Lighten Up For Summer: Clear The Clutter For A Healthier You!

Summer is one of my favorite seasons and I also find it the perfect time to help clients refresh and rejuvenate their minds and bodies by CLEARING CLUTTER! You may be thinking - REALLY? But trust me, I see this work every single time, so be open to this one! Whether the clutter is in your pantry, fridge, body, or mental space, clearing it can set the stage for a more vibrant, healthy, and balanced you. 

Decluttering right before summer is ideal because you get to move out the clunkiness of winter/spring and open up your mind, body, and home to the healthy brightness of the growing season. My clients always benefit from clearing (which is really nourishing) their spaces at this time so I hope you’ll give it a try too! A lot will grow from it, I promise!

WHY CLEARING CLUTTER MATTERS:
- Boosts Mental Clarity: 
Studies show that a tidy space reduces stress and enhances focus, making it easier to embrace new habits and goals.
- Supports Healthy Eating: An organized pantry and fridge make it simpler to choose nutritious options and avoid mindless snacking.
- Encourages Physical Well-being: Lightening up your diet with seasonal, fresh foods can invigorate your body, helping you feel more energetic and balanced.

HOW TO DECLUTTER AND TIDY UP:
1. Refresh Your Pantry and Fridge:
- Clean Out Expired Items:
Remove any expired or unused items. This creates space for fresh, healthy foods.
- Organize by Category: Group similar items together. This makes it easier to plan meals and snacks.
- Stock Up on Seasonal Produce: Summer offers a bounty of fruits and vegetables. Fill your fridge with colorful, nutrient-rich options.

2. Freshen Up Your Foods:
- Incorporate Fresh Foods:
Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. 
- Stay Hydrated:
Increase your water intake, and enjoy refreshing herbal teas and water-rich foods like cucumbers and melons.
- Mindful Eating: Pay attention to portion sizes and savor each bite. This helps you connect with your body's hunger and fullness cues.

3. Create Mental Space:
- Practice Mindfulness:
Set aside a few minutes each day for mindfulness or meditation. This helps clear mental clutter and reduces stress.
- Smplify Your Schedule: Prioritize your tasks and let go of unnecessary commitments. This allows more time for self-care and relaxation.
- Connect with Nature: Spend time outdoors to recharge and gain perspective. Nature can be a wonderful balm for a busy mind.

Embrace New Phases with Compassion
Remember, just like nature, we all go through different phases and seasons in life too. It is important to approach the transitions we feel and experience with compassion, understanding, and even a little bit of excitement for all the possibilities. By creating extra "space" in your physical, mental, and nutritional environments, you're setting yourself up for a smoother, more beautiful, and joyful journey!

If you need some extra support or personalized guidance, connect with me here . Let's make this Summer your best yet!

Got Meal Prep Fatigue?

Ever experienced MEAL PREP FATIGUE? You know, when you're meticulously organizing your meals into containers, chasing after the newest health craze, all in pursuit of that elusive burst of energy or maybe even a slight age reversal? But have you considered the real cost? Many overlook the impact on their long-term health until certain issues start to surface unexpectedly.

Here's the truth: WHAT (and why) YOU PREP MATTERS! And it matters to your WHOLE BODY! That's why I'm sharing my WBB Meal Prep PRO TIPS along with my GO-TO GROCERY LIST to reignite your meal prepping mojo. You see, this isn’t just about filling containers; it's about fueling your brain, body, beauty, and health. This is mindful nourishment tailored to your health goals

My clients aren't just eating; they're eating with purpose and they don’t fizzle out of meal prepping because they know what it’s giving them and their families!

Like you, they cherish freedom and all that comes with great health: Ultimately the ability to do what they love with the people they love while pursuing their passions and enjoying life to the fullest. Without health, not even the little things can be enjoyable, and in some cases achieved, which is why I’m on a mission to help more people to eat for strength, energy, beauty, longevity, and to reverse aging and even dis-ease!

THAT makes meal prepping purposeful and not something you’ll stop any time soon! (Keep reading!)

I created these PRO TIPS to set a foundation for you. To steer you towards choices that will work FOR you and equip you with the tools you need to succeed in the ONE THING that will make life so much more beautiful – YOUR HEALTH.

WBB Meal Prep PRO TIPS:

1. DOUBLE DUTY DINNERS: Cook once, eat twice! Extra portions mean more time saved and delicious meals ready to enjoy. Whether it's doubling your soup recipe or grilling extra tofu or fish…making more means fewer cooking sessions throughout the week. Plus, leftovers are a smart and time-efficient way to cook up new creations. By pre-planning and doubling up, you're setting yourself up for success and simplifying life in the kitchen!

2. INVEST IN ESSENTIALS: Stock up on high quality, must-have kitchen tools. This will streamline your meal prep process and make cooking a joy rather than a chore. For example, a sharp set of knives (or even one good one) ensures precision slicing and dicing, while sturdy cutting boards provide a stable and safe surface. Having an assortment of storage containers (preferably glass) in various sizes allows neat organization of prepped ingredients and leftovers. This keeps your fridge clutter-free and your meals easily accessible.

