Healthy Eating

I have been trying to make healthier foods for us as a family. This can be quite a monumental task. Not only do I need to research the best types of foods, but I also need to grocery shop better. What I usually do is make out a list of dinners and light lunches for two weeks (as I try to go to the grocery as little as possible. I hate grocery shopping with a passion), then underneath the list, I make the actual grocery list. Usually this is the same day (or the night before) that I go.

We have been trying to save money on grocery shopping, but that can be quite a feat when trying to eat healthier. I used to grocery shop at Tom Thumb (I still go on some occasions) but their prices are higher than most grocery stores. I love their variety though. If I need something very specific that I know I will have a hard time finding elsewhere, I go there. I tried Aldi, but after being put out that they charge for their carts and getting frustrated that I couldn't even find half of what was on my list, I decided that Aldi and I would need to part ways and discontinue our short acquaintance. For now I am shopping at the Wal-Mart Market. I dislike the crowds, but the prices are much better, and their selection is actually pretty good. Any suggestions for reasonably priced grocery stores, anyone?

I credit my research on healthier dinners and snacks to Pinterest. I have found so many amazingly healthy and tasty dinners through Pinterest, and Mark actually eats them! He is not known for his healthy eating, or his variety in foods :). One big reason for wanting to eat healthier (besides the obvious) is because I need to keep up my strength and energy due to breastfeeding. Plus, I want my milk to be rich in vitamins for Elias. I must be doing something right because he is growing so fast, and I am hardly ever run down and exhausted. He eats on demand, no set schedule. I like it better that way, but he is still waking up a few times a night to snack...and that gets a little tiring...but, I digress.

Tonight, I made a meal that I have only made once before. Mark specifically requested it to make this week's rotation of meals. It is a chicken, veggie, avocado, and rice bowl. This is saying a lot because Mark used to say he disliked chicken, rice, and vegetables!

A brief recipe for your cooking pleasure:

Several pieces of chicken breasts
1/4 cup of Olive Oil
Several gloves of garlic
1/2 tsp of onion powder
A smattering of pepper
1/3 cup of fresh basil
1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp of paprika
Jasmine rice (however much your family would consume)
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1 zucchini
1/2 cup of grape tomatoes halved
3 mashed avocados
lemon juice (one lemon and rind)


How I start is by mixing together the olive oil, garlic, onion powder, basil, pepper, cayenne, and paprika together. Brush the mixture onto the thawed chicken breasts and put aside. They will need to be grilled. Mark does this while I am chopping all the vegetables. I halve the tomatoes and place back in the refrigerator, then chop the peppers and zucchini and place them into a Ziplock bag. I pour about a tablespoon of olive oil in the bag, along with salt and pepper and shake thoroughly. They will be grilled as well. I then make the rice over the stove.

Next, I mash the avocados and add the lemon juice, 1 clove of garlic, and salt to make a guacamole like mixture. After the chicken and veggies are done, I chop the chicken, then start mixing everything together for a tasty, yet healthy meal.

Like I said, this has become a favorite. Happy eating!