Recipes https://dianaweil.com Nutrition made simple Wed, 22 May 2019 22:21:25 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.5 https://dianaweil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-Logo-1-32x32.png Recipes https://dianaweil.com 32 32 5 Dinners You Can Make FAST https://dianaweil.com/5-dinners-you-can-make-fast/ Wed, 17 Apr 2019 20:04:00 +0000 https://dianaweil.com/?p=1727 5 meal ideas for nights when you just don't feel like cooking. All recipes can be made in 15-20 minutes and with minimal ingredients or effort.

The post 5 Dinners You Can Make FAST first appeared on Diana Weil.]]>

You know when you open the fridge door, stare for a few moments and close it? Then five minutes later…. Open the fridge door. Maybe move some things around this time. Close it. Then 10 minutes later open the fridge door. Close it. Open the freezer. Close it. Back to the fridge, praying that in the last 30 seconds someone has miraculously cooked you a healthy gourmet meal and placed it on the top shelf.

Because SAME.

This happens to me when:
1. I haven’t meal planned
2. I’m really hungry
3. I have zero desire to cook

 

This is usually when I would go out to eat. The problem is that at this point I am already WAY past hangry. Staring at the fridge for 60 minutes has pushed me past the “I’ll have the minestrone soup with a salad, please” and into the “ give me whatever food you have and I’m not saying please.” By now I’m headed for a burrito smothered in queso or a greasy cheese pizza. These foods are lovely, but they don’t actually make my body feel good.
Over the past few years I’ve started meal planning to prevent these moments. But there are still some nights where I just really don’t feel like cooking. I’ve learned to keep a few simple things on hand for just those nights.

These 5 meals can be made in less than 15-20 minutes and take minimal ingredients or effort.

 

1. Gyozas with Stir-Fried Vegetables

One of my freezer staples is the vegetable gyozas from Trader Joes. I typically use broccoli in this recipe, but it would be great with shredded carrots, snap peas, asparagus, or onions. I like to go pretty heavy on the vegetables. To make this even easier you could use a bag of frozen vegetables or pre-chopped vegetables from the grocery store. Feel free to swap out tofu for chicken, fish or anything else you think would be good here. I like to make my own dipping sauce, which only takes about 30 seconds.

Yields1 Serving
Prep Time5 minsCook Time6 minsTotal Time11 mins

Ingredients:
 5 vegetable or shrimp gyoza’s
 1 ½ cups chopped broccoli
 ⅓ cup baked tofu
Sauce:
 1 tbsp soy sauce
 1 tsp rice vinegar
 1 ½ tsp sesame oil
 1 dash sriracha

Directions:
1

Follow direction for pan fry- on the back of the bag to cook the gyozas

2

During the last 3 minutes of cooking add in your broccoli or other vegetables

3

Slice baked tofu

4

Make your sauce by mixing all ingredients in a small bowl

Ingredients

Ingredients:
 5 vegetable or shrimp gyoza’s
 1 ½ cups chopped broccoli
 ⅓ cup baked tofu
Sauce:
 1 tbsp soy sauce
 1 tsp rice vinegar
 1 ½ tsp sesame oil
 1 dash sriracha

Directions

Directions:
1

Follow direction for pan fry- on the back of the bag to cook the gyozas

2

During the last 3 minutes of cooking add in your broccoli or other vegetables

3

Slice baked tofu

4

Make your sauce by mixing all ingredients in a small bowl

Gyozas with Stir-Fried Vegetables
IngredientsDirections

2. Sweet potato and Kale Grain Bowls

I have this once a week or so for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s so yummy, filling, and most importantly I feel good afterwards. For your grain you can pick whatever you like best. My top three go-tos are quinoa, farro, and barley. I get the quick cooking farro and barley from Trader Joe’s or their frozen quinoa (can you tell I love Trader Joe’s yet?). I usually cook more grain than I need and keep the rest in the fridge for another meal later on in the week. I always cook my grain in vegetable broth for a little extra flavor. For your protein source, again pick what you like and what you have. This can be leftover chicken, salmon or in my case, Field Roast’s smoked apple sage vegetarian sausage

