Retirement often offers an opportunity for individuals to explore their passions and contribute positively to their communities. For Helen Wrathall, a retired financial planner, this meant volunteering her time and culinary skills at the Roxy Centre in Acton, Ontario. Her inspiring story reveals the impact of eating well on her volunteer work and provides insights into her healthy and budget-friendly grocery shopping habits.
The Joy of Volunteering and Cooking
After retiring from her career, Helen Wrathall found fulfillment in volunteering at the Roxy Centre. A couple of times a week, she served warm bowls of canned soup to people in need. However, about six months ago, the volunteers decided to add a personal touch to the meals. They started cooking and serving soups made from scratch in the centre’s kitchen. Every couple of months, eight volunteers, including Wrathall, gather to prepare large batches of soup to freeze and serve. Each volunteer contributes their unique recipes for the community hub.
Helen Wrathall, who enjoys preparing a hearty hamburger soup loaded with nutritious ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, onions, carrots, pasta, and beef broth, says, “There’s a great camaraderie in it.” She believes everyone should have the right and the ability to eat well, which is reflected in the team’s approach to choosing recipes.
Balancing an Active Lifestyle with a Nutritious Diet
In her personal life, Wrathall maintains an active lifestyle that includes cycling with her husband around the neighboring trails. Her diet is balanced with protein-packed meals and an abundance of vegetables and fruits for fiber. She cooks from scratch as much as possible and maintains a diet full of lean protein such as chicken and fish, along with meatless meals. She recently began incorporating more Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and eggs in her diet, for a meatless source of protein.
She has been making conscious efforts to add more healthy fats to her meals. Avocado, nuts, chia seeds, and olive oil are now regular features in her diet. These healthy fats increase her satiety, providing her with the energy she needs for long bike rides or a day of volunteering.
Smart Grocery Shopping Habits
Wrathall makes smart financial decisions when it comes to grocery shopping. She price matches, especially at her local No Frills. She also saves her vegetable scraps in the freezer to make vegetable stock, reducing waste and taking care of the Earth. Her occasional splurge is a good filet mignon, which she enjoys once a month.
One of the hardest shopping habits to maintain for her is having ready-to-eat items available for those days when she’s too tired or lacking time to cook. However, she always ensures to have something in the freezer that can be easily thawed for dinner.
Recent Changes to Eating Habits
Recently, Wrathall has made significant changes to her eating habits by incorporating more lean proteins and healthy fats. Items like avocados and nuts keep her satiated for longer. She has also been trying to curb her sweet tooth by eating less sugar and has noticed that the less she consumes, the less she craves it.
Five Essential Grocery Cart Items
Wrathall’s shopping cart usually includes the following five items:
- Strawberries – Naturally Imperfect – $4 for 340 grams: These Canadian-grown strawberries are enjoyed with Greek yogurt or as a dessert after lunch.
- Dark chocolate – President’s Choice – $8.50 for 300 grams: A piece of dark chocolate after lunch and dinner satisfies her sweet tooth.
- Protein bars – Pure – $20 for a box of 18: These are bought for bike rides. They’re easy to eat while on the trail and keep her satisfied when hungry.
- Avocados – $1.99 each: Avocados have been a recent addition to her diet, often used in a tomato and avocado salad with shallots, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
- Dried apricots – H&H Foods – $9.99 for one pound: These are used in a chicken stew with carrots and dried apricots in the slow cooker. They also serve as a snack with mixed nuts and some dark chocolate when cycling.
In conclusion, Helen Wrathall’s story serves as an inspiration to all, demonstrating how healthy eating habits can fuel an active and fulfilling lifestyle, even post-retirement. Whether it’s volunteering at her local community centre or maintaining an active lifestyle, her thoughtful food choices significantly contribute to her overall well-being.
