Instruments To Assist You Transfer Ahead • Easy Nourished Residing
On this dialog, Martha and Peter talk about varied instruments and devices that may assist in well being and wellness journeys. They discover kitchen devices that facilitate wholesome cooking, instruments for bodily exercise, and self-care practices that improve general well-being. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of constructing well being satisfying and accessible, highlighting how small adjustments can result in important enhancements in life-style.
Key Takeaways
- Utilizing kitchen devices can simplify wholesome cooking.
- Air fryers and gradual cookers are nice for meal prep.
- Smaller dishes may help management portion sizes.
- Immediate Pots are helpful for fast cooking.
- Yoga mats and weights are important for house exercises.
- Apps can improve health routines and motivation.
- Self-care practices like journaling and meditation are essential.
- Incorporating motion into day by day life advantages psychological well being.
- Change typically happens as a byproduct of self-care efforts.
Video Transcript
Martha McKinnon (00:00)
Hello, welcome to Easy Shifts: Conversations to Gasoline the Physique, Thoughts and Soul. I’m Martha McKinnon from the weblog Easy Nourished Residing, and with me is my brother and associate, Peter Morrison.
Peter Morrison (00:12)
Hello.
Martha McKinnon (00:14)
Hello, the way you doing?
Peter Morrison (00:17)
I’m doing nicely on this wet, moist, southern California afternoon. How are you?
Martha McKinnon (00:23)
I’m doing very well. You don’t get plenty of wet, moist southern California afternoons. So savor it.
Peter Morrison (00:28)
No, and as you’ll be able to see, I’m bundled up as a result of I’m chilly on a regular basis anyway, however I’m actually chilly as we speak.
Martha McKinnon (00:34)
Now you’re further chilly. So as we speak I assumed it might be enjoyable for us to speak about completely different devices and instruments that you need to use that can assist you in your well being and wellness journey. And Weight Watchers did this in a workshop just lately and there have been tons of actually cool suggestions, devices, apps. I assumed it might be enjoyable for us to share our expertise right here and we’ll discuss kitchen, pantry sorts of devices, instruments, devices that you just use in your exercise and in addition in your wellness and self-care. You need to begin with kitchen, need to begin with exercise. What do need to begin with?
Peter Morrison (01:20)
Let’s begin with kitchen.
Martha McKinnon (01:23)
Okay, let’s begin with kitchen since we spend plenty of time in our kitchens. We’ve our recipe meals web site weblog and so we spend plenty of time in our kitchen. So what sort of instruments make it easier to keep on observe with getting wholesome meals on the desk?
Peter Morrison (01:44)
Oh just about any kitchen, nicely outdoors of an oven, like final evening as an example I used the air fryer to prepare dinner some greens.
Martha McKinnon (01:55)
So the air fryer, do you discover just like the air fryer is one in all your go-tos to assist that makes issues simpler?
Peter Morrison (02:00)
Yeah, as a result of it’s a fast, simple option to pull one thing collectively. Positively.
Martha McKinnon (02:07)
Cool. So the air fryer is a good one. And that got here up within the dialog too. I discover, after all, I’m an enormous gradual cooker fan. And so my gradual cooker is, I discover it so useful as a result of it’s important to sort of plan forward, however you additionally get your meals finished forward so that you just’re not doing that final minute rush. You realize, at dinnertime, what I’m going to eat, it’s important to sort of assume a bit bit forward, which is useful for me. After which it sort of simmers away and it’s prepared for dinner.
I like the gradual cooker and we’ve received tons of gradual cooker recipes right here on the web site in addition to fairly just a few air fryer recipes lately. Different instruments that you just discover actually useful that make it type of possibly enjoyable or fascinating, one thing that makes… the spiralizer (affiliate hyperlink) was huge for some time and that received talked about some persons are nonetheless utilizing the spiralizer (affiliate hyperlink) and I feel that’s simply because it makes consuming greens extra enjoyable. So do you employ your spiralizer?
