As I was watching my son eating ice and having fun outside, I’m reminded of the joy of every season. Seasons do come and go very quickly. The end of winter is almost here and soon it will be spring break.
After being cooped up indoors we are all ready to welcome spring break with more time spent outdoors with activities and perhaps taking a spring break vacation for the whole family. Spring break activity galore means the possibility of mishaps, spring allergies, insect bites and more. I’ve prepared a list of essential oils for spring break safety to help with any minor emergencies and to promote a peaceful and happy time together.
Here is a testimonial from a family who lives in the southern part of the United States and everything is in full bloom during spring break:
My son has severe allergies and asthma. We live in the South where every weed, tree and grass blooms in the spring and there is “green stuff” everywhere. My son used R.C. on his feet putting it on the bottom of his feet on the tips of his toes which are the reflexology points for sinuses. Also, we put a drop of Raven on top of his feet and rubbed it in for his asthma. He carried a small bottle of it in his pocket for emergencies or other triggers, but other than that we did this every morning and at bedtime and had great success.- Kristen D. (Oils-testimonials)
Here are six essential oils for spring break safety for the whole family:
One: For allergies and asthma
Prepare your medicine chest and travel essentials with R.C., Raven, Lavender and Peppermint essential oils. (Of course we never advocate not having your prescribed medications and emergency inhalers with you when you travel.)
Two: Prevent airborne bacteria
Bring a bottle of Thieves essential oil with you wherever you go. Thieves contains powerful essential oils that defend and protect you from dangerous airborne bacteria. Apply on feet before going out.
Add Thieves waterless hand purifier to everyone’s carry-on or backpack while on the road, vacation or just going around town. Thieves waterless hand purifier is portable and long-lasting. It will clean and purify hands wherever you are. Washing your hands is important to keep germs away but when you are out and about and unable to wash your hands, Thieves hand purifier will be your best replacement without harsh additives and chemicals.
Three: Bugs and bug spray
Here’s an amazing testimonial from Cheryl T. about homemade bug spray made from Purification and Lavender to help protect from bugs:
I was at a friends lake house over the weekend with my husband and 7 other couples, in the evening we all made a big circle of chairs down at the covered dock right on the waters edge to hang out and play catch phrase.
Soon the bugs were annoying everyone so I had some Purification and lavender oil in a spray bottle mixed with water that one of your wholesalers gave me to try out and sprayed some on me and then offered it to everyone else, they all tried it out and soon all the bugs went away and no one was being bit anymore.
The next evening we did the same thing and as soon as we sat down the bugs were back, everyone starting asking if I had any more of that homemade bug spray, so I passed it around again and out of 16 people no left with one bug bite. Amazing stuff. (Oils-testimonials)
All you need is a small glass spray bottle to make your own bug spray. According to a NY Times article, most bug repellents contain DEET as an active ingredient. DEET can cause breathing problems, coughing, loss of alertness due to imbalance in oxygen level, upset stomach, vomiting and more. You may get skin irritation and hives. DEET is dangerous for young children and should never be used on infants.
I recommend using therapeutic grade essential oils like Purification and Lavender and putting them in a spray bottle and roll on before leaving for the outdoors.
Four: Sun protection
Moderate exposure to sun is not harmful because our body needs sunlight for Vitamin D and to give us happy hormones. The UV rays are most intense between 10 am to 2 pm. I think there is more harm than good in using sunscreen. Wear hats or shirts that protect your family from too much exposure to the sun.
To cool your body after a long day outside, make your own peppermint spray (peppermint oil and distilled water in a glass bottle) or stock up on LavaDerm Cooling Mist. It contains Lavender oil to soothe and rejuvenate tired skin and also provides relief from dryness and minor burns.
Five: Water
Dehydration while playing outdoors or engaging in a sport activity is common among teens and young kids. Stomach cramps, headache, irritable moods and gastrointestinal illnesses may happen when dehydration occurs on a regular basis when families are playing outdoors and forget to drink water. In fact my pastor was sharing a story the other day of his young daughter passing out after a day on vacation in the sun. It was very scary for the whole family.
