It’s no secret that we love to indulge on occasion at Terez (we don’t put donuts on leggings for nothing!). But as an activewear brand, we’re all about getting in a good sweat & fueling our bodies with nutritious foods. However, we wanted to get the who-what-when-where-how of healthy eating, so we sat down with Alexandra Aldeborgh (@daisybeet), queen of healthy noms that don’t break the bank. Here, she gives us the lowdown on the what’s-what of workout meals, trendy snacks, and the importance of balance, balance, balance.

First thing’s first: which is your all-time favorite emoji?

That’s a tough one – I have to say I use the heart eye smiley the most (or the avocado emoji).

Where do you call home?

Home is NYC! I moved here 3 years ago for grad school and I absolutely love the energy of this city.

#1 song on repeat right now?

Anything Kendrick Lamar right now, really loving God and Money Trees in particular.

Favorite workout?

Also a tough one! I used to work at a SoulCycle studio (shoutout to Nomad!) and absolutely love the classes and the community it has created. I like to do something different every day, and lately that has been alternating lifting days with running. You can always count me in for trying any new workouts!

It’s Friday night. Where are you?

Friday night either goes one of two ways for me – checking out a cool new restaurant with friends or my boyfriend, or Netflix & chill (plus laundry!) at home. I’m a pretty introverted person, so I generally like to keep it pretty low key on Friday nights after a week of work and studying.

Alex Aldeborgh, @daisybeet, Terez Q&A

Now, time to get serious. We’re here to get the download on all things healthy. First up: breakfast. Is it really “the most important meal of the day?” If so, what types of foods are best to eat?

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day! I go to sleep excited to wake up and have breakfast the next morning. I think it is very important to start your day with a filling and nutritious breakfast to give yourself a steady stream of energy throughout the day. I honestly don’t think I have ever skipped breakfast (or any meal for that matter). My favorite breakfast is a warm bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruits, chia seeds, hemp hearts and a scoop of nut butter. Other great options are roasted sweet potato bowls with Greek yogurt, berries and granola or a veggie egg scramble with avocado toast.

"Any combination of protein, a complex carb that has fiber, and healthy fats are sure to make you feel satisfied for the morning!"

What if we worked out in the morning? Does that change what and when we should eat?

I am also a huge fan of morning workouts – it’s when I have the most energy and gives me a positive outlook for the day. In my opinion, unless your morning workout is VERY intense and over an hour long, it is not totally necessary to eat if you’re working out first thing. I’m rarely hungry on my way out the door for a morning workout, but it is important to listen to your body! If you feel hungry, I suggest having a snack before you head out the door – a handful of grapes and almonds or a banana and peanut butter should do the trick. Then, fuel up on a more filling, full meal after your workout. (And be sure to drink plenty of water before and after – I keep a full bottle of water next to my bed and drink it first thing when I wake up).

Alright, now let’s talk pre-workout and post-workout fuel. What’s best to put in our bodies? Protein? Carbs? Nothing?! SOS!

Pre- and post-workout fuel again depends on timing of your workout. I suggest steering away from working out right after eating a large meal for a few hours – this can lead to uncomfortable bloating, feelings of fullness and GI distress. A good pre-workout snack should consist of mostly carbohydrates, since these are your body’s most immediate source of energy, then combining some protein/healthy fats to help you feel full. A slice of toast or apple with peanut butter is a great option. Post workout is when you want to focus a little more attention on protein to help those muscles recover!

"I’m a big proponent of whole food protein sources rather than powders and shakes – think eggs, yogurt, salmon, or tofu."

Alex Aldeborgh, @daisybeet, Terez Q&A

We know that reading the ingredients of our foods, not just the nutrition facts, is super important. Are there any ingredients or additives that we should avoid altogether?

Ingredients are so important! I try to only purchase products that have ingredient lists I can pronounce. Also, anything with more than 10 or so ingredients starts to look fishy in my book. As long as you are consuming WHOLE foods, you are doing a solid for your body! Many people know this already, but trans fats should be avoided completely in your diet – they raise “bad” LDL cholesterol and lower “good” HDL cholesterol in your body. Steer clear of those margarines, processed cakes and pastries! If you’re eating a well balanced diet, there is also no need for expensive supplements and trendy products like collagen or MCT oil.

