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Healthy Habits 20/6

Sal

Veteran

There were some comments on other threads that people missed this thread so I will try to get this going again after Shedev did a wonderful job for a long time. If I forget anyone else is welcome to do this on a weekly basis - you will not be "stepping on my toes". Let's keep it practical and positive, and share support and ideas with others.

I have made a couple of changes in an effort to be healthy. I have mostly cut sugar from my daily diet - not entirely, but most days I am having no added sugar and only milk and fresh fruit sugars (1-2 pieces per day). I am also trying to start running again with the goal of a 5km run by the end of the month:) And I am trying not to snack between meals.

I am still eating desserts if I go to friend's for dinner, or when I was made a birthday cake (and still drinking coffee and having wine - but a little less). But I am not eating chocolate after dinner nor snacking on dates and raisins.

This is the first time in my life I have watched my diet seriously. I am not finding it easy but I felt that I was starting to snack mindlessly on poor choices. I see this as a correction to establish better daily habits as I reach the age where my metabolism is slowing down.

I am still going to the gym three mornings a week and have done a small amount of yoga. I am also walking with friends and now adding 2-3 short runs into the mix.

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33 replies

Latest reply was from Classically Casual

catgirl

Veteran

Yay thread! I am recovering well and have made a huge effort to change my (and family's) eating habits for the better. More salmon and veggies (hello Spiralizer), less sugar, etc.

Also getting back into the swing of a long walk every day, as strenuous hiking and climbing are still off limits for another two weeks.

How do you get your significant other on board with this stuff if they aren't excited about it?

MsMaven

Veteran

Thank you so much for starting this, Sally. I've missed this thread and thought about trying to revive it, but I've been so busy the last few weeks I wondered if I had missed something.

Was gone for a week to visit family and took turns eating and drinking special foods at each person's home. Salt, sugar and abundant wine. It wasn't that I gained a lot of weight, it was that my ankles swelled up (salt, carbs and heat, and I'm sure alcohol) and I don't take that as a healthy sign.

Back home for a while, so I hope to return to regular exercise and healthier diet. I've been rethinking sugar--I'm eating a lot of Weight Watchers and Skinny Cow frozen desserts and they just don't satisfy like say, one oatmeal cookie.

Even if no one reads my healthy posts, it is good for me to have a place to be accountable.

carter

Veteran

Great to have the thread back, Sally! Love to see that both you and Una are eliminating added sugar and focusing on better choices.

I'm feeling great! Since my last parent died in December--both in their early 70s--I've been on a mission to eliminate inflammation-causing sources. It's been going quite well. Just hit another 2 year low in my weight. Energy is fantastic. Sleep is excellent. Strength continues to increase. Oddly enough, my heat tolerance has seen vast improvement. No joint aches left. No headaches. No dry skin. Blood pressure is now normal.

I'm continuing to work on eliminating potentially dangerous chemicals from personal care items. Make up is the current focus. It's proving to be quite the challenge!

The schedule at the gym has been in flux lately with instructor vacations, so I haven't been able to go as often as I like. Hoping that will settle back into the normal schedule soon.

Peri

Veteran

I've never been very active on this thread and yet I do need to focus on being more healthy. For the past two weeks I've been trying to cut way back on gluten foods...not easy when my DH keeps bringing home French bread and angel food cake. I can't say I haven't had any, but definitely less than I was bingeing on.

I've also changed my breakfast from over a cup of brown rice cereal and almonds to just about half a cup, almonds and an apple. I eat rice at lunch and dinner too, but trying to cut portions in half. My main not-healthy habit is too much chocolate in the form of mindless handfuls of chocolate chips all through the day. I don't want to go to zero but I think I can try to be more mindful and cut portions there too.

Baby steps.

Anonymous

I've never participated in this thread but here I am . Carter - you continue to be an inspiration to me . Keep writing and I'll keep doing what you do . I'm serious . I do enjoy wine . Full stop . But I continue to try to be mindful of how much I have - especially during the week . Walking outdoors at lunch time is my favourite thing - I get an hour of cardio plus an hour of sun Nothing makes me feel better than that ! I'm trying to find a breakfast routine I like -I like eating the same thing every day . Lunch too .

anne

Veteran

Sally I hear you on mindless eating. Well done on the running. I can't wait to get back into it myself. And thanks for starting up the thread again.

