Three Easy, High Protein Lunch Ideas

I’ve been working on incorporating more protein into my diet to aid in a more healthy lifestyle, ramp up my energy levels, and encourage a more fit body. I’m not the biggest meat eater, so sometimes it feels tricky to hit my protein goals.

However, I’ve found some quick and easy high protein lunches that are easy to make, meat-free, and that are so satisfying. Here are the healthy lunches I’ve been eating on repeat:

Greek Yogurt Bowls

I make these at least a couple times a week and don’t get sick of them because they’re so customizable. I use plain, whole milk Greek yogurt (I just use the generic brand from my grocery store, nothing fancy). I usually mix in a scoop of this protein powder until combined, then add whatever toppings I have on hand and feel like eating that day. That usually is a combination of fruit (I usually go for blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries), melted peanut butter (not the healthiest, but I use Skippy – melt a spoonful in the microwave for 30 seconds for easy pouring), a few dark chocolate chocolate chips (I use the Ghiradelli ones), sliced almonds, and flax seeds. There’s a lot of other things you could choose to add in: granola, pretzel pieces, coconut flakes, etc. So easy to throw together on a busy work day and so yummy. 

I like to chop up my fruit ahead of time and use a pastry cutter to mash it all up and put it in a tupperware in the fridge. I’ve also brought blueberries to a simmer on the stove with a little bit of water mixed in and then poured that on top of the yogurt. Finally, I like to use my food processor to roughly chop up sliced almonds with the flax seeds.

Biscoff Cottage Cheese Bowl 

Cottage cheese is everywhere these days, and I’ve fallen victim to a lot of the popular recipes that are going around. This one is my favorite (so far…). It’s really easy to make. Start by adding a heaping serving of cottage cheese into your blender (I just use my grocery store, generic brand cottage cheese. I hate this narrative on social that makes you feel like you need to get the trendy/more expensive brands of things like this). Then, add a handful of fruit of your choice. I always go with raspberries but really any berry would be so good. Blend it until smooth. If you’re having a hard time smoothing out the cottage cheese completely, you can add in a little bit of milk or water. Once it’s done, scoop it into a bowl and top with a couple broken up Biscoff cookies. I LOVE these cookies so much so this really feels like a treat (and I know it isn’t the healthiest thing ever, but…moderation, okay?). I also will sometimes melt a spoonful of peanut butter and drizzle it on top, but the Biscoff cookie butter would also be really good in this I bet. So, so satisfying! This also makes a great snack or dessert. 

English Muffin Egg Sandwiches 

I eat eggs like crazy and this is one of my favorite high protein lunches and – bonus – it’s also a make ahead meal! This is the Instagram Reel where I found the recipe and I follow it pretty closely, with a few moderations here and there. First off, I buy the whole grain English muffins or the Dave’s Killer brand ones. I will also switch up the cheese that I add to the eggs as well as the veggies – it just depends what I have on hand. Finally, I will usually just add spicy guacamole to the English muffin rather than an avocado. When I eat it, I usually do so with just one half of an English muffin unless I’m super hungry. I did buy the silicone muffin top tin that this Instagram uses, but make sure to put a cookie sheet under it before you put the eggs in for easy, mess-free transferring. After I make the egg rounds, I just store them in a tupperware in the fridge and warm them up on their own for ~25 seconds when I’m ready to assemble my little sandwich. 

I am always scouring my favorite cooking website and social media for meals like these, so I’ll update as I find any other tried and true go-to lunch ideas!

*Amazon links are affiliate

Easy At Home Iced Coffee

As a self-identified Starbucks addict, I do try to make coffee at home throughout the week to avoid spending too much on my caffeine addiction. 

Here’s everything I use to make simple and delicious at home iced coffee and espresso:

Coffee Machines:

Obviously you can’t do it without some kind of coffee machine. For regular coffee, I usually just use this Keurig Machine. Simple and it gets the job done! My favorite K-Cups are the Starbucks Holiday Blend flavor (which you can only buy during the holiday season, so I typically stock up at Costco) and the hazelnut flavor you can only buy at Disney World (very specific, I know). 

