emma sumrell

By: Emma Sumrell

happy saturday friends!! i hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend so far. today, we are going to be diving into how i (finally) found balance and a way to maintain & live a healthy lifestyle that will last… of course while still holding space for fun (aka happy hour).

if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably embarked on more diets than you can count on both hands, only to find yourself knee-deep in a tub of ice cream by week two. quick fix & crash diets do nothing but deteriorate your health and confidence. they’re not sustainable and often include gross protein powders or harsh eliminations of food that you love.

listen, I used to scoff at the idea of eating healthy. who needs kale when you can have a double cheeseburger with extra cheese, am I right? but after one too many cheeseburgers & binge drinking weekends, I was left feeling puffy & gross. so, I decided it was time for a change. over the past two years I have worked endlessly trying to find a routine that supported a healthy lifestyle while also allowing myself the opportunity to have fun and indulge in foods i love. and, let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions. from mistaking quinoa for bird food, and discovering that salads are in fact, more than just a pile of leaves, I’ve discovered something unexpected: a newfound appreciation for healthy eating. so, today I am going to be sharing my not-so-secret recipe for shedding pounds and creating a healthier version of myself while still savoring every delicious bite along the way. 

first things first, let’s talk about that dreaded word “diet”. in my opinion, “diet” and “dieting” is a scam. it holds different meaning for everyone and can be a really toxic word. i prefer to think of a diet as choosing better for myself, rather than restricting and cutting out foods. for example, maybe trying a whole grain bread rather than processed white bread, or making a homemade dressing rather than the ones they sell in a bottle at the grocery store. you’d be surprised how these small everyday choices accumulate to large changes over time. at least, it has certainly changed my life. 

now, let’s address the elephant in the room: cravings. we’ve all been there, staring longingly at a slice of pizza like it’s the last slice on earth. but, the interesting part about cravings is that they usually stem from factors outside of food itself. i’ve found that going for a run and fueling up on protein (chicken, almond butter, eggs, etc) curb my cravings. i don’t crave sugar anymore because I don’t eat it. my body can’t crave something that it doesn’t remember having. however, I’m human and if there is a time I’m craving something sweet, I’ll reach for a bowl of fruit or dark chocolate. shit happens, I’m just a girl! 

all that being said, my weight loss journey has turned into more than just shedding pounds, but more about finding joy in the process. i was unhappy, unhealthy and caught in an endless cycle that was detrimental to my health. so, I changed it. you don’t have to cut everything out to be happier & healthier (and yes, I’m talking about wine too). because let’s be for real, wine is never and will never be the issue! so cheers to making better choices, and choosing healthy & happy everyday. 

here’s a recipe from my weekly meal plan that keeps me full for hours and is SO easy to make:

Greek Chicken Bowls:

what you’ll need:

• quinoa (or brown rice)
• cucumbers
• cherry tomatoes
• red onion (I’ve been pickling mine recently and it really adds extra flavor)
• chick peas
• kalamata olives
• banana peppers 
• air fried chicken breast (emphasis on AIR FRIED)
• spring mix
• non-fat plain greek yogurt
• lemon
• garlic
• fresh dill (dried is gross in my opinion but you do you if you prefer this)
• CRP
• salt & pepper 
• apple cider vinegar 

assemble the bowl with a scoop of quinoa & spring mix at the bottom, then layer the veggies & chicken. top with the homemade dressing. sometime’s i’ll drizzle more ACV over the top for added flavor. 

note: it’s important to add just a scoop of quinoa. quinoa is better for you than pasta, but it’s still a carb. moderation is key. 

pairs well with: Avaline White Wine (I’ve been reaching for organic wine bc less sugar, no sulfates, organic grapes, doesn’t make me feel like crap the next day) 

enjoy!!!