Oh heavens…there are a billion reasons why I love this community so much, but today’s post ranks up there.
Friends, I loved all of your food/diet related questions last week because it just reminds this almost 39 year old mama of four (how did that happen) that she’s not alone in her pursuit of information that is super random. This kind of post right here is EXACTLY the kind of post I’d love to read on someone else’s blog but seems super weird for me to write (as I would never think of myself as an authority of what anyone should/shouldn’t eat), and I love how we’re all just trying to figure life out together. So, you had questions about my diet, and today, I’m going to answer.
Of course though…first, we have disclaimers.
Basically, my disclaimer is that I’m not an authority on many things in life…and I would NEVER want anyone to think I’m giving advice on medical/wellness topics…but I am an expert on me (most of the time) and can answer your questions ABOUT ME. Just know, this isn’t me telling you what to do…it’s just me telling you about me. So, let’s not take this too seriously, okay?
This right here…is probably my motto 🙂 .
Okay, obviously there are lots of exceptions/random occurrences that happen in life, so don’t take any of my answers as “the only truth and way I do it”. Go ahead and read each answer as “most of the time”. This way, I don’t have to qualify each response, just know I’m meaning “most of the time” and not “every single time”.
Meal Planning!! Andrew and I decided when we were first married that we would try to eat dinner at home as much as possible on weeknights, so we meal plan around busy nights. (You can see my entire post about that HERE.) I put dinner in the slow cooker (sometimes, I do that just to keep it warm…I’ll put a stovetop recipe in the slow cooker at 3:00 PM on warm versus actually cooking it in there all day). If I have enough stuff on hand that’s easy to throw together for example, something like my Sausage, Peppers and Onions, I can get that on the table quickly. I think that starts with having a plan BEFORE the busy night.
I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with typically a little afternoon snack and that’s it. For YEARS, Andrew and I had dessert at night when the kids went to bed, but now, we don’t. Once we went gluten-free, we got out of the habit, and now, we just don’t eat anything after dinner (we’re eating dinner later now too, so we’re not hungry). Breakfast is around 7, lunch at 11, a snack around 2 and then this school year, dinner has been closer to 7 most nights. I don’t weigh myself, so I’m not sure if I technically gain weight or not, but for me, eating on trips is a huge part of traveling, so I totally indulge more than normal but then just come home and resume normal life.
I basically do both. I eat on a schedule that just fits into crazy mom life…but I’m typically always hungry during those times, so it doesn’t matter. If I’m ever just totally hungry, I’ll eat. I don’t deny myself food those times not on my schedule when I’m super hungry…if I’m hungry, I eat.
Totally! If we’re on a trip sometimes or a fun party…I will totally over eat. I’m not interested in Thanksgiving food that much, so I don’t overeat on that day, but send me to an appetizer party and watch me over-eat there 🙂 . I totally indulge from time to time!
I don’t! My Apple Watch tracks calories burned from exercise, so I see that each day, but I don’t track how many I consume.
I like a splash of cream and maybe one Truvia. I sometimes indulge in a Pumpkin Spice Latte but that’s tall, non-fat with no whip. I don’t feel guilty when I have one…I’m big on not feeling guilty about things I consume. If I’m going to beat myself up about it, then what’s the point? I should just not have it. The vast majority of the time, my coffee is pretty simple.
I’ll have a drink with dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Sometimes, there are occasions during the week that call for a drink…but we drink water with our dinners each night, so for the most part, it’s just a weekend thing. Some weekends, we are doing sports/other things and so I won’t have a drink over the weekend. It all kind of depends, but that’s probably a good guess.
I don’t. At home, all of our breakfasts and dinners are gluten-free (along with all of our snacks), but sometimes, I’ll eat gluten for lunch in a pre-made salad or soup if my kids are at school. I’ve personally never “dieted” as I don’t like restrictions when I’m eating. Going gluten-free was really pretty simple once we found substitutions (the right pastas, breads, breadcrumbs, and such)…but baking gluten-free continues to be something I’m learning/working on…finding the right flour for the right recipe isn’t as easy as I’d like it to be.
I did! I think I did that for about 18 months or so. I finally realized that for me, protein makes me feel more energetic, less bloated and keeps me full longer, so for me, aiming to eat veggies with lean protein is my best bet. For breakfast, I like a piece of turkey bacon with an egg (sometimes, a piece of toast too!) and then I feel my best after I workout and am not starving an hour later.
