Cindy's Stuff
I came to a crossroads recently - I didn't feel well. I was overweight, unhealthy and sluggish. This is a little window of what worked for me and the surprises along the way.
The garden I started was more than vegetables. Cooking well, especially with produce, became a self-imposed challenge. It was/is a fun project that resulted in new, healthy menus. We have been eating on the run. In a cost conscientious attempt at food shopping, we often buy packaged food. It's cheaper to buy potato chips or box of instant scalloped potatoes than it is to buy a bag of carrots!). We are food prepping against deadlines and schedules. We often consume for stress. We eat a lot; however, we do not eat well! Preservatives, chemicals, and disproportionately unhealthy ingredients (sugars, fats, etc.) contribute to our ever increasing wasteline (yes, I mean "waste" line!) and our general unwellness. Cheer up, though, there is hope! It might be time-expensive on the front end, but not for long - and you'll feel better. What to do? A couple of things worked for me.
Plan, Plant, Prepare, Preserve - I decided to start a tiny garden experiment that led me a happy trail and learning experience. I had so much fun with my garden; just call me the Accidental Gardener! It wasn't a well thought out plan but a series of fortunate results that took shape. Don't despair if you can't have a garden, enjoy your local produce stands instead - they'll love you for it. Buy Locally and Make It work For You! I lost weight and more importantly, felt better than I have in years by accidentally changing my eating habits. My self-imposed challenge was instrumental to all that changed in my life -- eating better, feeling better, learning to preserve great food, cooking well, and the huge savings was an added bonus.
Eat Well - Be Well - Recipes for Success!