You don’t have to be June Cleaver preparing every little thing from scratch. You don’t have to be perfect. – Denise Costello

On this episode of the Plan Simple Meals Podcast, I’m really excited to talk with Denise Costello, the founder of The Energized Body and co-founder of Chrysalis Center for Meditation and Wellness. Denise’s journey started with food, but moved into movement. We’re going to talk about both, plus an amazing experience she’s offering this spring.

Denise lived a very healthy lifestyle. She integrated exercise, movement, cooked and ate healthy. But when her twins were babies, she heard radio report on cancer, saying that by the time her children turned 18, one of six people would have cancer. She got really serious about protecting her family and trying to lower their risks. So she dug into integrated medicine and tried recipes and meditation—and she gathered other moms to share what she knew. Then she turned helping moms and families into a business.

Two important things about Denise were that she realized a healthy lifestyle was doable—even with twins and an adopted daughter. Even when her husband was in the Navy Reserves and gone for long stretches. Even while running a business. She approached situations like making dinner with joy — and without a need to do it perfectly. We’ll talk about specific tips for make it easier.

We talk about:

• Getting your kids involved with food prep and cooking
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• Setting your own standards of normal instead of worrying about what other people think
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• Using a Crock Pot (I think I’m finally convinced to try)
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• Kitchen hacks to make  prepping dinner easier
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• Making cooking more enjoyable—Denise describes her kitchen “sitch” and why music matters
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• Fitting in movement, being forgiving of yourself, and Denises 80% rule
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BIO

Denise Costello is the sometimes called the Fit Foodie. She’s the founder of The Energized Body and co-founder of Chrysalis Center Meditation and Wellness. She started out as a nurse and got excited about empowering individuals to maintain a healthy lifestyle, thereby keeping them out of the hospital. Her interest in health and wellness increased and got personal with the birth of her twins. Her mission is to help you eat your way happy & healthy so you can feel your best, be your best & give your best.

LINKS

• The Energized Body
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• Chrysalis Center for Meditation & Wellness
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• Soulopreneur Spring Pop-up
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MENTIONED LINK

• Vanilla Bean Cake from The Spunky Coconut
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• The Journey Dance
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Doable Changes from this episode:

• TAKE SHORTCUTS IN THE KITCHEN. Chop and freeze onions so you have them ready when you need them—or buy them pre-chopped. Look for basil, garlic, and ginger pre-chopped and frozen. What other prep could be done for you? How else could you set yourself up for...