I always have a “try to eat as mindfully as possible as much as possible and then enjoy your favorite treats in small portions” mindset. I didn’t grow up in a house where health and food was a priority. I didn’t learn anything about nutrition until I went to college and when most people gain weight their freshman year, I lost a lot of weight being in control of my own food and learning what foods were better choices for me (thank you Shape and Self magazines 😉 ).
Totally! We all do! None of my recipes are “bad for you”. I’m not over here frying things in canola oil (ever!) or using a lot of butter, cream cheese, sour cream, etc (except to garnish). Lean proteins, whole grains (use a healthy pasta and grains), veggies on the side, open-face burgers (all of them! only half the bun)…and always eat a small portion. I’m super happy with a burger (no top bun) and salad for dinner. I also never feel pressure to “clean my plate”…it’s okay to throw away food. If you’re done eating, you’re done.
Hmmmm…all things in moderation, small portions, don’t deprive or deny yourself, enjoy your life, don’t beat yourself up…it’s not worth it, eat mindfully. I am a very mindful eater. If I want a chip, I’ll put some in a bowl, walk away from the bag and eat those chips. I’m choosing to eat those chips, it’s a mindful choice. I don’t just sit in front of the TV with the open bag and eat without thinking. Even if I’m really indulging in something (like a piece of cheesecake), I make that choice and own it…so if I’m making that choice, I shouldn’t beat myself up later. If you’re eating cheesecake daily, that’s not “indulging” that’s making cheesecake a part of your diet…which if that works for you, awesome. I don’t think that would work for me, so I consider it a special treat from time to time and then don’t get mad at myself when I eat it.
I really like cheese. A few crackers, a few almonds and a slice of good cheese…I love that.
No. Under my new regimen (you can read about it HERE), I just take a multi-vitamin and that’s it!
Years and years ago, I bought these plates at Pottery Barn and they’re bigger than my other salad plates but smaller than a dinner plate. I bought them to photograph food on because a big plate will make your food look lost in the picture…BUT I quickly learned that it was the perfect size for me (and now, my kids). Andrew uses a normal sized dinner plate, but you guys always see me using these…
…I bet I haven’t used a dinner plate in YEARS! See how nice and full my plate looks? I love that! Also, this is a very typical lunch for me when my kids are home. These plates are always available at PB, and I love them. I think they’re the perfect size for my kids and me.
I do not drink sodas. Growing up, Diet Coke was served with every meal (my mom is cringing right now as I tell you our secrets…and she’s going to send me some text now about how it was the ’80s and everyone was doing it…bahahaha!), BUT one of the things I learned that first year in college was sodas were not the way to a healthy life for me, so we do not drink any soft drinks over here.
I think genetics plays a big part of it…
…um this is my Grandmother. She’s (don’t be mad, Grandmother!!!!) in her 80s. DOESN’T SHE LOOK AMAZING?! She is my ultimate #goals in every aspect of life. So, I think genetics plays a big part…and then eating well most of the time and getting out and moving plays a big part too. When I was younger, I used to think it was better to eat a lot of “healthy” stuff but now, my motto is to eat a little of really good stuff. Instead of over-eating something that is “fat-free”, I’ll enjoy a smaller portion of something really delicious in all its glory. I don’t know? I just really try and eat small portions of great food when given the opportunity but my day in and day out food is not fried/not greasy/not super cheesy/not sugary/lean protein/with a veggie. I’m also not a big snacker. I’ll eat one planned out snack during the day, but I don’t snack/graze other than that. I’m sure that helps too.
I go through breakfast fads like crazy. I will eat the same thing for breakfast every single day for a year and then never eat it again. Right now, I’m eating one egg with two pieces of turkey bacon…Andrew makes it 🙂 . One day, while he was making his own breakfast, he asked me if I wanted something and I said yes. And now, it just appears every morning on the counter…like a breakfast fairy delivers it or something 🙂 .
No, I feel like if I eat pretty good most of the time, I can splurge when the opportunity arises. That being said, I’m more likely to eat way better on a week day than a weekend. On weekends, we eat dinner out, I’ll have a drink…I don’t beat myself up over that but enjoy it.
I think I just went back to normal. I have been pregnant three times and didn’t love any of them. I was so sick and miserable, nothing sounded good, I couldn’t keep anything down…when I finally did have babies, I think it was pretty easy for me to go back to normal because I had been missing it so much. I started working out again when both of my big kids turned 6 weeks old and resumed my normal diet.
