The Comparison Game: The Gym & Our Mentality

We live in a world where we strive everyday to be the best, have the best and look our best. It's been seared into our DNA since childhood when we dreaded being picked last in kickball. The same concept followed us to adulthood as MTV broadcasted stick-thin celebrities and Pinterest asks us to re-pin athletes with washboard abs.  In a perfect world we want to choke those annoying voices in our heads that say we're not good enough, but it's not always easy when we're constantly surrounded by opportunities to compare ourselves...

Which Water Hydration is Best for your Workout?

In this crazy world, nothing can be simple--- not even water.  You wouldn't think to mosey down a supermarket's water aisle and leave overwhelmed. There's vitamin water, flavored water, fitness water, sports drinks and I think I once saw diet water. There's too much H2O indecisiveness; what happened to plain old water? Water has acquired some stiff competition over the years, but how do you know which competitors are best for your workout and overall health? Thankfully for Self Magazine, I got the 411. Sports...

Is 'Tuna Scrape' the new Pink Slime?

Just when you thought the Pink Slime outburst subsided, another pink food imitation has reared its ugly head: tuna scrape. Geez, I've already seen how beef is mutilated and transformed until unrecognizable but leave my spicy tuna roll alone! This is a sad, sad day. So what is tuna scrape and why am I crying over fish? Let me explain. Tuna scrape is "tuna backmeat", which is meat scraped directly off from tuna bones mixed into a ground product a.k.a. tuna hamburger (source). This fishy "hamburger" meat is then sold to restaurants...

How to Find Real Food at Supermarkets

I have been extremely busy due to my last few weeks as an undergraduate! Soon I will have a diploma and continue to work towards my Master's degree! It's all very exciting, but the only thing standing in my way is a mountain pile of work; therefore, I have limited time to blog. *Sad face* But I do need to blog for one of my classes, so next week I'll be able finally sit down and focus on a quality post. In the mean time, check out this chart. As silly as some of the answers are, it makes a good point about the grey areas of what's considered...

Small Weight Loss Tips = Big Difference

When I decided to eat healthier, I started with small dietary adjustments: I switched to oatmeal from a bottomless bowl of cereal, soda to more water and said no thank you to the bread basket at restaurants. It would have been unrealistic for me to completely change what and how I ate overnight; it would have only resulted in getting myself frustrated and reaching for a Snickers. Diets in general are short-term, it's about slowly incorporating healthy changes into your everyday routine that reap long-term benefits. Small changes set you up for...

Should you be like Miley Cyrus & Go Gluten-Free?

I love food but food doesn't always love me. Over the past few years, I've had to rethink what I eat or end up in fetal position on the bathroom floor. It's not fun and it's not cute by any means. I'm lactose-intolerant-- so dairy is never an option-- but lately I'm starting to think there's more to my tummy troubles. My beloved Luna bars are starting to cause digestive wars and I've already cut out LARABARs.... hey, I just kinda rhymed. Anywho, this is not a pity party for my stomach and what I can't eat (trust me, I'm not...

Guest Post: Jentry Nielsen & How to get Fit for Summer!

I am so excited to feature Jentry's post on my blog! She's a fellow health nut and has been a huge supporter of myself and my blog! I love her writing and you will, too! Don't forget to check out her blog and her great posts about everything health and fitness, she knows her stuff! ________________________________________________ I was so excited when sweet AnderBeth asked me to do a guest post for her, yet very nervous! I absolutely love her blog and did not want to let her down with any ho hum post on her baby here! So hopefully this makes the cut to match your amazing work Ander! J Now...

Pink Slime... Is it as gross as it sounds?

Over the past few weeks I've been seeing the words "pink slime" saturating my Twitter feed. I knew it had something to do with a meat filler and school lunches but didn't have a chance to pry further. Well, curiosity has finally gotten the best of me. Pink slime sounds like something that's be dumped on contestants during a Nickelodeon game show; it's definitely not something I'd want to eat or even consider food. So what's the deal with this mystery meat? Here's what I think of when I picture pink slime: Pink getting slimmed on...

Happy Easter-- French Toast Casserole Recipe!

Happy Easter! This is the first time in 3 years that I've been home for the entire Easter break, and it has never felt so good to lounge in my yoga pants. The weather has been absolutely beautiful but given me a bad case of summer fever. I'm counting the days! I enjoyed the day with my family in which we were blessed with love and grub. We usually cook a dinner feast but this year we chose to dabble in the traditional Easter brunch. Needless to say, I was game. We called up our good friend, Betty Crocker, and borrowed...

Super Simple Overnight Oatmeal Recipe

Just last week I made a delicious discovery. My boyfriend and I were wandering in downtown DC where we stumbled into The Corner Bakery. Apparently it's a chain and I had no idea! Shame on me because it was fantastic. To paint a picture of this restaurant to those who are not familar with it.. I'll say this: if Starbucks and Panera Bread had a love child, The Corner Bakery would be it. Does that clear things up? Anyways, I ordered chilled oatmeal. CHILLED!? Who chills oatmeal? Wouldn't that insult the Quaker Man?......

L'Oreal: Are you worth animal cruelty?

Each morning after I wake up, I have a pre-day routine (1) stretch, (2) brush my teeth, (3) make my coffee and (4) plop down in front of my laptop. I was glancing at my Facebook feed when this image was thrown in my face: This picture was linked to an article about L'Oreal and how the company uses animals to test its products. I'm shocked, disgusted and upset is an understatement. Animal testing reminds me of something out of a SAW movie. I've bought L'Oreal in the past and am so conditioned to see the little rabbit...

some ramble, nails & food porn

Good news! I am now the proud owner of my domain! IT'S MINE! No longer must you slave over the .blogspot when typing in the URL (I know it gives my fingers a break). I am officially eatsimplylivehealthy.com. Boom.  More good news (what a great day)! No longer do I have to divide my time between Eat Simply. Live Healthy. and my school work! Perplexed? How come, you ask? My new graduate class focuses on social media and self-branding... aka I have to blog for homework! Shucks, this may be the best class ever. Now that I'm assigned...