July Club Fx-Approved Meal Plan
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD.
Perspective is everything. I prefer to have a positive outlook on life but trust me when I say I didn’t start out that way. Years of experience taught me that our mind shapes our reality. What a powerful, tangible — and dare I say, magical — lesson.
Think about a task you usually dread, like meal planning or cooking. Negative self-talk around it might sound something like:
“Ugh… I really hate cooking. I wish I could afford a personal chef so I wouldn’t have to worry about meals every week.”
I can guarantee this attitude will deliver a miserable and resentful experience. It feels heavy and ugly, doesn’t it?
Now imagine what might happen internally if you flipped the script to:
“You know, even though cooking isn’t one of my favorite things to do, I feel blessed that I’m healthy enough to do it. I may not be a chef, but I know enough to put a decent meal on the table to nourish my family. In the end, I guess the time invested is worth it.”
Same task. Same amount of time. But a completely different experience.
Our perspective has the power to shape not only how we feel in the moment, but also the energy we bring into our lives.
May you enter this fresh new month with a grateful heart as you prepare to cook up something amazing in your kitchen. Here are four Fx-Approved meals to get you started!
Breakfast: Super Energizing Smoothie
Total time: 5 minutes
A scoop of greens powder from Heinen’s Wellness Department adds a detoxifying energy boost to this smoothie for a happy, productive day.
Lunch: Cherry Quinoa Salad + Magic Veggie Jar with Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing
Total time: 10 minutes
Fresh cherries combine with Heinen’s pre-cooked quinoa, chopped parsley and mint leaves, and a zesty lime and olive oil dressing. The flavors meld to create a sweet and tangy salad that’s light, refreshing, and great year-round, but especially during summer cherry season. Add a Magic Veggie Jar for an extra dose of nutrition!
Dinner: Lentil and Mushroom Sloppy Joes + Cold Pepper Salad
Total time: 35 minutes
Lentils are known for their protein and fiber content and are a great substitute for animal protein in taste, texture and nutritional value. To elevate these sandwiches even further, mushrooms are added to the “meaty” mixture. Serve with a simple, colorful Cold Pepper Salad topped with a few spoonfuls of Cleveland Kitchen Classic Coleslaw.
Snack
Total time: 15 minutes
Sweetened naturally with dates and formed into bite-size balls with a wholesome mixture of ground oats, almonds, almond butter, fresh fruit and raw honey, these bites go from good to great with a coating of shredded coconut!
- 1-2 Strawberry & Blueberry Energy Bites OR one bag of Smash Foods Jammy Protein Bites
