I know that I am constantly guilty of grabbing dinner at one of Decatur’s finest restaurants instead of preparing a meal at home. I have a working kitchen, a nice set of cookware and plenty of cookbooks to help inspire me. So what does it take to make dinner at home? One word: planning!

This week, I set out to make just 4 meals at home. My idea was to break it into something manageable and not quite as scary as all-cooking-all-the-time. It all started with a list and some inspiration. Last week, I jotted down ideas for meals, ingredients, or even flavors that sounded appealing. On Saturday, instead of finishing my book or reading the newspaper, I read through two of my cookbooks for recipes that matched up with my list of jotted notes. I made a list of the ingredients and then I looked through my pantry and refrigerator to see what I already had in stock (does anyone else have 28 cans of diced tomatoes in the pantry, or is that just me?). With my list in hand, I drove to the grocery early Sunday before the crowds arrived and while the aisles were still organized. I reasoned that I would actually enjoy the store if I could take my time and find what I needed.

After I returned home, I prepped all the ingredients for the week: diced up the onion, cooked the chicken, and even measured out the spices and other dry ingredients. I then grouped the ingredients for each planned meal together in the refrigerator. After the kitchen was cleaned up, I wrote down a list of the recipes that were ready to go and posted it on the refrigerator so I would know exactly what was waiting to be prepared.

The result was wonderful! Not only did I get to enjoy preparing the meals, but I felt less stressed…all of my decisions had been made! I also did not have to worry about getting back into my car to find dinner after driving to and from work each day. I actually had time and energy for an evening walk around Belvedere!

Speaking of Inspiration Healthy Belvedere has teamed up with  Cooks Warehouse and  is giving away a gift certificate for $75 worth of cooking classes! All you have to do is comment on this post with your favorite weeknight meal and you will be entered into drawing to win the gift certificate. A big thanks to Cooks Warehouse of Decatur…a trip to their store on East Ponce will inspire even the most inexperienced cook!  Good luck to the entrants and happy cooking!    Anne H.

All are encouraged to comment, but only residents of Healthy Belvedere are eligible to win.  For a map of the boundaries, visit our home page:  www.healthybelvedere.org

I started my first vegetable garden last spring. I can attest that few experiences match the pleasure of savoring a vegetable grown and nurtured by your own hands.  The flavor and texture of homegrown veggies is far better than anything you can get in your grocery store’s produce department. Even more important to me, planting and growing a garden is a relaxing and fulfilling activity. A feeling of peace surrounds me every time I the feel soft dirt in my hands and the warm sun on my back. A feeling of happiness also surrounds me when I look at my grocery store receipt and realize that I am spending a great deal less on produce thanks to my new hobby!

Growing vegetables does require patience and a little hard work. You can read all of the how-to gardening books in the world, but you’ll soon discover that experience truly is the best teacher. I made some mistakes last year that caused some initial frustration, but I won’t be making them again this season!  That’s all a part of the learning experience. As your knowledge grows, so will the rewards of this productive pastime.

Are you planting a garden this year? If so, what are you growing? Feel free to share tips and advice with your fellow Belvedere gardeners in the comments section.   STAR  

I started taking class about 10 years ago and have always found it to be a great workout and a terrific way to relax at the same time. Yoga provides an escape from the frenzied activities of the day. As with any exercise program it is important to listen to your body and know your limitations but Yoga is one of the most effective low impact workouts that anyone at any age can do. Due to the recent rise in popularity of Yoga access to a class or instructor has never been easier. Give it a try!   M. Love

It shows all the activities, events, and changes that’s taking place in Belvedere.  We need your continued help to bring our community to a complete bloomed flower.  If you have not come out to any of the events, you are missing a lot of history being made.  Just this past Saturday, we invited the Belvedere Community to take photos.  We had a great turnout.  We met new neighbors.  We took the time out to communicate, and get to know one another just a little better.  I look forward to working with each of you, in the near future.   Spring is on its way.  We will be walking, talking, submitting small grant applications, and bringing our community closer together.  We need your help!  Please let me know what you think about Belvedere being a Healthy Eating Active Living community.    

Upon arising each morning we will make many important decisions which will affect our day. These decisions will affect our future as well.  I think about preventive health measures.  What am I or can I do to prevent future diseases or illnesses?  We can start with breakfast; something we all should have.  Not just anything but a healthy breakfast.  How we start our day affects how we finish our day.  I am not big on breakfast so I start with my green breakfast smoothie:

Non-dairy yogurt

Banana

Peaches or pineapple

Carrots

Spinach

Wheat Grass

Barley Grass

Spirulina

Chlorella

Chlorophyll

Flax seeds

100% natural fruit juice

Ice

How do you start your day?  Tara

1.  Get a good pair of walking shoes.  I hate it when my feet hurt.  A good pair of walking shoes will support your arches and calves during a brisk walk.  The shoes do not have to be expensive.  Make sure they are comfortable to wear with a breathable pair of socks.  They should be roomy enough for your toes to wiggle but not to big that it slips off the back of your heal.  It should also give you good arch support.  Try on several pairs before buying the perfect pair. 
2. Count the number of steps you take with a pedometer.  Pedometers are  devices that count the number of steps you take when walking or running.  Some just count steps, some can calculate your heart rate while walking and some even will talk to you.  It is recommended we walk at least 10,000 steps per day to help to keep us healthy.  Pedometers are inexpensive and are often given away at health seminars.  They can be purchased at WalMart, Target, Sports Authority and almost any mass marketer. The pedometer is attached to your pants or skirt at your hip above your leg.  Make sure the one you get stays attached.  I have lost 3 by not remembering that I have it on and  they slipped off while I was walking.
3. Keep a journal of your walking.  10,000 steps are a lot…2 miles is a lot if you have not exercised in a long time.  You can calculate your walking in steps, miles or minutes.  You may be only able to walk briskly in the beginning for 10 minutes or ½ mile.  Write it down and after a week increase the amount of time or the distance and record it.  Write down how the walking makes you feel when you are done.  Write about what you saw as you walked. 
4. Change your walking route to keep you motivated.  If you are walking in your neighborhood, go down a street that you would not normally go down.  There are lots walking paths throughout Atlanta you can go to.  Find a park that will give you a nice view as you walk.  Stone Mountain, Grant and Piedmont Parks are beautiful locations to walk.  Dekalb County has walking trails through most of the parks in the county.  Or you can walk in the mall and get motivated to buy a new outfit!!
5. Join a group and be held accountable to exercising.  I like walking alone, but I know that I can easily convince myself not to go.  Walking or exercise partners helps to hold you accountable and gives you an opportunity to socialize.  When walking with someone, it sometimes makes the walk more enjoyable. 

Walking is easy, refreshing and fun and it will help to keep you healthy.  So, what are you going to do to kick start your exercise routine by walking?  What would it take to get and keep you motivated to make a commitment to taking a brisk walk 3-4 days a week for 30 minutes?

Some of the things that are recommended are common sense.  My grandmother swears by taking Vitamin C and eating lots of citrus fruit. What are some of the things you are currently doing or have done in the past to keep your family healthy during the flu season?