You can keep telling yourself, your partner, your friends, that you will eat well and diet and get healthier, but you’re only as good as your most tired, stressed out day.
What I mean is on that one day that things were especially rough at work, someone was rude to you, or you had to get things done and got home late, how prepared are you to create a wholesome meal?
Do you have fresh ingredients in the fridge? Do you know what you will cook? Is it easy enough for you to do in your frazzled state?
Not sure what you would do, but given the option, I would pop off the cork of my wine bottle and bust out the chips and guac. Or the dessert from the night before, if say there had been a birthday or a night out with friends. And then wake up three hours later in a dazed brain fog.
We’re creatures of habit. We do the easiest thing when we’re tired. And it’s often the most comfortable or habitual thing.
But if I’m prepared for my weakest moments, and have the fresh veggies in the fridge, and the meat defrosted, and the herbs and spices available, I can utilize a go-to recipe and just fall into the rhythmic therapy of cooking.
Here are things to consider to make excellent nutrition the (eventual) easiest option:
Determine your sources and do not waver from them.
- Pick one place you want to get your fresh produce.
- Pick one place you want to get your meat.
- Pick one place you get dry goods. Rice, noodles, salts, etc.
- Pick one place you get your water. If you don’t agree with tap, that is.
When is the best time for you to get your groceries?
- Pick one day and time of the week.
- When you have just eaten or are not hungry.
- Earlier in the day rather than later (decision fatigue will kick in and you will be more likely to opt for habitual choices when tired).
What are your basic meal components?
- Pick two to three meals that are reasonably easy for you to create using set combinations of the below items. I sometimes actually bag all ingredients for one recipe together, minus the meat, to make it simple.
- Veggies
- Starch
- Meat
- Fat for cooking
- Herbs and Spices
- Examples of my go-to meals and cooking hacks.
- Plan for leftovers. This eliminates a couple of nights of cooking, and you can heat up leftovers on the stove in a pot with a little water. If you’re a freak about not using microwaves, like me.
Vintage 20th century “microwave” serving as a stand for ice cream maker and cold brew bottle.
Look, you will fail at this here and there. I think that much is obvious, from what we’ve seen of ourselves thus far in life. So if you go out to get a burger, get the cheeseburger and the fries. If it’s not going to be the highest quality in terms of nutrition, it might as well taste damned good.
The key is to minimize failure by maximizing preparation. If it’s the only thing you do on a Sunday, get to that farmer’s market. Get your veggies for the week, write out two meal plans, and execute when the time comes.
To powerful living,
Steve
The Brilliant Beast Blog 
The unique thing about your approach to health is that you are not all about getting bigger. Your passion for people to live wholesome lives exudes from the pieces you write. I wish that more people would be able to experience and appreciate the benefits of living healthy lives that are marked by commitment to simple and real living. Your approach to health is so simple but truly one of a kind. Thank you for living the pieces you write and being passionate about sharing your life with others who will benefit from your experiences.
LikeLike
Philip, this response is extremely late but thank you for the generous words you left here. It was a pleasure to share these things with you in person! I look forward to more great sessions with you soon.
Best,
Steve
LikeLike