the basic idea

So where to start? First let's look at what you like. My taste buds may be different from yours. I enjoy dinners that have very full and distinct flavors, sometimes more salty. I really enjoy beans and melons. I am a snaky person and like to eat things between meals so I have to make sure to have easy delicious things on hand. It's just me. And that is the whole point. I can be me and healthy at the same time.

Part of the learning process is like a dance, learning when the F and V's are ripe enough and what day you want to eat them. Which ones can be stored in the fridge and which ones better on the counter? You might already know most of this stuff, but I've had to learn it and still occasionally have to throw a few things away. That's OK.

I wanted to give you a little background first, now. Let's talk about grocery shopping to help you get started. Let's see, fresh, fresh!

Where I think you're going to end up, if you choose, is a grocery cart of basic things like fruits and veggies. And as needed cupboard items such as vinegars, oils, natural sugars, herbs and spices, canned or dry beans, brown rice, nuts, oatmeal and flours made of whole wheat/corn and the like. At least, that is where I am right now.

I've built up a store of those cupboard items over these past few months and have found it helpful to go to the store 2 times a week to get my fresh F's and V's. Grocery shopping could possibly be done only once a week, if we didn't like bananas so much! :) Although, I have those special bags which can reduce the carbon output of F's and V's to make them last longer. I'll have to try that.

For breakfast I choose fruit, 2-3 bananas and a glass of 100% OJ. The fruit gives me my carbohydrates and sugars to make into quick energy I'll need at the start of the day with my girls. My health teacher at BYU-I liked a bowl of oatmeal and a banana. Joe and the girls eat cereal with soymilk. If you do choose cereal, look at the labels too see which ones are better for you. Oftentimes stores show which ones are approved by WIC and those tend to be the healthier ones.

Lunch varies with us. Sometimes it’s yummy leftovers, other times I make a sandwich with whole wheat bread and homemade Almondaise (mayo-like made out of almonds and de-lsih) with tomatoes and avocados on it. Or we have bean and tomatoes. Or spinach with homemade dressings. Whatever whole-foods I have around and feel like!

For snacks I like nuts and fruit, I even make dehydrated fruit and granola bars to have on hand.

For the grocery list put some of your favorites on there, ones you know they will eat in a given time period, then you can do one of two things for dinner (which centers around 1 or 2 vegetables:

1. I usually look through my favorite healthy cookbook (or website) and see which vegetables I want to be the "Star" of the meal and put that on my list, then and take a look in my cupboards to see if I have the spices etc. listed in the recipe and put that down too. Or,

2. Just go to the store and pick up any new and exciting vegetable and when I want to use that for a dinner, look up a recipe and go for it with what I have, or completely make something up.

They key to grocery shopping is simple. Keep it simple! Once you've found your usual's and which items are healthier, you won't be spending hours in there trying to make decisions.

This is the first month that we have actually been under budget for food, which is exciting because I was determined to prove that eating healthy is cheaper. There are other factors in consideration to this, but for this month, the Black family can say SUCCESS! Of course, other months will ultimately prove it's validity.

Remember, this is all a progression. Like most people who want to quit smoking, most people it takes time and small goals others can do it all at once and not have a regression. Eating healthy is the same way! So start where you want with the meals choose and choose to buy less of the things that you know are really bad for you. Would you like to know what some of those things are?
Remember, this is all a progression. Like most people who want to quit smoking, for most people it takes time and small goals, others can do it all at once and not have a regression. Eating healthy is the same way! So start where you want with the meals you choose and choose to buy less of the things that you know are really bad for you. Would you like to know what some of those things are?

Did this help you or would you like more direction? My Mom wants me to come up with a grocery list so she can start building her basic cupboard items...