Easy is KEY

So what I am hearing from readers is that there are a lot more people out there like me than I thought! And what I mean by that is... if it's not easy to cook then it's not going to happen.

Recipes that go on for 3 pages? No thanks!

Weird ingredients that I will use only in that specific recipe? Taking up my valuable cupboard space.

A grocery list that includes 18 ingredients that I don't already have on hand? Annoying!

I hear you loud and clear. And the thing is... I love cooking! I actually like chopping stuff and taking the time to taste and adjust. My guess is that there are some of you out there who like doing those things too, but more often than not, we are real people living really busy lives and just want something convenient and if it's healthy also, fantastic!

I always include short cuts on recipes that I've tried, tested, love, and have written about here on the blog. Things like:

+Buying pre-washed pre-cut salad/veggies and pre-riced cauliflower

+Frozen ingredients that thaw nicely so you can have them on hand anytime- not just when you've had the opportunity to intently meal plan

+Ready-made sides that only require a one or two step prep process to be ready

+And absolutely whenever possible... cooking in large batches so that leftovers will sustain you for at least a few days (if you're into left overs)

We in my household have been super busy lately and have defaulted to a handful of what we consider to be completely uncreative meals, but every time we have them we are super satisfied and incredibly happy with the tastiness of them. I often feel shocked by how good certain meals are despite the effortlessness to make it. I mean at that rate, why even go to the trouble to make something elaborate??? For variety, I guess. That might be the only reason. Or if you're truly craving something specific.

Our go-to meals the past few weeks have been:

+Lettuce wrapped BLT Salmon Burgers with guac

+Roasted asparagus, onion & sweet potatoes with pulled rotisserie chicken

+Pre-marinated wild caught salmon with salad topped with hemp hearts

+Wild caught cod & asian sesame cole slaw (can be made into fish tacos!)

My newsletter out on Friday will have a full shopping list, suggestions on where to get convenient quality foods, and "recipes" (but not really recipes, more like 2-step throw-togethers) for each meal. If you're not signed up already, you can click here.

Eating well does not mean stressing over 3-a-day plastic containers full of pre-planned meals and a whole weekend day of cooking. If it does, and that stresses you out, you're going to do it exactly how long it takes for you to get frustrated and not one second more. That is a losing strategy. I'd rather build in some flexibility, allow myself some breathing room to choose, relax, and enjoy my food.

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