Peter Morrison (03:01)
Yeah, I had a type of. I don’t actually use it a lot anymore as a result of, nicely, additionally now you should purchase stuff already spiralized.
Martha McKinnon (03:10)
That’s true. And riced proper. I just like the cauliflower rice. I imply, again when that idea first got here out, you needed to do it your self. And that received sort of messy with both utilizing a meals processor (affiliate hyperlink). I’d use the field grater (affiliate hyperlink) and also you’d have type of cauliflower flying in all places.
And so, yeah, the truth that you will get plenty of these greens now, both within the produce part or within the freezer part, already to go. That’s a comfort. And that’s one thing that frozen, all able to go chopped veggies, I feel that may be actually useful. The entire chopped greens that you just discover within the produce part.
I feel a salad bar at a grocery retailer could be useful too for simply grabbing the little bits that you just would possibly must make a salad or a stir-fry, particularly when you’re cooking for one or two. So the salad bar could be useful. The rest?
Peter Morrison (04:04)
Yeah, I used to be considering, like relatively than shopping for like a complete head of cabbage or one thing, when you solely want a bit.
Martha McKinnon (04:10)
Yep. Seize it.
Peter Morrison (04:12)
Each morning or most mornings, I ought to say, not each morning, however most mornings I’ve a smoothie. And so my Vitamix (affiliate hyperlink) might be on the high of my checklist, as a result of whereas I don’t use it a lot for soups and different issues you’ll be able to and I’ve finished previously, it’s it’s simply a type of multifunctional very useful instruments that I simply love. I simply love my Vitamix (affiliate hyperlink).
Martha McKinnon (04:41)
Yeah, it was a giant funding on the time, however I actually really feel prefer it’s stood the check of time for me and it’s one thing I’m going to time and again. And I do use it fairly a bit for soups too, along with smoothies. The immersion blender (affiliate hyperlink) works too, you realize, that’s a cool instrument for pureeing, however the Vitamix simply will get issues a lot smoother and creamier.
Peter Morrison (05:07)
Hmm. It truly heats too when you prepare dinner it lengthy, when you run it lengthy sufficient.
Martha McKinnon (05:11)
Yeah, but it surely’ll truly warmth up the soup, is fairly cool. Yeah. So what about different instruments or, you realize, kitchen, pantry, meals objects? I discovered truly, after I actually give it some thought is smaller dishes, you realize, shrinking down. I’ve received smaller bowls, smaller plates, and so they’ve made an enormous distinction as a result of that may actually reduce down and having to measure as a result of the plates are sufficiently small the place you’ll be able to eyeball it.
In case you don’t have smaller dishes, I feel measuring cups, measuring spoons are going to be a extremely essential kitchen gadget to rely upon as a result of you’ll be able to completely over serve your self with out realizing it on a extremely, in a giant bowl or huge plate.
Peter Morrison (05:55)
Mm-hmm.
Peter Morrison (06:00)
With the extra baking I do, I’m utilizing my kitchen scale (affiliate hyperlink) much more.
Martha McKinnon (06:04)
Mm hmm. Yep. The kitchen faculty scales an awesome one too. Yeah. I’ve gotten into bitter dough bread baking. I went to a category on bitter dough bread and all of that was finished utilizing a scale, a kitchen scale (affiliate hyperlink). And so, and that’s been enjoyable. And I feel, I feel simply consuming actually good bread, it’s actually satisfying. And I discover that I even crave much less of it. Trigger it’s so satisfying. It simply seems like, and it’s good in your intestine. Really I used to be within the Weight Watchers app and so they have been speaking about completely different meals which can be actually good for nourishing your intestine biome and sourdough bread got here up in order that was cool.
Peter Morrison (06:43)
It in all probability, the bread that you just make, in all probability doesn’t final as lengthy. Does it dry out a lot faster?
Martha McKinnon (06:50)
It does. And right here as a result of it’s increased humidity, it’ll get moldy when you’re not cautious. So after a pair days I simply slice it and put it within the freezer as a result of we make plenty of toast and toasted sandwiches, and so simply by slicing it and throwing it within the freezer after which we are able to simply pop it out you realize just a few slices at a time as we want it and that’s been working very well.
