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Thursday, February 13, 2014

You're Fired!!!


Hopefully those resolutions have become less of a resolution and more a part of your daily routine.  Living healthier doesn't have to be boring, bland or torturous.  However, stacking the odds in your favor of maintaining this healthy streak will make the transition that much smoother.  You've taken the first step already by deciding on a healthier you. The next step is to take roll call of what assists you in this endeavor and what you need to give the pink slip.

This brings us to the most important room of the entire home, the kitchen.  Whether you are a gourmet chef or a drive through style cuisinier, taking inventory of what is in your fridge and cupboards is a much needed and empowering move.  You are the boss, everything in your kitchen either works for you or it doesn't (pun intended).

Entering the kitchen can feel like entering the abyss.  What are you looking for?  What assists me and what doesn't?  Here are some ground rules to makes things less painful.  

Ground Rules for those new to the healthy highway:

On a budget...
1.  Make changes gradually.  For instance, once you use up the cholesterol laden butter and milk, replace it with a healthier choice like coconut spread and a nondairy milk instead.  There are many nondairy choices out there, so if you don't like one you can use it up in baking/cooking and then try another, that way you won't feel as if you're wasting money.  
2.  Even on a budget, you can add in more produce and less processed or fast foods.  Bananas, kiwi, watermelon, oranges, carrots (peel them prior to eating), avocados, pineapple, tomatoes, asparagus and eggplant are all good options that don't necessarily need to be organic. 
3.  Start a savings for necessary equipment such as a juicer, food processor and a good blender that can grind frozen fruits and ice easily.  Ask family and friends for their Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons to get added savings on these items.   
4.  Once you run out of the boxed, frozen dinners and other processed items, do not replace them with more.  Instead, stock the kitchen with whole foods such as rice, quinoa, lentils, beans and fresh or frozen produce.  
5.  Also read below regarding replacing oils and sugar.  

Budget not a factor...
1.  Start by pitching or composting items.  For items that are unopened you can donate them to local charities or shelters.  
2.  Replace oils that are the most damaging to the body.  These would be any refined oils, read the labels to find out.  Replace these with unrefined oils, such as extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil.  Another way to reduce damage from oils is to use less and cook at lower temperatures.  For example, in baking, if a recipe calls for 1/2 c. of canola oil use 1/4 c. of melted coconut oil and 1/4 c. of applesauce or some kind of pureed fruit or veggie.  
3.  Next, toss the refined sugars.  White sugar, brown sugar and corn syrup definitely need to get fired!  Seriously, don't listen to the commercials.  Sugar is not sugar, it damages the body.  Although organic sugar does not have the added chemicals, it is still garbage to your body.  Instead, opt for coconut sugar, you can use it 1:1 in recipes. Coconut sugar looks a lot like brown sugar, actually contains small amounts of minerals and won't leave you feeling sluggish.  Being the eco conscious god or goddess that you are, make sure you purchase sustainably grown and produced coconut sugar.  If you're not addicted to sugar, try eliminating or using less sugar than the recipe calls for.  For example, if the recipe calls for 1 c. of sugar, use 1/2 c. coconut sugar and 1/2 c.  of mashed very ripe bananas.  
4.  Get rid of all the processed junk and then stock up with more whole foods such as rice, quinoa, lentils, beans and fresh or frozen produce. 
5.  Purchase necessary equipment such as a juicer, food processor and a good blender that can grind frozen fruits and ice easily.  Bed, Bath & Beyond, Costco and Target carry a wide variety of each. 

Now that you are armed with what to look for, get in there, take charge and fire all those slackers!