Healthy Eating Starts Here

Healthful eating isn’t easy.  We’re bombarded with messages in our eat-it-now at all times of the day, food-abundant culture luring us into fast-food restaurants multiple times a day.  It’s so convenient, it’s so easy and it’s so tasty . . . and it’s so unhealthy!  We’re sucked in by clever slogans and colorful signs.  So it’s no wonder we’re not getting the nutrition our bodies need; fast food is loaded with useless unhealthy ingredients which we store in our bellies and our arteries.  The more we eat, the more we want.  And that’s exactly how fast food marketers designed it.  Do you really think they care about our health?  Not at all.

It takes a powerful commitment to want to eat more healthfully.  Once we’ve made the decision to cut out the middle “convenience” man, we’re left with the good old fashioned “do- it-myself” option.  For many of my clients purchasing, prepping and cooking their own meals seems overwhelming.  I totally get that.  It does take more time and it’s not as convenient.  But eating fresh, wholesome, less processed foods changes your life (and your health) for the better.  You feel so much better.  You’re now in charge of what you’re eating; you decide what goes on your plate–whatever your body needs and wants, not just what is on the menu.

Grocery stores like my local Albertsons on Broadway are making it so much easier these days to help us in our healthful eating goals.  Pre-cut vegetables and fresh salad bars are popping up in produce aisles across America.  I remember when baby carrots made their debut in about 1986.  We no longer had to scrape and cut carrots.  Suddenly carrot consumption went way up; in fact carrot consumption doubled in 10 years and waste was reduced dramatically.  Manufacturers started looking for other ways to provide more convenient ways to eat healthfully.  Another example is bagged salads; they became the rage and yes, salad consumption is way up.

Want to try a yummy salad that starts with a bag of shaved Brussels sprouts?  Check out this tasty Albertsons recipe here: Winter Salad with with Granny Smith Apple Vinaigrette or at the bottom of this blog post.

Other healthful and convenient foods are canned tomato or bean products, canned tuna or salmon.  I use frozen brown rice, frozen chopped onions and other stir-fry vegetable blends; pick up frozen fruits to use in smoothies.  In the meat department try pre-seasoned meat kabobs, thin-sliced chicken breasts or pre-cooked shrimp.  I’m a fan of rotisserie chicken on or off the bone sold in the deli department along with shaved or grated cheeses, great for cooked eggs, salads or soups. Speaking of soups, it’s A-OK to start with a canned soup or chili and add extra meats and vegetables to pump up the nutritional value.  Here are a few quick and easy recipes from the blog that use pre-cut, pre-cooked, canned or frozen products or other convenient grocery store foods:

• Chunky Beef and Bean Chili
• Mediterranean Tuna Salad
• Shrimp with Zesty Cocktail Sauce
• Simple Peach Coconut Green Smoothie
• Chicken Avocado Salad
• Chicken, Feta and Roasted Red Pepper Tortilla Wraps
• Sweet Potato, White Bean and Ham Soup

To spread the word about available healthy eating options our local Boise Albertsons on Broadway is hosting two great events this weekend.  Here are the details:

Healthy Eating Expo-Saturday, January 5^th and Sunday, January 6th

Just for the Health of it

• Enjoy a variety of tasty samples that are sure to inspire you to strive for optimal health.
• Date: Saturday, January 5th
• Time: 1:00-5:00pm
• Place:  Albertsons on Broadway (1219 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83706)

Free Kid’s Event

• Children ages 5-12 get to be a chef for a day and decorate their own mini pizza. Located in the event room in Broadway on the Rocks.
• Date: Sunday, January 6th
• Time: 1:30-2:30pm
• Place:  Albertsons on Broadway (1219 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83706)

HERE’S TO A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!