It’s March. Are you still working toward your New Year’s resolutions or have you completely dropped the resolution and said ‘I can’t do that’?
by Cathy Clements, Nutritionist & Life Coach, NASM CNC, CPT, FNS, WFS
The feelings of excitement that surround the holidays are worn off and most people are trying to find something to look forward to, but can’t quite see the “next thing.” Returning to your original focus is good during this month.
Focus on what you wanted when you originally set your annual goals and focus on what you want in the coming months. Start by maintaining the health goals you started for this year, recommitting yourself to your fitness and nutrition.
March weather can be cool or warm, which affords the options of a variety of foods that satisfy.
Use creativity when deciding how to maintain your chosen diet during this time. Creativity and flexibility may make your meal planning more difficult but not impossible.
Start with the produce section of your favorite supermarket. The dark green vegetables can be eaten raw or cooked and still provide you great nutrition. Select vegetables you haven’t tried before. Brussels sprouts are a wonderful vegetable that can be cooked on the stove or in the oven.
I cut them in half and sauté them on the stove with onion, salt and pepper. I start with a hot pan then take it down to simmer and cover them to get them to the desired crunchiness. They will be bright green if you like them fairly crunchy.
I also thinly slice them and place them on a baking sheet with some olive oil and a vegetable with an opposite color like butternut squash or sweet potatoes. Again just a little salt and pepper and this is a wonderful side dish. If you have leftovers, both versions can be eaten cold or re-heated.
I don’t prefer kale, but try warming it with olive oil seasoning. I mix the kale, which can be tart, with mushrooms and thinly sliced onion.
Both of these sides are great with beef, pork, chicken or fish. When I use these with fish, I use fewer seasonings so they don’t overpower the flavor of the fish.
Be creative and have fun trying new things. You never know what might become your new favorite.