Healthy eating allows our minds and bodies to work better and heal faster. We maintain recovery by supporting our minds and bodies to function well consistently, thus maintaining good health. Eating a healthy diet helps with addiction recovery in a number of specific ways such as stabilizing mood, improving mental focus, increasing energy, and making us better at resisting cravings for addictive substances and behaviors.
One of the great things about outpatient treatment is the ability to practice and apply healthy life skills. During outpatient treatment at Blue Heron Recovery, our clients participate in cooking classes presented by our Nutrition and Wellness Instructor Valentine de la Torre. He presents hands-on demonstrations sharing his culinary skills and teaches clients how to cook healthier meals to feed the mind, body, and spirit.
During Wednesday cooking class, clients have learned healthier ways to make basics, like fruit and protein smoothies. He has also created quite a delicious smell throughout the dining hall while teaching the class how to make shrimp/chicken/vegetable spring rolls, stroganoff, and even homemade pretzel bread. One client said “I thought it was ridiculous to come here and take a cooking class. But now for the first time in a long time, I have food in my refrigerator at home and I find myself cooking the things I learned here at Blue Heron Recovery. It’s healthy and easy to make. I look forward to cooking class.”
Healthy eating can be challenging. To succeed we need clear plans to develop lifelong healthy habits.
Here are some tips to get started on the road back to a healthier you:
- Eat whole, fresh, unprocessed foods.
- Avoid fast food—completely, if possible.
- Avoid refined sugars—completely, if possible.
- Eat a variety of different foods whenever possible.
- Eat meat that is grass-fed, organic, or naturally raised.
- Eat fish that is wild-caught or organic.
- Grass-fed butter is a great source of healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
- Consume grass-fed milk or cheese only if you, personally, can tolerate dairy.
- Eat vegetables as tolerated and needed for regular digestion.
- Consume nuts and seeds sparingly.
Try this recipe at home and stay tuned to our website, Facebook, and this blog for more mouth-watering, healthy recipes!
Chicken – Kale – Sweet Potato Recipe
