I often have conversations with friends about their various struggles to: get in shape, lose weight, make their family eat healthy food, exercise more, etc. Immediately following is a reason (excuse) of one sort or another.

As the conversation continues, we start discussing recipe ideas, struggles with getting kids to eat vegetables, picky spouses and the theme of “eating healthy is a pain” arises. 

· The question “what if it's the junk food wasn't available?” comes to my mind. The answer is always, no one would eat it. 

· So, what if you didn't buy it? I think often we forget that we are in charge. As the adult who does the grocery shopping, you are the gatekeeper. You oversee what goes into and out of your family's mouth. Will they ask about it? Sure. But, in my experience, if there are enough healthy options that taste good, they won't even miss it!

Example, I was recently at a party where there were kids and adults. There was a vegetable tray, a fruit tray, multiple dips and chips. Guess what went first? The veggies and the fruit! They were empty long before the dip bowls. The reason most of us take chips and dip to social events is because it's easy and inexpensive. It's often not the first thing that people grab to snack on. Go to any buffet, especially a brunch and watch how people load their plates with the fresh fruit. The same would happen at your house. If fruit snacks were not available but big juicy strawberries were, they would grab the strawberries!

My challenge to you is to clean out your pantry. “But that's wasting money!” Is your family's health worth a specific dollar amount? Didn't you buy those snacks because they were inexpensive? If it really bothers you, donate it. If you clean out your pantry and commit to not repurchasing the foods that are not healthy, and to replacing them with healthier options, you will hear only happy sounds.

Buying healthy food is expensive, is one of the biggest myths around. If you buy seasonal produce, look for sales and aren't afraid of the frozen food section, you can find fantastic deals on healthy, whole, fresh food.

For more tips and recipes, check out my website or reach out and ask me!