Freshen Up your Life
| August 24, 2012 | Posted by Madeline @ Food, Fitness, and Family under FitFluential, Health, Wellness |
1. Plan Ahead
Every two weeks I make a meal plan. I go to the grocery store once a week and the farmer’s market every Tuesday. From my meal plan I make my lists accordingly. I tentatively plan all my breakfasts, lunches, and dinners as well as snacks for the family. By shopping weekly I can ensure that I get the freshest produce from the farmer’s market and also that there will always be healthy options for Chris, myself, and Emmalyne.
2. Do Some Prep Work
When I get home from the store Emmalyne is normally ready for a nap. I use her nap time to prep my haul. I wash, cut, and store all our fruits and veggies for the week so that they are easily accessible. Having our berries pre-washed for the week eliminates a step and allows me to grab a handful to snack periodically. Also cutting up romaine lettuce and kale makes making salads that much quicker and more efficient the lowers the chance of my choosing something else for lunch.
3. Organized Your Fridge
I did “operation fridge makeover” earlier this year to revamp my fridge. Studies show that you are more likely to grab whatever food is visible and at eye level in your fridge so I try to put all of our health snacks there in ours. I have the veggies, hummus, fruit, and yogurt out in the open and up top. Takes “grab-and-go” to a different level.
4. Hit The Market
While I know not everywhere as farmer’s markets available, if there is one near you I highly recommend you getting there. You can find one near you Local Harvest! Talk to the farmer’s at your market and find one that you like the best. Shopping local helps make sure you are getting the freshest options for your family.
5. Choose Appliances Knowledgeably
I spoke of the fridge envyI had for the GE French door refrigerator recently. Once I move into my forever home (whenever that’ll be!) I want to get one. With ultra-filtered water from the first ever hands-free dispenser, and micro-climate controls powered by TwinChill technology, the new GE French Door Refrigerator is engineered to push the limits of fresh. The GE #Freshpedition campaign put it to the test. Check it out HERE.
What are your favorite ways to incorporate fresh foods into your life?
**Congratulations to the winner of my Aurorae Yoga Mat:
Kim, shoot me an email at foodfitnessandfamily (at) gmail (dot) com so I can get your mat to you!
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by GE via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of GE.
there’s a local farmers market just down the street from us and it’s amazing because it’s cheaper than the grocery store (and local!)
Heidi @ Idlehide recently posted..My new name is Susan
I used the Local Harvest site and found some more markets I didn’t know about;) Thanks for posting!
Rachel recently posted..Flashback Friday+Family Fun with Kids #2
I love the idea of prepping all of the fruits and vegetables as soon as you get home. I currently keep the fruit in a bowl in the fridge, but I’m going to start cutting everything else up. Thanks for the idea
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily recently posted..Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shake
WHat do you wash your fruits and veggies in?? I found on Pinterest a wash of luke warm water and a cup of distilled white vinegar. You put your fruit and veggies in for 10 minutes and then rinse and dry. I am always looking for good homemade stuff like that! Hope your trip is going GREAT!
Amanda recently posted..Flashback Friday
I do that too!
Madeline @ Food, Fitness, and Family recently posted..Freshen Up your Life
these are seriously awesome tips and tricks!! i try to always plan ahead etc. but i love your prep work ideas!! thanks for sharing!!!
So true that we will grab whatever is at eye level. I did some home experiments on my hubster and daughter and they went for the cut up fruitthat I moved out of the fruit drawer and into a storage container on the higher shelf. I went for my own set up more often too!
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..Want to Be Enchanting?: 4 Tips, Part 1
I put a ton of fresh stuff I don’t like raw in my breakfast smoothie.
Alex (@alexbridgeforth) recently posted..EnergyBits {Supplement Review}
I’m so impressed with your organized fridge! Coming back from two weeks away inspired me to get mine in order, too… it needs a deep cleaning which is easiest when it’s nearly empty. So many great tips!
Laura recently posted..Healthy Travel Tips for Toddlers (and mamas!)
Great tips! You definitely can’t go past a good farmers’ market. Your produce looks delicious!
Kate recently posted..Bugger All
K,
1. I love that ‘forever fridge’ as well.
2. I love how organized YOUR fridge is as of now… I need to hop on board of doing that.
3. I went to the farmers market today and stocked up. I love the market. I’ve already ate $4 worth of raspberries…with the help of my sister
char @ char eats greens recently posted..baby: 27 weeks (plus, painted baby’s room)