9 Real Meals (My Actual Week of Eating) + The Berry Water Recipe That's Breaking the Internet
PLUS my restaurant strategy for indulging without going overboard
Hi friends!
I'm back with another week of real food that kept me energized, satisfied, and honestly just really happy to eat.
This week was a mix of super simple home cooking and a few restaurant outings (food I typically order when I eat out).
Also, lots of people have been asking SO much about that berry water I've been posting on Instagram, so I'm sharing the exact recipe at the end of this post!
It's become my daily obsession—it makes drinking water so much more enjoyable!
Plus, I'm celebrating a huge milestone this week—200,000 followers on Instagram!
I'm still pinching myself. So many of you reading this are part of that community, and I just want to say thank you for supporting my work and being here for this journey. It means everything!!
Let's dive into what fueled my week last week + weekend!
The 6 Meals I Made at Home (Aka Why I Love My Kitchen)
Meal 1: Bacon-Topped Egg Boats (From My New Kids Cookbook!)
These deviled eggs are straight from my brand new kids cookbook "Little Plates, Big Nutrition," but honestly I make them for myself often becasue they’re so good (and healthy!)
The only swap I made was using mashed avocado instead of mayonnaise because I’m not a huge fan of mayo!
What's in them:
6 pasture-raised eggs
2 strips nitrate-free bacon
3 Tbsp mashed avocado (instead of mayo)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Pinch of sea salt and black pepper
Paprika for that perfect finishing touch
I also added in some chili oil (I like Trader Joe’s brand)
How I make them: Place the eggs in cold water, bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let them sit for 12 minutes. While they're cooking, I fry up the bacon until it's perfectly crispy. After cooling the eggs in an ice bath (trust me, it makes peeling so much easier), I slice them in half, remove the yolks, and mash them with the avocado, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Pipe the mixture back into the egg whites, top with bacon bits and paprika, then chill for 30 minutes.
These are creamy, satisfying, and way better than anything you'll find in a store. The avocado adds this richness that tastes better than mayo to me.
Meal 2: The Papaya Power Bowl
The lineup: Two grass-fed ground beef patties (about a quarter pound each), raw cheddar cheese on top, sliced red jalapeños for heat, fresh avocado, cucumber slices, and a ripe papaya.
I cooked the patties in a little grass-fed butter until they were perfectly browned, then topped them with the cheese. The papaya was so sweet and juicy—it's like nature's candy but actually good for you!! The jalapeños gave it just enough kick to balance out all that sweetness :)
This meal kept me full for hours and honestly tasted like summer on a plate.
Meal 3: The "I'm Not That Hungry" Dinner
Sometimes at the end of the day, I'm just not hungry for a full meal, and I've learned to listen to my body instead of forcing myself to eat just because it's dinnertime.
What I had: Two grass-fed ground beef patties topped with Trader Joe's mango salsa and half an avocado.
The mango salsa from TJ's has surprisingly clean ingredients—no weird preservatives or seed oils—and it adds tropical sweetness that makes even simple beef patties feel special!
Meal 4: Quick Lunch That Actually Satisfies
This was one of those "what can I throw together in 10 minutes" moments that turned out better than expected.
The combo: Half a pound of ground chicken, cucumber slices, avocado, green onions, and chili flakes.
I literally just browned the ground chicken in a pan with some salt and pepper, then arranged everything else around it. The cucumber adds this perfect crunch, the avocado makes it creamy, and chili flakes give it just enough heat (I like the Trader Joe’s brand!). Sometimes the simplest meals are the most satisfying.
Meal 5: My Italian Guilty Pleasure (With Great Ingredients)
When I want pasta, I want it with the best possible ingredients.
What I used: Bucatini imported from Italy (organic, with just wheat as the ingredient), and my go-to lemon garlic sauce.
The sauce: Extra-virgin olive oil, grass-fed butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper. I sauté the garlic in olive oil and butter until fragrant, add the lemon juice, and toss with the hot pasta. Sometimes I add fresh cherry tomatoes that burst and create this amazing sauce.
It's simple, it's delicious, and when I eat pasta, I want it to actually taste like something. This hits the spot every single time!!
