With all the different things we have going on in our lives: school, work, endless to-do lists etc., keeping up with our intentions to eat healthy can be challenging but with a little forethought and planning, we can actually make it happen!

I have always had the grand plan of doing menus but I never seem to stick to them. What does work for me is always making sure to have some good staples around the house such as apples, spinach, tomatoes, bananas, nuts, dried fruit, tofu, brown rice and of course, bread and wraps. One has so many options with those basic items: chili beans on rice, burritos, stir fries, curry… the combinations are virtually endless.

Investing in a rice cooker or crock pot can also save time. Every week, I also make a large pot of soup or beans. Whenever I cook lentils or beans I make enough to freeze some for a time when I won’t have time to cook them. The same goes for waffles – I make extra and freeze them, then warm them in the toaster in the morning for a quick breakfast. Scrambled tofu is another favorite in our house, we love it in breakfast wraps with hash browns.

To boost nutrition, adding flax, chia, hemp or your favourite nut or seed to your food is an easy way to get more nutrients in. It is amazing how many places you can add them: toss them in your salad, add a spoonful to your waffle, muffin or cookie batter, add them to your homemade veggie burger patties, or sprinkle on a peanut butter and jam sandwich.

A daily smoothie is also a great way to get a lot of nutrition in, whether it is a simple blend of greens and fruit or a more substantial version with oats and nuts. Remember the best “fast foods” are whole foods like apples, bananas, nuts and dates. And don’t forget that every time you eat, it is a chance to nourish your body!

Here are some of my favourite websites for great recipe ideas:

› http://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/
› http://ohsheglows.com
› http://plantpoweredkitchen.com
› http://myvega.com/vega-life/recipe-center/
› http://poweroffood.com

Check out some more nutrition tips here.