Keep that New Year’s Resolution to Eat Healthier

As motivated as you may be at the beginning of the year to eat healthier and stay (or get) in shape you quickly lose momentum as real life sets in and you just can’t seem to find the time or $$. Grabbing a prepackaged lunch or getting take-out is much faster and less stressful than say, preparing a salad to take to work, but it doesn’t have to be! To go along with Katie’s weekly menu tip from last week, take some time out on Sunday to not only write down meals and shop for the ingredients but to partially prepare most of them too!

Once home from the grocery store I immediately rinse and pat dry my greens. Buying loose greens is significantly cheaper than buying the prewashed, precut, and bagged greens and only takes a couple extra minutes to get ready. I cut them up (or rip by hand) and store in glass containers like the ones pictured (available at Target, Walmart, HomeGoods, etc.). I cut up celery, carrots, and bell peppers into dipping size sticks for a separate container. I then dice up onions, carrots, celery, bell pepper and store together in a smaller container. Bite-sized strawberries, oranges, grapes go into yet another container. Now, in the morning when I want to make that awesome heaping salad of fresh goodness I just grab some greens, throw on some vegetable medley along with a toss of the fruit combo and voila, ready to go in 30 seconds or less! I also have the handy sticks ready to grab and go as a snack by themselves or to pair with a container of hummus. Soups, dipping sauces, even smoothies can be prepared over the weekend and will last up to 5 days stored in the fridge in an airtight container or jar.

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This tip is from Cassandra Okamoto

Cassandra is a vegan and raw food enthusiast that is always looking for ways to make her & her husband’s commitment to a healthy lifestyle easier, cheaper, and all around more fun! Check out her blog, Simply Fresh Living, for more tips, adventures, and insights into achieving vitality and longevity through healthier living.

Cassandra has written 2 tips.