Rosemary Marchese, international health and wellness speaker, and author of The Fit Busy Mum: Seven habits for success, says that meal planning in advance positively impacts the entire household.
Healthy meals prepared at home nourish the mind and the body, says Rosemary, pictured below.
Food is essential to fuel our body allowing us to be at our best for life, including exercising to get fit. Food allows us to nourish minds and bodies – and nourish them the right way.
“Essentially, meal planning and preparation is part of a holistic approach to building healthy bodies and healthy attitudes to food,” says Rosemary.
“It includes thinking about what the family will eat each day, and often preparing a meal or two in advance.
“Cooking meals at home is also a great way to make sure you are standing and moving.
“Personally I don’t want to spend my weekend cooking. I like to have one or two meals ready in the freezer for nights where things go pear-shaped. It’s about being prepared and flexible.
“These habits encourage a healthier outlook on food and provide the entire family with opportunities to nourish their entire body.”
Rosemary’s top tips for taking the stress out of mid-week meals are:
- Set a day and time to plan a weekly or fortnightly menu – and make it a regular date in the diary
- Shop with a list and stick to it
- Chop vegetables in advance and learn how to store them well in the fridge
- When cooking on the weekends make double and freeze half
- Bag up smoothie, soup and casserole ingredients in advance (keep meat and vegetables separate)
- Have a pre-prepared oven meal for Monday night dinner and start the week positively
Rosemary is an author and physiotherapist with more than 20 years experience in the fitness industry.
For more information on meal planning and other related topics visit www.thefitbusymum.com.au