Eat Healthy but Cheap...

I was reading a blog today called Moneyning and here are some suggestions as well as my thoughts about eating healthy and cheap...

Stretch Your Meat –.... I love this idea, we just talked abotu it at weight watchers last week. There are many ways to get in protein without eating meat. Things like beans, eggs,  greek yogurt, tofu are just as good for you. I also try to stretch my meat for multiple meals. Sometimes a chicken breast is too large for just one meal so I can save it for another meal.

Make a Shopping List – I must admit I do like this idea although I am very bad at it. I did recently download an application on my phone that I like to use as I think of things I need. Plan ahead. Think of what meals you would want and put everything on the list. Don't buy anything that isn't on the list. Also try shopping with cash. If you don't have the cash then don't buy it.

Avoid Processed Foods – This really can save you a lot of money. Things such as 100 calorie packs.. I think it is cheaper to make my own. I also really try to find ways to make quick easy meals that are not processed.

Drink Only Water – I am really trying to focus on more water.. I am really focusing on removing diet soda again! Also find ways to enjoy the water. Add lemon or even crystal light packets.

Buy In-Season Produce –  This is a major saver... I really love shopping around. I always try to check the ads on Wednesday and Sunday for the best deals. It is almost apple season here locally. Go apple picking for a day with your family. Saves money and is a great activity.

Shop at the Farmer’s Market I LOVE FARMERS MARKETS!!! They are great. If you aren't shopping at one... please give it a try.

Know Your Healthy, Cheap Staples – I think this really helps. I am never out of oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, canned green beans, as well as beans.

Start a Vegetable Garden –  I have some friends who did this and I am jealous. I would love to do this. What would you grow if you could?

Avoid the Drive-Thru – I avoid them at all cost. I have a rule to not eat in my car unless I really have to. I also find them difficult to really get point friendly foods. Also think about it this way .99 for a baked potato from Wendy's... this past weekend I paid .99 per pound on sweet potatoes. Much cheaper to do it yourself. 

Clip Coupons – This seems obvious. However there are so many ways. I have even started to Google foods that I want to try to see if their website will have a coupon. I have already printed a ton of coupons for my favorite yogurt. I do this for everything. Also coupons.com is a great place to print coupons. There are so any ways to save without becoming one of those crazy women you see on TLC.

Save Money. Eat better. Lose Weight. Be Happy!!

ENGERGY

Today I was reading an article about food that keep your energy levels up.

Pumping Seeds (Fatigue Fighter magnesium)... I can't believe its almost fall so these will be around. The article suggested these could be eaten after a rough workout.

Yogurt (Fatigue fighter Probiotics) I love Greek... the article suggest that the "good bacteria" that aids good digestive health.

Wheat Bran Cereal (Fatigue Fighter Fiber) The article suggest it could help energy levels up to 10%... I am not much of a cereal eater... I received a sample from Quaker... What kind of cereal do you enjoy?

Whole Grains (Fatigue Fighter Complex Carbs)... We talk about this in weight watcher meetings all the time. Choosing whole grains is always the best options. Oatmeal, Whole wheat pasta or even brown rice... mix it up and enjoy it.

Walnuts (Fatigue Fighter Omega-3 Fatty acids) Not only a great protein but the article says that research shows it helps relieve depression.

Dark Chocolate (Fatigue Fighter Polyphenols) Research shows that it even helps levels of happiness. If you have a sweet tooth 1 oz of dark chocolate is a good choice.

Tea ((Fatigue Fighter Caffeine and l-theanine) Probably the safest choice among choices for caffeine. The article stated that tea helps with many things  including improved alertness, memory, and reaction time as well as decreased mental fatigue.

Watermelon ((Fatigue Fighter Water) The best time of year... right now. How good is watermelon. The article suggested on a hot day that this is one of your best options. Who can disagree?

Red Bell Pepper (The fatigue-fighter: Vitamin C) I personally love peppers of all kinds. The article suggested that it can even help with stress... so next time you are feeling on edge cut one up and enjoy.

What else do you think helps with energy? I personally believe staying hydrated. Making sure I drink enough water is something I really think works. I also really beleieve being active. I know there are days where I don't feel like doing anything but I always feel so much better when I do.

SO WAKE UP... try these.

Family Bonding Time...

In my last blog post I said that I was excited to be able to go home and spend time with my family for my nieces first birthday. Saturday morning started with a 22 mile bike ride with my stepdad. It was a great ride and I am really glad we got to spend this time together. During the ride I didn't even realize how far we had gone until his friend who rode along with us said there was a great view at an upcoming bridge. Here we are on our bike ride...