Yields2 Servings
Prep Time5 minsCook Time15 minsTotal Time20 mins

Ingredients:
 1 sweet potato
 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
 ½ cup cooked grain
 12 oz chicken, fish, or sausages
 2 cups chopped kale
 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
 1 lemon slice
 salt and pepper to taste
 ¼ cup water

Directions:
1

Peel and chop 1 sweet potato into tiny cubes (cutting the cubes smaller helps the sweet potato cook faster

2

Heat 1 Tbsp. of avocado or olive oil to a skillet and place sweet potatoes in pan. Allow the sweet potatoes to cook until almost soft, stirring often

3

Prepare the grain as directed on package

4

Once the sweet potatoes have softened add your kale, and the ¼ cup of water and cover. Cook until kale is a bright vibrant green (about 1-2 minutes) and sweet potatoes are soft

5

Cook or heat up your protein. I pan fry the vegetarian sausage for a few minutes until slightly crisp

6

Add everything to a bowl and top with Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste, and a spritz of lemon

Ingredients

Ingredients:
 1 sweet potato
 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
 ½ cup cooked grain
 12 oz chicken, fish, or sausages
 2 cups chopped kale
 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
 1 lemon slice
 salt and pepper to taste
 ¼ cup water

Directions

Directions:
1

Peel and chop 1 sweet potato into tiny cubes (cutting the cubes smaller helps the sweet potato cook faster

2

Heat 1 Tbsp. of avocado or olive oil to a skillet and place sweet potatoes in pan. Allow the sweet potatoes to cook until almost soft, stirring often

3

Prepare the grain as directed on package

4

Once the sweet potatoes have softened add your kale, and the ¼ cup of water and cover. Cook until kale is a bright vibrant green (about 1-2 minutes) and sweet potatoes are soft

5

Cook or heat up your protein. I pan fry the vegetarian sausage for a few minutes until slightly crisp

6

Add everything to a bowl and top with Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste, and a spritz of lemon

Sweet potato and Kale Grain Bowls
IngredientsDirections

3. Veggie Tacos

I love tacos! Any week I make tacos is a good week indeed. Thankfully these are SUPER easy and quick to make. Again you can really use whatever vegetables you have on hand. When buying bell peppers I try to pick two different colors, like a red and yellow, because, for one it’s prettier, and also different colors have different phytonutrients. You can make your own taco seasoning or you can buy it. If you do buy a taco seasoning just look for one with real ingredients and avoid those with ingredients you can’t pronounce. Lately I’ve been making soft shell tacos and going for a flour/corn tortilla combo. I get these from…. You guessed it, Trader Joe’s. But pick whatever tortilla makes you giddy.

Yields2 Servings
Prep Time5 minsCook Time10 minsTotal Time15 mins

Ingredients:
 1 onion sliced
 1 bell peppers sliced
 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
 taco seasoning
 1 BPA-free can of black beans
 tortillas
 1 avocado
 salsa
 shredded cheese

Directions:
1

Drain and rinse the black beans

2

Slice onions and bell peppers

3

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a pan and add onions. Cook until translucent (about 5-6 minutes)

4

Add bell pepper and cook another 2 minutes stirring often

5

Add black beans to pan

6

Add taco seasoning until everything is well covered and desired taste is achieved

7

Add filling to your tortillas

8

Top with avocado slices, salsa, and shredded cheese

Ingredients

Ingredients:
 1 onion sliced
 1 bell peppers sliced
 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
 taco seasoning
 1 BPA-free can of black beans
 tortillas
 1 avocado
 salsa
 shredded cheese

Directions

Directions:
1

Drain and rinse the black beans

2

Slice onions and bell peppers

3

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a pan and add onions. Cook until translucent (about 5-6 minutes)

