Choices Road Trip for Health Week 7: Cook from Scratch at Home.
YOU ARE READY FOR THIS CHALLENGE!
In the past few weeks the focus has been on taking steps toward this goal. Time to take it to the next level!
GETTING ORGANIZED IS THE KEY
Studies show that more Americans than ever before are grocery shopping daily without planning meals. This is a sure way to buy more than you need (impulse shopping) and buy fast, processed options. You will save money and eat healthier if you have a plan before setting foot in a grocery store.
PLAN AND CREATE A SHOPPING LIST
If your brain hurts trying to get your head around the idea of planning, prepping, and cooking—And you’d just love it if someone else would put together the menus and shopping lists—Do Not Despair! There are websites to help you do just that!
The Kitchn
From their website: "Cooking is easy. Planning is hard. You've found a recipe you love, but now what? How do you create a meal around it? What about a side dish, and what happens to the leftover ingredients? Most importantly: how do you make the recipes you love fit into your busy life? The Kitchn's meal plans help you put it all together."
Click here to check out this cool website!
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine—Vegan Planner
This is such a great resource if you are following a vegan diet, or considering transitioning to a more plant based diet. Click here for their 21 Day Kickstart that includes meal planning, shopping lists, and recipes!
Gluten Intolerance Group—Gluten Free Planner
If you're gluten-free, we've got you covered too! Thanks to the Gluten Intolerance Group! Click here for meal plans and shopping lists!
PREPARE INGREDIENTS FOR THE WEEK
You are much more likely to cook from scratch if you can put delicious meals together quickly. Time invested on the weekend will help you prepare for the week ahead.
Lindsay from theleangreenbean.com offers some simple, informative advice by sharing her weekend prep routine. You can check it out here.
If you're a visual learner, like me, maybe this video from “Downshiftology” will help inspire you to begin a meal prep routine that will keep healthy food on your family's table...even during the busiest weeks! It features meal prep of 9 ingredients for flexible healthy recipes. There are videos for winter, spring, and summer meal prep too!