Balancing Time and Nutrition: Practical Solutions for Busy Lives

Hey there, friend!

I’m Karin Del Maestro, your health coach and resilient routines expert.

Today, we're diving into a topic that's crucial yet often overlooked: balancing time and nutrition, especially after breast cancer treatment.

I know how overwhelming it can be to juggle a busy life, fatigue, brain fog, and the need to eat healthy. It feels like the world is spinning, and everyone expects you to get back to “normal” while you’re still finding your footing.

But here’s the good news: it's entirely possible to integrate healthy eating into your life, even with these challenges.

Understanding the Disconnect

After treatment, you might feel a stark difference between your pre-cancer energy levels and what you're experiencing now. The world keeps moving, but you're not quite ready to jump back in full force. This disconnect can make meal preparation seem like an insurmountable task.

But remember, you’re not alone, and there’s no need to judge yourself harshly. It's a common struggle, and we're here to tackle it together.

Breaking Free from Rigid Nutrition Plans (and diets, for good!)

Many of us have been trained to follow strict dietary rules, which often don’t account for the natural fluctuations in our energy, stress levels, or nutritional needs.

This rigidity can make healthy eating feel even more daunting, especially when you’re trying to balance a chaotic schedule. Instead of adhering to a rigid plan, let’s explore a more flexible, practical approach that fits your current lifestyle.

Three Practical Tips for Balancing Time and Nutrition:

1. Cook and Freeze Meals in Advance: Prepare big batches of meals like soups, stews, or chili on weekends or during times when you have more energy. Portion them out and freeze individual servings. This strategy not only saves time on busy days but also reduces the temptation to opt for less nutritious options. Plus, it’s cost-effective and can make your evenings much more relaxed.

2. Utilize Time-Saving Tools: Invest in kitchen gadgets that can significantly cut down meal prep time. An Instant Pot or slow cooker can be a game-changer. These tools allow you to prepare meals with minimal effort and let them cook while you focus on other tasks or resting. The aroma of a meal cooking throughout the day can also be quite comforting.

3. Plan Your Meals: While planning might seem overwhelming, start small. Consider planning just one meal a day—dinner, for example. This can streamline your grocery shopping, reduce food waste, and alleviate the stress of last-minute meal decisions. For instance, planning three dinners a week with versatile dishes like chili can simplify your week and reduce decision fatigue.

Creating a Routine That Works for You

It’s all about progress, not perfection. Balancing time, energy, and nutrition doesn’t have to be a struggle. By incorporating these practical strategies and creating a routine that suits your unique lifestyle, you can achieve your nutrition goals with less stress and more ease.

**Remember**: You’re not alone in this journey. With a bit of planning and flexibility, healthy eating can seamlessly fit into your busy, chaotic life. Let’s embrace these small changes together and make healthy eating a manageable and enjoyable part of your routine.

If you want to learn how to make eating healthier a whole lot LESS STRESSFUL, then I think you'll love my upcoming masterclass: From Difficult to Doable: 4 Key Steps to Make Eating Healthier Easier Today!

➡️ SAVE YOUR SEAT HERE.