Tip #80: Keep it simple. Keep it pure.

I have to admit, when my husband and I got married almost 9 years ago, I used to make a lot of casseroles.  I guess because they are so easy to make, and don't require much culinary skill on my part.  I'm not against casseroles, but often you end up throwing high sodium soups and large amounts of butter in a dish (along with some other hopefully more healthy options), and call it a meal.  Over the years, I have simplified many of our meals, and tried to eat foods more in their pure forms.  I know that my immune system, fitness, body weight and general health have benefited from these changes greatly!


Here are some guidelines to eating healthier by keeping your foods simple and pure:
1.  Read labels!  As a general rule, the fewer ingredients the better.  It's also nice if you can pronounce what is in the food you are eating.
2. Stay away from pre-made/microwave meals found in the freezer section at the grocery store.
3. Homemade always trumps store made (and it's cheaper too).  (Instead of buying Spaghettios for the kiddos, boil some whole wheat noodles (or noodles made from veggies), drain and throw in some butter, cheese and milk.  My kids love this better than anything that comes in a can!).
4. Eat large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables.  The nutrients are richest in fresh, then frozen, and finally canned.
5. Choose water, tea, lemonade or even coffee over soft drinks.
6.  Eat those fruits and veggies raw--that's when they have the most nutrients.  Many nutrients are often lost when the fruits or veggies are boiled or cooked in some way.

These are only a few guidelines to get you started, but you get the idea.  Challenge your menu this week, challenge what you're used to; what you've always done.  Your health, your weight and your fitness are not going to change on their own.  Something has got to change, so why not start here?