Trying to balance a jam-packed schedule has become a science in today's lifestyle. We're often so busy that our health and wellness is a mere afterthought, which is ironic since it is the only thing that allows us to function optimally as we need to.

If you're realizing that your health has also become low on your priority list, we don't blame you.

Whether you're in school or working a full time job, have children to tend to or run your own business (or all of the above!), life happens. This means dealing with traffic jams during your commute, back-to-back appointments, business meetings, unexpected bills, taking your car in for maintenance - the list goes on. This is when simple health tips can come in and save the day and more importantly, your well-being.In the midst of the chaos, how are you supposed to find the time to take care of your health?

How do you avoid relying on your local bakery, coffee shop or favorite take-out spot for your main meals?

We understand how challenging that can be.I, too, have been trapped in an incredible overwhelming schedule, just like you might be right now. At one point I was commuting between two cities, working six days a week, doing an internship and attending full-time nutrition classes four days a week. I remember wondering when or how I would ever find the time for meal prep or grocery shop as I was running around like the Tasmanian devil.

But what I did know was that if I didn't prioritize nutrition in my current lifestyle, I wouldn't be able to properly handle the stress of the schedule or have the energy to keep up and be successful.

You're not alone if you think making healthy meals is difficult and time consuming. Avoid letting your mind overcomplicate the process of creating healthy cuisine in your kitchen. (And no, you don't have to pick up the latest superfoods mentioned by Dr. Oz.) 

Combining just three or four healthy ingredients can make a simple but highly nutritious meal and take very little time.

For example:
- Cooked quinoa + hard boiled eggs + asparagus
- Roasted sweet potatoes + brown rice + avocado
- Rolled oats + almond milk + walnuts + berries
- Brown rice pasta shells + diced tomatoes + arugula + extra virgin olive oil
- Sprouted grain toast + almond butter + sliced banana + raw organic honey.

These meal ideas aren't gourmet but can be made in under 20 minutes and will provide you with sustainable energy without blood sugar crashes, prevent sugar cravings and offer your body the vitamins and minerals it requires to cope with stress.

A crockpot or slow cooker is like having a personal chef who cooks for you while you sleep. Sure, he may require you to dice some veggies, but in the morning, you'll wake up with multiple servings of a flavorful, tender dish customized to suit your tastebuds.

There are a plethora of healthy crockpot recipes on the web and best of all, it's nearly effortless to create soups, chilis and stews to freeze for quick dinners or lunches on the go.

With such a busy schedule, chances are high that you inhale your food at your desk, while driving or multitasking. Understandably, your schedule may not allow for taking a proper break, but there are a few problems with this.

First off, when you eat on the go, your body is so busy focusing on performing other tasks that it cannot switch to "rest and digest” mode to digest, absorb and assimilate the nutrients from the food you eat.

Secondly, when you're busy, you may be taking in mouthfuls of food but hardly noticing if you're chewing it. This taxes your digestive system and makes it hard for your body to absorb the nutrients from the food you eat, leading to bloating, stomach aches and indigestion.

Most of us don't even realize we're doing this until it's pointed out, so I encourage you now to prioritize good eating hygiene.Good eating hygiene means only eating while you eat.

Breathing between bites helps your body switch from "fight or flight” to "rest and digest” mode. Even if you only have ten minutes to do so, you'll feel much better throughout the day if your time to eat is used to its full advantage.

Meal prep can sound like a time consuming task, but it doesn't have to be. You can easily prepare a few simple dishes to have on hand during the week while you catch up on the latest "Orange is The New Black” episode or do your laundry on Sunday night.

Why not put on a pot of quinoa, chop some veggies and hard boil eggs for the week while you get your Netflix started or listen to a Podcast? During the week, you'll be glad you did.

Do you ever wonder why you're hungry only an hour after you have a muffin or cereal for breakfast? It's usually because you haven't included a good source of protein with your meals. Breakfast is the most important meal to include protein in; however, each of your meals should contain a good protein source to keep your appetite satiated and help you feel full and energized throughout the day.

If you're in a rush, keep some raw almonds, walnuts and cashews in your car and take them as "protein to go" for the mornings you don't have time for breakfast.

While this tip isn't food-related, it is absolutely health-related.

A healthy body needs to decompress without interruptions. While you may not be able to book a massage in every week or attend your favorite yoga class each day, 15 minutes of "you” time for meditation, breathing or walking outside (without your phone) can greatly reduce the amount of stress and overwhelm your mind and body experience throughout the day.

Whether you have to set your alarm for fifteen minutes earlier or go to bed fifteen minutes later (or hide in your office during your lunch break), taking this non-negotiable time for yourself each day with no interruptions is guaranteed to help you feel calm, grounded and productive throughout the day.

Staying hydrated is extremely important to prevent your body from experiencing nutritional stress. Drinking enough water each day provides you with energy, helps you release toxins and promotes body detoxification and improves digestion.

I recommend buying a water bottle that you like the look of and treating it like your briefcase or your purse; it's goes everywhere with you! This way, you're more likely to remember to fill it up and easily keep track of how much water you're drinking, regardless of how chaotic your day gets.

If you find it hard to get to the gym, yoga or spin classes during the week, know that walking is still an efficient form of exercise.

Try making it possible to sneak out on your lunch break for a brisk twenty minute walk, take the stairs, walk to get coffee on your break instead of drive, or even park further away from the grocery store. These are simple and convenient ways to sneak in exercise when your time is limited.