Eating Well Doesn't Have to Be Expensive!

Buying organic can be nearly double the cost of non-organic produce. In these tough times, you might easily say it's a  no-brainer to buy what's cheapest.

But when it comes to food, don't let cost always be your bottom line when you're deciding what to buy. As I've said before, the average American wastes 40 percent of the food that they purchase. As an example, it's been my experience that when I buy a pound of non-organic strawberries (about $3), half of them develop mold before I can use them up.

So this morning, I bought a 9 oz package or organic strawberries for $5. But here's my rationale: I'll use those strawberries because I paid a premium for them. But more importantly, I'll savor eating them because they are actually RED on the inside ~ not white!

That also makes me conscious of not buying more than I will use, unless it's in a can or I can freeze it.

Just some extra thought and planning is money in the bank!

The Apple ~ Your Re-set Button for Healthy Eating

I've been eating an apple every day for awhile now.

There's so much impressive information out there about the health benefits they offer, it made sense that that daily investment might pay dividends. I've also tried to engage other people to do the same.

What I've gathered from random comments is that it's well worth the effort. First of all, apples reduce cravings for foods that aren't so good. They're packed with nutrients and enzymes that help bring balance to that chemical "soup" we call our bodies.

I find that when I've eaten an apple at some point during the day, it's much easier for me to pass up one of my biggest temptations: salt and vinegar potato chips! I'm not then drawn to sample a piece of fudge, or to buy a bag of chocolate chip cookies.

When we crave something, it's usually because we've got some imbalance going on. Unfortunately, generally what we crave only escalates rather than satisfies. (Eating salt and vinegar chips only makes me want more!)

But eating an apple is like hitting a "re-set" button that causes me to feel more centered; more in balance ~ not driven to satisfy cravings.

It makes healthy food choices for that one day so much easier. After all, one day at a time is all we ever have to worry about.

Try it for a few days and share your comments. I'd love the feedback!

Gotta Love a Pantry!

I have to say the combo we put together tonight was SO good!

My husband had purchased some turkey sausage a couple of days ago, and since we hadn't frozen it, we decided we'd better use it.

I had some Spanish rice in the pantry, along with cans of diced tomatoes to draw from. I also had some cans of black beans. There was a head of iceberg lettuce in the fridge, along with some apples.

So I thought about what we could combine. I fixed the Spanish rice (tomatoes included), and then added some black beans for fiber to help offset the carbs in the rice. That was served up with about three ounces each of the turkey sausage. Then I cut a couple of wedges of iceberg lettuce, added some apple slices, again for fiber; and topped that with some balsalmic dressing.

I have to say it was all delicious, and it all came from my pantry except the turkey sausage and lettuce.

Having a pantry stocked with rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, beans and broths goes a long way when you're putting together a meal.

What I did was put some things together in proportions that I thought were balanced and healthy. You don't need a recipe for that!

Good Vibrations

I tossed the bag of Ruffles potato chips I bought tonight.

Not sure why I picked them up after many many months of never buying that genre of stacks, but I think it had something to do with my frequency channel. (No, not as in "ham radio"!)

I've been reading Dr. Wayne Dyer's book, "There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem." Very insightful, because, in a nutshell, he concludes that our problems coincide with our energy frequency.

Mine was rather low today ~ I tried to cram too much into one afternoon, and topped it all off with an irritating phone conversation that pushed my delicate ego buttons.

Dr. Dyer says low energy frequencies resonate with and attract other low, dense frequencies ~ something that over the long term can translate into mental or physical illness. Of course, we're just talking one choice here: Ruffles potato chips.

But for folks who are less aware of what's driving their eating behavior, it's simply a marker on a path strewn with other low-frequency food choices. So when your depressed, which is going to appeal to you the most: celery sticks or brownies?

Had my telephone chat been more positive, and had I taken a few moments now and again over the course of the afternoon to just relax, I wouldn't have even walked down that snack aisle. Instead, I headed right for it.

I knew what was going on, and after chip number ten or twelve, I opened the garbage can and threw the rest away ~ knowning that bag would be otherwise be empty by dinner time.

