Too busy to eat healthy? Here are 3 easy solutions

Have you ever looked in your fridge at the wilting kale and organic peppers that you swore you'd cook for your family and wonder why even try? I must admit, sometimes the thought of cooking and eating healthy, home cooked meals every day can be overwhelming. From wondering what to make or how to spice up an old recipe... one thing I've learned is that it's helpful to be organized and think ahead. This will help you avoid running through the drive through because "I have nothing at home to eat".

1. Stock up on frozen foods. 
Yes, fresh is better. But let's be real. Busy people need fast options that don't include Taco Bell. 

• Here's a few staples to keep around: 
• Frozen organic broccoli - super fast to make and an easy addition to any meal. Costco has a great deal on this. 
• Frozen veggie burgers (soy protein free) - try Dr. Praeger's California burgers. They are really good and my 15 month old devours them. They are non-GMO and contains only whole ingredients that you can pronounce. 
• Frozen organic fruit - once again - Costco has a great deal on Cascadian Farms frozen berries. This is perfect for making daily smoothies.

2. Cook in bulk. 

When you cook, make enough for 2-4 meals. This way you can skip a few days of cooking and still stay on track with your healthy lifestyle. Here are a couple of ideas.

• Vegetable Soups - you can basically throw in any veggies and canned beans that you have lying around. Saute onion and garlic in some olive oil, throw in the other veggies until soft, add some vegetable broth or water, a few cans of beans - bring to a boil then simmer.  You can add sweet potato to thicken it up. My little one can throw back some vegetable bean soup. 
• Black Bean/Quinoa Burgers - Make a bunch of these and either freeze or refrigerate and eat throughout the week.  Another one of my baby's favorites. 

3. Keep the staples in the house. 

This includes... 

• Dry, canned, or boxed organic beans
• Organic Rice and Quinoa
• Quinoa or whole wheat pasta
• Canned tomatoes for a quick pasta sauce. 
• VERY dark organic chocolate (at least 70% cocao) ;) A must in my household. 

Recently, I became tired of buying food and forgetting I had. I got this idea from my crafty cousin Chantal. It's really helped me organize and save money at the grocery store. It's really easy to make too. Just buy any frame and use scrap-book paper for a background and cut out the details. I was super thrifty and got some  paint swatches from Home Depot to add in a few other colors for the flowers. : ) 

If you replace one fast food meal with home cooked plant based foods per week- you are doing you and your family a great service. 

Happy health!