Fall Means Getting Back To Routine...
I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing summer full of sun, fresh food, tranquility and time with family and friends. Sometimes returning to school and work commitments can be difficult after summer fun!
However, returning to our day to day commitments after summertime presents a perfect opportunity to get back to routine with a recharged and refreshed mindset. It can also be a great time to make changes or adjustments to our routines for the upcoming year.
This week I will be sharing some reminders to keep in mind as we all get back to our routines this fall. For those of us feeling sad that summer is over, just remember all the amazing things that fall can offer... warm drinks, beautiful scenery, comfy sweaters and delicious fall recipes to name a few!
However, returning to our day to day commitments after summertime presents a perfect opportunity to get back to routine with a recharged and refreshed mindset. It can also be a great time to make changes or adjustments to our routines for the upcoming year.
This week I will be sharing some reminders to keep in mind as we all get back to our routines this fall. For those of us feeling sad that summer is over, just remember all the amazing things that fall can offer... warm drinks, beautiful scenery, comfy sweaters and delicious fall recipes to name a few!
#1: Meal Planning & Packing Lunches
The word fall often becomes synonymous with busy. Especially for me, as a wife, mom of six and now grandmother, fall means that there are tons of kids in the house that need to be fed, taken to school, picked up from school... the list is endless! It can feel overwhelming to get back to this routine, as it always feels like there is so much to do!
One of the most effective things I do to help me stay on top of my to do list is ​meal planning and packing lunches. At the beginning of the week, it can help tremendously to make a quick list of all the meals you plan to prepare for the week, and then grocery shop accordingly! This way, you will be able to grocery shop more efficiently, and you won't be left at home on busy nights with nothing to cook and temptations to pick up fast food!
Meal planning has the added benefit of one of my favourite things... cooking once and eating two or three times! It is a great idea to plan meals that will have leftovers, or leftover ingredients, for packed lunches the next day. For example, when preparing grilled chicken for dinner, plan to make extra chicken. Then, you will be able to make chicken salads or chicken wraps for lunch the next day- easy!
Packing lunches isn't only for kids either. Packing lunches to take to work is a great way to keep your healthy eating on track. If you have a delicious lunch prepared, you won't be tempted to go out and buy something store bought, which is often more expensive and contains less nutrients!
One of the most effective things I do to help me stay on top of my to do list is ​meal planning and packing lunches. At the beginning of the week, it can help tremendously to make a quick list of all the meals you plan to prepare for the week, and then grocery shop accordingly! This way, you will be able to grocery shop more efficiently, and you won't be left at home on busy nights with nothing to cook and temptations to pick up fast food!
Meal planning has the added benefit of one of my favourite things... cooking once and eating two or three times! It is a great idea to plan meals that will have leftovers, or leftover ingredients, for packed lunches the next day. For example, when preparing grilled chicken for dinner, plan to make extra chicken. Then, you will be able to make chicken salads or chicken wraps for lunch the next day- easy!
Packing lunches isn't only for kids either. Packing lunches to take to work is a great way to keep your healthy eating on track. If you have a delicious lunch prepared, you won't be tempted to go out and buy something store bought, which is often more expensive and contains less nutrients!
#2: Eating Fresh & Local
We talked about eating fresh & local in the summertime, but fall is also a wonderful time to find and integrate local produce into our diets. Taking advantage of the fresh produce that grows in the fall season and cooking up some delicious fall recipes is a great way to enjoy the season.
Here are some suggestions of what to look out for when visiting farmers markets or the local section of the grocery store: apples, berries, pears, beets, brussel sprouts, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes and zucchini. Just reading this list is making me crave some grilled rooted vegetables or a healthy apple crumble- yum!
Here are some suggestions of what to look out for when visiting farmers markets or the local section of the grocery store: apples, berries, pears, beets, brussel sprouts, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes and zucchini. Just reading this list is making me crave some grilled rooted vegetables or a healthy apple crumble- yum!
#3: Integrate Healthy, Fall Fun
Last but not least, just because fall is busy doesn't mean we can't have fun! There are so many fun fall activities that are great to do with the family. These kinds of activities also help keep us active and keep us outside as the air gets cooler!
Some ideas could include going to a pumpkin patch, going apple picking, visiting a corn maze, raking and playing in the falling leaves, or going on a fall hike! There are plenty of wonderful things about fall that we should make sure to take full advantage of!
Some ideas could include going to a pumpkin patch, going apple picking, visiting a corn maze, raking and playing in the falling leaves, or going on a fall hike! There are plenty of wonderful things about fall that we should make sure to take full advantage of!
Simple Wins:
"We all have different reasons for losing weight and slimming down. I am very thankful that Simple Swaps was an option available to me. An unexpected blessing was that it brought me back to my roots and my authentic self. I will continue to follow the program because I feel better and healthier. It is a lifestyle change, not a fad diet."
-Simple Swaps Member Cathy
"We all have different reasons for losing weight and slimming down. I am very thankful that Simple Swaps was an option available to me. An unexpected blessing was that it brought me back to my roots and my authentic self. I will continue to follow the program because I feel better and healthier. It is a lifestyle change, not a fad diet."
-Simple Swaps Member Cathy
One More Tip!
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I would like to help make your meal preparation and organization as easy, efficient and straightforward as possible moving into fall and getting back into your routine. I can offer you a great resource to help achieve just that.
I created the Simple Swaps Guide to Meal Planning & Prepping to help give you some simple tips and tricks. This guide was created to offer my best suggestions to help you make small changes that will have a big impact on overall health. Click on the button below to access this free guide. |
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