Some nights you just don't want to cook. Some nights, you don't have too. Keeping in mind how a balanced diet works. While cooking at home might be more cost effective, sometimes it's just nice to go out, not having to worry about cleaning up after, it's nice some times. Just like I said, keep portions in check. Like if you get a hamburger, don't get the frys. Most places have wonderful healthy options now a days so just keep your choices open.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Those Bad Diet Days
We all have bad days at dieting, your friend handed you a soda or cookie and it would be rude right? Well don't worry, there are ways to deal with it.
First off, don't panic, it's not the end of the world. So you messed up, we all do. All you can do is pick yourself up and move on. Not backwards, but forwards. Beating yourself up over a small 'mess up' isn't going to help you. So you ate a cookie? It was good right? Well enough.
Another way you can help cope with that is to improve the rest of your day. Ok so that Cherry Pepsi was amazing, drink an extra glass or two of water that day. The cookie, first one you had in months, but it was so good. Have a salad later that evening before bed. It all goes back to a balanced diet. Now don't get me wrong, eating a cookie every day will spoil just about any diet, so just be mindful of what you eat and drink and everything will work out just fine.
Another wonderful tool to help you on your journey, keep a food journal. But I will get to that in it's own post. (well worth it too!)
Skadia, the panther who will go enjoy the fair!
First off, don't panic, it's not the end of the world. So you messed up, we all do. All you can do is pick yourself up and move on. Not backwards, but forwards. Beating yourself up over a small 'mess up' isn't going to help you. So you ate a cookie? It was good right? Well enough.
Another way you can help cope with that is to improve the rest of your day. Ok so that Cherry Pepsi was amazing, drink an extra glass or two of water that day. The cookie, first one you had in months, but it was so good. Have a salad later that evening before bed. It all goes back to a balanced diet. Now don't get me wrong, eating a cookie every day will spoil just about any diet, so just be mindful of what you eat and drink and everything will work out just fine.
Another wonderful tool to help you on your journey, keep a food journal. But I will get to that in it's own post. (well worth it too!)
Skadia, the panther who will go enjoy the fair!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
5 Simple Tips to Save Money on Food.
Everyone has to eat right? Yup, but do you really have to spend all your money on just food? Now that is where you are wrong. Let me give you a few pointers on saving a few bucks.
1. The simplest way to save money on your food bills is stop eating fast food. Yes it's quick, and yes they have a dollar menu, but lets break it down real quick. For two people: each wants a drink, so $2 right there, even if we stick to the dollar menu and get two McDubbles (with cheese of course!) that's another $2, then add tax. Bringing your rough total to about $5. (not even counting gas to get there!) SO now lets cook something at home, something simple and easy but yet cheap. A box of pasta (that can be used at least 2x for a party of 2) costs about a buck most anywhere, well you need sauce, lets just get a jar of meat sauce, about $2 for that. Water you get from your tap so nothing there, now, dinner for two boils down to about $3 total! That is also counting for that extra pasta in the box. Now $2 what a big difference. You might not think so but doing this once a week can save you over $100 in just one year. And that's only if you get dollar menu items. Also your homemade food is much healthier for you.
2. Watch for sales. Might seem simple but really do watch for them. Maybe another brand is on sale this week than what you might normally buy, try it! It doesn't mean you have to stick with that brand, but even some sales drop prices below generic brands. If you know you like an item and it can be stored, buy a few extra, even just 2 or 3 of an item can lead to some savings. At least enough to buy a Kit Kat at the register.
3. Be mindful of proportions. Again going back to your basic dieting ways, eating more often but smaller servings. What would have been one whole chicken breast, is now divided into two meals, making your buck stretch a bit farther.
4. Get nutrient dense food. Find ways to add nutrition to your diet as often as you can. Like add beans to a meal to help with fiber and protein one day instead of hamburgers. It's a great way to even have again your smaller meals. Some veggies with hummus and a few crackers great way to fill you up.
5. Don't waste your money! Don't toss your well earned money away on still things like pre-cut veggies. Some stores will charge upwards of $7 for those containers with just a few stalks of celery and a carrot or two. You could save yourself $5 and just buy the items and chop them yourselves. It might take a few more minutes but well worth it in the end.
I hope these tips help you get started on getting more bang for your buck, enjoy!
