Congrats! You are looking to make a lifestyle change…a healthy household. Many people have made this decision for years. Some successful. Some, not so much. However, I think it’s important to change more than our diet if we want to succeed.
If you are looking for a healthier lifestyle, you probably already know to cut out the soda, salt, and other bad-for-you items. However, are you aware that there are ways to prep your kitchen better in order to help you reach and maintain your goal?
A great quote by Hippocrates says it best; “Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.”
Having the right tools and ingredients stocked in the kitchen could benefit a household in two ways. First, if I spend the money on something, I’m not going to waste it. And second, having it all in the kitchen is convenient. For example, if I spend the money on groceries, or a special item like an all Clad pan. I’m going to make sure I use it. And, if it’s there and ready to use, it makes cooking easier.
The Fridge
No time like now to clean out the refrigerator. While you are doing it, throw out all old items that shouldn’t be used any longer. Hopefully, some of those items are processed meats and cheeses. I said ‘hopefully’, because I don’t like to waste food.
Start replacing these items with fresh food such as veggies, yogurts, fruits and nuts. However, I won’t say to get rid of butter, mayonnaise, and other fats, because they are needed at times for making dishes that can still be relatively healthy, or enjoyed in moderation.
The Pantry
Just as you do with the refrigerator, remove all old items that you won’t be using. Fill the void with the healthy items such as whole wheat flour in place of white, or pretzels in place of chocolate bars. If it’s a non-perishable item but you still won’t use it, donate it to your local food bank.
Stock up on a nice variety of dried spices and herbs. Spices are a great way to add a lot of flavor, without calories. If you will use them before they go bad, get fresh herbs and store them in the refrigerator. Anytime I can use fresh, I will for depth of flavor.
The idea is to furnish your kitchen with healthier alternatives, as long as you will use them.
The Right Stuff
Take your kitchen to new heights with all the proper tools. Cooking healthier can actually be a lot of fun, especially if you have the right equipment to make it easy. Here are some that I am considering, or already have:
- Immersion Blender. You can make flavorful and healthy soups and smoothies.
- Non-stick Frying Pan. This will allow you to ‘fry’ without all the oil or butter.
- Zester. A zester is great for zesting fresh lemon rind, especially on fish.
- Garlic Roaster. Roast your own fresh garlic for great taste in meals.
- Meat Thermometer. Enjoy flavorful and moist meats cooked at just the right temperature.
- Scale. Weigh your portions to know what your intake is.
Do some research on various tools to help you with healthy cooking. Anytime I get a new kitchen tool or ingredient, I like to experiment by trying new dishes. For example, when I get my new all clad stainless cookware set, I plan on doing a lot of experimenting!
And, speaking of experimenting…
Cookbooks and Other Sources
To keep on the path of eating healthy, it’s important to have a variety of healthy recipes and ideas. One source is a traditional cookbook, and there are plenty of them out there for cooking healthy. You can find them with certain ethnic styles such as Italian, or just a general healthy cookbook. I love a good cookbook, almost as much as a good novel.
Another way to find good recipes, and one that I particularly enjoy, is the Internet. You can find recipes for just about anything on the web, with details of the recipes, as well as reviews. There are also free websites that allow you search their database for hundreds of recipes, based on keywords. Some will even let you contribute recipes and store them in your free account, all while adding up the nutritional information for you.
In Closing
The key to reaching a healthy lifestyle is to live like you already have one. Have the healthy foods in the house, and get rid of the temptation that will tempt you too much. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy something ‘sinful’ once in a while, as long as it’s in moderation in both portion size and frequency.
Soon, it will all become habit and you will feel and look your best…for life. You will also be teaching your kids how to take care of their health, which is worth it all on its own.