Carter - you are going from strength to strength

MsMaven - I want to hear more about "rethinking sugar"

Peri, I think it must be hard to work from home like you do - I do find myself eating all the time on the days when I am at home. I love rice and find it VERY tempting to over eat it ! And if I wasn't coeliac, I'd fall for french bread for sure (there was some in the house on the weekend and I would have loved to have some).

Would it help to say with the choc chips that you'll only buy a certain amount a week/ month etc and when they are gone, they are gone? I do this with my daughters who love cocoa - there's a date on the tin when they know they'll get a refill.

As for me - My woe of the year has been mentioned in earlier threads - but it continues. I have continuing issues with irritation and sometimes inflammation of the tendon above my knee. It was getting better - then I went to Nepal. I was recovering from that with a new running specific physio who got me doing lots of strength exercises and the Couch 25km.

And then he said it was fine to go back to spin class! Even though I took it easy, perhaps this was not the best reintroduction to cycling given I hadn't cycled all year. Sore knees again, and some inflammation even a week later.

Other issues - I am really focusing on sleep. I recently purchased a Fitbit Charge HR and this tracks sleep. On weekdays I average a little over 6 hours. This is not enough for me - I am often falling asleep at my desk.

To complicate matters, I am doing some OT therapy exercises with DD and need to wake up at 6am to fit that in.

My new resolve is not to look at my phone after 10pm, but any other suggestions will be gratefully received!

anne

Veteran

Una

How do you get your significant other on board with this stuff if they aren't excited about it?

I don't know!! I'm not happy about my DH on this either. He barely eats all day apart from milky coffees (sometimes lunch) Then in the evening (such a night owl) he'll break out the chips and beer. He is still normal weight but unfit and more skinnyfat than me. But he's an adult and I can't mother him!

catgirl

Veteran

My DH is all about carbs and his version of comfort food is red meat and potatoes and crappy cereal. We come from very different households food wise. We have lost six of his family members in 3 years (he's at a funeral in Boston now - I couldn't go because of surgery restrictions) and he is in an understandable slump so I hate to nag or deprive him, but I really worry about his health. And I know how it can get when trapped in a cycle of being depressed about life and being out of shape, eating to soothe, and getting more out of shape, etc. Our son is a pretty good eater, but what teen boy won't inhale a box of sugary cereal if it's around?

I should start a different thread so as not to hijack! But all advice appreciated.

Sally

Veteran

I am trying to maintain weight loss through being careful what I eat but I will never give up red wine and chocolate and my mums apricot and Walnut muffins.
Oh and continuing to walk for an hour about 5 to 6 days a week.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all for your contributions!!

Una - I liked the sound very much of your parents diet and I am interested in the spiraliser. Well done on your speedy recovery. On the subject of your partner, I guess now is a hard time for him, but maybe you could talk about your concerns for his health and the delicious meals you could share. I also find balancing my needs vs my family a challenge - Jon and the boys love carbs and are all slimmer than me.

MsMaven - I know the feeling after a week of indulgences!! A healthy dessert option I like is greek yoghurt with fruit (raspberries/apricots/pear - whatever is seasonal).

Carter - you are making brilliant progress. I can see that having family members with health issues is super motivating. There are some good cleansers and skin care ranges with organic ingredients - I am not so sure on the makeup. World Organics?

Peri - I think focusing on one - two things at a time is a good idea and trying to form new habits. Then you can move on to the next one. Good to see you here.

Lisa - I agree, fresh air and a walk is good for the soul and the body. I should do more of it than I do....I used to do so much when the boys were small, it kept me in great shape. I like bircher muesli or porridge/oatmeal for breakfast, or maybe eggs. I can skip carbs at lunch and dinner but I like a few at breakfast. And I love wine too - but currently avoiding midweek......

Anne - you are a busy person, it is hard to make time for yourself. Knees are hard - I can't give very good advice. And sleep is a challenge - 6 hours consistently does not sound enough though.

Sally - I like your tastes:) You have done well this year with your programme - any tips to share?

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Starting very gently. One week of not eating after 9pm. Doesn't sound like much, but I get tired and instead of going to sleep I eat a lot of extra calories, and then the energy keeps me up late, which affects my sleep.

