Snacks, Systems, and Letting January Be January

Winter Snackagories

Jan 18, 2026

Movement felt hard this week.

More specifically, waking up at 5:30 am and convincing myself to leave the house in the middle of January. Workout classes have been my primary form of movement lately, but I found myself missing my own playlists and quiet time with myself. So I switched it up with some at-home workouts this week and honestly, I really enjoyed them.

This week also reminded me how much comparison still sneaks into my life.

In my career. In my daily routine. Even when I think I’ve “outgrown” it, I catch myself comparing to other people, or even to past versions of myself. Thinking about what life could’ve been or could’ve looked like if I had made one decision differently. Almost like a reverse butterfly effect.

These comparison spirals, mixed with cold January energy, pretty much sum up my week.

I noticed a stronger urge than usual to shut my brain off completely. To not think, not decide, not plan. And i’ve learned that weeks like this are exactly when my food routines matter most. When I wrap up a long day and have nothing planned for dinner, it’s very easy for me to spiral into panic mode.

This week, I leaned into my routine staples and refused to overthink it.

I slowed down. I took one step at a time. I let the system guide the way when my motivation wasn’t showing up.

This Week’s Snackagories

🥣 Savory Dip / Spread

Roasted Beet Hummus

It’s peak root vegetable season and this is the only way I’ll eat beets. I don’t like them raw, pickled or even roasted on their own. They have to be roasted, then blended as a dip or puree. I made roasted hummus this week and used it as a mid-day snack, ‘i’m immediately home from work-pre-dinner snack’, in a snack board and as a Turkey sandwich spread.

Ingredients:

Red beets, peeled and cubed
Canned chickpeas or white beans, drained and rinsed
Tahini
Garlic
Extra-virgin olive oil
Fresh lemon juice
Cumin and coriander (optional)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

🍞 Grab + Go Pantry Snack

Take Five Protein Balls

This is a go-to combination of mine. Sweet, salty and justifiable any time of the day. I most commonly eat them as a pre or post workout snack and during the 3pm afternoon slump.

Ingredients:

Snaps pretzels
Creamy peanut butter
Roasted lightly salted peanuts
Date caramel
Chocolate chips
Vanilla Protein Powder
Rolled Oats
Flaxseed

🥕 Fresh Produce

Roasted Broccoli + Brussels Sprouts

I need an easy, reliable and versatile side on hand at all times. This week I roasted broccoli and halved Brussels sprouts with lots of hot honey, salt, pepper and garlic powder. I used it as a dinner side, tossed into salads for lunch and ate straight from the fridge the day while working from home :P

🍫 Sweet Tooth Snack

Caramel Apple Protein Mugcake

I’m fully on a date caramel kick right now. If you follow me on instagram you’ll see this recipe there this week. I customized my go to mug cake recipe as an indulgent snow day snack that requires little effort.

🍗 Bulk Protein Source

Crockpot Braised Beef

What would we do without crockpots? Leaving the oven on all day is fine for those who don’t leave the house. But now that I’m back in an office, I rely on my crockpot to prep protein. This week, I picked up a chuck beef roast from Wegmans, seasoned it with lots of kosher salt and Worcestershire sauce, left it in the crockpot all day for a hearty winter protein + iron boost. I used it as Monday night’s dinner with potatoes and roasted veggies, for lunch as a salad topper, and BBQ beef sandwiches with provolone.

Real Life Reminders

This week was a reminder that the Snacks prep Method is designed to support. When my energy dips, when comparison creeps in, when January feels heavy, having food already prepped means I don’t have to make decisions when my brain is tired. I can feed myself without thinking,. I can slow down without spiraling.

Sometimes the biggest win isn’t trying something new - it’s sticking to what you know already works.