Nutritional Coach Chia Leah Shares Tips on Healthy Meal Planning

Nutritional Coach Chia Leah Shares Tips on Healthy Meal Planning
 
Leah Bostrom aka Chia Leah has many mantras for healthy eating and living. The certified health coach spoke to a group of Wescott School parents on December 5, and generously shared her knowledge and passion for “sustaining healthy habits.” 
 
Ms. Bostrom is also a fitness instructor, and said she really enjoys motivating clients to reach their long term health goals, a step at a time. 
 
Her presentation was hosted by Wescott’s PTO, and coordinated by Christie Hartbarger and Grace Leon, who passed out delicious samples of Chia Leah's nutritious food items throughout the evening. 
 
They included Simple Savory Egg Muffins, Carrot Ginger Quinoa Soup, Roasted Chickpeas (with nooch), and a quinoa vegetable dish. She also discussed meal planning, kitchen tools and nutrition rules for success in cleaner eating. 
 
However, she noted that her favorite time is when she spends quality time in the kitchen with her children. They share creative ideas and she noted that the kids have become open minded about foods they wouldn't have tried in the past.
 
Some useful tips included using quality (preferably glass) containers, the use of reusable silicon muffin liners or Popsicle molds, spray avocado or coconut oil for high heating roasting/cooking/baking, and keeping pantry items current.
 
“Be a food snot. Your body deserves the the best quality, real food! Educate yourself by reading labels and asking questions. Avoid any ingredient ending in ‘ose', which is code for sugar," emphasized Ms. Bostrom.
 
She added that one should try new recipes but don’t give up the old ones. Just upgrade them with healthy add-ins and swaps. 
 
Her "Grown-up Mac N Cheese" was a good example of an upgraded favorite recipe. It consists of quinoa, rice, or pasta shells, organic Edamame, goat or feta cheese, and/or leftover chopped veggies and meat.
 
Favorite family meals at Chia Leah’s house include plenty of upgrades including less pasta, more veggies, beans, greens, grains, and nutritional yeast. 
 
A list of meal planning resources was also shared like www.chialeah.com, pantrychialeah.com (for local free delivery of her Chia Leah Lean Treats) forksoverknives.com, nourishingmeals.com, www.eatpurely.com, mightynest.com, and thrivemarket.com. 
 
Ms. Bostrom’s love for her (and her family’s) healthy lifestyle shows in her enthusiastic demeanor. That is why she says enjoys empowering others to do the same. She offers one on one support, group support, and nutrition workshops.