Sally

Veteran

Thanks Sally. The biggest thing is tracking what I eat on the weight watchers app. My friend said she couldn't do it as she wants it to be a lifestyle. In that case I said to her"eat what you like but watch portion size" and I think regular exercise is great for body tone

Runcarla

Veteran

Ah! Wine can be a spanner in the works! I keep it for weekends, for the most part and eliminate for a week or two around a race. When I go without ( a month or more) I do notice physical changes - mainly less pooch belly and more 'bounce' during workouts.

To help myself when I'm trying to refrain, I will plan meals that don't work with wine.

Anonymous

Carter, I want to know what sort of foods you consider to be inflammation causing. Inquisitive minds wants to know

I've been a bit better at getting more walks in lately and I have tentatively started a small weights workout once a week. I have cut out a stack of salt from my diet over the last three months by learning how to cook many meals from scratch rather than relying on jars of sauces, or packet stuff for convenience sake. I also started to bake my own bread without salt and to include more healthy fats and less sugar.

viva

Veteran

I'm in. Just restarted cutting way back on sugar. Lisap and I had an exchange a while ago that cutting back, period, seems to be more important than ever as we get older, so I am doing that too. Just eating less. And that feels good. I've also stopped eating breakfast right when I get up (lifelong habit) -- I wait now, and I find that I eat less, and I eat better.

I'm also getting back to exercising after a long work- and shingles-related hiatus. This morning in my hotel room I did a yoga class offered virtually (via a Skype-like app) by my barre studio at 6:30am. It's the kind of thing I really should have been doing all year, but better late than never.

Una: my DH struggles mightily with food; it's a real issue on his side of the family, and there is a genetic predisposition to overweight too. He has FINALLY started some therapy around food, thanks to a hospital-run mini-program like Weight Watchers that on a whim he took advantage of. It provided 6 therapy sessions and he is finding it really helpful and is likely to continue when the program ends. (My side of the family is very pro-therapy; both of my daughters see therapists for different reasons, and I do off and on. But DH, you know, he has all the answers. haha.) Anyway, I don't know if he is losing any weight but he is talking about food totally differently now and much more openly and honestly. I am hopeful for the first time in many years. Good luck; it's very hard. I've learned over 27 years with him that I just can't control, shame, or love him into changing. He's got to do it himself.

Anonymous

We talk a lot about nutrition in our house. It started with me - carefully- but as it's a big interest of mine, I would talk about it as it had to do with what I made for dinner that night (not in a "you shouldn't be eating that" way). DH works with a big group of men who sit around eating together and discussing who is eating what. All it took was for one of them to declare he was on the Wheat Belly Diet (or whatever it was) and the flood gates were open. They all like to compare notes, tell each other what to do, etc. Then as DD got older, her sports interests demanded that she eat really well. It all came together eventually. I do still find myself acting like a 50's mom and buying my family "treats" at the grocery store - stuff I don't eat myself - which sends a conflicted message as my DH reminds me. We are also really fitness-focused here - with all of us gym members and all of us very much into sports. Family long bike rides, runs and rollerblading sessions were mandatory when DD was a little younger

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Sally. It's just like you to be proactive and positive. Thank you. You have always looked and sounded fit and healthy to me. Naturally sporty and very down to earth. Love that.

I LOVE yoga and go to a class up the road 4 to 5 times a week. Sometimes 6 times if I can manage it. I do an assortment of practices because the combination works best for me: Yin, Hatha, Slow Flow & Vinyassa. My head, heart and body feel the best they have ever felt, and I am very grateful for that. We walk Sam each day, and of cousre - I shop for a living. You'll get your daily work out when you shop with me!

FWIW, I am another who is VERY interested in food, cooking and nutrition - have been since I was a child. Personally, I do not believe in cutting out food groups (unless you are allergic to them), drinking lots of water, and I am skeptical of the information overload that is available on the subject of nutrition. I believe in Mindful Eating, high quality and interesting home cooked food when you are at home, animal products, making sure that what you eat is 100% worth the calories, satisfying my sweet tooth, and enjoying life. I do not eat mammals, coffee or alcohol, and I am very strict about that. I eat carbs, dairy, nuts and sugar daily, as well as lots of fish, chicken, veg, tofu and fruit. We are huge lovers of fresh Asian food, and I prep that a lot too. I also take my tea very seriously, and drink many cups a day. Of course, this eating plan does not work for everyone - not at all - but it works for us. I'm grateful to have a cast iron stomach and a husband who enjoys my cooking.

