Smarty Cooking School: It’s Time to Get Healthy

Well January is here and it’s time to pay up for all the indulgence you took part in back in November and December. No more tins of cookies are going to be passed around, no more office parties with heavy cheese-filled appetizers and no more EXCUSES.

Now before you run off to the fat doctor or order some ridiculously expensive juice cleanse that will leave you handcuffed to your bathroom for the next week (come on people you like yourself more than that), you can just stop the madness and choose to eat like a normal healthy adult.

I am NOT a nutritionist or a fitness trainer but I do know what common sense eating looks like. It is a simple math equation.

Your body is the machine, fill it with junk and leave it parked in the garage and it won’t move very far or fast. On the other hand, if you fill it with healthy food it will be easier to move around and perform like you want it to.

The first thing I do when wanting to get my family back on track (because we ate like pigs over Christmas break too) is to fill my fridge with some go to snacks that are all prepped at ready to go. I make a giant fruit salad, cut up a bunch of veggies (peppers, cucumbers, carrots and celery) and then poach some nice lean chicken breasts and shred them).

Now when they ask “what can I have for a snack?” I point and say THAT! They loved it. The containers were emptied in 4 days. Mission accomplished.

This Celery and Parmesan Salad is absolutely delicious. It is hardy and stays great in the fridge for days (it won’t last that long because you can’t stop eating it). The walnuts and cheese balance it out. You MUST make this. Serve with some simple Halibut or a white fish and you have a fantastic healthy dinner.

Balsamic Poached Chicken is a family favorite. So easy and paired with some simple veggies you have a healthy dinner under 500 calories.

This Carb Buster Breakfast from the Pioneer Woman isn’t just to start your day. It is so filling and hearty you will want it for dinner too. I add some hot sauce to mine. If you are watching your cholesterol then scramble some egg whites instead of poaching the egg. *Photo Cred: The Pioneer Woman

This Tuscan Vegetable Soup is so packed full of veggies it will leave you full and wanting to take a nap. I adore soups of all kinds and as long you make them yourself and don’t buy the stuff in the can, which is packed with sodium, you are good. They are also a great way to get your family to try new things.

Have a blender? Check out my smoothie recipes in a blog I wrote A Love Letter to My Vitamix. Healthy and a great way to start the day. My kids ask for these daily. Especially the Chunky Monkey.

Want to replace some of those Meaty meals with something better for you? Try this Homemade Black Bean Burger. Quick and easy.

Now that I have talked you off the ledge and gave you a few things to make, don’t be so hard on yourself. We are human after all. We will slip and have bad days but if you just get back on the Health Train and move forward you will be fine. Move your body and make good decisions most of the time, so that once in a while you can make some bad but tasty ones ☺.

Vote for the 2013 Jen Lisman Bunich Smarty Mom of the Year!

When we think of one person who epitomizes all things mommyhood, we think of Jen Bunich. In her two and a half short years as a new mommy, she embraced that role like no other. Jen immersed herself in all aspects of being a mother to her sweet Claire in her work, home life and play life.

On Monday, January 13th, we would like to name one 2013 Smarty Mom the “Jennifer Lisman Bunich Smarty Mom of the Year” in honor of our favorite Smarty Mom ever.

Our Smarty Mom of the Year will be selected after Smarty Charlotte casts their votes! We selected six Smarty Moms based on a variety of reasons, whether it’s a mom who is battling to end childhood cancer, one who is making a difference in our community, one who is putting herself out there as a new mompreneur, one who is bringing new life onto this earth or one who is just plain living the Smarty Mommy lifestyle. We love all of our Smarty Moms equally and it was hard to select just a few! The winner will receive a $100 gift card from our favorite spa, The Spa at Ballantyne.

Click here to see the candidates and vote!