Get Inspired to Eat Better

By Maria Noël Groves, Clinical Herbalist & Co-op Wellness Educator

I have a confession to make: I LOVE "bad" food. Fast food, candy, french fries, bread, you name it. Over the past two decades, I've conditioned my taste buds to branch beyond standard American fare and enjoy a wide range of vegetables, vegetarian and ethnic fare, wild game, seafood, etc. But when I'm traveling or life gets busy, those old standbys are easy to turn to. That's fine, once in a while, but I definitely feel better when I'm eating well. One of the best things you can do to keep your diet healthy is to continually get inspired. Here are some of my favorite ways to do that:

* Be dazzled by fruits and vegetables. Key in on the produce aisle while shopping and also check out farmers markets and farm stands to keep your diet produce-heavy. Experiment with new ingredients and fresh herbs. Plan your meals around plants.

* Surround yourself with local, vegetarian, and healthy cookbooks, preferably with lots of great photos. Poke through them when dinner gets dull.

* Join foodie mailing lists and blogs such as www.eatingwell.com, www.101cookbooks.com, www.nourishingwords.net, www.pickyeaterblog.com, www.vegetariantimes.com, www.glutenfreegirl.com, and of course the Co-op Buzz Blog and newsletter! (Got a favorite blog? Share it in the "Comments" section!)

* Subscribe to healthy foodie magazines like EatingWell, Whole Living, and Vegetarian Times.

* Share food and recipes with friends and family who enjoy real, healthy food.

How do YOU stay inspired to eat good food? Share your tips in the "Comments" section below.

Bon appétit!