Simplify Your Life: Get Cooking

I'ma let you in on a little secret.

If a vibrant, healthy, whole, full life is what you want, you're going to have to get cozy with your kitchen.

Meal planning for the week. Can  you guess what time of year this was? (:

One of the most interesting insights I've had since opening my practice is that nobody cooks. We may throw a pasta dish together, or go all out every now and again when entertaining friends- but for the most part, we busy urbanites do not inhabit our kitchens. We eat out on average 80-90% of our meals-lots of protein bars, sandwiches, and various smartly packaged single servings of easily edible goods.

The food you eat literally becomes your cells, your bones, muscles, tissue. Whatever you don't poop is assimilated through your intestines and used to actually create all the systems and structures of your body.

Do you see where I'm heading? When we fuel ourselves with processed, fake, nutrient deficient foods, what does that say about our health, and even deeper, our life?

Here are some tips for getting cookin:

• Cook one new recipe each week. Make sure the recipe has 5-7 ingredients or less. This way, you aren't spending tons of money on new ingredients all the time, and prep to table will be simple. Gain some confidence, build your cupboard, and you can start to experiment with more complicated dishes.
• Cook once, eat three times (or more). Each time you cook, make enough for at least three meals. Leftovers are a lifesaver! So, whip up a huge dinner, and eat it for breakfast and lunch the next day. This will save you so much time, and money. Which leads me to my next suggestion:
• Invest in a crockpot. These bad boys cost anywhere from $45-75, and will be one of the best investments you'll make for your kitchen, and your life. There is nothing better than throwing your 5-7 ingredients in the pot before you leave for work, and coming home to a healthy, warm, delicious, home cooked meal. I'm drooling just thinking about it. A six-quart crock is a good starting place.
• Plan Ahead. Set aside a few hours to make a bunch of meals, and then store them in meal-sized containers that you can freeze. The real food-fast food solution!
• S is for Success. Smoothies and salads are a fantastic way to get lots of veggies and healthy nutrients and literally take 5-10 minutes tops to create. Check out my favorite breakfast smoothie here.
• Make it fun! Re-frame your time in the kitchen from chore to recreation. Light some candles, play your favorite music or podcast, have friends keep you company, have a glass of wine/beer...the possibilities are endless! Today I made bacon-wrapped chicken thighs while rocking out to my favorite 90's dance hits-it was awesome! 

I hope this is helpful! And if you have any other suggestions, please share below~