Everyone is extremely busy these days. We all have hectic schedules balancing work, family life, and activities. All of us would probably agree that it seems difficult to find time to eat healthfully, much less to find food that is both healthy and delicious.

Convenience is often our number one consideration when it comes to food, which leads us to buy fast food or unhealthy processed options. It's hard to resist the temptations of fried chicken on your salad, or french fries with your sandwich at the drive-thru, and most fast food restaurants have very few nutritious menu items.

So how can we avoid settling for unhealthy, mediocre fare when we deserve so much better? Whenever I eat greasy, fattening food, after eating a healthy diet for a while, I actually feel physically sick. It shows me that my body really wants healthy cuisine. We all deserve to eat right and eat well.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to attempt to find out if healthful, convenient, gourmet food exists. Here are several guidelines I will try to follow:

1. I will try to avoid fast food (even salads). This is the hardest one for me. Every day at lunch, it's as if the fast food restaurants begin to call me "We're delicious, we're fun, you can order from the dollar menu!" But fast food is not a good choice. I think I should really only eat it once in a while, if at all!

2. I will plan my menu for the next day/week. It is important to plan ahead if you want to eat healthfully. You can also save money at the grocery store by clipping coupons and looking for sale items if you know what you will need.

3. I will bring my lunch to work. If I bring lunch, I will be prepared to resist the siren call of convenient, greasy foods (or company ice cream day), and it will be cheaper!

4. I will take time for gourmet touches. This is one of the hardest ones for me. I am often tempted to make my food as quickly as possible and then just go sit down and eat it. I love simple foods like fresh vegetables, but it's the little gourmet details that can make simple, healthy food become delectable and keep your menu full of variety.

5. I will try something new every day. It always amazes me when I watch those travel shows that feature someone trying international cuisine. There are just so many different foods in the world, and so many flavors and taste combination's we have never tried before. I plan to buy some ingredients I have never used, and try them out! Specialty stores, high-end grocery stores, or international markets are often good sources for interesting ingredients.

6. I will keep up my exercise routine. Exercise is probably the most important component on this list. Exercise makes me feel more positive and alive, and I think it makes it so much easier to eat healthfully. Becoming an athlete is much more fun that being on a diet. I joined a walk/run team with my coworkers today, and I can't wait to get started.

7. I will accept that I am worth it! I think that what it often comes down to is that many of us spend so much time thinking about helping others or worrying about our problems and responsibilities that we don't give ourselves the attention we need and deserve. We forget that if we don't take care of ourselves first, we won't be able to care for others as well, and that we truly do deserve to be healthy in every way!

I have dealt with some issues with eating in the past, such as thinking that healthy eating meant deprivation, or thinking that I had to eat prepackaged food to stick to a planned menu, but now I think I've got it right. With a bit of planning and extra time, I think that my goal of eating healthy and eating well is definitely attainable. So stick with me the next few weeks as I write as a guest blogger, and maybe we can all make some changes for the better.