I think my philosophy is to not “diet” because that sounds temporary but to eat a “diet” that gives me the most energy and makes me feel like my best self (and I think that looks different for everyone and changes over time). Food was a big topic on one side of my family growing up…and every holiday, birthday celebration, get together, I knew (even a small kid) before walking into that occasion that it would be more fun if the adult ladies were not on a diet. When the ladies were on a diet, the whole atmosphere wasn’t nearly as much fun as when they were not on a diet…I don’t know? I just prefer not to do that.
Always.
I drink a ton of water! In a given day, I drink 2 to 3 cups of coffee but then other than that, I probably drink the equivalent to 6 or 8 bottles of water plus I drink at least 4 Waterloos or La Croixs a day (I’m drinking one right now!). My dad always has a drink in his hand…and I do too. I don’t drink iced tea (yet another thing that makes me so not a Texas Texan 😉 ) or sodas, so it’s coffee or water or sometimes, tequila 😉 .
No…I would say a few nights a week, they’ll have something after dinner, but that’s the exception not the rule.
I love nuts, cheese, crackers, those cheese crisps, and then sometimes, I’ll have hummus or a bit of dip. Occasionally, a yogurt, but for the most part, I always stick to one of those things. I am literally typing this and eating a piece of Gouda with a cracker and some grapes (and a mango La Croix).
Small plates helps so much! I also think drinking a lot of water keeps you hydrated (and often, if I’m dehydrated, I confuse that for hunger).
Okay, whew! I hope you take this entire post with a grain of salt. Do I eat cheesy dip and drink two margaritas and eat a nacho some nights? Yes! Is that my normal? No. I truly feel like genetics plays a big role in our bodies, and I don’t want to ever discount that either. Plus, I’m really active! I run, I lift weights, I do yoga, I walk my dogs, I play outside with my kids…little things add up.
Okay, what are your thoughts? Tips? Tricks? My recipe today is totally something I made and enjoyed…
…I made Jack-O-Lantern Joes the other night and they were a HUGE hit! Head over and check out the recipe. I made four of these “Sloppy Joes in a Pumpkin” and split mine with Ashby (Madeley and Kensington split theirs). I used 96/4 ground beef (unless I’m making burgers, that’s what I always use) and the only cheese is on top along with gluten-free breadcrumbs. I served this with a Caesar salad and called it a day.
Erika Slaughter says
Those Jack-o-lantern joes look fun and festive! My kids would be all about those!
Ahna @ Hammers N Hugs says
Such a fun post, Shay! My tip for nutrition and fitness for anyone interested is to come check out my virtual 6 week fitness and nutrition program —> (https://hammersnhugs.com/the-faster-way-to-fat-loss/) Even though I’m an ER nurse practitioner what I’m really passionate is disease PREVENTION! My clients are AMAZING and ALL see sustainable results! ***Ok ya’ll my shameless plug is over ;-)*** Happy Thursday!!
Nicole says
Love this post so much! Do you ever drink those veggie juices anymore?
Mix and Match Mama says
Sometimes, but not nearly as much as I used to!
Sarah says
Do you ever have smoothies? Or protein shakes anymore?
Mix and Match Mama says
I went through a big “smoothies for breakfast” phase a few years ago, but now, only on occasion. And sometimes, I”ll have a protein shake as my afternoon snack.
Nicole says
I remember you used to have oatmeal a lot for breakfast, do you ever now? Or more so stick to protein?
Mix and Match Mama says
I went through a big oatmeal phase…and now, I really don’t eat it…EXCEPT I HAD SOME JUST NOW!! How crazy is that?! Randomly, Andrew and I both had oatmeal just now with golden raisins.
Dana says
I mean, It’s could have almost written this post myself! So funny. I think we’re literally the exact same size and have the exact same thoughts on food. And maybe we have similar genetics. ?
I will say that before having kids, I was always eating low fat everything and weighed about 20 pounds more on average. I got really sick with my first baby and had to eat a ton of protein and eat just to survive. After that I never regained the weight and never eat low-fat! I just eat what I want in moderation and eat tons of veggies, including salads.
My one tip is that I’m crazy about tea and drink 2 cups at a time 3 times a day (all different kinds, but usually just one cup of black tea and the rest green or non-caffeinated). I think that keeps me more satisfied and really reminds me of a smoking alternative! ? It keeps my hands busy and enjoying something so I don’t really eat a lot between meals. And I do 2 collagen teas in the morning so it’s more filling, too. I also think that’s French women’s secret-they don’t eat at other times in the day. Not popular for us in the US, but I think it does help. They eat (and restaurants are generally open) at only 7, noon, and then again after 7pm. Kind of impractical at times, but I think it helps! I can’t wait to read everyone else’s comments! This is one of my favorite topics. ?
