Stress-free shortcuts

When someone asks ‘how are you?’, what is your usual answer? If it’s ‘busy’, then you’re not alone.

Everyone is busy trying to juggle family, work, chores, and still find that all-important ‘me time’. When we’re under the pump, it’s easy to take shortcuts, like picking up takeaway or ordering pizza. It’s even easier to let exercise slip in favour of a few more minutes’ sleep in the morning.

At Healthy Food Guide, we know your time is precious, and so is your health. So, we’ve come up with stress-free shortcuts to help keep you healthy. Trust me, you’ll want to find some time to pick up the April issue of HFG to read this article.

Like you, I’m busy, too. When I’m pressed for time, these are my top three health hacks to ensure I eat well and stay active – because that’s what makes me feel good, even when I’m stressed.

1) Plan ahead – I hate being asked ‘What’s for dinner?’, so I always set aside a little time on Sunday to write a menu plan for the week. I stick it on the fridge and it really helps me know exactly what’s for dinner, and what I need to shop for. Win, win!

2) Cook once, eat twice – When I get home late, I love knowing that I have a couple of homemade meals stashed in the fridge or freezer, ready for me to reheat. Soups, casseroles, curries and stews freeze especially well.

3) Play together – If you can’t squeeze a workout into your busy weekday schedule, make the effort to get outdoors with your family or friends on the weekend. It’s a great way to combine socialising with physical activity. Tennis, lawn bowls, bushwalks and frisbee are great for all ages.