Do you struggle with finding time to make sure your family gets a healthy dinner? With work, running kids to practices/lessons/games, helping with homework, etc - it often seems like the best option is the quickest option (AKA - fast food.) However, with the Center for Disease Control recently reporting that 17% of children in the U.S. aged 2-19 are obese (and 33.8% of adults), it's time we rethink our faster is better approach to eating.
Our biggest enemy is lack of time. So, take a look at your schedule and decide what day you can dedicate a chunk of time to preventing you and your family from developing diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other obesity-related diseases. For me the weekend works best, but find what works best for you, then plan ahead. What are some healthy dinners you can make in the coming week? Make a shopping list of ingredients needed and get your grocery shopping done - all at once! Next, take about an hour and prepare anything that you can. Brown your lean hamburger or (lean) ground chicken/turkey, and cook or just season any other meat - as appropriate. Wash and cut vegetables and fruits so they are handy and ready to grab and eat. Pre-cook things like brown rice, pasta, or quinoa so that you can re-heat it quickly later. Think ahead and prepare the things take "too long" and often deter you from making a healthy meal. You will love having your fridge stocked with healthy meals and snacks ready to roll out in no time at all.
I challenge you to try this - at least once. I have a feeling you will love not having to stress about meals and being able to eat and serve something you feel good about. You just might decide to make this a healthy new habit for you and your family. I hope you do!
