Spring Spring Spring April 15, 2010

Got to love the season of Spring! Time to hit the farmers market and pick up a few of these ‘in season’ fruits and veggeies! Remember how important it is to support your local farmers market. With out farms we wouldn’t have fresh food.

To find a farmers market near you just google ‘farmers market’ and your city name. If you live in CA check this site out: http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/index.cfm

 What’s in season?

Asparagus: A good source of vitamins C and A, you’ll often find it roasted as a side dish.  Skip the sauces that often come with it to keep it light.

Spinach: This versatile vegetable can be found in anything from omelets to soups to salads and everything in between.  It is loaded with vitamins and minerals such as iron, potassium and vitamins A and C. Request spinach in place of iceberg lettuce to get even more of a good thing.

Sugar Snap Peas: An excellent source of vitamin C, look for this sweet and crisp greens in Asian foods, such as a spicy stir-fry.  Ask for the sauce on the side and add sparingly to really enjoy the flavor of these sweet, seasonal treats.

Strawberries: These good sources of fiber are easy to enjoy on their own or as part of almost any kind of dish.  Your favorite restaurant may incorporate them into smoothies, salads, or fresh fruit bowls.  Look for dishes that let the strawberry’s flavor shine through without added sugar.

Cherries: Like strawberries, these national favorites are a good source of fiber as well as vitamin C and can be used in a variety of dishes.  Look for them fresh or dried, and if you can’t resist the pie, make sure you share the slice with friends!

(Healthy Dining Newsletter)

Staying Healthy on a Budget March 12, 2009

Today everyone’s budgets are tight! Just because your budget it tight doesn’t mean you can’t eat healthy. Fruits and vegetables are typically more expensive than a box of mac and cheese, but it is important to still maintain your health in these tough times.

 

Here are a few tips in eating healthy on a tight budget:

 

–          Cut coupons from your Sunday newspaper

–          Buy fruits and vegetables at your local farmer’s market. They are cheaper and the money goes directly to the seller vs. the middleman when you buy it at the grocery store. Also majority of farmer’s market products are organic.

–          Next time you are out do some price checking. Buying in bulk doesn’t necessarily mean it is cheaper. I have compared prices with Costco and Target and I find that Target is generally cheaper (especially when I use the coupons I cut from the Sunday newspaper).

–          Bring your lunch to work/school. It is healthier, you know where you food came from and can save you up to $25 a week!

–          If you go out to eat, order water instead of soda. Water will help you metabolize food faster and carry nutrients to your cells.

–          Send an email to Amy’s Kitchen (http://www.amyskitchen.com/lemonslice/dear_amy/send_letter.php )stating you would like some coupons. You will get an email requesting your address to where they can send the coupons. (I just got mine yesterday!!)

–          Carry a snack with you if you are on the road a lot (bora bora bars, lara bars, nuts, peanut butter and jelly, raisins all travel well)—this works well too if you have kids.

–          Always carry a bottle of water with you. Better to stay hydrated throughout the day and it will help you to stay full and not over eat.

–          Look at your local grocery paper weekly for what is on sale. Try to buy products that are on sale as often as you can. This can save you a lot in the long run.

 

 

Healthier foods (whole wheat bread, fruits, vegetables) may be more expensive, but they will keep you fuller longer.  Eating healthy and saving money might require a bit of foot work, but it is worth it and your wallet will thank you!

 

Lastly, a friend recommend this site to me and I thought I would pass it along. The site is called Tip Jar: http://moderator.appspot.com/#16/e=3cfc

Organic or Non Organic December 20, 2008

We probably know organic is better for us, but sometimes at the expense of our paycheck it just isn’t worth it. I was reading an article in Runners World this month and came across a piece of info I found interesting and wanted to share:

“By eating the organic versions of the dirty dozen, you can reduce your exposure to contaminants by 90 percent,”

Can you believe that? This is great news … for our health and especially our wallets!

If you don’t know what the “dirty dozen” are check it out: http://www.foodnews.org/

 

Tips to buying organic and saving a buck:

-shop the farmers market in your area

– check weekly what is on sale at the local grocery stores

– if you have a Trader Joe’s in your neighborhood check them out (usually they are fairly inexpensive)