If you are eating from a drive through/brick and mortar box; a freezer box; or a cardboard meal in a box you are depriving your body of much needed nutrients and filling your body with empty calories most times.

I am encouraging you to make a change as many people have done during the pandemic. Grow your own food or cook from scratch. Container gardens for small spaces and patios, flowerbeds or creat a full blown space in your yard. Many communities also have garden plots to rent, a small cost compared yo the bounty they give.

Please think about where your food comes from and what’s in it. Stop eating every meal out of a box. 

Sure, it takes time to prep the food.  But doesn’t waiting in the drive through or microwaving a family size lasagna?  If you are not at that point, I am not here to argue with out about grab ‘n goes and convenience.  I agree, yes, you have a point.  What I am here to do is maybe get you to think about eating less boxed, processed and nutrient void foods.  Eating outside the box requires effort in a different way than the effort it takes to eat from a box does.

Food prep can be a family affair, when you get everyone involved they are more likely yo eat it as they helped pick and prepare it. You are spending quality time with your family; can have gym rest conversations about food being fuel and model healthier choices to them.

Please note, one way of eating is not a one size fits all idea.  Our lives and work schedules demand different things at different seasons in life – this is simply an idea to reduce spending; increase the family’s involvement in making food and finding healthier options than those conveniently found in boxes. Grocery stores offer salad in a bag, ready to add your personal touches; even convenience stores offer grab and go salads, fruit and hard boiled eggs. If you’re short on time, make your grab a healthy one - be mindful of your choices. Start small and start somewhere that’s right for you.

Here are some benefits of cooking at home that might help change your mind.

Reduce chemicals: Convenience food is typically high in chemical additives, hormones, sugar, salt, unhealthy fat, and calories, all of which can adversely affect your brain and outlook. It can leave you feeling tired, bloated, and irritable, and exacerbate symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety.

Reduce portions: Restaurants often serve more food than you should eat. Many restaurants serve portions that are two to three times larger than the recommended dietary guidelines. This encourages you to eat more than you would at home, adversely affecting your waistline, blood pressure, and risk of diabetes.

Increase control of ingredients: When you prepare your own meals, you have more control over the ingredients. By cooking for yourself, you can ensure that you and your family eat fresh, wholesome meals. This can help you to look and feel healthier, boost your energy, stabilize your weight and mood, and improve your sleep and resilience to stress.

Increase raw foods: Cooking at home doesn’t have to be complicated.  That means replacing processed food with raw food whenever possible and eating plenty of raw vegetables and fruits as well as healthy sources of protein. It doesn’t mean you have to spend hours in the kitchen combining hundreds of different ingredients or slavishly following elaborate recipes. In fact, simple meals are often the tastiest.

Increase your time: Cooking at home can even take less time that eating out. There are plenty of quick, simple, and wholesome meals you can cook at home in less time than it takes to travel to a restaurant or wait for a delivery.  You can also be comfortable and talk about the day as a family at the table.  Heck, break out grandmas China, make it pretty too!

Improve your mood: Cooking at home is also a great way to spend time with others—and you don’t have to be an accomplished chef. Whatever your abilities or experience as a cook, you can learn to prepare quick and healthy meals that can have real benefits for your mental and physical health.  Invite people over who know how to cook to teach you a few tricks!  Learn from a great cook, have fun conversation and feed the need for social time together.