Pantry/Cupboard Makeover

Pantry/Cupboard Makeover
by Lisa Drew, Certified Nutritionist

What do you see when you open the doors to your pantry or cupboard? If it's bare (not due to the economy, but lack of shopping), that's good news! It means starting from scratch.

Tips for Success:

1. Throw out expired food
2. Donate highly processed food, canned fruit in syrup, etc. to a local food bank or shelter.
3. Move older dated foods to the front and new items to the back. This is a constant rotation.
4. Categorize your shelves; ex. canned foods (tomato sauce/paste, beans/legumes, tuna, fruit in own juices, etc.), cereals, condiments, etc. You get the idea.
5. Do not bring home your trigger foods! Why set yourself up for guilt later?

By simply following these simple steps, you are setting yourself and your family up for success!

Explore, Dream, Discover

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.- Mark Twain, American writer

Do you have a list of things that you always wanted to do or accomplish? How long ago did you write it? Or, maybe you didn't actually put your thoughts to paper just yet. Well, what are you waiting for? Write down your wants, dreams, and things to accomplish. Place the list where you will always see it. Start with the most attainable one. Maybe you always wanted to skydive, take a professional cooking class, travel to a foreign country, or maybe start your own business. Whatever it is, just do it!  Don't let fear get in the way! Make a plan. If you can't afford it, start by having a special money jar labeled with your dream. Skip that Starbucks run or dinner out and put that money you saved into the jar. Before you know it, you will have enough. There is always a way.  Don't let life pass you by any longer!

New Year Better Healthier You?

So, here we are. It's January 3rd, 2011. Did you make any New Year's Resolutions? Do you think you broke them already? If so, don't give up. My goodness it's only the third day! Cut yourself a break. Afterall, Rome wasn't built in a day! Habits take 2-3 weeks to create. By taking small steps and creating small achievable goals you will be ok. Those healthy habits will become a permanent part of your life!

Write down the things you want to change about yourself big and small. Some examples might be: weight loss, order out less and cook more at home, organize, declutter, exercise, quit smoking, etc. Don't try to tackle your list all at once. It's to much, you will get discouraged and give up. That's not going to happen this year! Organize your list-most important being first. Then make a small achievable plan to achieve that goal. Yes, changing yourself for the better takes work. Are you committed to you? Be honest with that answer! If you aren't committed to yourself then you might as well give up now. If you aren't good to yourself in mind, body and soul; how do you expect to be any good to anyone else? 

Some tips for success:

• Get yourself a dayplanner or use your phone calendar and schedule an appointment for yourself.
• Create a To Do List daily. Prioritize it. Whatever doesn't get done, okay. Tomorrow is a new day.
• Take a minimum of 5 minutes daily to meditate. Nice thing is meditating can be done anywhere. Simply find a quiet space, close your eyes, take deep breathes and clear your mind. Once you get in this habit, get some guided meditation cd's or go to a guided meditation class.
• Never, ever, reward yourself with food! Whether weight loss is an issue for you or not. This is just a good rule in general. Treat yourself to something special instead, ex. mani/pedi, hot bath, movie, new outfit, round of golf. You get the idea.

This is the year you will succeed! You are on your way to a healthy lifestyle that you've been wanting for years. I believe in you! Now it's time to believe in yourself!

Contact me for additional guidance: http://www.lisadrewnutrition.com/