Dani Spies

First of all, congrats on the job! Sounds busy but exciting!

As for me, grad school has made it impossible to take care of myself the way I should. But I never, ever gave up eating dinner at home with Craig at night. Even if it meant resisting the pizza and cookies that people would bring to class, or having to wait until 10pm because class goes until 9:15. I just couldn't give up that quality time.

So I guess I had to really decide what is most important to me, and plan that in no matter what! Which sounds like what you're doing now too :)

Thanks Katie! Sounds like you've got your priorities straight. I think eating with family and loved ones is so important too. I always try to make dinner a nice time of the evening for my husband and i to share together. Hopefully you'll get a break from school soon with the summer rolling in...enjoy it:)!

Wow, Dani--sounds like an adventure!

I'm like Katie--I've gone back to school full time and that coupled with kiddos, el husband, household chores and a busy business threatens to make me insane everyday!

I try my best to eat well which requires a lot of planning ahead, unfortunately. What has worked best for me has been to rotate very similar meals each week. Some might say this is boring, but honestly...people usually tend to eat the same things over and over. Plus, I always know what I need to keep in the fridge and pantry to throw something together at the last minute. Crock pots also help, especially during soup weather. If I have to eat out, I try to grab a sub heavy on the veggies, salad or grilled chicken something-or-another.

Exercise simply came down to finding a workout that I actually enjoy (turbo jam) and I just make myself carve out time for it each morning. Actually, I give myself a couple of rest days per week, so if I have a particularly jam-packed day, I don't feel guilty if I skip--I just know I will be working out on the weekend.

Megan - I completely agree... in the face of an insane schedule you HAVE TO do a little pre planning and I think rotating meals is a great idea! Even when my schedule is not quite as busy I tend to eat a lot of the same meals and then when I have a little more time to "play" in the kitchen, I do! As for the exercise, every morning when my alarm goes off and I think, "I just can't" I try to focus on after the workout... nobody said it was easy, but like you said we just gotta make ourselves do it. I always feel great when I'm done:)!! Thanks for your insight!

Dani, I can't really add much to the above stuff. I cook on weekends and have everything "tupperwared" (what a blasphemous shift to a verb!) off for the week. Then I just grab and go for the day. I always scout out new recipes so that every week I can bump one of my regular old recipes for something new. I don't find that my meals really get very boring if I'm in tune with the seasonal specialties, especially in terms of produce!

If I'm home at dinner time, I always make up a huge fresh, elaborate salad or sautee or roast vegetables to go with my dinner. If I'm at school or work, it's basic spinach, goji berry, oil/vinegar type fare (plus protein source). Breakfast is almost always a freshly made deal; I insist on a leisurely breakfast and green tea in the mornings (after workouts) to get relaxed and set for the day.

I always have at least 3L worth of water or green tea on me (talk about holding water weight) and during the season, I stash some homemade bars in my hockey bag for a quick hit of fast carbs+protein, post-training. When we have 2-a-days, I am literally constantly eating! But hey, how could that ever be a bad thing?

Good on you for keeping self-care at the top of your list. Too often we demand so much of ourselves, forgetting that when it comes to all forms of energy, input=output. You're going to do great!

Hi Dani!
I've been on another planet for a few years.. Would you please tell me how much ground flax seed and wheat germ you recommend including in my daily diet? Is a tablespoon of each daily a good plan?

Your cooler looks fabulous! THANKS for your terrific tips.

Jaya - Wow... you've really got your plan done, thanks for sharing. I learn so much from the comments that people leave here. I lov ethe comment about "input=output". Seems today "serving yourself" first can be viewed as selfish, but if you're running on fumes you've got nothing to give so technically taking care of yourself first is one of the most giving things you can do:).

Cary - I try not to get to crazy with "exact" formulas, but I would say I include a couple tablespoons of each a day. I usually just add a tbsp or so whenever I'm eating a meal that would like it (ie. cottage cheese, cereal, oatmeal).

I like your page too - I am definitely going to spend some time catching up.

I like your food ideas - I do the same. Luckily I have a fridge at work, so I can shop for lunch for the week and leave it here. I have never tried the pre-made salad stuff. I'm worried about "stomach" issues from it. But I cannot live without my cottage cheese! It goes with everything.

P.O.M - Thanks for stopping by:). I'm not usually a pre-made fan either, but this salad really works for me.

I like to have Lara or Kind bars with me as well as homemade trail mix with nuts, dried fruit, etc. I always pre-bag servings of trail mix as it's so good I'd overeat!

all the best!
i've heard there are some picky personalities on those sets. try to keep your sunny attitude, and think big picture--toward that glorious day when YOU have your own show!

Deb -I so hear you on the pre-bag servings...trail mix can be addicting!! It's all about strategy and decisions, pre packing your servings is a great tip!

Jeanie - Thanks so much... and trust me, picky is an understatement;). But it's fun because it's a good challenge for me and a great place to brush up on my cooking skills. The good thing is that everyone is into healthy food and since the way I cook, it's a perfect match. But like you said...I'll stay focused on the big picture and who knows maybe one day I'll be the one in front of the camera:)!

Thanks Dani for sharing your meal tips with us. I have a hard time figuring out what to eat during the day and you gave me some great ideas. I'm going to get myself a cooler this weekend.

d--
i just sent your link to my daughter, who is moving out of the dorm next yr, and needs your advice desperately! she and her roomie are dancers at that famous conservatory in nyc...i'll say no more.
just called her and she said she's signed up for emails from you!
now, take good care of her, y'hear?
thanks,
j

Dani- I always eat my cottage cheese with a little bit of strawberry jam in it! Everyone thinks I am crazy:)

Hi Dani, congrats on your new job! Sounds so fun and exciting~~

I know what you mean about crazy days! :( I recently went to Chicago for a pre-intern orientation and we got our dinners paid for and set up for us.....basically deep dish pizza, white bread, 10-course dinners, you name it... on top of that lil-no workout each day :(

So now, I am trying to get back on track...
I'm going to go back to writing down everything I eat and maybe trying to schedule when I eat it my snacks.

Dani, thanks for this website and your tips and recipes. I think I can eat better and maybe lose weight easier with this info. I like your philosophy of not dieting but adding good foods instead. I am recovering from a bizarre disease called Sweet's Syndrome and I believe that a lifetime of toxins contributed so I'm making a lot of lifestyle changes in order to get better. Best of luck to you with your new job, pregnancy and Food Network shot. I added a comment there for you as well.