Tumblr Tuesday

Macaroon shaped pillboxes

7 Rules to Snacking

Here are 7 rules to follow for snacknig right!:

1. DOWNSIZE

A snack should be 100 - 200 calories. Eat to keep your metabolism going, and your hunger at bay, but be careful not to over do it and collect those extra calories!

(Photo via 100calorieblog)

2. WATCH THE TIME

Not eating something for a five hours or more can slow down your metabolism and leave your body burning less fat than normal. So make sure you have a snack anywhere from 1 hour after a meal up to 4  hours. Usually these would be between breakfast and lunch, and lunch and dinner, and of course you can end your day a couple hours after dinner with fruit or a small dessert - just an hour or two before going to bed.

(Photo via unknown)

3. DO THE MATH

Just because your snack may be limited to 100 calories, or come in physically smaller pieces, does not at all mean you should feel free to grab a second bag! If you're going for a healthy snack, feel free to have up to 200 calories worth. 

Stay away from mini snack packs of cookies and treats, that seem small, and that can encourage you to grab the second bag. They also tend to be unhealthy and not filling! 

Research Shows: People who snacked on singles serve bags, ate nearly twice as much as did the people with larger bags. Journal of Consumer Research

(Photo via Pinterest)

4. TREAT YOURSELF

It's actually okay to treat yourself! That's what LVP is all about...balance. Treat yourself to your favorite think once or twice a week. It's important to remember that it's all about portion control, so choose an amount of the treat that is not more than 200 calories. If you know that one day, just that one day, you will not be able to control yourself, then cut down the calories somewhere else in the day...essentially in your other snacks of the day. Another idea: share the portion, so hopefully you'll only be eating half of the total! Doing all this will keep you from binging on your favorite treats when the time comes!

(Photo via howsweeteats)

5. TRICK YOUR MIND

This is major! Giada de Laurentiis says "you eat with your eyes first" [That's why it's a very bad idea to go grocery shopping when you're hungry!]. You're eyes are just as powerful as your stomach when it comes to feeling full. Eating bigger pieces of one item, will have you expecting feel full sooner, and so you will consumer less calories over all! A studies showed that individuals consumed 21 less calories when eating larger cheese puffs that those that had smaller ones.

You can also include this in your main meals. Use a smaller plate, which will help you take smaller helpings/portions, and will make you think you had a fuller plate, hence you should be full

(photo via tumblr)

6. HIDE IT

Research from Cornell University shows that people eat more candy from a clear jar than from an opaque one. And we all know that! Of course if all the goodies are staring at you from behind the cookie or candy jar, waiting for you to take it out of there, you're going to eat it! But, if it's hidden behind a ceramic, plastic, any opaque jar, you will be less tempted!

(Photo via flickr)

7. MIX THINGS UP

Most of us don't necessarily get all the daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and other essential that we need during the day [even though we should!]. So snack time is a great time and way to catch up with those needed minerals and vitamins by filling in the gaps. Have greens, fruits, vegetables (fresh home made salsa is a great way - and it's easy and fast to make!), health bars for oats and fibre, and you will be getting much more of what you need in your body and what you need to be healthy!

(photo via marthastewart.com, Pinterest)

Certain text and info adapted from self. com

Must - Haves: Home Style & Décor

TRAYS

One of my favorite things! Trays are so versatile. Not to mention, they are decorative and very good for organizing stylishly. You get all kinds of trays, it's hard to choose only a few. My personal favorite ways to use them are to hold all your perfumes (and sometimes jewelry and other things) like Emily of  cupcakes & cashmere does, as well as have on the coffee table in the living room to hold books, decorative pieces, and/or vases or flowers. From vintage finds, to graphic prints (love chevron) and lucite pieces, there's a tray for everyone's taste and décor style.

CHANDELIERS

I think that every living room has to have a chandelier. Wether modern or classic-glam, they tie the whole room together and add that finishing touch. Even if you have contemporary style décor, a chandelier is a classic, and is the perfect way to keep the classic living room piece tradition alive! You can go classy and modern or reach out to classic tear drop crystal styles, or even find one that combines both like the sea green chandelier which gives a classic shape a pop of modern-day color.

WOODSY OR ANTLER ELEMENTS

Branch like elements and/or faux antler elements are essential in every house regardless of the type of décor. Just one piece. Whether it's an antler chandelier (which by the way, is gaining popularity right now) or a simple lamp stand (bottom right) that just hints to the idea, the woodsy element will either add that last missing piece to your room or add a perfect but subtle and needed contrast to your décor. We like that candle holder which is a perfectly subtle piece that allow you to 'mix-it-up' in the room's décor. Antler and branch hooks and stands are also great for just simply as decoration pieces, or for hanging your jewelry on.

MIRRORS

Mirrors not only make a room seem bigger and more spacious, but also act as a decorative element. Almost like chandeliers, they are a classic, and not something that is usually debated. Inevitably in every home, there is at least one mirror. They're also great fun to shop for, because they can add subtle hints or changes in your room's over al look. For example, the first picture via ELLE Décor, adds a vintage elements to an otherwise contemporary bathroom. The second picture shows us how a simple wood framed mirror can add so much 'flavor' to this room - which is otherwise very minimalistic and simple - by having a 'dirtied' glass. The spots add texture and make the usually plain mirror a little more interesting. Mirrors can the the stand out piece in your room or they can just serve their purpose while being simple and just another element, like in the third picture where the mirror is simple in it's embellishments, and is tucked right under the stairs, although, even in this case - since it has been placed with thought - it can be considered decorative. 

ARTWORK

No house can be complete without at least one piece of artwork. Your room can be monochromatic, or completely multi-colored, but it can't be complete without a painting, sculpture, or any other piece of art. Artwork gives culture, texture, and interest to your room. Paintings are a great way to fill wall space and add interest to your overall look. However, artwork is not limited to paintings. Simple vases in bright colors or shiny metals, or even a 'paint can' that can be either decorative or decorative-and-still-usable (e.g. as a spoon holder in the kitchen) and still add that touch of 'art' in your room. The cherry pink painting is by James Nares. I could almost say that James Nares paintings are their own category in a must-haves list! Obsessed and in-love with his wishy-washy yet balanced paintings, I hope to own one in my own home one day! Honestly, I think that his paintings can add that finishing touch to any room. I have seen them in all white monochromatic rooms, behind a small corner desk and chair, just at the entrance of a house, behind the dining table, building entrances, and each and every time, they were perfect and made the whole room look just amazing. Sculptures, such as the one seen on the bottom left - an extract from the book 'Artistic Interiors' shows an energetic piece of art in a New York apartment that is more bold and that can add a lot of 'life' to a room. layering photos and having them sit on a table or over the fireplace like in the top photo, is another great way of 'creating' a creative space from simple frames or photos. Overall any piece of art, whether 2D or 3D, is essential in a home and will liven up the room without swaying away from your style.

Tumblr Tuesday

love it

minus the earrings

Milkshakes with old-school straws

Alfredo with mushrooms and spinach

All images via tumblr

Thought of the Day

;)

- via Pinterest