I also have this Espresso Machine that I love! It’s pretty compact and I stow it away in a cabinet when it’s not in use to save counter space. It’s a splurge appliance, but it’s very easy to use and definitely helps curb my Starbucks spending. This machine has a built-in milk frother with customizable steam and heat levels. I also love that it auto-purges after steaming, making for easy maintenance and clean-up.

Espresso Pods:

When I first got my espresso machine, I was using powder espresso to make shots and cappuccinos, which worked fine. But then I found these Espresso Pods and never looked back! I’ve even turned my parents and sister onto them, too. They make it so quick and easy to make espresso that’s always delicious and I love the bold flavor.

Accessories:

Like I said, my espresso machine has a built-in milk frother. However, we also have a little Handheld Frother to use when I’m making iced coffee rather than hot. It’s very inexpensive and works great!

I love the HyperChiller to cool hot coffee down so it doesn’t immediately melt all the ice. It’s very easy to use – follow the instructions once and freeze and you’re good to go! I usually leave hot coffee or espresso in there for a couple minutes and it’s almost fully cooled down after that. 

Finally, I do like to froth some Protein Creamer (it’s not meant to be used as coffee creamer but…why not?) for not only great flavor but extra protein in my diet. 

It’s definitely not a perfect science, but these items help me get the job done and enjoy a fresh cup of java in the morning or for that afternoon caffeine jolt! After writing this, I’m in the mood for a double shot! 🙂 Thanks for reading! 

*Links are Amazon affiliate

Netflix Picks

In case you didn’t know, I’m such a Netflix junkie. Sorry, not sorry…I love to lay in bed and watch episode after episode of television shows blissfully unaware of the world around me. I mean, come on…we’re all guilty of it sometimes! What in the world did we do without Netflix?!

Anyways, I have some current favorites on Netflix…without a doubt! There are tons of great shows and movies on there, but there are some that I could and do watch over and over and over again. Here are some of them…I highly recommend them all!:

Not-so-guilty pleasure: Pretty Little Liars – I am obsessed with it! I love watching old episodes even though I’ve seen them all. As silly as it is, it keeps me on edge because the scandals and drama are that intense.

Oldie but goodie: Pretty in Pink – this was recently added to Netflix and I have always loved this movie. Such an 80’s classic!

Something dramatic: Private Practice – I just started watching this on Netflix in the spring and don’t know why it took me so long to start. This show is seriously good and if I had a dime for how many times it’s brought me to tears…let’s just say that I could buy some serious stuff.

Dose of reality: NYC Prep – This is the show that way back when started my love affair with Bravo, and I couldn’t be happier it’s been added to Netflix.

Laugh out loud: Orange is the New Black – this is the first NF series that I’ve watched and it’s so funny so far and totally unique. Definitely worth a try. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it initially, but I really do – it really appeals to a broad range of audiences.

What are your NF faves?

Cheers to Champs!

I haven’t blogged in a while, and it feels good to start again. Writing has always been one of my favorite things and I definitely want to prioritize it as an important part of each day.

And since this is the first post in a while,why not make it something totally fun?

Champagne is my favorite beverage (by far) and I love that it is a symbol of celebration. Lately in life, there has been so much to celebrate! Hellos, goodbyes, new experiences, special days, regular days…they’re all worth celebrating! So why not do it in one of the best possible ways?

I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to this bubbly drink, and it’s so fun to pin cute finds to it…whether they be champagne drink ideas or champagne quotes or just cool pictures of the cocktail. Super fun to pin, look back on, and find uses for. Definitely one of my most exciting boards!

Some of my favorite finds:

I hope that you have been finding many, many reasons and ways to celebrate! Cheers.

