One of the only "resolutions" I've ever made is to cook more at home after the busy Holiday's.
We often overindulge in food and drink during the Holiday's and with that may come a little digestive upset, maybe a bought of illness, feeling run down and exhausted or a few added pounds. One way to get your system back on track is to return to your kitchen and challenge yourself to prepare healthier, home cooked meals. When we get back to eating home cooked meals, we regain control over what we are ingesting. I also love the energetic aspect of being a part of what I'm eating and feeding my family. For me, cooking is one way I share love.
This is a simple challenge to implement, no dieting or pushing yourself, just a smooth transition away from office parties, family gatherings and events back to self care in it's simplest form. I started out with the idea I would see how long I could go, and last year I made it about 6 weeks. This year, I'm just shooting for as many days as I can. No pressure, no stress...
January is a quiet month, full of stillness and cold weather. Most of nature that surrounds us here in the Berkshires is in a period of dormancy. Still, we insist on going, going, going. It is my opinion that we all could use a bit of slowing down and resting while giving ourselves nourishment in the form of extra rest, reading, teas, hot baths and some hearty, warming foods.
Soups, stews, roasted root veggies and slow cooked grains are all perfect for the season we are in. Cooking low and slow provides us gentle energy and foods that are cooked through as opposed to raw. Energetically speaking, this style of cooking helps our bodies stay acclimated to our natural environment.
One way I try to make eating at home easier, is to make a pot or 2 of soup throughout the week. Soup is my go-to meal, and it helps to have something in the fridge that can quickly be reheated for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Soups are also easy to digest and can be a great way to add extra servings of vegetables and fiber to your daily diet.
Fun fact about me: I do not own a microwave, and I never have. They cook our food with radiation, so I have always chosen to use my regular range to reheat my food. It takes a few extra minutes, but it is my belief that it is a healthier choice. As we are on the subject of how to heat/cook your food, it is also believed that cooking over actual fire as with a gas stove, is superior for health than using an electric range. We have had electric for years despite knowing and feeling the difference cooking over fire makes. Maybe changing that will be my New Year's resolution...
Some ideas for soups and stews:
Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque
Split Pea
Vegetable Minestrone
Lentil Vegetable Stew
Chili
Chicken Tortilla with Black Beans & Corn
Kale Soup
Pasta Fagioli
Tortellini Soup (with or without chicken)
Miso Soup
Noodles & Broth with pan fried Tofu & Tempeh
There are so many soup recipes out there! I would suggest to try to keep your meals well balanced using whole foods and as many plant based options as you can. Soup is generally considered a healthy choice, but not if it is a super salty, cream based choice. Stick with the beans and veggies for the best results!
For help with inspiration and recipes, follow along on instagram at lena_harringtonlmtinhc, & facebook or request to join our group Integrative Health here
Lena
