I grew up with a garden. My father always grew some tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and green beans. Both of my grandfathers (maternal and paternal) grew backyard gardens, too.
I learned at a young age that horse manure was gold and if you wanted to yield a fruitful garden the more shit, the better.
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Monday, April 20, 2015
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Wednesday, April 8, 2015
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Real Food: Chicken Something
We are in the midst of our 2nd Advocare 24 Day Challenge. The first 10 days is a "cleanse" so the idea is to not eat anything processed.
You eat whole food meals. Fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and complex carbohydrates.
That means eliminating particular foods (but not limited to):
Monday, March 30, 2015
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It's a Lifestyle: 24 Day Challenge - Part I
We are about to start our 2nd Advocare 24 Day Challenge. Aboy and I are already getting into mental readiness mode.
The challenge starts on April 6th.
For the first 10 days, we will do the cleanse portion. It's not a violent or volatile type cleanse... it's more of a gentle scrubbing of the flora in our digestive track. This helps prepare the body for the "Max" phase which is high in nutritional intake and absorption.
The challenge starts on April 6th.
For the first 10 days, we will do the cleanse portion. It's not a violent or volatile type cleanse... it's more of a gentle scrubbing of the flora in our digestive track. This helps prepare the body for the "Max" phase which is high in nutritional intake and absorption.
Friday, March 27, 2015
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It's a lifestyle: CocoNUTS!
You already know the mantra:
New Year - New Me
I say it all the time and I am living it every day.
I'm owning this shit.
I have to. I owe it to myself and my family to be the best person I can be. That includes my physical well being.
Somewhere in time when I crossed the "40's" threshold, I began to see wrinkles. Laugh lines around my mouth, some crinkles across my forehead, some bagginess on my eyelids.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
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It's a Lifestyle: Better than Mom's Cooking!
We went to NY this past weekend for our Niece's wedding. It was so much fun to go and enjoy family time.
The trip was short but well worth it!
We took lots of pictures with our new #selfiestick.
We really had a lot of fun!
Part of the requisite of visiting home is to indulge on phenomenal food.
We spent more time in the car than we did visiting and doing stuff - but, we did eat!!
Since January we drastically changed our eating habits - but going home is a treat and we definitely "treated" ourselves to some awesome food. We stuck with our #Advocare regimen while we traveled and got right back on the meal plan wagon when we got home (I did have some leftover Rice & Beans for lunch on Monday tongue emoticon ).
The trip was short but well worth it!
We took lots of pictures with our new #selfiestick.
We really had a lot of fun!
*****
Part of the requisite of visiting home is to indulge on phenomenal food.
We spent more time in the car than we did visiting and doing stuff - but, we did eat!!
- I had a slice of Pizza and an Eggplant Parmesan hero
- I had Zeppoles
- I had Rice & Beans with Steak
- I had an Empenada
- I had Fried Chicken Wings
- I had a Leggios Hero
- I had a Cinnamon & Raisin Bagel w/ Cream Cheese
- I had a couple hunks of Italian Bread
- Not to mention, Subway and Zaxby's on the ride up.
I weighed myself today...
I lost 2 lbs this week.
Since January we drastically changed our eating habits - but going home is a treat and we definitely "treated" ourselves to some awesome food. We stuck with our #Advocare regimen while we traveled and got right back on the meal plan wagon when we got home (I did have some leftover Rice & Beans for lunch on Monday tongue emoticon ).
Friday, March 13, 2015
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Green Acres: Spring is near!
Every year I put together a mental list of major purchases for things I would like to have. Sometimes I'm due for some new electronic devices. Sometimes I have plans for a large kitchen appliance. Maybe a new furniture set or TV.
One of my major purchase plans for this year was to pick up a rototiller. I would prefer to have a donkey and a plow, but given the age we live in and some of the conveniences that are available - at this point a rototiller is more practical and less time consuming.
I have to tell you though - the fucking thing is heavy as a shitload of bricks! It wasn't so bad getting it loaded on the back of the truck because "Bubba" did most of the heavy lifting and pushing.
I was "Bubba" when I got to the house.
My hours at the gym are paying off though and I didn't drop it... and only cursed a couple times - out loud. I did get dirty... which is some bullshit because I wasn't in my "get dirty" clothes.
So, I got her off the truck and this is where she'll sit until Aboy comes home so WE can start with the flower beds!
One of my major purchase plans for this year was to pick up a rototiller. I would prefer to have a donkey and a plow, but given the age we live in and some of the conveniences that are available - at this point a rototiller is more practical and less time consuming.
Not to mention - WE (get it? WE!!!) only plan on tilling a maximum of 100 feet to garden - for this year <insert devilish chuckle here>.
