No, I don't mean because of your lack of organizational skills. I mean, is the food in your fridge making you healthier? And if not, would you consider giving it a makeover? Recently my friend and BB coach Lesly, posted a video on her social media site of her fridge to show her friends what a healthy and clean fridge looks like. As I've mentioned before, her and her hubby have lost a combined some 180lbs in the last year since making over their fridge and exercising regularly! She has motivated me to take a good look at my fridge. It's still a work in progress and I know there are changes still to be made. So, without further ado, let's take a peek...
Eggs (no, these are not cage free). I used to buy cage free brown eggs, but I find they do NOT peel well at all when I make hard boiled eggs with them. Anyone else notice this? On Sundays, I hard boil enough eggs so we can grab them for a protein snack throughout the week.
Nonfat plain greek yogurt. My SIL is a registered dietian and says I should switch to full fat plain greek. Fat gets a bad rap. But nonfat was on the 21DF list, I guess because I am eating plenty of other full fat things right now. I will probably switch to full fat though.
2% cottage cheese and mandarin oranges (NOT the kind in syrup!!) is a great snack for the kiddos and one of Zach's favs! I like it mixed up with blueberries, grapefruit, strawberries, or pineapple!
Hummus. So flippin awesome to eat with baby carrots!!! Or slices of whole wheat pita bread or as a spread for healthy sandwiches or wraps! I got my boys loving hummus!
Almond Butter. You can't see it, but it's in there! I LOVE ALMOND BUTTER and I can put it on just about anything! It turns a slice of dry toast into a dream! Almond butter (or peanut, or cashew, or whatever your fancy…) is a great way to get healthy fats, protein, and fills you up leaving you satisfied longer! Eat it. Please.
Ground Flaxseed. Great way to add fiber to your diet! I toss in my smoothies! Must refrigerate after opening ;-)
Fruit. Pineapple, canteloupe, grapes, cherries, apples, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, grapefruit, and some kiwi and bananas on the kitchen counter. As soon as I get home from the store, I wash all my fruits. Sunday is my prep day so I cut the pineapple and canteloupe for convenience. If it's already cut up, you will be more likely to grab it!
Avocado. Be still my beating heart. While I do not keep these in the fridge, they are in my kitchen! And they are a fruit if you were wondering! A berry to be exact. There may be something wrong with you if you don't like avocado. Really, you should get that checked out. Avocados are nutrient dense and pack a punch! They are high in healthy fat (monounsaturated), but don't let that scare you! They are good for your heart, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and helps your body absorb nutrients from your other foods. Forget the butter! You'll be getting the benefit of over 20 nutrients when you mash it up and put it on your breakfast toast.
Veggies. Baby Spring lettuce mix, Romaine lettuce, asparagus, baby carrots, string beans, onions, jicama, cucumbers, bell peppers, and I keep a container of Nature's Sweet Cherubs (tomatoes) on the counter. Again, I wash it all when I get home from the store. I cut up certain veggies like broccoli, shuck the corn, snap the woody ends off the asparagus, slice my peppers, etc. There are certain veggies I prefer to cut fresh when I'm ready to use it - like cucumbers! I ALWAYS have cucumbers in my fridge. They are scrumptious to me and I always don my salads with them or eat them cut up in slices or sticks! I also have some baggies of frozen veggies in the freezer for easy sides on weeknights!
Lean Protein & Cheeses. 96% lean ground beef and a pork tenderloin are bagged on the bottom shelf next to the drinks for 2 meals I've planned this week. Ham and Turkey lunch meat. I buy the kind that is nitrate free with no added hormones! Turkey Pepperoni because we are having personal flatbread pizza this week. Turkey bacon. Even my hubby likes this! String cheese for Zach. I would much rather him grab this than a bag of cheez-its! Hello! Shredded cheeses, though I keep my intake of cheese to a minimum personally. In the freezer I have frozen tilapia, mahi-mahi, and chicken breasts for other meals this week. I prefer to buy salmon the night I am going to eat it so I will usually swing into Whole Foods or HEB on my lunch hour and that way I don't have to make an extra stop after work when I'm really just ready to go home.
Leftovers. Because I try to make enough so that I don't have to think about what I'm having for lunch the next day! And because I don't necessarily want to cook EVERY night!
My fridge is obviously NOT perfect. I still have jam and ketchup in the door :) I don't claim to have all the answers, but what I do claim is that I am making progress! Progress I am proud of! And I hope this encourages you to take a healthy look at your fridge and see where you can make some progress too!