Dana says
And I should add that I do snack. I just try to do so when I’m really hungry, not out of boredom. I’m not really one for eating by the clock alone!
Kristi says
What is your go to cocktail of juice or drink?
Mix and Match Mama says
A skinny margarita always seams appropriate in Texas 🙂 .
Sarah says
Do you just not crave sweet treats? With omitting your brownie, was it difficult? Did you crave something sweet still? When do you have desserts now? Or sweet treats?
Mix and Match Mama says
The older I get, the less of a “sweet tooth” I have. I really love spicy/sour/savory so much more now.
Beth says
Excellent post. I’m headed to Pottery Barn to get a couple of those plates. Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
They really are the perfect size!
Kristi says
I have so many random questions!! Haha! Thank you for this post! I love it!! I’m wondering if you have your second cup of coffee after working out, or breakfast first? And when is your third cup if you have one?!
Mix and Match Mama says
My first is first thing in the morning, my second is when I’m making kids’ lunches/doing the morning routine and if I have a third, it’s in the afternoon.
Lisa says
I am a three cup a day person as well! Love my afternoon cup
Elizabeth says
We have the same plates! I always reach for the smaller ones so my plate looks full too. I registered for those and the dinner plates but I have always thought the dinner plates were too big.
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re really the perfect size!!
Kristen says
When did you and Andrew start drinking alcohol.. I know earlier in the blog days you did not. What changed that you started to? Love your go to margarita recipe!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
We’ve never not consumed alcohol. I have always said and still believe that I’d rather eat calories than drink them.
Rachel says
This is all really good advice! I lost 60lbs over the last year and didn’t “diet”, good ol exercise and changing my eating habits. I hate diets that tell you what you can and cannot eat. I feel like that’s just setting you up for failure.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my gosh, that’s amazing!!! Congratulations, Rachel!! I can only imagine that took a great amount of hard work and dedication!! xo
Sheaffer Sims says
ANNNNNNNNNNNNND now I want cheesecake. And a nut. And a slice of cheese.
Elspeth says
I am just like you and I love learning different things about people and their routines and rhythms!! This post was so fun to read!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Dana Hennesey says
Our family’s favorite gluten free cake: 1 box of GF Funfetti cake mix, 1 large box of vanilla instant pudding, 4 eggs, 1 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup oil. Bake in a bundt pan at 350 for 50 minutes. Top with drizzled icing. We all LOVE it! I take it to parties and no one even knows it’s gluten free.
Mix and Match Mama says
That GF Funfetti Cake Mix is one of our faves too!!!!!
Taylor Miller says
I just wanted to say that on Instagram there are some yummy food bloggers who bake mostly gluten free- ErinLivesWhole and AmbitiousKitchen. Their recipes are amazing! Mostly made with almond flour, coconut flour or gluten free oat flour. Their recipes always provide ways to make their recipes gluten free if they aren’t already. Just wanted to share! Great post!
Kara says
What type of snacks do your kids like?! Do they snack more often than you? I feel like my 6 and 4 y.o boys are always hungry!!! ????♀️
Mix and Match Mama says
My kids get a snack when they get home from school, anything from apples, bananas, apple sauce, cheese crisps, protein bars, dry cereal…you know, all of that random snacky stuff!
Kelly says
I love a smaller plate, getting some of those:). Breakfast before or after workout? Thanks, Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
After!
Christin Schultz says
I’m going to use that larger salad plate idea! Which bowls do you use for your soup or chili?
Mix and Match Mama says
The bowls that go with that collection!
Nicole says
The cereal size bowls or the smaller dip ones?
Mix and Match Mama says
Cereal size!
Rachel says
Hi Shay- in your post you said “it’s ok to throw away food.” I would like to encourage you to reconsider this and research the impact of food waste on the climate crisis. (Google “food waste + climate change” for a few good articles.) Smaller portions, eating leftovers, and composting are all good alternative options to throwing food away. We started a compost bin this year and the kids enjoy being a part of the process!
Mix and Match Mama says
I think it’s totally okay not to clean your plate/consume everything just because it’s in front of you. What you do with your leftovers is totally up to you and yes, there are lots of ways to re-use them. I just don’t think it’s a great idea to make people feel like they must eat everything if they’re not hungry.
Gauri says
I don’t agree with “It’s okay to throw away food”. There are millions of people and children starving every day in the world. The food on your plate is not going to directly feed them but it’s a long chain of wasting less food, which leads to buying less food, which leads to supermarkets marking their inventory accordingly, and ultimately there is a global impact on import-export supply chain. All it takes is boxing up the rest to eat as leftovers later.
