Is Your Nutrition Prepared for a Storm?

I was just watching the news and, on the weather report, there was a discussion of the build-up of Hurricane Ernesto.

Now, I live in the New York City area where hurricanes rarely happen, but we did experience Hurricane Irene last year--and was that ever an eye opener. When the supermarket was finally re-opened, I noticed that sugary, highly processed foods--like certain peanut butters, canned spaghetti and salty soups--were completely sold out. The freshly-baked breads weren't touched, and got stale from sitting around--but those packaged breads, with a list of ingredients we can't even pronounce, were gone.

I really smile everytime I think of this: My friend, Pete, probably won the prize for the unhealthiest weekend fare--he told me he lived on those $2 convenience-store burritos all that weekend.
Then, of course, we had that infamous Halloween Weekend snow storm.
So let's try to be a little better prepared this time. Your cabinets and freezer should have:

• Beans. Can be either dried or canned but, if canned, please rinse thoroughly.
• Brown rice, Quinoa, Buckwheat or some other grain.
• Frozen veggies. Of course, fresh is best, but that may not be possible--if you're confined or stranded for days, they'll only wilt and spoil. Case in point: When I was able to visit the store last year after Hurricane Irene, all the produce was brown and wilted. Yuk! And where is the nutrition in that? Just check the label to be sure you're only getting vegetables and water, and you should be okay. If possible, try to get "flash frozen" because that means it's frozen the minute it's picked.
• Frozen fruit. You can find good organic varieties at Trader Joes and in Whole Foods and even some supermarkets.
• Nut butters. The healthy varieties, please! You can always have it with some sliced apples or celery for a nutritious snack.
• Dark chocolate. Yes, you read correctly. Dark chocolate, as long as it has 60%-80% cocoa, is a Super Food; if it contains another Super Food, the gogi berry, well, you'll probably never taste anything so good. It should be a very small piece, like the size of a candy kiss--but it will probably also satisfy your need for some comfort food.
• Yogurt: All yogurt is considered a Super Food, but I like Greek, because the thick and creamy texture makes me think I'm eating ice cream. Mix it with another Super Food, pumpkin, and you have a powerful, nutrient-dense snack. You can find 100% pure pumpkin (not the pie filling!) in most supermarkets.
• Olive oil.
• Pasta (In a pinch, you can make a pasta topping of broccoli, sauteed in olive oil and garlic.

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Irene Ross, CHHC, AADP is a certified nutrition and health coach who helps people instantly double their energy so they avoid that mid-morning or afternoon slump, get more done in less time and balance their lives.  She is author of the forthcoming book:  25 Ways to Fire Up Your Day:  Increase Energy, Get More Done in Less Time, Balance Your Life.

For more information on Irene, and to sign up for her newsletter (and receive the free e-book, Sugar's Sour Story), visit:  www.irenefross.com.