Immediate Pot (affiliate hyperlink), you realize, I feel that the Immediate Pot (affiliate hyperlink) for individuals who prefer it and who’ve gotten it into their repertoire actually find it irresistible as a result of it actually does pace up the method for particularly for longer cooking objects like beans and stews and issues like that. Do you employ your Immediate Pot very a lot?
Peter Morrison (07:35)
Not as a lot as I want to, simply because it sort of makes plenty of meals for 2 individuals. And I haven’t actually discovered easy methods to scale it down. And I imply, we’re okay with leftovers, however typically it’s simply an excessive amount of. I’ve truly, I’m a part of a bean membership, like not a month-to-month, it’s quarterly, however they’re actually particular.
Martha McKinnon (08:01)
Mm-hmm. Heirloom beans?
Peter Morrison (08:02)
Heirloom beans and so they’re dry and so they’re stuff you simply type of can’t get within the retailer and I’ve truly I’ve simply taken to doing them on the stovetop and I actually get pleasure from doing them on the stovetop, so if I’m round and might control them if I’m not I’ll do them within the gradual cooker and I’ve tried to do them within the on the spot pot however I can by no means appear to get it proper and I’ve to love prepare dinner them a number of occasions to type of get them, which isn’t a giant deal, but it surely simply type of relies on how my day’s going, I assume.
Martha McKinnon (08:36)
Yeah, and I feel that’s the problem for me that I haven’t fairly gotten over with the Immediate Pot as a result of the gradual cooker, guess I simply, I feel my mascots in life are in all probability just like the snail and the tortoise. And so the truth that they take a very long time doesn’t trouble me as a result of I can examine on, however I like the comfort of with the ability to simply elevate the lid, examine on them to see in the event that they’re finished but versus the Immediate Pot simply is a bit more difficult on getting issues finished.
Peter Morrison (09:05)
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Martha McKinnon (09:07)
I imply, till you’re actually skilled with it, I feel. I feel for a brand new prepare dinner, the gradual cooker, as a result of once more, if it takes an additional hour or two, it doesn’t actually matter so long as you’ve deliberate, proper? In case you’re doing possibly prep on the weekends, and so it’s not going to be a problem from delaying your dinner.
Peter Morrison (09:23)
Positively.
Martha McKinnon (09:25)
Yeah. Any spices or meals objects or issues like that that basically make it that you just discover go to?
Peter Morrison (09:34)
Properly, I had yet one more dish factor earlier than we moved on. A few yr or two in the past, I invested in Anyday dishes. They’re not, they’re storage containers, however they’re actually, they’re made for microwave (affiliate hyperlink) cooking. I do know microwave (affiliate hyperlink) cooking is controversial with some individuals. However these dishes there, they’ll go within the freezer. They may go within the fridge. They will go straight into the microwave and so they’ve received a ventable lid, which is de facto cool.
So I simply use these on a regular basis and I’ve type of gotten rid of all of the plastic. I strive to not use like plastic containers as a result of heating plastic within the microwave sort of creeps me out a bit bit. Anyway, they’re glass and I simply love the comfort of them for storage and for reheating within the microwave for my small household.
Martha McKinnon (10:28)
Cool. Anyday containers we’ll need to possibly hyperlink out to these within the notes right here. Yeah, and the microwave. I do know possibly the microwave is controversial, however for us, I feel that it simply makes leftovers. It makes warming up meals a lot nicer than I keep in mind again within the day earlier than microwave when mother would really like warmth issues on the range or within the oven and they’d are likely to take an actual very long time and get dried out. And with the microwave, you actually do maintain the standard throughout reheating and so I feel that’s only a very nice comfort. If you’ve received meals able to go within the fridge and you may simply microwave it you’re a lot much less more likely to dial for Uber Eats, so that may be on my checklist as nicely.
Peter Morrison (11:14)
Yeah, particularly coming into the winter after we’re consuming extra soups and stews, it’s good.
