Don't Let Hectic Times Set You Back on Good Eating Habits

I know many of you out there are taking a serious look at what you eat...hooray for you! That's a great thing! Your body will thank you for years to come.

If you're like me right now, times are extremely hectic with holidays, pretty weather and outdoor chores to do, responsibilities that fill our days, etc. Unfortunately, it's these hectic times that tend to wreck any really good eating habits. It's easy to just grab anything that's handy---don't! If you're on the right track of eating well, be sure to think ahead a little and prepare for those times when you need to eat and can't get home to do it.

If you can eat nuts, they are a great traveling food source. I seldom leave home without a zip lock snack bag of raw almonds, walnuts, cashews, and pecans. Throw in some sunflower seeds and maybe a couple of dates. You'll have a good source of protein with just enough sweet to carry you over and stave off hunger pangs that lead you otherwise to grab anything handy.

Remember the best travel fruit on earth...a banana...it comes in its own neat little package and is a nice, filling source of potassium to get you going. 

If you find yourself in the middle of fast food alley away from home, seek out a grocery store. There you will be able to pick up snack sized packages of fresh veggies, cheeses, and fruits.

Don't sacrifice all your successes during hectic times. You'll find that your good habits will give you the extra endurance to get through the too-busy times and give you the willpower needed to stay on the healthy eating track.

Make a Memory...Lower Your Heart Rate

Okay, all you amateur photographers out there--and there are a bazillion of you out there, now that our phones are so small and have those great high resolution lenses--time to make a memory while lowering your thumping, over-worked, anxiety-ridden hearts. 

As spring unfolds and you see something particularly beautiful, take a picture. Then when you find yourself getting anxious, find that picture and meditate on it. Only a few moments will do you (and your heart) a world of good.

Sounds too simple? Probably. But it works. Give it a try.

Happy snapping!

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Check the Recipes page for a new raw recipe...no-bake coconut almond bars!

New Week--New News

Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend. Today was one of those rainy, rainy April days that we're getting familiar with, but the rest of the week seems to show promise.

Enough with the weather report...the main thing is that the gardens are too wet right now to get much accomplished.

The new news for this week is that the site will be loaded with recipes; be sure to check today on the Recipes page for a raw alfredo primavera...interesting, eh? I'll attempt to drop in a recipe a day.

Another new news item is that this Wednesday evening will be the next Pike County Farmers Market Association meeting. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Log Ends B&B. Questions? Contact me at pikecomarket@gmail.com. Please come out if you have interest in the market; we hope to grow the market this year by leaps and bounds. There are many things that can be sold, not just produce. Come to the meeting with your questions, to visit with your friends and neighbors, and to learn about the market itself.

The next new news item is actually the introduction of the Events page. It's not been overly used until now, but there are several dates that you can check out. Lots of cooking classes are being offered throughout the county as well as other health-related events. Do you have an event that will contribute to keeping our county healthy? Be sure to email your event to pikecomarket@gmail.com.

Here's to good health!

Thanks for Keeping Eat Well Live Well Pike County Growing Strong!

Hooray! The website has now passed the 2500 mark on pageviews. THANKS to all of you! 

As always, the site is open to ideas from all readers...if there's any topic you'd like to see added to the site, just drop an email to eatwelllivewellpikecounty@gmail.com.

It is the goal of this website to encourage all those in Pike County and, well, everywhere, to take time to take care of themselves. Eating healthy foods, getting adequate exercise and adequate sleep are all key to keeping bodies at their best. Be sure to use this site to find recipes, ideas, local trainers, etc. in order to keep in balance and in peak health.

Thanks again for 2500 pageviews...here's to the next 2500!

Strawberry Banana Cars!

Today was a fun day out with some neat little pre-schoolers and their moms at the Otwell Branch of the Pike County Library. The moms and I had a good discussion concerning the little appetites they're raising. Some information I gleaned from good sources that I shared with them:

• Introduce only one new taste/flavor at a time. No need to overwhelm.
• Get out of the sweet/fat/salt rut of fast foods and processed food. Nothing will ruin little taste buds quicker.
• Be sure to be supportive of new tastes. You don't like the taste of something? That doesn't mean your little one won't like it.
• Don't overload on fruit, especially at night. Blood sugar is blood sugar and it will rise if there's too much sugar/simple carb ingestion at night. Let them have a bite of nut butter instead.

From the time kiddos start eating solid foods, the taste buds and taste choices develop. Be sure to make those choices good ones.

Thanks to the moms, the kiddos, and the staff of the Pike County Library for allowing me time with learning. We made some pretty good looking strawberry banana cars!

I'll be returning May 1 to the Otwell Branch Library for another food activity with the kids.

I'll be at the Winslow Branch Library on May 2 for a food activity with the pre-schoolers.