Editors Note:  The reason I hear most for why people do not eat healthy is that it is either too expensive or not easy to access healthy options.  See what steps you can take to ensure that your lifestyle is as healthy as possible.  No more excuses people, there are things you can do right NOW to work towards a healthier you!  Take just one step in the right direction today and see how that makes you feel on the inside and the outside. ~Nitika~

When you ask most New Yorkers why they live in such a chaotic, fast-paced city one of their main reasons will always be convenience!  Having anything and everything at your finger tips is great but it also causes you to expect instant gratification in all the other aspects of your life.  This is why I find it to be so hard for people to commit to making healthy changes in their lifestyle.  I wanted to show you how to make gradual changes and see that being healthy does not have to be complicated.

1) Having the essentials. In order to make things convenient for yourself, first spend the effort to set the proper foundation.  Initially, this may seem like a lot of work but in the long run it pays off.  Take a sneak peak of what I keep in my kitchen:

Cabinets: Quinoa, Seaweed (dulse, wakame, nori), extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, sea salt, spices  (cayenne, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg)

Counter Top: Avocado, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, lemons, fresh ginger and garlic

Fridge: Almond/Hemp Milk, flaxseed oil, sauerkraut, kombucha (my favorite is GT’s Multi-Green), seasonal fruit such as watermelon and berries,  carrorts and celery (these are great for a quick on the go snack cut up with some lemon to keep them fresh)

Freezer: Organic frozen fruit for smoothies and sprouted grain bread (the Ezekiel brand has a great variety of wraps, English muffins, and breads)

2) Home away from home.  Since you can’t always eat at home, having some key items in your bag or at the office is a great way to feel like you have healthy options no matter where you go.  I always like to carry a packet of stevia, herbal tea, and raw chocolate because these are small items that can give you a little pick-me-up and satisfy your sweet tooth.  At the office, you can also keep items such as, extra virgin olive oil, spices, trail mix, apples, cereal, and almond milk.

3) Planning ahead, but not too far. For some of us grocery shopping can be overwhelming and stressful, especially when fighting the crowds at Wholefoods or Trader Joes.  Luckily, I have found a few ways to make the experience pretty much painless.  1)  Shopping for only a few days at a time makes the amount of food you are buying more manageable and also results in fresher fruits and veggies.  2)  Have a staple list of items you know you need each time and add a few new items to keep it interesting.  For salads, I always get mesclun, cucumbers, celery, and lemons. Then, I may decide to add things such as fennel, sprouts, tomatoes, or fresh cilantro. 3) Plan to go during off-hours when you are not tired or hungry after work.  I love shopping at Wholefoods around 9 p.m. You’ll find the energy there is calm with no long check-out lines!

4) Healthy delivery options.  After a long day, sometimes the best way you can take care of yourself is to relax and order in!  And, one of the greatest things about living in New York is that you can basically have anything you desire, not just pizza, delivered to you within thirty minutes.  Delivery does not mean it has to be unhealthy or expensive.  I have a few favorite places that I can depend on to get a fresh, organic salad or steamed veggies with quinoa. And, I encourage you to find yours.  Take the time to collect delivery menus of places around your area and circle some of the healthy options, so when you are tired you can easily decide.  Often times, I also order an extra salad or save what I can’t finish from dinner for lunch the next day.