Step Outside Your Food Comfort Zone
If you’ve decided to get back into healthy habits at the start of September (and we shared some easy ways on how to do that), you may be wondering how to keep things interesting. Monotony can hinder progress when setting health goals, so a great way to keep yourself on track and to keep your taste buds happy is to step outside of your food comfort zone.
TAKE YOUR SHOPPING OUTDOORS
A good starting point is your local farmer’s market, where you can discover new ingredients. Hit up the local booths for kohlrabi, pluots, and collard greens. Those might not be items on your weekly grocery list, but they’re all packed with nutrients — and delicious when properly prepared. Start small and buy just one type of fruit or veggie that you don’t normally choose, then branch out further on your next visit.
EXPERIMENT WITH A NEW SEASONING
If the farmer’s market isn’t your jam, try incorporating a new herb or spice into a dish you already cook. You don’t have to deep-dive into saffron, but maybe you could start with a parsley chimichurri sauce on grilled meat or veggies, or a sprinkle of fresh mint in your smoothie or salad. Rub some cumin and paprika on chicken before you pop it in the oven — it might just become your new craving.
TRY A COOKING CLASS
The feeling of option paralysis from all of the recipe websites out there is real. Instead of sifting through to find the right one, try enrolling in a healthy cooking class. For instance, if you’d like to eat more probiotics, take a class on pickling and fermentation or making your own yogurt or kombucha. Not only will you discover new dishes and techniques, but you might just find yourself a new hobby.
Fall is a busy time and before you know it, you can get swept up into pre-holiday indulgence without really checking in on your food habits. Use this opportunity to lay the groundwork for yourself with healthy fundamentals. And branching out into new ways of keeping yourself accountable will provide the foundation for maintaining healthy habits in hectic times.
