Healthy Kitcken, Healthy Home

Anytime is a good time to give your kitchen a healthy inspection. Nasty foods and hidden pitfalls are just waiting to sabotage your efforts at keeping your family healthy.

Start with the fridge and pantry. Focus on replacing sugary and highly processed foods with complex carbs and healthy alternatives.

• Throw out: Thick dressings, white rice, creamers, white pasts, white potatoes, chips, dip, soda, and mayonnaise.
• Keep: Vinaigrette's, vegetables, nuts, sweet potatoes, whole wheat pasta, brown or wild rice, tomato sauce, oatmeal, salsa, yogurt, and natural applesauce.
• Put on probation: Cheese, milk, butter, ice cream, eggs, cooking oil and beef.

Then move on to the rest of the Kitchen:

• Learn to read food labels
• Collect healthy, quick recipes
• Toss out all those pizza coupons
• Get a few water bottles to keep cold water handy in the fridge
• Put a bowl of fruit and granola/breakfast bars by the back door.

Invest in:

• Fresh produce
• A pitcher with a filter for water
• Spices so healthy food doesn't get boring
• Healthy cookbooks
• A sturdy cutting board
• Plenty of containers to portion out prepared foods, store leftovers, and pack lunches.

Keep these things in mind when you clean your kitchen and see if they help you!