The weather is starting to break and the growing season starts a little earlier in North Carolina than it does in New York (my Grandfather would not plant anything until just before Memorial Day).
I plan on getting stuff in the ground by the end of April.
But, one does not just put stuff in the ground! Not if you're a seasoned farmer, like me!!
NOOO!!! I have to fertilize the soil. It has to be tilled a couple times and then fertilized again. Then WE till it some more!!
And when I say fertilizer... I don't mean some chemicals you buy in a bag... I mean with shit. Lots of shit! Horse shit, cow shit, llama shit... plus the compost that we've been building all winter long. In case you missed it, WE till the soil - I fertilize the soil. Aboy don't fuck with the shit.
Yessir! We are going to have a garden of abundance this year!!
Tonight I scratched Tiller off the major purchase list.
I went to the Tractor Supply in Rural Hall.
Now you KNOW I live in the country if I have to go to a store in a town called Rural Hall! Oh and the 2010 census has the population of Rural Hall listed at 2,937 residents. Pretty rural considering it's only 10 minutes out of Winston Salem!
I walked around a little bit and eyed some chicks. They weren't sexed yet and my Aunt Lori told me I don't want to buy chicks that aren't sexed because I could end up with a bunch of roosters... but that's more for a later post!
So yeah, back to the Tiller... isn't she a beaut?
I'm not sure what this means - but apparently (according to the sales guy), "it's got good horses for the money!" He also told me to "put Hi-Test Petrol in it"...
I just widened my eyes and watched his lips move to make sure I was hearing him correctly. His southern drawl was a little thick.
Just think "Bubba".
I have to tell you though - the fucking thing is heavy as a shitload of bricks! It wasn't so bad getting it loaded on the back of the truck because "Bubba" did most of the heavy lifting and pushing.
I was "Bubba" when I got to the house.
My hours at the gym are paying off though and I didn't drop it... and only cursed a couple times - out loud. I did get dirty... which is some bullshit because I wasn't in my "get dirty" clothes.
So, I got her off the truck and this is where she'll sit until Aboy comes home so WE can start with the flower beds!
Have a good night Yaw'll!!
Time for me to fetch some vittles!
It's a Lifestyle: Is that Bacon?
If you've been following along, you know that we did the Advocare 24 Day Challenge that began on January 7th.
Basically what the challenge does is it acts as a "Lifestyle Adjustment Tool".
IT IS NOT A DIET. Like, I can't reiterate that enough. We are NOT ON A DIET.
Change is derived from the word chaLLEnge (in Terri-Town) and we took the 24 Day Challenge to start the path for a lifestyle change. The food, tools and supplements that you use during the challenge prepare you for living a healthier lifestyle; to prepare your body to accept the nutrients you receive from real food. There are supplements to help keep you on the path. Think of them as tools to help build your foundation.
Make sense?
We were almost 2 weeks into the challenge. Literally the no dairy, no unhealthy fats, and definitely no bacon part of the challenge. We were on our Saturday shopping trip to Trader Joe's and then to Whole Foods to pick up our weekly food supplies.
Trader Joe's went great. We picked up our fresh fruits and vegetables. Aboy picked up organic coconut water and some healthy chips and other things for the road. I like their Brown Rice Pasta selection and also picked up some frozen fish.
On to Whole Foods.
So, before I take you through that experience... let me set the stage a little clearer. We usually go on our shopping adventure right after we leave the gym. We have a piece of fruit or a healthy snack before shopping so we don't go in the store "starved"... and then have a nice lunch when we get back from shopping.
Well, it was a Saturday morning and Whole Foods parking lot was jam packed. The Whole Foods we go to has an extensive deli type setting with seating and food to order. We walked in and were overcome by the smell of bacon. Like yummy, fuck the challenge - smell of bacon!! And the closer we walked to the restaurant area - the stronger the smell.
We needed some coconut milk and yogurt - so, that brought us to the perimeter of the restaurant area.
I wish I could show you the look on Aboy's face as we got closer to the smells perpetuating through the air. I have to admit - it was very enticing!
We could have succumbed to the pressure, but to that point had really stuck to meal plan and decided once we got through with the challenge we could have some bacon as a treat.
So, we won that challenge!
In the world of nutrition and daily eating, bacon will be our treat. It tastes great but offers very little in the way of nutritional value.
North Carolina is famous for it's bacon. We will always eat bacon.
We just choose to use it as a treat and not a staple in our meal plan.
Basically what the challenge does is it acts as a "Lifestyle Adjustment Tool".
IT IS NOT A DIET. Like, I can't reiterate that enough. We are NOT ON A DIET.