4

Add bell pepper and cook another 2 minutes stirring often

5

Add black beans to pan

6

Add taco seasoning until everything is well covered and desired taste is achieved

7

Add filling to your tortillas

8

Top with avocado slices, salsa, and shredded cheese

Veggie Tacos
IngredientsDirections

4. Pasta with Spinach and Broccoli

This may be the easiest one yet. I love getting ravioli, tortellini, or gnocchi and keeping them in my fridge or freezer for nights when I’m just not feeling it. Lately my favorite has been the cauliflower gnocchi from Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s should probably just sponsor me. Anyone who works at Trader Joe’s reading this right now? Please send me free food. I love you.

Rather than steaming my spinach I let the hot pasta do the work by placing the pasta directly on top of the spinach in my bowl. If you want your spinach slightly more wilted, add it to your boiling water for 30 seconds before draining the pasta.

Yields2 Servings
Prep Time5 minsCook Time10 minsTotal Time15 mins

Ingredients:
 1 lb ravioli, tortellini, or gnocchi
 ½ cup broccoli
 1 cup spinach
 olive oil
 parmesan cheese
 salt and pepper to taste
 option: spritz of lemon

Directions:
1

Wash both broccoli and spinach. Chop the broccoli

2

Follow the directions on the back of the bag for whatever pasta you are cooking

3

When there are about 3 minutes left with the pasta, add the chopped broccoli to the boiling water

4

Drain pasta and broccoli

5

Place spinach at the bottom of your bowl and immediately add the hot pasta

6

Top with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. Option for a spritz of lemon

Ingredients

Ingredients:
 1 lb ravioli, tortellini, or gnocchi
 ½ cup broccoli
 1 cup spinach
 olive oil
 parmesan cheese
 salt and pepper to taste
 option: spritz of lemon

Directions

Directions:
1

Wash both broccoli and spinach. Chop the broccoli

2

Follow the directions on the back of the bag for whatever pasta you are cooking

3

When there are about 3 minutes left with the pasta, add the chopped broccoli to the boiling water

4

Drain pasta and broccoli

5

Place spinach at the bottom of your bowl and immediately add the hot pasta

6

Top with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. Option for a spritz of lemon

Pasta with Spinach and Broccoli
IngredientsDirections

5. Mediterranean Bowl

This Mediterranean bowl is perfect on a warm summer evening. I love all the fresh ingredients and it takes at most 10 minutes. Get creative here and add in whatever vegetables you like. You can always add shredded chicken, fish, or tofu.

Yields2 Servings
Prep Time5 minsCook Time10 minsTotal Time15 mins

Ingredients:
 grain of your choice
 ¼ cup hummus
 handful spinach or spring mix
 ¼ cup olives
 ½ cucumber
 handful cherry tomatoes
 ¼ cup feta cheese
 olive oil
 lemon
 salt and pepper
 option: parsley

Directions:
1

Cook the grain of your choice

2

Add hummus to a microwaveable bowl and heat for 30 seconds

3

Add grain to your hummus bowl

4

Top with spinach, cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes

5

Sprinkle feta on top and drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste and a squeeze of lemon

6

Option to add parsley

Ingredients

Ingredients:
 grain of your choice
 ¼ cup hummus
 handful spinach or spring mix
 ¼ cup olives
 ½ cucumber
 handful cherry tomatoes
 ¼ cup feta cheese
 olive oil
 lemon
 salt and pepper
 option: parsley

Directions

Directions:
1

Cook the grain of your choice

2

Add hummus to a microwaveable bowl and heat for 30 seconds

3

Add grain to your hummus bowl

4

Top with spinach, cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes

5

Sprinkle feta on top and drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste and a squeeze of lemon

6

Option to add parsley

Mediterranean Bowl
IngredientsDirections
The post 5 Dinners You Can Make FAST first appeared on Diana Weil.]]> Coconut Breakfast Bowl https://dianaweil.com/coconut-breakfast-bowl/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 19:23:59 +0000 http://dianaweil.com/?p=1097 fast easy vegan breakfast bowl that tasts great and great for you.

