Fitting Healthy Cooking Into Your Life
There’s one thing we can agree there’s never enough of…and that’s time. It’s tough enough juggling a busy work schedule, kids’ schooling and activities, house chores and errands. Sometimes you might forget to eat, and before you know it, you’re shoving junk into your mouth to get some calories to keep going about your day. And naturally, preparing healthy meals falls to the bottom of the list of priorities.
But without the proper nutrients your body needs to function, your brain could start to feel foggy, you may experience frequent fatigue and you may notice your productivity levels drop.
Eating for nourishment is one of the key pillars of health…but it doesn’t have to be a huge time suck. Try these tips to build in whole, nutritious foods into your wellness routine:
Block off just 15 minutes weekly in your calendar to meal plan for the work week;
Brainstorm your favorite healthy, whole foods for the week:
3 - 5 high quality proteins (ex. small wild-caught fish and shellfish, grass-fed meat, poultry, organic tofu, beans);
5-10 fruits and vegetables of varying colors;
1-2 high quality grains (ex. quinoa, rice, whole grains);
At least 1 or 2 herbs (ex. parsley, cilantro, dill, thyme, oregano, rosemary);
At least 1 fermented food (ex. sauerkraut, yogurt, kimchi, kombucha, miso paste);
At least 1 healthy fat (olive oil, avocado, chia seeds, flax seed);
Take stock of seasonings you have on hand: healthy cooking oil (avocado or olive oil), vinegar, black pepper, salt, your favorite spices like cayenne, paprika, turmeric powder);
Formulate your grocery list from your brainstorming session
Set aside 30 minutes during the weekend to wash, chop and store your fruits and veggies. Use Mason jars, Tupperware and Stasher bags to keep them fresh in the fridge;
Plan out 3 nights of cooking a week TOPS and space it out: one of those can be on a weekend when you have more time;
Batch cook over the weekend to minimize weekday cooking: think stir fry, chili, broth and soups, stews, baked casseroles. If you have a slow cooker, throw in chopped veggies, a protein, and spices. You’ll have a meal and some leftovers to freeze;
Make enough to have leftovers on hand for a quick and easy lunch.
If you feel stuck or need some inspiration, reach out to us. We can help you do a pantry and fridge reset, share recipe ideas, and customize grocery shopping lists.