Money-wise Tip: Bang for your Buck

  Looking to stretch your dollars more & more these days? Here are a few tips & tricks I've learned from growing up in a large family, plus some I've had to learn myself along the way.

Cheap protein: A Vital component of every day.
 -Eggs, not only are they known for being a good source of pr otein, they are also a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins A & D ..also only $3/doz.
-Tuna, a fish from the heavens. Your mom said it was brain food for a reason. Not only is it full of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (including 100%dv B3) & minerals (with 190%dv selenium)
 for full explanation of benefits, click here
-Soy milk, although the nutritional values may differ between brands, adding soy milk to your cereal will greatly improve your chances of a balanced day. It's always a good source of protein, iron & B-vitamins, it usually comes fortified with additional vitamins and nutrients.
 (1 cup of soy milk& 1 cup of Vector cereal gives you nearly 100%dv of all your common nutrients. Makes getting everything you need a little easier.)
Frugal Fibre: Kick-start your day & last until lunch!
-Oats (in bulk), grab-n-go pack are good, but usually about 4x the price, just add a little cinnamon, honey & apple for an awesome breakfast.
-Brown rice, great for lunches & paired with dinner...because you can't afford couscous or quinoa. The recipes are limitless.
-Discounted whole-wheat bakery bread -there's nothing wrong with it, it's just not as fresh. (use it within 2 days or refrigerate)
Delectable Desert: Home-made parfaits. 
-look for a good sale sticker or a 50% off tag, you'll be using it all at once anyway.
-plain granola, in bulk, is much cheaper than a box.
-use frozen/thawed fruit. (ex. blueberries, strawberries, or a berry blend) Store brand is good, and you'll be sure the fruit is always frozen in peak season.
-layer the 3 multiple times in a large glass. Tasty, frugal, and no guilt. Just the way I like it.

Killer Recipe: Turkey and Cucumber Sandwich

  Simple, delicious, affordable & healthy.

    This Turkey & Cucumber Sandwich hits all the right notes. Paired with some whole-grain (or even flax) bread, even the most diet-conscious reader can get a sandwich full of flavour, seasoned with Horseradish & garlic, instead of belt-busting mayo.

See the Recipe Here!

Relaxing Indulgence -Wine

   Many of us feel like our sanity is slipping away on a daily basis. So what do we usually do on our "I've got tomorrow off" days but consume way too much hard liquor and spend your "day off" in bed.
 I believe it is due time that we jump on board with our parents' advice of "a glass a day". Many new studies show that not only does one glass of wine each day promote relaxation and better sleep, but it also aids in digestion as well as postpones or eliminates your risk of heart disease. Like any healthy living tip, moderation is key. Alcohol obviously poses a significant risk to your internal organs, especially your pancreas, when too much is consumed for the body to process and benefit from. Studies have concluded that no more than 2 glasses of wine be consumed per day to get the most amount of benefits without consequence.
  This all seems a little "hoity toity" to some of you, but trust me, you will soon realize alcohol is much more useful this way, and you won't get that nasty "hardbar" hangover. My boyfriend and I now have many memories of giggling and having a genuinely good time when we do have more than "just a glass" and there's no more "sloppy bar nights" to get embarrassed over. I will raise my glass of wine over whiskey any day. Both for health, and well being. So, take a sip! Step into the world of subtle fruity freshness and melt into your couch tonight. I dare ya'.
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(ps. you don't have to buy a $30+ bottle every time, a lot of the local $10 wines are just as good.)

Money-wise Tip: Bulk is better.

 Is cereal becoming less and less affordable to choose healthy options? If you look down the breakfast aisle, you'll notice right away that the sugary cereals cost a lot less than the more healthy alternatives. This is because the majority of the ingredients contain corn or corn by-products which is the most mass produced vegetable in the US. Sadly, genetic modifications and effects have been greatly overlooked, and there's no way to tell what you're really ingesting.
My tip: Look on the bottom shelves near the end of the aisle. Here you will find large bags of bulk cereal. The most nutrition for your buck would be to get "whole puffed wheat", which not only contains dietary fibre, but also contains Iron and Calcium, and contains some potassium. These bags are WAY cheaper for more; usually MAX $4 a large bag, and if you can't get over the "plain" taste, try sweetening it with honey or agave instead of refined sugar.

Money-wise tip: Bean it up!

   Did you know that eating too much red meat is bad for you? The opposite is also true, a lot of us now skip out on meat at mealtime, thinking they will lose weight.
  What we really need is more beans in our diet. This protein-rich food may not seem appealing by itself, but it adds depth and texture to any recipe. It is the cheapest form of protein & fibre found at the Grocery store, only a buck or two, and that's not all it's good for! Beans are also high in fibre, which slows digestion, leaving you feeling full, longer! One last and important thing, beans are high in phytochemicals, easier put, antioxidants, which rid your body of the toxins you subject yourself to daily. ..
   -(themoreyouknow): Beans will not give you gas if you chew your food thoroughly, which benefits you no matter what you eat, because it aids in the transport of nutrients throughout your body instead of loosing most of it through the waste removal process! It also keeps the food in your mouth longer, satisfying those hungry tastebuds!

My secret: Chic peas (garbanzo beans) in spaghetti. Add it once your sauce gets hot. (I also use ground turkey or chicken in replace of beef, due to the fact that it is easier to digest. Anyone with mild acid reflux or IBS can eat this spaghetti, try looking for low-acid tomatoes!)

What this blog is all about:

   Lately I've been wondering why childhood obesity rates are still on the rise when there is so much emphasis on healthy eating. It's really not that hard, whole foods are good, and processed, have all sorts of issues that are only still being discovered now. Is it because the majority of people have passed on their bad habits or inherited insensitive taste buds? Possibly, but maybe it's because they there is no "healthy food" available? Could it be that some people just don't understand what is and isn't as healthy as they think?
  I wanted to start this blog to show people that despite money or access to fresh produce all the time, you can still improve your diet -and health- every time you eat.
  Being someone who suffers from multiple medical conditions, I needed to change my diet to make my life work. Whether you have a digestive problem, immune-deficiency, mobility problem, or you just want to eat healthy to increase immunity, stay fit & live longer, I've got plenty of tricks and tips to get the most out of every meal. I come from a large family where my mom had to feed 7 of us on a tight budget. I'd like to think I've learned from the master.
 It's time to go back to the way our parents (or grandparents) viewed food, where you know you can't trust it if it's not a natural ingredient.

ps. We've reached the 7million+ mark in population, it's due time we talk some sustainability.