Let's Start at the Very Beginning...
A very good place to start.
You might be wondering what I mean when I talk about eating clean or focusing on whole foods. There are no absolutes here--everyone has their own definitions and their own place where they draw the line.
Michael Pollan talks about purchasing food from the grocery store with no more than five ingredients (and if you can't pronounce them, don't buy it) and others talking about "shopping the outside aisles of the store." For me, it's a balance between eating healthy, whole, and minimally processed foods and convenience.
I love to cook. I always have. While you don't have to love to cook to live a cleaner (and lower weight) lifestyle, you've got to be willing to do it, plain and simple. But I'm also busy. I work 40+ hours a week and have other activities beyond grocery shopping and food prep.
In our house, I cook about four nights a week. Not gourmet meals by any stretch but good, wholesome meals. Sometimes it might be all fresh-made food like a roast chicken, Spicy Orange Noodles (try it--they're insane), and roasted green beans, and sometimes it's a pre-made pizza crust (Rustic Crust kicks ass) with organic mozzarella, Muir Glen pizza sauce, and Hatch, NM green chilis from my freezer (we buy two bushels fresh every summer, freeze them, and eat them through the year--in and on everything.)
It's a mix of fresh and homemade, and minimally processed. Snacks are the same. Many times I have a yogurt, fruit, veggies, hummus, Kashi crackers, string cheese, raisins, and the like. Other times, I'm in a rush and grab a "nutrition bar" (Clif Kids bars are my faves right now) or a pack of microwave popcorn. What I don't do is eat those processed things every day. It's all about balance. And sometimes you've just got to make the best choice you can. Eating microwave popcorn is far preferable to getting too hungry and eating everything but the kitchen sink when I walk in the door. That never ends well and then I beat myself up for not making a smarter choice, both nutritionally and "diet"-wise.
So, what are you doing? What are your fall-back convenience foods? Give me some new ideas! (Oh, and Wild Cherry M&Ms don't count, though they are freaking awesome.)
You might be wondering what I mean when I talk about eating clean or focusing on whole foods. There are no absolutes here--everyone has their own definitions and their own place where they draw the line.
Michael Pollan talks about purchasing food from the grocery store with no more than five ingredients (and if you can't pronounce them, don't buy it) and others talking about "shopping the outside aisles of the store." For me, it's a balance between eating healthy, whole, and minimally processed foods and convenience.
I love to cook. I always have. While you don't have to love to cook to live a cleaner (and lower weight) lifestyle, you've got to be willing to do it, plain and simple. But I'm also busy. I work 40+ hours a week and have other activities beyond grocery shopping and food prep.
In our house, I cook about four nights a week. Not gourmet meals by any stretch but good, wholesome meals. Sometimes it might be all fresh-made food like a roast chicken, Spicy Orange Noodles (try it--they're insane), and roasted green beans, and sometimes it's a pre-made pizza crust (Rustic Crust kicks ass) with organic mozzarella, Muir Glen pizza sauce, and Hatch, NM green chilis from my freezer (we buy two bushels fresh every summer, freeze them, and eat them through the year--in and on everything.)
It's a mix of fresh and homemade, and minimally processed. Snacks are the same. Many times I have a yogurt, fruit, veggies, hummus, Kashi crackers, string cheese, raisins, and the like. Other times, I'm in a rush and grab a "nutrition bar" (Clif Kids bars are my faves right now) or a pack of microwave popcorn. What I don't do is eat those processed things every day. It's all about balance. And sometimes you've just got to make the best choice you can. Eating microwave popcorn is far preferable to getting too hungry and eating everything but the kitchen sink when I walk in the door. That never ends well and then I beat myself up for not making a smarter choice, both nutritionally and "diet"-wise.
So, what are you doing? What are your fall-back convenience foods? Give me some new ideas! (Oh, and Wild Cherry M&Ms don't count, though they are freaking awesome.)
posted by Kay at
4:45 PM
6 Comments:
I've recently discovered Larabars, which are minimally processed. I also like keeping olives around, and cut up broccoli and hummus is always good.
Another one that can be a meal or a snack is sushi -- even little veggie rolls. They can be filling, only need refrigeration, and taste pretty good. They've saved me from more than a few binges on potato chips or peanuts.
You know, I have to confess that Larabars are made here in Denver and I've never had one. Maybe I'll buy some and do some blog taste-testing.
Please do. I'm too lazy to buy them all and decide which flavors I like best. I'd much rather you do it. TIA!
The orange noodles look amaaazing! Where were you last week when I had a pound of cilantro to use up?
I also like Clif Kids bars but really love their Nectar bars now. They are like Larabars, only slightly smaller and different flavors. Most have five ingredients or fewer. I buy them by the case from Amazon. My favorite Nectar bar is cinnamon pecan (dates, pecans, vanilla, cinnamon) and my favorite regular Clif Bar is Maple Nut. Always having those at work is what keeps me from the vending machine.
I think my biggest convenience food these days is the same as yours: cook & freeze. I chop a whole bunch of onion at one time so I don't have to get out the food processor every time I need a cup (or worse, chop myself!). Cooked rice also freezes very well in individual portions. I make big batches of bread cut into 1/4 loaf chunks, and freeze.
I also like Morningstar products and they have like 25 ingredients but they're all good! Amy's frozen meals an pizzas are good in a pinch, especially when I get home at 9 and haven't eaten. I love her soups too. I'm sure I will think of more...
I keep those little tubs of unsweetened applesauce in my desk for a quick snack. They're nestled in right next to the microwave popcorn.
Since it's just two of us for dinner, there are frequently leftovers that make for a quick lunch and I freeze soups, too.
I've been making my own granola and I'll carry in a container of it at the beginning of the week to have with my Fage for breakfast. I'll usually add some fruit to that mix as well. I've also been making my own Core hummus and tapenade so, along with the standard carrots, celery, and other crunchy veggies I have a healthy and hearty Core snack for late afternoon.
What really helps me avoid the processed stuff is one of those small cooler bags. I put a freezer pack in the bottom and at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies in it. It stays cold all day, I'm meeting some of my good health guidelines, and majority of the "processing" is me and a bigass knife.
Thanks for all the good ideas. And inspiration--Mo is getting her own series of posts on Larabars. I figure buying one of each flavor and eating them all at once is irresponsible. I'll spread out the goodness. :D
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home