Do Women Want Convenience Over Health?

I'd like to start here by saying that I think there are times that conveniences are a big blessing. I am not against using paper plates during stressful times or whipping up a quick treat from a box mix. I don't always carry Ball jars around. Sometimes I buy water bottles. I have even suggested to overwhelmed mothers of young children utilize some of these conveniences. Seriously, I prefer cloth diapers but when I had three in them at the same time my husband insisted we purchase store bought diapers. I don't in any way feel guilty about that. We also used mostly paper plates at that time and ate a lot of boxed macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Rather than spend all my time cleaning I enjoyed my babies.

In my homemaking, it's been important to me to learn how to do as many things as natural and healthy as possible. As I got busier I needed to become more economical. I wanted to keep things healthy but I needed to conserve energy so I wasn't absolutely exhausted all the time. It was also very important to save as much money as possible. Sometimes we were even living off food from a local food bank. Food banks don't always carry convenience foods.

Contrary to some opinions and ideas, it is possible to be healthy without wearing yourself out. Here are a few ideas to help. Learn to streamline your meals and cook simple things:

• Eggs - Fried, Scrambled & Boiled (You can boil a whole dozen eggs once a week and keep them in the frig to pull out throughout the week. Good nutrition.)
• Oatmeal - Quick oats can be bought cheep and in can be purchased in bulk to save even more. Boil some water. Put 1/2 a cup of oats in each bowl and pour a little boiled water on or microwave the oats with milk for a minute. Add a spoonful of sweetener and sprinkle with a teeny bit of cinnamon and you have a wonderful breakfast.
• Rice - You can cook a large pot at one time and warm up helpings through the week for lunch or supper by adding different meats and vegies to mix things up.
• Beans - Another large pot to put with the rice or wrap in a tortilla.
• Biscuits - The Rumford Baking Powder can has a wonderful and very simple recipe. Everyone loves fresh biscuits right out of the oven. It really doesn't take any longer to whip up than a box mix and tastes so much better than refrigerated. I do splurge on frozen sometimes though.
• Yeast Bread - It took me years to get up the nerve to learn how to bake homemade bread. It was so intimidating. Now I kick myself for not learning earlier. I can make a loaf or a pan of buns faster than we can run to the grocery store and get back home. As a matter of a fact each of our girls could do the same before they turned 15. It's easier than you think.
• Fruit - Rather than spending the extra money on packaged treats keep fresh and dried fruits around for snacks.

My biggest challenge nutritionally has always been in getting more vegetables. We seldom garden and not very successfully so we are dependent upon canned and frozen most of the time. Keep your grocery shopping simple. You don't need fancy or complicated recipes for these things to make yummy and nutritious meals.

Most modern conveniences aren't a detriment to health, but nutrition is very important. Don't skimp here. Children growing up on pop, chips, and boxed cereal end up with a myriad of health problems besides behavioral issues from erratic blood sugar. Save these things for movie night treats and birthday parties. 

Do you think you would like to attend a class on learning to cook simple foods like this and make them into simple meals? Do you know a young mother or a teen with several younger siblings who might appreciate learning more? I'd like to know how much interest there is. Please leave a comment.