Mother's Day FieldTrip

5 mile Run: check.
New Starbucks tumbler for early morning commutes: check.
Herb plants for the garden: check.
Mother's Day service at church and family gathering at local coffee shop: check, check.

What a great way to start Mother's Day. A day I spent traveling 12+ hours to a remote location in Canada last year for a family adventure. The only thing that could be missing on this day was a trip to the grocery store to fill my refrigerator for the coming week again. My husband suggested Winco. Cringe! On Mother's Day, really?? After a quick stop by our specialty food store for cheese samples and coffee we piled into "Bullseye" and braved the crowded parking lot.

This is where I need to back up. My memory of Winco growing up included cheap slices of Figaro's Pizza and 50 cent cinnamon rolls that I threw back with abandon during lunch breaks working in the athletic department at G.I. Joe's. Being the only girl in a male dominant department had me thinking I could eat like them. Fast forward 10 years. As the only female trainer at an elite fitness training facility in Gig Harbor, WA I no longer eat the way I use to. Sad? Maybe not.

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is "what do you eat." My answer consistenly stays the same. Food. If you can grow it or it has a mom, you will find it on my kitchen table. This might be a simplistic way to sum up a topic as broad as eating, but generally it's true. I don't coupon because I rarely buy boxed or packaged items. My family hardly ever eats out, I cook vegetarian often and like to participate in CSA's when my busy schedule allows for the prep time involved in the investment. After spending the last 10 years learning from so many talented individuals the joy and beauty of cooking how could I go back?

The usual response I get to this reply sounds a little like "well you've always ate this way." When in fact, I have not. Growing up I often ate Hamburger Helper, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, McDonald's, Pizza, Doritos and Pop Tarts. My four year old daughter doesn't even know what a Pop Tart is! I think that many people in my generation ate this way. What kid wouldn't have killed for a lunchable? However, with obesity trends on the rise, increased risks for heart disease and Type II diabetes showing up in toddlers we should all take note of what is going in our grocery cart and ultimately on our kitchen table.

Watching cart after cart piled high with processed food offering little in the form of nutrition and overweight children and adults pass by I looked at my husband and said "something has to change." After 7 years of marriage he knows that when I get that spark in my eye he has no say. What a lucky girl I am! My hope is to share with you, the reader, new recipes and healthy suggestions for your busy lifestyle. Food should be functional, pleasurable and nourishing. Take a peak at some of the items from our recent Winco experience and trip to the local market and get adventurous in your own meal planning this week!

High Energy Purchases - Kashi Go Lean Cereal, Annie's Light Salad Dressing, La Tortilla Corn Tortillas, Bulk No-Salt Added Peanuts in Shell, Albacore Tuna, Strawberries, Papaya, Mango, Golden Beets, Portabella Mushrooms, Salad Mix, Pork Tenderloin, etc...