CG Fitness: Personal Training, Nutrition & Yoga

In today’s non-stop world that we live in, we consume at least 30% of our foods away from home. These foods are usually not-so-healthy and full of empty calories which lead to bigger waists and smaller bank accounts.

I understand that you don’t always have time to slave away over a hot stove after coming home from a long day at work and that ordering a pizza or picking up a burger and fries through the drive-thru is much more convenient….BUT your health is paying for those conveniences.

Every year, obesity-related diseases are on the rise and it just keeps getting worse. The simplest thing that you can do for your health and your waist (and your wallet) is to start cooking at home.

Here are 5 reasons why:

1. It’s better for you. Overly processed foods are full of empty calories, junk ingredients and literally nothing nutritious. Even when you eat a meal at a restaurant that contains fresh produce, chances are high that the produce is not organic, or local or non-GMO. Most of us are eating less than half of the recommended amount of fiber, fruit and vegetables, which eating at home could quickly change. Simple meals made at home with fresh produce and organic meats or eggs are nutritionally superior to over-flavored, over-processed restaurant food. Not to mention the high calorie beverages and appetizers that so often accompany a restaurant meal. When you eat at home you take in more nutrient-dense calories that are higher in fiber.
2. It’s not as difficult or time-consuming as you think. Yes, I know that ordering off of a menu is as simple as it gets, but you can create simple meals at home that are healthy & quick to make. I am not a recipe creator…I’m a recipe follower, so I look for recipes with the fewest amount of ingredients as possible. 5 ingredient recipes are my fav! You don’t even have to follow recipes to cook healthy and simple at home…just focus your meal around lots of veggies & a lean protein.
3. It costs less. In one way or another eating at home will help you save money in your wallet and on medical bills. Fresh, simple ingredients don’t cost a lot. Shop the perimeter of your local grocery store or shop at your local farmer’s market.
4. It’s preventative “medicine”. In the US, the annual health care expenses related to obesity is $150 billion, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Worldwide this number is over $1 trillion annually. These numbers are staggering, and sobering when you think of all the individual lives that are being negatively impacted by obesity.
5. It reduces your body fat. People who frequently cook meals at home eat healthier and consume fewer calories than those who cook less, according to new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research.

Pick one meal that you’ll make at home either today or tomorrow, and write down your simple menu and grocery list.

Breakfast is one of the easiest meals that you can start making at home to get your day started in a healthy way. Overnight oats are one of my fave recipes to give my clients that say they don’t have time to make breakfast. Make these the night before and pop it in the fridge. In the morning you an grab it and go.

Here’s one of my fave overnight oat recipes:

• 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 tablespoon sliced almonds (or chopped walnuts)
• 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips (I love the Enjoy Life Dairy-Free ones)
• 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk (or coconut milk)
• 1 teaspoon organic maple syrup (or raw honey)

Place all ingredients in your jar, stir and stick in the fridge. (option to leave the chocolate chips out until the morning and add extra nuts to the top)

And let’s not forget the place that a challenging, consistent exercise program has in your quest for good health and a fit physique.

Stay Healthy my Friends!

XO,

Carrie A Groff