In a previous post, I wrote about how to fight multiple sclerosis with a well balanced, wholesome diet. However, in today's fast paced lifestyle this can seem to be an impossible feat. So I'm going to discuss how to spend about one hour a week, cooking and preparing the foods you will eat throughout the week.
Personally I find that Sunday's are a good day for me to cook and prepare my food. For example, I have 4 pounds of chicken baking in the oven while I'm writing this post.
I buy a large package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and trim off all of the excess fat (this doesn't have to be perfect).
Take a large baking pan and use whatever spices you like on the bottom of the pan. I use different combinations of spices depending on the mood I am in. Some ideas are chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder (I always use this, yum), curry, basil, oregano Italian mix, cumin, ginger and pepper.
Place the chicken on top of the spices you put down and sprinkle some more on top.
Another way to add flavor is to add your favorite salsa onto the chicken before baking it.
While the chicken is baking I make brown Jasmine rice. You can choose any flavor of rice you'd like, however its best that its a brown rice because its made of complex carbohydrates. I use 3 cups of dry rice and half an onion, chopped into larger pieces. I put it on the stove and let it cook for 45 minutes, while the chicken is baking in the oven.
Remember everything tastes better with a little garlic and onion.
However, avoid using oils and butter. A diet that's lower in fat is healthiest for your heart and immune system.
While the chicken and rice is cooking, I make my salads for the week in a large Tupperware container. I toss together greens (I prefer romaine lettuce and spinach), sesame seeds, tomatoes, peppers and fresh dill. I wait to add the dressing until I eat it, so it doesn't get soggy and gross. Make sure the dressing you choose is free of preservatives and soy. Olive oil and vinegar, with Italian herbs makes a great wholesome dressing.
I then get out smaller containers to divide the salad into, I usually make 12 containers of salad.
Another option if you don't like salad is to make a vegetable soup. To do this get a large pot, chop and add your favorite vegetables, garlic and onion, and add some vegetable or chicken broth. Cover and let it cook until the vegetables are soft (about 15 minutes). Personally, I have to add a little salt to the soup, otherwise its too bland and I won't eat it.
Then divide the vegetables into about a dozen Tupperware containers.
I prefer to divide out my meals into containers because its easier to take food with me when I leave my house. If I don't do this, I get hungry when I'm out, and am likely to eat unhealthy food. I take food with me everywhere I go; college, work, friend's or family's house. I do this so I'm not tempted to eat anything unhealthy.
When the chicken and rice is done cooking and has cooled, I then cut it up and put them into smaller containers.
As far as breakfast, I make eggs and oats every morning. However, I use only one egg and 4 egg whites. Its better to have all egg whites, but personally the taste isn't very enjoyable to me so I have the one yolk which helps the taste. I don't use any oil or butter in the pan, when I cook my eggs. I simply use a non-stick pan and cook my eggs directly in it.
Oats are wonderful food, they can be easily transported in a sandwich bag and you can add just about anything to them for flavor, such as; berries, bananas, jelly, jam, milk (coconut milk is divine), almonds, walnuts and pecans. Oats are also great for lunch or a even snack if you'd like.
Now you have plenty of healthy, good, food for the week and have no reason to eat and get food else where. The last thing that's essential is a an insulated lunch box and cooler packs to transport your food with you everywhere you go.
I know most people don't and won't cook like me. They don't have a medical problem such as multiple sclerosis to worry about and so don't understand why I can't splurge, like they can. Don't get me wrong...I'm not perfect. I usually treat myself twice a week, to something I normally wouldn't eat, like a gluten free pumpkin muffin or chocolate frozen yogurt. However, I still NEVER eat at a fast food restaurant (I will go into what to Never eat in a future post).
I know these foods I'm naming aren't exactly what most people eat and they may be foreign to you. However, the more you eat them the more your tastes buds will adjust and you will crave the foods you once ate less and less.
If you eat for taste, its a temporary joy and you will not be healthy. However, if you eat to live healthy, you will have a happy future.
