Join us for an interview with OAMM blog partner Ellen. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives on her blog Confessions of an Over-worked Mom.
We all know what it’s like to feel overrun, overworked, tired, and just plain out of steam. That’s why it’s so important to eat healthy, plan ahead, and reality proof your meal plan! Ellen shares on her blog, “If you’ve ever felt like the only way you can get everything done in one day is by working 12 hours a day and living on a diet of frozen pizzas, diet soda, and coffee, you’re not alone. I felt that way for years and my health suffered for it. I was forty pounds overweight, sick, tired and fed up with everything. My house was a mess, my husband forgot what I looked like when I wasn’t wearing sweat pants and I couldn’t remember the last time I spent time with the kids…[Now] back at goal weight, I rarely turn to processed foods and try to create meals that use healthy, whole foods.”
So we’re over the moon to share more with you from Ellen from Confessions of an Overworked Mom!
How long have you been blogging about food?
I’ve been blogging for about nine years. In the beginning, my focus was more on sustainable living, and I only shared recipes occasionally. Within the past 3 or 4 years, I’ve started focusing more on recipes.
Have you always loved cooking, or was it a skill that you learned to love? Who taught you to cook?
I got married at 18 and moved several states away. When I left home I could barely boil water. I learned to cook as a necessity, but eventually I began loving it and experimenting more with what I cooked.
Have you ever freezer cooked? Describe your first-time freezer cooking.
I started freezer cooking when I worked outside the home. I mostly prepared the ingredients ahead of time and froze them to make assembly easier at night. But, I have cooked whole meals and frozen them as well.
How do you eat healthy from the freezer?
I focus on healthy ingredients. I use very few, if any, processed foods. I prefer to cook with garden-fresh fruits and vegetables that I get from our farmer’s market and grass fed beef that I buy from local farms. I keep grains to a minimum and only use them once or twice a week.
What are ways you save money while living a healthy lifestyle?
I find that by eliminating processed foods from our diet we save quite a bit of money and stay healthy.
Favorite quick prep dinner?
My favorite quick prep meal is definitely a stir fry. We use whatever meat happens to be on sale that week and then add fresh vegetables. Some people enjoy having it over rice, but I generally just eat mine plain.
What is your favorite kitchen tool or gadget?
I love my Instant Pot. Absolutely love it. I got the programmable version with blue tooth so I can monitor it from my phone which is a huge help when I’m busy.
As a final encouragement, Ellen shares with us her advice to anyone who feels overwhelmed about eating healthy.
Take baby steps. We can’t all grind our wheat and grow all of our vegetables. Make small steps that you feel comfortable with each week so you don’t get overwhelmed.
For recipes from Ellen view her OAMM Confessions of an Over-worked Mom Mini Menu and follow her on social media!
Thank you kindly, Ellen, for sharing with us!