Power

I get asked all the time about a "plan" or other convenient way to eat a healthy diet. Truth is, nothing like this really exists. Mind reading software is not available (yet) so there's not really a meal plan out there that completely satisfies individual needs.

Let's face it - this drive for convenience is what got us in trouble in the first place, let's turn the tables and not use convenience as a motivator. There is power in planning and cooking for yourself and your family. It's the single most powerful thing you can do for your health. Food preparation can be simple, no need to make recipes with long ingredient lists. Have a simple chopped winter squash mixed with olive oil and salt and roasted in the oven served with black beans and greens. Perhaps top it with some goat or gorgonzola cheese. It's easy and delicious, and keeps well so you can have more for later!

Gourmet Nutrition provides a skeletal meal plan and recipes to help guide you nicely. Following this plan and experiencing the book's recipes in conjunction can be helpful for a few weeks as you transition to healthy eating as a lifestyle. They do use too much protein powder, in my opinion, and there are options for replacing these protein shakes with whole foods. My favorite shake recipes are similar to this recipe: http://www.wildblueberries.com/smoothie-recipes/smoothie/wild-blueberry-lemon-ricotta-smoothie/, although I use whole milk dairy products. The fat in the dairy helps mineral absorption, which is one of the reasons I am such a dairy fan. If it makes transition easier, by all means, use a protein powder!

Have a great holiday week!