A DIY Kitchen Makeover
Cook up some healthy habits by making over your kitchen
We can all be products of our environment. Turning your home into one that inspires good health can be the perfect way to help your family achieve their wellness goals.
In fact, you can makeover your kitchen for better eating habits in just four easy steps.
Step 1: Find your intention
Think about the intention that brought you to this decision. Do you want to rid your kitchen of harmful ingredients or certain types of food? Are you trying to curb binge eating? Maybe you would like the tools to prepare healthy meals, but have a schedule that doesn’t allow much time for cooking.
Once you have set your intention, you can begin.
Grab a trash bag and eliminate unnecessary clutter. Get rid of processed foods and items you don’t want to clear some extra space.
Step 2: Get the right equipment
The way you store your food can be almost as important as the type of food you’re buying. Having a wealth of good containers on hand are great for controlling portions, keeping food fresh and even cutting costs. Consider the following tools:
- Pyrex containers with lids to easily store and keep food fresh
- Non-plastic bento box containers with separate sections or stackable trays.
- Small dressing containers with spill-proof lids.
- Thermos style soup or drink containers.
- Reusable sandwich wraps.
- Insulated lunch bags with two sections — one for keeping food hot and one for cold.
- Small and medium mason jars with airtight lids for dressing, dips, soups or broth.
Step 3: Stock smart
Nixing unhealthy foods from your grocery list in favor of a variety of nutrient-dense items is one of the most integral and effective steps in improving your lifestyle. To get you started, the following items make for a great grocery list after bidding your former noshes adieu:
- Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.
- Pasture-raised/grass-fed eggs, meat, poultry and dairy.
- Nuts and seeds.
- Healthy fats and oils: Coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, ghee, grass-fed butter and avocado are all great staples.
- Dried beans, including: Mung beans, black beans, garbanzo beans and lentils.
- Whole grains such as: Quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, millet, brown rice, wild rice and sprouted oats.
You don’t have to completely deprive yourself of snacks ﹘﹘ like chips, cookies and crackers ﹘﹘ if you can exercise portion control. Portion out large bags of these items into smaller containers or sandwich bags to help avoid binging.
Step 4: Get inspired
Turn your kitchen into a haven of inspiration. Garnish your amenities with motivational mantras; prettify your pantry with photos or phrases geared toward your weight loss goals. Make this a fun project by getting as crafty and creative as you’d like.
Surrounding yourself with inspiration can anchor your goals and make you consider your choices.