Martha McKinnon (11:25)
Every other meals? I like yogurt. I imply there’s some issues that I at all times have in my fridge that I feel are type of go-tos. Yogurt, cottage cheese are a few my go-tos. You realize, within the pantry I at all times have tuna. In order that it at all times appears as if there’s one thing you can put, whip collectively, eggs. One thing you can whip collectively actual fast and straightforward to maintain me on observe and out of the chip bag or out of the dialing for pizza.
Peter Morrison (11:55)
Mm Yeah, I’ve truly gotten away even from like protein powders and whatnot, as a result of they’re costly and they’re typically simply loaded with all types of stuff. So I exploit both protein or yogurt or cottage cheese for a bit protein increase in my smoothies now.
Martha McKinnon (12:13)
Yeah. Good, cool. So I feel we’ve sort of coated and once more, I’d love for anyone who’s listening and watching and tuning in to share within the notes in the event that they produce other devices and instruments that they discover useful for his or her journey. I’d love to listen to extra about that.
What about on the planet of exercise and motion? Do you’ve got any, any devices, any instruments, any go-to gear that’s essential to you. I do know for me it might be my yoga mat. I at all times have my yoga mat unrolled and able to step on too. In order that’s a giant one for me. And together with just a few different yoga props, like a yoga block and a strap for stretching. I’ve received some hand weights which can be sort of go to, you realize, for simply doing a bit little bit of power coaching.
Peter Morrison (13:02)
Yeah, I like these little small like two and a half, three, 4, 5 pound little dumbbells. They’re so versatile and so it’s wonderful how useful they are often.
Martha McKinnon (13:14)
Mm-hmm. Yep. I do know and so they’re simple to seize, they’re simple to, you realize, even while you’ve simply, when you’re watching TV, you could be doing, you realize, just a few easy power coaching workouts. In order that’s go-to. Any individual in the course of the workshop that I tuned into talked about step-in sneakers, which I assumed was sort of cool. The truth that, you realize, you simply have the sneakers, assume Skechers would possibly make them, you realize, you’re simply capable of step into them. They don’t should be tied or fixed and also you’re simply able to go. And so she finds that’s actually useful for her.
Numerous apps have been talked about. Do you employ any train sort apps that can assist you? Or health websites?
Peter Morrison (13.50)
I don’t.
Martha McKinnon (13:53)
So there are lot of, and Weight Watchers in actual fact is providing varied stretch and stroll with me in varied exercise sort workshops as a part of their providing now, which I feel is sort of cool. It’s nearly like, you realize, one cease buying lately with every part they’ve included there accessible throughout the app.
Peter Morrison (14:15)
It makes me assume that the fitness center up right here at our group heart has like these weighted balls. I don’t know what they’re not like medication balls, however they’re sort of like basketballs. Like they’re grippy, they’re rubbery and so they’re like eight kilos, 10 kilos. And so they’re simply enjoyable to carry and twist and you could possibly really feel like a bit further. I in all probability wouldn’t have them at house, however when you’re a member at a fitness center or one thing. It’s one other enjoyable option to get some power coaching and stretching in a not an uncommon approach, however only a completely different approach.
Martha McKinnon (14:58)
Proper. And that made me consider hula hoop. We’ve an previous success story on our website a few girl who actually reworked her life by hula hooping. And I used to be speaking to someone just lately who was going to a weekend getaway and hula hoop train was going to be a part of that. So weighted hula hoops are undoubtedly a factor. Yeah.
Peter Morrison (15:19)
Oh wow. I’ve truly at all times loved leaping rope too. I don’t do this, but it surely’s simply a type of issues that it’s sort of enjoyable and it helps along with your coordination and stamina and whatnot.
Martha McKinnon (15:31)
Yeah. Yeah. Good. So I feel we’ve type of coated exercise there. And I do know you’d say you’re pickleball paddle, proper?
Peter Morrison (15:41)
It doesn’t apply to everybody, however yeah, or a tennis racket.
