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How to Stay Motivated on Your Healthy Eating Journey

May 18, 2023

<img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium" src="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/AfoU297XVKYaiLY9PY1nZ4ogazk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-2795719-v2-4f599effeaca4f5685e9f29a64561c02.png" width="1500" height="1000" /> For those looking to achieve long-term success in their healthy eating journey, maintaining motivation is critical. While starting strong is common, many individuals find that their enthusiasm wanes and old habits creep back in over time. However, by adopting the right strategies and mindset, you can stay committed to your healthy eating goals. In this article, we offer practical tips and insights designed to help you stay motivated and committed to your path towards a healthier lifestyle. <ol> <li> Set Clear and Realistic Goals</li> </ol> Developing clear and attainable objectives is critical to maintaining a sense of drive. Instead of striving for dramatic transformation in a short amount of time, try dividing your objectives into smaller, achievable milestones. For instance, rather than stating, “I want to shed 50 pounds,” aim to lose 2 pounds per week. By doing so, you can effectively monitor your progress and celebrate minor accomplishments as you go, fueling your motivation to persevere. <ol start="2"> <li> Find Your Why</li> </ol> Maintaining long-term motivation in adopting a healthier eating lifestyle requires self-awareness. It’s crucial to identify the driving force behind your decision to make a change. Is it an improvement in your well-being, a boost in energy, or serving as a positive role model for your loved ones? Identifying your underlying motivations increases your ability to stay committed to your healthy eating journey by reminding you of the benefits you’ll gain in the long run. <ol start="3"> <li> Create a Supportive Environment</li> </ol> Creating a positive and supportive environment can significantly boost your motivation. Connect with others who share similar health goals by joining online communities or seeking like-minded individuals. Engage your friends and family in your journey to provide the necessary support and accountability. Let a strong support system fuel your growth towards a healthier you. <ol start="4"> <li> Educate Yourself</li> </ol> Become empowered through knowledge when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet. By familiarizing yourself with the benefits of a balanced diet, how various food groups affect your body, and the ways that nutrients can promote overall wellbeing, you can make informed decisions and stay motivated to prioritize healthy eating. Let science be your guide towards optimal health. <ol start="5"> <li> Plan and Prepare Ahead</li> </ol> Maintaining your healthy eating lifestyle can be a challenge, but meal planning and preparation can help you keep motivated and on track. With nutritious options readily available, unhealthy temptations are less likely to derail your progress. By setting aside time each week to plan your meals, make a grocery list, and prep ingredients, you’ll save time and enjoy nourishing meals at your fingertips. <ol start="6"> <li> Celebrate Non-Scale Victories</li> </ol> Monitoring your progress through measurable metrics like weight or inches lost is crucial, but it’s also essential to acknowledge and celebrate non-scale victories. These victories may manifest as enhanced energy levels, improved sleep patterns, increased strength, or fewer cravings. Recognizing and reveling in these accomplishments will amplify your self-confidence and drive as you persist on your journey. <ol start="7"> <li> Practice Mindful Eating</li> </ol> Experience true nourishment and a healthier relationship with food through mindful eating. By paying close attention to each bite, and tuning in to your body’s hunger and fullness signals, you can make more informed food choices and avoid overeating. With mindful eating, discover the joy of savoring every morsel and cultivate a grateful appreciation for the nourishment you consume. It’s an approach that can empower you to stay committed to your healthy eating journey for the long term. <ol start="8"> <li> Reward Yourself</li> </ol> Boost your motivation and stay on track with your healthy eating plan by setting up a system of rewards. Treat yourself to activities that align with your health goals, such as luxurious spa days, inspiring cookbooks, or refreshing weekend getaways. Incorporating rewards that positively reinforce your efforts can help you stay focused and achieve your goals with greater ease and satisfaction. <ol start="9"> <li> Stay Positive and Practice Self-Compassion</li> </ol> Mistakes are common on any journey, so don’t despair over minor setbacks. Show yourself kindness and get back on track. Maintain a positive attitude and seek motivation from uplifting affirmations and quotes to carry on. <ol start="10"> <li> Continually Evolve and Adapt</li> </ol> As you embark on your journey towards healthier eating, keep in mind that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your requirements and tastes may vary as time goes on, so be open to changes and adjustments in your dietary practices. Try new recipes, sample different flavors, and heed the signals your body sends you. By welcoming variation and flexibility, you’ll maintain your drive and secure long-term achievement. Achieving your health goals requires unwavering motivation. But how do you stay motivated on your healthy eating journey? Here are the keys: set clear and realistic goals, identify your motivation, establish a supportive environment, educate yourself, plan ahead, celebrate victories, practice mindfulness, give yourself periodic rewards, maintain positivity, and be flexible in your approach. Following these steps will help you stay motivated and relish the rewards of a healthier lifestyle. <a href="https://fistfuloflentils.com/">GO BACK TO HOME</a>

