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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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Serena Williams Hits Back At Skin-Bleaching Accusations: 'I’m A Dark, Black Woman, And I Love Who I Am'
Serena Williams is clapping back at skin-bleaching accusations. During a makeup tutorial for her beauty brand, Wyn Beauty, the tennis legend took the opportunity to address the "haters."
“And then I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin,” she said. “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.”
The rumors started after the mom of two posted a video of herself and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, at their daughter's school play. In the video, she appeared to look a few shades lighter. During her response, she revealed that she was volunteering at the play and wore stage makeup.
“Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous that everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin,’" she said. "I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look and that's just not my thing.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also said that she doesn't judge anyone who bleaches their skin as she "stays in my lane."
Serena has always had style on and off the court, and even collaborated with Nike with her own collection Serena Williams Design Crew. However, the tennis champ has now pivoted into beauty.
Wyn Beauty was launched in April 2024 with at 10-piece collection of lip, eye, and complexion products. The brand was inspired by Serena's time on the court and the packaging is reminiscent of a tennis ball due to its chartreuse color.
“Throughout my career, I was always searching for makeup that looked good after hours on the court, mixing products myself and creating my own formulas while traveling the world,” she said in a statement. As she continues to make a name for herself in the beauty industry, I'm sure we will see a lot more looks from the tennis star.
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