Healthy Eating Plan

Ok...let's look at the whole picture. What will make up your simple wellness guide? Hopefully, it will include eating healthy, exercise, rest, fun, relaxation, family, work, friendships, and maybe even a cruise!

If you are anything like the rest of the world, you are a busy person! Rush, rush, rush!

Some of us have 2 jobs plus all the rest of everyday life stuff. And when do we have some fun? And by the way, when do we sleep?

Let's look at healthy eating. Not a diet, just good old fashioned healthy eating habits. Let's get back to the basics and keep it simple.

So let's think about how we can prepare healthy foods quickly and of course inexpensively.

I think you will probably agree with me that fresh foods are good for us. I would love to be able to have fresh vegetables every day, however, for me, that is unrealistic. I do not have my own garden anymore which I really do miss! I use to be able to have fresh green beans and tomatoes because I canned and had a huge freezer. Now I live in a condo and have not been able to grow a tomato in a flower pot very well. So, I need to work with what I have.

First of all, stay away from ALL fast food places unless you are getting a nice salad or a "fat-free" yogurt! Even for drive thru coffee in the morning. You will be more tempted to get something sweet or greasy "just to get you going". Invest in a "to go" cup and take your morning beverage with you! My Mom gave me a mug that plugs into the car lighter so I can have my hot coffee on the way to work. However, be careful with that and drive safe!

I do need something to eat for breakfast or I am starved by 10:30am. I will eat a bowl of oatmeal or no-fat cereal and a piece of fruit. If I don't eat something, I'll grab anything before lunch and it is usually not healthy!

Lunch usually consists of a salad with tuna, shrimp, hamburger, chicken or whatever is left over from the night before.

Dinner is very simple also. Whatever you prefer, meat or fish, brown rice or potato and a veggie. Of course a nice salad is always a filler.

Snacks Anyone?

Don't forget your snacks! Healthy snacks. Have some grapes in a bowl in the fridge. When you are standing there, looking for something, grab a grape. It will satisfy the "I gotta have it now" syndrome.

Try some popcorn. No butter of course. How about some cheese sticks? Pretzels are a healthy snack also. You know those veggies I have for my salad at lunch time? Cut up some extra ones and have them for a snack. With today's economy, I can put this stuff in a bag and take it to work with me.

I have to admit, sometimes I do have to have a small piece of chocolate. I know, shame on me! I said this is a program of progress, not perfection!

If you can have fresh food on a daily basis, great! However, if you are like me, I need to shop once a week and move on. Now that takes some planning. You can do it.

The real trick to this is really very simple. Take some time to plan each day, each meal and stick with it. Take that list to the grocery store and buy only what you need for the week. Try it for a few weeks and you will see how much more time you have and you will be eating healthier. And you will be saving money!

The whole point of this is to begin eating healthier. The more you are aware of your eating habits, the more you will be able to begin to making some changes. Try writing down on a piece of paper what you eat all day long. I think you will be surprised at the "stuff" you really don't need!

There are so many "diets" and probably some of them work, however, you have to find the one that is right for you. Consult your Doctor and go from there. Weight Watchers is one of the most popular food plans that seems to be very healthy.

So, just begin and...

Keep it simple!