Check out my post here, to learn how to defeat MS with food, like I did.
Here's a link which describes my body transformation from 250 lbs to 150 lbs!
Personally I find that Sunday's are a good day for me to cook and prepare my food. For example, I have 4 pounds of chicken baking in the oven while I'm writing this post.
I buy a large package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and trim off all of the excess fat (this doesn't have to be perfect).
Take a large baking pan and use whatever spices you like on the bottom of the pan. I use different combinations of spices depending on the mood I am in. Some ideas are chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder (I always use this, yum), curry, basil, oregano Italian mix, cumin, ginger and pepper.
Place the chicken on top of the spices you put down and sprinkle some more on top.
Another way to add flavor is to add your favorite salsa onto the chicken before baking it.
While the chicken is baking I make brown Jasmine rice. You can choose any flavor of rice you'd like, however its best that its a brown rice because its made of complex carbohydrates. I use 3 cups of dry rice and half an onion, chopped into larger pieces. I put it on the stove and let it cook for 45 minutes, while the chicken is baking in the oven.
Remember everything tastes better with a little garlic and onion.
However, avoid using oils and butter. A diet that's lower in fat is healthiest for your heart and immune system.
While the chicken and rice is cooking, I make my salads for the week in a large Tupperware container. I toss together greens (I prefer romaine lettuce and spinach), sesame seeds, tomatoes, peppers and fresh dill. I wait to add the dressing until I eat it, so it doesn't get soggy and gross. Make sure the dressing you choose is free of preservatives and soy. Olive oil and vinegar, with Italian herbs makes a great wholesome dressing.
I then get out smaller containers to divide the salad into, I usually make 12 containers of salad.
Another option if you don't like salad is to make a vegetable soup. To do this get a large pot, chop and add your favorite vegetables, garlic and onion, and add some vegetable or chicken broth. Cover and let it cook until the vegetables are soft (about 15 minutes). Personally, I have to add a little salt to the soup, otherwise its too bland and I won't eat it.
Then divide the vegetables into about a dozen Tupperware containers.
I prefer to divide out my meals into containers because its easier to take food with me when I leave my house. If I don't do this, I get hungry when I'm out, and am likely to eat unhealthy food. I take food with me everywhere I go; college, work, friend's or family's house. I do this so I'm not tempted to eat anything unhealthy.
When the chicken and rice is done cooking and has cooled, I then cut it up and put them into smaller containers.
As far as breakfast, I make eggs and oats every morning. However, I use only one egg and 4 egg whites. Its better to have all egg whites, but personally the taste isn't very enjoyable to me so I have the one yolk which helps the taste. I don't use any oil or butter in the pan, when I cook my eggs. I simply use a non-stick pan and cook my eggs directly in it.
Oats are wonderful food, they can be easily transported in a sandwich bag and you can add just about anything to them for flavor, such as; berries, bananas, jelly, jam, milk (coconut milk is divine), almonds, walnuts and pecans. Oats are also great for lunch or a even snack if you'd like.
Now you have plenty of healthy, good, food for the week and have no reason to eat and get food else where. The last thing that's essential is a an insulated lunch box and cooler packs to transport your food with you everywhere you go.
I know most people don't and won't cook like me. They don't have a medical problem such as multiple sclerosis to worry about and so don't understand why I can't splurge, like they can. Don't get me wrong...I'm not perfect. I usually treat myself twice a week, to something I normally wouldn't eat, like a gluten free pumpkin muffin or chocolate frozen yogurt. However, I still NEVER eat at a fast food restaurant (I will go into what to Never eat in a future post).
I know these foods I'm naming aren't exactly what most people eat and they may be foreign to you. However, the more you eat them the more your tastes buds will adjust and you will crave the foods you once ate less and less.
If you eat for taste, its a temporary joy and you will not be healthy. However, if you eat to live healthy, you will have a happy future.
Check out my post here, to learn how to defeat MS with food, like I did.
Here's a link which describes my body transformation from 250 lbs to 150 lbs!
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