My Transformation of Dietary Habit in 2020 Version

Hi, friends. It has been a while since the last time I updated my blog. I believe that 2020 has been quite different for many of you. A lot of things have been going on in my life as well that I can’t wait to share with you guys. I graduated from Boston University and I am no long living in Boston. Today, I want to talk about some major transformations of my diet recently.

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COVID-19 affects many people in different ways. Quarantine and living alone after graduation allow me take deeper consideration of my psychical and mental health. I make changes on my dietary habit mainly in three aspects. I would like to clarify that everyone’s body builds and reacts so differently, which means there isn’t a type of food that is good or bad for everyone. I am not any nutritionist and certainly not suggesting you to eat exactly in the some way as I do. I am here just to share my own transformation journey and maybe some inspiration of meal ideas with you.

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Being Healthier with Food Choice

I am the kind of person who snacks all the time.(as you could probably tell from my previous snack grocery haul) In the past, I would choose junk food such as chips and candies whenever I feel of snacking. I could finish a family-sized potato chips or kettle popcorn in a snap if I have noting to do. I realized that it not only makes my body feel sick but also turns my mood down afterwards. I started wanting to change this unhealthy snacking behavior during the quarantine period. I still enjoy having a little snack here and there, but I will go for better options. Here are some healthy and delicious snack choices I would love to share with you guys.

1. Apple slices with almond butter and cinnamon maple syrup

• This one is really great if you have a sweet tooth as I do. The sweet and savory combination is so classic and satisfying. Almond butter is full of protein and healthy fat, balancing your blood sugar well. The secret here is to mix some cinnamon with maple syrup, which brings the flavor into a next level and gives you a cozy fall vibe. Cinnamon is also very good for your digestion and is loaded with antioxidants.

2. Roasted chickpeas

• This is a good option for savory snack. Preheat the oven at 380 degrees. Rinse chickpeas first and dry them completely with paper towels. Put them in a large bowl with a spoon of avocado oil. Add some garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric powder, sea salt, black pepper, and paprika for seasoning. Mix the chickpeas well and then put them on a baking pan. Roast for 20 minutes and you will have the best snack which is so crunchy and flavory. Chickpeas is a great source of protein. Turmeric also has many health benefits as known.

3. Banana chocolate Ice cream

• Sometimes I just can’t say no to an ice cream. This one is a healthy alternative which is also yummy and easy to make. Blend some frozen bananas with a couple spoons of cacao power and you will get a chocolaty and creamy ice cream in a second. You can also substitute cacao powder with match power or vanilla beans to make other flavors. Cacao powder is packed with flavonoids, which lowers your blood sugar and helps prevent heart diseases.

Please let me know how you like these recipes and also share with me any other healthy snack ideas you have. I’d love to hear!

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Being Vegan

I have been going vegan for the past three months and so far is so good. Plant-based diet keeps my issues with bloating stomach and low energy going away, and also makes me feel lighter and happier. I decide to switch into vegetarian diet in the first place because my father and my boyfriend both tested with gout, which is a disease caused by highly meat and seafood consumed diet. People who has gout is suggested to stay away from steak, seafood, meat organ, animal fat, and alcohol. Therefore I encourage my family to have more plant-based meals and fight gout together as a team. I find there is much less of vegan restaurant option in China compared to the United States if you have to eat out. So I want to share two of my favorite restaurants in Beijing I discovered lately for my Chinese friends.

1. Jing Zhao Yin

This one has the best environment and the dishes are very delicate and tasty. It feels like dinning in a fairy land and makes you have a great mood. Some of my favorite dishes are truffle with bamboo fungus “eggs”, seaweed tofu roll, and vegan Gongbao chicken. Some dishes here taste really like meats, so it’s easier for starters.

2. Wo Ye Oii

This restaurant locates in a small alley and only has 5 tables. It definitely not has the best environment, but the food 100% worth it. The menu is relatively simple. My favorite dishes are red curry vegetable baked rice, mushroom risotto, apple and pumpkin salad, and veggie sushi plate. The style here is more homy and comforting. I wonder how they can make simple dishes so tasty.

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Being regular on schedule of meals

I used to have very irregular meals throughout my days. For example, sometimes I have my first meal at 3 pm and last meal after midnight. Okay, I am embarrassed. The pandemic situation allows me to stay at home more often. Doing an internship away from home and living alone also kind of force me to cook by myself more frequently. In that way, I can manage to have breakfast every morning in a regular time. I often get up at 8 am and start to eat around 10 am. Eating breakfast provides me good energy and motivation that keep me positive and productive with my work and study. I also find out that having meals on a stable schedule makes me not eating snacks all the time.

Here are some tips

1. Plan out your day every morning and write down what you want to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

2. Cook with healthier ingredients

3. Go to bed and get up on a stable schedule

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I hope my transformation of diet provides you some inspirations and positivity. Remember that one thing never changes is that me being a foodie and passionated with creative recipe ideas. Transformations doesn’t stop me being who I am and being present with every moment in my life. I am happy to know any transformations happened in your life recently!