Aloe Vitality
  • Home
    • Why Aloe Vera? >
      • More Health Benefits
    • Why Forever Living Products?
  • Company
    • Our Culture
    • Forever Giving
    • Sustainability
  • Products
    • Aloe Vera Drinks
    • Forever Freedom
    • Nutrition
    • Weight Management
    • Personal Care
    • Bee Products
    • Skin Care >
      • Facial
      • Body
    • Essential Oils
    • Combo Paks
    • Shop Now
  • Opportunity
  • Contact
  • My Story
  • Sonia's Blog

Great article on "healthy meal plans & how to get started"...

11/11/2010

0 Comments

 
Picture
Healthy eating starts with a plan. It's easy to say that you want to eat more local, seasonal foods and cut out the processed, refined sugar, starch, and fat, but without healthy meal plans to keep you on track, time and circumstances will quickly conspire to have you right back at that fast food drive-thru, picking up last-minute food for the family.

So, what should you do? The secret to eating right is to have your recipes lined up for the week, scheduled in such a way that you don't need to babysit a 5lb roast on your family's busiest night, and have all the ingredients that you need on hand, where you can find them. Time is an issue for almost everyone these days, but that shouldn't be an excuse for resorting to highly processed "convenience foods". Not only are there thousands of healthy recipes that can be thrown together in 20 minutes or less; you can also plan ahead to make large portions of slow-cooking foods like soups, stews, and large meat cuts on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, then freeze individual portions for easy meals on busier days.

The ritual of cooking on a weekend afternoon is a great way to spend family time, getting kids (and spouse!) more involved in the food they eat. Kids learn to make dietary choices by watching their parents, and the only way to instill good eating habits that will last a lifetime is to model them at home. Involve kids in choosing the weekly menu... offer them several healthy choices and let them choose what they want, and on which days. Let them watch and help with preparing the shopping list, and assist with age-appropriate cooking activities on "cooking day". It's amazing how many eighteen-year-olds leave the house for college or work, knowing only how to zap a frozen dinner in the microwave. It's a parent's job to teach children the skills they will need when they grow up, and what skill is more basic than the ability to feed themselves?

In addition to strengthening the bonds of family, healthy meal plans can strengthen the bonds in a community. If you've never visited your local farmers' market, you'll be amazed at the difference between the frenzy of hunch-shouldered supermarket shoppers maneuvering their battered carts through the crowded grocery store aisles, and the bustle of people talking and laughing as they move from stall to stall at the open air market, chatting with the farmers over tables of fresh, sustainably raised, local meat and produce. It's night and day.

So, give it a try. Sit down, write out a week's worth of recipe plans, write down all the ingredients you will need, and set aside a few hours one day to roast a chicken or make a huge pot of stew and a loaf of homemade bread. See how good it feels to toss out all the shrink-wrapped trash that you know you and your kids shouldn't be eating, and replace it with fresh, locally-grown food that makes your mouth water as it simmers on the stove on a cold winter afternoon. By changing your diet, you can change how you look, how you feel, and even your children's future. Why wait?

Rachel Steffan is a foodie with an interest in increasing people's awareness of local food, sustainable agriculture, and healthy eating.

Healthy Meal Plans  
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Steffan

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Welcome!

    about the Author

    Sonia is a passionate advocate for natural, holistic alternatives, dedicated to providing simple, everyday holistic solutions that truly enrich our lives. Her mission is to challenge the conventional by introducing practical, natural strategies that offer a refreshing alternative to the norm. Born from her own personal challenges and a resilient spirit, Sonia has cultivated deep empathy and a nuanced understanding of modern life’s pressures, which fuels her unwavering commitment to helping others. Drawing from years of business acumen and a genuine passion for holistic wellness, Sonia combines traditional wisdom with innovative research to develop effective, natural methods for a balanced lifestyle. Her approach demystifies complex wellness concepts, making them accessible and actionable for anyone, regardless of how hectic life may be. On her blog, you’ll find a curated collection of discoveries, insights, and practical blueprints designed to inspire healthier living. Each post is a testament to Sonia’s belief in the transformative power of nature-based solutions, offering you a clear path to living well and enjoying life to the fullest.

    Categories

    All
    Aloe Vera
    Articles
    Beauty Care
    FAQ's
    Healthy Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Nutritional
    Promotional
    Testimonials

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2018
    April 2015
    November 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    May 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.