Are you sticking with your new year's resolution to take off some pounds? I'm here to help you out...
I am so fond of the quote that says "Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end,the faster it goes". Whoever came up with that one knew what they were talking about!
I decided this is a good time to share ideas to help you eat right when the budget is tight. Why does it seem that everything that's good for you costs more? While sometimes that is just fact, there are ways to help you eat healthy without breaking the bank. Start by establishing one new healthy habit, then one by one, add more. There are many creative ways to enjoy the foods we love while being good stewards of our food budget and our family's health. Enjoy choosing wisely!
Detour the Snack Aisles: Take all the money you would spend on candy, chips and cookies, and spend it on fruits and vegetables instead. They are perfect for snacking, and loaded with fiber, so they'll fill you up faster than 'empty' calorie-laden snacks.
Eat more Beans: Beans are dirt cheap and a very healthy food. Loaded with nutrition, they're great for lowering both cholesterol and blood pressure. Did you know they also help keep your blood sugar steady thanks to a low glycemic index? Add beans to a salad for a protein boost. Using dried beans, you can prepare delicious meals for pennies.
Cut back on Meat Portions: Limit your meat intake by sharing a steak and filling the rest of your plate with vegetables and grains. Stock up on whole chickens and turkeys when on sale.
Eat More Oatmeal: Packed with soluble fiber and healthy carbohydrates, oatmeal has a number of key health benefits. From curbing appetite to reducing cholesterol, eating more oatmeal is a simple way to boost health.
Surrender Sweets: You don't have to totally give up sweets to tighten your budget and your waistline too. Just pace yourself and don't eat it every day. Enjoy a (diet) soda with a little ice cream to make a float and your sweet tooth craving can be satisfied.
This is a wonderful filling chili. Look for low sodium ingredients.
CROCKPOT THREE BEAN TURKEY CHILI
1-28 ozs. can diced tomatoes, undrained
1-16 ozs. jar chunky salsa
1-15 ozs. can black beans,rinsed
1-15 ozs. can kidney beans,rinsed
1-15 ozs. can great northern beans,rinsed
1 pkg. (7 ozs) 2% milk shredded cheddar cheese
Cook turkey in large saucepan on medium-high heat 10 minutes or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Add to slow cooker with all remaining ingredients except cheese and crackers; stir. Cover with lid. Cook on high 2-3 hours(or low for 4-5 hours). Spoon into bowls; top with cheese. Serve with crackers.
Love these healthy cookies with no refined sugar or flour. You'll be surprised how good they are!
HEALTHY OATMEAL RAISIN BREAKFAST COOKIES
3/4 c. rolled oats
3/4 c. oat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 - 1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
3 Tb. honey, or more, to taste
1/4 c. plain Greek yogurt
1/4 c. chopped nuts, optional
1/4 c. raisins or dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or non-stick foil (or spray foil lined pan). In medium bowl, combine dry ingredients - oats, oat flour (Place just less than a cup of oats in the blender and blend until powdery; measure to be sure you have 3/4 cup), baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Then add vanilla, egg, honey and yogurt. Stir until well blended. Add in nuts and raisins. Spread cookie dough into 4 or 5 large cookies onto prepared pan. Shape with spoon and pat down a bit. Bake 6 - 10 minutes or until done.
Thanks to all of you who have read my column...for nearly 10 years...sad to say goodbye to the Leader Enterprise, but elated to jump on at the Bryan Times! It's been a wonderful time with you all...and hope you'll continue to read my column in the Times.
"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal. Nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong attitude."~Thomas Jefferson