Drinking soda, coffee or any sugared water is different from drinking pure water. Your kids may be irritable or misbehave because of the lack of water in their little bodies. Take time to hydrate everyone even if you have to go to the bathroom more often and make more stops in a car ride.
Six: Stay calm and bring your favorite oils
Peace and Calming oil and Joy oil are my favorites to promote happy mood and calming effects. My friend Joanie was traveling to Florida with her family for spring break. It was snowing really badly and there was a terrible accident on 81 which got them stuck in the car for 8 hours in traffic. Normally they would have gone batty but she says we just kept using the Peace and Calming and Joy oil and they laughed, played games and stayed sane.
What do you do to keep your family safe and healthy during spring break? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
In my research of understanding my husband’s high cholesterol I found that olive oil and olives were actually beneficial for lowering his cholesterol. Seems like it would be the opposite, but good fats are important to our health.
Today, my friend and colleague Mike “the miracle” Welch will be teaching us about olives. Mike is a pretty amazing man who has overcome stage IV bladder cancer and now teaches others about healthy lifestyles. He is an excellent resource for many. Make sure you check out his website and keep it in your records. http://www.mikethemiraclewelch.com
For your Total Wellness,
Dr. Mary Starr Carter
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom
***************************************
The other day when I was in the local grocery store, I overheard a number of people talking about olive oil. I got to thinking with all the negative comments that were being made about this particular item, people were really concentrating on the word “oil” and that turns the thoughts of fats that are bad for an individual’s health.
The fats that are considered bad for the diet, however, tend to be saturated fats. The fats in olive oil are monounsaturated fatty acids, and these are considered healthy dietary fats. In addition, unlike other cooking oils, olive oil production doesn’t require a chemical process. Instead, the olives are pressed; the first pressing produces extra-virgin olive oil.
“Olive oil, especially extra-virgin olive oil, is a smart choice for people who enjoy a delicious oil with potential health benefits,” says Dr. D. Myers and “studies indicate that moderate consumption of olive oil may lower a person’s blood pressure and total cholesterol numbers which is especially beneficial for heart health.”
When Dr. Myers first began studying the benefits of olives and olive oil through Harvard Medical School, he didn’t realize how beneficial this particular item was. He says, “Initially, I was surprised to learn that olive products can be so healthy, in fact studies have even linked olive oil to possibly lowering the risk of some cancers.”
Here’s what’s in olives that make them so good:
Olives are rich in iron, vitamin E (which is a fat soluble antioxidant that neutralizes damaging free radicals) and copper. In addition, they are an excellent source of fiber and are rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Olives also add flavor to all kinds of food and can be used in almost any meal from veggie omelets at breakfast to sandwiches at lunch and fish dishes at dinner.
There are black and green olives. Green olives are the unripe olives and the black are fully ripe. All olives found in grocery stores are either oxidized, pickled or cured. They may come in water, oil, brine or dry. According to Musco Family Olives Company, olives straight from the tree are too bitter to eat without some kind of curing.
For good and healthy olive recipes, please check out Whole Foods’ website.
If you are shopping in your grocery stores for olive oils, you may notice words like “Premium extra virgin”, “Extra virgin” and “Mild or Light Virgin”. The mild and light virgin oils have undergone extreme processes to make it suitable for cooking. However most of the natural aroma and goodness may be filtrated.
Top quality olive oils like the Premium extra and extra virgin are natural, full of aroma and are suitable uncooked. In Napa Valley California, you can go for wine tasting tours if you are a wine enthusiast but did you know that olive oil tasting tours are also available?
You get different types and grades of olive oils, dip in bread or sip the oils without feeling tipsy and you can still drive after hours of tasting.
Spice up your daily meals by adding olive oil and olives into your diet. Leave us a comment below.