The post Coconut Breakfast Bowl first appeared on Diana Weil.]]>
I don’t eat very many eggs, and I started getting extremely sick of yogurt and granola every morning. You know that quote about how “Necessity is the mother of invention”? Well that’s exactly how this recipe was born. I had a whole bunch of fruit and coconut cream and that was about it.

This is so easy I almost feel like I'm cheating by calling it a recipe. Use whatever fruit you have available to you, and what is in season. During the summer I load my bowl with apples, blackberries, strawberries and mango. During the winter I mainly stick to bananas and apples because that's what I can find. The coconut cream will leave you feeling full and satisfied and has unusual fatty acids that are good for you. Hemp and flax seeds both contain necessary Omega-3 fatty acids. A quick and easy breakfast bowl you can make on the busiest of mornings.

Avatar photoAuthorDiana WeilCategory, , DifficultyBeginner

Yields1 Serving
Prep Time10 minsTotal Time10 mins

 1 ½ cups chopped fruit (fresh/frozen)
 ⅓ cup coconut cream- or to your liking
 1 tbsp slivered almonds
 ½ tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
 ¼ tsp Sprinkle of hemp and/or flax seeds

1

Place fruit in a bowl, pour the coconut cream on top.

2

Sprinkle the slivered almonds, coconut flakes, and hemp/flax seeds on top.

Ingredients

 1 ½ cups chopped fruit (fresh/frozen)
 ⅓ cup coconut cream- or to your liking
 1 tbsp slivered almonds
 ½ tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
 ¼ tsp Sprinkle of hemp and/or flax seeds

Directions

1

Place fruit in a bowl, pour the coconut cream on top.

2

Sprinkle the slivered almonds, coconut flakes, and hemp/flax seeds on top.

Coconut Breakfast Bowl
IngredientsDirections
The post Coconut Breakfast Bowl first appeared on Diana Weil.]]> Vegan Chocolate Banana Milkshake https://dianaweil.com/chocolate-banana-milkshake/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 19:22:30 +0000 http://dianaweil.com/?p=1094 This vegan chocolate banana milkshake will keep you cool and satisfy your sweet tooth without making you feel guilty.

The post Vegan Chocolate Banana Milkshake first appeared on Diana Weil.]]> The summer after I graduated from college I was living in a one-bedroom apartment on the top floor in Boulder, Colorado. There was no air conditioning and it was HOT. Like so hot that my puppy was sleeping in the bathtub and I was sleeping in a wet t-shirt.

I had decided that the only logical way to cool down was with milkshakes (you know rather than buying a fan or something). I wasn’t picky, any milkshake would do. The only problem was that my jeans were starting to get a little tight. So I was faced with the treacherous decision of either buying bigger jeans or giving up my milkshakes. But I really like milkshakes and I also really like my jeans. So what’s a girl to do? Obviously find a milkshake that’s delicious and wont sabotage my waistline.

Now there are a lot of versions of this milkshake (even though at the time I thought I was the only one brilliant enough to have created it). So play with it and find what works best for you and your taste buds.

What’s better than a peanut butter banana chocolate combo?

Avatar photoAuthorDiana WeilCategory, , , , DifficultyBeginner

Easy vegan milkshake that refreshes you a hot summer day. No better combo than chocolate + banana + peanut butter.

Yields1 Serving
Prep Time5 minsTotal Time5 mins

 1 frozen banana*
 ¾ cup milk choice (I’ve been really loving cashew milk lately, or an almond coconut milk blend). I always choose unsweetened.
 2 tbsp almond butter/peanut butter
 1 tsp cocoa powder
 1 tsp chia seeds
 Topping of your choice (cacao nibs, coconut, chocolate chips, almond slivers… be creative!)
 2 tbsp 0ptional: protein powder if you want it.

