Uncategorized – Adventurous Nutrition

A New Kitchen Gadget

Sometimes a new kitchen gadget can be a wise family purchase.

I decided to purchase a new toy for my kitchen. This doesn’t happen often as I’m generally very frugal, however it was a good deal and it’s something I’ve been wanting.

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The reviews were pretty good and I took into account random comments about the product not heating up quickly enough or not working properly. Sometimes you get a bad one and need to return it! I also decided the Instant Pot was not something I was ready to purchase and chose a product kinder to my pocket book.

More on wanting:

I am not a fan of wanting. When I find myself walking around the store thinking of all the great things I can use in the kitchen or the house it’s paramount that I pull back. Take a figurative step back and really think about why I am wanting these things. Are they really going to make my life easier? Are they going to give me more time? Are they going to make my family healthier and happier just by making the purchase?

The answer is most likely no in every situation. But, when I take the time to think about a purchase sometimes my wanting is justified. This is such an example. Recently we have become more busy than normal with a few evening classes beginning for a few family members. There is also more evening work that will be done in the next few months. Therefore, being able to cook a chicken dinner in 20 minutes instead of an hour is a huge help. Not only will it decrease cook time, but it will provide us with the opportunity to eat healthier. Any excuse to make pizza when we are short on time is taken advantage of in our household.

So I’d like to end by saying I am happy with my new purchase, and I feel it was a wise decision.

More to come on what we start making with our new pressure cooker…

Good Nutrition Is A Lifestyle

For so many of us, the road to good health and good nutrition is much less traveled than our foodie counterparts. When it comes to food we need fast, easy, and tasty all in one . Unfortunately, with daily life moving so quickly that usually means less healthy.

The foundation of good nutrition includes those who actively engage in making good food choices and participate in food preparation. I , like many people, have a family and we are busy! I am also not a professional chef. But, there are many ways to make changes that can actually make a difference. And there is so much information available to make things work for busy people. Speak with a health coach to determine your roadblocks, talk with your family about their food and health choices, and of course, be adventurous!

Small changes can add up to big rewards in the long run. Although without both realizing, and accepting the fact that your lifestyle will need to change, it can make rewards difficult to maintain. How often do we hear about an individual achieving significant weight loss just to gain most, if not all of it back within a couple years? Why do these things happen? How about that familiar buzzword…diet. Going on a diet is only temporary and despite evoking change, it rarely lasts. Diets impose tight restrictions, are not conducive for the common household, and often do not take into account physical activity (State of Michigan, 2017).

See change as a lifestyle, see good health and good food as an adventure. Small steps can lead to big changes, and big changes can lead to a better lifestyle. You just have to make the jump!

State of Michigan (2017). Why diets fail. Retrieved from http://www.michigan.gov/healthymichigan/0,4675,7-216-33084_33092_33097—,00.html

Too Hot to Use the Oven

It’s August and although it has cooled down quite a bit in the Midwest compared to most years, it’s still August. I love trying new recipes, but when it’s hot outside I really don’t like to use the oven. That’s okay though, I’ll just cook over the hot stove top instead! It may not be the coolest alternative for the weather, but I won’t get the whole house hot, just the kitchen (and me). When it’s especially hot outside my family gets by on a lot of stir-fry, salads, sandwiches, and one-pot stove top dinners. For now the grocery produce picks are fresh and delicious, our garden is slowly giving us food (slowly being the operative word), and availability is high. While summer winds down and it remains in the 80s and 90s I continue to keep meals and snacks as cool as possible. Our favorites include smoothies, frozen fruit, and ice cream treats.

Keep a bag of frozen mango chunks in the freezer. Or try freezing grapes for a cool, sweet, and refreshing snack for kids and adults. My little one will snack on frozen vegetables such as peas, green beans, and tiny mixed veggies. However, that may be a bit much for most kids. She is definitely her own person when it comes to snacks. Stay tuned for recipes and fun activities!

One pot meal