Believe it or not, life ain’t all about kale.
I was driving back to Columbus last night in a tsunami whilst jamming to Celine Dion pandora and urgently needing to pee. Keeping both hands on the wheel was no easy task, if you know what I mean. When the wind is howling, the rain is blurring the road and Celine is belting “My Heart Will Go On,” two hands on the steering wheel is a good thing and urgently needing to pee is a very bad thing.
In order to distract myself from my dire situation, I started to think about the sweet email I got from a reader this weekend. She’s a college student seeking balance and she wanted my advice. How did I balance going out with friends and eating pizza at 2am with eating kale salads and lifting weights? Can healthy food and fitness remain top priorities in college without sacrificing your social life? I decided to answer that question in detail here on the blog because I think my perspective on this question says a lot about who I am as a person.
This past weekend I went home to Cleveland to visit my family. On Saturday night my friends and I went to a comedy club to hear Ally Wong, AKA the most hilarious person on the planet. My mouth is still sore from laughing so much. We then went out downtown, drank more than we probably should have, and ate tacos at 3am.
Too many drinks. Yes. Tacos at 3am. Heck yes.
Do I live my life this way regularly? No. I try my best to eat really well throughout the week. I eat a mostly plant-based diet and make sure to work out at least a few times a week. I don’t drink very much on the weekends anymore like I did in undergrad. But when I’m home with my best friends from high school you better believe I’m gonna have a vodka and soda with lime or three when I go out. And I’m going to enjoy every sip. These are the glory days!
I don’t want to live a life tied down to rawveganglutenfreeorganicpaleolowcarbvegetarian. I have strong beliefs about eating whole foods that nourish my body, and I do that on a regular basis. When I go to the movies, I have absolutely zero desire to get movie theatre popcorn. No part of me wants that artificially flavored crap. Same thing applies when it comes to boxed mashed potatoes and bologna. But when I go to Jeni’s ice cream, you better believe I’m getting salty caramel ice cream with bitter dark chocolate sauce. I indulge here and there and that’s what makes me human.
I don’t want to be a superhuman lean green machine who only drinks organic kale maca green smoothies and eats healthified chocolate cake that tastes nothing like chocolate cake and everything like unsweetened cardboard.
I don’t want to make everyone else feel guilty for eating chocolate chip ice cream.
I don’t want to feel pressured by the health community to refuse a drink or two with my friends on the weekends because I’m scared of sabotaging my holier than God diet.
I ate my fair share of greasy pizza at 3am in college. The next day I went back to my veggieholic self, whipped up a batch of lentil soup and guess what? No one died. We are human. We’re allowed to eat food simply because it tastes good. We’re allowed to eat piece after piece of dark chocolate out of the bag with friends watching “P.S. I Love You.”
Please don’t misinterpret this post and think I’m advocating binge drinking and pizza. That’s clearly not my intention. Forgive me if I sound like a raging alcoholic…but trust me–I’m far from it. This post isn’t about drinks or tacos. It’s about coming to terms with the fact that what you eat shouldn’t rule your life.
Living a life of restrictions is no life I want to live nor encourage you to live. I’m here to give you healthy recipes that will nourish your body and taste freaking amazing. I hope to never make you feel like you can’t eat pizza in the middle of the night or drink too much on a random Wednesday night. Live your life to the fullest and eat well within your scope of what’s attainable and realistic.
I once dropped a piece of pizza cheese-side-down on the pavement and then proceeded to pick it up and eat it. Ew, right? Life happens…embrace it.
There’ll always be kale tomorrow.
absolutely loved this post alexis!
Awww thanks, Jessie! I’m sure you can relate 🙂
You. Are. The. Shit. Thank you.
Awwww thanks girl 🙂
this post is awesome. I’m still an undergrad (but a Senior..WOMP) and I’ve been meaning to write a post like this for a long time, I just haven’t known how to go about it without sounding like an alcoholic (which I kind of am right now?? lol) but you said it perfectly!! college are the glory years..I eat healthy during the week and let loose every weekend..but i know I’ll look back on these days and not regret one thing! (okay well maybe some things..:) ) thanks for writing this!
chelcie @ chelcie’s food files recently posted…Meals for the Week 10/6
Eeeeek live it up, you senior you! I totally sounded like an alcoholic…and I don’t even drink THAT much! SO funny. How sad would it be to look back and regret all in the name of vegetables??
