A large part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only about the activities we do with our bodies but what we put in our bodies too. Keeping our bodies nourished between meals can take a little planning. When cravings hit, we might reach for our favorite sweet or salty snacks for a quick fix, which could leave us still looking for the fuel our bodies need to make it through the day.
Finding healthy snack alternatives is a delicate balance between feeling satisfied without the guilt of overindulgence. While it's important to make sure you're getting the right foods for your body, it's also okay to have a little fun with your meals and snacks, because eating shouldn’t leave us feeling intimidated or ashamed. Snacking on your favorite foods should be just as fun as incorporating physical activity into your day,
Discovering what fruits and veggies your body likes, gives you energy, and satisfies you is an act of self-care that keeps you motivated to hit your goals and give your body the love it deserves. To help you get to snacking and eating your colors, we’ve put together a list of fun and flavorful snack combinations that will kick your cravings to the curb.
1.Dates + Peanut Butter + Semi-Sweet Chocolate
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When you combine dates, peanut butter, and semi-sweet chocolate, you get a sweet and savory treat that is both filling and nutritious. Dates provide natural sweetness, along with peanut butter that adds protein and healthy fats, and the semi-sweet chocolate gives it a delicious chocolate flavor. This bite-size snack is best served frozen.
2.Tomatoes + Avocados + Lime
Tomatoes and avocados with lime juice is a snack combo that feels like a fiesta to your taste buds. Tomatoes are high in vitamin C and are a powerful antioxidant, with avocados providing a great source of healthy fats and fiber to keep you fuller for longer. Add a hint of lime to bring the snack together and enjoy with plantain or low-sodium tortilla chips.
3.Cucumbers + Carrots + Hummus
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This crunchy snack is one you won’t be able to put down. Cucumbers and carrots are low in calories, making them a great snack option for those who are watching their calorie intake. Hummus pairs perfectly with these veggies and can act as a delicious dip and savory spread.
4.Boiled Eggs + Everything Bagels Seasoning + Slice of Toast
No need to fear going over your bread intake when you have this tasty combo by your side. When combined, boiled eggs, a sprinkle of Everything Bagel seasoning, and a slice of whole-grain toast make for a well-rounded and balanced meal or snack.
5.Greek Yogurt + Berries + Granola
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Sweet, crunchy, and fruity, what else could you ask for in a snack? This delicious pairing is perfect when you're looking for a quick midday snack or breakfast option that’s versatile and easy to prepare.
6.Fresh Apple Slices + Almond Butter
Looking for a nutrient-rich treat? Apples and almond butter are always going to come through. With apples being a great source of fiber coupled with almond butter‘s packed-in protein and healthy fats, together you’ll have a nutrient-dense snack that will keep your tummy happy and body energized.
7.Green Smoothie + Almond/Cashews/Pistachios
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Take a sip (and bite) of the yummy snack. Green smoothies made with almonds, cashews, or pistachios can be a great way to start your day or provide a healthy energy boost. With this snack combo, you’ll be getting your dose of vitamins and iron in smoothie form along with bites of protein from your assortment of nuts. How can you lose?
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While an evolution is a natural progression that happens as businesses grow, a rebrand is a total change. Lola tells xoNecole, "A total rebrand is necessary when a business’s current reputation/what it’s known for is at odds with the business’s vision or direction.
"For example, if you’ve fundamentally changed what your product is and does, it’s likely that your brand is out of alignment with the business. Or, if you find your company is developing a reputation that doesn’t serve it, it might be time to pump the brakes and figure out what needs to change.
She continues, "Sometimes you’ll see companies (especially startups) announce a name change that comes with updated messaging, visuals, etc. That usually means their vision has changed or expanded, and their previous branding was too narrow/couldn’t encompass everything they planned to do."
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The Brand Doula was born in 2019, and its focus is on putting "the experiences, goals, and needs of women of color founders first," as well as brands with "culture-shifting missions."
According to Lola, culture-shifting is "the act of influencing dominant behavior, beliefs, or experiences in a community or group (ideally, for the better)."
"At The Brand Doula, we work with companies and leaders that set out to challenge the status quo in their industries and communities. They’re here to make an impact that sends ripples across the market," she says.
"We help the problem solvers of the world — the ones who aren't satisfied with 'this is how it's always been' and instead ask 'how could this be better?' Our clients build for impact, reimagining tools, systems, and ways of living to move cultures forward."
The Brand Doula has worked with many brands, including Too Collective, to assist with their collaboration with Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty and Balanced Black Girl for a "refresh," aka rebrand. For businesses looking to rebrand, Lola shares four essential steps.
1. Do an audit of your current brand experience — what’s still relevant and what needs to change? Reflect on why you’re doing the rebrand in the first place and what success would look like after relaunching.
2. Tackle the overall strategy first — before you start redesigning logos and websites, align on a new vision for your brand. How do you want your company to be positioned moving forward? Has your audience changed at all? Will your company have a fresh personality and voice?
3. Bring your audience along the journey — there’s no need to move in secret. Inviting your current audience into the journey can actually help them feel more connected to and invested in your story, enough to stick around as changes are being made.
4. Keep business moving — one of my biggest pet peeves is when companies take down their websites as soon as they have the idea to rebrand, then have a Coming Soon page up for months! You lose a lot of momentum and interest by doing that. If you’re still in business and generating income, continue to operate while you work on your rebrand behind the scenes. You don’t want to cut existing customers off out of the blue, and you also don’t want so much downtime that folks forget your business exists or start looking for other solutions.
While determining whether the rebrand was successful may take a few months, Lola says a clear sign that it is unsuccessful is negative feedback from your target audience. "Customers are typically more vocal about what they don’t like more than what they do like," she says.
But some good signs to look out for are improvements in engagement with your marketing, positive reviews, press and increase in retention, and overall feeling aligned with the new branding.
For more information about Lola and The Brand Doula, visit her website, thebranddoula.com.
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