One of my biggest struggles as a homemaker, has been crafting healthy meals for my family. My other biggest struggle is consistently cleaning my toilets, but that’s a story for another day.

I grew up in a divorced home. My father was a great single Dad, but when we were with him half the time, we lived off of top ramen and frozen meals. My Mom was a fantastic cook but as a single working mother, she simply didn’t have the time. Again we often resorted to frozen burritos and pizza. As a kid, I loved it. As a newly married wife of 19, I felt lost when it came to how to make healthy, home-cooked meals.

When I first got married, It took my role as a Biblical homemaker very seriously, but I had a lot of catch up to do. My husband was fine eating frozen burritos and macaroni and cheese. He was loving and so patient with me but as he started gaining weight and I was struggling with fatigue, I realized I needed to finally get serious about our health and my kitchen.

I loved to cook, but I needed to devote more of my effort to learning how to cook healthy meals on a budget and to use my time and energy wisely in running my household.

It’s a continual Journey

Because I was un-interested in really learning how to cook as a teenager, I’ve had a lot to learn as a new wife. Why do I share this all with you? To give you encouragement and share my real life with you.

I know that it can be so discouraging to scroll through Facebook and browse Pinterest and see pictures of these beautiful and spotless kitchens and the most beautiful meals on display. As a busy homemaker, who juggles so many different roles (wife, mother, blogger, cook, cleaner, nanny, diaper changer, and more), It’s honestly a struggle some nights to just get dinner on the table.

There are tips, tricks, and recipes that I’ve learned over the years by reading, reading, reading, and watching older women to help streamline my kitchen and make healthy meals without spending all day in the kitchen.

But it’s a continual journey. I’m always on the look out for new recipes and quicker ways to do things in the kitchen. I’m always asking other moms what their favorite foods for their toddlers are or where they find the best deals on groceries.

So I want to encourage you, no matter where you are on your healthy eating, homemaking journey, there’s something you can start implementing today, this week, that will help you get better control of your kitchen.

Take it One Day at a Time

I am a dreamer. When I decide that I’m going to take on something new, I want to go big! When I decide that I’m going to get back into exercising, I’ll spend way too much time putting together a detailed (and very time consuming) exercise plan that I inevitable fail after one day. I tend to jump into something with two feet and it can consume my life.

I want to encourage you to not feel overwhelmed. If you are a busy, working wife or a young mother (or tired student, overworked Grandma, ect), don’t feel like you are stuck where you are. Crafting a healthy kitchen takes time, energy, and forethought, but that doesn’t mean it has to consume your life.

Pick one day a week to practice healthy cooking. For me, this has always been Friday night.  I have more time on Friday night and if the kitchen ends up as a mess, then I can clean it up Saturday! Take one day a week (or two if you have the time) and pick a new healthy recipe to try. If you have been wanting to learn how to make healthy, whole wheat pizza, start this Friday! Then spend a week finding your next healthy recipe and make it next Friday!

It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I want to encourage you to take baby steps.

Join Our New Series

Sometimes the problem is a lack of time, sometimes the problem is a lack of knowledge and hands on experience, and sometimes it’s both. I’m always learning, growing, and trying out new things in my kitchen with the ultimate goal of being a healthy homemaker!

My favorite way to learn more about being a healthy homemaker is by learning from others. I am so excited to be announcing a new series that kicks off today called Crafting a Healthy Kitchen! 

Join myself, and two other authors, as we dive in for two weeks of remaking our kitchens and our lifestyle! The series will be hosted here on Young Wife’s Guide, Richly Rooted, and Jaimie Ramsey!

For two weeks we will dive into all our favorite kitchen tools, tips for freezer cooking, how to meal plan, and much much more! Get ready to be inspired to craft a healthy kitchen! 

You can follow along to all the new posts in the series by signing up to get my daily email updates below and following along on Facebook!

 

You can also follow along on our super exciting Pinterest Board that we created just for this series! Follow our Crafting a Healthy Kitchen board on Pinterest and get TONS of great resources as we update this daily!

Follow Jami Balmet’s board Crafting a Healthy Kitchen on Pinterest.

More in this series:

• Learning How to Craft a Healthy Kitchen {New Series}
• My Single Best Advice for Getting Control of Your Kitchen
• Feeling Discouraged while you try to eat healthy? (You’re not alone)
• {More Coming}

And, for two weeks only, you can get our cookbook designed for women who want to create a healthy kitchen, Real Food for the Real Homemaker for over 30% OFF! Get our entire eBook jam packed with practical advice, how to’s, and over 175 real food, healthy recipes! Plus as a bonus, get the Kindle version of our book, printable recipe cards, and meal planning software to make your healthy journey an easy one! Get all this for $8.95 this week only! Find out more HERE!