I get it, when you are running a million miles a minute and firing on all cylinders just to keep life moving forward, it can be hard to think about eating healthy meals at home. It’s hard enough just to get a shower in, some make-up slapped on, your hair in a topknot and the kids out the door (with their lunches packed) in order to make it to your morning meeting on time so your boss doesn’t think you are delinquent. Getting healthy meals on the table may seem like the last thing on your to-do list - especially when it’s so much more convenient to order dinner online during the train ride home.
But we all know that it’s also a million times healthier to cook at home (not to mention, much easier on your wallet). When you cook, you can control the amount of salt, sugar, oil and processed ingredients you use. You can ensure the quality of the ingredients you put in the meal, and you really can feel good about what you are fueling yourself and your family with.
I’m here to tell you - as a mom of 2 little kids, trying to run a business, as well as run the house and our lives, it IS possible to cook healthy meals at home. With a little planning, it is VERY possible.
Here’s how to fit in 3 healthy meals over the next 2 days:
1) Plan out the recipes and shopping list over the weekend - and do as much as you can BEFORE Monday morning.
That means you do the grocery shopping, and any prepping/chopping/washing and cooking that you can do before the week starts in full crazy mode.
2) Make breakfast the night before.
Overnight oats are an awesome option for this (see great recipe here). That way, you get one healthy meal in your body right from the start during the work week and you don’t have to think about it while you are getting breakfast on the table for everyone else and all the lunches packed. In fact, you can make a batch of this on Sunday night and have it for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Who says you can’t be powered up and ready to go on more than just coffee?
3) One word: Soups!
Soups are a fantastic, healthy option, especially during the winter months. They are easy to prepare in a bigger batch on Sunday, and can again either be taken to work with you everyday during the week for lunch, or warmed up easily at home for lunch. Most of them also freeze well, so you can make an even bigger batch and freeze half for a few weeks (or even 2-3 months)! Check out this great soup recipe here.
4) And this last one is two words: Slow Cooker!
Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but this gadget really is life saving. You can prep and chop things the night before (or on Sunday), throw it all in there in the morning, leave for the day - and voila, dinner is ready when you get home - no joke. My all-time favorite slow cooker recipe is this turkey chili. It’s a fantastic dinner when you top it with a little greek yogurt and Cholula.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be the last thing on your to-do list and it doesn’t have to mean spending a lot on fancy salads everyday. With a little planning and prep, it’s very possible to fuel yourself and your family with whole, unprocessed foods on the regular. You can feel good knowing that you are giving yourself a gift that will keep your energy up for all the other amazing stuff you have going on in your life!
Want more tips for living a healthier life from Payal? Sign up for the Winter 5 Day Detox happening Jan 21-25th for a whole meal plan, great set of recipes, and wonderful whole-foods based way to kickstart healthy eating in the new year. Check it out here!