Meal 6: The Celebration Steak
This was my 200,000 Instagram followers celebration meal, and it felt so perfect for the moment.
The plate: A perfectly cooked ribeye steak, fresh blueberries, and sliced avocado.
You all know I love a simple piece of meat with fresh fruit and avocado. It’s hands down my favorite meal. The blueberries were so sweet and juicy (love having them frozen and melt a bit).
I'm still so grateful for this milestone. Having 200,000 people choose to follow along with my health journey feels surreal, and I don't take it lightly that you trust me with your time and attention!!
The 3 Restaurant Meals That Were Actually Worth It
Restaurant Meal 1: My Favorite Kale Salad (Yes, Really)
At Nick’s (one of my absolute favorite restaurants), they have this kale salad that's honestly the only kale I'll eat. I don't usually do kale because it’s hard for me to digest it.
What makes it special: The kale is massaged perfectly, so it's not tough, and they add these amazing cheese cubes throughout. I always order it with a side of their ribeye steak because, let's be honest, I need my protein.
It's one of those meals that makes me remember why eating out can be so good when it's done right.
Restaurant Meal 2: Hawaiian Comfort Food Done Right
I love the Hawaiian dish, Loco Moco!!
What it is: A beef patty over rice, topped with a perfectly fried sunny-side-up egg, served with a savory sauce on the side and a fresh salad.
It's hearty without being too heavy, if that makes sense. Sometimes simple combinations are the best combinations.
Restaurant Meal 3: Mini Indulgence (The Smart Way)
These were three mini potato tacos, and while they're definitely more indulgent than my usual fare, I love how I approached this meal.
My strategy: Instead of ordering multiple large items or going overboard, I got a smaller portion of something indulgent. The tacos were topped with fresh herbs, cheese, and a green sauce that had actual flavor.
I don't typically overindulge when I eat out. If I'm really hungry, I'll lean toward steak or fish, but if I want to have something more indulgent, I'll get a smaller portion like this. It satisfies the craving without leaving me feeling gross afterward.
The Hydration Hack Everyone's Been Asking About
People have been flooding my DMs about this berry water, so here's the exact recipe that I drink every day now!
My Hydration Berry Water (Natures Gatorade):
Filtered water (about 16-20 oz)
Ice cubes
Generous splash of coconut water (like 2-3 oz)
Pinch of Celtic sea salt
Fresh lemon slices
Fresh mint leaves
Fresh blueberries
More ice (because I like it really cold)
How I make it: Fill a glass with ice, add the coconut water and Celtic salt, then top with filtered water. Add the lemon slices, mint, and blueberries, then stir gently. The longer it sits, the better it tastes as the flavors infuse.
Why I'm obsessed: The coconut water adds natural electrolytes, the Celtic salt helps with hydration and mineral balance, the lemon adds vitamin C and makes everything taste brighter, and the berries and mint make it feel like a fancy spa drink. It's honestly more satisfying than most fancy beverages, and my skin has been loving the extra hydration.
It's become such a simple way to stay hydrated without forcing myself to drink plain water constantly!!
What I Love About This Week
Looking back at these meals as I wrote this post, what I love most is how uncomplicated they were. Good ingredients, simple preparation, flavors that actually made me excited to eat. No stress, no overthinking, just real food that tasted great and made me feel good.
THIS is what has made me stick to healthy eating for so long.
Real health does NOT have to be complicated. In fact, the most powerful thing you can do is keep it simple, use quality ingredients, and actually enjoy what you're eating.
One thing to try this week:
Pick one meal this week and ask yourself, "Does this actually taste good to me?" instead of "Is this healthy?" Your body will tell you what it needs if you listen to the feedback it's giving you. Trust that process.
What's been your favorite simple meal lately? Comment and let me know—I love hearing what's working for you!
With gratitude & love,
Melissa <3
The Balance Routine
P.S. If reading about these simple, satisfying meals made you think "I want to feel this good about food too," then my 14-Day Real Food Reset might be exactly what you need.
It isn’t a restrictive diet or some juice cleanse—it's a complete reset of how you approach food, energy, and feeling good in your body. We focus on resetting everything:
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