How to Eat More Greens Without Overthinking It
Greens have been part of my meals for years.
Spinach, kale, collards, lettuce… they are just always around in my kitchen.
For me, they are the base I build on, not something I add at the last minute.
But I know for a lot of people, eating more greens feels like a chore. It can feel boring, or like something you “should” do but never actually want to do.
That is why I want to share a few easy ways to sneak them in. Nothing complicated. Just simple swaps and habits that make it second nature to eat more leafy greens.
Greens are packed with the good stuff — vitamins, minerals, fiber.
They keep your digestion moving, help your immune system, and support long-term health. The best part is they are affordable and easy to work into what you already eat.
Here are some of my favorite ways to add more greens:
Swap fries for a side salad. Fries are always tempting, but I never regret getting a salad instead. If you do, ask for a vinaigrette instead of a creamy dressing and go for spinach or spring mix if it is an option.
Load up your sandwiches and wraps. I throw spinach, kale, or lettuce on everything. Treat greens like a topping and keep piling them on.
Blend them into smoothies. This is my favorite hack because you do not taste the greens. A frozen banana, some strawberries, almond milk, and a handful of spinach — you would never know it was in there. If you are new to green smoothies, start with spinach because it blends the best.
Make an extra green side at dinner. It does not have to be fancy. Steam spinach, sauté bok choy, or massage kale with olive oil and lemon. I usually add at least one green side to dinner each night. Easy, fast, and good for you.
Here is the thing. It is not about being perfect. It is about making progress.
One handful of greens here, one extra side there, and pretty soon it just feels natural.
And if you want more simple ideas, I put together a free guide called Eat More Plants: Quick Wins and Easy Meals to Help You Start Where You Are. Enter your info below to get it.
The $6K Reality Check that Changed My Budget
In September I spent $492.17 on Door Dash. That’s a damn car payment.
After budgeting for the last couple of years, I still never seemed to have much wiggle room. I finally took an honest look at my bank statements to identify the major leak.
I found it…Ordering extra groceries, meals, and toiletries on Door Dash. :-|
How I Got Into this Mess
I’ve been using Door Dash consistently for many years.
I used to think I was just paying for dinner or saving time by ordering my groceries, but really, I was paying for my own laziness on repeat.
Also, when I was a heavy drinker, I leaned on Door Dash to get me food (and more alcohol) for those times when I didn’t need to get behind the wheel.
Believe it or not, this number used to be higher. I checked my statement from December 2024 and it was $571.85.
The Hidden Costs
About a week ago I needed hair dye, so out of routine, I went on the app to order it.
My $35 purchase quickly turned into $50 after all the fees and tip. I paused before hitting submit and told myself, “Enough is enough,” hopped in the car and went to get my own damn hair dye.
Not only are there service fees and tipping the driver, but Door Dash (or the retailer/restaurant) charges an upsell for each item.
So, a $3 loaf of bread in the store can actually cost $3.35 or more when you purchase it via the Door Dash app.
How I Am Stopping the Leak For Good
I am in no position to waste money on this convenience.
I decided to finally move on and deleted the app and my account forever.
I have to admit that I was a little nervous to delete my account completely. Silly, I know - but I love relying on the app for those weekends when I don’t feel like leaving my apartment.
A Better Way
Before heading home Friday, I stocked up for the weekend. My first weekend without the app wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be.
Door Dash might not be your leak. Maybe it’s Amazon or subscriptions you forgot about. But we all have one.
For me it was $492 in a single month. That’s nearly $6,000 a year.
Six grand isn’t small money.
That’s an emergency fund, a debt payoff, or my mom’s birthday trip to London.
I refuse to hand it to Door Dash anymore.
Over 13 Years of Creating Content (here’s what's different this time)
“Sometimes, showing up as you are—messy, tired, figuring it out in real-time—is more than enough. Give yourself permission to move through life without constantly grading your performance. ”
There was a time when I was everywhere.
YouTube. Instagram. Pinterest. Facebook. This blog. Weekly newsletter. Podcast.
Creating content nonstop. Working with brands.
From the outside, I was doing it.
But behind the scenes, I was overwhelmed and exhausted.
I didn’t have systems.
I didn’t have consistent income streams.
And I definitely didn’t have peace.
The Reality Behind “Success”
I relied on sponsorships instead of building my own paid offers.
That meant I was popular but broke more often than not.
I never felt like I could pivot into a real business.
I was on too many platforms, trying to do what the experts said.
Reach as many people as you can!
Build the products, send the newsletter, blog, and post 5 times a week on Instagram.
It never felt like enough.
Not to mention, the struggles with my mental health made everything harder.
I would get a burst of energy, create like crazy, burn out for months, then repeat the cycle.
At one point, I had to take a job cleaning bathrooms at a gas station to make ends meet.
That was my turning point.
What I’m Doing Differently This Time
I’m not rushing.
I’m not chasing.
And I’m not creating to prove I can.
This time, I’m building a business that can breathe.
One that doesn’t require me to be present all the time to generate income.
One that’s rooted in purpose and aligned with how I want to live.
Here’s What I’ve Learned:
If you’re starting or rebuilding your business, here’s my honest advice:
Pick one (max two) social media platforms and go deep. Don’t spread yourself thin trying to be everywhere. You don’t need visibility on five platforms. You need consistency in one place. These days, you will only find me on YouTube or sending a weekly newsletter.
Show up messy. You’ll never feel ready. Post it anyway.
Batch and rest. You can take breaks and be consistent if you plan for both.
Keep your day job forever (lol). If you want a side income, but aren’t desperate, you get to build at your own pace. That’s power. One of my biggest regrets was not seeking out a full-time job fast enough when I saw the writing on the wall.
If you're still in your start-over season, know this:
You’re not behind.
You’re just building it differently this time.
Thank you for being here. :-)
How to Eat More Plants
A few weeks ago, I shared why I no longer call myself vegan, and I was blown away by how many people connected with that story.
Clearly, this conversation matters.
Let’s talk about how to eat more vegetables overall and why it is worth the effort.
Why Vegetables Matter
Most of us already know vegetables are good for us, but knowing and doing are two very different things. Life gets busy, takeout is convenient, and suddenly the only “green” you had all day was the wilted lettuce on your sandwich.
Here’s why vegetables really deserve more space on your plate:
They are packed with fiber that helps you feel full, supports digestion, and keeps blood sugar steady.
They provide vitamins and minerals you simply cannot get from processed foods.
They protect your long-term health in ways that pills and supplements will never fully replace.
Small Shifts That Add Up
The good news: eating more plants does not have to be complicated. Start with small, doable shifts and you will be surprised at how quickly it makes a difference.
Here are a few of my favorite strategies:
Add one extra vegetable to dinner. Even frozen broccoli or a quick side salad makes an impact.
Blend them in. Smoothies are a low-stress way to work spinach, kale, or even cauliflower into your day. My go-to blend is spinach, frozen berries, a banana, and water. It is quick, affordable, and you won’t taste the spinach.
Keep them visible. When I wash, chop, and put vegetables at eye level in the fridge, I actually eat them. Out of sight really does mean out of mind.
Make it easy. Canned beans, frozen mixed veggies, pre-cut greens — these all count. Convenience does not cancel out the benefits.
Start Where You Are
If you have been struggling to eat more plants, give yourself permission to start small. One extra serving, one smart swap, or one smoothie can move you forward. You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight to see progress.
Eating more vegetables is not about perfection. It is about consistency, accessibility, and finding ways that fit into your real, everyday life.