I read a recent article in the Washington Post about Isaac Newton (before he became “Sir”). Like us, he went through his own period of social distancing during the Great Plague of London in 1665. Throughout his months of self-imposed quarantine (let’s hope ours is much shorter!), he made several breakthroughs that not only advanced the fields of mathematics and science, he launched his own storied career.
We, on the other hand, may have less lofty aspirations. Like exercising at home (there are some brilliant workouts on YouTube), and upgrading our nutrition.
I’ve already adopted a mostly whole foods diet, but it has become a lot easier without the added temptation of donut shops and fast-food outlets. And without the commuting, visiting friends, and running errands (other than buying groceries), there’s even more time to cook from scratch.
So let’s stop agonizing over the toilet paper aisle (in a pinch, there are alternatives!), and head over to produce where the tables are piled high with fresh, colourful fruits and veggies. No, you can’t do the "prepper" thing and hoard a five-year supply of broccoli or oranges (like you would with canned soup). But you can keep a few days’ worth in your fridge – and then replenish.
After all, the borders are still open to essentials, like our food supply.
Cooking with basic ingredients takes more time and effort than ordering a pizza or unwrapping a frozen tray. But you know that homemade tastes better, and by making it a team effort (i.e. assign the kids to clean and chop the veggies), mealtime can be a great hands-on bonding experience.
And it's a great way to get the kids off their devices for a few minutes!
After a few weeks of eating clean, working out, and maybe putting in some hours studying or learning a new language, you may come out of this COVID crisis a little different than you went in.
Sure, these can be scary times, but I’ve always believed in taking action on those things you can control. And your diet is one of them.
Stay safe and be well!
-- Neil
This blog post was originally published by Vince's Market: https://vincesmarket.ca/ Neil Moore is the Brand Manager at Vince’s Market. He is also a freelance journalist, masters athlete, and family man who believes that excellence has no expiry date. That being said, Neil is not a medical doctor. This blog is for informational purposes only and is no substitute for professional medical advice.
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