Affordable Healthy Eating!

Many people have expressed to me that eating healthy when you are on a budget is not very feasible. It is actually funny for me to write about this now, as I have recently had financial challenges and even I have lightly strayed from my 'food values' in order to eat. There are a lot of cheap convenience foods out there and when you are hungry, everything goes out the window! Honestly though, I haven't been feeling my best because I haven't been able to eat the quality foods I have grown accustomed too. Yesterday (dare I confess?) my lunch was two mini pepperoni pizzas! You get four of them for only $2.50 at Trader Joe's...plus my boyfriend was the one who actually did the shopping for that meal. So what could I do? I was hungry and the price was right. So it is very appropriate that I discuss how to keep your healthy eating lifestyle when living on a budget. Apparently, I need some brushing up on the subject myself. Despite not being able to stick to my 'healthy eating crusade' everyday, I have not given up. I continue to keep my core values on food. This is the most important thing to remember, stick with it! Continue to make good choices in the right direction, and believe me it will pay off.

Buy in Bulk: Since you know you will continue to eat certain items such as whole wheat pasta and brown rice, why not stock up? When you buy in bulk from those huge tubs at the store, you are cutting costs because there is less packaging. Instead of canned beans, get dried beans in bulk. Make a huge batch in a crockpot, then transfer to freezer safe containers and keep in the freezer for when you need them. All the convenience of canned beans, and way cheaper! Have you ever been to Winco? Oh man, they have tubs and tubs of bulk items! Dried fruits, beans, pastas, rice, soup mixes, spices, flax seed, nuts, and cereals. They label what is in certain things also, so be sure to check and make sure it is deemed 'healthy.' (No sugar, MSG or other random chemical agents.) You can also consider Costco. I know, I know, a trip to Costco can seem like a lot but I have found that I only need to go there every few months and I am stocked up. It really helps you stick to your healthy eating lifestyle if you always have something in your cupboards that you can make.

Clip Coupons and Read Advertisements: Doing this has become a thing of the past, but I see a lot of value in it. Check websites of your favorite products, subscribe to their e-newsletters and invest in a Sunday paper. The best way to really get the good deals is to save your coupons and use them at the same time there is a sale at your local store. I did this with those Veggie Steamers in the freezer section and when they went on sale, I pounced! It was so satisfying to get such a good deal, plus I was stocked up on easy to prepare vegetables for months! This can also work for chicken and other meat products. You can buy them in bulk on sale and freeze what you don't need at the moment. Read the weekly advertisements for your favorite stores (you can read them on their websites if they don't come in your mailbox.) Also, compare sales because sometimes you may think something is a deal (wow, only 99 cents each!), then you see that another store has a better deal (oh, 88 cents!)

The Krazy Coupon Lady

But What About Fruits and Vegetables?: I always insist that the farmer's market it the best place for deals on fruits and vegetables. It is also important to know what is in season, and stock up when the getting is good. You can freeze certain items in order to have them year round, like blueberries. You can also stock up on lemons and oranges and save the zest and juice in the freezer. I am also a huge fan, as you read above, of the microwavable steamed vegetables in the freezer section of the grocery store. They are extremely convenient and there is a huge variety year round. You can also check out your local farm. Some farms allow you to pick vegetables or fruits yourself for a cheaper price than in the store, plus it is a great experience. Another great idea? Start your own garden! Not everyone has room for a garden but many plants will do just as well in a container. Lettuce is easy to grow in a plastic tub, just stagger the harvest so you continue to have lettuce to pick. Bell peppers grow great in a standard pot. I have been successful growing peppers on my patio for two years now. It may be intimidating, but learning to grow your own food is extremely rewarding and fun to watch. If you have a really small space, check out this idea (Number 5, vertical veggie garden), I love it!

A Word About Winco: I was actually able to visit Winco for the first time in a few years. Man, was I impressed! I stopped going because I noticed the quality was not always up-to-par but I really feel like they have done a better job. The fruit and vegetables actually had some great finds, you just have to be choosy. I got a 2 Lb. container of blueberries for $4.00, a bag of fresh greens beans for under a dollar, a variety of in-season melons for about a buck each, and many other surprises in the vegetable aisle. The bulk section blew me away! I got full bags of whole wheat shell, penne and macaroni pastas for a dollar a bag! They had a great variety of whole grains in the bulk section! I made my own almond butter using their machine for less than I normally pay at Trader Joe's! I strongly encourage to check out Winco and other stores like it for great deals. You could even just buy your grains in bulk and get your weekly groceries elsewhere. The idea is you are stocking up for your future and saving money!!



