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    Hummusapien Β» Lifestyle Β» Life Β» Weekend in Food: Eating Happy

    Weekend in Food: Eating Happy

    Published May 26, 2014 Β· Modified Nov 8, 2021 Β· by Alexis Joseph Β· 57 Comments

    There's more to my life than green smoothies and lentils. There's a little thing I like to call eating happy.

    Eating happy is finding the beauty in sharing good food with good friends. It's warming your heart with browned butter walnut ice cream and nourishing your body with avocado toast. It's celebrating food for the happiness it brings to your mind, heart and belly. It's making memories over miso soup. It's learning that there's more to life than eating to live. Sometimes it's living to eat.

    It's eating to smile. It's iced coffee with a splash of soy.

    iced coffee

    It's perfectly seared sea scallops and house-smoked salmon over cucumber noodles.

    scallops

    It's poolside hummus sammies in whole wheat pitas.

    hummuys sammie

    It's waffles with extra salted peanut butter.

    waffles

    I didn't care that this key lime pie ice cream wasn't made with organic cane sugar.

    ice cteam

    I didn't  refrain from ordering a bloody mary at 10pm because it was 10pm.

    bloody mary

    I didn't skip the rice at Hibachi because it wasn't brown.

    hibachi

    I didn't eat the serving size.

    almonds

    I didn't go easy on the avocado.

    avo toast

    I didn't pass on the house-made chips and salsa.

    chips and salsa

    I'm not a perfect eater, and I don't strive to be.

    I don't eat "clean" all the time.

    I eat happy.

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Robyn @thereallife_RD says

      June 03, 2014 at 9:53 pm

      YES YES YES! you're fabulous, spread the happy eating loooveeee!
      xo

      Reply
    2. Jen @ Bagels to Broccoli says

      June 03, 2014 at 10:23 am

      "Eating happy" = what I strive for every day! I get so frustrated when I see in magazines, etc advice that calls to restrict and be miserable, basically. Not good. Life is about so more than what we eat, even though what we eat can affect our quality of life! πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        June 03, 2014 at 8:59 pm

        Amen sister! I would pretty much be no one without dark chocolate.

        Reply
    3. Danielle says

      June 01, 2014 at 11:37 am

      I love this! It's so important to have balance. There's food for the body and then food for the soul, right? πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        June 01, 2014 at 8:59 pm

        Exactly! Food for the soul is the perfect way to put it πŸ™‚

        Reply
    4. Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run says

      May 28, 2014 at 5:43 pm

      iced coffee with a splash of soy is my starbucks go-too, too!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        June 01, 2014 at 9:02 pm

        I got iced coffee from a new place today and I'm SO jittery....help!!

        Reply
    5. Sarah Gifford says

      May 28, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      LOVE LOVE LOVE this!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        June 01, 2014 at 9:03 pm

        Thanks darling!

        Reply
    6. Cassie says

      May 28, 2014 at 2:29 pm

      Love this... if you try to eat clean 100% of the time you miss out on life - and being happy!

      Reply
    7. Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says

      May 27, 2014 at 9:05 pm

      Yes to the yes power to the Yes degree. Can you tell I agree?
      I love this post. Well said, well photographed. It was exactly spot on right.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        June 01, 2014 at 9:17 pm

        Thanks so much, Megan!

        Reply
    8. Lori says

      May 27, 2014 at 1:28 pm

      What an amazing post!

      Reply
    9. Julia says

      May 27, 2014 at 12:16 pm

      Woooowee I ate happy over Memorial Day Weekend too! Campfire s'mores for breakfast, beer on the beach, cookies with dinner...it was a real happy eating fest! πŸ™‚ I love this post, lady! It's definitely important to keep it clean, but from time to time, you've got to loosen the controls to keep some balance in life. Kinda envious of your food selections as always πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 27, 2014 at 1:27 pm

        Mmmmm what I would do for a camp fire smore right about now!!!

        Reply
    10. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

      May 27, 2014 at 3:49 am

      Thank you for makkng me comfortable that when I visit you, I won't be starving.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 27, 2014 at 1:30 pm

        We won't eat by the clock, either.

        Reply
    11. Brittany @ Barr & Table says

      May 26, 2014 at 10:39 pm

      I love this! I always tell myself that if I really wanted to lose those last couple of lbs, I could. But I'd much prefer to share some fun dishes with my husband, have a couple of drinks, and have some ice cream because that's what makes me happy. And that's way better than losing those last few lbs.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 27, 2014 at 1:34 pm

        Amen sister! I love your outlook πŸ™‚

        Reply
    12. Matt @ Runner Savvy says

      May 26, 2014 at 8:03 pm

      Looks like some good eats this weekend!

      Reply
    13. Helen says

      May 26, 2014 at 6:31 pm

      I love this post, Alexis! I totally agree with eating this way. There's something called balance and moderation. Don't restrict yourself just because there isn't brown rice. It's okay to eat regular white rice or jasmine rice. By the way, all the food looks delicious! Just wish that the almonds were dark chocolate and not milk chocolate!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 27, 2014 at 1:34 pm

        Me too! I was seriously bummed that they were milk chocolate...but hey, they were still tasty!

        Reply
    14. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

      May 26, 2014 at 6:11 pm

      Love you! Both oatmeal and ice cream make me happy... As do salads and cookies. I remember trying to eat 100% clean for a few years, and not only was I ridiculously unhappy, but unhealthy as well. People seem to forget that our emotional and mental states have a huge impact on our health, and that we're not necessarily doing ourselves any favours by constantly saying no to the foods we love.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 27, 2014 at 1:35 pm

        Salad makes me happy toooo! And poolside hummus and veggie pitas πŸ™‚ I completely agree with you--worrying to much about health is most definitely detrimental to your health. Eat healthy, and eat happy!