Amazing. I agree 100% so I am trying to put this into better practice in my own life. Thanks for the reminder.
Amy @ The Little Honey Bee recently posted…How I Learned to Love Yoga
You’re welcome, Amy! It’s one of those things we just all need to hear sometimes 🙂
Amen! It’s easier to lose yourself in trying to eat well, exercise and be an overall awesome person but the balance is what makes life worth it! Well said1
Balance totally makes life worth while. Kale and Snickers can be friends, right?!
Love this. Finding balance is hard, but I always try! Also I just went to Cleveland this weekend too, how funny. Took the megabus in 🙂
Balance is definitely no easy task. We should have totes met up in land of the Cleve! Love the megabus 🙂
I LOVE THIS. Period. Nothing more to add. This is the kind of mentality that everyone should be striving for.
Angela @ Health’s Angel recently posted…Silence the Mind
Awww thanks, Angela!
Love this! I 100% agree. I would be miserable (and not very fun to be around), is it was all strict all the time.
Kim @ BusyBod recently posted…Weekend recap: shopping & a mouse
Good point–hungry people are no fun!
Lex, This was great! I am so proud of you 🙂 live it. love it. be it
Thanks girlllll! Live it. lurve it. eat it. be it.
Haha love this! I totally went out on Sat night, drank my face off and had a falafel sandwich at 3am. Did I need the falafel sandwich at 3am? No..maybe not. But the next day was all salad and coconut water!
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green recently posted…Weekly Plan October 7-13
Thanks God I’m not the only one! I really hope I didn’t come off as a crazy drinker…which I’m totes not! Your 3am falafel sounds a lot better than my tacos. Salad and coconut water the next day–love it!!
Truth. Such a great post buddy. It really is all about the balance- one day of fun eating or drinking is not going to wreck havoc or have Celine Dion lecture you through her music 😉
Now I’m tempted to try kale with beer. You might be onto something! :p
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…MIMM- recipe confusion turned good
Bahahha Celine is the best. I wouldn’t hate a lecture from her….not gonna lie. Kale and beer is a questionable combo but I’d be down to try it!
Alexis-WOW. I love this post. It’s so easy to either get caught up in this world and try to eat the perfect though completely restricted diet OR have everyday be about pizza, burgers and french fries. There is such thing as balance in between. I think you are the perfect example of this. We need more bloggers like you! I hope a lot of people read this post because you and it is awesome. So happy I found your blog 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven recently posted…{MIMM} Weekend Recap 10/04-10/06
Thanks for the sweet comment, lady! So happy you found me too 🙂
I agree to a point, yes we should have balance and not drive ourselves crazy eating an overly restricted diet. How much and whether to drink, though, is a separate question and I don’t think it’s all that tied to whether a diet is too restricted in general. We can all have our reasons whether and how much to use alcohol. I do have some, and I hope I’m modeling responsible drinking to my children. But it’s not a whole lot, since breast cancer risk is an important consideration for me and alcohol is a contributor to that.
Mary @ Fit and Fed recently posted…Fig, Strawberry, and Toasted Hazelnut Salad with Fig Viniagrette
I didn’t at all mean for the post to focus on alcohol and I apologize if it came off that way! I agree with you–we all have our reasons whether and how much to use alcohol. I meant for the post to focus on living life to the fullest and not restricting, whether it be the occasional drink, slice of cake, etc. Thanks for your comment, Mary!
Hey, five second rule, right? Can’t be letting good pizza go to waste! 😉
Seriously though, I’m SO glad I happened to see Davida’s tweet that sent me over here…I couldn’t agree with you more on this! As someone who recently have up restriction and calorie counting for a journey in intuitive eating and learning to love myself, I’ve had my fair share of guilt and shame when it comes “unhealthy” food and overindulgence. I’ve only gotten to the point of feeling as comfortable around cookies as I am around a green smoothie, but the climb up to this point was a long one indeed! Loved this! Thank you so much for sharing such a balanced perspective!
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli recently posted…Mouthgasm Monday
5 second rule is right! So glad you found the post, Heather! It warms me inside and out to hear that you made it through your struggles. Life is always a balancing act!
This is seriously the best post I’ve read all day…and 1 more reason why I am convinced we!d hit it off in real life! Some occasions call for kale but other times you just need a burger…with a side of sweet potato chips ;)!
