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Creating a healthy pantry that you keep stocked is the key to healthy eating for me.  At 58 years old, I never thought I could turn my bad eating habits around but I did with the help of my trainer, Kelly, a membership I now use to the gym and a plan to buy, eat and prepare healthy food.  Down 60 lbs, I now love my new healthy life.

I am on the go all day for work so I keep a cooler of food with me in my car to stay on track.

Here’s what I keep in my house at ALL times (You must keep a list going at all times of things you need to replenish to stay on the plan)

I do NOT count calories, I just eat healthy!

PANTRY GOODS

Everything is organized in zip lock bags (3 sizes) or plastics containers

•Organic Oatmeal quick Oats

•UnSweetened Coconut

•Cacao Powder

•cranberries,walnuts,almonds,cashews

•granola( no more than 4g sugar) or make your own

•Sweet Potatoes

•Red potatoes

•Brown rice, Quinoa

•Peanut Butter /Organic low sugar

•mini chocolate chips

•Canola oil, Coconut oil

•Panko bread crumbs

•Newman’s olive oil &Vinegar

•lemon juice,mustard,honey,ginger

•Black Beans

•Artichoke Hearts

•fat-free refried beans,brown rice, canned chicken and tuna and salmon

•green tea, dark chocolate

•Shakeology /strawberry,chocolate, vanilla,

•Skinny pop popcorn

SPICES:

21 seasoning salute (trader Joes), creole, basil, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, sea salt, pepper, parsley

cold milled ground flax seeds, chia seeds

FRESH

•eggs

•light string cheese

•Greek Yogurt (low sugar)

•Basil Pesto

•chopped garlic, edamame, hummus

•peppers, avocado, spinach, kale, Romaine, broccoli slaw, shredded carrots

•carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, celery, onions, mushrooms, brussels sprouts, lemons, tomatoes, peas

•bananas, strawberries, apples (frozen pineapple, blueberries, mango for smoothies)

•Ground turkey, chicken, chicken sausage

I keep a lot of frozen fish (Salmon, tilapia, halibut, shrimp, scallops) take out in the morning its fine to cook at night.

Here is a sample of my daily meals, I keep all meals simple:

Breakfast is oatmeal with fruit ,nuts and 2 glasses of water

Mid morning snack is yogurt w/ granola and tea , 2 more glasses of water

Lunch is usually a salad with chicken or fish, 2 squares of chocolate, water

Mid afternoon snack apple with peanut butter, hummus carrots or my shakeology shake, water then for

Dinner meat, chicken or fish with veggies & potato or rice

Late snack if I need one popcorn or nuts and tea and water.

Thank you Sheila for sharing how you stay organized with healthy eating. The key to success is being prepared & having healthy foods on hand at all times and by avoiding purchasing unhealthy foods! I would also like to say how proud I am of how far you have come on your journey.

(The Picture on the left was taken a year ago in 2014, and the picture on the right was yesterday!)

You amaze me with your weight loss and fitness success over this past year

You have exceeded so many goals already. Not only have you created a lifestyle change for yourself but you have showed me that you are in this forever and I’m so happy to be a part of your journey! 

Here are a couple tips I find useful when shopping at the grocery store:

• I shop mainly along the perimeters of the store, this helps to reduce the amount of junk food and processed food that ends up on the cart. You still get all the protein, dairy, fruits, & veggies and it helps to avoid any temptation from the middle aisles.
• Shop for fruits and veggies that are in season (healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive!)

Healthy Groceries for the week:

Kabocha squash

Kale

Romaine

Apples

Strawberries

Berries

Peaches

Sweet Potatoes

Eggplant

Tomatoes

Chicken

Chicken Thighs

Yogurts

Eggs

Pumpkin Seeds

Soy Chips

Pasta and sauce

Whole grain English Muffins

Meal Ideas for the week:

Sautéed Chicken, Kale, & tomatoes in white wine sauce

Dijon Chicken Thighs with Roasted Kabocha squash

Pasta with Turkey meatballs

Pesto Grilled Chicken & Veggie sandwiches