Contrary to popular belief, healthy eating does not have to inflict damage to your wallet. In challenging economic times, many people tend to go for the “cheapest” food options and sometimes these options are far from healthy.
Just recently my husband and I put ourselves on a serious “budget” and of course this meant a “food budget” as well.
Below are the simple steps we took to continue to live our healthy lifestyle while saving a few dollars in the process.
1. We drastically cut out eating out. It’s shocking to discover how much you are really spending by buying a quick pizza and ordering quick take out every once in a while. What we often don’t realize is that every once in a while is much more often than we think. We are now cooking at home a lot more and discovering quick, easy and delicious recipes that cost very little when made at home. Now we are no chefs by any means but it’s amazing what you can put together in 20 minutes or less by just getting a bit creative and seeking out new recipes.
2. My husband is now packing his lunch. Truth be told, I pack it for him. I often take leftovers from the night before and put them together in a salad or a sandwich. He was spending an average of $7-$10 each day on lunch and taking his lunch instead will save us over $280 a month.
3. Bargain shop. I have become a master of seeking out the sale. I know which grocery stores will put their fruits and vegetables on sale and where I can get the best bargains. If the weather permits, I always go to the local farmers markets to get fresh fruit and veggies. Not only will you save a ton of money at a farmers market, the produce is fresh and delicious.
4. We have learned to love and embrace leftovers. It is amazing what you can do with leftovers once you get a bit creative. Don’t let food go to waste. Use leftovers from the night before for lunch or re-heat for dinner.
5. Cut out the expensive junk food. It’s shocking how expensive cereal, crackers and packaged snacks are. You can get 10x’s more for your money and value by buying plain oatmeal, making your own bread, and snacking on fresh fruit.
Healthy eating does not have to break the bank. Find good deals, learn to embrace cooking and discover the power of the leftover and you will be well on your way to a healthy, cost effective eating plan.
Get started on your own Fat Loss and Healthy eating plan right away with these Simple and Healthy Meal Plans.
Do You Have a Mint?
Bad breath can be a big problem (especially if you’re the one smelling it!) It can cause embarassing moments and bad first impressions. That’s why so many people chew gum. In fact, according the US Census Bureau, Americans eat about 1.8 pounds of gum per capita each year. That may not sound like a lot but think about the size and weight of one piece of gum.
Gum chewing studies have shown many bad effects, such as bloating and hormone and biomechanical imbalances, as well as the habit leading to bruxism and acid reflux ulcers. Many have educated themselves and moved on to mints, but is this any better? After all, most mints are made with artificial sweeteners, so they can claim to be fat free or calorie free. I understand the necessity for fresh breath in a pinch. Most people don’t carry around their tooth brush or mouth wash for a quick refresh. That’s why I’ve come up with several good options, in order from best to worst:
1. Peppermint Breath Drops or Peppermint Essential Oils – Many natural health food stores and anyone who carries essential oils would have these. One drop is pretty strong and enough to freshen your breath. Peppermint is also great for digestion.
2. Mouthwash or teeth brushing after meals – I know this isn’t ideal but it is a good option if you have time.
3. Mints or candies that are sweetened with cane sugar instead of artificial sweeteners. There are even small ginger candies that are not only great breath fresheners but also help after meals with digestion.
4. Gums or mints sweetened with xylitol – This sweetener is a great calorie free option and many popular brands use this ingredient. Careful as some people have trouble digesting xylitol and can lead to stomach discomfort.
5. A piece of regular chewing gum sweetened with sugar. The caloric content many be a little higher, but you are only having a small bit. This is not ideal if you are trying to lose weight and plan on using this option on a daily basis.
And the last possible option is a small piece of artificially sweetened gum every now and then. Thamount in one piece every once in a while is not enough to amount to any dangerous affects.
Get started on your own personal fat burning meal plans right away with The Diet Solution Program.
Gum chewing studies have shown many bad effects, such as bloating and hormone and biomechanical imbalances, as well as the habit leading to bruxism and acid reflux ulcers. Many have educated themselves and moved on to mints, but is this any better? After all, most mints are made with artificial sweeteners, so they can claim to be fat free or calorie free. I understand the necessity for fresh breath in a pinch. Most people don’t carry around their tooth brush or mouth wash for a quick refresh. That’s why I’ve come up with several good options, in order from best to worst:
1. Peppermint Breath Drops or Peppermint Essential Oils – Many natural health food stores and anyone who carries essential oils would have these. One drop is pretty strong and enough to freshen your breath. Peppermint is also great for digestion.
2. Mouthwash or teeth brushing after meals – I know this isn’t ideal but it is a good option if you have time.
3. Mints or candies that are sweetened with cane sugar instead of artificial sweeteners. There are even small ginger candies that are not only great breath fresheners but also help after meals with digestion.
4. Gums or mints sweetened with xylitol – This sweetener is a great calorie free option and many popular brands use this ingredient. Careful as some people have trouble digesting xylitol and can lead to stomach discomfort.
5. A piece of regular chewing gum sweetened with sugar. The caloric content many be a little higher, but you are only having a small bit. This is not ideal if you are trying to lose weight and plan on using this option on a daily basis.
And the last possible option is a small piece of artificially sweetened gum every now and then. Thamount in one piece every once in a while is not enough to amount to any dangerous affects.
Get started on your own personal fat burning meal plans right away with The Diet Solution Program.
How To Make Taco Seasoned Beef Low Carb Dinner
I know what it feels like to work a long day, walk into the house exhausted, only to have a bunch of starving eyes staring at you asking “What’s for dinner?” As much as I would like to just respond “I don’t know, whatever you cooked for me I guess”, that’s often not how it works. I always keep a couple a super easy and fast recipes on hand or in my brain to solve the dinner dilemma in 10 minutes flat.
Here’s an “emergency” dinner solution my family absolutely loves. We sometimes even make it in non-emergency situations when we are feeling like a bit of “Mexican”.
Taco Seasoned Beef or Buffalo
1 pound ground grass fed Beef or Buffalo (both work great)2 Tablespoons Do-it-Yourself Taco Seasoning
Do-it-Yourself Taco Seasoning Recipe (Great to make ahead of time and always keep on hand)
6 Tablespoons Chili Powder
2 Tablespoons Cumin
4 Tablespoon Paprika
3 Tablespoons Onion Powder
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Teaspoon cayenne pepper (this makes it spicy. add more or less depending on how you like it)
(I know there are many stores that even carry ready-made taco seasoning. I have tried a few of these and some are tasty but I still prefer my easy to make, home-made version.)
Sautee the ground beef or buffalo in a large pan. I often don’t even need to add any oil as the natural fats in the meat help it cook without sticking. Make sure to stir and cut up the meat in small pieces with your spatula as it cooks. Once the meat is cooked through, add 2 Tbsp of the above Taco Seasoning (or Taco Seasoning of your choice.)
What can you do with this taco seasoned meat? I love to put it over a large salad of romaine lettuce, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers and celery and add salsa on top. My husband loves to put it on Sprouted Grain Tortillas, Spelt Tortillas or Rice Tortillas that we purchase at our local health food store. A good friend of mine uses large leaves of Romaine Lettuce and makes “Lettuce Taco Wraps”. If you have a bit of time, you can even add some fresh guacamole to your salad or wrap.
Oh, and did I mention this taco meat freezes and re-heats really well? You can make a big batch and freeze in smaller containers for later use.
Find More Recipes In The Diet Solution Program.
What To Look For In A Multi-Vitamin
1. Is it made from whole foods? Many brands have this written right on the label while some others may take a little bit more research. A good, reputable supplement company should provide not only their ingredients list right on their website, but also a good description of what the source of those vitamins and minerals is.
2. Where are you buying your supplements? Chances are if you’re just picking up any old vitamins and the local grocery store, the employees are definitely not qualified to answer your questions or give you any information on the product. Seek out a local health food store or specialty store that carries health foods and vitamins and chances are the employees will be much more knowledgeable about their products. If this is not possible for you, seek out a company that you can reach via the internet who will answer any of your questions.
3. Read the ingredients list. This is no different than what you do with the food you are eating. If a particular supplement contains “Red No 40″ chances are it’s not exactly the most natural product and not the best quality. Also watch out for hidden sugars (anything ending with -ose like sucrose), soy and hydrogenated oils (Yes! Some multis actually have hydrogenated oils in them).
4. What kind of company is manufacturing the product? I know this may sound like a lot of work and research but lucky for me and you, the power of the internet has made this much easier. Did you know that one very, very popular multivitamin company that is sold in almost every supermarket and pharmacy also owns Sponge Bob Square Pants? Now does that sound like a company that is passionate about their nutrition products? And I easily found this out right on their website.
I highly suggest you do just a little bit of homework before making any multi-vitamin purchase. If you currently are using a product that you know fits the above requirements and you trust, please let me know. I love to hear about and continue to research new products.
As for my own research, the only recommendation I make to my clients and my readers (and my dear old hubbie) is Prograde Nutrition’s Multi Vitamin products, VGF 25+. Not only do they use only the highest quality ingredients in each product but their only focus is nutrition…and nothing else.
They also were more than willing to send me all the information I asked them for (ingredients, ingredient sources and their own research) when I contacted them. Actually, the CEO got back to me personally… I’m not sure if I would have gotten such a response from some of these other “big name” companies.
Prograde’s VGF 25+ also contains whole food ingredients like Kale, Parsley and Spinach. Since pigs may fly sooner than I would ever get my husband to eat kale or spinach, this was a great added benefit for him (and maybe for you too.)
Learn More From Isabel De Los Rios In The Diet Solution Program.
Pick The Right Drink
1. Buy a quality juicer and make your own juice. There are so many different delicious and nutritious juices you can make in a juicer that will give you a super boost of vitamins/minerals and super nutrition. One of my favorite is carrot, apple and ginger. Be careful though! If you’re anything like me and sensitive to too much sugar at once, I would suggest having a serving of 4 oz or less or mixing your 4 oz with some water. I would also suggest juicing primarily vegetables and not as many fruits. This is a great way to get in some serious nutrition without having to eat vegetables all day long (a great option for children). I would also combine your fresh juice with a protein and healthy fat to keep your blood sugar balanced.
It is best to drink freshly made juice right away, as the longer it is stored, the more it will decline in nutrition. You can put your juice in a glass jar with an airtight lid and fill it to the very top. There should be a minimum amount of air in the jar as the oxygen in air (air is about 20 percent oxygen) will “oxidize” and damage the juice. Wrap the jar with aluminum foil to block out all light. Light damages the juice.
2. Make my favorite “tea juice“. If you haven’t seen this recipe in the Diet Solution Recipe Guide, here it is again:
5-6 bags caffeine-free herbal tea (e.g., peach, mint, chamomile, or fruit tea)
3 quarts boiling water
Stevia powder (or liquid) to taste
Pour water over tea bags in a large pot. Add stevia while tea is hot. (Adjust amount
according to the desired sweetness.)
Let the tea cool, remove tea bags, transfer tea to a serving pitcher or individual water bottles, and refrigerate.
3. Make your own DSP approved lemonade. My business partner loves this and drinks it almost daily (be careful if you’re sensitive to citrus or too much lemon.) Mix the juice from half a lemon, 5 drops of liquid stevia and 12oz of water in a large cup. Add more stevia or lemon based on your taste. This drink is a great alternative to people who need a bit more flavor than plain water all day.
So what did I end up serving my thirsty employee? Water! (And she bought juice when we went out to lunch). Oh well, I tried.
Find more great tips in The Diet Solution Program.
It is best to drink freshly made juice right away, as the longer it is stored, the more it will decline in nutrition. You can put your juice in a glass jar with an airtight lid and fill it to the very top. There should be a minimum amount of air in the jar as the oxygen in air (air is about 20 percent oxygen) will “oxidize” and damage the juice. Wrap the jar with aluminum foil to block out all light. Light damages the juice.
2. Make my favorite “tea juice“. If you haven’t seen this recipe in the Diet Solution Recipe Guide, here it is again:
5-6 bags caffeine-free herbal tea (e.g., peach, mint, chamomile, or fruit tea)
3 quarts boiling water
Stevia powder (or liquid) to taste
Pour water over tea bags in a large pot. Add stevia while tea is hot. (Adjust amount
according to the desired sweetness.)
Let the tea cool, remove tea bags, transfer tea to a serving pitcher or individual water bottles, and refrigerate.
3. Make your own DSP approved lemonade. My business partner loves this and drinks it almost daily (be careful if you’re sensitive to citrus or too much lemon.) Mix the juice from half a lemon, 5 drops of liquid stevia and 12oz of water in a large cup. Add more stevia or lemon based on your taste. This drink is a great alternative to people who need a bit more flavor than plain water all day.