Change is derived from the word chaLLEnge (in Terri-Town) and we took the 24 Day Challenge to start the path for a lifestyle change. The food, tools and supplements that you use during the challenge prepare you for living a healthier lifestyle; to prepare your body to accept the nutrients you receive from real food. There are supplements to help keep you on the path. Think of them as tools to help build your foundation.
Make sense?
++++++
We were almost 2 weeks into the challenge. Literally the no dairy, no unhealthy fats, and definitely no bacon part of the challenge. We were on our Saturday shopping trip to Trader Joe's and then to Whole Foods to pick up our weekly food supplies.
Trader Joe's went great. We picked up our fresh fruits and vegetables. Aboy picked up organic coconut water and some healthy chips and other things for the road. I like their Brown Rice Pasta selection and also picked up some frozen fish.
On to Whole Foods.
So, before I take you through that experience... let me set the stage a little clearer. We usually go on our shopping adventure right after we leave the gym. We have a piece of fruit or a healthy snack before shopping so we don't go in the store "starved"... and then have a nice lunch when we get back from shopping.
Well, it was a Saturday morning and Whole Foods parking lot was jam packed. The Whole Foods we go to has an extensive deli type setting with seating and food to order. We walked in and were overcome by the smell of bacon. Like yummy, fuck the challenge - smell of bacon!! And the closer we walked to the restaurant area - the stronger the smell.
We needed some coconut milk and yogurt - so, that brought us to the perimeter of the restaurant area.
I wish I could show you the look on Aboy's face as we got closer to the smells perpetuating through the air. I have to admit - it was very enticing!
We could have succumbed to the pressure, but to that point had really stuck to meal plan and decided once we got through with the challenge we could have some bacon as a treat.
So, we won that challenge!
++++++
In the world of nutrition and daily eating, bacon will be our treat. It tastes great but offers very little in the way of nutritional value.
North Carolina is famous for it's bacon. We will always eat bacon.
We just choose to use it as a treat and not a staple in our meal plan.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
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It's a Lifestyle: 60 Day Check-In
What's up Party People??
J/K! I am just so amped about how great I feel. Plus, I did my measurements this morning and it's all good in the 'hood!
Woop! Woop!
If you've been following along with my dysfunctional life - you know that I made a few New Year's commitments. Part of the New Year, New Me determination was to lose #50poundsBy50years and I am happy to report that it is March and I am on a great path to achieve that goal.
On January 7th, I began that journey doing the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. I lost 11 pounds in 24 days. Well, today is day 60. I continued to use the Advocare products and I'm happy to report my total weight loss to date is 17 pounds.
Now, that number may not sound like much - so let me explain why.
As part of the New Year, New Me initiative, I also joined a gym. I have yo-yo dieted most of my life and over the years have not just lost weight but a lot of muscle mass as I put my body through different starvation methods to drop some pounds.
So, 17 pounds lost would probably equate to 30 pounds lost if I wasn't building all this lean muscle.
The truth is in the measuring tape. I have lost 33 inches off my body. Notably 6.5" off my waist and 4.25" off my chest. My thighs are losing their saddlebags, sag and old lady dents.
I think what is the most phenomenal change... and I'll have to give you some history before I disclose what I am witnessing...
As yous know, I claim Caucasian on the "what race do you identify with" surveys. I have been afflicted by a genetic deficiency... most specific to white women (although I have seen other races / ethnicities that suffer as well)...
It is called "NoAssAtAll"....
Yup! I admit it - I have a pretty extensive "back".
No ass; just back.
The conversation generally goes like this:
Me: "Aboy - how does my ass look in these jeans?"
Aboy: "You mean your back?"
Yeah. Like that.
Well, guess what Exercise + Advocare = ???
ASS!!!
J/K! I am just so amped about how great I feel. Plus, I did my measurements this morning and it's all good in the 'hood!
Woop! Woop!
If you've been following along with my dysfunctional life - you know that I made a few New Year's commitments. Part of the New Year, New Me determination was to lose #50poundsBy50years and I am happy to report that it is March and I am on a great path to achieve that goal.
On January 7th, I began that journey doing the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. I lost 11 pounds in 24 days. Well, today is day 60. I continued to use the Advocare products and I'm happy to report my total weight loss to date is 17 pounds.
Now, that number may not sound like much - so let me explain why.
As part of the New Year, New Me initiative, I also joined a gym. I have yo-yo dieted most of my life and over the years have not just lost weight but a lot of muscle mass as I put my body through different starvation methods to drop some pounds.
So, 17 pounds lost would probably equate to 30 pounds lost if I wasn't building all this lean muscle.
The truth is in the measuring tape. I have lost 33 inches off my body. Notably 6.5" off my waist and 4.25" off my chest. My thighs are losing their saddlebags, sag and old lady dents.
I think what is the most phenomenal change... and I'll have to give you some history before I disclose what I am witnessing...