1

Let the Chia seeds soak in the milk for 2-3 minutes.

2

Place everything in the blender and whirl away!

3

Top with your favorite toppings and voila! Bliss in a cup.

Ingredients

 1 frozen banana*
 ¾ cup milk choice (I’ve been really loving cashew milk lately, or an almond coconut milk blend). I always choose unsweetened.
 2 tbsp almond butter/peanut butter
 1 tsp cocoa powder
 1 tsp chia seeds
 Topping of your choice (cacao nibs, coconut, chocolate chips, almond slivers… be creative!)
 2 tbsp 0ptional: protein powder if you want it.

Directions

1

Let the Chia seeds soak in the milk for 2-3 minutes.

2

Place everything in the blender and whirl away!

3

Top with your favorite toppings and voila! Bliss in a cup.

Vegan Chocolate Banana Milkshake
IngredientsDirections

Let me know what other toppings you try in the comment section!

*Frozen bananas are a total staple in my freezer. I like to peel the banana and cut them into small slices before freezing so they are readily available. If you don’t have frozen bananas you can use fresh, it just wont be as thick.

The post Vegan Chocolate Banana Milkshake first appeared on Diana Weil.]]> Best Breakfast Hash https://dianaweil.com/best-breakfast-hash/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 19:21:17 +0000 http://dianaweil.com/?p=1091 A breakfast hash to make your Monday morning actually enjoyable.Its quick, easy, and most importantly creates minimal dishes.

The post Best Breakfast Hash first appeared on Diana Weil.]]> This is one of my favorite go-to breakfasts. Its quick, easy, and most importantly creates minimal dishes. I will usually make this on Saturday or Sunday and keep the leftovers in the fridge so when I wake up on that dreaded Monday morning I have no excuse not to eat a healthy awesome breakfast.

A breakfast hash to make your Monday morning actually enjoyable.

Avatar photoAuthorDiana WeilCategory, , DifficultyBeginner

A breakfast hash to make your Monday morning actually enjoyable.Its quick, easy, and most importantly creates minimal dishes.

Yields2 Servings
Prep Time5 minsCook Time15 minsTotal Time20 mins

 1 large sweet potato cubed
 1 bunch kale cut into strips (I usually use curly kale or dinosaur kale). If you have other types of greens go ahead and throw them in! The more the merrier when it comes to this hash.
 1 small onion diced
 1 tbsp olive oil
 1 lemon
 ¼ cup parmesan cheese (or to taste)
 salt and pepper to taste
 Option for an egg or baked tofu

1

Add the olive oil to a large skillet on heat on medium; throw in the diced onions and sweet potato.

2

When the sweet potato is tender but not completely cooked (about 4-5 minutes), toss in the kale. Add a lid and let the kale sauté for about a minute or two. Remove from heat.

3

Top the hash with lemon and Parmesan right before eating. And there you have it! A breakfast worthy of the go-getter I know you are.

Ingredients

 1 large sweet potato cubed
 1 bunch kale cut into strips (I usually use curly kale or dinosaur kale). If you have other types of greens go ahead and throw them in! The more the merrier when it comes to this hash.
 1 small onion diced
 1 tbsp olive oil
 1 lemon
 ¼ cup parmesan cheese (or to taste)
 salt and pepper to taste
 Option for an egg or baked tofu

Directions

1

Add the olive oil to a large skillet on heat on medium; throw in the diced onions and sweet potato.

2

When the sweet potato is tender but not completely cooked (about 4-5 minutes), toss in the kale. Add a lid and let the kale sauté for about a minute or two. Remove from heat.

3

Top the hash with lemon and Parmesan right before eating. And there you have it! A breakfast worthy of the go-getter I know you are.