Awwwww shucks! Like I said before…kale and Snickers can totallly be besties in my world. Sweet potatoe chips…..omg I can’t even. Drool.
LOVE THIS! Life is definitely all about balance.
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted…Lately: Food
Glad you agree!
Love this! You sum up my outlook completely – healthy eating should never come before living your life! And what fun is life without some booze and cake anyway? 😉
Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Snapshots from the weekend
“Healthy eating should never come before living your life!” <---exactly!! Booze and cake = essentials parts of life. 100%!
Beautifully said, and so inspring! Thank youuuuu <3
Thanks for reading!
I absolutely love this post Alexis! Your philosophy on food is pretty much spot-on to my views on it. It’s all about balance. I try to eat as healthy as possible, but I don’t deprive myself of those indulgences every once in a while. We only have one life to live, so we might as well enjoy it!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat recently posted…Target Practice – Progress
Thanks so much, Holly! Glad we feel the same 🙂 You only live once!
Great freakin’ post. So true. Why confine ourselves to a stringent diet? I agree with you that it’s better to just go with the flow and eat healthy for the most part, because you gotta live. I was so happy to see that first pic because I’m like, YAY, I’m not the only one. Sometimes I’ve felt guilty for having not so healthful eats at times, yet I wholeheartedly agree with you, it’s only human and natural to do so.
We’re not superheroes! Oreos happen, yo. Thanks for your sweet comment!
I love this post! Life is all about having fun, and I definitely agree that it is OK to indulge every now and then. 🙂
The Grass Skirt
Erin @ The Grass Skirt recently posted…Breakfast time check-in (Pumpkin pie oatmeal)
Well said, Alexis. Just because we strive to live a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean we’re perfect. And life would suck if we were. I like the balance you have and I try to be the same way. A workout or a healthy meal can be sacrificed if it means making memories and enjoying life.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted…Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
You’re right, Sarah–life would majorly SUCK if we were all perfect. Well said.
preach on lady!
this post and exactly why I love you and your blog and always look forward to your posts!
when I remember college or even weekends I NEVER remember the super uber healthy green smoothie I drank in the morning, but the fanfriggin’ tastic dinner I had with friends, or wine tasting, or post dancing late night pizza that tasted every bit of amazing.
this is so refreshing!
Robyn @thereallife_RD recently posted…WIAW: five lies about nutrition
Love this post and it’s so true. I was just telling my mother the same thing on her birthday. She would only eat a quarter of the cake and have only one drink, because she’s trying to lose 10 lbs. I was like it’s your birthday…indulge, have fun. Oh well.
And I have made sauteed kale and had a beer….worked fine.
Birthdays are for celebrating life! Aka cake and ice cream 🙂 Totes making kale this weekend with a beer in my hand.
love this. agree 100%. life’s too short.
AMEN SISTA!
OMG Alexis. The 1st minute I landed on your blog, I knew we could be friends. But when I read this, I know I love you! Amen! Sooooo true this post!
Olena@iFOODreal recently posted…September Income – $635.37, How I Write My Recipes & Blogging Tips
Ahhhhh love at first read is the BEST, no?? xo
Great post! It’s hard sometimes to feel the balance with work, school, and life but I love how you put it. You just have to live! And your picture of Jeni’s makes me very hungry for it. She just came out with her fall flavors… I will probably need to get some very soon 🙂
That parfait sounds amazing. I too drank tons of beer this weekend!
Julie recently posted…MIMM: Bacon & Beer
LOVE this post!! Thank you for being real 🙂
Marissa recently posted…What I did instead of racing last weekend
Thanks, Marissa! Glad you got something out of it 🙂
I know you posted this about a week ago now, but I had to comment because what you said really spoke to me. This is so, so, SO true in so many aspects of life. I love that you had the guts to say it. I just found your blog and so far I’m loving it!
Amy @ Long Drive Journey recently posted…Changing and Rearranging
Awww thanks, Amy! I think we’d go insane if we didn’t take on this perspective. Thanks for reading!
This is exactly the post that I need right now..thank you :).
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted…Mexican Spaghetti Squash
Awww good!!
