We could all put a little more spring into our step if we applied the same amount of detail to our food consumption that the home experts do to their cleaning regimen. But even if you are not a domestic goddess, you can still start your week with a new attitude and a new approach to getting organized, especially when it comes to eating and meal planning.

Following are a few simple steps to help you get a better handle on your health and happiness, including recommendations on how you can incorporate an apple a day into your diet. With these tips, an apple a day may not only keep the doctor away, but also keep you on track to make it through the busy week.

• Set up a breakfast bar to get your family’s day started. Arrange a countertop with a variety of cereals, breads, and waffles for toasting, and sliced apples and other fruits for toppings to avoid the indecisive cabinet/fridge opening and closing syndrome. Don’t forget to set out a pitcher of 100% apple juice or cider to wash that delicious breakfast down.

• Designate a shelf, cabinet, or cart in the kitchen as a permanent lunch-packing station. Include a blackboard list of foods available for the week to keep the packing time to a minimum. Include refrigerated goodies, such as apples and applesauce, which pack away nicely in brown bags.

• Prior to the trip to the grocery store, gather the family and ask each member to select a recipe for the week. Make that person “in charge” of the food for that day. It is a great way to include family favorites, such as Waldorf apple salad, as well as experience new recipes.

• Put that old dorm or spare refrigerator to good use by setting up a beverage bar in the garage. Stock up on healthy, refreshing drinks, such as 100% apple juice and apple cider, in individual bottles so you can grab a serving to go when you head out the door. Place some juice boxes in the freezer to do double duty as an ice pack in lunch bags and coolers – they’ll be ready to drink by mealtime.

• Set aside an area of the refrigerator with pre-mom approved snacks. Include apples and other fruits for munching and crunching and avoid those supper spoilers with little nutritional value. Moms with latchkey kids could even add a little note of love to each treat. (And don’t forget, apples do not make a mess when eaten in front of the TV.)

• Honor the family member who did the best job of keeping the kitchen clean and organized each week with an “Apple of My Eye Award.” Show how proud you are of that person by making their favorite dessert, such as grandma’s old-fashioned apple pie, on the weekend.