Best Ever Breakfast Hash
IngredientsDirections
The post Best Breakfast Hash first appeared on Diana Weil.]]> 3 Ingredient Vegan Black Walnut Ice Cream https://dianaweil.com/3-ingredient-vegan-black-walnut-ice-cream/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 19:19:01 +0000 http://dianaweil.com/?p=1086 Try this vegan black walnut ice cream that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for you next dinner party as a light dessert or pallet cleanser.

The post 3 Ingredient Vegan Black Walnut Ice Cream first appeared on Diana Weil.]]>

For anyone who missed my Thanksgiving post we made this unusual and delicious black walnut ice cream for dessert.

Black walnuts are a very unique nut that many people don’t know about. They are a Native American nut that have an incredibly hard shell. They taste very different from a traditional walnut with complex fruity undertones. Black walnuts smell like frozen blueberries to me, which is always a good things. If your grocery store doesn’t carry black walnuts try buying them online here. Black walnuts are low in saturated fats, and high in all the right things like unsaturated fats and many minerals and vitamins.

So next time you’re in charge of desserts and want to whip up something a little more creative give this recipe a whirl. It is incredibly simple, although it does use an ice cream maker. If you don’t have an ice cream maker you can put the mixture in a bowl in the freezer until partly frozen, remove the mixture and beat with a hand mixer for a few minutes, continue to freeze until desired consistency is reached.

Avatar photoAuthorDiana WeilCategory, , DifficultyBeginner

Try this unusual and delicious black walnut ice cream. Perfect for dessert.

Yields4 Servings
Prep Time10 minsCook Time30 minsTotal Time40 mins

 2 cups water
 2 cups walnuts
 ¼ cup maple syrup (or more to taste)

1

Grind dry walnuts in a blender until fine.

2

Add water and blend for 2 minutes.

3

Strain mixture for a finer texture (optional).

4

Add maple syrup and taste for sweetness, blend again.

5

Add mixture to an ice cream maker until desired texture is reached.

Ingredients

 2 cups water
 2 cups walnuts
 ¼ cup maple syrup (or more to taste)

Directions

1

Grind dry walnuts in a blender until fine.

2

Add water and blend for 2 minutes.

3

Strain mixture for a finer texture (optional).

4

Add maple syrup and taste for sweetness, blend again.

5

Add mixture to an ice cream maker until desired texture is reached.

3 Ingredient Vegan Black Walnut Ice Cream
IngredientsDirections
The post 3 Ingredient Vegan Black Walnut Ice Cream first appeared on Diana Weil.]]> 10 Minute Veggie Bowl https://dianaweil.com/10-minute-veggie-bowl/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 18:33:07 +0000 http://dianaweil.com/?p=1079 This veggie bowl is seriously fast and oh so good! It is packed with nutrients and takes under 10 minutes to make.

The post 10 Minute Veggie Bowl first appeared on Diana Weil.]]> My brother just started a PhD in geology (he’s a smarty pants) and consequently has zero time to cook. He asked for some quick recipes that were healthy and could be done in the middle of grading 150 papers. 

Avatar photoAuthorDiana WeilCategory, , , DifficultyBeginner

This veggie bowl is seriously fast and oh so good! It is packed with nutrients and takes under 10 minutes to make.

Yields2 Servings
Prep Time5 minsCook Time5 minsTotal Time10 mins

 2 tbsp olive oil
 1 medium onion diced
 0.80 oz frozen corn (about half a bag)
 2 large carrots grated
 1 can black beans
 baked tofu (I used teriyaki flavor from Trader Joe’s) or chicken
 1 small Jalapeno diced (less if you’re sensitive to spice)
 1 ½ cups chopped red cabbage
 salt and pepper to taste

1

In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until onion is translucent, about 2 minutes

2

Stir in frozen corn and cook for another minute. Add carrots, black beans, tofu, jalapeno, salt and pepper and cook until everything is warm.

3

Add the cabbage to individual bowls, dish out veggies, and top with your favorite salsa!

