If the tough economic situation has you revising your budget until it can't be revised anymore, you can at least be able prepare healthy meals. Healthy eating can boost your energy, sharpen your memory and stabilize your mood. Here is some practical advise that will help stretch your dollar and keep you in good condition. Eating healthy meals are not just limited to the rich. With proper planning and discipline, you too can be begin preventative measures to keep your body in its best working condition. Below are some of the tips and recipes that we will be sharing on a weekly basis.
Plan your meals a week ahead of time. This saves both money ant time. Begin planning with what you would like to prepare for the next week or two. List those items that you already have in your kitchen and add to it. Buy items in bulk and shop sales. Choose fresh, whole foods as much as possible staying away from processed and fast food.
Simplify instead of being concerned with counting calories. Variety matters here. High-fiber vegetables, grains, and proteins is really all the body needs. These items keep cholesterol levels low, aids in weight loss, maintains bowel function and digestive health. They also prevent constipation by making sure things move along.
Eat fruits and vegetables, the fresher the better. Colorful fruits and vegetables protect against many harmful diseases because they are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Remember, don't over cook you vegetables. In order for them to keep their nutritional value, they should be steamed. And when washing, a 25/75 mixture of vinegar and water is a safe, natural alternative for removing harmful pesticides.
Eat less meat. Instead, try other protein enriched foods like fish, nuts, legumes and whole grains. Its no fun to be sick and poor so by reducing your amount of red meat each week, you may be able to cut your chances of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels in half.
Drink plenty of fluids with water being the number one beverage of choice. It not only removes poisons and toxins from the body, it keeps the skin, organs and other vital body parts in tip top shape.
Limit sugar and salt. They cause more problems in the long run.
Enjoy your success by making changes to your diet slowly. Anything else is unrealistic.
These are just a few ways in which you can use to keep you and your family healthy. Diet changes and daily exercise can help promote optimum benefits for your mind, body and soul. As these small changes become habits, you can then add more food selections. Simple changes in diet can not only stretch your years, it can keep you from high priced prescription costs. Below are easy recipes to start and we'll be adding more within a few days so stay tuned.
Weekly Recipes
Chicken and Rice
1¼ cups rice, uncooked
2 tablespoons chopped onion
½ teaspoon salt
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 cups water
10¾-oz can condensed cream of chicken soup
4-oz can (½ cup) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
2½ to 3-lb frying chicken, cut up
2 tablespoons margarine or butter, melted
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ to ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
Heat oven to 375°F. In 13x9 inch pan, combine rice, onion, salt, celery, water, cream of chicken soup, and mushrooms; mix well. Arrange chicken on rice mixture skin-side-up; spread margarine. Sprinkle paprika and poultry seasoning. Bake uncovered for 1 hour or until chicken is tender.
Triple Bean Salad
½ cup sugar
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup chopped celery seed or celery salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ cup vinegar
¼ cup oil
3 cans (16 oz. Each) beans, drained
Use red kidney, garbanzo, lima, green, or yellow beans. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
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