Dena Smith Givens

It's never too late for resolutions.

These five simple tips can help to jumpstart your efforts and give you a fresh start:

Keep It Simple.

Warmer weather provides greater access to fresh, whole foods. Take advantage of the nature's bounty and stock up on juicy fruit, tender greens and local garden veggies. Increase your consumption of raw foods and decrease your time in the kitchen. Challenge yourself to make meals according to the 5-5-5 rule: Five ingredients or less, in five minutes or less, for five dollars or less.

How about a veggie plate with organic carrots, peppers and celery? Add some hummus for dip and avocado slices to make the dish extra tasty.

Crowd Out.

Instead of focusing on what not to eat, concentrate on getting more fruits and vegetables into your diet. As you increase your intake of fresh foods, your body will naturally crave them. In turn, your energy will increase and your desire to feel better will motivate you to continue eating healthier. The more focus you put on eating delicious and nutritious whole foods, the less mental and physical room you have for junk foods.

Be a Good Gatekeeper.

Unless your partner does the majority of the grocery shopping, you are likely responsible for bringing all the food you have into your house. If you want to feel and look better, it needs to start with you. Go to the grocery store on a full stomach, shop the exterior of the store (filling your cart with whole foods), and stick to your list. Better yet, stock up at your local farmer's market or CSA and avoid the lines (and the candy aisles!). Out of sight can eventually lead to out of mind.

Make Your Pantry Visually Appealing.

We all have a certain love affair with food. Fuel your passion by releasing food's sensual nature. Replace plastic and paper packaging with clear glass jars of all shapes and sizes. Pasta, legumes, grains, herbs, and spices are irresistible and charming when displayed on shelves along with favorite cookbooks and dishware. Hide labels on the bottom of the containers to maintain an uncluttered, consistent look. Free fresh produce from plastic baggies and create edible centerpieces for your counter and table.

Hire A Health Counselor.

You wouldn't consider training for a triathlon without a coach would you? If you want to seriously change your diet, or just your pantry, having the proper support can greatly increase your rate of success. Many health counselors offer "pantry purge" or "kitchen consultation" services. Take the guesswork out of clearing out the junk by having someone else do it for you! Some even offer personalized grocery store tours to help you replace your shelves with healthier versions of your everyday favorites. You can find a certified health counselor at www.healthcounselors.org.

Available at Amazon.com:

The G-Free Die

The Primal Blueprint

The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat

The Paleo Diet for Athletes: A Nutritional Formula for Peak Athletic Performance

 

 

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Health - This Spring Make Time for Pantry Makeover