 

Books on my Shelf: Vaca Reads

I was on vacation in Aruba last week (the best!) and I was so happy to have so much time to read. Reading is one of my favorite things ever, especially on vacation.

I got to read so many great books and have some awesome recommendations for your summer reading list!

Here is exactly what I read, what I thought, in the order that I read them:

This was a great mystery and suspense read. I’ve read a ton of Lisa Scottoline books and loved them all. This one was different from her crime and mystery books because instead of being about a lawyer, it focuses on a judge. This took barely any time to really get into the story and was all around worth reading. Very suspenseful!

Sophie Kinsella’s books are always so funny. She has such an easy way of writing and telling a story that I can never put her books down. I loved the characters in this book and the story that developed around them. This book was a little bit predictable – but in a good way. You love what you know is going to happen next and can’t stop reading to ensure that it does. It’s that kind of story.

Wow. I loved this book. I was a little bit weary of it because it didn’t get amazing reviews on Good Reads. It was reviewed to be more…average. But, I think those reviews were oh-so-wrong. I loved this story and seriously could not put it down! I loved escaping to the Nantucket island where this book took place and getting lost in the minds of the characters. I really loved how it was set in all of their voices rather than just one characters. Definitely a fast paced book and a perfect summer read.

Nicholas Sparks always writes a good story and this is no exception. I will but a warning that this is an emotional read. It definitely had me going. I don’t want to give up too much – but have tissues nearby! Totally worth reading.

At first I was really skeptical about this book. The story line of it seemed really weird. But, I have to say it turned out to be an amazing tale. It was even educational and eye-opening. I loved the way the female took on a different and unique role in the novel and thought all of the characters and problems surrounding them were developed really well. This book did a great way of dealing with a real-world issue (that doesn’t get nearly enough attention) in a touching fictional light. I can’t wait to read more Kristin Hannah books!

What have been your favorite reads so far this summer?

DIY: Lilly Collage Phone Background

So I recently got an iPhone 5 because the lock button on my iPhone 4 mysteriously stopped working (annoying!) and I happened to have an upgrade. Being that I have a new phone, I went for new wallpapers, cases, and so on…which is actually pretty fun.

As I was searching Pinterest for a really cute background (something Lilly, of course) I stumbled upon a cool collage with Lilly prints on the sides and a monogram in the middle.

So, I wanted to make my own. It was super easy! Here’s how I did it:

I already had my monogram made on my computer (I have a bunch of them), but you can use this tutorial to make an awesome one in word.

I set my monogram in a scalloped border and saved it as an image. Then, I emailed it to myself.

Next, I saved a bunch of Lilly print pictures on my phone (found them on Pinterest). I just picked my faves.

Then I used the ProCollage app (it’s free!) to make the actual collage. I used the template and put the Lilly patterns around the sides and the monogram in the middle. So simple!

Here’s how it turned out:

Cute, right? I can’t wait to make more!!

Words of the Week: Together

This is such an overdo post. Like over two weeks overdo. But a few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I hit a major milestone. We’ve been dating for three year. Well, over three years now.

How crazy.

I can’t believe how quickly time has passed. But at the same time, I can’t imagine a time in my life without him in it. He is so very special to me, and sometimes I wish I’d met him sooner, known him longer, had more time to make more great memories. Sometimes I think about how much of each others lives we missed because we did not always know each other, and it’s such a weird feeling, because now I feel like we know each other better than anyone.

This quote exactly sums up how I feel about him:

But when I think these things, I can’t help but be excited for all the great memories to come. There will be so many, many more.

And don’t get me wrong, being apart the majority of our time is tough. There are so many things, every day, that I think I wish he could be here for this, or, I wish we could be doing this together. 

But, the way our relationship is works for us and there will be so much together time in the future to do a million things together. To make a million memories. To get annoyed with each other and forget how hard it was to be apart.

And I can’t wait for those days to come.