~Skadia, the shopping panther
1. The simplest way to save money on your food bills is stop eating fast food. Yes it's quick, and yes they have a dollar menu, but lets break it down real quick. For two people: each wants a drink, so $2 right there, even if we stick to the dollar menu and get two McDubbles (with cheese of course!) that's another $2, then add tax. Bringing your rough total to about $5. (not even counting gas to get there!) SO now lets cook something at home, something simple and easy but yet cheap. A box of pasta (that can be used at least 2x for a party of 2) costs about a buck most anywhere, well you need sauce, lets just get a jar of meat sauce, about $2 for that. Water you get from your tap so nothing there, now, dinner for two boils down to about $3 total! That is also counting for that extra pasta in the box. Now $2 what a big difference. You might not think so but doing this once a week can save you over $100 in just one year. And that's only if you get dollar menu items. Also your homemade food is much healthier for you.
2. Watch for sales. Might seem simple but really do watch for them. Maybe another brand is on sale this week than what you might normally buy, try it! It doesn't mean you have to stick with that brand, but even some sales drop prices below generic brands. If you know you like an item and it can be stored, buy a few extra, even just 2 or 3 of an item can lead to some savings. At least enough to buy a Kit Kat at the register.
3. Be mindful of proportions. Again going back to your basic dieting ways, eating more often but smaller servings. What would have been one whole chicken breast, is now divided into two meals, making your buck stretch a bit farther.
4. Get nutrient dense food. Find ways to add nutrition to your diet as often as you can. Like add beans to a meal to help with fiber and protein one day instead of hamburgers. It's a great way to even have again your smaller meals. Some veggies with hummus and a few crackers great way to fill you up.
5. Don't waste your money! Don't toss your well earned money away on still things like pre-cut veggies. Some stores will charge upwards of $7 for those containers with just a few stalks of celery and a carrot or two. You could save yourself $5 and just buy the items and chop them yourselves. It might take a few more minutes but well worth it in the end.
I hope these tips help you get started on getting more bang for your buck, enjoy!
~Skadia, the shopping panther
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Grilled Ham and Cheese
A super simple and delicious sandwich I enjoy making as often as I can. I personally use cheese that I enjoy, if you like something else, replace it! Just try to keep a nice heavy break like wheat or rye.
2 slices of bread
Butter
1 slice sharp cheddar
about 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese
1 Slice of mozzarella
3 slices of deli shaved ham
Heat up a skillet while you butter the bread on one side of each slice. Layer the cheese and ham and grill. Just work it like a normal grilled cheese. You can also use a grill press if you have one.
2 slices of bread
Butter
1 slice sharp cheddar
about 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese
1 Slice of mozzarella
3 slices of deli shaved ham
Heat up a skillet while you butter the bread on one side of each slice. Layer the cheese and ham and grill. Just work it like a normal grilled cheese. You can also use a grill press if you have one.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
A Balanced Diet
No, I don't mean a cookie in each hand. A real balanced diet full of protein and energy producing carbohydrates. You need both to keep your body working properly. A well balanced meal, consists of, one serving of meat or a protein, one serving of a "slow" carb, and one serving of a "fast" carb. Now what is a fast and slow carb mean? Very good question and one I can answer! The simple version is how slow or fast a carbohydrate converts itself into sugar. Slow carbs are things like salad and other non-sugar filled veggies. I will be covering this list in more detail at one point or another. A slow carb is anything starchy. Like pasta, rice and bread. Now yes even though those are normally considered as the "bad" carbs of the world, and while to many can be bad, you still need them.
For simple measuring the average protein is the size of your palm. That can be anything from eggs, to steak, to even tofu (for those of you that can eat that stuff.). Now for slow carbs over all you can eat about as much as you want, so it's good to use a salad as a filler in your meal. Fast carbs on the other hand, your rice, bread and pasta. Those vary so if you are ever sure, just go with about a hand full, roughly one cup. Bread for a snack, (we talked about prior snacking through out the day, are you doing that? If you missed it, check here, Snacking) just go with a slice, but for a meal, go a head and feel free to make it two. (Like a delicious grilled ham and cheese) With pasta and rice, stick to just a basic serving. If you have diabetes try and stick to brown rice and whole grain pasta. Even if you don't, some of the options are pretty tasty.
Now you may be wondering what about my sweets? I won't give up my ice cream! Me neither so don't worry. There is a wonderful saying, all things in moderation. Have your ice cream! Just treat all that sugar as a fast carb in your diet. Lets say you have eggs for breakfast and throw some veggies in them. Great! Instead of hash browns, have a sweet roll, or doughnut. Instead of your baked potato for dinner, save that for ice cream.
