That's Fit

I am not a picky eater. But I'm picky about the quality of the food I eat. I try to stick with whole foods, avoiding pre-made or processed foods as much as possible. But I'm also time-pressed like everyone else, so I like the idea of having a frozen meal I can microwave in a pinch.

Sure, there's several such options that are supposedly healthy from such makers as Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, and Weight Watchers in the frozen section at grocery stores. But the sodium content, additives and preservatives don't appeal to me. And I consume as much organic meat, dairy and produce as much as possible.

I've found ways to adhere to my food foibles without making meal time more work than it should or needs to be at stressful times.One of them is this: I carve out some time to make dinners and freeze them. I know. This idea is not new. But when's the last time you did this? If you're a mother, probably the weeks before your child was born since every guide to preparing for bringing baby home suggests doing so. Homemade frozen food is often healthier and more nutrient-rich than mass-produced meals in a box. This is good for anyone, not just new moms.

It means more time at the outset, but better health and less stress later on. My favorites? Enchiladas, lasagna and soup, any kind. You can divide the dishes into individual portions or keep as a whole family dish and store in recyclable containers. Or, you might prefer to mimic the traditional triangle plate of main dish, vegetables and starch in sectioned Tupperware containers.

If all that sounds like too much bother for what's supposed to be something that results in less stress, then you might look for some of the tasty options in the Natural/Organic section of your grocery store freezer. You'll find wonderful meals from Amy's Kitchen, such as burritos and various other Mexican concoctions in perfect proportions for lunch or dinner.

Bon appetit!