Do you remember the days when you had all the time in the world to whip up some fresh pancakes, or make a beautiful Tex Mex breakfast burrito from scratch, all smothered in homemade pico de gallo? Yeah, neither do I.

It’s a shame to admit it, but arguably one of the most frustrating aspects of U.S. culture is how we don’t prioritize breakfast. We hit the snooze at least three times before rushing out the door with toothpaste on our blouses, sleep caked in the corners of our eyes, and a cup of coffee in our hands – thanks to the coffee pot timer. I can’t speak for everyone, but I know that personally, I’m lucky if I snag a piece of peanut butter toast on my way out – more often, I’ll grab something out of the fridge that isn’t even a proper breakfast food, like a carrot, before running out the door.

I know, I’ve been told that’s an odd breakfast habit, but I try my best to stay healthy in the morning, even at my busiest. Sometimes though, the gleam of a fast food sign catches my eye on my morning drive, and I find myself pulling into those cursed lines, ready for something hot and delightful. Below are a handful of things I’ve found that are healthy(ish), filling, and delicious.

Starbucks

Like many of us, I often find myself at Starbucks in the morning, so it clearly deserves a space at the top of my list. Aside from their seasonal coffees and lattes, I reach for a select few of their breakfast items again and again.

First, Starbucks offers some truly delicious oatmeal that puts those microwaveable instant packets of slop to shame. The first one – and my personal favorite – is their hearty steel cut oatmeal with blueberries. I love that the blueberries are fresh, giving me a healthy burst of antioxidants to start my day. I also love that it’s sweetened with organic agave. Although the research on agave is mixed, it is known that agave does in fact rank lower on the glycemic index, which means it doesn’t cause nasty blood sugar spikes that send me crashing by midmorning.

To keep it varied, sometimes I find myself opting for their more traditional oatmeal. While more sugary and devoid of any fresh fruits, it does have a delicious cranberry tang that I love.

Finally, I find that their breakfast wrap with spinach, cage-free egg whites, and feta is a delicious start to my day. I love getting some greens in my morning meal – not an easy feat – and this wrap does the trick. With all fast food though, you’ve got to keep an eye on the sodium intake – this baby packs a whopping 35% of your daily sodium, so while delicious, this is definitely my least-ordered item on the Starbucks breakfast menu.

I find that pairing any of these with their fruit cup leaves me satiated and ready to seize a busy morning.

Einstein Bros. Bagels

Behold the bagel. Such a treat, so delicious toasted, and so easily swings the wide pendulum between healthful and horrendous. I often find myself craving this carb-laden delight, but know that the temptation of an asiago bagel topped with cream cheese can often overpower any healthy decisions I may have wanted to make. At Einstein Bros., however, I find myself craving something much heartier and healthier. I get the power protein bagel toasted and topped with avocado (it costs a little extra, but is so worth it). The good fats from the avocado works alongside the 13 grams of protein from the bagel to give me a hearty, wholesome breakfast that leaves me energized, full, and grateful that I made such a smart choice so early in the day.

Panera

Sometimes, I’m really looking for that extra healthy boost to kickstart my day. Panera, with their fresh-baked pastries and sweets, doesn’t seem like the obvious choice at first glance. However, their smoothies have won me over, and I find myself pulling into their drive thru more and more for a filling smoothie paired with a whole grain bagel.

For the smoothies, I alternate between two: Green Passion or Peach & Blueberry. The Green Passion smoothie is a prime way to start off, as it is not only rich in fruits, but also has spinach snuck in there (hence the name), which gives me ample veggies to start to the day off right. If I’m looking for something a little sweeter, I opt for the Peach and Blueberry smoothie. Made with almond milk, fresh blueberries, and peach puree, it transports me to a soothing summer afternoon, regardless of the season. Alongside a peanut butter bagel, I know I’m going to be revved up and ready to tackle whatever work throws my way!

Taco Bell

Ok, so healthy simplicities like bagels and oatmeal are well and good. But what about when you’re craving something different? Spicy, hearty, and warm, perhaps?

Taco Bell’s breakfast menu is a goldmine. Not only is Taco Bell the only major fast food chain with a menu certified by the American Vegetarian Association, but it also offers healthy swaps, like ordering any menu item “al fresco” style, which replaces cheese and sour cream with pico de gallo.

While my family’s diet isn’t entirely plant-based, we do limit our meat consumption when we can, and I love that Taco Bell lets me honor that even when I’m bleary eyed on a Monday morning. I, for one, am a fan of the Breakfast Crunchwrap California Style, with the meat and eggs swapped out for black beans (free of charge), and ordered al fresco. That way, I have a hashbrown, guacamole, pico, and black bean wrap that is toasted, satiating, and easy to eat on the road. The hardest part? Not ordering two.

