H.E.Y. - Let's Eat!

H.E.Y. is an acronym for Healthy, Easy and Yummy. Healthy food can taste good and can fit into your busy schedule.  I feel that this is important to remember if you want to make healthy habits stick! It is still January, but those New Year’s resolutions made on the 1^st are a distant memory for many!

 Here are my top 3 reason that people don’t stick to their nutrition goals and resolutions:

1. Uncertainty of how to fit healthy foods into routine.

2. Lack of time and convenience.

3. Lack of flavor or taste preference.

For a healthy habit to last, you first need to know what you are really trying to accomplish and build your knowledge of healthy habits.  Also, it has to be pretty simple or your hectic life will move that healthy idea to the back burner. And  finally, it has to taste good! So, how are you to address all three areas? Think H.E.Y. – Healthy, Easy Yummy!

1. Learn how to choose and add healthy ingredients to your typical eating routine. (HEALTHY!)

2. Utilize easy recipes, equipment,  and tips to maximize the convenience of healthy

      choices. (EASY!)

3. Don’t settle for no-flavor options.  (YUMMY!) You will only eat food you dislike for so long before you throw in the towel. And with so many tasty AND healthy options, don’t settle for tastless food.

Here is a recipe that fits the bill for healthy, easy and yummy:  Crockpot Taco Chicken Chili. This recipe is one that I have used at demonstrations throughout the month. Crockpot recipes such as this are wonderful for busy days or for gatherings with friends. You spend less than 10 minutes in the kitchen early in the day and about that much time in the afternoon before you dish out a yummy bowl of goodness. And while you may think that a can of chili is easier, check out the nutritional difference between this recipe and one canned option.

	Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili (1 ¼ cup serving)	Bryan Chili No Beans (1 cup serving)
Calories	203	370
Fat	1.4 g	26 g
Saturated Fat	< 1 g	12 g
Fiber	10 g	2 g
Protein	17 g	23 g

                                        For only about 10-15 more minutes in your day, you get many more servings of chili, a larger serving, less calories, less fat and saturated fat, and more protein. While the protein in the homemade version is a little less than this particular canned version, it is still a healthy amount. And considering the protein is from lean, healthy sources, rather than fatty options in the canned, the few grams less of protein per serving is not a concern.

So, whether you try the Chicken Taco Chili or not, check out this crockpot recipe website. Look for recipes that look yummy to you and that have beans, lean protein, veggies, and other healthy ingredients. Feel free to share you find with others here by leaving a comment. With the Super Bowl coming up, you may find just the recipe to feed a crowd in a snap – and it will taste so good they won’t know it’s healthy!