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.
Thursday, 23 February 2012
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.
Friday, 17 February 2012
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'.
0
(ps. you don't have to buy a $30+ bottle every time, a lot of the local $10 wines are just as good.)
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'.
0
(ps. you don't have to buy a $30+ bottle every time, a lot of the local $10 wines are just as good.)
Monday, 6 February 2012
Satisfy Your Brain!: What You're Really Craving- Chocolate
Chocolate. MMmmm. The dealbreaker of diets, our number one guilty pleasure.
Often times when one restricts themselves from the food they love, they are more apt to cheat on their "healthy lifestyle". Not to fear though, because you're thinking of all the health benefits, and that lightens your guilt. What if I pointed out to you that you could basically elminate your guilt by making some really small changes? Recently on Dr.Oz, or one of those shows, they had been trying to get kids to eat healthy alternatives. Dark, unsweetened chocolate was said to be full of antioxidants and had multiple benefits compared to our much loved milk chocolate, which is full of fats and sugars. Problem was, most kids are turned off by the bitterness, especially those "hyper-tasters", which made me recall my favourite dark chocolate as a kid.
A really easy way to cut out a lot of the sugars and fats is to skip the snack aisle and head straight for the baking ingredients. Buy Semi-sweet Baker's chocolate. It is still a really high quality chocolate for a better bargain and often has less additives. It also still has that mild sweetness that just melts in your mouth. You can often get away with eating less and still be satisfied because it is so much richer.
So go ahead, and indulge in a piece. Maybe one is all you need!
Often times when one restricts themselves from the food they love, they are more apt to cheat on their "healthy lifestyle". Not to fear though, because you're thinking of all the health benefits, and that lightens your guilt. What if I pointed out to you that you could basically elminate your guilt by making some really small changes? Recently on Dr.Oz, or one of those shows, they had been trying to get kids to eat healthy alternatives. Dark, unsweetened chocolate was said to be full of antioxidants and had multiple benefits compared to our much loved milk chocolate, which is full of fats and sugars. Problem was, most kids are turned off by the bitterness, especially those "hyper-tasters", which made me recall my favourite dark chocolate as a kid.
A really easy way to cut out a lot of the sugars and fats is to skip the snack aisle and head straight for the baking ingredients. Buy Semi-sweet Baker's chocolate. It is still a really high quality chocolate for a better bargain and often has less additives. It also still has that mild sweetness that just melts in your mouth. You can often get away with eating less and still be satisfied because it is so much richer.
So go ahead, and indulge in a piece. Maybe one is all you need!
Friday, 13 January 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Killer Recipe: Grapefruit Granita Sorbet
Today, I've got my favourite dessert recipe of 2011:
made with just a few simple and easy ingredients, including fresh grapefruit.
Check it out, I hope you enjoy some healthy indulging!
More to come!
Check it out, I hope you enjoy some healthy indulging!
More to come!
Satisfy Your Brain: What You're Really Craving
Keep Everything running smooth with Good Fat
The first step to losing weight or just plain eating healthier is losing your addictions to the food you eat; we all have cravings. We crave things for a reason, usually our body "needs" something. Unfortunately, with all the delicious temptations out there, our eyes crave what our body might not. Your "sweet tooth" might really be your mind associating an unhealthy food with something it needs, such as vitamin C. Time to re-train your brain. Your "fast food" craving might actually be your body telling you to eat more "fat". (ie. omega3&6)
Many people are still fearing fat, yet fat has many benefits when used in a diet correctly. Cutting it out all together will only trick your body into storing more of it. Instead, try reducing your overall fat intake and replace "bad fat" with "good fat".. that way your body and mind are still satisfied, and you can focus on your workout instead of snack time.
So, here are some really easy and tasty ways to cut down on your fat while leaving your mind and palette satisfied! feed your body what it's really been craving all along!
The first step to losing weight or just plain eating healthier is losing your addictions to the food you eat; we all have cravings. We crave things for a reason, usually our body "needs" something. Unfortunately, with all the delicious temptations out there, our eyes crave what our body might not. Your "sweet tooth" might really be your mind associating an unhealthy food with something it needs, such as vitamin C. Time to re-train your brain. Your "fast food" craving might actually be your body telling you to eat more "fat". (ie. omega3&6)
Many people are still fearing fat, yet fat has many benefits when used in a diet correctly. Cutting it out all together will only trick your body into storing more of it. Instead, try reducing your overall fat intake and replace "bad fat" with "good fat".. that way your body and mind are still satisfied, and you can focus on your workout instead of snack time.
So, here are some really easy and tasty ways to cut down on your fat while leaving your mind and palette satisfied! feed your body what it's really been craving all along!
- Avacado & Sea Salt (more potent flavour, less needed) instead of Mayo (sandwiches)
(try it in cottage cheese!) - Instead of buying pre-cut fries full of trans-fats, Toss Home Cut Fries in Olive oil and Bake them, don't fry! (way healthier option that only takes a few moments) (suggestion: while tossing cut fries in olive oil, add garlic powder, oregano and a little sea salt for a delicious restaraunt-style fry)
- Nuts are a good source of Omega3 fats and a better alternative to the crunch you'd get from chips.
- Whole Grain Crackers are also a good alternative to the usual bag of salty snacks.
- also try cooking with sesame oil or olive oil instead of vegetable and canola oil, fewer calories and it doesn't skimp on the flavour! You won't miss cooking with butter!
Switching sinfully fatty foods to good fats has not only caused me to have more energy and healthier cravings, but my skin has also benefited. Good fats are equally good for the skin because, instead of causing acne like many fatty foods, it actually helps heal & protect the natural moisture barrier of the skin, and my cellulite is gone! I don't crave fast food at all anymore, I'd be much happier to have an avacado and cottage cheese than some deep fried French Fries! MacD's doesn't hold any power over me!
What other reasons do you need to make a few changes?
What other reasons do you need to make a few changes?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)