As many of you know I have been working on a lifestyle change for 2012 (well truth be told I think I set that same goal in 2010 and 2011 too lol, but I digress).  This year, my goals have been to try to eat more fruit and vegetables and to make small food related changes.  This was a little hard at first but with Luis' help I think I am getting the hang of it...well some of it.  I have gotten into the habit of bringing fruit to work in the morning.  Now this isn't me bringing an apple to work or anything like that...it is a cup of sliced, diced and plucked fruit that is ready to eat.  My favorites have been orange slices, grapes and pineapple.  Additionally, watermelon is another favorite of mine.  So here is how I do it:

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Pre-prepare fruit</span> - I am one that dreads having to prepare something when I am hungry and tired.  This was one of the biggest issues and excuses I had for not preparing food at home and eating out instead.  After watching some vlogs and reading a few blogs on freezer meals and meal planning I discovered a common theme was to prepare the meals/items ahead of time.  This is a pretty easy yet fabulous idea.  My first attempt at this pre-preparing "trick" was to buy some grapes and wash and remove them from the vine as soon as I got home.  Now before you tell me that doing this reduces the products freshness I am going to tell you that one bag of grapes only lasts me three - four days using this method.  When I say it only lasts me that long it's because I EAT them LOL...so they don't have time to go bad...hummm novel idea huh.  Buy and actually eat the fruit...  [enter a blank stare and a moment of silence while that sinks in].  &#x263a;

Ok, so I used my fabulous green plastic ball containers...

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yes these are originally meant for canning and I think I shared them once before, but for those who may have missed it...here is a photo of them.  I got mine from Wal-mart, but I know they carry them in various places.  The lid is a screw top which helps with freshness (in my opinion).  Anywho, so I washed and dried my grapes and plucked them from the vine.  I added them to my container.

<a href="http://thehappinessbucket.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/grapes2.jpg"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-991" title="Grapes Top Down" src="http://thehappinessbucket.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/grapes2.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="258" height="195" /></a>                       <a href="http://thehappinessbucket.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/grapes.jpg"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-990" style="width:185px;height:233px;" title="grapes" src="http://thehappinessbucket.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/grapes.jpg?w=225" alt="" width="225" height="277" /></a>

The first time I did this I chose to prepare my cup o' grapes the night before so each night I had to wash and prep them, but that was because it was a trial to see if it worked for me.  In the morning I grabbed the cup and was able to eat the grapes on the way to work or while at work (if I forgot or didn't finish them).  It is usually enough grapes to eat during breakfast and a snack, but it depends on my hunger level at the time of consumption. &#x263a;  I am blessed because my sweetheart prepares cups of orange, pineapple and grapes pieces for me.  So I am able to just grab the cup on those days and go.

By doing this it has solved a few issues for me:  1.  I am actually eating breakfast on the go without thinking about it;  2.  I am craving the fruit in the morning;  3.  I'm not starving at lunch time;  4.  I am adding more fruits to my diet.

I have also chosen to prep my watermelon's this way too.  I got the idea for this from my parents who had a container of cubed watermelon in the fridge one day but told me to take it all because they weren't going to eat it.  I was throwin' down on that watermelon during my 40 min drive home from their house...I didn't even need a fork.  So, that got me to thinking.  Soon there after I cubed up a watermelon we purchased and put it in a bowl.  That following Saturday while I was working around the house...I got hungry but didn't feel like doing any cooking so I grabbed the bowl and started smacking my lips...once again &#x263a;.

<a href="http://thehappinessbucket.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/watermelon.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-992" title="watermelon" src="http://thehappinessbucket.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/watermelon.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

You can do this pre-preparing process on just about any snack in your home.  Conduct a search on pinterest using "prepared snacks" as the search term and a few will popup.  Just ignore the unhealthy options &#x263a;.

I hope you gain a little inspiration from my experience and start making some healthy changes in your life as well.

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