Put An Emphasis on Meal Planning

I will be the first to tell you that I don’t like to cook. That said, I seldom eat out or eat processed food. Why am I’m I telling you this? I want to challenge you to put more of an emphasis on meal planning and preparation.

It’s far too easy to let someone else do the cooking for you. I get it. I would love to have someone else cook, plan my food and clean up my kitchen. But, I want to know what’s in my food. Processed and fast foods contain unhealthy fats, chemicals, preservatives, dyes and artificial ingredients that no one should be eating. These foods make us feel sluggish, unable to think clearly, wreak havoc on your organ system, lead to chronic disease and life time obesity. They are also the foods that you will crave over and over again, because carbs, sugar and additives are addicting.

I know you may need a little motivation to want to cook for yourself. My motivation is how poorly I feel when I don’t. If you have a desire to feel better, think better, move better and sleep better, what you eat is the first place to start. Get back to the basics of whole foods: fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and healthy fats. It doesn’t have to be complicated. If you don’t like to cook, keep it simple. Fire up the grill, even in the dead of winter. Get out that crock pot. Search the web for recipes. Have a grocery list every time you go to the store. Focus on the perimeter of the store where the fresh food is and limit your need for boxed and ready-made items. Start reading your food labels and educate yourself on what ingredients you should be avoiding: hydrogenated oils, seed oils (especially soybean oil!), food dyes and high fructose corn syrup are the big ones!

If jumping in with both feet is too intimidating, start slow. If you don’t cook at all, plan one home-made heathy meal a week. Be sure to focus on healthy fats like butter, avocados, tallo, lard and/or coconut oil. Healthy fat is essential and not to be omitted or dismissed. These fats are a necessity. Healthy fat does not make us fat! It is essential for energy, cell function, organ and hormone production, nutrition absorbtion and brain function. it's also benefical for the health of our skin and hair. If your skin is dry in the winter, this may be a reason why.

Change is never easy. This all may take more effort and planning than you are used to, but it will be well worth it.

Anne Mitteness