Sunday, April 22, 2012

Eating Healthy on a Budget

Most people think eating healthy requires you to spend tons of money at your local health food store or Whole Foods Supermarket.  If you know what healthy foods to look for you can find them right at your local supermarket and not have to pay a fortune for them.

Lots of supermarkets have started to create their own brand of organic foods at reasonable prices. Stop & Shop has their own brand of organic food called simply organic and it cost about the same as the non-organic food you find at the supermarket. If you don’t have a Stop & Shop in your area you can still find healthy foods at your local supermarket. You don’t always have to eat organic to eat healthy. There are many wonderful healthy foods are your local supermarket shelf’s that are reasonably price. Here is a list of 10 foods that are healthy, economical and at your local supermarket.
  • Eggs:  Eggs are so versatile. You can eat them for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Eggs are little capsules of strength and energy and there is always a sale on eggs at the supermarket. They are high in protein, vitamins B2, B5, B12, D and vitamin K. They also have a concentrated source of amino acids that help build muscles.
  • Black Beans:  A bag of dried black beans cost about $2.00 - $2.75 and they last a long time. Beans are a healthy alternative to meat and it supplies your body with protein, they are low in fat and contain iron. Black beans are rich in nutrients and packed with vitamin B1, folate, magnesium, phosphorus and filled with soluble fiber.  They also are filling.
  • Fresh Vegetables or Frozen:  Vegetables are always on sale whether fresh or frozen. If you don’t buy fresh get frozen. Never buy canned vegetables. Canned vegetables are filled with chemicals and preservatives.
  • Whole Grain Pasta:  You can find whole grain pasta at your local supermarket for about $1.50 - $2.00. Whole grain pasta is filled with several minerals and micronutrients as well as vitamin B1 and thiamin. It contains energizing carbohydrates, protein and macronutrients.
  • Oranges and Apples:  Best value when brought in a bag.  Oranges are known for their vitamin C but oranges also contain many other nutrients such as Vitamin B1, A, folate, calcium, potassium and fiber. Apples works wonders for both detox and digestion due to the pectin and fiber found in apples. Apples are also filled with vitamin C, K and flavonoids.
  • Chicken legs and thighs:  You can always buy the family packs and they tend to be cheaper than chicken breast.  The family packs go a long way and they can be cooked in many different ways.
  • Quinoa: You can buy Quinoa for about $4.00 - $4.50 and it can be cooked in so many different and tasty ways. Quinoa is a complete grain that is loaded with fiber, amino acids, calcium and protein.
  • Seeds and nuts:  Seeds such as flax seeds which are packed with omega 3’s and my favorite, pumpkin seeds which are high in protein, tryptophan (helps you sleep) and pumpkin seeds are heart healthy.  Nuts brought in shells such as almond and walnuts, tend to be cheaper in price and are filled with nutrients and can be added to your salad and dishes.
  • Greens:  You can buy greens for about $1.99 - $2.50 they are packed with nutrients and are soo good for you.
  • Herbal teas:  At $2.75 a box, Celestial seasonings herbal fruit tea sampler can be made hot or cold.  As a cold drink, it’s a great healthy replacement to soda and it taste great! You can make a big pitcher with 2 tea bags and let it chill in the refrigerator. Children and adults love the flavor
These are just a few of the many healthy economical foods available in your local super market. Low price doesn't have to mean low quality.  Many of these nutritious foods can often be found in your local supermarket for a reasonable price, though prices vary depending on the season as well as where you live.  In today’s economy we all need to cut back on certain expenses, eating healthy shouldn’t be one of them.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Healthy Easter Basket Alternatives

