I’ve been feeling super efficient since I got home from work. I purchased my first domain today! Welcome to AdventuresInNonsense. Same purpose. New name.
I’ve been eating super poorly recently. Between the holidays and traveling, I haven’t been taking care of myself. Grocery shopping trips have been super short, and I’ve been grabbing things like frozen pizza and microwave dinners, and shirking the staples like lettuce and fruit. Basically, the opposite of what I should be eating. One of my Christmas gifts to myself was Eat Pretty, Live Well by Jolene Hart. I’ve only just started reading it, but I’m super optimistic for its assistance in my goal toward health. It’s a guided journal that helps you learn your body type and how you should be eating to feel beautiful. Who cares about what you weigh so long as you are healthy and feel beautiful?
Which leads me to now. I have it on my “To Do” list this week to find healthy recipes, and help develop a meal plan. I’m usually good with grocery shopping. I have a list, and I get what’s on that list. Sometimes though, I will pick up a box of Poptarts, or a carton of ice cream. My goal moving forward is to sit down and plan meals for the following week, along with the appropriate grocery list. Now, this isn’t to say that I have to eat taco soup on Tuesday, but I will plan for six meals, and eat the six that I’ve planned.
Going into this blog, I haven’t done research for this. I’m walking you through my experience as I actually experience it. This should be exciting.
Step 1: Pinterest.
Pinterest is always my starting point when I am looking for new recipes, whether baking or otherwise. People might bash Pinterest for being a time-waster, but there is so much valuable information there!
Search term: “healthy recipes”
Initial thoughts: It’s all meal prep. Well, maybe not all, but a solid 60%. That’s not really what I’m looking for. I want variety in my diet, not eating the same meal every day. I guess I need to get better about some vegetables too. I’m not the biggest fan of a lot of green things…broccoli, asparagus, avocados…Don’t even get me started with the avocado craze.
A good friend of mine recommended stuffed peppers. Bell peppers are actually growing on me just a bit. Search term: “stuffed peppers” A lot of these are stuffed with some sort of meat. Some people use ground turkey, others use ground beef. I do have some turkey and deer burning a hole in my freezer. However, I’ve bee dying to use some more of my quinoa.
Result: Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers from Damn Delicious
Now, I’m checking the general “Food” category. So far, I’ve seen the same pins at least three times. Sometimes you need to be specific when you’re pinning. So much of this is paleo or vegan…can’t I just eat healthy food?! Let’s try search term: “dinner ideas”.
Way more ideas! They may not be the healthiest, but it’s a warm, cooked meal with vegetables and everything! Since it’s winter, a warm soup sounds like a great dinner, with enough leftover for work lunches.
Result: 20 Minute Chicken Parmesan Soup by Chelsea’s Messy Apron
A favorite of mine is also finding some really delicious side dish that I can have with a chicken breast or something simple. I love Chinese food too.
Result: Classic Chinese Chow Mein by Dinner, then Dessert
Result: Parmesan Garlic Noodles by Happily Unprocessed
Step 2: Planning.
This actually isn’t that bad of a plan! Most of the ingredients for these meals are staples I try and keep in my kitchen on the regular. I think the stuffed peppers may be the most challenging.
I said six meals a week, but this is only four. I generally keep some tortellini or ravioli (or just regular pasta) in my house. It’s nice to either combine it with some marinara sauce or throw together a quick pasta salad. I also do like putting together a regular salad sometimes. Kale, broccoli slaw, some shredded cheese…quick and easy.
Step 3: Execution.
This hasn’t happened just yet. I have a conference in Atlanta on Monday, but I’m going to try and get to the grocery store this weekend to gather my ingredients. Monday may just be my cheat day. Who knows, maybe my parents will feed me after the conference!
Cross your fingers for me! I haven’t cooked for myself every day since I’ve been on my own.
