What I eat in a day: sustainable edition
Hello everyone, in today's blog post, I will be sharing a what I eat in a day while staying conscious of food waste and adequate nutrition.
I usually wake up at 6:00am feeling and looking extremely sleepy. However, when I make myself a fresh cup of organic matcha latte, my entire mood is lifted and I am no longer sluggish or lethargic. Organic Matcha is not only beneficial to your health but also to the environment. Matcha contains high levels of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is believed to have cancer-fighting effects on the body. This green powder is also full of antioxidants which helps metabolism balance, mood boost, and lower blood-pressure. According to bustle, “A typical tea plant that is used to produce matcha can live for a half-century or more.”
This means that matcha requires less waste than other types of teas since the whole leaf is used in the production process. Moreover, to lower your individual carbon footprint, using oat milk in place of cow's milk is a must. Compared to any other plant-based milk alternative, cows milk produces “three times as much greenhouse gas emissions; uses around ten times as much land, as well as two to twenty times as much freshwater”. Greenhouse gas emission is a leading cause of global warming and climate change, which are both very prevalent and consequential issues in our current world.
As for my breakfast meal, I usually just make any oatmeal dish such as ‘Biscoff & Berries’ Chocolate Baked Oats, Hazelnut Chocolate Oats, and Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats. However, since it is fall and pumpkin is in season, I have been loving a Pumpkin Pie Stovetop Oatmeal as it is the perfect cozy bite to fuel my body and soul. If you would like to learn more about oatmeal—specifically its benefits to your health and the environment—check out the ‘Oats & Sustainability’ section in this blog post. All in all, if you have yet to try oatmeal for breakfast, you are definitely missing out, so make sure you check out all my oatmeal recipes on www.sophiedeats.com to gain a taste of greatness!
On the weekends, I tend to have lunch at around 2 pm or whenever I am hungry. This is because my mornings tend to be quite hectic: I am either at swim practice, at the orthodontist, or at a school event, therefore I don’t get home until later in the afternoon. With the limited time, I love an easy, simple, low-effort but also nutritious and satiating meal. My go-to’s are either a nourish bowl, a pasta dish, or a sandwich. Nourish bowls are extremely versatile and can keep you energized for hours. I typically start with a base of quinoa and chopped veggies; you can easily use brown rice or farro in place of quinoa. Then I like to add a source of protein such as tempeh, tofu or chickpeas. I also like to add a source of fat, such as avocados, to protect my organs and help my body absorb all vital nutrients. If you are a texture person, you could add some nuts & seeds as well as chopped tomatoes for a nice refreshing crunch element. When it comes to the dressing, I like to go simple by using olive oil or tahini, along with lime and some salt & pepper to bring out the flavors. This meal is not only appetizing but also filled with nourishing elements to keep you full until snack or dinner.
At around 5:30pm, I tend to get a little peckish so I would habitually opt for a bowl of fresh cut fruits or a healthier sweet treat such as a homemade PB & Chocolate Energy Bite , Fairtrade Chocolate & Coffee Muffin, or Single-serving Vegan Apple Crumble. Growing up in an asian household, I would also come home after school to a bowl of fresh cut seasonal fruit platter left in the fridge by my grandma. This was and still is her way of expressing love, so everyday when I eat a bowl of fresh cut fruits, I think of her and my childhood.
I generally have a family meal at night with a spread of different dishes. The spread usually consists of some sautéed asian veggies, fresh cooked rice, a protein dish, and spring rolls. The options vary day-by-day and even though I am not the one cooking, I am glad to be able to spend time with my family and get caught-up with their day.
For a pre-dinner snack, I like to make myself a cup of warm tea to help with digestion and prepare me for a good night's rest.
As someone who cares for the environment and tries to eat mostly plant-based, this is just one day of meals. Just a disclaimer: This blog post is simply meant to provide meal ideas for someone who wants to eat more mindfully. Everyone’s diet is different so you should not be comparing what I eat to what you typically enjoy.