Spring is in the air which also means Easter is just around the corner. Most parents would prefer to fill their children’s Easter baskets with healthy treats instead of the traditional sugar laden indulgences. As a health coach I try to look for fun, creative alternatives to give treats to my nieces and nephews that will not make them feel deprived from the joy of the Easter holiday season. Below is a list of healthy alternatives to fill those Easter baskets with wonderful treats your child will enjoy. Most of these delicious treats can be found on-line or your local supermarket.
  • Annie’s Homegrown Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks: These individually wrapped gummy treats are a healthy alternative to other fruit snacks. Each treat is made without the use of gelatin. These tasty treats are organic, vegan, and gluten-free. Great for kids with allergies. Made with real fruit juice and packed with 100% vitamin C. Available at Annie’s.com, Amazon.com and whole foods supermarket. Note: Gummy candies are a choking hazard for little children. These are not suitable for children under age 4.
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  • Mini boxes of raisins: Raisins are naturally sweet, low in saturated fat and sodium; they contain no cholesterol and are gluten free. • Home baked cookies: Anything homemade is always better than store brought. Because you can add natural healthy ingredients. • Wholegrain pretzels: Give the gift of fiber to your child in a healthy crunchy treat.  
  • Gnosis Raw Cacoa: These delightful raw chocolate treats have a low glycemic index, filled nutrient-dense fruits, nuts and medicinal herbs that make up this wonderful healthy chocolate from Gnosis. www.gnosischocolate.com check out their spring collection just in time for the Easter season. Try their Golden Eggs and Vitality truffles. 
  • EnviroKidz Organic Peanut Choc Drizzle Rice Bars:They are organic, have 0 grams Trans fat, are low sodium, gluten free and have no artificial flavors or preservatives. Plus, 1% of sales go to endangered species or habitat conservation and education for kids. Available at Wholefoods supermarket or Amazon.com 
  •  Figamajigs: Flavors include almonds, raspberries and mint. This decadent snack is filled with natural ingredients mostly figs, premium dark chocolate and cocoa. They are low fat, high in fiber and antioxidants and were named healthiest candy of 2006 by Forbes and given the Healthy Snack Award by Shape in 2007.  Available at figamajigs.com and whole foods supermarket. 
This Easter you don’t have to feel you are depriving your children of the Easter basket candy experience. With these yummy treats your children can enjoy the sweetness of Easter and you’ll feel good knowing they are eating something healthy. Happy Easter to you and your family!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

URGENT!!! 10 Dogs were born strays. They were saved from death, starvation, torture, abuse, and more. These 10 dogs were given a chance at life by Americans and US soldiers in the war torn Afghanistan. These 10 dogs need to be saved again. The military has begun enforcing a no dog policy in their units making it imperative that we get these 10 dogs here on US soil, so they can live out their lives here in the US with Soldiers here in the US, Veterans of our Military, and Families of Soldiers. These dogs deserve a chance at true freedom. The Nowzad Shelter was forced to evacuate their location. They are in a temporary location and are desperately trying to raise money to build a new shelter, otherwise their dream to make a difference in Afghanistan one dog at a time is over. We can help them by getting these 10 dogs to the US. It will allow them to focus on the huge task they have at hand right now. We must accomplish this mission. To leave these dogs there is condemning them to a fate we do not want to imagine, dogs are not seen as pets in this region, and often savagely beaten for fun or if it got out that they were saved by us soldiers… they could be tortured and used as an example by insurgents. We have never felt the need more to rescue any animal as we do now, these dogs are people friendly, they trust humans, and they will walk right up to the enemy, not knowing what will come ... please help us get these very special dogs to the US. In the midst of war, a soldier hears a whimper. They pause... and see a dog. The dog is skinny, injured, and looks at them with hopeful eyes. Those eyes are a reminder of the dog they had as a child, they remember their childhood, and their loved ones back home. The soldier then bends down and scoops the dog up, and two lives are saved. In that moment, in all the chaos, amidst all the combat and destruction, a bond is formed. Through our partnership with Soldiers’ Animal Companions Fund, Nowzad, Hounds Town- Port Jefferson, and Pilots n Paws, we at Guardians of Rescue believe this challenge can be met. Honor these soldiers and their act of kindness. Help Us Help Them! Please click on the article page below or the link below to contribute to this great cause. If you are a dog lover please help "Guardians of Rescue" help these innocent animals. http://guardiansofrescueforourtroops.chipin.com/operation-no-buddy-left-behind