Meal Planning – Take Control of Your Meals

May 8, 2023

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<img decoding="async" src="https://i.imgur.com/OHc6ird.png" alt="dinner planning" align="left" /> <h1></h1> The act of figuring out what to eat each evening – whether you’re feeding yourself or an entire family – can feel like a huge burden. The good news is, planning ahead is a great way to take control of your meal choices and reduce the stress of weeknight cooking. When you sit down to create a meal plan, first lay out your weekly schedule and any commitments. This will help you estimate how much time you can spend each night cooking or reheating food. Once you have the parameters set, look at your pantry and fridge to determine what ingredients you already have and need to use up. This step is crucial because it can save you from buying a ton of different foods that might go bad before you get around to using them. After identifying any refrigerated or frozen items that need to be used up, start looking for dinner ideas that incorporate these ingredients. This could be as simple as tacos, salads, or pasta bowls that can be adapted to each person’s individual preferences with the addition or removal of certain foods. It’s also a good idea to include at least one “quick and easy” dinner in your meal plan each week. Not only does this reduce dinner time stress, but it also helps to ensure that everyone in the household has something healthy to eat when they’re not feeling motivated to cook something more complex. If you’re new to meal planning, keep in mind that the level of culinary sophistication of your meals doesn’t matter as much as simply making a meal plan and following through with it. As you get more comfortable with the process, you can work up to more advanced recipes if that’s what you prefer, but don’t be afraid to stick with simpler options for the bulk of your meals. Full-on meal prep can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the kitchen and have picky eaters in your house. However, there are many ways you can cut down on prep time without sacrificing quality or flavor. The most common way to make dinner prep easier is by preparing “building blocks” — or parts of recipes that can be easily swapped in and out for each meal. For example, you may want to prepare a batch of chicken breasts on the weekend that can be used for tacos, soups and stir frys. Another way to cut down on prep time is by utilizing your oven. If you’re making several dishes that require the oven, consider setting up a rotating schedule where you bake one night and reheat the leftovers on other nights of the week. You can also minimize food waste by labeling and storing prepared foods with their expiration dates front and center in your refrigerator or freezer. This will keep you from accidentally throwing out forgotten frozen veg or a pot of stew that has been sitting in the back of your freezer for too long. <iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WwwfgtFleng" width="531" height="297" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe>

