What’s in Your Kitchen

Healthy Makeover Tips

If you were to open your neighbor’s fridge, I’m sure you would find a different variety of foods and perhaps, some interesting items than you have (or would think to have!) in your fridge!  We all have our go-to foods, staples, and favorite brands, but have you ever closely examined what’s in your fridge to make sure it’s stocked with the most nutritious and important baseline foods?

Now, let’s open YOUR fridge! Project in process! 

Do you have a healthy variety of the following?

1.  Proteins: range from chicken, lean meats (turkey, ground-beef), eggs, egg whites, fish (salmon)
2.  Milk (Milk Alternatives): almond, cashew, flax seed.  If you drink milk, try to stick with grass-fed varieties as they digest easier
3.  Veggies and Fruits 
4.  Greens, Greens, and more Greens!  Lettuce, broccoli, green beans, kale, spinach, etc.
5.  Nuts.
6.  Good grains.  Quinoa, rice, buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, etc.
7.  Legumes and lentils

If you place your nuts, flours, grains, lentils, and legumes in glass jars and store them in your fridge, they will last longer 🙂

Food for thought (literally!)

1. How often do you go to the grocery store?  Although it can seem more like a chore, it’s best to go every 3 or 4 days that way you are getting fresh, ripe fruits and veggies.
2. When you prepare recipes, would you sub out not-so-healthy ingredients for healthier versions?  Are you open to trying new combinations of foods like cauliflower mashed potatoes or black bean brownies? Too crazy??!
3. If you are serving for a large group, say party or dinner guests, do you tend to prepare what you think is healthy or do you think about what they might like and provide an assortment of options?

Do you struggle with kitchen prep? Either you have no meals prepared yet are too hungry to take the time to cook (!) or there’s nothing to cook?  Sounds so familiar. We all have been there!

Here’s a few “Healthful” tips:

• Buy in bulk.  More and more grocery stores are now carrying items in bulk. This is a really great way to save you $$ and also make sure you have more of your go-to items in stock at home.  I tend to by my nuts, oatmeal, and legumes in bulk section.
• Spend one afternoon/evening (I do Sunday’s) to do meal prep for the week. This helps you to stay on track and not skip meals.
• Prepare your portions.  Before you head to the grocery store or prior to meal prep, plan ahead and count out how many meals you plan to eat with each dish.  You will find what a great time saver this is plus you won’t overeat!
• Don’t overeat, Freeze!  Saving leftovers not only allows you to have a meal already prepared, but will also keep you from getting stuffed and unbuttoning that top button (You know that feeling!).  Some people despise leftovers, but I say give it a chance, you might be surprised at how great a concept this is.
• If you are traveling or know you will have a busy schedule ahead, plan in advance to carry a water bottle and good healthy snacks in your bag or purse.  This can be a piece of fruit or protein bar, so make sure your fridge is stocked so you can grab these items out the door!

I hope these tips help you today! These simple steps can make a world of difference from having your fridge stocked to having the right foods prepared.  I know when I started implementing these tips, it soon became so natural and easy part of my routine.

Now, let me see what’s in your fridge!