Let’s raid your kitchen!
In observance of National Nutrition Month, March 2011, let’s explore your kitchen.
Ah, where to start first, lol. Do you spend more time in your fridge or your cupboards? If you are like most people, your fridge is the first place you nose around when you’re hungry. Cruising the fridge and cabinets can be a dangerous occupation, be organized!
Let’s take a look at what’s in your fridge, how it’s laid out. Is there clutter in your fridge?! Do you have outdated items? A distinct odor? (gross!) Is everything all piled up? If so, clean it out! Just as it is an unhealthy practice to have clutter around your home, your fridge is no different. After all, this is the place you are seeking to fuel your body from!
You should be able to readily see and access your food. It becomes much simpler when it’s stocked well. If you have compartments for fruit, veggies, meats, etc. – use them. It is much easier to make a good choice when your food is visible and accessible. Of course there are some foods that require prep, but there are some staple items you can keep on hand for quick snacks/meals. Here are some choices: hard boiled eggs, fruit, small yogurts, cottage cheese, lettuce, portions of grilled chicken or salmon, crudite, natural peanut butter. Just a few things off the top of my head.
Now for your cupboards 
Same thing – is there order or chaos?! Are there items that have been hanging around forever or are they fresh and up to date? Use your shelving and segment your food. Again, as in your fridge, visibility and accessibility make things easier. Here are some snack items you can keep on your lower shelves: almonds & walnuts in portion control bags (if you can’t find them pre-packaged, make your own), oatmeal, a small box of raisins, dry cereal.
When reaching into your cupboard or fridge, be aware of whether you are there to fuel your body or making a mindless eating trip. You are what you eat and you want to refuel every few hours – make smart choices!
Fit tip: if you find you are falling into the trap of mindless eating, take a deep breath, recite a favorite inspirational quote, walk away & throw in a set of abs for good measure
What condition is your kitchen in – I want to know! Leave a comment below Thanks, Paula
©Paula D’Andrea, all rights reserved 3/11. To support National Nutrition Month, this is part of my March series, ‘Body Fuel’.
Hey Paula,
I love this blog. Nice challenge.
So, up until a few days ago, I will admit that my fridge and cupboards were is sad shape, and I WAS engaged in some mindless eating. As a result of forgetting to eat due to distraction and more or less imagined time constraints, I was fueling up on cookies and dried fruit to sustain me during tough physical work, and we know how that goes… Total plunge and fatigue – Followed by more mindless re-fueling.
About a week ago I started increasing fruit and raw greens in my diet. Coincidentally I have been taking time to organize things better, so, reading your blog, I understand that the better organization of my foods has followed as a natural consequence of the energy and clarity that comes with respecting my body and enjoying a more digestable diet.
Yes it works, whichever order you choose.
Thank you, my Friend!!!
Yay for you Sus!! I’m happy to hear you were able to pull yourself out of the ‘mindless eating’.
And yes, very often we get so caught up that we are grabbing at anything – which usually results
in ‘crappy & mindless eating’, lol.
This is really about Honoring yourself. Your body is the most important ‘room’ you are ever in
Makes sense for it to be in neat and systematic surroundings. As you’ve noticed, in taking care
of and complimenting yourself with organization and ease, your Energy is now at ease and open.
Thank you for reading and contributing to my post Sus. When you’re lined up, you get what
supports you! Best, Paula
the condition of my kitchen ? abysmal, sitting here thinking about it, focusing in on what you point out and you are so right – I am printing this and going to stick it up in my kitchen so I can match your vision – thanks for the push – e
Good for you Elaine! It’s always a great idea to put a goal front and center
where you can see it and actualize it. Do a thorough cleaning and rearrange
your cupboards/counters. Get rid of what you really don’t need :0
Make your food and eating times special!!