How to Write Good Recipes for Foodservice Operations

May 8, 2023

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<img decoding="async" src="https://i.imgur.com/oIPRKze.jpg" alt="recipies" align="left" /> <h1></h1> A recipe is a formula of ingredients and instructions used to create prepared foods. It is an important tool for foodservice operations to control quality, quantity, and food costs. A well-written and standardized recipe provides the foundation for consistent results. <h4>A good recipe should include the following:</h4> 1. A complete list of ingredients with their common names and their proper spelling. This should be done in a manner that is easy to read and understand. Avoid using abbreviations, such as “c.” or “ml.” Use full words consistently throughout the recipe for the most clarity. 2. A detailed list of steps with their order and duration. This should be written in a manner that is easy to follow and not too long. Breaking up large blocks of text with headings, bullet points, and numbered steps makes it easier for the reader to understand the recipe. 3. Cooking times and temperatures for each step. A standardization of this information will help all staff members produce the same result every time. 4. Step-by-step preparation and cooking instructions, including equipment requirements and oven temperature settings. A standardized recipe should also provide a clear description of the food and its characteristics, such as texture, appearance, aroma, and flavor. 5. A reference to any additional information, such as cooking hints, tips, or tricks that will help the user produce consistent results. This is particularly important if the recipe is being used by inexperienced cooks. 6. A suggested serving size. This will enable the reader to gauge the amount of food they should prepare, especially when the recipe is a batch for more than one person. In addition to the technical elements of a recipe, it is important that a chef understand how to write well and be familiar with accepted style conventions. Many cookbooks, magazines, and online recipe sources offer guidance on how to write a recipe. It is also recommended that a recipe writer study the recipes of others to see how they are constructed. It is essential that a chef test a recipe and get the most accurate measurements, ingredient amounts, and cooking times possible. Inaccurate measurement will affect the final product and can be costly to a foodservice operation. Inaccurate procedures and cooking techniques will also impact the final outcome of a dish. Creating a recipe from scratch can take a great deal of time and effort. However, when a recipe is well-written and followed it will make the cooking process much more efficient. It will save a kitchen time, increase the quality of the finished food, and allow for more consistency in production and service. Properly standardized recipes will also eliminate the need for a chef to be on hand at all times, which will free up time for other tasks. Recipes will need to be checked and reviewed periodically for accuracy, but once a procedure is proven to be correct, it should be repeated exactly. This will save both the chef and the operator money. <iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JYQtQtTI9X4" width="539" height="301" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe>

Delicious Foods

May 8, 2023

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<img decoding="async" src="https://i.imgur.com/7IG9EY3.jpg" alt="Delicious foods" align="right" /> <h1></h1> Delicious foods are those which are so mouth-watering that the very thought of them can cause drooling, salivation and an insatiable desire to eat. Time-honored staples are often extraordinarily nourishing, and have been perfected through generations of observation and wisdom. Aside from being tasty, they also tend to be quite healthy, as they contain many nutrients that are important for our well-being. Some of the best examples include rice, oxtail, katsu curry and, of course, cheese curds! Whether served in McDonald’s chicken nuggets or Chick-fil-A’s nuggets, American’s can’t seem to get enough of this tasty treat. It’s no wonder, since chicken tenders are incredibly filling and easy to make. This fried-to-perfection snack can be eaten with either dipping sauces or with bread for an extra layer of flavor. It’s the ultimate comfort food, and one of the best in the world! This savory stew is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber, making it a great option for anyone who is trying to watch their weight. It is easy to make and can be enjoyed by both adults and children. It’s also great for warming you up on a cold day! In a society that values fast-food and instant gratification, it’s easy to forget that real food takes some time to prepare. It is worth the wait, especially when it comes to these delicious foods! These slow-cooked dishes are rich in flavor, full of nutrients and are a good choice for those who want to avoid processed food. The best part is that these dishes can be made at home and are very affordable! Although a polarizing dish, sabayon is definitely one of the most delicious foods in the world. This creamy custard is usually served in small cups and topped with berries or other fruits like meringue, giving it a refreshing taste that is ideal for summer! The average American consumes more than 23 pounds of ice cream and other frozen desserts a year. Among the most popular flavors are vanilla and chocolate! If you’re not a fan of the traditional ice cream, try this healthier alternative. A beloved street food of Durban, South Africa, bunny chow is an amalgamation of several different foods. It consists of hollowed-out half or quarter loaves of white bread filled with super spicy curry and grilled on a stick. The dish is named for its rabbit-shaped appearance, but no actual bunnies are harmed during its preparation. These are just a few of the many delicious foods that you should try! The next time you’re feeling hungry, grab one of these foods to satisfy your craving. We guarantee that you will not regret it! Just be sure to try these foods in moderation, as they can be high in calories. Just remember, eating too much of any food is not good for your health. So enjoy these delicious foods in moderation and be happy! Have you tried any of these delicious foods before? Let us know in the comments below! <iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d32oOPwP4pM" width="404" height="226" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe>