This is My Plan and I'm Sticking to it

When it comes to a diet that works for you and your family think "lifestyle". Decide how and what you want to eat; vegetarian, vegan, organic or just sensible. I used to adhere to, "Eat anything you want. Just do so in moderation." Personally, because of various food sensitivities, I can't do that. So I've had to make a lifestyle change to gluten-free with animal products, dairy and caffeine in moderation. At first this was overwhelming. Now it actually simplifies things. When you can't choose everything...you learn to make the best of what is available. So here's a few tips, helpful for anyone, regardless of your specific tastes, diet restrictions, or budget.

 

 

• Decide on a lifestyle diet
• Chose several recipes that fit, make them, expand on them, improvise and grow your repertoire from there.
• Keep a stocked pantry of the basics needed for your plan so when you're inspired to try something new, you have options.
• Shop for perishable items at least twice a week and plan your meals around them.
• Search for recipes that can be made quickly for those times when meals have to be ready in a flash.
• Mix these quick recipes with ones that require more time and plan to make these when cooking can be a labor of love shared with assistance in the kitchen.
• Be open to inspiration from everywhere: restaurant meals, magazines, TV, grocery stores, specialty and farmer’s markets.
• View your new lifestyle choice as an adventure rather than a chore. This simple shift in perception will bring joy to this process and this alone is priceless.