The weekend ended with me waking up Sunday morning for a half marathon in the town my mom and stepdad live in. I got my personal record and felt amazing afterward thanks to my Uncle who met me just over halfway to ride along next to me.

We all then went and got ready for the big birthday party. What an amazing way to end a weekend than celebrate my nieces first year of life....

What is family bonding like in your family? How can you make your family time more active?

Amazing Little People

One year ago today I became an Aunt for the first time... Its a totally new experience. I love it. She is such an amazing little person. Being Aunt Dee has just gave me a total new perspective. I love it. She is so funny and carefree. Looking at her makes life seem so simple. The other day she was taking the phone and all she was saying "Hi.." It melts my heart every time. Although I wish I could see her a lot more she will always only have one "Aunt Dee"... I can't wait to see her this weekend and celebrate her first birthday! The thing is look how much she has changed in one year. Think about how much a year can change your life... What can you do to make this your best year?




The funny thing that really got me to thinking is that people really can change our lives... they support us through some of the toughest times. Who has made a difference in your life. Do they know it?... Show them some love...

How to avoid Stress eating

Here is some great information I read from Webmd.com

Build a good nutritional foundation. Prepare your brain and body in advance and you’ll be better able to handle stress when it happens. To keep your emotions in balance, eat regularly during the day, every four or five hours. We often talk in weight watcher meetings about being prepared. Plan your day and it often leads to many other good decisions!

Enjoy complex carbohydrates. Have oatmeal, raisin bran and other whole-grain cereals and breads, as well as brown rice, whole-grain pasta, vegetables, beans, fruits, and nonfat milk. These complex carbohydrates help your brain make the feel-good chemical serotonin, which counteracts stress, says Thayer. Moderate amounts of healthy fats from olives, avocadoes, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, nut butters and olive oil also help, adds Kleiner. Important keys to success is being balanced and having foods that are good for you. Also foods that satisfy you.

Recognize what’s happening. When stressful events or thoughts trigger the urge to eat, stop and evaluate first. Are you hungry or not? Rate your hunger on a scale from 1 to 10. Ask yourself when was the last time you ate, to see if your body needs food right now. “Often, negative emotions trigger what feels like hunger but is really just a habitual response to eat to get rid of negative feelings,” says Elissa S. Epel, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and a researcher on stress and eating. I always make the rule... drink a few sips or even a glass of water first!

Try a little mindfulness. Derail your automatic trip to the cookie jar by becoming more aware of your eating patterns. Mindful eating encourages you to use your senses to choose foods that please you and are nourishing to your body. Pay attention to the physical cues of fullness or hunger that your body sends. Use these to make decisions about when to begin eating and when to stop. I think another thing that plays into this is not to eat anything directly from the container... get out how much you really want to have.

Have a Plan B ... and C. The stress-eating urge usually hits suddenly, so keep healthy snacks with you wherever you go. Try small packets of nuts or trail mix (without added sweets or salt), apples, or bananas. Those better options will help you bypass high-calorie comfort. When possible, Kleiner advises eating protein and complex carbohydrates together, such as cheese with a slice of whole-grain bread.

Another great option: a small piece of dark chocolate (72% cocoa is good). “You don’t need to eat a ton of it,” Kleiner says. I have a basket of safe snacks in a higher cabinet so that I don't see them. This way I am not tempted everyday. I keep weight watcher snacks or other things in it for when I really need something.

Fool yourself. In difficult moments, do you crave crunchy snacks like chips or pretzels? Keep cut-up carrots and celery ready in the refrigerator. Soy chips are also a healthier choice than most fried or baked crunchy snacks. I love this idea... I will even drink a coffee with some sweetener and milk for something warm when I feel down. Or even sugar free hot chocolate.

Have a sweet tooth? Fruit provides natural sweetness that can reduce your urge for high sugar items. And its ZERO points PLUS!!!

Out of sight really does help. If you must keep stress eating temptations like cookies or chips at home for others, store those foods behind larger packages or stacks of dishes. In the freezer, use bags of frozen vegetables to block your view of the ice cream container. When you’re commuting to work or running errands, avoid driving past the bakery or fast-food restaurants. Although this is something that I have trouble with... I do keep a separate cabinet for cookies, chips another snacks that Jason (my boyfriend) enjoys.