3. PREP PRODUCE FIRST: THIS is a game changer! Start your meal prep by PRIORITIZING PLANTS FIRST! This is my motto and something I help clients to figure out especially if there’s a pressing need or health goal to achieve. Fresh produce is the foundation of nutritious meals so it's essential to always have a lot of them on hand and to give them the attention they deserve. Begin by washing, drying, and chopping your produce. Store them in convenient containers for easy access throughout the week. By having veggies ready to go, you'll be more inclined to incorporate them into a stir-fry, layer them into a colorful salad, or adding them to soups and stews. Cutting and peeling fruits ahead of time are also a good way to grab a healthy snack. Prioritizing produce in your meal prep ensures that you will be ready to tackle any recipe ahead of you.

4. PRE-PORTIONED SNACKS: Your body will thank you later! Having these on hand is key to staying fueled and satisfied between meals. Cut up veggies, fruit slices, and the right serving sizes of nuts are all convenient options that will curb hunger and prevent “empty-nourishment-snacking”. (You won’t even see that bag of chips!) By taking time to prep your snacks, you are training yourself to grab the healthier option.

5. PREP SMARTER, NOT HARDER: Your body can’t feed itself, so it needs you! Don’t complicate your health, optimize it! By choosing an array of versatile ingredients that your body wants and needs, you will not only maximize your efficiency and minimize waste, but you’ll ultimately maximize your energy, beauty, strength, and resilience. Opt for ingredients that can be used in multiple dishes throughout the week and plan your meals around flexible ones that can be used in more than one way. As you get the hang of it, the more adventurous you’ll become. In no time you’ll be cooking up delicious, wholesome, and nourishing meals that will make you feel and even look differently!

6. ORGANIZE YOUR PREP WITH LABELS + DATES: It’s sounds monotonous but if you get the hang of this, you’re going to start to see a dent in your grocery bill (in a good way) and more money in your pocket! (I mean, this ONE STEP could save you hundreds depending on your weekly haul!) Just like an artist setting out their tools so their creativity can get to work, this will be YOU in the kitchen! Labeling your prepped ingredients AND meals helps everyone know what’s available, what to grab, and what they can use to cook a fresh meal. You avoid mystery containers lost in the back of the fridge, and it will actually help you to know what’s running low or worst, buying twice! Organizing your prepared foods is just another way of prioritizing your life and health!

7. EMBRACE THE SLOW COOKER: Slow cooked meals develop rich, complex flavors while offering that extra TLC-flavored goodness that the whole family will love. And guess what, the cooker does ALL the heavy lifting! Most of my clients are busy doing life so this one appliance is a GAME-CHANGER. Not only does it save you time and energy but it can do wonders to combat the everyday stress of “OMG what am I going to cook for dinner?!” And guess what else? A yummy and nourishing hot meal prepared in a slow cooker is big enough to last a few days! Are you in yet?

8. SPICE IT UP: Herbs, spices, homemade dressings, and sauces can elevate the flavor (and nutrition) profile of your meals without adding extra calories or extra ingredients that can be unhealthy or unrecognizable! A sprinkle, pinch, dash, or drizzle of the right spices can create a whole new experience at meal times. Exciting your palette will excite your desire to eat real food and it will definitely leave you hungry for more quality choices.

9. MAKEI IT A FAMILY AFFAIR: My whole family loves to meal prep! And it’s something we’ve always done. Not only is it a fun and enjoyable way to spend quality time together, but as the kids were growing up (From their highchair days onward!), it provided a lot of “teachable moments” that, to this day, are a healthy part of their lives. Plus, when a bunch of you have a hand in preparing the meals, everyone is more likely to appreciate and enjoy the food that's served and all the healthful benefits that come with it!

10. CELEBRATE SMALL WINS: Meal prep is all about progress, not perfection. So, as they say, don’t sweat the small stuff! Instead, celebrate the small wins! Whether it's successfully prepping your fruits and vegetables, labeling your prepped foods, tackling a new recipe, sticking to healthy foods for a whole week…ALL these little actions are helping you to nourish your body with mindfulness. Success breeds success! Before you know it, you will feel happier, healthier, and filled with vital energy, motivating and inspiring you to continue this way of life FOR LIFE!

11. TREAT YOURSELF: Don't forget to include some treats in your meal prep! Yes, treats can be healthy and super satisfying too! I always share with clients that cravings are your body’s way of signaling that it needs something. Before you satisfy the sweet or savory crave, listen in and prep ahead some go-to snacks that will tame the inner cookie monster down a notch. Trust me, I know how strong that urge can be so for reading all the way to this point, I’ll leave you with one of my special treats that clients can’t get enough of: Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites (YUM). By rewarding yourself with healthy treats like this, you start rewiring your brain to seek and find what is nourishing vs what is not!

Finally, as for the meals themselves, I’m always a proponent of prepping for your individual health goals and desires. Whether it be to increase your energy, lose a few pounds or to overcome a health issue that has crept up with time, the goal of meal prep should always include the ideal way of life you want to create for yourself and your family.

Instead of sharing a recipe this time, I thought I’d share my go-to plant forward grocery list. (Check it out below!) It will help you to get the hang of prepping more purposefully. A pantry clean out can seem daunting, especially if you don’t know what to remove. Instead, start by adding in real, wholesome foods and ingredients and use my recipes to start!

If you found this helpful, please share it with a friend and as always, you’re welcome to contact me for a FREE Mini Coaching Session to go over your specific needs.

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DON’T NEED THE FREE MINI COACHING SESSION TO HELP YOU GET STARTED?
GRAB THE GROCERY LIST BELOW THEN HEAD OVER TO MY
RECIPE PAGE TO GET STARTED!