As yous know, I claim Caucasian on the "what race do you identify with" surveys. I have been afflicted by a genetic deficiency... most specific to white women (although I have seen other races / ethnicities that suffer as well)...
It is called "NoAssAtAll"....
Yup! I admit it - I have a pretty extensive "back".
No ass; just back.
The conversation generally goes like this:
Me: "Aboy - how does my ass look in these jeans?"
Aboy: "You mean your back?"
Yeah. Like that.
Well, guess what Exercise + Advocare = ???
ASS!!!
I texted this pic to my Cousin Kathy the other day. She didn't believe it was my ass! I had to send her the full picture for her to believe me! Even then - she thought it was a butt pad!
This is 100+ squats a week. I started off slow, but hard work is paying off! I am lifting and separating - all over my body!
So - now you know why I've only lost 17 pounds! I'm building muscles YO!!
I am not prepared to show you my total before and after pics. I want to get a little closer to my weight loss goal before I do that.
I have another blog post to follow on how I stay on my meal plan and motivation to work out.
In saying that, I have to wrap up this post because my Line Dancing Class & Zumba Class are starting shortly and I don't want to miss it!
Make it a great one!
Monday, March 2, 2015
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It's a lifestyle: One Pot Zucchini Mushroom Pasta
I'm all for easy. One pot easy is an even bigger win.
I found this recipe on Pinterest last week and told Aboy I was going to make it this weekend.
I picked up the fresh ingredients after we left the gym yesterday.
Yous know we prep the week of food the day before Aboy has to go back out - so, this seemed like a nice dinner (meatless), plus given the amount of ingredients, some extra for the rest of the week.
It was simple, but I tweaked the recipe a little bit because Aboy is not a huge fan of peas.
The original recipe is here
I beat to my own drum - so this is what I did...
In the pot:
About 6 cups of water (because there was so much food in the pot)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 lb of Spaghetti (I used brown rice pasta - I think the next time I will use wheat)
8 oz container of cremini mushrooms (sliced)
2 sprigs of thyme
1 lb chopped spinach (frozen)
2 large zucchinis
Salt & Pepper and a couple shakes of Sazonador Total (which, BTW - is my new favorite seasoning)
Sauce:
Parmesan Cheese (I didn't measure this - I'm Italian... we don't measure Parmesan)
1/4 cup of heavy cream
Just like the instructions said - I threw it all into the pot - let it boil down until it had reduced to hardly any liquid.
Then I added the cheese and cream, stirred it up - let it cook for another 2 minutes and turned off the heat.
We took out Mahi Mahi earlier, so I baked that (with a pesto glaze) and Waa-Laa!!! Sunday Dinner!
Friday, February 20, 2015
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It's a lifestyle: What's for lunch?
I have been blessed with "big bones" (that's what Nan Guy used to say)... in actuality - I've been heavy my entire life.
What you don't know is, I have invested 49 years of investigative research to provide you with the following useful information.
Skinny people eat all day long.
Yup, no bullshit. They just snack on shit all day long... WHAT they eat is different than what fat people eat.
That's the difference.
Instead of picking up a twinkie, they eat some carrots or almonds.
Simple, right?
Understanding that has changed our grocery purchasing habits (again) and approach to eating. If it doesn't come into the house, I'm not as likely to make a bad choice when I get hungry.
Another thing yous don't really know about me, I have an inner Libertarian that rears it's head from time to time. I don't want anyone telling me what / where / how to do shit. I definitely don't want a doctor or the government telling me what I can eat, that I have to take medicine that is going to make me sicker than the actual disease and I don't want anyone in my personal business.
So, at this point of my life - I have decided that my health is in jeopardy, which is something I have complete control of. I choose what goes in my mouth. I choose how much time I commit to exercise. I can reverse many of the things that I have brought on myself by making better choices.
If I can do it, ANYONE can do it!
There is no willpower involved. This is about control.
Just because I'm an adult, I don't always make adult choices about what goes in my mouth. The consequences are too great for me to continue along that path.
Besides, I have so many other aspects of my life under control - this is really one of the only pieces left for me to come full circle in my own universe. It is a journey, after all - I'm just at that point of my journey that I want to see my grandkids have grandkids.
*****
Since Aboy and I have started Advocare it has helped us wrangle in some of the demons of bad eating and manage our sugar, fat and caffeine addictions. And believe me WE were addicted. No doubt about it! We chose Advocare because we could eat real food (that is so important to both of us), not count points and not microwave pre-packaged meals (we threw out our microwave last year).
I did a lot of research and found that one of the key ways to help change the way we eat was through preparation.
Every video I watched, every blog I read... everyone said that preparation was the absolute best way to guarantee success. The products just help with supplementing nutritional deficiencies, energy and hunger control.
