Craving Something Healthy...

Inspiring healthier eating one dish at a time

  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer and Disclosure
  • Healthy Aging
    • Cancer Prevention
    • Diabetes and Prediabetes
    • Heart Disease
    • Women’s Health and Menopause
    • Weight Management
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Soups
    • Vegetables and Salads
  • Cooking and Wellness Resources
    • Nutrition Consult with Supplement Recommendations
    • Customized Meal Plans
    • Cooking Tools
  • Work With Me
You are here: Home / Healthy Aging / PLAN – to Make it Healthy

Cancer Prevention Diabetes and Prediabetes Healthy Aging Heart Disease Weight Management Women's Health and Menopause

PLAN – to Make it Healthy

Once upon a time I was a mostly-stay-at-home mom, and “busy” meant volunteering at school, organizing the book fair, cleaning house, doing 10 loads of laundry, and carpooling.

Today, my “busy” is completely different.  My kids are grown, and I’m self-employed.  On any given day, I might juggle writing assignments for 3 different editors, give a presentation at a diabetes workshop, work with a client who wants to lower their cholesterol, or teach an intro to nutrition class to nursing students.

No matter where you are in life, it gets busy.  One thing I’ve learned, is that you have to have a plan in order to juggle it all.  You know, make a to-do list every night, so you’re ready to roll the next day.  Set alarms, and keep a schedule.  Most of us know how to do that for our appointments and commitments, but do you do that for your health?

Ask any nutritionist what the secret is to eating healthy, and we’ll all tell you the same thing.  Have.  A.  Plan.  Just like anything.  If you want to succeed, make it as easy as possible for yourself, and just have a healthy eating plan.  It should include scheduling time to write out a week’s worth of meals, to get to the grocery store, and prep a few healthy meals for the week, and to have a back up plan – just in case. Because, just like life, healthy eating doesn’t always work out perfectly.  If you have a plan though, it’s easier to pick yourself up, and get back on track.  A few of my tips for a healthy eating plan:

  • Once a week, sit down and plan your meals for at least 5 days.
  • Write out a grocery list while you’re planning those meals – refer to your recipes so you’re sure you have all of the ingredients.
  • Do all of your grocery shopping once per week. Don’t waste time running out multiple times during the week.
  • Cook once, eat twice. Make a large batch of things like soups, stews or casseroles and freeze half for another meal.
  • Always keep “back-up” meals and ingredients on hand.

That last tip is super important, because as much as you may want to prepare a healthy, home cooked meal every night of the week, we all know life gets in the way.  Here’s what’s in my pantry and freezer for those kind of nights:

  • Canned chili beans, shredded cheddar, avocados and whole wheat tortillas (for tacos)
  • Prepared chicken stock, frozen vegetables, and brown rice (for soup)
  • Whole grain pasta, jarred pesto sauce and sun dried tomatoes (for pasta)
  • An assortment of Healthy Choice Café Steamers frozen meals (for when I need dinner in under 5 minutes, or I don’t have time to pack a lunch)

 

Make a PLAN to be healthy|Craving Something Healthy

 

I like the fact that Healthy Choice Café Steamers, are made with real ingredients, and no preservatives.  In fact, they’re the only major brand in the frozen meals section that can call 100% of it’s products “healthy”, as approved by the FDA.

 

Make a PLAN to be healthy|Craving Something Healthy

 

Their unique steamer tray also keeps everything tasting fresh. Talk about having a plan to make healthy eating easy.  They’re convenient and quick for those nights, or lunchtimes when you just don’t have the time or energy to cook.  Eat them as is, or pair them with some side vegetables or a salad, and dinner is done!

 

Their unique steamer tray also keeps everything tasting fresh. Talk about having a plan to make healthy eating easy.  They’re convenient and quick for those nights, or lunchtimes when you just don’t have the time or energy to cook.  Eat them as is, or pair them with some side vegetables or a salad, and dinner is done!

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Are you a healthy eating planner?  Or do you tend to just wing it?  Which works better?

Eat well!


4 Comments

About Craving Something Healthy

Anne Danahy MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and a freelance content writer who specializes in women's health and healthy aging. She lives in the Scottsdale area and eats wherever good food is found.

Don’t Miss a Bite!

Get more recipes, healthy eating tips AND my free 3-day healthy eating meal plan

Previous Post: « Caffeine: How much do you know about America’s favorite breakfast drug?
Next Post: Grilled Cheddar, Brie and Apple Sandwiches »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. GiGi Eats says

    March 23, 2016 at 8:07 pm

    I am a total LIST maker!! They keep me sane – from what I have to do, to what I need to buy – Lists are a WINNER’s TOOL! 😉

    Reply
    • Anne says

      March 23, 2016 at 10:26 pm

      Totally couldn’t agree more!

      Reply
  2. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

    March 20, 2016 at 5:52 pm

    Your tips are spot on and I couldn’t agree more, meal planning is so key! I’m not sure about you, but I couldn’t function without my to-do lists 🙂

    Reply
    • Anne says

      March 21, 2016 at 4:17 pm

      So true! I think the best feeling in the world is when I can cross things off of my list!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

hi there!

I'm Anne Danahy, a Scottsdale, AZ-based registered dietitian and integrative nutritionist who specializes in women's health and healthy aging. I'm hooked on cold brewed coffee, and I'm equally happy with dessert or a creative salad. Come visit my kitchen and let's make something delicious today!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

craving more?

subscribe to get the latest healthy eating tips, recipes AND my free 3-day meal plan delivered straight to your inbox!

Get My Book!

The Mediterranean Diet for Two Cookbook

Footer

You Might Also Like

Cranberry Orange Almond Shortbread Cookies|Craving Something Healthy

Cranberry Orange Almond Shortbread Cookies

Sweet 'n Spicy Zucchini Relish|Craving Something Healthy

Sweet and Spicy Zucchini Relish

How to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally|Craving Something Healthy

How to Reduce Your Blood Pressure without Medication

20 Clean Eating Recipes That Aren't Salad|Craving Something Healthy

20 Clean Eating Recipes That Aren’t Salad

How to Sleep Better When Your Hormones Won't Let You|Craving Something Healthy

How to Sleep Better When Your Hormones Won’t Let You

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

© 2021 Craving Something Healthy
Privacy Policy