I absolutely love this post! I feel the same way and totally identified with what you’re saying, especially after coming off of the past weekend at a reunion with my girls drinking multiple vodka sodas, eating great food, and dancing the night away (btw, I loved the cute picture of you and your friends and made me miss mine!). We all need to have fun and do what makes us happy — balance is key. Thanks for this great read and I look forward to exploring your blog more!
Alexandra @ Made to Glow recently posted…Made to Eat: Inspiration for Easy Gluten-free, Dairy-free Meals
Awww thanks, lady! Glad you’re a fellow vodka soda lover. Dancing the night away is always the best way to spend a night, especially with great girlfriends. Balance (and bagels) are key 😉
this post, literally, echoes exactly what i try to tell myself every. single. day. thank you so much for writing it.
I’m so happy it spoke to you, Caitlin! Thanks for reading and sharing on twitter 🙂
This is a really great post and I couldn’t agree with your lifestyle more! I choose to eat a fully vegan diet but when it comes to the rest, I just do my best and I will never turn down a good time because it involves drinks or gluten 😉
Elyse @ Lizzie Fit recently posted…Jump Start January
Thanks so much, Elyse! After the last couple months, I could really go for a fully vegan diet…trust me!!
I hate to say this, but I was skeptical when I first came across your blog. I really like your blog! Not that i didnt find the posts inspiring and healthy and wonderful but, You are so gorgeous and probably naturally taller and leaner than me and I saw you eating this perfect diet and I thought “I’m a piece of crap”. I thought she’s so regimented and measures portions and I got down on myself. But coming across this post made me realize that yes you do eat like that most of the time, but that’s the point of your blog. I was assuming this was you 100% and that you never touched pizza or carbs or fats or whatever. Thank you for this post, it’s beautifully written and just assured me of how much I really do love your site!
Hi, Nik! I really appreciate your openness and honesty. I feel terrible that you initially felt bad about yourself after reading my posts–I often feel that way just scrolling through all the green smoothies on Instagram! That said, I’m so glad that you understand my philosophy. I love me some pizza, and my whole diet is based on carbs! Thanks so much for reading 🙂 Hope today’s post helped!
I just read your new post and I am very sorry if I was one of the commenters who you feel was negative. I truly do love your site and think it is a very positive place! My OWN insecurities made me compare myself to you, you don’t brag or boast or act superior at all. Thank you for taking the time to respond, I really am sorry if I was one of the offensive people! I’m very happy to have found your blog and look forward to your posts to come!
PS love the lunchbox posts, they are great at giving me ideas 😀
Nik–your comment was inspiring, not negative!! I’m so glad you said it, and that’s why I included the part about not wanting to paint a picture of perfection–because I am VERY far from perfect. Thanks so much for reading 🙂
how am i just reading this for the first time right meow? i adore this post. although my college days are now far behind me, life is always a constant balancing act. i agree with you 100% on this post (and you totes don’t sound like an alcoholic, it’s OKAY to drink w/your friends when you want, and to NOT DRINK when you dont want. weird that peer pressure never really ends). anyways, no one wants to be a prisoner to food – ive been there. both ends – the super restrictive no-fun side and the wild ‘n crazy go overboard side. you know what? both made me feel like crapola. there are so many wonderful parts of life and of people – we are not one dimensional and neither should be our food choices or how we live our lives. variety is the spice, right?! i am impressed with how wise and balanced you are at such a young age. hahahha. im not much older, but seriously, it’s taken me a good while to get here. good little head you’ve got on your shoulders there, guuurl! i wish i had this perspective years ago! but i am thankful to share it with you (and understand it, and live it) now. food is fun! life is good! chocolate rocks! so do brussels sprouts! it’s not a game of either/or, all or nothing. same goes for everythinggggg (boys, work, family, working out, etc). btw have you read women food & god? if not, you should. i enjoyed.
Aprillll you always kill me with your fabulous comments. Day = made, every darn time. I’ve never read that book, but you know I will if you recommend it! Hashtag chocolate, hashtag i love you, hashtag it’s late and why am I up responding to comments. #balance
I love this post! This is exactly what I believe in! Thankyou!
Awww thanks, Lauren! Glad you liked it.
You are adorable, hilarious and I’m slightly obsessed with you and Hummusapien. You’re so inspiring and yet so normal! Thank you for being you!
Awww thank you so much my dear! XO
I absolutely loved this great post! Thank you so much for writing it. You’re my favorite blogger