Another word to the wise, the food you eat is so important. It gives you your energy and shapes your body. You eat around 3 meals a day, with snacks in between, so make sure you enjoy what you are eating. Splurge a little on something new you want to try, you don't always have to go cheap. Americans actually spend a smaller percentage of their paycheck on food than people in other countries. I believe this is because we are always rushing through every meal. Take a moment to enjoy sharing good quality food with your family and friends. You will find that in the end the price you pay for healthy food is worth it. You will look better, feel better and live longer!

I'd like to encourage anyone who has more money saving ideas to post in the comments section and share with everyone!

Summertime!! Bring on the Picnics!!

It’s summertime! This is the perfect time for lemonade, watermelon, picnic salads, and barbecues! Summertime picnics and other social gatherings are loaded with food. You may find it difficult to eat good nutritious foods when those around you are not eating the same way as you. I, for one, am not the biggest fan of the tub of generic macaroni salad that gets brought to every picnic! There are so many healthier and better tasting options. Summertime is when all the best fruits and vegetables make an appearance! Tomatoes, melons, zucchini, peaches/nectarines, cherries! (Just to name a small few!) Take a visit to your local farmer’s market! There are many more markets open now that it’s the summer! Sometimes if you don’t have any ideas on a great summer dish, a trip to the farmer’s market can inspire you.

Click on this link to find a farmer’s market near you: CA FARMERS MARKET

The best thing you can do when you are invited to a summer potluck is to make something healthy of your own to bring. This not only gives you something healthy to enjoy at the picnic, but is also shows others how healthy food can be yummy and colorful!

Try some of these mouth watering summer picnic recipes!

Fruit Salad: Strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, cherries! Cut them into bite sized pieces and either arrange on a platter or toss together. I always find it funny that at every picnic there is someone who brings a whole watermelon without cutting it first. It usually ends up sitting on the table uneaten. If you watch, I bet you’ll see at least one lonely watermelon this summer. So cut your fruit ahead of time and make it attractive! Add fresh cut herbs or flowers to your platter for extra pizzazz.

Tantalizing Veggie Platter: You are also create an eye-pleasing vegetable platter for your friends to enjoy. Along with the usual celery, cucumbers and carrot sticks, throw in some unexpected delights such as sugar snap peas, baby corn, green beans, cauliflower, or radishes.

Quick and Easy Throw-Together Salads:

- Tomatoes, cukes, feta cheese, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil

- Pasta, pesto, white beans, zucchini, tuna

- Mozzarella cubes marinated in balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs

-Black Beans, brown rice, corn, chopped veggies with Mexican Vinaigrette Dressing (From my first blog!)

Fresh Lemonade: There is simply no comparison between concentrated/bottled lemonade, and lemonade made with fresh lemon juice. Sure, it may take more effort but I promise you it is worth all the work! It is okay to splurge and use regular sugar in your fresh lemonade, but for a healthier route, try this recipe:

6 tbs. agave nectar

1 cup lemon juice

1 lemon, thinly sliced

1 quart water

Ice cubes

Here are some unique and delicious recipes to try at your next summer picnic!!

Edamame & Chickpea Slaw

This recipe may sound a little odd, but you better believe it is tasty coleslaw. Try it on sandwiches, wraps or burgers too!!

1 ½ Cups Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans)

¼ tsp. Sea Salt

4 tsp. Olive Oil, divided

1 Broccoli Stem, shredded

1 Head Cabbage, shredded

1 Head Purple Cabbage, shredded

1 Cup Shelled Edamame

3/4 Cup Red Bell Pepper, julienned

1 1/2 Cups Carrots, shredded

4 Green Onions, chopped

3/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

2 Tbs. Raw Honey

2 Garlic Cloves, Minced

1/2 tsp. Fresh Ground Pepper

Combine broccoli, both cabbages, edamame, bell pepper, carrots and green onions in a large bowl, set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, garlic, caraway seeds, pepper and remaining 2 tsp oil; pour over slaw, tossing gently. Chill for at least 30 minutes. It tastes the best after a day or two of marinating!

Orange Wild Rice Salad with Turkey

4 Cups Cooked Wild Rice Blend

1 Cup Orange Sections (about 3 oranges)

½ Cup Diced Celery

½ lb. Smoked Deli Turkey, sliced thick and cut into 1-in. cubes

1/4-1/2 Cup Fresh Orange Juice

2 Tbs. Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Tbs. Dijon Mustard

1 ½ tsp. Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

Combine rice, oranges and turkey in a large bowl. Combine orange juice and remaining ingredients; stir well with a whisk. Pour over rice mixture and toss well. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

Question Time!! I’d like to have some fun here and answer any of your questions about healthy eating! This can also give me an idea of what kinds of topics you would like me to cover in my blog. I know my friends ask me things all the time because they know I will shoot it to them straight. So please, I encourage you to submit any of your healthy eating questions either to my e-mail or my facebook. Thanks everyone!!!!

SirenaKay.soc@gmail.com

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