Although we all fantasize about being the kind of person who can make themselves a hearty, filling breakfast each morning, the truth is we’re busy. Opting for these healthy breakfast options, I feel less guilty about pulling into the drive thru in the morning, and hopefully you can too. Here’s to a happy breakfast!

If it’s not one fad diet, it’s a food group. Last week you couldn’t eat carbs, this week, bread is okay, avoid legumes. Then just when you got used to a vegan diet, everyone has gone caveman with the meat. Last week you were all organic, this week it has to be raw. Frankly, it is enough to make your head spin, and your stomach. Genetically modified foods, pesticides, organic, farm fresh, hydroponically grown, really, where do you start?

Keeping healthy, keeping your diet balanced and eating properly can be difficult with a hectic lifestyle. It’s even harder if you have children, to keep them on track and off junk foods.

Skipping breakfast, then having a sugary pastry with a large coffee, a greasy burger or sandwich for lunch on the go and then pizza or something microwaved for dinner. It might satisfy at the time, but it’s not healthy. Plus, the ingredients are mostly unknown.

Food labelling has definitely come a long way in recent years, but it’s likely not enough. Reading labels on items we buy is a good idea, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Foods labeled Buying organic might make you happier about the choices you are making but they can be a lot more expensive. The term ‘organic’ can be misleading. It may mean the soil the carrots were grown in was organic, or just the seeds, or maybe just the farmer’s boots. It doesn’t tell us where he got the seeds and if they are genetically modified, like many foods are.

Genetically modified foods, frankenfood, as it’s been called, is food that has had its DNA modified. This is usually for longer shelf life, shorter growing period, quicker ripening and also engineered to resist bugs and other pests. Larger crops, corn, soybean, cotton and foods used for feed, oil and other processing have been being modified for years.

The usage and regulation of these foods varies from country to country and while most scientific research claims they are healthy for consumption, many people still are not convinced. The method of foods being modified today vastly differs from, say, thirty years ago, but many feel any is too much.

Demands in non-modified foods continues to grow, despite the ‘all-clear’ from many sides. Increases in diseases, allergies and less and less resistance to illness has many people pointing at the food we eat. Of course, not just modifying foods adds to it’s health or harm. Environmental problems,  pollution, exhaust, methane from the very livestock that are also being modified, genetically and with hormones and steroids, acid rain, it’s really  a wonder we eat at all!

Not everyone dislikes the GMO foods. Corn, one of the biggest crops and the most modified is widely used for livestock feed, used to make breakfast cereal, corn syrup, which in turn is used widely in other foods, corn oil, it’s really endless. But the increase in crops for the producer and the bug resistants of it means big money for the corn farmer. But even finding products that claim to be GMO free doesn’t mean they aren’t sprayed with pesticides, fertilizers and other harmful chemicals used for bugs and plant diseases.

So, if the soil is organic but the seeds are GMO, how are we to know? Well, we don’t But you can start by buying local, supporting your local farmer at the farmer’s market, where you can ask about the foods you are buying. Read the labels and stay informed.

Need to get your chocolate on? Maybe your kids are indulging too much and you are trying to get them off of it? Looking to get a leg up in the New Year for a healthier diet? There are healthy alternatives but seriously, who can eat a raw carrot when chocolate is calling out to you? Chocolate is in its own food category, and so it should be. There are healthy candy and chocolate choices, and Unreal Candy is one of them.

The company was started by a dad and his teenaged sons who he was trying to keep away from junk food. The kids wanted chocolate After several thousands attempts, they came up with the recipe.

Unreal candy has peanut butter cups and M&M types of candy but with none of the really bad stuff. The peanut butter cups are made with dark chocolate and have peanut butter, crispy peanut butter and almond butter centers. The M & M types are called Gems and come in milk chocolate, dark chocolate and crispy dark chocolate.

As far as the ‘No’ goes, it’s an extensive list, No GMO, no corn syrup, no gluten, no artificial tastes or colors, no preservatives and they are vegan, fair trade and use sustainable ingredients. It’s a shame not to eat them, really.

In comparing the gems to M&M’s, the first noticeable difference is the color. Many people have allergic or other reactions to certain chemicals used in food dyes, and these don’t contain that. The color is made from plant-based coloring, and the flavoring is all natural. Just compare the listed ingredients on the packages and you will actually be able to pronounce the ones listed on Unreal’s packages.

