Get Organised

September brings with it a sense of new beginnings. For most of us, this is the time of year that we want to get a healthy routine going after a less-structured summer. Often we have spent the last few months juggling social events, vacations, and perhaps a more relaxed attitude towards food & exercise. Now is the time to get back on track so that we feel more structured and in control.How do we achieve this? The first step is to GET ORGANISED! Weight management is much easier when you do some preplanning and thinking about weekly menus. Here are some strategies adapted from that might be helpful:1. Stock your pantry and fridge. Your possibilities for menus are endless when your pantry and fridge are full of options for healthy meals and snacks. Don’t be caught unprepared.2. Shop once. One organized trip to the grocery store can provide you with healthy options that can last the whole week. Creating a week of meals can be daunting initially but becomes easier with time. Prepare a list so that you don’t forget anything.3. Double-duty dishes. Jump-start your meal for tomorrow by doubling your meal today. Make twice as much and be creative with leftovers. Have meals that overlap – leftovers from a roast chicken can be the base for tomorrow’s lunch or dinner.4. Prep and freeze. Plan ahead and assemble two meals at once – one to eat now and one to freeze for later. Use favourite recipes to fill your freezer with quick homemade dinner options such as chilis, soups and stews.5. Hands off main dishes. A slow cooker allows you to make home cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Once you master this appliance it will spend more time on your counter than in your cupboard. Nothing is nicer than to come home to the smell of dinner already cooked!Think of September as the start of your healthy year! If summer felt difficult for weight loss, don’t be discouraged. Take this time of year to feel hopeful and confident about getting back on track. Get back to basics. Focus on getting organised and the rest will follow. Take it one day at a time. You can and WILL achieve your goals!Dr. DougAdapted from What’s Cooking by Kraft