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6 reasons eating healthy is easier than you think
1. It’s cheaper!
Believe it or not, eating healthy is cheaper than eating junk! Now, stay with me for a sec. How can eating healthy be cheaper? A 2-liter of soda is $1, a bag of chips is $2, a frozen pizza is $5 and can feed 2-4 people. I know, but here’s the thing. When you eat whole foods and start actually getting the nutrition you need from the foods you eat, you end up eating less! Your body is hungry for nutrients, not necessarily calories. When you are lacking certain vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, etc, your body sends signals to let you know that you need to eat. How else are you going to replenish what you need? Whole foods can supply much of what your body needs, which can actually help curb your appetite. Healthy fats are satiating, so you feel full faster.2. Healthy prepared foods are everywhere
Grocery stores study eating habits and know what the latest diet crazes are. They know that to bring in certain customers, they are going to have to have plenty of foods to choose from. Let’s face it, everyone is on some diet or WOE (way of eating), whether you know it or not. Do you get most of your food as junk food? It’s your diet. You eat all fast food? That’s your diet! Now, some people are very aware of what they are eating and try to eat a certain way. It’s still a diet, but it’s more intentional. Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, keto…all diets or WOE’s. So, in order to cater to these people, stores are starting to have more convenience foods that are healthier than they used to have. The produce department at the store I frequent has mini veggie trays, perfect for one or two people to snack on. The deli section has a personal size meat and cheese tray. There are even vegan or low-carb options in the freezer section!3. You’re not alone
It doesn’t take much to find other individuals trying to eat the same as you or who are willing to share tips and tricks that are perfect for your situation. Facebook is great for finding groups that will support you for whatever you need. On your Facebook page, go to the search bar and type in the diet or WOE you are looking for. Viola! There will most likely be 100’s, if not 1000’s of groups that will support you. I am personally a member of too many Keto groups. Instagram has unlimited pictures of foods that will give you inspiration. Pinterest is the mecca for people who want to find new recipes or ideas. All you need is a few minutes and you have massive amounts of information at your hands.4. Preparation is key
Junk foods are everywhere. Let’s be real, there are entire stores that are almost only full of chips, hot dogs, candy bars, slush drinks, soda, etc. They’re called ‘convenience’ stores…or party stores if you’re from Michigan. The ‘man’ makes it super easy to eat like crap. But, it’s also easy to be prepared with healthy foods. Sure, it may take a little more planning, but it’s 100% doable! On the weekend, make a dozen hard-boiled eggs, pre-cut some veggies, use your slow cooker or electric pressure cooker, aka Instant Pot, and prep some meals for later in the week.
5. Healthy food tastes great
Homemade is almost always better than fast food. And did you know that there are TONS of copycat recipes for most of your favorite fast foods but in a healthier version? It’s true! For example, apparently, there are copycat recipes for Wendy’s Frosty that taste just like the real thing! Here are the results of a Google search I did. About 870,000 results! And that’s just one example. I even found a recipe for Doritos flavoring that I plan on sprinkling on some homemade popcorn. Yum!6. Or eat out, but choose wisely
There are all sorts of websites out there that will let you know the best menu options to choose when you go out to eat. If you visit a chain restaurant, do a simple Google search for that restaurant. For instance, I searched for ‘keto foods to eat at Chili’s’ and ended up with a lot of results. If the restaurant is more of a local favorite, don’t be afraid to ask the wait staff if there is anything that meets your dietary requirements. Most are happy to help you out.Bottom line…
Sure, everyone loves Wendy’s fries dipped in a chocolate Frosty, but healthy eating is more intentional. With just a little information, planning and support, it’s totally doable. Do you have anything you can add to this list? What has helped you eat healthier? -
Finding motivation
Some days I really don’t feel the motivation or the energy to start or finish tasks. Some years feel the same. Last year was one of those years. It’s not to say I didn’t start or complete anything, but I was extremely focused on one goal: Completing a second degree in one year. So, in January I started out on a new adventure. I decided to complete an Associates of Applied Science in one year. I started in January and finished my last class in December. The schedule was grueling going full time every semester of the year including spring, summer, and fall. In addition to school, I found myself working part-time at the school in a work-study program. Let me clarify, I didn’t have a lot of time for a whole lot more than school, work and homework. It wasn’t as though I wasn’t busy, but starting a whole other project on top of all of that, wasn’t going to happen.
Fast forward to now. My graduation date came and I walked across the stage with honors. My hard work paid off and I was given the Summa Cum Laude cords to wear. It’s an amazing feeling knowing that you’ve accomplished a major goal that you set out to do. Now that I have started a new job, I find my life isn’t nearly as stressful or complicated as it was last year. There certainly is no lack of things to do, but planning is a lot easier.
The point of all of this is, sometimes you are already in the middle of something incredibly important and starting something new just isn’t a good idea. Finish one thing before you start on the other 99 ideas you have. Focusing on that one thing can have amazing results. If I had gone to school and tried to start something else, I might have failed at both.
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Summer Biking
One my favorite times of the year is any time I can take my bike for a ride. Not only is it a great way to get from point A to point B, it’s fun, good exercise and eco-friendly! It’s low cost, too. Not to mention, where I live, biking can sometimes be a faster way to get where you’re going. (more…)
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Spring is for beginnings
In some ways, spring is a better time for resolutions than the beginning of the year. Spring is when everything is starting over, like a rebirth. If you think about it, it’s the perfect time to make changes. For me, the changes include training to run a 5k. It’s been years since I’ve been serious about running, but it’s time to start again. The 5k that I’m planning to run is the Insane Inflatable 5k in Denver. It’s a race that includes ten inflatable obstacles, along the course. How fun is that? Check out the website and see if there is one near you! Plus, if I spend the money to sign up for the race, it’s my motivation to actually get off my butt and get it shape! Wish me luck, and if you want to join me in Denver, leave a comment and let me know. It’ll be fun! -
Yay For Spring!
Can you feel it? The temperatures are getting warm, the air smells fresh, and green plants are peeking up through the brown! Spring is coming and it’s coming fast! After a seemingly endless winter, just as the cabin fever was about to be too much to bear, spring is arriving and bringing with it hope. Winter has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I love the cold weather, bright snow and crisp air. Even so, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started seeing the value of a little bit of warmer weather. NOT hot weather, mind you, but warmer is not so bad. Especially this year, I’ve been antsy and wanting to do more warm weather activities, like biking, hiking, swimming, playing in the park, etc. -
Is 2nd Winter 2013 Over?
Honestly, I love winter. It used to be maybe my favorite season of the year, especially before I had kids. I love snuggling up in a cozy blanket and reading a book or watching a movie, but I also love wearing sweaters and sweatshirts and jeans and socks and…well, you get the picture. It’s not that I particularly love being cold, but I find it much easier to get to a comfortable temperature in the winter by adding layers, than I do in the summer, when you can only really take off so much clothing before it gets awkward or you get arrested! (more…)
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Halfway through 2012
Wow, where has 2012 gone? It’s already August, and the summer just seems to have slipped by so quickly! School will be starting in two weeks and the kids will be gone for half the day. It’s hard to believe that they are already in first, third and fourth grades! It seems like yesterday that I was bringing each to preschool, but my first “baby” is going to turn 10 years old on the very first day of school. Yikes! (more…)
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Resolutions – Step Two – Make My Own Baked Goods
The first resolution that I made, drinking broth daily, is off to a pretty good start. For the last week, I have had at least one or more cups of broth most days. We had a bit of a family emergency, so I wasn’t able to keep up with the broth that was in the slow cooker. I need to get another chicken and start again. (more…)
