Eating healthy and affordable is critical in maintaining a healthy and happy life style. With the “no end in sight” pandemic, more people are choosing to eat at home which in turn leads to a time crunch with every household member having a different schedule. How do you make healthy meals that is affordable and healthy with limited time? I am here to help solve this problem and offer some tips and tricks to save time and money while still serving healthy meals that everyone will enjoy!
One of the most common barriers that I have found and heard from others is finding the time to prepare healthy meals. People today have a hard time finding time to sit down and eat a meal let alone prepare one, so the main key is planning! My wife and I have very hectic schedules with work and the kids so we have to sit down on a weekend day and plan our meals for the upcoming week. We do our grocery shopping around our planned meals which helps save money. Having a plan is a great way to kick off the school year right and prepare those healthy meals. Creating a menu of healthy food choices that everyone can agree on is another way to stay on task and within your budget.
Another way to get organized to help plan or prepare healthy meals is the right kitchen appliances or equipment. I am not suggesting going out and buying a bunch of kitchen appliances that you are only going to use once or twice. I suggest either one, getting a blender, air fryer, crock pot or insta-pot, or two, just using what you already have and work around it.
One suggestion in planning a healthy meal is oatmeal in the crock pot. Make oatmeal the night before and put it in the crock pot and let it cook all night and when you get up you will have a nice hot, healthy breakfast that is fast and easy on those cold school, rushed mornings. TIP: Only use steel cut oats for this prep, regular oatmeal will not work! Plus you can add cinnamon, fruit or your favorite toppings.
Another added benefit to eating healthier at home is the research. Research has shown and proven that family meals are associated with better mental health outcomes, less childhood obesity, and less youth drug abuse just to name a few. So it is imperative to make the time and plan out a menu, stick to a budget, and make healthier meals at home and enjoy family time to live a more healthier happier life.
Keep an eye out for more post like this one and recipes to help busy parents exercise, eat and live healthier, happier lives.
Thank you
Darren
Harmony Shift 