What's New in Natural Foods

In This Issue

Resolution Solution—Plan Ahead
Resolution-ary Classes
Eat Local in Winter
January Meals

Hi Everyone,

What is it about January that makes people want to start over or try something new? This is the time of year when we’re very serious about it. We “resolve” to do something better, different or more often. Frequently our resolutions involve food. And that’s where I come in. In this issue I have a couple of productive ideas related to food: resolve to plan ahead and resolve to eat local (yes, even in winter.) Doing so will support your health and the health of the earth.  Happy New Year everyone!

Resolution Solution—Plan Ahead

January is typically the busiest month of the year for the nutrition consulting part of my business. I see people who want direction and support in launching their resolutions: achieving better overall health, or more specific goals such as losing weight or introducing more vegetables into their diets. What’s the most common piece advice I give?  Plan your meals in advance. In the past 12 years working with clients, I’ve found that planning is the biggest predictor of success when it comes to maintaining resolutions to eat healthfully.

Getting started
Plan a week’s worth of dinners. Feel too daunting to do all at one time? Then, at least plan your dinner for the next night before going to bed. This will enable you to thaw or soak something in advance, or stop by the store for a missing ingredient on your way home.

In the absence of advance planning, you’re more likely to head to a restaurant or take out. You might find something to eat at home, but chances are it isn’t a nourishing meal (perfect example: cereal for dinner. Sound familiar?)  If you plan and shop ahead, you’ll have stress-free, nutritious meals.

Meals to fit your schedule
“Who has time to cook?” Plan your meals around your week’s activities, rather that trying to fit activities around your meal plan. Getting home late on Wednesday? Make extra food on Tuesday so you’ll have leftovers. Plan a crock-pot meal on the night of your evening class. Choose something quick and easy when the kids have basketball practice on Thursday. Where there’s an activity, there’s a nutritious solution if you think ahead.

Resolution-ary Classes this Month

In case you need a little inspiration or motivation, I’ll be teaching two popular classes at Twin Cities-area natural food co-ops. Click on the links to learn details:

Shape Up Your Diet!
Kick-start your New Year’s resolution with manageable dietary changes that improve your overall health and well-being.
AND
Getting Off the Sugar Roller Coaster
Sugar addiction is a very real thing, with physiological effects on the body, mind and mood. Learn practical ways to tame out-of-control sugar cravings—it can be as easy as changing what you eat for breakfast!

Eating Local in Winter

It’s important to eat locally grown food -- all year round. Not so easy in some locations. People are sometimes surprised to hear me say that we do local very well here in Minnesota, even in the wintertime.  We are fortunate to have some excellent resources, including two of my favorites:

Whole Farm Co-op is a direct-to-consumer operation. Each month, order online and pick up your food at drop sites around the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. You can buy all kinds of meats, eggs, dairy products, whole grains, honey, and many other farm products.

Fresh Air Farm, one of Whole Farm Co-op's member farms – supplying the tastiest chicken and best eggs I've ever eaten.

Fresh Air Farm’s pasture-fed cows eating hay in the winter.

Traditional Foods Minnesota is a private buying club that connects farmers with city folks who want sustainably raised foods. Located in a south Minneapolis warehouse building, anyone can join by paying the annual membership due. You’ll find meats, lacto-fermented vegetables, home-brewed kombucha, body care products and more all year round. You don’t have to give up the farmer’s market in winter!

Not in Minnesota?  How are you supporting your local farmers?  Let me know and I’ll include it in next month’s newsletter.

January Meals for Planning Ahead

Need some help keeping those “eat better” resolutions?  Subscribe to Dinner with Jennette!  Each month you’ll receive 12 new, nutritionally balanced, delicious meal plans.  Even if you make only one new meal per week it will give you needed variety and nutrition. Dinner with Jennette meals are easy to make and they come complete with shopping lists. January’s meals include tasty dishes such as “Grapefruit Glazed Chicken,” “Lamb Biryani” and “Cajun Fried Catfish.”  

Be sure to contact me with ideas about topics you’d like to see addressed in this publication. And if you would like to share this newsletter with friends, please use the forwarding link below.

Wishing you all the best in 2010!
Jennette