This spring, let’s welcome warmer weather with delicious recipes filled with our favorite spring fruits and vegetables: Let’s make room in our diets for leafy greens and healthy ingredients like radishes, asparagus, rhubarb, and strawberries. It’s time to allow healthy foods to start replacing unhealthy foods. In the same way, we set our clocks forward, let’s set forward our intentions for spring. Start by asking yourself “what healthy foods can I add into my daily life?” That’s the first step to breaking bad eating habits.
1.) Simple, Whole Foods
Every year around this time, new nutritional tips and tricks pop up like flowers. There are multiple articles and lists that are published that detail crazy diets and wellness fads. This overwhelming stream of information has many people confused and continually looking for the next best thing. One thing remains true, whole foods are a tried and true food standard to adhere to. Whole foods are generally described as the most minimally processed foods we can eat. Including more whole foods into your daily diet can be immensely beneficial.
2.) Building Blocks to Food Choices
A fundamental building block of health is incorporating a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Consider adding more fruits, vegetables, quality proteins, and whole-food fats to your diet. Remember that different foods provide different nutrients. Maintaining this mindset ensures that your body gets what it needs to stay vital and energetic. For more information, analyze a Functional Medicine Chart like the one developed by Richmond Functional Medicine. It will help you understand the phytonutrient benefits for fruits and vegetables.
3.) Be Mindful with Food and In Your Kitchen
Before you prepare for a grocery shopping trip, evaluate what you have in your kitchen. Take inventory of your pantry, fridge, and freezer. What needs to be eaten? Research healthy recipes that will use those food items. After you know what you have you can fill out your grocery list for the week.
4.) Meal Prep. Benefits & Reducing Prep. Time
Plan your menu for the week, then carve out some time each day to prep. Prepping will only take a few moments. You can take some time to prepare in the morning while you are making lunches for the day or while you are cooking breakfast. You can even take some time each night to do some light prep. The motivation you’ll receive from getting the process started will help fuel you to continue this new habit. Meals are made easier and faster when you toss something in the crockpot. Make that pot roast from the freezer and add some bone broth and vegetables. Make it simple, enjoy the process, and be mindful of your meals. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. Don’t try too many new techniques at once. Slow and steady wins the race. Manage your time wisely. Maybe try a new recipe on the weekend and stick to your old favorites during the week.
5.) Get Creative in Your Kitchen
Your food is meant to nourish you, not deplete your energy. Look for creative ways to repurpose your leftovers into breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Remember, your body is fueled by eating nutritious food, and your wallet is fueled by reducing food waste. Turn those last couple of chicken breasts and leftover roasted vegetables into a fantastic salad, or mix your leftovers with some fresh veggies into a healthy bowl. Double your recipes and utilize your leftovers. You’ll be stretching your food preparation time. Time expands when you’re using your food in multiple ways.
6.) Get Support and Find Community
Talk with a support system about making sustainable changes. Your community will have some great ideas for healthy eating habits. I call these people my “yay people.” Not everyone has to agree with you, but we are moving in the same direction and supporting each other.
A dictionary definition for a community “is a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.”
Being in a community of people on a healing journey helps all involved. Gathering in the kitchen is an excellent way to begin to show how being in a community can heal.
“In continuous health, healing and light, we heal through community support”
Brandy Lane Hickman
Inspired Nutrition and Health Coaching, Living Light
(417)861-6682 | brandy@2bwellspringfield.com