Martha McKinnon (15:46)
Nevertheless it does apply to much more individuals. It’s humorous. It looks as if wherever I’m going, I run into individuals who will say, do you play pickleball? I imply, it’s taking place an increasing number of in our world.
Peter Morrison (15:57)
Hmm. And also you say paddle and it’s extra like paddles as a result of I’ve in all probability received about…
Martha McKinnon (16:01)
Yeah, since you’re a professional.
Peter Morrison (16:03)
Properly what number of crock pots of you’ve got?
Martha McKinnon (16:01)
Yeah, just a few. Just a few for positive. One can’t fairly get it finished. What about? Yeah. So what about when it comes to in regards to the wellness half, the wellness, your self-care, do you’ve got any instruments or devices or go-to’s in terms of extra generalized well being and wellness?
Do you continue to use like important oils in a diffuser? Do they assist like when it comes to, you realize, I like the odor of citrus and orange and I’ve been utilizing my diffuser a bit extra and so I feel that’s one thing that may be very uplifting and I’d take into account that one thing I do for wellness.
I journal, so I’d assume that that’s one thing that’s type of a go-to and essential for me when it comes to the self-care facet. I’m doing much more meditating and there are many good meditating apps just like the Perception meditation app and Happier. These are a pair that I’ve used for meditation.
Self-massage. I imply I like you realize these little like weighted collars you can put within the microwave after which simply sort of wrap right here and simply that may be actually soothing and warming and that’s sort of an affordable approach, in lieu of a therapeutic massage of simply feeling actually type of nurtured and brought care of. Bubble baths. So you realize good bubble bathtub merchandise are additionally a type of self-care for me.
Peter Morrison (17:40)
Hmm. I feel I simply attempt to get a bit, or plenty of, motion in each day. I don’t actually observe or subscribe to any explicit.
Martha McKinnon (17:51)
Mm-hmm. Every other self-care past motion?
What about in your psychological well being?
Peter Morrison (17:57)
Oh pricey.
Martha McKinnon (18:03)
Properly, I assume train, lots of people discover train actually essential to their psychological well being.
Peter Morrison (18:08)
Yeah, it does. That serves a twin goal for me as a result of I, in days like as we speak, it’s a wet day. I’ll do like, we in all probability received’t be capable to do our afternoon stroll, however I do have some small weights right here. I would do some workouts. I’ll in all probability do like a bit pushup routine or some sort of possibly stretching or one thing. It’s not the identical for me as truly being out within the air transferring, but it surely does assist my psychological state.
Martha McKinnon (18:43)
Yeah, and I’d say like nature, nature for me like getting out and strolling and being in nature may be very helpful and typically simply even bringing flowers into the home. I feel that these are actually a few extra uplifting issues that simply assist frame of mind, interior calm.
All proper. Properly, I feel we did a great job at figuring out simply a lot of instruments to make the well being and wellness journey a bit extra enjoyable. Make it simpler, like make it a bit extra fascinating as a result of once more, we all know that change occurs after we could make what we’re attempting to perform as simple as potential and as satisfying as potential. These are actually key in setting ourselves up for fulfillment. So thanks for sharing with me as we speak.
Peter Morrison (19:27)
No, it was an awesome thought. As you have been speaking about change occurs, it makes me assume, I feel change occurs too while you’re doing this stuff and never essentially even attempting to alter. You’re simply doing this stuff to maintain your self. After which every week, two weeks later, rapidly a change has occurred.
Martha McKinnon (19:48)
Yeah, it’s prefer it’s a byproduct versus the true objective. Yeah, that’s cool.
Peter Morrison (19:54)
Yeah, precisely.
Martha McKinnon (19:48)
Mm-hmm.
Peter Morrison (19:55)
Cool. Properly, have a great day everybody. Please be happy to subscribe when you like this content material, share it with anyone you assume may be useful. Share your concepts under. We’d love to listen to what works for you in your journey and we’ll be again quickly. Bye.
Martha McKinnon (20:15)
Take care, bye bye.
