Stuck in a Rut?

When it comes to improving our "eating in experience", one of the easiest ways to pull ourselves out of our boring meal route is to try something new.

​This came up in a recent Facebook conversation. When I asked about what it would take to improve our eating in experience, Shelley and Chantel both commented, "Being more creative with menus; sometimes we get caught in a rut and eat the same things!!", and "How to make my own sauces and dressings taste as good as in a restaurant!"

It's surprisingly easy to stay with what you know when it comes to food. Trying new flavours or textures isn't always a guaranteed hit, and it's hard to make the effort when you're pretty sure you'll hear "eww, gross" or "that looks weird" or "I hate this so much!". The truth is, not everything you try will work. Honestly, I've heard it all before from my family. But don't let the fear of failure prevent you from trying. It's not a failure if your family doesn't like it- it's a win for being brave enough to even put it out there.

Sometimes the simplest changes can make a boring meal plan a little more exciting. And if you don't like it, the worst that will happen is you will make a note not to try it again. RIght? In the larger scheme of things, a failed meal isn't the end of the world. Trying new foods and flavours can broaden your sense of taste or your enjoyment of texture. It can transport you to a new place. You will further your nutritional edge when you experiment with new foods, and maybe discover new favourites. There's not a lot to lose, and so much to gain.

10 Ways to Try Something New

1. Plan a new recipe using familiar ingredients once a week
2. Plan a new recipe using a new ingredient once a month
3. Switch up your usual spice blend with a new one
4. Experiment with your slow cooker
5. Host a potluck and assign a country of origin to each participant's food
6. Exchange cooking lessons with someone from a different ethnic background then yourself
7. Get inspired by eating something new when you eat out
8. Watch The Food Network and try to recreate what you see
9. Look up Copycat Recipes for your favourite dinner
10. Try using familiar ingredients in unfamiliar ways- like coffee, beer, juice, or wine

Another way to try something new is to hire a meal planner such as myself. You will receive recipes that use the foods and flavours you like, but are put together in different ways. You may receive something completely new to you, too. Grocery lists are included to make it even easier. Why don't you take my meal planning for a test run today?

Enjoy your week, friends!
​Stacy