Mike the miracle Welch, cancer survivor, health coach, author of Cancer: How I Beat It, speaker and Harley Davidson enthusiast. For more information on how to talk to your medical doctor about natural remedies, please download this free audio by Mike.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
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I love Netflix. About a year ago we were given a TV after not having TV for almost 2 years. But we realized there were some really educational shows on PBS in the morning, Super Why and Sesame Street being 2 we like, that would help our son learn his letters, numbers, phonics and words. And also kept him busy for 20 minutes at a time so I could finish my morning routine. So we decided against cable and just have a few channels including PBS and also got Netflix because they also have educational videos, Veggie Tales, and our Star Trek Series we like to watch some nights.
But I soon learned Netflix also has some great documentaries. I have gotten a great deal of motivation from the Business of Being Born and the 4 part series they did all about the pros and cons of home birth. I also have really loved learning about food and health. My friend Courtney Sullivan of Food Medicine Children has recently written a great article called ‘How To Use Netflix To Learn Everything You Need To Know About Local Food In A Weekend’.
I think you will really enjoy her article and if you get Netflix or try it out for a month, be sure to watch of few of her recommendations. It will really help motivate you to be healthier. It did for me.
Here is the link to her article: http://www.foodmedicinechildren.com/netflix-learn-local-food-weekend/
For your Total Wellness,
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom (of 2)
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
In less than 8 weeks he lost 20 pounds, lowered his cholesterol by 36 points and his Triglycerides by 388 points. How did he do it? Here is his story written by me.
On the last day of 2012 Jay had his first trip to the doctors’ in many years for a routine checkup. Prodded by me to go, we both thought it would be a good idea to get some base line tests done to see where his health was. He knew he was overweight and had been complaining of snoring, fatigue, exhaustion and I felt he had been more moody and even was exhibiting hypoglycemic tendencies for many months.
On 12/31/2012 the doctor’s office weighed him at 218 pounds, his blood pressure was normal, his stress test was normal, they also took blood for lab work and here is what they found.
They found in his Lipid Panel
Triglycerides at 597 (normal 45-150)
Cholesterol 230 (normal 125-200)
LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) was invalid because his Triglycerides were so high
HDL (good cholesterol) 41 (39-96 is normal)
They could not determine his cholesterol to HDL ratio because the Triglycerides were so high
Vitamin D was low at 16 (normal 30-100)
—————————————————————-
Prior to 12/31/12, the only regular supplement Jay took was NingXia Red 1-2 oz. a day. Ironically even being overweight, sedentary, and eating a poor diet for almost a year, his CBC, blood chemistry and inflammatory markers were all within normal ranges including Vitamin B 12, Sed Rate, PSA screening and Hemoglobin A1C. I believe drinking the NingXia Red for the past 5 years kept these numbers normal.
Eating habits included skipping meals or going many hours in between meals. Diet included one healthier meal but he ate white breads, chips, quesadillas 4-5 times a week, beef jerky 3-4 times a week, soda 3-4 times a week, sugar/sweets 4-5 times a week. Fast food meals 1-2 times a week. Very little vegetables and fruit in diet. And his portions were large.
On 1/12/13 we returned to the doctors and got the results of the labs and we asked for the option to try a program of exercise, diet changes, and nutritional supplements for the next 2 months. They agreed.
I must say that Jay was the one who made the decision that he was going to make the changes, he did ask for my help but he was all in. The next day he purchased a used treadmill on Craig’s list for $200.
Program from January 12 – March 4th (so not even 8 weeks)
Exercise: Started walking 20 minutes or more about 5 times a week with an incline and higher speed. Always sweated during workout. Occasionally used weights for biceps and upper body.
Diet:
Got rid of white foods in the house. Set up a strict protocol of no white products, soda, or sugar. Cut back on red meat but still had it at least once a week. Also cut out cheese he ate almost daily.
Daily Food Staples
Oatmeal, beans, avocado, dark berries and coconut oil were a staple on most days.
Also a protein fruit shake most mornings and another some afternoons. (this is where I snuck in the avocado and berries)
Created food schedule so he was eating at regular intervals!
Ate every couple of hours including 3 meals and 3 -4 snacks
Beverages
Water minimum of 2-3 25 oz. bottles
1 -2 cups of Slique Tea (one tea bag a day)
NingXia Red about 2 ounces or more a day.