Whatever they do - they are really helping. I am making it to the gym almost daily, I don't crave anything and I very rarely have the urge to go off meal plan.
So, each week - we take a few hours on the day before Aboy is set to go back out and just cook a week's worth of food. I bake yams and potatoes, make rice, bake chicken and fish... then we portion it off so it's easy to put a meal together.
It really removes the excuses to eat crap. Since the food is pre-cooked and frozen, it's easily heated up.
It's healthier because we control the seasoning. There are no preservatives. It's pre-portioned, so the risk of over eating is drastically reduced.
We are eating more. THAT is huge. We eat the right things, at the right time = it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle.
*****
If you read my blog the other day, you understand my frequent meal choices are influenced by Mexican Recipes. They're high in nutrition and low in calories.
Today's lunch has become comfort food for me. I need 2 hands to eat it, it's very filling and it brings in all the things I need for a complete meal.
Also, if you've seen some of my Instagram or Facebook picture posts... you know how much I love a snack scrap for lunch (you have to click the link to understand that joke).
What made it GREAT was the ingredients!
I used a tortilla we picked up the other day at Trader Joe's
Like I mentioned - we pre-cook the chicken and freeze it. I have a scale (to keep me honest) and I just throw the chicken into the oven for 10 minutes to warm it up.
I ALWAYS add Red Wine Vinegar. Pompeian is my fav!!! It makes me "ACK" (that's a noise I make if it hits the back of my throat with nothing coating it)... but, it has great zing and flavor!
I also add homemade guacamole and some roasted red peppers or sun dried tomatoes. Aboy puts a small garden on his (he is a big guy)...
Like I said... you need 2 hands to eat it. It's very filling, hits all the taste buds and you won't think about eating again for a few hours!
Thursday, February 12, 2015
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It's a lifestyle: When in doubt, go Mexican
Aboy and I have enjoyed meals from all over the country. Most of them, right on Long Island or in the City because of the smorgasbord of people that have taken up residence in the area and the different cuisine's they've brought with them.
One thing that Long Island never really had a lot of was authentic Mexican food. There is a large population of Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, El Salvadorians and Guatemalans... not a lot of Mexicans. You can find Bodegas that serve food all over the tri-town area (Bay Shore, Brentwood, CI)... but, the food has a Caribbean flair. It's a lot more sofrito and recaito based recipes.
That all changed for us when we lived in Texas, though! Taco stands on every corner! They even sold tacos out of the gas stations! On the side of the road, Taco buffets, Tex-Mex... fuhgetaboutit!
Needless to say we quickly acquired a taste for authentic Mexican food and barring refried beans and tamales... it's pretty good!
We like fresh food. Mexicans cook with a lot of vegetables. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, squash, mushrooms... just a lot of healthy stuff if you leave off the cheese and sour cream.
So, if you're watching what you eat but you need a filling "comfort food" without the guilt and lots of nutrients... go Mexican!
My new favorite "mayo" is guacamole!
Instead of having a sandwich slathered with mayonnaise, I put some guac on a tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes, boneless chicken and some red wine vinegar (for zing)... Oh Emm GEE!!! Total calories = less than 300 for something you need 2 hands to hold!
My advice is if you are trying to eat healthier - give authentic Mexican a try!!
Click on the link for a Guacamole Recipe . It is so quick and easy to make your own. Homemade tastes so much better, anyway!!
One thing that Long Island never really had a lot of was authentic Mexican food. There is a large population of Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, El Salvadorians and Guatemalans... not a lot of Mexicans. You can find Bodegas that serve food all over the tri-town area (Bay Shore, Brentwood, CI)... but, the food has a Caribbean flair. It's a lot more sofrito and recaito based recipes.
That all changed for us when we lived in Texas, though! Taco stands on every corner! They even sold tacos out of the gas stations! On the side of the road, Taco buffets, Tex-Mex... fuhgetaboutit!
Needless to say we quickly acquired a taste for authentic Mexican food and barring refried beans and tamales... it's pretty good!
We like fresh food. Mexicans cook with a lot of vegetables. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, squash, mushrooms... just a lot of healthy stuff if you leave off the cheese and sour cream.
So, if you're watching what you eat but you need a filling "comfort food" without the guilt and lots of nutrients... go Mexican!
*****
My new favorite "mayo" is guacamole!
Instead of having a sandwich slathered with mayonnaise, I put some guac on a tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes, boneless chicken and some red wine vinegar (for zing)... Oh Emm GEE!!! Total calories = less than 300 for something you need 2 hands to hold!
My advice is if you are trying to eat healthier - give authentic Mexican a try!!
Click on the link for a Guacamole Recipe . It is so quick and easy to make your own. Homemade tastes so much better, anyway!!