Anonymous

I've been focused on strength rather than weight loss for awhile now, combined with a better diet based on moderation, more fiber and no red meat. I turned 40 this year and from what I've read and observed, I view gaining/maintaining strength as a key component to aging well physically. Resistance training and healthy eating also naturally lead to some weight loss ... if not weight loss, at least an improved body shape. The focus on strength is empowering, too, as opposed to watching numbers on a scale. And if you lift weights, you've GOT TO EAT (the right things) to gain muscle! Win-win!

Anyway, I've been doing fairly well with all that, although I'd like to walk more.

One area I really need to improve on is getting to bed earlier. I stay up way too late.

shedev

Veteran

thank you for reviving this thread Sally. I've been logging food and exercise at my fitness pal for the last couple weeks. I did three days of Krav Maga last week. It is really wearing me out. I hope to add strength training back in in a couple weeks. Right now I'm just trying to lose some fat. I have lost a couple lbs.

For food, I've just been counting calories and eating things I'd normally eat. I'm really don't want to restrict myself beyond what celiacs forces me to. The exception to that is that I don't do any artificial sweeteners or HFCS.

I wish Hedev could go train with me but he doesn't get off in time. He's not likely to eat healthy.

Style Fan

Veteran

Great thread Sally. Thank you for starting Sally. I go to Yoga about 5 times a week. I do a Vinyassa type Yoga on most days. I have also done Ashtanga, Yin, Hatha and whatever else is available. DH also does Yoga. He sometimes goes twice a day.
I love walking but right now my feet are acting up. I am trying to keep up some level of activity. I have been walking up and down the stairs outside our house twice. I do this about 3 or 4 times a week. I would do it more but the heat wave did me in.
I plan to start the stair walking again and hope to do it daily. Maybe I can increase the number of times.
DH and I are vegetarians. I don't remember when we stopped eating meat but I feel much better since I made that decision. We will eat fish on occasion. So really we are pescetarians.
I rarely drink wine because I found it was a trigger for migranes.
I do drink about 8 glasses of water a day. One cup of coffee in the morning and one cup of tea in the afternoon. No juice or soda. I don't like it.

The picture is of the stairs I am doing.

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goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for starting this up again Sally.
I struggle with finding the time to exercise with my busy schedule. I have been doing OrangeTheory Fitness. I'm signed up for a twice a week plan. I don't always get to the gym that often, but I try to go on my days off or weekend. I went today. I like it because it combines treadmill with weight training and rowing. The problem is that there is no childcare there so either the nanny or DH has to watch the kids. I also go to Dailey Method which is a barre class. That place has childcare and I have had mom/kid playdates with another mom who has a son same age as DS1. We sometimes go there on a Saturday morning and the kids play there while we work out and then we go to the park and lunch afterward. I haven't been going to either of these as much as I should the past few weeks and need to get back into it. I also need to start getting into doing home exercise videos. I've done Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 in the past and also bought the 21 Day Fix Extreme. I've done some of those workouts but need to do it more regularly. DH is doing the elliptical every day because he is trying to get ready for an upcoming dive trip to Vancouver next month. It's strenuous cold water dry suit diving so he has to be in good shape. I've been drooling over the Peloton bike--a stationary bike that has a built in screen so you can do spin classes at home. Too expensive to consider right now but it looks so fun. The problem with the OTF classes is that my knees crackle and pop when I move them and my heels hurt sometimes after running a lot. I'm worried I'm causing myself injuries by running. I do have good running shoes (ASICs and Brooks) but my 42 year old body is not as young as it used to be.

Nutritionally, my downfall is late night snacking, especially popcorn and candy. I've really cut down on the candy lately, although I let myself have some Mentos this week. I'm doing a one month challenge to eat 5 fruits/veggie servings per day. I also want to try low carb like DH is doing. It really works for him when he does it. Una, thanks for the tip about the spiralizer. I've been wanting to try to add more veggies to our diet and am hoping this might be one way to do it. I don't know if the kids will go for it (they do like certain veggies like broccoli & cauliflower, but none of them liked the asparagus I served tonight), but maybe letting them help spiralize (in supervised and limited fashion) might make it more fun for them...we could try spaghetti zoodles. I ordered the Mueller spiralizer--it was only $19 on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Spira.....WFZM/ref=s
This one seems easy to use because of the vertical orientation and the container to catch the food. It gets good reviews. Can't wait to try it out!

