Super Easy Health
August 15, 2012 // Nutrition, Wellness
What is the #1 reason why people struggle with good health habits (nutrition, exercise, etc.)?
TIME.
Balancing career, relationships, and responsibility can be the most challenging aspect of a health-orientated lifestyle. There are 168 hours in a week. Most people, especially Americans, work well past the standard 40 hour workweek. Between transportation, e-mails, and conferences, let’s say 50 hours a week is dedicated to a career-related focus. Relationships, whether single or married, can account for 30-50 hours a week. Responsibilities, such as errands, tasks, and basic daily activities take up roughly 20 hours a week. Now we are left with 58 hours a week for ourselves — and we haven’t slept yet. We are supposed to sleep for 8 hours a night, even though the average is closer to 6 hours. Let’s call it 35 hours a week, since weekends are usually alarm-free.
Available Time Formula
168-[Career]-[Relationships]-[Responsibilities]-[Sleep] = 23 hours a week remaining for all other endeavors.
Somehow within 23 hours a week, a person is suppose to shop for fresh groceries, cook all their meals, exercise frequently, and incorporate relaxation. This type of weekly structure is unrealistic for most people. In reality, nutrition and exercise are overshadowed by other priorities and are often neglected unless conscious effort is applied. Since consistency is the most important factor in health and time is the biggest challenge for people, diet and exercise need to be fast, easy, and effective.
Below are some quick and easy recipes for delicious health foods. I chose a breakfast meal and a snack as examples. Take a look.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most compromised meal of the day. Ironically, breakfast is also the most important meal of the day. Most people settle on cold cereal and coffee to jumpstart their day. Breakfast can be quick, easy, and delicious. In fact, 6 minutes is all that is needed to have a gourmet meal in the morning.
Prep: 3 minutes.
Cook: 3 minutes.
Duration: 6 minutes.
Ingredients:
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3 Organic Omega-3 Eggs
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Handful of Organic Spinach Leaves
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Pre-Diced Bella Mushrooms
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Pre-Diced Onions
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Shredded Cheese
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Can of Amy’s Organic Vegetable Lentils
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Cup of Mixed Berries
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Olive Oil
Step 1: Coat the pan with olive oil. Turn the heat on medium. Add the fresh vegetables (mushrooms, onions, spinach).
Step 2: Crack the eggs and whip together with a fork in a bowl. Add eggs to pan.
Step 3: Fold eggs into an omelet. Add shredded chesse on top.
Step 4: Heat up lentils on a stovetop (3 minutes) or in a microwave (35 seconds). Open up the cup of berries.
Enjoy.
Anytime Snack (“SuperShake”)
A snack is great especially when cravings are overpowering. Snacks don’t have to be associated with junk food. Find flavors that you enjoy and mix them together for a tasty, quick liquid snack.
Prep: 2 minutes.
Blend: 1 minute.
Duration: 3 minutes.
Ingredients:
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Tray of Ice
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12 oz of Almond Milk
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2 Scoops of Protein Powder (Chocolate)
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1 Scoop of Flax Seeds
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2 Scoops of Natural Peanut Butter
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2 Scoops of Superfood
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1 Scoop of Glutamine
Step 1: Add all ingredients into blender (start with the ice).
Step 2: Blend on High/Liquify for 1 minute.
Step 3: Pour into a glass and drink. Enjoy.