Cooking Can Become a Healthy Habit…Even in a Busy World
I love to cook. It’s relaxing and a great way to connect with friends and family.
I also love to eat. So trying new recipes and cooking with fresh ingredients allows me to enjoy the experience without questioning calories or content.
But the biggest payoff is presenting a freshly prepared meal to a loved-one. I get huge satisfaction in providing sound nutrition and a joyful experience that goes way beyond the sandwich or protein bar they ate for lunch.
And like many of you, I am busy. I understand that cooking, and the subsequent clean up, can appear time consuming. But I am here today to take a stand for you. Why is this? Because Why’s this? Because cooking and preparing meals for yourself an your family is a required habit if you plan to live healthfully for a lifetime.
So, how do you do this in a busy world? You PLAN. You don’t need gourmet recipes, elaborate cooking tools or even a fancy kitchen. You just need time.
So today, I want you to decide what you can take out of your schedule every week to make room for the following:
1) 20 minutes to plan meals at home for four nights
2) 10 minutes to make a grocery list
3) 45 minutes to shop for groceries (including drive-time)
That’s 75 minutes per week.
Now I want you to decide what you can take out of your existing schedule four nights a week to make room for the following:
1) 30 minutes to prepare a meal
2) 30 minutes to sit and enjoy your meal (although 60 minutes would be better).
3) 5 minutes to clean up.
That’s 65 minutes a night (four nights a week) to prepare and enjoy your evening meal.
Your total for the week is 335 minutes. This is less than 6 hours a week where you are planning, preparing and enjoying freshly prepared meals at home.
Here are activities you can eliminate that will open up those 6-hours :
1) 60 minutes of TV 6 nights per week = 6 hours
2) 60 minutes of Facebook or Internet searching 6 nights per week = 6 hours
3) Wake 30 min. early and end your day 30 min. early 6 days per week = 6 hours
4) Six hours of tasks assigned to your spouse, friends or other family members:
- Laundry/Folding – 60 minutes
- Running Errands – 60 minutes
- Tidying the house – 60 minutes
- Yardwork – 60 minutes
- Getting kids ready for school – 60 minutes
- Driving kids to and from sports – 60 minutes
5) 60 minutes of chit-chat with a friend 6 nights per week = 6 hours (instead, invite them over for dinner!)
When you commit to this process, I guarantee your life will change. You will get more out of cooking and eating fresh food than anything you get from the “time-killers” that currently consume your day.
And, if you’re looking for quick and easy recipes to get you started, please visit my website at www.maxlifetherapies.com.
Take this on TODAY. Have fun and Bon Appetit!
