Health Starts in the Kitchen

What would you guess is the #1 thing I tell my clients they can do to improve their health? It's something I do every single day, and have come to love more than I ever thought I would. That's right - cooking!

Having lived in NYC for more than 15 years, I can certainly appreciate the convenience and deliciousness of takeout. After a long day at the office and/or handling the kids, it's so easy to just hop online and have food on the table in 30 minutes. It's fast, easy and usually tastes pretty great. But what you don't see, and will ultimately start to feel, is the effect of the highly processed oils, inorganic ingredients and factory farmed meats most restaurants are putting into their meals.

By learning to how to cook you can put your health in your own hands because you are in control of the ingredients and preparation. It doesn't have to be fancy or take all evening! Some of my favorite meals are sheet pan dinners. Just throw everything on a pan, drizzle with olive oil and seasonings and roast! Make a bunch at once and use the leftovers for the next few days. And put those city conveniences to good use - FoodKick, Prime Now and Instacart will all deliver groceries same day. Or try my a meal kit service like SunBasket, Blue Apron or Green Chef. These days I get a lot of inspiration from Instagram. When I see something I want to try, I save the post in a recipe folder for future use. Some of my favorite accounts to follow for simple and healthy recipes are @nomnompaleo, @bewellbykelly, @melissas_healthykitchen and @rachaelsgoodeats.

Experiment and have fun with it! While I still rely on recipes, with experience I've become more intuitive with my cooking, and now I have a good feel for what flavors and textures work well together, allowing me to whip up simple meals with whatever I have on hand. Yes, this might take more time than takeout, but we make time for what we prioritize. Your health is worth it!