Sunday, February 1, 2015
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Souper Sunday: Hearty Vegetable Soup
It's Sunday!!! You know what that means!
I put this together on a whim. It is a very basic recipe and you can add / remove what ever doesn't fit your fancy. I love vegetables - so, I've got plenty in here! This is enough for an army - so, I'll be freezing the leftovers for a quick fix meal.
I listed them in the order they went into the pot:
4 Garlic Cloves (minced) = 1 tbsp-ish
1 Medium Red Onion (minced)
3 Medium Potatoes (skinned & diced)
2 (1 lb) bags of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
1 Carton of Vegetable Stock (32 oz) - Aldi sells this for CHEAP!
1 Cup of Water
1 Can of Diced Tomatoes (28 oz)
S & P to taste
I put the Olive Oil in the pot on medium heat - dump in the garlic and onions - saute until translucent.
Stir in the potatoes. Stirring frequently for about 5-10 minutes (you want the garlic / onion juices to seep into the potatoes).
Put the rest of the ingredients in and cook over a medium heat for about 45 minutes to an hour. Test the potatoes for softness (then you know it's done).
#thatisall
It's very simple and you probably have most of the ingredients in your cabinet!
Don't buy store-made frozen meals when you can make your own! Invest in plastic bowls with air tight covers. It's healthier and cheaper! You never have to make rash decisions about what's for lunch or dinner when you've got stuff on deck in your freezer!
Thursday, January 29, 2015
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My new favorite toy!
Over the holidays I took a nice long vacation.
I had high hopes and big plans on all these things I was going to get done in the yard. Mother Nature had a different plan. If it wasn't raining, it was below freezing. Needless to say, I spent almost all of my time in the house - getting acquainted with our nice comfy sofa.
I finished up a couple of crochet projects I had started and watched almost every movie on demand that held my interest.
I also watched a bunch of info-mercials.
I picked up a Nutribullet RX (LOVE IT!! - Different post about that, soon!).
I also put in a request to Aboy that I wanted the One Second Slicer. It's frickin awesome! It is a BOGO deal (1 for the house, 1 for the truck). It is worth every penny!
I had high hopes and big plans on all these things I was going to get done in the yard. Mother Nature had a different plan. If it wasn't raining, it was below freezing. Needless to say, I spent almost all of my time in the house - getting acquainted with our nice comfy sofa.
I finished up a couple of crochet projects I had started and watched almost every movie on demand that held my interest.
I also watched a bunch of info-mercials.
I picked up a Nutribullet RX (LOVE IT!! - Different post about that, soon!).
I also put in a request to Aboy that I wanted the One Second Slicer. It's frickin awesome! It is a BOGO deal (1 for the house, 1 for the truck). It is worth every penny!
There is a slicer piece, a dicing piece and a cubing piece. Pushing it through is so easy and clean up is running over it with a bottle brush and rinsing it out. It also has a cover to store the contents.
I love it!
If you are trying to eat healthier and don't like the time and effort it takes to prepare your food - this makes it so much easier! I cut up tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and onions to top my salad - in less than 5 minutes - including the clean up!
I cannot wait for summer to come with all the stuff from our garden.
The plastic and blades are not flimsy and it stores nicely because all the pieces stack.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
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An offer you can't refuse: Healthy Food
You guys know that I've changed up the way I eat. I have been staying away from products with High Fructose Corn Syrup and Monosodium Glutamate. Most of the food products that are promoted with coupons - have one or both of these ingredients in them. Needless to say - I don't use a lot of coupons while couponing for food... however, if there is a deal that I can't walk away from - I will still get it and donate it to the local food bank (if you're hungry, you're probably not reading labels).
So, the question came up: "How do you get fresh produce with no coupons"
Produce does offer coupons from time to time; not often enough for me to base my grocery shopping or stockpile on it. I shop sales for my fresh items. Also, there may be cabinet food (rice, pasta, beans, etc) that rarely have a coupon; I have a strategy for that too.
Some of the important things when shopping for whole foods (items that don't have chemicals in them) is:
1. Know your prices! Items that you need may go on sale "10 for $10"... but, if you are purchasing an item that normally sells for 79¢ and now they have it on sale for $1 - that's not a bargain! It looks good because the store circular has it on the front page with all kinds of glitter around it - but, when you know the cost of the items you purchase - you know that it would be cheaper to buy it when it's not "on sale". Be careful of BOGO (Buy one Get one free) deals, too - a lot of times they increase the retail price of the bought one and you end up spending the same as if you bought 2 during a non-sales cycle. Another thing to be aware of is price variances by store. I can drive a 1/2 block to another grocery store and the same item is selling for $1.50 more (on sale).
