By Katie Hayes

Despite all the effort, there are unavoidably stressful and hectic times in life.  To be plain and simple, my life is a little crazy right now. I recently started a new job in a new city, moved into a new house, raced a half marathon I trained for all spring and summer, and guess what? I am getting married this weekend! Without a doubt, all of these things are incredibly exciting. During this time in my life, however, it becomes easy to let eating well slip through the cracks. How does one manage stress and make healthy choices when there never seems to be enough time in the day to get everything done?

I have learned that I feel better and I am actually more productive with my time when I take a few extra moments to prepare and consume better food.  The key to eating healthy and lowering stress levels is to find simple whole foods.  What I find is that a little salt and pepper actually make the most seemingly boring of dishes excellent. From on-the-go filling snacks, to quick meals made in a flash, this month we are focusing on how to eat well not only on-the-go, but also how to eat food to help lower stress levels.

Simple on-the-go snacks:

Blueberries -A low glycemic fruit, this berry is full of antioxidants and is a great brain food!

Walnuts – Walnuts are not only filling, but a great source of omega-3 fat (good fat!).

Quick Meals:

Sweet potato with coconut butter – Poke holes in the potato, and cook in the microwave until done. Let cool, and add coconut oil, coconut butter, or both.

Calming treats:

Chamomile tea: Brew this herbal caffeine-free tea when you are feeling stressed. The natural properties in the tea will help calm your nerves!

Dark Chocolate (at least 70% cacao): Dark bitter chocolate is high in antioxidants and will turn any bad day better!