Snacks
A protein bar (tried a variety of different kinds)
Greek yogurt and granola
Apples or fruit
Hummus and crackers or veggies and hummus
Shake
or a lite meal or leftovers
Breakfast
Oatmeal most every day
Lunches and Dinners
Included more soups, chilis, salads, and smaller portions. 80% gluten free
Nutritional Supplements
Daily Young Living Supplements
Thyromin 2 capsules first thing upon waking up and 2 capsules before going to bed
True Source 1 packet
Longevity 1 pill
Super B 1 tablet
OmegaGize 3-4 capsules a day
Essentialzymes-4 1 -2 duo packs usually with larger meals
Again Slique Tea- one cup on most days right around the 3 pm -5pm time
NingXia Red 2-3 oz. a day
He also took Liquid Vitamin D about 50,000 IU’s a week
He also did on an off about maybe 10 or less days out of the 52 days took 2 Life 5 Probiotics at night, 4-5 Sulfurzyme a day, and maybe 5 doses of Lemongrass in a capsule.
To help remember to take supplements we used these little pill boxes I found near the pharmacy section of a store. They were only like $1.50 but really help to keep you on track. Every morning I would fill his pill box and mine. We usually keep them near us most of the day. (But again we work from home so that’s not far.)
On March 11th we returned to the doctor’s office to get his lab results from March 5th.
They weighed Jay at 199.4 lbs. and we are giving him the .4 for heavy clothes making his total weight loss 20lbs. And here were the results of 52 days of diet changes, light exercise and Young Living supplements.
Symptoms Gone
Within a week Jay had more energy, improved moods, motivation and overall happiness. His snoring stopped after about week 2. The difference in him especially when on the full nutritional program and eating regularly and healthy is almost like another man. He is full of energy, life and thinks very clearly.
The Partnerships
Jay and I worked together along with a few helpers. What do I mean we worked together? He asked me for a protocol and I wrote out basically what you see above for diet and supplements. Since I am growing a baby, I decided to cut out the same foods (mostly) and eat regularly and supplement similar to Jay every day.
We worked as a team but I also pay my health conscious great cook, friend and my Aunt Shirley to help prepare some healthier soups and desserts that all of us could eat, 2 meals a week. And because I am doing more cooking and prepping I also got some help 2 times a week with cleaning.
It’s not easy to make all these changes at once but it was the best decision for our family since we are on a deadline to change our ways and get on track with our health. (our 2nd child is arriving at the end of this month)
One more comment – Stress Levels and Sleep
Jay’s stress levels did not go down, in fact I would say the demands on his time and energy went up during these past 8 weeks. With the birth of a new baby approaching, working 60-70 plus hours a week and getting on average 6 hours of quality sleep a night and yet was still able to lose weight. I believe that exercise even if just 20 minutes a day, better eating, supplements especially Thyromin was the KEY TO THIS! Thyromin isn’t just for thyroid support but for the adrenal glands, which I am sure, were exhausted from his former lifestyle. Exhausted adrenal glands lead to fatigue, exhausted bodies, sick bodies and more.
Also he wasn’t sick at all in those 8 weeks when prior to this he had been sick with a cold or something little almost every couple of weeks for several months.
The next step
This is just the first step. 52 days is just the beginning. We have another 180 days until his next appointment because the doctor agreed he is making great results with diet, exercise and supplements. Some of the staff and doctors already use Young Living essential oils and products so they wanted to know what we used as well.
Jay is on the road to health again. But he has to continue the process.
What about you? Are you ready to get on the road to health? Some will choose to do a full protocol like Jay, others will take some of things he is doing and incorporate it into their life. Make the commitment. Jay made a commitment to be healthier for his growing family. Find something that will help you stay motivated and make a commitment to do something to improve your health today!
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
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New parents will discover quite a bit goes into preparing for a new baby’s arrival. There are many supplies needed as well as preparing for parent’s time and energy (or lack of due to erratic sleeping schedules). My number one rule for all new parents—expect the unexpected and you will have a head’s up in what could be a chaotic time.