That alone boosted my energy frequency up a notch.

I had made a clear choice.

A sliced pear sounded pretty good!

Awareness Trumps Knowledge When It Comes to Eating Well

I'm intrigued with the realization that awareness of our needs can guide our choices more accurately than knowledge.


More simply, I wasn't feeling that great last night after I had a meal of albacore tacos, rice and beans, PRECEDED by a plate of fried calamari. I didn't have to add it all up to understand intuitively what my body had to say about it. It was seeking a cleanse, so I settled on an apple and some lemon water before I went to bed. Fortunately, it helped.


Granted, this was a special occasion. My husband and I were trying out a new restaurant ~ and we love calamari. It's the only fried food I ever eat, so we ordered a plate of it. But when we left, I found I didn't have that familiar sense of well-being I associated with eating lighter in the evenings.

So tonight, while my husband enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup, I checked in with my stomach and opted instead for a sliced pear and some ginger tea.

So what does that suggest about abstinence? Absolutely nothing!

I'll go back and have albacore tuna tacos, but next time, I'll split the order with someone else (there's two to an order), and I won't have calamari, too. Or, I'll just order the calamari and a side salad, and bring several people with me to share the appetizer plate.

Because the deal is, it's never "all or nothing." We get ourselves into big trouble that way because we end up thinking the choices we made were wrong.

But every choice has a consequence. It's as simple as that. It's not a judgment or a punishment, and it's not good or bad. It's just what happens!

Eating Patterns for Our Times

These are complicated times.

For that reason, we're all seeking some simplicity. My belief is that if you can simplify eating,  other things become simpler, as well.

Just consider how much money you might be spending on food you don't need, or fixing meals that aren't that good for you. We do that without thinking while our minds are preoccupied with a roster of problems and worries.

We chomp on chips, cookies, crackers  ~ or anything that's handy when we decide we absolutely need something to eat. The question that often remains, however, is "what are we really hungry for?"

For a long time I enjoyed the pacifying, sedating effects of sugar, fat or salt when I was  feeling anxious or stressed. But now that I've incorporated heathy, fiberious fruts and vegetalbles into my day ~ specifically the apple ~ I'm feeling a lightness and a heightened sense of being. But here's the key ~ it's easier to know when I'm hungry, and define what I'm hungry for.

What this means is if you focus on getting enough of the good stuff, you won't be inclined to eat the bad stuff.

I have to say it's liberating to eat lightly, but to eat often.

                            

One Change Affects Everything

Maybe I've said it before: "Change one thing you do every day and you change your life."

We'll see. So far, I think it may be valid.

A week ago I basically parked my car to see how attached I really am to all those monthly operating expenses for the sake of convenience. I bought a bike (soon to arrive!) and started riding the bus ~ Grand Valley Transit in this community. When the bike arrives, I'll ride it between stops, rather than walk.

So what's this got to do with eating. A lot!

Despite all we may understand and know about healthy eating, when the boredom factor kicks in, it's hard to resist culinary indulgences. (Even if it gets reduced to Cheetos!)

Emotionally, it would have probably been easier to board a flight for Africa than to give up my car. It gets me where I want to go quickly, and makes it possible to tick down a list of errands on a lunch hour. Without my car, I've had to time appointments with the bus schedule connections, and allow lots of time.

So when I leave in the morning, I have to think ahead because there's no running back to the house if I forgot something. Interestingly, the challenge has been stimulating. And if this makes any sense, it's easier to eat healthier.

Maybe it's the liberating feeling of getting out of the driver's seat, and letting go of expenses ~ like gasoline ~ and maybe car insurance!

I don't find slices of apple pie so hard to resist ~ now I resonate more with eating apple slices.  I carry my lunch ~ a half sandwich of fresh veggies, and an apple. I also carry my water bottle. It all fits efficiently into a fanny pack ~ convenient for the bike ride.

The other thing that occurs to me is how much gasoline I wasted just making unnecessary trips ~ to the mall, to the grocery store, or downtown ~ often because I didn't plan ahead.

Time is money ~ and it's energy ~ and I feel that now I'm conserving both.

Maybe that's what I've been craving!