2. Purchase Price vs Stock Up Price. Items generally go on sale every 6 to 8 weeks. If you are trying to Stock Up on cabinet or items you can freeze, know how much you will need to get you through until the next sales cycle. If you run out of something and it is not in it's sales cycle, only buy enough to get you through until the next sale. Know your price points. Understand what is a Purchase Price or a Stock Up Price.
Price Point Example 1: Fresh Chicken Breasts normally sell for (about) $1.99 per pound. You see the sales for the week and you find it on sale for $1.19 per pound. STOCK UP! Buy as much as you can fit in your freezer or what you'll need until the next time it goes on sale.
Price Point Example 2: Fresh Broccoli normally sells for $1.19 per pound (or $2.00 a bunch). It goes on sale for 78¢ a pound or 10 for $10 (a bunch)... STOCK UP!
Both of these fresh items will store in your freezer!
BTW, I coupon for freezer bags!
3. Shop the Clearance Rack. Because of laws that are in place to protect us - understanding your "Sell By" and "Use By" dates can help you land some great deals. Meat, produce and other items will go on clearance or close-out. Obviously meat and produce will go bad and the store wants to get some monetary return for their initial investment so they will reduce the cost to get them out the door. I inspect everything before I put it in my cart (look, smell, etc)... but, don't think because they have it reduced it's because it's going bad - they are just approaching the point that if they don't get it out the door, their store will take a loss on that item. This would be a STOCK UP too, if you can freeze these items or use them immediately.
Clearance Example: I was in the produce section at Kroger. They had fresh pre-packaged collard greens on clearance for 99¢ a bag (normally $2.49 a bag). They were set to "Sell by" the next day - so, they were trying to get rid of them. I cleared the shelf (8 bags), brought them home and put them right in the freezer! What would have cost me almost $20 - I only paid $7.92!
4. Price Match. If I'm out couponing, I may have items from 4 or 5 different stores in my car. Some of you may not have time to run to 4 or 5 different stores to get 2 items from 1 store and 4 items from another. Your salvation is Price Match. Walmart will match any competitor's price (<---Click that!) for the same item (size, brand, etc). They even match store brand stuff - so, if you find that a store is running a special on (let's say) their Store Brand sugar - you can purchase the Great Value sugar for the same price - as long as it's the same size & type. Target does price matching too - but, to me - it's a hassle (listen to me whine...) because you have to go to Customer Service to get your price matched deal overage refunded or if the deal was because you needed a rewards card, they won't honor it (it's some bullshit).
5. Aldi. Yup! This (hardly) no-brand-name grocery store always has some phenomenal deals on produce and frozen items. AND... a lot of their products are not made with HFCS or MSG (like their bread)!!! They have a line of organic and Healthy Fit products that are cheaper (and IMO) taste better than some of your major chain grocery stores. Don't forget your quarter (to get your cart) or your own grocery bags to carry the stuff home... it is the modern day version of no frills - but they have some great stuff!
Those are the main ways I reduce the cost of my Fresh Food expenses. When I do that and pay next to nothing for my cleaning, personal care and other household items - it helps keep down the cost of running my house.
Take a minute to think about this... with the convenience of everything we have access to (cleaning products that cut your cleaning time, food items that reduce your time in the kitchen)... we have really been conditioned to believe we have to spend money in order to live. I am debunking that thought process. I don't have chickens or cows in my backyard and if I grow a garden it's seasonal (although I can freeze or can things) - so there are things that I depend on from the grocery store (mostly) out of convenience. I am NOT going to pay a lot of money for items that just go down the drain or I am just going to throw out when I'm done with them. Knowing that - I am NOT going to pay a lot of money for anything else either.
If I hit Powerball for a zillion dollars - I would still coupon and shop for deals. The things that we use and need to live should not dictate how we spend our money, that should be our decision.
Just like couponing - this takes time. It's really retraining how you think about shopping. Research, planning and strategy come into play. Once you train yourself and learn your prices, when the best time to buy something (summer is a great time to stock up on condiments, January is a great time for health related items...), sales cycles and how often you run out of something... you can really slash your grocery costs in half (or more)!!
You will have to allocate space to store your items, but the first time you run out of something and all you do is go to your stockpile to "shop"... it makes it all worth it!
So, the question came up: "How do you get fresh produce with no coupons"
Produce does offer coupons from time to time; not often enough for me to base my grocery shopping or stockpile on it. I shop sales for my fresh items. Also, there may be cabinet food (rice, pasta, beans, etc) that rarely have a coupon; I have a strategy for that too.