Mix and Match Mama says
I think it’s totally okay to say some women really struggle with weight and it’s a life long battle they face. I want to encourage them. Everyone needs a bit of encouragement and if that gives them permission not to over-eat (and they feel better about themselves), then I’m okay with that. My goal in this post is to uplift women.
Katelyn says
Have your kids always been good eaters? Mine are 2 and 4 and are so picky. I’ve definitely instilled bad habits and find myself making them separate meals, especially since my husband is deployed and find it frustrating to make a big meal that only I will eat! Any advice for getting into a routine of eating meals as a family?
Mix and Match Mama says
My little two have always been good eaters, but I feel like I had to work through food struggles a bit with the older two (mostly me just making them try things/telling them that’s all they get). I want to say this…thank YOU for being a mama who serves our country by staying home and being with your family so your husband can serve. God bless you all. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate your family’s service.
Shannon says
Please publish a Gluten-Free Cookbook!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
You’re so sweet! I believe my cookbook days are over, but thank YOU for thinking that. I will continue to publish GF recipes here on my site though!
Victoria says
Love this post! After years of eating whatever whenever, then to strict macro counting, and not being happy either way I’ve finally found a very balanced “mindful eating” way of life similar to yours. It works for me and I’m so much happier! I read this while eating a hunk of Trader Joe’s pumpkin bread loaf ?
Ryane says
Thanks for putting these together! I was also wondering how recipe-testing comes into play and what do you do with all the treats you make… my husband is particularly bad, if I bake something then it’s gone in a day!
Mix and Match Mama says
I only make a couple of sweet recipes each month and those are always great for us to enjoy after school or as dessert at night. They’re bonus little treats we sometimes get to enjoy.
LeAnn says
Which multivitamin do you take?
Mix and Match Mama says
One a Day Women’s
Maggie Eterno says
Love how disciplined you are! I need to pour chips in a bowl and restrain myself from getting more haha! Thank you for sharing!!
Jess Ackermann says
I love this “ mentality” and find myself thinking about it frequently- so thank you! Also from another tequila girl- try some simply Limeade with Patron. It’s better than nearly every other “ fancier” and way less sweet!
Mary C says
I laughed so hard at your mom serving you Diet soda for dinner. My mom served me milk with dinner until I went to college. I am now dairy free so the thought consuming all that milk as a kid now cracks me up 🙂
Karen says
Loved reading this! This stuff fascinates me ~ how others do things……I wanted to share an account/site that might be helpful in your GF baking. IG is @fooddreamer or http://www.alldayidreamaboutfood.com ~ she does low-carb/keto recipes with almond flour and coconut flour mainly. You could always use regular sugar, but I bet it might help you get ratios right for recipes you want to use.
Carly says
I feel bad that you guys are struggling with GF desserts! I’m always finding new ones that I love. Maybe cause I bake from boxes vs you do it from scratch? What is the nail polish you have on in IG today?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s #70 from the NexGen book at the salon1
Colleen T says
My friend just introduced me to having dates with almond butter (make sure includes salt in ingredients) as a snack. Split open the date and spread the almond butter. It is AMAZING! I feel like you will really enjoy it.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love a date!!! Thank you!!!!
Kristin says
Would Andrew consider doing an air fryer recipe post? My husband and I are obsessed with ours and always looking for new things to make. I remember you saying he uses it everyday. Thanks! Love posts like this.
WhittyWife says
Yes!!! That would be amazing!
Kacy M says
Yes water!!! I drink water with every meal and didn’t grow up being allowed to drink soda so that’s a definite nope for me.
Kelly Bonner says
Fellow Texan here who also doesn’t drink any kind of tea! ?
Kristi says
I know this will sound crazy, but you truly have helped me ditch a diet mentality and enjoy everything in moderation! Sharing your mindset and approach with food as helped me so much!! I have one more question, thank you so much for taking the time to answer such silly questions ?, but when you know you’re going out Friday or having a more indulgent meal…do you change the way you eat during the day at all? Or no?
Mix and Match Mama says
You’re so sweet, Kristi! I love doing life together with you ladies here. Hmmmm…I really think I continue to eat the same even if I’m going to indulge later. I don’t want to show up too ravenous or else I really might eat a ton and feel icky later.
Laci says
All great info!! I love to see how others view food and activity. I totally agree that genetics play a huge part too!