Here are some helpful tips for baby’s arrival not only to meet the needs of your newborn but that of Mom too:
Should haves for baby:
Bottles with the right sized nipples for newborns (bottle brush for proper cleaning)
Diaper pail—for disposal of diapers or to contain cloth diapers
Changing table—it is always a good idea to have it fully stocked with t-shirts, diapers and sleepers (those first few weeks can be overwhelming for new moms) wipes- diaper cream (Young Living Tender Tush or Butt paste are my recommendations)-baby wash
Crib or bassinet with a receiving or swaddling blanket
Baby monitor in case you are in other rooms
Diaper or big tote bag fully packed—diapers, at least one change of clothing, blankets, plastic bags for dirty diapers, wipes, comfort item {wubie, musical item, blankie}, diaper cream, bottles and formula
Expect the unexpected
Should haves for Moms:
Sanitary napkins
Nursing bras (if breastfeeding) and a blanket or boppy for comfort) nursing pads and breast pump if going to be away from baby
Relaxing outlets, either time for naps while baby sleeps, soothing music or Young Living’s Peace and Calming, whatever helps relax you
Expect the unexpected
Should dos:
Never too early to baby proof house (they grow faster than you will ever imagine and before you know it they will be crawling)
Keep a steady level of noise when baby comes home so they can adjust to sleeping through almost anything
Get any siblings ready for a new addition to household. If they are toddlers, try getting them their own special baby to care for so they understand the tender touch and maybe even the need for quiet. Be sure to spend extra time with them explaining what you think they can understand about how a baby is coming but they are still loved and could even help in some small ways. They could help set up baby’s table or pack away diapers or something that makes them feel a part of the decision making (age-appropriate of course)
Make arrangements for siblings care during birth/hospital stay
Wash bedding, clothing, towels or whatever is used for the baby prior to using (a great idea is to have all this set up weeks before baby’s arrival if possible)
Stock up on meals for family and make sure you have plenty of good foods for the Mommy. Preparing meals/freezing in advance of baby’s arrival is a good idea
Stock up on paper products and necessities for bathroom and cleaning
Let family and friends know prior to baby’s arrival when would be best for visits. Do not be afraid to request a waiting period before you have company.
Make hospital preparations
If it is possible arrange for help around the house either by hiring or making plans with family members to do laundry and cleaning and maybe extra duty with a sibling
A wonderful idea is to preplan any work needed for events/special occasions. You will be caught up so if you know of birthdays or special events coming up, perhaps it is possible to get cards/gifts or RSVP’s completed ahead of time
Prepare home, making it ergonomic for parents to move around in and everything handy
Expect the unexpected—I cannot emphasize this enough. It will save you in so many little ways. And enjoy that little bundle of joy, you will receive so much more than you could ever imagine.
Welcome Home Baby!
debbietwomey.com is a website founded on the principle that children are not only our most precious commodity, but that proper parenting is not always instinctive and requires constant development through many avenues of information and experiences. Some of those avenues are family, training, advice and of course, Debbie. This website is a font of valuable insights and information that not only take the guesswork out of some of the most difficult parenting aspects but create an inspiring and memorable environment that will benefit all.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
My friend was looking about my kitchen. “Where’s your microwave?”, they asked. I don’t have one. WHAT?! YOU DON’T HAVE A MICROWAVE? No, we got rid of it about 5 years ago and haven’t missed it. “How do you live without a microwave?” she asked. I said easily…
Back in 2000 when I started down the road of natural health I would get an earful about microwaves from my mentor Kathy Kouwe. Microwaves and diet soda were two things Kathy told everyone she met to get rid of. Later I would attend some Natural Health Expos in Toronto, Canada and learn about raw food, cooking food to preserve their nutrients, and eating healthy. Microwaves didn’t have a place in our health regimen anymore. Although I did keep 2 at the office to warm up my hot packs I used in my sessions.
Think twice about warming your food in the microwave. I know it’s more dishes to wash but in the long run if you continue to use it I believe it will contribute to more health problems.
Think about it.
Dr. Mary Starr Carter
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom
*********************************************
The term “microwave society” was coined about 20 years ago. It refers to a generation who wants things done instantaneously and right now. In fact, living and cooking with a microwave is a perfect way to describe how most of us want our food quick and easy.
