eating for a busy life

by Marzipan on June 19, 2010 · 6 comments

The thing about local food is that it just tastes so much better. This morning I woke up, and the minute my eyes opened, I was craving a local egg scramble with mushrooms, onions, and goat cheese and gluten free toast – you know, the kind of food that you could have cooked for yourself, but that you just love having someone else cook for you.

I love this kind of eating.

The type that you can go out and purchase, but that doesn’t force you to sacrifice the health benefits of cooking for yourself. So often when you go out to eat, you end up with so many secret chemicals snuck into your food, such as shortening or butter substitute which can wreak havoc on your body. There is nothing worse than paying for something that ultimately makes you feel awful or weighed down. I hate the concept of paying for something that makes you feel badly. [This is also why I rarely drink, something about buying a drink that my body interprets as a toxin doesn't quite sit well with me.]

Lately, I have been eating for energy. I have been focusing less on what tastes delicious or what I am craving, and more on getting the appropriate amount of nutrition so that my body can function at its most optimal rate. This means: limiting my coffee intake, making SURE I am drinking enough water, eating breakfast, having a nutritious lunch, and making sure that I have a small snack handy to eat every couple of hours to keep my energy up.

I have been planning ahead, packing my lunches, and going out of my way to select food that is not only nutritious, but that I can feel good about eating. For me this includes local ingredients, food made with love, and food that is free of chemicals. It also means limiting my gluten intake, because more than anything eating gluten makes me sluggish and neurotic.

This type of eating is so much different than dieting, it’s more like forcing yourself to take a second and eat something nutritious, because you know that your body requires it. It’s about making time for  your body and brain. It’s about viewing your body as the vessel that moves you about your busy day, supporting you as you push it to its limits, and loving it in return by nourishing it with appropriate nutrition.

How do you eat for optimal energy when you’re having a busy day? What are your favorite go-to healthy snack foods?

Tagged as: eating, farmer's market, healthy living, intuitive eating, kale salad, local food

  • http://inthesesmallmoments.com Nichole

    Such a mindful post!

    My 7-month old has reflux and is still exclusively breastfed. I had to give up dairy, eggs, shellfish, and nuts, as his doctor believe that it would help him in conjunction with his medicine.

    As difficult as this has been, I found that I felt better almost immediately upon changing my diet.

    We had a rough week last week, and I stess-ate–lots of dairy, eggs, and junk. I quickly felt bloated and sluggish. I truly believe that the dairy is the culprit.

    So, I’ve learned that, for me, eating for health and energy means little to no dairy, which is a bummer, as I adore cheese!

  • http://chickensoupforthedorkysoul.blogspot.com Vanessa

    This is a hard question since I often end up being really lazy about food on busy days (usually busy=me waitressing=me eating rolls and crackers and cole slaw for dinner), but I think I should follow in your footsteps and start bringing sandwiches and things with me. Sometimes I take a bag of almonds to keep myself from munching on less healthy things.

  • http://s.rvxn.org sui

    The essential thing for me is to bring along snacks of fruit. If I don’t have that, (like the past week when I was staying at someone else’s house) then I usually just eat whatever’s around.. which is rarely healthy.

    I think eating what’s delicious is still important! Otherwise one won’t be satisfied. To me whole foods are more delicious than anything and when one eats more whole foods, one starts to crave it :] some days thinking about eating a SAD piece of cake disgusts me, even. (but other days I follow my cravings :) )
    sui recently posted..reader question: how to cultivate your very own brand of awesomeMy Profile

  • http://www.100daysinbed.blogspot.com 100 days in bed

    YUM-A!!! I’m obsessed with farmers markets. Lately, my sister got me hooked on an asian slaw she makes with shredded carrots, red and green cabbage, and a soy sauce based sauce. I make it on Sundays and feast all week, throw in some peanuts just b4 I serve!

  • E. Milli

    Almonds. Nothing fancy, just plain old almonds. Also, carrots.

    I find these give me the boost I need to get through those last few hours of the work/school day.

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