As much as we try to eat healthy, it can get expensive as well… Especially when eating out during the workweek! What are some of your recommended ideas for easy, cheap lunches that we can bring from home?

"Meal prep, meal prep, meal prep!"

This Is my number one tip for setting yourself up for a successful week of healthy eating. I usually spend 50-60 dollars a week on groceries for myself, and this gets me through a majority of my meals. A big green salad with a few crunchy veggies and an inexpensive protein like hard boiled eggs or tuna is my go-to. Another great option is a grain bowl: cook up a big batch of grains (quinoa, brown rice, whatever you like) and add 3-4 veggies plus a yummy sauce. I recently made a barley bowl with arugula, peas, turmeric cauliflower, beets, fresh mint, and a lemon-tahini dressing. (Keep reading for he recipe!)

Now let’s talk trends: Smoothies and juices are v v trendy these days, as both snacks and meal replacements. What’s your take on them?

I am a bigger fan of smoothies rather than juices, because they contain the fiber lost in the juicing process, keeps you full for longer. If you are a smart shopper, juice and smoothies can be a healthy meal or snack, but more often than not they are loaded with sugar. While fruit sugar is naturally occurring, your body doesn’t treat it any differently than processed sugars. The sugar in a juice will raise your blood sugar levels just as fast as a candy bar or cookie. If you’re going to have a smoothie or juice, choose options where the majority of ingredients are vegetables. Smoothies made with frozen cauliflower are trending right now, and while I have yet to try one, I can imagine it provides a neutral flavor and great texture!

Alex Aldeborgh, @daisybeet, Terez Q&A

Finally, it’s no surprise that we have a serious sweet tooth over here at Terez HQ… What’s a healthy—but still yummy—way to satisfy those sugar cravings?

I too have a huge sweet tooth! I like to follow an 80/20 pattern with eating – and that 20% is pretty much reserved for sweets. One of my favorite healthy treats that satisfies my sweet tooth is my chocolate avocado mousse. It’s super rich and decadent, but also very nutrient dense. That being said, I am known to eat ice cream (REAL ice cream) at least once a week.

"Life is a about balance and moderation. I truly believe in the pleasure of eating, and would never deprive myself of something that makes me happy!"

Besides soda, I believe that all foods fit into a healthy eating pattern. If you are making healthy choices and including vegetables, fruits, whole grains and high quality proteins most of the time, then there is no reason not to enjoy a serving of ice cream or pizza every now and then! I also highly recommend having “the real deal” of those foods that you enjoy so much – we all know the low fat, low carb versions are not nearly as satisfying.

Bonus question: If you had to pick just one… Which is your favorite Terez print?

How can I choose just one!? I think any of the marbled/oil spill/oyster prints are sooo pretty, but it's hard to beat the classic Emoji print leggings. My new heathered purple ombre leggings legit make me feel like a mermaid when I wear them, so that’s pretty cool too.

You can see more of Alex's delicious (and beautiful!) recipes on her Instagram, @daisybeet. And read on for one of her go-to recipes!

 

---------- Vegan Grain Bowl ---------

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups uncooked barley or other grain
  • 1 bag arugula
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 small head cauliflower
  • 1 bag of roasted beets (I like Love Beets brand)
  • 1 small bunch fresh mint
  • 3 tbsp tahini
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp olive oil + more for roasting cauliflower
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tbsp nutritional yeast

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 415 degrees
  2. Cut cauliflower into florets. Spread on a foil lined baking sheet and season with salt, pepper, turmeric, paprika, garlic powder, nutritional yeast and olive oil. Toss to combine. Roast for 25-35 minutes until browned and crispy
  3. Cook barley according to instructions
  4. Steam peas for 3-5 minutes until cooked through
  5. Finely chop mint
  6. Dice beets
  7. Whisk tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil together with salt and pepper
  8. Divide ingredients evenly into Tupperware containers. Drizzle with your tahini lemon dressing, and salt and pepper to taste. Store in fridge for a week of healthy lunches!