Ingredients

 2 tbsp olive oil
 1 medium onion diced
 0.80 oz frozen corn (about half a bag)
 2 large carrots grated
 1 can black beans
 baked tofu (I used teriyaki flavor from Trader Joe’s) or chicken
 1 small Jalapeno diced (less if you’re sensitive to spice)
 1 ½ cups chopped red cabbage
 salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1

In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until onion is translucent, about 2 minutes

2

Stir in frozen corn and cook for another minute. Add carrots, black beans, tofu, jalapeno, salt and pepper and cook until everything is warm.

3

Add the cabbage to individual bowls, dish out veggies, and top with your favorite salsa!

10 Minute Veggie Bowl
IngredientsDirections
The post 10 Minute Veggie Bowl first appeared on Diana Weil.]]> 20 Ways To Treat Yourself Without Chocolate https://dianaweil.com/things-to-do-when-youre-feeling-down-that-dont-involve-chocolate/ Thu, 15 Sep 2016 19:26:58 +0000 http://dianaweil.com/?p=307 Adulting is hard, real hard. And I know that when I've had one of those hard days I like to "reward" myself with a big glass of wine or piece (ok bar) of chocolate. Now don't get me wrong, wine and chocolate certainly have their place when it comes to fixing bad days, but you do have other options.

The post 20 Ways To Treat Yourself Without Chocolate first appeared on Diana Weil.]]>

Adulting is hard, real hard. And I know that when I’ve had one of those hard days I like to “reward” myself with a big glass of wine or piece (ok bar) of chocolate. Now don’t get me wrong, wine and chocolate certainly have their place when it comes to fixing bad days, but you do have other options.

  1. Drink some tea (Chamomile or Kava are good ones for relaxing) and sit outside if you can, or just in front of a window with natural sun light. Kava contains phytochemicals called kavalactones which act to calm nerves, and fight stress and anxiety. Sunlight releases serotonin which has huge mood boosting benefits.
  2. Light some candles and take a hot bubble bath. Turn your phone off, close the door and just take some time for yourself. Alone time is so necessary and very underutilized.
  3. Hang out with animals. Don’t have a pet yourself? Go hang out with a friend’s dog or cat and get some therapeutic kisses.
  4. Have a dance party in your granny panties. For the optimal granny panty dance party, listen to Beyonce. And sing. Really really loud.
  5. Curl up in your coziest pajamas and watch your favorite guilty pleasure (here’s looking at you Bachelor in Paradise).
  6. Work out. Even if its just doing jumping jacks in your living room. Hello endorphins.
  7. Do some yoga and allow yourself to have a nice long savasana. Meditation has been known to boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, and relieve stress.
  8. Treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure (even if you do it yourself).
  9. Watch the “how animals eat their food” video on YouTube.
  10. Buy yourself your favorite flowers.
  11. Journal.
  12. Create your dream living room on Pinterest.
  13. Buy a new pair of shoes
  14. Be creative. Draw, color, paint.
  15. Lay in legs up the wall pose for at least 5 minutes. Sit parallel to a wall so your hip is touching the wall, legs are long in front of you. Bend the knee that is touching the wall and spin yourself so both legs are vertical on the wall. You want your bum to be touching the wall to reduce pressure on your knees. Arms rest beside you, gaze up. This is a go-to yoga pose recommended for people battling anxiety, depression and insomnia.
  16.  Go for a hike. Look at how beautiful the world is around you.
  17.  Call a friend.
  18. Put fresh sheets on your bed and take a nap.
  19. Look at the account @doggodoingthings on Instagram. Thank me later.
  20. Be ok with having a bad day. Sometimes what we really need is to just feel it all and have a nice long cry. And that is ok.

screen-shot-2016-09-14-at-11-12-41-am

What do you do to cheer yourself up when you’re having a bad day?
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The post 20 Ways To Treat Yourself Without Chocolate first appeared on Diana Weil.]]>