        Reply
    15. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

      May 26, 2014 at 6:09 pm

      This is perfect, Alexis! At this time last year I was incredibly unhappy when it came to food. This past weekend I splurged A LOT, but I ate what made me happy and I feel only a little guilt as opposed to a TON. I am loving the progress that I am making and posts like these really help! πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 27, 2014 at 1:36 pm

        I'm so glad that you've made so much progress! You go girl!

        Reply
    16. LC says

      May 26, 2014 at 5:56 pm

      I appreciate this so much!! Perfect.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 27, 2014 at 1:36 pm

        Thanks girl!

        Reply
    17. She Rocks Fitness says

      May 26, 2014 at 4:46 pm

      High-Fives Alexis! Lately I cannot get enough of avocado on toast and trust me I am not going light on it. I love to eat, I love to spoil myself, and just enjoy how fortunate we are to eat the amazing foods that are around us. Life is too short to not ENJOY FOOD, the good and the sometimes not so healthy! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
    18. Emily @SinfulNutrition says

      May 26, 2014 at 3:39 pm

      Happy belly = Happy life πŸ™‚ I think there's a reason why 'moderation' is the catch phrase of us dietitians!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 3:58 pm

        Amen sister!

        Reply
    19. Kate says

      May 26, 2014 at 12:33 pm

      I really like that...eating happy, not healthy. The word Healthy has become so distorted lately, that it is refreshing to see food viewed as happy and not something good or bad. Your weekend eats looked so yummy!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 3:58 pm

        Thanks, Kate! Healthy is SUCH a buzz word today. Sometimes your bod needs a little something else πŸ™‚

        Reply
    20. Jess @dearhealthyness says

      May 26, 2014 at 12:26 pm

      It's so important to enjoy food, but with so many eating rules saying what you should and you should not eat it becomes nearly impossible to eat withou feeling guilty!!! My rule is to enjoy the moment... And to remember myself that as long as I feel good it's ok πŸ˜‰

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 3:59 pm

        I'm really, really trying to just sit back and enjoy the moment. Living in the present is easier said than done!

        Reply
    21. Emily says

      May 26, 2014 at 11:53 am

      Happy eating is the healthiest eating of all. It's balance. It's life.

      Love this so much.
      xoxo

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 3:59 pm

        I love that, Emily! Well said.

        Reply
    22. April says

      May 26, 2014 at 10:52 am

      I love this post. And you.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 3:59 pm

        Love you moooooooo.

        Reply
    23. Davida @ The Healthy Maven says

      May 26, 2014 at 10:18 am

      Do you live in brain?! You always know what I'm thinking! Yesterday I ate chips and salsa for lunch with a freezer for dessert and a green goddess bowl for dinner. Both made me equally as happy. As did the bloody Mary I drank on the lake. Food is both fuel and meant to be enjoyed. People who spend every second of their life worrying about what they're eating are cheating themselves. Everyone needs to chillax and remember that sugar won't kill you!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 4:00 pm

        Chips and salsa for lunch sounds like my jammmmm. I seriously ate more chips last night than I did my dinner. Oops. Sorry I'm not sorry. Bloody mary's for dayzzzzz!

        Reply
        • Arman @ thebigmansworld says

          May 27, 2014 at 3:48 am

          When davs said she ate chips and salsa, she means lettuce chips and mashed tomatoes

          Reply
    24. Stephanie says

      May 26, 2014 at 10:18 am

      This post makes me happy because I am all about eating happy!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 4:01 pm

        Wahooo!!!

        Reply
    25. Rachael@AnAvocadoADay says

      May 26, 2014 at 10:08 am

      You put it perfectly! I always tell my clients the most important thing to consider when choosing food is if they love it and it makes them happy!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 4:01 pm

        That's so great you tell your clients that. Bravooooo!

        Reply
    26. Brittany says

      May 26, 2014 at 9:56 am

      Love this!!! I'm so with you girl. Balance is key πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 4:02 pm

        Glad to hear it!

        Reply
    27. Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa says

      May 26, 2014 at 9:28 am

      Aw "eat happy" is such a cute way to put it! Looks like you had lots of yummy food this weekend πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 4:02 pm

        Hahaha glad you like it! It just came to me when I was writing and sounded pretty cute πŸ™‚

        Reply
    28. Shashi @ RunninSrilankan(dot)com says

      May 26, 2014 at 9:22 am

      Yes to days of happy eating! At the end of the day, clean eating has to be balanced out too right? πŸ˜‰
      Now - Walmart has chocolate covered almonds in those big containers? I was there last night looking for chocolate covered almonds but ended up getting cocoa dusted almonds instead...I feel cheated out of chocolate!!!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 4:03 pm

        BOOOOO! These ones were from Costco and it was quite a bummer that they were milk chocolate and not dark.

        Reply
    29. Lauren says

      May 26, 2014 at 9:18 am

      I love this! Eat happy πŸ™‚ It is all a balance! Those eats look delicious!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 4:03 pm

        Balance is key, right?!

        Reply
    30. Khushboo says

      May 26, 2014 at 9:16 am

      Like x 1000! Happy eating = happy life!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 26, 2014 at 4:04 pm

        Amennnnn!

        Reply
    31. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says

      May 26, 2014 at 9:47 am

      happy eating is the way to go....

      Reply

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