So what did I end up serving my thirsty employee? Water! (And she bought juice when we went out to lunch). Oh well, I tried.
Find more great tips in The Diet Solution Program.
How To Make Lentil Rice Soup
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 7 Hours
Ready In: 7 Hours 20 Minutes
Servings: 11
Ingredients:
2 cups dry lentils2 cups uncooked long grain brown rice
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery1/2 onion, chopped
1 cup vegetable broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
8 cups water
Directions:
1. Place the lentils, rice, carrots, celery, onion, water, broth, garlic powder, ground black pepper and salt in a slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low setting for 7 to 8 hours. Stir in the mushrooms 1 hour before serving.
Green Tea - Works Off Your Pounds
Have you tired different weight loss program? Don’t worry! Green tea
gives helping hand for you to lose your weight. Chinese discovered this tea and used to treat their headaches, to their depression.
At present there are numerous debates on the green tea weight loss program around this world. This stable of Asian diet consists of compounds that may help to reduce the risk of ulcers, cancer and even heart disease. The presence of flavonoids in the green tea help to change the function of hormone- nor epinephrine that speeds the rate calories are burned.
Even though all the teas (Black tea, Oolong tea and Green tea) consist of large amounts of polyphenols, green tea is particularly rich in a type of polyphenols called catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
EGCG is a potent antioxidant that hampers the growth of carcinogenic cells and even kills them without damaging near by healthy tissue. This type of catechins may dispose the excess body fat and lower cholesterol levels.
Japanese researchers confirm that green tea catechins not only spend the calories and LDL cholesterol reduction but also be able to help in weight loss by reducing body fat. In other words, we can say that green tea helps in the prevention of various lifestyle-related diseases, particularly obesity.
If you use treadmill for burning calories, you can do 150 calories per mile. Now, you can appreciate drinking a glass of green tea before you step into the treadmill and walk one mile to burn the twice- 300 calories!
You may ask, there has got to be a drawback, right? You may get insomnia with green tea, due to the fact that it contains caffeine… but you might be glad to hear that it contains less caffeine that coffee. It is also said to be great for a whole host of ailments that come down and that is all not quite proven as of yet.
After your review, I bet that you may give 3 thumbs up for green tea. I know you’ll be adding this precious beverage to your daily menu not only for reducing the weight but also for other health benefits.
Try a cup of green tea instead of a diet beverage for your perfect weight loss program! Learn more great tips in The Diet Solution Program.
gives helping hand for you to lose your weight. Chinese discovered this tea and used to treat their headaches, to their depression. At present there are numerous debates on the green tea weight loss program around this world. This stable of Asian diet consists of compounds that may help to reduce the risk of ulcers, cancer and even heart disease. The presence of flavonoids in the green tea help to change the function of hormone- nor epinephrine that speeds the rate calories are burned.
Even though all the teas (Black tea, Oolong tea and Green tea) consist of large amounts of polyphenols, green tea is particularly rich in a type of polyphenols called catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
EGCG is a potent antioxidant that hampers the growth of carcinogenic cells and even kills them without damaging near by healthy tissue. This type of catechins may dispose the excess body fat and lower cholesterol levels.
Japanese researchers confirm that green tea catechins not only spend the calories and LDL cholesterol reduction but also be able to help in weight loss by reducing body fat. In other words, we can say that green tea helps in the prevention of various lifestyle-related diseases, particularly obesity.
If you use treadmill for burning calories, you can do 150 calories per mile. Now, you can appreciate drinking a glass of green tea before you step into the treadmill and walk one mile to burn the twice- 300 calories!
You may ask, there has got to be a drawback, right? You may get insomnia with green tea, due to the fact that it contains caffeine… but you might be glad to hear that it contains less caffeine that coffee. It is also said to be great for a whole host of ailments that come down and that is all not quite proven as of yet.
After your review, I bet that you may give 3 thumbs up for green tea. I know you’ll be adding this precious beverage to your daily menu not only for reducing the weight but also for other health benefits.
Try a cup of green tea instead of a diet beverage for your perfect weight loss program! Learn more great tips in The Diet Solution Program.
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