Fit Girl: A healthy quick fix

Fit Girl: A healthy quick fix

Friday, February 03, 2012

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Wednesday, May 09, 2012

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Wednesday, May 09, 2012
   

I found myself sitting on the couch the other night dreading the walk to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

With my husband abroad and my schedule packed, it’s easier these days to order in or sneak to the drive-thru.

At least it is in my head.

I think we all fall into that trap more than we care to admit; giving into the idea that someone else preparing our meals will save us time, energy and be just as rewarding.

But if the greasy, bogged-down feeling of the restaurant meal has you wishing your waistline was smaller and your wallet more full, may I suggest the route I default to without fail?

Plan ahead.

It’s the surest way to success, and it helps prevent the sinking feeling when you open the fridge to find barren shelves or spoiled leftovers.

Here are some quick, simple ideas that take little effort, but can fit even the busiest of schedules. They’re an easy fall-back for those nights when the thought of cooking is as attractive as a root canal.
  • Make a menu a week (or two!) in advance, then shop for all necessary items at once. You’ll save time and money consolidating trips.
  • Chop your veggies before you put them away. They’ll be an easy grab when needed.
  • Cook two (or more) meals at once, preferably on your slowest day, or make extra portions and save the leftovers. Just be sure to eat them before they spoil! Avoid boredom and season meat differently to give it a “fresh” taste.
  • Dust off your slow cooker, or invest in a new one, and let it cook while you’re on the go. Just throw in the ingredients, turn it on and dinner’s ready when you are. There are literally thousands of healthy recipes lurking about the Internet.
  • Ground chicken and turkey breast offer the same taste as their “whole” counterparts, but they cook much quicker—two pounds can be ready in less than 5 minutes. You can eat it separately or in a mixed dish. I often throw ground chicken in with veggies and brown rice, or mix ground pork with black beans. The combinations are endless.
  • Why stop with dinner? Boil eggs in advance for a quick grab in the morning. Protein shakes offer a speedy alternative, as well.
Get creative. Find out what works and stick with it. Your waistline-and pocketbook- will thank you!