6 Tips to most effectively use leftovers and decrease food waste

According the United Nations Environment Program, around 30-40% of the food supply in the U.S. is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month! Worldwide, about 1 in 4 calories intended for consumption is never actually eaten (see more stats here). Those facts blow my mind! Especially when it is so easy to use the food that you buy, minimizing the amount that is wasted. Here are some steps you can take to decrease your food waste on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

1. Meal plan
It sounds basic, but simply planning to use what you plan to buy is one of the most effective ways to cut down on food waste. This will assure that fresh food is used quickly and completely. Pick one day of the week as your "meal planning day" (mine is Monday night) - preferably close to your shopping day (mine is Tuesday morning). When planning, be sure to assess your current stores in the fridge, freezer and pantry before bringing in more. Finally, consider which meals often create leftover components, such as rice or potatoes. Use those for dinner 1-2 days after the first meal to assure that component get eaten.

Athletes: Why you should start 2016 with a nutrition plan

If you are like many athletes, you are busy planning and preparing your workout and/or competition schedule for 2016. You carefully write your goals and select your competitions. You cycle your training during the year to match that plan. You measure your heart rate, cadence, mile pace and a myriad of other things you don't quite understand. What many athletes are missing is another type of plan - a nutrition plan. Whether it is your plan for day-to-day eating or fueling before or during a competition, missing a plan can have a big impact on whether or not you meet your 2016 goals. Here is why:

1. Planning your daily nutrition assures your body recovers well on a daily basis
Good recovery can ward off illness and injury as well as help your muscle properlys and fully adapt positively to your workouts.