Chris987

Veteran

This is a great idea. I don't think I was around YLF last time this was done but glad to see it now.

I have been into working out most of my adult life, with a lot of off and on. I did yoga in college and started up again about 7 or 8 years ago when a chronic back muscle pull got really bad and OTC pain killers were not helping. These days I go to classes twice a week and really love it although it is hard work and I often have a bit of soreness afterwards. I also am working with a personal trainer on a customized strength program that I do at home. I meet with her every couple of months and it's some of the best $$ I've ever spent. I walk almost every day and lately do a bit of running too, generally 30 minutes or more a day. In spring, I do my own landscaping/gardening cleanup which is a GREAT workout not to mention a good excuse to spend more time outdoors after our cold winters.

I eat a pretty healthy diet and am not completely strict about anything, but did generally give up white flour and sugar about 20 years ago., and I keep them out of my daily/weekly routine. Also gave up soda, even diet soda. I do occasionally eat things like ice cream or nacho chips at home, and also eat desserts at restaurants sometimes or at social events at other people's homes.

I eat chicken, fish, fruit, dairy, whole grains, and try to eat veg at every meal even breakfast. One of my favorite breakfasts lately is roughly two servings of cooked veg as leftovers from dinner with two cooked eggs on top. I do find that i have more energy if I eat a lot of veg and keep the grains to a minimum. Red meat too but less often. I eat nuts and seeds as snacks but would like to work them more into meals. I drink a lot of tea and sometimes too much coffee, which I adore :-). I also drink dry red or white wine, usually only on weekends and swap in Belgian or wheat beer in summer. I never seem to drink enough water and have no excuse for it

DH has done most of the cooking all the years we've been together since he works at home, and even thought I don't go off to an office job any more he does not want to give it up. We eat pretty simply at home, grilled chicken or fish, raw AND cooked veg, and he eats pasta and rice but I usually skip it.

I've found that as i get older the difference between feeling good and feeling blah has a lot to do with what I eat and drink, so eating healthy is in some ways easier than it was when I was younger and didn't notice the difference as much.

catgirl

Veteran

Natalie, I feel your pain! DS is not thrilled about the veggie noodles but he is at an age where he'd eat cardboard if he's hungry enough. I hope it works out...

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all for the contributions, I have read them all but right now can't respond individually. I will start a new thread next week and we can keep contributing and offer suggestions and support.

There have been some ideas here I have really liked - spiraliser is the one I will probably act on.

We are all different - locations, ages, metabolisms, time pressures, food allergies and intolerances, climates, personal beliefs, cultures, personalities. To use an inappropriate analogy for this animal loving forum "there are many ways to skin a cat". Some cities are made for walking and building exercise into your daily day (London, Paris, San Francisco), and I never realised how walking unfriendly a place could be until I visited Tulsa, Oklahoma, when there were no sidewalks, we had to walk on the road or the gutter, and every thing was built around the car. We could not find a public pool either for our children to enjoy, and we did bike on the river path, but getting to it was no easy feat!! I had a great time there and I liked the city - and I have friends who have a wonderful life in Oklahoma. But these issues were a culture shock for me!!

One thing I have realised over the last year is that I associate sugar with love. Our family belief was to make cakes for celebrations, to give cookies for housewarmings, to make loaves and muffins for sick relatives, and to give chocolates and fudges to partners and at Christmas. And if I am low, eating cake makes me feel better because it makes me feel loved.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Goldenpig, we've gotten several orange theory places here recently and I've thought of trying it out. Maybe after I do my half marathon this fall.

Today I did a three mile hilly hike in ten minutes shorter than it took me last time, three weeks ago. Not a huge change but I felt much better and was definitely faster on the uphills (to be fair, it wasn't quite as hot today). Last Saturday's long walk with the training group was 7 miles, and it was the first time I woke up the next morning and didn't feel sore. I could tell I'd done something, but my muscles weren't actively achy like they had been in previous weeks. I think I've crossed the border of sedentary land and am firmly in the territory of slightly fit.

Helen11

Veteran

Great to see this thread up again, thanks, Sally!
My one healthy habit this week is to have *not opened* the packet of TimTams in the fridge.
(Chocolate coated biscuits )
I plan to get back to walking next week, when I'm over this cold.

