Strategies for Eating Well While Spending Less Time

       For years, I ate just about whatever I wanted.  Sounds great doesn't it.  But after so many years of eating "well", I was much heavier and didn't feel physically fit.  Lots of my time, money and energy was focused on eating and food preparation...shopping for it, cooking it and eating it.       Something had to change!  I wanted to look and feel more like I did years ago AND I wanted to keep more of my time, money and energy for other areas of my life.   So, I developed strategies to help achieve each of those goals and stuck to the plan... Almost two years later, I am smaller and more healthy. I eat well but don't spend nearly as much time, money or energy focusing on eating or preparing food.

GOAL:  Spend Less Time on Food Preparation   
     Most people spend 30 to 45 minutes each time they do spontaneous grocery shopping.  If you stop by the store spontaneously 4 times each week, that's 2 to 3 extra hours of time you could have back again.  Here is a strategy you can use to shop only once each week.

1. Take a look in your pantry & refrigerator, and see what staples you have.
2. Review the weekly circulars for the week in your area. 
3. Create a menu for the week based the two weekly circulars in your area with the best sales, and what you already have in your pantry.
4. Develop a grocery list based on your menu and any items you purchase on a weekly basis.

It really works!  Until next time...

Kathy

PS.  Do you have a time saving strategy for grocery shopping?
  

A Simpler Life

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season!  My family and I had a very thoughtful, meaningful Christmas this year.  Our holiday was filled with extended family and friends, good food and relaxing times. 

This year we concentrated on "the reason for the season"...There was less  "keeping up with the Jones" or "shopping until we dropped".  We participated in less activities, visited with friends and family, and gave gifts that were meant to provide a feeling of love and friendship.  We decided not to rush through December trying to "beat the clock" before the 25th arrived, rather we slowed down a bit and just enjoyed the moment.

After it was all over, my family has decided that we like this new, slower and more deliberate way of life.  So, we are going to try to keep the feeling going by living a simpler life in 2010. 

What is your primary goal for 2010?