Becoming a skillful shopper, a good cook and smart eater is much simpler than you might think. It does require planning, organizational skills and a good attitude, but anybody can do it. The benefits of educated shopping and healthy cooking and eating far outweigh any perceived inconvenience.

The act of getting food on the table becomes whatever you make it. Treating food as some time-wasting but necessary chore, makes it just that. But choosing healthy meal preparation as an act of love transforms all aspects of it into a deeply fulfilling experience. It is wonderfully gratifying to choose your own food, know where it comes from, prepare it with your own hands, eat it joyfully, and watch your loved ones savor the fruits of your labor.

So by all means, learn the skills. But also cultivate a love of healthy cooking. Here are my 12 steps on how to shop, cook and eat for maximum health.