If anyone believes in the magic of a consistent morning routine, it’s Rachael DeVaux, a registered dietician and the creator of the popular food blog 'Rachael's Good Eats.' And not only does DeVaux have her own morning routine down to an art form, but her adorable pup Ellie tags along on cue as well. "She loves her morning routine, and I love having her be part of mine," DeVaux tells Bustle. "She knows exactly what she has to do before she's back to snoozin'!" (Oh, to have the life of a dog!)
What is this unstoppable duo's morning to-do list in a nutshell? A quick workout, followed by nutrient-packed meals for both Rachael and Ellie. With a full day ahead of them both, Bustle and Castor & Pollux® stopped by DeVaux's Seattle home early one morning to see firsthand how she and Ellie set themselves up for the most productive day possible. DeVaux spilled on everything from her favorite workout to the importance of fueling yourself with a meal that has responsibly sourced and organic ingredients, and how she is able to feed Ellie just as well with Castor & Pollux.
First On The List: A Quick Workout
Here's a refreshing confession: Even personal trainers like DeVaux aren't always super pumped to workout in the morning. "Motivation isn't always there to workout, but if I have a routine and habits in place, it's much easier to get the day going," she tells Bustle.
Lucky for her, DeVaux has an outdoor space on her roof where she can sneak in some quick exercise even on days that she doesn't want to head to the gym. When she's working out at home, DeVaux opts for high intensity interval training, completing a variety of circuits in which she focuses on movements designed to work multiple muscle groups at a time. Moves like burpees, push-ups, side planks, and jump squats are a few of her favorite go-tos. As for Ellie? "If I choose to stay home and get a good sweat, she'll come up to the roof with me to 'tan' while I get my workout in." Talk about an ideal cheerleader!
Next, A Balanced Bowl Of Goodness For Rachael...
"After I finish my workout, I love creating a meal that’s very nutrient-dense in order to maintain and repair my muscles, and give me fuel for the rest of the day," DeVaux tells Bustle. That's where her beautiful wild-caught responsibly sourced salmon and organic sweet potato bowl come into play. Here's how to make it at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 6-oz. wild-caught salmon fillet
- 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce (soy-free)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste
- 2 handfuls organic mixed greens
- 1 organic Persian cucumber, sliced
- ⅓ organic avocado
- 1 cup broiled organic sweet potato rounds
- 3 to 4 organic baby bell peppers
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon pink salt
- ½ teaspoon seasonings of choice (DeVaux recommends a combination of salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder.)
- 3 tablespoons organic chopped green onion
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to broil on high, 500°F.
2. Whisk together teriyaki sauce, olive oil, sea salt, and ground pepper. Rinse wild-caught salmon, place in a deep bowl, and gently flip salmon in marinade.
3. Transfer fillet to a parchment paper-covered baking dish or sheet pan. Broil for eight to 10 minutes, or until salmon is flake tender.
4. While salmon is broiling, slice boiled sweet potato into rounds, spray with oil, and sprinkle on seasonings of your choice.
5. Layer a bowl with mixed greens, cucumber, salmon, sweet potato, sliced baby bell peppers, green onion, and avocado. Lightly drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the top and enjoy.
... And An Equally Balanced Meal For Ellie
Just as it's important for DeVaux to start her day with a meal that's prepared with responsibly sourced ingredients, the same is true for Ellie. That’s why DeVaux chooses Castor & Pollux PRISTINE® Grain Free Wild-Caught Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe With Raw Bites. It’s made with MSC certified wild-caught salmon, organic produce, and includes freeze-dried raw bites — making it the best option available for sweet Ellie!
"My food philosophy is that you can have the food you love, but just choose high-quality ingredients. And that transfers to not only my friends and my family, but to Ellie as well," says DeVaux. To learn more about DeVaux, and to see even more adorable Ellie content, check out our video below!
This post is sponsored by Castor & Pollux®.
