I’m going to bust a myth right now for all the junk food junkies out there: Eating well does not mean giving up the convenience of a quick meal.
Of course, when you choose to eat natural, whole foods, you can pretty much say “so long” to the drive through. And that can be tough. Especially if you work long hours or have to juggle the endless responsibilities and activities that come with having kids.
Grabbing a bite on the fly is an easy way to gain time when you need it. But the repercussions of eating fast food can have lasting effects on your health and on that of your kids.
The great thing about eating well (besides how it optimizes health and tastes great) is that it can be convenient. But here’s the catch – it takes planning and cooking ahead.
To make sure that your week runs as smoothy as possible and that a tasty, healthy, convenient meal is always at your fingertips, try to stock your fridge and freezer with fresh, natural whole foods at the beginning of each week.
Besides regularly cooking large meals so that you will have plenty of leftovers, try to cook at least 2 or more beef / pork / poultry courses at the same time so that you don’t have to cook protein every night. This will allow you to have ready-cooked meat in the fridge that you can quickly toss into salads and soups, put in lettuce wraps, use in lettuce fajitas, and add to stir fries, etc.
I don’t advise cooking fish too much in advance as leftover fish is only good for 3 or so days (and that’s if it is refrigerated within 1-2 hours after its cooked). To be on the safe side, I usually only cook enough fish to last me a couple of days.
Soups are a great thing to cook in advance as they often freeze well. Freezing them in portion sizes is a great way to have them ready to go. Just heat, toss in a thermos and off you go!
When it comes to veggies, the best time-saving item to invest in is a large (preferably glass) container with a lid in which you can store rinsed and ready cut veggies or salads in the fridge. This strategy is also great for parents since it allows you to pack lunches easily and increases the chances that your kids will receive a variety of veggies everyday.
For those of you whose health can handle a few carbs, precooking quinoa and freezing it is also a wonderful time-saving method. It freezes beautifully and heats up quickly when you need it. I have also heard that cauliflower “rice” freezes well, but I haven’t tried it myself.
And don’t forget the nuts. If your health allows them, try to always have bags of raw pecans, almonds and hazelnuts in the fridge (not peanuts or pistachios, though, as they can feed silent infections in the body). Nuts are a quick source of protein and super easy to take with you on the go.
Of course, shopping for and preparing healthy food does take time, that’s a given. But these methods can help free up more time in your week and allow you to continue eating healthy on days when you are rushing out the door or don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
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Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