Other than the TV the microwave is the second appliance most homes have. Interestingly, they did not exist when I was young but I remember they came into our home right about the same time all these Weight Watcher and Lean Cuisine frozen dinners did. Imagine what did the frozen food aisle look like before microwaves.
Many have written about the negative effects of microwave cooking and how the fast oscillating electromagnetic energy is bad for food and health. You may have even done the experiment when water is microwaved and then used to water a plant versus just tap water. The microwaved water kills the plant.
Rather than writing about the bad, here are tips and benefits of living and cooking without a microwave:
One: Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables in their natural state, without cooking retain their natural goodness. Cooked food according to some raw food experts will add acidic toxins faster than what our body can eliminate.
Raw foodists believe that cooking above temperatures higher than 115 to 118 degrees leaches enzymes and vitamins necessary for proper digestion. I am not a raw foodist but eating lots of fruits and vegetables in our daily diet will definitely help promote good health.
The minerals, vitamins and fiber found in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, Type II diabetes, obesity and many other diseases.
They are also convenient to eat in any meal, good for grab-and-go and are readily available. When choosing fruits and vegetables for your family, remember to go for all colors- yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, green and white. Each color represents a certain type of nutrient good for our health.
Two: Eat eggs
Eggs are cheap and easy to prepare. You can boil, poach, scramble or fry an egg. They are nutrient-dense and provide Vitamin D, choline, calcium, folate, selenium, iron and protein.
The American Heart Association (AHA) in 2000 gave eggs the green light as a good source of protein, vitamins and nutrients. It also ruled out eggs’ bad reputation. One large egg contains only 213 mg of cholesterol.
Here is my boiled egg and some suggestions from readers on how to use them in salads:
1. Use black olives, sea salt pepper, cilantro, red onion, turmeric – A.L.
2. Just add curry powder to suit your taste! -A.K.
3. Mayo, salt, and pepper! I serve it on one piece of toasted Ezekiel bread along with salad greens and tomato slices! -J.B.
4. Add some curry spice along with a bit of mayo, & mustard. -N.M.
5.I do Greek yogurt, a tiny bit of mayo and fresh dill little sea salt and pepper. Then you get the added benefit of protein and yogurt. It’s good i like it. –A.K.
6. Just add an avocado. –M.R.
Three: Cook from scratch
Slow cooking with a slow cooker is a great way to prepare meals from scratch. It saves time and money too. Your food will be warm when you are ready to eat. You can read about it here: Slow Cooker Suppers for Busy Moms and Pregnant Mothers.
A good Dutch oven can help make a good stew on a stovetop. The tight-fitting lid of Dutch ovens (heavy cast-iron with enameled coating or stainless steel pots) help retain the flavors and nutrients.
Four: Invest in good pots and pans
Ever heard of the right tool for the right job or you are only as good as your tools? It is the same for your kitchen. The right type of pots and pans will do wonders to the time spent in the kitchen and the flavor it brings.
Don’t forget to invest in herbs, spices and basic ingredients for home cooking.
Five: Eliminate processed and pre-packaged foods
Since the creation of the microwave, food companies saw a need for pre-packaged foods. Some call it ‘TV dinner’. The only requirement for preparation is a microwave.
Most pre-packaged food contains trans fat, high fructose corn syrup, salt, refined grains and preservatives.
Six: Meal Plan
The hardest part when preparing meals for the family is “what do I cook tonight?” Having a meal plan is essential for busy families like ours and helped me take out the ‘figuring out’ or needing to get to the grocery store more than needed.
I use eMeals to help me plan my meals. eMeals helps me choose a plan according to our eating style, family size and favorite grocery store. Every week we receive our meal plan in our inbox complete with seven simple, family-friendly dinner recipes including entrées and side dishes. I receive a detailed shopping list including sales from selected grocery stores. Most importantly, we get to enjoy healthy home-cooked meals.
Think you can’t live without a microwave? Think again. You can do it. Do you have any tips on preparing meals without using the microwave? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook page.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
