Sometimes it feels like I am always tired. 
It is really hard to be a good mom, a happy wife, and someone who wants to cook, clean, and go to the gym if I am dragging my feet because I am tired. But, I go to bed late. I get up early. And I don’t take time to nap during the day. So what do I expect? Sound familiar?
Most people find themselves lacking sleep at some point in their life or another. But we need to make sleep a priority. It is important for more than just having energy to get through the day, or to rid yourself of under-eye circles. Sleep improves health, weight, beauty, and so much more.
A lot of research has been done on sleep and how it can benefit your health. Here is what the consensus seems to be:
- Sleep improves memory
- Sleep helps you live longer
- More sleep = better quality of life
- Sleep reduces the risk of disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and premature aging
- Sleep improves organization and creativity
- Sleep improves athletic performance
- More sleep sharpens attention and increases cognitive ability
- Find more reasons here
Truthfully this list could go on for days. So next time you are tempted to stay up late to watch a show, ask yourself, “Is this show worth a day of my life, a grade on a test, my creative ability, my quality of life?” If you answer no, then go to bed!
Day 13 Mini-Challenge: Go to bed 1 hour earlier than normal.
I know how challenging this is. I work, manage 2 blogs, and have four small children at home. Trust me when I say that every minute of time when the babes are sleeping is key to me getting things done around the house and for my working life, not to mention entertainment, feeling like an adult, and spending time with my spouse. However, sleep is vital to health, so find a way to get more of it. Even one extra hour a day can add a host of health benefits to your life.
Enough about sleep… let’s talk about something that is sure to wake your taste buds up and have them singing praises of joy!
So yesterday we made Asian Steak Marinade, and we had some leftover. So I used the slices of leftover steak to make a salad today. Mind blowing! Seriously so good. I licked my plate. I did a happy dance. I can’t even begin to describe to you the deliciousness that was this salad, you will simply have to make it for yourself.
But I will try to explain why I am so hyped up about this salad.
First, it was eazy peazy. I mean, I used leftover steak for heaven’s sake, and everything else was stuff I just pulled out and threw on. No chopping, no peeling. Nothing. The dressing was the only thing that required effort and it is only 3 ingredients, and the perfect compliment to this salad.
Second, it had everything a good salad requires. Crisp lettuce, something sweet (berries), something with tang (Vinaigrette), something crunchy (almonds), something to add flavor depth (feta)! I could go on and on. Basically it was the perfect combo of sweet, light, fresh, filling, creamy, crunchy, tangy, delicious!
Third, it is guilt free. Salad for lunch is always a good feeling, but the dressing is low calorie, blueberries have all kinds of awesome antioxidants. Lettuce has great fiber. Nuts for protein. I mean, nothing bad at all. And everything amazing.
Round Steak Salad with Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 round steak marinaded in asian marinade and cooked on grill
- 1 head romaine chopped
- 1 cup blueberries washed
- 1 cup raspberries washed
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup feta cheese
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup raw honey
Instructions
- Assemble salad by equally distributing romaine lettuce, blueberries, raspberries, almonds, feta, corn, and steak slices to four plates.
- Put all dressing ingredients in a salad shaker and shake until mixed well
- Dress salad and serve immediately.
Steak Preparation
- Season steak with salt and pepper
- Put steak in marinade
- Marinate for 1 hour in fridge
- Heat grill to medium-high heat
- Place round steak on grill and cook 4-5 minutes per side (depending on thickness)
- Remove from grill and let sit until ready to serve salad, do not cut until just before serving to allow juices to seep back into meat to remain juicy and tender.
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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If you are just joining us, here are the mini-challenges you missed:
- Day one: Keep a Food Journal
- Day Two: Replace a Negative Temptation with a Positive One
- Day Three: Add Variety to Your Diet
- Day Four: Use Spice Not Salt to Season
- Day Five: Hydrate
- Day Six: Stop Eating 3 Hours Before Bed
- Day 7: Stop Emotional Eating
- Day 8: Brush Teeth After Each Meal to Cut Down Snacking
- Day 9: Portion Control
- Day 10: Post Goals for Health
- Day 11: Meal Plan
- Day 12:10 Minutes Extra Exercise
Li Yang says