REAL FOOD STRATEGIES

You can fill your life with real food without embarking on a complicated mission. Just stick to the basics and forget all the fuss. So much of the battle is won with simple effort. In no time at all, you’ll be a pro in the kitchen!

1.  BE DELIBERATE 

Do you feel you need to change your nutritional routine? Does it feel daunting? Does that become an excuse for not changing? It may well be intimidating, but you can do it. The unknown always seems like a struggle at first, but, like so many things in life, once you get started, your new routines will soon become second nature. It will be hard work at first, but real effort just makes the results that much more satisfying.

2.  GET INSPIRED 

I’m inspired by my kids to be the best I can be in the kitchen. They deserve to grow up healthy and full of energy, and my wife and I believe as parents it’s our responsibility to ensure they do. Even if you’re not a parent, there’s inspiration all around us. You’re preceded by and surrounded by legions of cooks that have successfully navigated their way through the very same changes. If they can do it, so can you!

3.  GET INFORMED 

Information will motivate you. Don’t allow indifference or ignorance to blind you to the realities of the food systems around you. Form your own opinions and make informed decisions. Look for impartial voices like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) or authors like Michael Pollan.

4.  CLEAR YOUR SHELVES 

One of the single most significant decisions you will ever make is to eliminate processed food from your diet. You may need to get radical and clear your shelves. Change your shopping habits. Don’t let factories cook for you. Don’t worry, you won’t need much room for all the simplicity ahead.

5.  PLAN AHEAD 

Spend time to save time. So much potential kitchen stress can be avoided by just organizing yourself. Do some meal planning, get rid of the guesswork, make a shopping list and set a regular time for shopping.

6.  MAKE AHEAD 

We’re all crunched for time, so there are lots of books, magazines and websites devoted to cooking meals in advance. You can join the legions of cooks that have discovered how easy it is to organize their routines this way. A weekend cooking rally easily sets you up for success in the week ahead!

7.  READ LABELS

Be informed. So many bad habits can easily be changed by simply arming yourself with the information that’s right in front of you. If you need a nudge away from processed food, reading labels can really help. It’s shocking how many empty promises, calories, chemicals, additives and forms of hidden salt and sugar are hiding in plain sight at your supermarket.

8.  BUY IN BULK 

If you find yourself often returning to a particular ingredient, you may find it less expensive in the long run to buy it in bulk. You’ll also appreciate the vast choice available in the bulk foods section or at your local bulk foods store.

9.  GO LOCAL 

The best cooking is a celebration of the seasons. Become a regular at your favourite farmers’ market. Try planting some vegetables in your backyard or growing a favourite vegetable or herb on a windowsill. Make an effort to learn about the harvest cycles and celebrate them. You’ll never take a tomato for granted again after you spend a summer waiting for yours to ripen!

10. GET CONNECTED 

It’s inspiring when you know the people who produce food for you. A real human connection with your ingredients can elevate them from commodities to treasures. Understanding the true work that goes into producing your food motivates your best cooking.

11. START SMALL 

Pick a day, pick a recipe and commit to cooking a real meal. You’re not striving for perfection —you’re just making a meal. Even if you struggle a bit, you’re making progress. Share the results with your family and try not to worry about the outcome. It’s just cooking, so experiment and have fun!

12. SHARE THE LOAD 

Invite your family or friends to give you a hand. You might enjoy preparing meals together, or you may just want help shopping, keeping your kitchen tidy or doing the dishes. Perhaps one or two nights a week, let someone else become your Chef at Home. Most families don’t rely on one person to do everything in the kitchen.

13. HAVE FUN

 Do your very best to find the joy in cooking and eating. Sometimes we burden ourselves with unrealistic expectations that can lead to a sense of failure. Perhaps a weekend cooking session or two without the time pressures of the work week can help too. If you’re finding the time to cook and share real food, then you’ve already achieved success. Pat yourself on the back. I love discovering a new dish and mastering it. You’ll enjoy your food much more when you know it’s real!

14. SHARE A MEAL 

One of life’s great pleasures is sharing a real meal with your family. So much happens when we disconnect from our busy lives and connect with each other around the table. This is truly life at its best and may serve as the regular reminder you need to stay on track with your new Real Food lifestyle!

Written by Michael Smith in "Real Food, Real Good", Penguin Group, Canada, 2016. Digitized, adapted and illustrated to be posted by Leopoldo Costa.