April 26th, 2022
I cannot believe that April is almost over! I am ready for a busy week and will end the week at a couple volunteer events and the NFL draft. Who else gets excited to see so many lives change as they take the next step in reaching their dreams of professionally playing the sport, they have trained for most of their life? This week we will wrap up our discussion on healthy eating habits versus a diet, by learning what to buy and how to prepare affordable meals.
The first step is to plan meals for a week or longer, I will be the first to admit this is a real struggle. I have trouble predicting what I will “feel” like eating and am in the process of changing my mindset to where I am now look forward to what I “get” to eat later in the week. If you struggle with this also, I recommend planning meals more on the simple side for busy nights and meals that require more effort for days that are not as hectic. Since I only cook for 1, sometimes 2, I often cook enough for 2 so that I can have quick and easy leftovers instead of hitting a drive thru. Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard! This is a principle I learned when I was showing horses, but I have found it is appropriate for other areas of my life. Create the path of least resistance and set yourself up for success.
Build a pantry with spices and other necessities buy purchasing items when they are on sale. Items I always have on hand are avocado oil, Himalayan Sea salt (grinder), black pepper (grinder), Mrs. Dash in a couple different varieties. I also have flour, sugar, brown sugar, and baking soda and powder. Again, you don’t have to go buy all of these at once as there are plenty of meal options that do not require of all these items. I encourage you to buy items in bulk, for those items that you can use before they expire.
Buying fresh fruits and vegetables in season will be a more cost-effective option. Check your grocery items to ensure that the quality is high, so that you are not wasting money by choosing items that are overripe or close to expiring. I have found that searching for local butchers/farms can result in big savings when purchasing meat. Save even more if you have a large freezer buy purchasing ¼, ½ or even whole beef! I am loving this time of year as the farmer’s markets are starting back up and these are great resources for locally sourced food items. I have also been able to find groups on social media that have lists of farms in your state or area. I think I will end this week’s blog, as not to overwhelm you with too much information. As always, reach out to me with any questions or if you would like coaching on how to create a pantry full of good-for-you foods!
Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!
Have a blessed week ~ Lacey