Craft Craze: Ribbon Wreath for the 4th

In honor of the Fourth of July, I did a really fun craft over the past week.

I found it on Pinterest (obviously!) and it was super easy and very, very cute. Although mine did not come out exactly like the one on The Suburban Mom, it was still a success. All in all, I was happy with it. The directions were very clear and this was a cute and simple idea.

This was a Fourth of July wreath. (In case you’ve never noticed, I’m really into wreaths)

It was made with a styrofoam wreath and ribbon. That’s it! So simple.

I love that this is a really great craft to know because you can change it to customize it to almost any holiday or occasion. For instance, if you know someone having a baby, you can make them a pink or blue one or something like that. All you need to do is find cute ribbon and there you go! The other best thing about it is that you can keep it forever and use it year after year.

I really like the one on this site, how it’s set up like an American flag. Unfortunately I couldn’t find the ribbon I was looking for (we have only Walmart here for craft supplies, which is annoying. Thankfully a Michael’s is opening soon!). So, I improvised.

All in all, this was a really fun craft! I highly recommend trying it for any holiday!

Thanks, Suburban Mom!

Preppy Product: Lolo Mini Avery Cases

I was recently reading one of my favorite blogs, Chicago Prepster. I saw a super cute post about an adorable product from Country Club Prep.

The Lolo Mini Avery Cases are irresistible! And not only are they beyond cute, they look so durable and easy to carry around everywhere. They will probably last forever, which is a good thing – because who would ever want to part with them?

The simple style of them with the bright colors and big graphic is so awesome. They’re also really affordably priced. These would make great summer gifts with a few nail polishes inside of them!

Check out the full collection here.

How To Give the Best Ever Gifts

It seems like summer time is filled with so many occasions. There are graduations. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Congratulations in order and just because kind of deals.

And I have to say, I love giving gifts. It’s so cliche, but I love giving gifts way, way more than I love getting them. There is just something about making others happy that makes me super, super happy.

Anyways, there are tons of times where it’s so hard to figure out what to get someone for their special occasion. Of course, you want to get them something they’ll love and that they’ll use. And it can be difficult. But, I have tons of tricks of how to find the perfect present. I’m willing to share them…just look below:

How to Give the Best Ever Gifts:

1. Keep lists – when you’re looking for something for someone, you’ll probably never find it. That’s especially true with gift ideas. That’s why, whenever I see something that I think would be great for one particular person, I put it in an Excel document labeled “gift ideas”. Each important person in my life has their own sheet with gift ideas dedicated to them. Also, I have a “Misc” sheet for random people that don’t particularly yield their own sheet. I’ve only been using this document for a few months but it has been so useful and I highly recommend this small organizational tool.
2. Make it a pair – more than anything, I hate giving people gift cards. I just feel like it’s so impersonal. But, sometimes they really are the best route because you know the recipient will most-definitely get use out of them. That being said, if you don’t really want to get someone a gift card but feel like it’s the best direction to go in – get the gift card and something small and cute. For instance, get them a gift card to their favorite store and a few small accessories from the same place that you think they’ll love. That way, it doesn’t feel so blah.
3. Do a kit – It can be so fun to give a gift with a little theme. For instance, if you know someone has a hectic life, you might want to send them a “relaxation kit” for their big day. Include things like bubble bath, wine, chocolate, a good-smelling candle, and so on. This shows that you’re putting something together with a lot of thought that they will definitely be ready to use!
4. Ask around – if you’re not exactly sure what to get someone, ask for help! Chances are they’ve mentioned to someone else something or other they’d love, and if you don’t ask you won’t know. It’s always good to ask for help in order to make your gift a big success.
5. Make something – I always love baking homemade birthday cakes for the people I love. I always make their favorite and try my best to decorate it really cute. I think they really appreciate it and it’s such a nice gesture to show someone you took the time to do that for them. Sometimes that effort is more than enough to make their day!

What are your best gift giving secrets?! I’d love to hear them!