The sugar content is lower than most compared candy and they taste creamy without the chemical aftertaste. Kids will likely still prefer the real M&M’s but it’s a start in the right direction. Considering the size of M&M’s, who eats one or two? So for those of us who like getting our chocolate on, and that’s a lot of us, this is a great, healthier alternative.

Of course, it’s still candy so moderation is always recommended, but any time we can do better for ourselves and the world around us, we should at least try.

The company have recently launched new items, and their products are available online and in most major grocery stores. They are a bit more expensive, but at what cost?

For those of you who use or enjoy energy drinks, this is a decent one. ZipFizz is a concentrated,  carbonated powder you add to water or other beverages. They claim ‘Energy in a Tube’, so the mix powder is very convenient to carry with you. They have over ten flavors and are a great boost pre- or post workout. Vitamins, minerals, with amino acids, electrolytes, plus no sugar and lower in calories than some energy drinks, it’s a great tasting product that is also healthy.

You can have this energy drink as a pick-me-up anytime, morning, after work, whenever you feel the need. It’s very convenient to carry with you, you can take several tubes at a time, which is great when you have limited space for your workout gear.

The product derives it’s boosting power from caffeine, all natural sources, but if you are concerned with your caffeine intake, it’s important to know. Adding one or two of these a day, with your regular coffee or other caffeinated beverages, may prove to be a bit overwhelming. If you are sensitive to caffeine, try one first at home in case you get jittery, but chances are you won’t.

It is effective for boosting your energy levels. You will feel a kick right after consumption and revitalized with a big burst of energy. If you are a regular user of energy drinks, think about trying this one. It seems to be healthier than a lot of them and the flavors are very nice. Another nice feature is the carbonation. It gives the drink a soda-like appearance and quality which is nice. However, the carbonation will build up and can cause the container to expand, so when you remove the lid, it can have an explosive type of reaction. It’s best to use the drink within about ten to twenty minutes.

It’s so easy to use, just add the drink mix powder to the beverage and shake. Do not add the powder to an already carbonated beverage, use water, juice, smoothie, are best. The powder mixes quickly and it fizzes up, just like the name suggests. It’s a great refreshing energy boosting drink you will enjoy, carbonated, convenient and great flavors.

If you are tired of eating take out or the same store-bought sandwich or salad, the same tired microwaved rubber meal or just tired of the outrageous price you pay for a small salad everyday at work, maybe it’s time to start packing your own lunch. Chances are you are already doing it for your kids, and if not, and you think you don’t have the time, think again. It’s easy, saves money and it’s way healthier for you. Here’s some easy ways to get into the habit.

Plan Ahead:

If you don’t have any, get containers for the lunches. You can get sturdy containers with sections to add several items in one convenient package.

Plan your lunch menu, for yourself and if you have kids. Buy things you need for lunches and make anything you can ahead of time.

Packages things are handy and don’t need to be unhealthy. Single-serving packages of nuts, or trail mix are healthy and fill you up and give you energy to get through the day. Cheese and crackers,

If you set aside a day to cook some of the major dishes in advance, lasagna, casseroles, stews and hearty soups, you can portion them up, freeze them and they are ready to just take along with you.

Muffins, chopped vegetables or fruit, layered salads are easily put together the nght before. Boil up a dozen eggs and drop one in the lunch bag for an extra protein treat.

Roast a chicken or turkey and portion it out for use in salad, sandwiches, or a side snack. It’s amazing how far one will go. Making up rice, quinoa, pasta and other whole grain and filling staples will make it so much easier. Pasta salad, salads made with grains and fresh vegetables, you can make your own dressings, as well. Adding nuts or a hard boiled egg will add protein and flavor.

Make them up the night before. No one needs to be rushed about in the morning, have the sandwiches, salads, veggie or chicken stir-fry, and beverages all set up and ready to go. Nut butter is a good item to have around for a quick lunch fix and a healthy protein.

You can also take individual containers for snacks or a lunch to put together later, bagel, chicken salad, fruit, all in their own containers so they are fresh. Pita wraps make a nice alternative to bread and travel better.

Fruit and vegetables can be taken as is in many cases and are a healthy choice over the food court meals which may be ladened with sodium, fat and other chemicals and additives that you don’t want.

Making your own lunches is a healthy, inexpensive way that allows you more time in the morning, saves you money and keeps you healthier. Making your own allows you to know what’s in it and gives you the peace of mind you are eating better. You can even go out and get yourself a funky lunch box, with a rockstar or a superhero on it and make all your coworkers jealous!