RobinF

Veteran

This is a great idea. It is so interesting to read the different ways we attack healthy eating and working out.

I have always been weight-conscious and am an on-and-off-again exerciser. This January I started walking on our treadmill while listening to audio books. I try to do it for about a half hour right after work every day that I am home, so have been managing 5 or 6 times a week. The audio books help keep me coming back and this is the longest amount of time I have stuck to an exercise plan since I was in my 20's.

Then in April a friend talked me into joining her small group personal trainer in lifting weights and I really like that. We go twice a week and I love seeing muscles that were really starting to get flabby, now start to firm up again.

Like you Sally, I have cut way down on sweets. I was eating candy and cookies once or twice a day, just empty calories so decided I need to cut out that bad habit. Now I save my sweet treats for the weekends and only once or twice. I still have a glass of wine many days after work and drink probably too much coffee but I have it black and am not willing to even consider giving it up!

I am feeling much better with these changes. They are making small differences and very slowly but hopefully these are changes that I can stick with.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Well I guess it's about time I joined this thread! I thought I was eating healthy enough, but since my surprise heart attack weeks ago my diet suddenly got WAY stricter. So pitching in with you guys here will help keep me accountable.

I mostly cooked from scratch, lots of fruit and veggies and whole grains,no soda, infrequent desserts, rare wine. But now-- it's all fish, beans, skinless chicken breast, and occasional low fat cheese or leanest cuts of red meat. My daughter visited last weekend and removed all my butter, sour cream, cheese... sigh; dairy fats was my weakness.

So far DH is still doing most of the meals (following the menu DD laid out for him) and I am already bored with fish. But we've had a couple of interesting bean dishes already. Youngest DD who is vegetarian will be home for the summer, I hope she will inspire me.

I have been googling recipes for baked goods etc that I can make using mashed banana instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners.

I've also started twice daily walks, supposed to start with just 5 minutes. Since I am 3 minutes from the beach, this will only get better.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Wow, lots of good inspiration here.

After a rough winter and spring, I've been working these last couple of weeks to be more committed to getting daily activity in. My basic idea is to sweat for at least a half hour -- preferably a full hour -- once a day. I like to mix it up. Run/walk one day, bike the next, swim, etc. This week I finally got to the fab new Under Armour gym that opened up after a long construction delay about five blocks away from my studio. They offered a really amazing bargain rate for people who signed on before they opened (last year! When they thought they would open Jan 1), and I impulsively joined. I included some pics from inside the building, which is a treat in itself. (The last two photos were taken when I walked out of the building after a rainstorm, and show the clock tower where I work.)

So this week I took a barre class there, and a boxing class last night. Both classes were intense workouts and got me sweating buckets! But last night after boxing, I could definitely feel that endorphin high, even more so than I do after a bike ride. I was also pleasantly surprised that even though this was an entirely new kind of workout for me, I pretty much kept up with everyone and didn't seem to need any more breaks in activity than the other class members (most of whom are men). I got fist bumps from lots of the other class members and the instructor after we were done.

So now I need to keep it up (even though I'll be away for three weeks soon, I'll be hiking almost every day).

My much bigger struggle is eating. I have a sweet tooth, and I find it hard to bypass treats. Also, unlike many of you, I did NOT grow up in a family that enjoyed and celebrated cooking. My mom had very simple -- and yes, bland -- tastes, and cooking was pretty much just a task. She liked vegetables more than meat, but I suppose I take more after my father in that left to my own devices, if I didn't know better, I'd probably eat junk all the time. I'm not proud of that, but there it is. So I am always pushing myself into healthier choices and trying to resist lazy eating. The good thing is that I tend to self-correct: if I eat crap food for a day or two, I then start craving salad and healthier things.

One thing has been helpful in the last couple of months: a friend sent us a free week of Blue Apron, and I've gotten several weeks' worth now. They are really great for making sure I cook at home, watch portion sizes, and gain confidence in my cooking skills. Plus I have some new knowledge of what makes dishes tasty (so often the key is in the flavoring and sauces!). It's not cheap, but I like not wasting food, and I do find it satisfying to cook, even if it is kind of time-consuming.

Has anyone else found ways to make cooking and eating healthier more fun?

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