Call on a substitute. To make stress eating less automatic, you need to find better ways to deal with everyday hassles and ongoing tensions. Choose a healthy stress-busting alternative such as going for a walk or run, listening to music, calling a friend for a chat, brushing your cat or dog, or just sitting quietly.... I believe in this one to the core... sometimes I just need to get out of the kitchen. I have even gone to a store and just walked around.

Don't stress... take a few deep breaths....

6 Ways to Reward Weight Loss Success—without Using Food

Every morning MSN.com is my front page. They often have short articles that intrigue me. This one is one I live by... when losing weight I always did this. Every time I hit the next 10 pounds I found ways to reward myself. Here is a list I read and my thoughts on the ideas...

Take a Healthy Cooking Class--- I would love to do this. The only placeI know for sure you can sign up for a class in the northwest Indiana area is at a little Italian restaurant in Schererville called Cao Bella. Call them I know they offer them about once a month and you have to register. If you have other ideas let me know and I will pass them along!

Show Your Tootsies Some TLC--I love pedicures... are you afraid of cost? Check out Excel Academies in Merrillivlle. Only $25.

Strike a Pose--The article suggested have a make shift photo shoot. Although I never really did this... During my weight loss journey I went home to visit my family in Ohio and my sister was going to prom. I feel like I took a ton of pictures with her. It made me feel good to see how good I looked. Here is a photo of us:

Spring for Something Sparkly-- The article suggested things like jewelry that makes you feel good. I agree sometimes buying myself something nice really makes me feel good if I love it. I don't think it has to be jewelry. Although I do like the idea of something like a bracelet or watch that you can wear everyday to remind yourself how far you have come!

Share Your Success With Friends: I love this idea. I have amazing support from my friends. They were my rock. My family doesn't live near by and they were amazing in making me feel good! This is my friend Sherry. She is always there for support to matter what!

Escape for a Spa Week: Although this can be expensive and we don't always have a week we always can try for a few hours. Again places like Excel offer several salon services. Also check with other local salons for deals and specials... If you aren't into the salon thing. Spring for a round of golf or even just the driving range for a few hours of relaxing.

16 Foods Losers Love...

Here is a list I saw on Weightwatchers.com....

What do you think of the list?

1. "Quaker Oats Low-Fat Chewy Granola Bars. They've got the size and taste of a regular candy bar. Peanut butter and chocolate are the best!"


2. "Fat-Free Cool Whip with anything! I could kiss the person that invented it!"

3."Pitas! I can't live without them; they have so many uses. Make pita chips or slice them into two layers and toast them for two tostada shells!"

4."Ground turkey breast! The meal possibilities are endless! Whether it's sloppy joes, turkey tacos, spaghetti sauce, turkey loaf or turkey burgers, I can find a million ways to make it."

5."Hormel Turkey Pepperoni — great for making pita pizzas. This has kept me from calling Pizza Hut many nights."

6."Vegetable quesadillas. I eat them all the time with fat-free sour cream; they are so filling."

7."Gum! Chewing sugarless gum has saved me on many a day when I wanted to eat, eat, eat."

8."Folgers Cafe Latte Caramel Groove — it tastes so good."

9."Grape tomatoes — great for guilt-free snacking."

10."Tomato juice with horseradish and hot sauce — just like having a Bloody Mary. I like to drink it while making dinner."

11."A Boca Burger, Wonder Light Bun and Velveeta Light Cheese. They make a low-calorie cheeseburger I can't live without!"

12."Diet root beer. Add a scoop of light vanilla ice cream and have a root beer float."

13."Pirate's Booty (snack food by Robert's American Gourmet). I wish this goody wasn't so popular because my supermarket constantly runs out of it."

14."Sweet potatoes sliced into strips and 'fried' in a pan with Pam nonstick cooking spray. Yum!"

15."Splenda! I use it in coffee, desserts, cinnamon toast — anything! It's wonderful."

16."Nonfat chocolate pudding with just a dollop of light or nonfat whipped cream — so creamy it should be illegal."

What do you think of the list?

Snacks, Snacks, Snacks

This weeks topic is Snacks. For the remainder of the week I am going to post a few yummy ideas. Today's idea is the Nature Valley Granola Thins. The one I had today was the peanut butter flavor. These are a great little treat. They are only 2 points plus values so that is nice. They are just the right mix of sweet and good for you. The peanut butter is only 4.5g Fat, 10 Carbs, 1 protein, 0 Fiber. You can find these at Costco and other local grocery stores. Check back for more yummy ideas...