Some of the important things when shopping for whole foods (items that don't have chemicals in them) is:
1. Know your prices! Items that you need may go on sale "10 for $10"... but, if you are purchasing an item that normally sells for 79¢ and now they have it on sale for $1 - that's not a bargain! It looks good because the store circular has it on the front page with all kinds of glitter around it - but, when you know the cost of the items you purchase - you know that it would be cheaper to buy it when it's not "on sale". Be careful of BOGO (Buy one Get one free) deals, too - a lot of times they increase the retail price of the bought one and you end up spending the same as if you bought 2 during a non-sales cycle. Another thing to be aware of is price variances by store. I can drive a 1/2 block to another grocery store and the same item is selling for $1.50 more (on sale).
2. Purchase Price vs Stock Up Price. Items generally go on sale every 6 to 8 weeks. If you are trying to Stock Up on cabinet or items you can freeze, know how much you will need to get you through until the next sales cycle. If you run out of something and it is not in it's sales cycle, only buy enough to get you through until the next sale. Know your price points. Understand what is a Purchase Price or a Stock Up Price.
Price Point Example 1: Fresh Chicken Breasts normally sell for (about) $1.99 per pound. You see the sales for the week and you find it on sale for $1.19 per pound. STOCK UP! Buy as much as you can fit in your freezer or what you'll need until the next time it goes on sale.
Price Point Example 2: Fresh Broccoli normally sells for $1.19 per pound (or $2.00 a bunch). It goes on sale for 78¢ a pound or 10 for $10 (a bunch)... STOCK UP!
Both of these fresh items will store in your freezer!
BTW, I coupon for freezer bags!
3. Shop the Clearance Rack. Because of laws that are in place to protect us - understanding your "Sell By" and "Use By" dates can help you land some great deals. Meat, produce and other items will go on clearance or close-out. Obviously meat and produce will go bad and the store wants to get some monetary return for their initial investment so they will reduce the cost to get them out the door. I inspect everything before I put it in my cart (look, smell, etc)... but, don't think because they have it reduced it's because it's going bad - they are just approaching the point that if they don't get it out the door, their store will take a loss on that item. This would be a STOCK UP too, if you can freeze these items or use them immediately.
Clearance Example: I was in the produce section at Kroger. They had fresh pre-packaged collard greens on clearance for 99¢ a bag (normally $2.49 a bag). They were set to "Sell by" the next day - so, they were trying to get rid of them. I cleared the shelf (8 bags), brought them home and put them right in the freezer! What would have cost me almost $20 - I only paid $7.92!
4. Price Match. If I'm out couponing, I may have items from 4 or 5 different stores in my car. Some of you may not have time to run to 4 or 5 different stores to get 2 items from 1 store and 4 items from another. Your salvation is Price Match. Walmart will match any competitor's price (<---Click that!) for the same item (size, brand, etc). They even match store brand stuff - so, if you find that a store is running a special on (let's say) their Store Brand sugar - you can purchase the Great Value sugar for the same price - as long as it's the same size & type. Target does price matching too - but, to me - it's a hassle (listen to me whine...) because you have to go to Customer Service to get your price matched deal overage refunded or if the deal was because you needed a rewards card, they won't honor it (it's some bullshit).
5. Aldi. Yup! This (hardly) no-brand-name grocery store always has some phenomenal deals on produce and frozen items. AND... a lot of their products are not made with HFCS or MSG (like their bread)!!! They have a line of organic and Healthy Fit products that are cheaper (and IMO) taste better than some of your major chain grocery stores. Don't forget your quarter (to get your cart) or your own grocery bags to carry the stuff home... it is the modern day version of no frills - but they have some great stuff!
Those are the main ways I reduce the cost of my Fresh Food expenses. When I do that and pay next to nothing for my cleaning, personal care and other household items - it helps keep down the cost of running my house.
Take a minute to think about this... with the convenience of everything we have access to (cleaning products that cut your cleaning time, food items that reduce your time in the kitchen)... we have really been conditioned to believe we have to spend money in order to live. I am debunking that thought process. I don't have chickens or cows in my backyard and if I grow a garden it's seasonal (although I can freeze or can things) - so there are things that I depend on from the grocery store (mostly) out of convenience. I am NOT going to pay a lot of money for items that just go down the drain or I am just going to throw out when I'm done with them. Knowing that - I am NOT going to pay a lot of money for anything else either.
If I hit Powerball for a zillion dollars - I would still coupon and shop for deals. The things that we use and need to live should not dictate how we spend our money, that should be our decision.
Just like couponing - this takes time. It's really retraining how you think about shopping. Research, planning and strategy come into play. Once you train yourself and learn your prices, when the best time to buy something (summer is a great time to stock up on condiments, January is a great time for health related items...), sales cycles and how often you run out of something... you can really slash your grocery costs in half (or more)!!
You will have to allocate space to store your items, but the first time you run out of something and all you do is go to your stockpile to "shop"... it makes it all worth it!
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