It's about making healthy smart choices in your day that will make a difference. Also you will be amazed at how much flavor some foods can add. Try some zucchini in your eggs with some parmesan cheese next time.
Happy, Healthy Eating
~Skadia
For simple measuring the average protein is the size of your palm. That can be anything from eggs, to steak, to even tofu (for those of you that can eat that stuff.). Now for slow carbs over all you can eat about as much as you want, so it's good to use a salad as a filler in your meal. Fast carbs on the other hand, your rice, bread and pasta. Those vary so if you are ever sure, just go with about a hand full, roughly one cup. Bread for a snack, (we talked about prior snacking through out the day, are you doing that? If you missed it, check here, Snacking) just go with a slice, but for a meal, go a head and feel free to make it two. (Like a delicious grilled ham and cheese) With pasta and rice, stick to just a basic serving. If you have diabetes try and stick to brown rice and whole grain pasta. Even if you don't, some of the options are pretty tasty.
Now you may be wondering what about my sweets? I won't give up my ice cream! Me neither so don't worry. There is a wonderful saying, all things in moderation. Have your ice cream! Just treat all that sugar as a fast carb in your diet. Lets say you have eggs for breakfast and throw some veggies in them. Great! Instead of hash browns, have a sweet roll, or doughnut. Instead of your baked potato for dinner, save that for ice cream.
It's about making healthy smart choices in your day that will make a difference. Also you will be amazed at how much flavor some foods can add. Try some zucchini in your eggs with some parmesan cheese next time.
Happy, Healthy Eating
~Skadia
Monday, June 23, 2014
What I'm All About
What I want to bring to you is my experience with cooking and food. I want to show you how to live a healthy life without giving up all of the food that you love! I know, it sounds to good to be true but bear with me. I personally have low blood sugar levels meaning I have to watch what I eat. On the other hand I grew up with my mother being diabetic and she refused to take care of herself claiming that "she wasn't going to give up eating the food she loved." Well she may be eating the food she loves but she is now fighting obesity, as well as high blood sugar with insulin injections. It breaks my heart. Today I start my own transformation that has been in the works for over a year now. While I was never seriously obese, I wasn't healthy either. Today I am down forty pounds and have kept it off for more than three months. I'm going to not only share how to live a healthy happy life, but how to save money on groceries, and even share recipes that will help you stay fit and living!
I first would like to start out with some basic tips that can start your new life. That's what this is all about right? Having a long healthy life filled with energy and happiness.
Contrary to what some people think we as humans are officially grazers, we are meant to pick food and much all throughout the day. So while you might think snacking will ruin your appetite, it will actually help curb it! What do I mean by all this? Simple, if you eat when you wake up, have a snack between that and lunch, you are not nearly as hungry and will instinctively eat less at lunch. Now it might all be starting to make sense. Another misconception I'd like to debunk now is eating less will make you thin. You're right! It will also make you dead. Your body is not made to be starved. The longer you go without food the more your body stores for later due to the simple fact of, it doesn't know when it will eat next. It's amazing how we are made to survive.
So get your snack on. It may be as simple as a handful of mixed nuts, or a piece of fruit, or even maybe half a sandwich. At first it's going to sound silly, but watch after a week or so, you will almost never be actually hungry. Another perk of this is that you are getting your nutrition throughout the day giving you more energy. That perfect fix to that 2 p.m. feeling.
So this is the beginning of change. I wish you the best of luck!
~Skadia
I first would like to start out with some basic tips that can start your new life. That's what this is all about right? Having a long healthy life filled with energy and happiness.
Contrary to what some people think we as humans are officially grazers, we are meant to pick food and much all throughout the day. So while you might think snacking will ruin your appetite, it will actually help curb it! What do I mean by all this? Simple, if you eat when you wake up, have a snack between that and lunch, you are not nearly as hungry and will instinctively eat less at lunch. Now it might all be starting to make sense. Another misconception I'd like to debunk now is eating less will make you thin. You're right! It will also make you dead. Your body is not made to be starved. The longer you go without food the more your body stores for later due to the simple fact of, it doesn't know when it will eat next. It's amazing how we are made to survive.
So get your snack on. It may be as simple as a handful of mixed nuts, or a piece of fruit, or even maybe half a sandwich. At first it's going to sound silly, but watch after a week or so, you will almost never be actually hungry. Another perk of this is that you are getting your nutrition throughout the day giving you more energy. That perfect fix to that 2 p.m. feeling.
So this is the beginning of change. I wish you the best of luck!
~Skadia
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)