public speaking engagements, and programs designed to support and facilitate change to a healthier life. She is also the writer and founder of the healthy living blog healthywww.hobokengirl.com. Lynda has been in the fitness, nutrition and health space for over eight years and has contributed her recipes to many online publications as well as tested recipes for cookbooks and magazines. After caring for and losing both her parents to cancer and heart disease, she is passionate about preventative health and lifestyle choices. Today she finds so much joy in sharing her love of cooking with others and helping them learn to eat more real food.
