February is not only the month of love, but it’s also National Snack Month! This month-long celebration of all things snack-related was first observed in the United States in 1989. Its purpose is to promote healthy snacking habits and encourage people to make smart snack choices.
The history of National Snack Month goes back to the 1980s when the Snack Food Association (now known as the Snack Food and Wholesale Bakery Association) launched a campaign to promote snack foods as a healthy and convenient option for busy Americans. Since then, National Snack Month has become an annual tradition, with people across the country celebrating by trying new snacks and sharing their favorites with others.
To observe National Snack Month this year, there are plenty of fun ways to celebrate. Here are a few ideas:
Try a new healthy snack: Instead of reaching for your usual snack, try something new and healthy this month. Some options include fresh fruit, raw vegetables with hummus, or Greek yogurt dip, or sign up for a Fit Snack subscription and enjoy a newly curated box each month.
Host a snack swap: Invite your friends or coworkers to participate in a snack swap. Everyone can bring a healthy snack to share, and you can all try new snacks while promoting healthy snacking habits.
Make your own snacks: Get creative in the kitchen and make your own healthy snacks, like homemade granola bars, energy bites, or kale chips.
Take a snack break: Make time for a snack break during your workday or after a workout. Snacking can help boost your energy levels and keep you focused throughout the day.
Share your snacks on social media: Use the hashtag #nationalsnackmonth and #fitsnackfoodie to share your favorite snacks and snack-related activities on social media. You can also search the hashtag to discover new snacks and get inspired by others’ snack ideas.
Overall, National Snack Month is a great opportunity to focus on healthy snacking habits and try new snacks. Whether you’re trying a new healthy snack, hosting a snack swap, or making your own snacks, there are plenty of ways to celebrate and make the most of this fun month-long celebration.
Reduces stress and anxiety: Meditation is known to help reduce stress and anxiety by calming the mind and promoting relaxation. Starting your day with a few minutes of meditation can help you feel more grounded and centered, and better able to handle the stressors that may arise throughout the day.
Improves focus and concentration: Meditation can help to improve focus and concentration by training the mind to stay present and focused on the task at hand. When you meditate in the morning, you can start your day with greater mental clarity and focus, making it easier to stay on track and be productive.
Enhances emotional well-being: Meditation has been shown to enhance emotional well-being by improving mood, increasing self-awareness, and promoting feelings of compassion and empathy. By starting your day with meditation practice, you can set a positive tone for the day and cultivate a more positive outlook.
Boosts immune function: Studies have shown that regular meditation can boost immune function by reducing inflammation and improving immune cell activity. By practicing meditation every morning, you can help support your body’s natural defenses and maintain good health.
Improves overall quality of life: Meditation has been linked to a wide range of benefits, including improved sleep, increased happiness, and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. By incorporating a daily meditation practice into your morning routine, you can improve your overall quality of life and experience greater well-being.
These are just a few of the many reasons why starting your day with a few minutes of meditation can be so beneficial. With consistent practice, you may find that meditation becomes an essential part of your daily routine, helping you to feel more calm, focused, and centered throughout the day.
Did you know that you can experience the same food with a different mindset and either love it or hate it?
It is all about perspective.
Today, instead of talking about specific foods, we are going to talk about how to bring in appreciation, gratitude and flavor savoring.
3 Simple Steps to Greater Nutritional Enjoyment and Fulfillment
As you prepare your meal, think about the ingredients and all the energy and hard work it took for you to have each incredible element to work with. Think about the farmers, the earth, the drivers who delivered it to the store, the store workers who put it on the shelf. Think about all and send thoughts of gratitude.
As you sit down to eat. Stop and take a moment to acknowledge the love that you put into preparing the food. Bring back the gratitude you feel from step one above. Appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the meal before you.
Prepare a bite, close your eyes, take a deep breath, take a bite, experience each flavor and sensation. Do the same with a beverage if you have one. Truly experience the nourishment and flavors that you are experiencing.
Slowing down to appreciate, savor and love the meals you are experiencing gives you the opportunity to fully experience the flavor and nourishment that life has to offer.
Fitness Challenge Vol 1
Your Personal Trainer created a workout perfect for all levels. Enjoy your workout with Kelsi, one of our favorite Fit Snack Trainers, this month!
Fitness Challenge Levels:
Beginners – Perform it 1x through at your own pace. The video takes you through each exercise. Enjoy stretching at the end.
