I love that this is a thing. But, I wish this were more of a daily thing. Except birthdays, special occasions, and the occasional and rare cheat meal.
I think there a lot of problems with the way people-particularly Americans- think about nutrition and diet.
I HATE DIETS!! Let me guess...you too, right? But we probably hate them for different reasons. It is common for people to "go on a diet" - Military diet, Crash diet, No carb diet, etc. Only eating salads and starving themselves. THIS IS NOT HEALTHY. Want to lose weight? Ok, I feel ya! But you actually don't have to starve yourself. You can eat every meal, you can have snacks, and you can be full!! It comes down to simple and basic nutrition education. I LOVE FOOD!! But I also love to be healthy, feel good, and use as much natural medicine (veggies) as I can. I hate diets because they are a temporary and usually unhealthy solution. And I strongly advocate being strong and healthy- not striving to be "skinny". Strive to be healthy!
I became passionate about this at 18. I went further and made it my lifestyle as I exited college. And I constantly try and improve on it myself.
Incoroporate protein, fiber, and vegetables in your meals. Cut out the sugar and the fatty stuff- unless it is a healthy fat! People always think they are eating healthy when they eat protein bars as a meal replacement. Usually, these are packed with sugar! Sugar breaks down in the body as fat. Bad fat. So pay attention to nutrition labels. Look at the sodium content, sugar, fat, carbohydrates. This could be where you are going wrong when you think you'e doing good.
I am a big fan of meal planning and prepping for your family. Sit down on Saturday or whenever your grocery day is and plan the meals for your family over the next week or even more. Make a grocery list, clip the coupons, etc. Cook it all up and save it in the fridge. Freeze it if you are planning way out. Do what you gotta do.
Then, when the family gets home from a brutal Monday- nobody is stopping for pizza, you aren't exhausted trying to make your hangry family a healthy dinner...you just come home, kiss the hubs, babies , and pups, and warm them up dinner...healthy...filling...nutritional dinner.
This may take quite a bit more research on your part, a LOT of committment, and studying, but I think you and your family are worth it, right? Take care of your heart and your body and your family!!
Here are some examples of my favorote meals I cook and prep for my little family of 2...I cook for 8. :
-Spaghetti squash with chopped chicken (or ground turkey) with sspinach...then bake it.
-Zucchini lasagna....layer long sliced zucchini with ground turkey or chicken, tomatoes, and onion, and very small trace amout of cheese across top.
-Crock pot chicken with any two sides of veggies.
-Turleyloaf
-Stuffed bell peppers- I stuff with ground turkey or chicken, spinach, black beans, tomatoes, onions
-Chicken chilli in crockpot- I use 2 chicken breasts, kidney beans, black beans, chilli beans with no additives, onions, tomatoes and celery. Spice it up with cayenne pepper and maybe add minced garlic in trace amounts. For sour cream substitute I use plain non fat greek yogurt instead. Tastes the same.
-Stuffed chicken breasts- sort of slice them like a hot dog bun and stuff with veggies, spinach, sun dried tomatoes. Bake them and add a veggie for your side.
-Taco Chicken bowls- similar to chicken chilli but with a more spicy kick...crock pot your chicken breasts, black beans, tomatoes, your own made salsa-easy to do - cuts out sodium- onions- slop it into a bowl and its a warm comfort dish.
I have tons more recipies. I can always give detailed recipies and snack ideas.
Mostly, I just want to encourage people to do their research about health and nutrition. Don't diet. it won't last. Make it a lifestyle change to eat healthfully. You won't be miserable or hungry. In fact, I guarantee you will be happy!! You just have to give yourself a little discipline to put down the sodas and the sweets and reach for better choices instead. I hear people and friends complain about their bodies and how they feel all the time. And they say they will do better- and then they dig into a grease dripping loaded cheeseburger ...which, yeah is yummy....but is it worth it? Your health, your heart, how you feel about yourself? Be strong and healthy with good protein and veggies! Save the treats and cheats for special occasions and on a designated one cheat meal day.
It is not an easy transition always, but it will be so worth it!! Love and Live a healthy lifestyle. Glorify God with your body! Not everybody will get it, but for those who do- I am here to help and coach you! I need help too! It has truly made the difference for me. I am healthy and strong. I have been able to keep my heart stable and push off surgery a little while longer by not clogging my arteries, and I feel wonderful!!
I just want to make a difference and help people to live their best lives so that we can serve God to our full potential! So, maybe let Nov. 2 be a start for you and your loved ones to make a lifestyle change and eat healthy!
God bless! Love you all!
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