A Healthy Change

A Healthy Change Taking care of your health is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  Being healthy is the center point at which we can accomplish a great many things.  Although many changes need to be internal, there are some external changes that, when applied become a HUGE factor in overall success.This week's topic:Organizing Your Kitchen for a Healthy YOU!A kitchen in chaos can deter weight-loss efforts.  Rotting fruit and no fresh vegetables, leftover Chinese food in the fridge.  An unhealthy kitchen just doesn't support a healthy lifestyle, but simple changes can lead to the path of success.  If the kitchen needs a makeover, reorganize it with tried and true suggestions: Reduce Clutter:  At the end of a long day, you come home to cook dinner, and your kitchen is a mess…what do you do?  Grab the easiest (and not so healthy) thing and get out as fast as you can?  Throw your hands up and say “Let’s Order In?”  It is much easier to think about what to make when your environment doesn’t scare you away!  Don’t believe it…why not give it a try?  Hang a few baskets to put that mail in, have a place for keys and make a “No UN-loading Zone” rule for the kitchen table.   Rethink Placement.  Don't hide fruit in the produce drawer.  Store it in bowls on the counter and see-through containers with covers in the fridge.  Cut up large fruit (such as melons) into chunks so that they're ready to eat.  Put low-fat and nonfat dairy products such as yogurt and cheese where they can be easily seen.  Store diet-unfriendly items (like that box of cookies you've been saving for company), toward the back of the pantry.  Leftover goodies?  Live with a sugar junkie?  Tuck away temptations in the oven.  Keep It Handy.  Keeping healthy ingredients on hand is only half the battle—actually eating them is what's important. Set aside some time each week to cook in bulk – like during a television show – and then store portions in individual containers for convenience.  Just reheat and enjoy.  Frozen grapes and mandarin orange slices are a much healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth than cookies.  And grabbing the mini version of your favorite candy bar is a great way to indulge your love of chocolate without falling off track.  Buy good-for-you alternatives along with single-serving package sizes of favorites whenever possible.  Choose the Right Cookware.  What you see is often what you get.  So store that deep fryer out of view and put those worn, begging-for-tons-of-oil skillets out of their misery.  With smarter placement of certain kitchenware and a well-stocked arsenal of others, it is easy to become a master chef.  Most low-fat cooks know that a great set of nonstick pots and pans are key for preparing healthy cuisine.  Also invest in such healthy helpers as an indoor grill, a steamer and a salad spinner.  A good quality, very sharp knife is a must!  Surrounding yourself with the right tools allows you to make healthy eating choices no matter how busy your schedule. Kitchen in desperate need of a “Healthy Makeover?”  Contact kathi@healthymotivation.net for a private consultation and home visit to help you get on the right track towards healthy living! (Limited area).