Moderate to High Intensity: Build the intensity by working up to 5 Rounds where you will repeat round 2 and 3 in between the warm-up and cool down! Challenge yourself with pace and form.
Motivation What are your goals? What steps are you taking each day to reach your goals? IG @fitsnack #FueledByFitSnack #FitSnackChallenge
Selflessness
Mindfulness Tip (Meditation – Selflessness)
Selflessness is the practice of being able to give without needing anything in return. Allowing yourself to contribute selfless acts of kindness to our world is a gift to others as well as to yourself. Your selfless acts allow the law of reciprocity to take motion without motive. By giving without attachment, you can later receive without expectation.
What can you do today to give back?
What can you do today to make a difference in someone else’s life?
What can you do to make this world a brighter place?
Give yourself permission to do something selfless today and see how the universe responds.
The act of selflessness will help you to release the things that you have been holding onto. These things typically sit in our guts. So let the release happen and let your life flow.
Mantra
I love to nourish my body with beautiful food. I appreciate the food I get to eat.
Yoga With Kimmy
Easy Spicy Avocado Hummus
Ingredients:
3 ripe avocados
1 cup chickpeas
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 cup water
2 tbsp. minced garlic
Red chili flakes
Parsley
2 tbsp. cumin
Salt to taste
Directions:
Combine the following in a blender or food processor:
RASPBERRY LEMON ELECTROLYTE MOCKTAIL
This Raspberry Lemon Electrolyte Mocktail is the perfect drink for when you want a treat that is also good for you! It is the most delicious way to stay hydrated! As I continue on this weight loss journey, this is my favorite way to get those essential electrolytes in my diet without any added calories, sugar or carbs!@TheBetteredBlondie.com
Add your ice to a glass and pour the mix over the ice. Fill the rest of the glass with lemon seltzer water.
Top with fresh lemon slices, raspberries and mint leaves for an easy and refreshing electrolyte
mocktail!
ELECTROLYTES & THEIR BENEFITS:
Calcium – muscle contractions & nerve function
Chloride – healthy joints
Magnesium – helps prevent cramps
Phosphorus – needed for repair of cells and tissues
Potassium – cardiac muscle support
Sodium – muscle contractions & nerve function
Gluten Free and Sugar Free Oat & Raisin Cookies
Ingredients:
125 g applesauce [Dairy Free alternative to butter]
100 g Monk Fruit
100 g Monk Fruit Brown Sugar [alternative to sugar]
1 large egg
200 g plain gluten free flour
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
150 g Nairn’s Gluten Free Scottish Porridge Oats
100 g raisins
1 heaped tsp ground cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 180’C and line two baking sheets with baking paper. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl add the melted butter and sugars and stir to mix together.
Add the egg and mix well. Sift in the flour, bicarb, xanthan gum and cinnamon and mix together using a wooden spoon. It should form a thick, sticky dough.
Add the oats and raisins and mixed together until fully combined and the raisins are evenly distributed. Break off golf-ball-sized pieces and roll into a ball. Place on the baking sheet and flatten. Repeat until all the mixture is used – leave approx 2-3cm between each cookie.
Bake for 12 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack before eating. Enjoy with a nice cuppa! Will keep for approx a week in a sealed container.
What’s in Your Box?
Share tag us @fitsnack on Social Media
Conundrum Snacks | Maple Smoked Cashews
Maple smoked cashews meticulously crafted in Portland, Oregon. Caution: Addictive!
Thin, Crispy, Light Texture Always Baked, Never Fried!
6-7g of Natural Protein Under 110 calories Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Kosher and Dairy-Free
To purchase, visit www.kibofoods.us and use the coupon code fitsnack20 for 20 off.
Bakery On Main| Unsweetened Oatmeal
A perfect multigrain base of certified gluten-free oats, flax, chia seeds, and the ancient grains, quinoa and amaranth to create your own unique combination of any flavors your taste buds desire!
Electrolytes without the sugar. Super delicious and supports optimal hydration with electrolytes, trace minerals, vitamin C and zinc. Powder hydration drink mix.
Chasin’ Dreams Farm | Crunchy Ancient Grain Cheddar Puffs
Deliciously cheesy ancient grain puffs! Made with 100% US grown sorghum, avocado oil, and organic cheddar cheese, our Crunchy Ancient Grain Puffs are corn free, gluten free, Non-GMO and nothing artificial!
