Clean Eating – Is This Your Diet Plan For Weight Loss & Better Health

Clean Eating is a subject that comes up all of the time these days. Mix it with all of the information about how successful you could be on a low carb diet, low fat diet and counting calories, and it can be challenging to even think about another way of eating for weight loss … Yet, this is one to pay attention to if you want less chemicals, pesticides and hormones in your foods!

Are you are confused about what Clean Eating is in general and whether this type of diet plan can help with your weight loss goals? It’s actually a life change that can have HUGE rewards on how you look, feel and live. Clean eating focuses on the way foods are produced and processed, in order to achieve the most natural effects on your body. This article provides a closer look at how clean eating can help you become healthier, more energetic and lose the weight for good.

What Is Clean Eating?

Clean eating involves a few key concepts that make it the most desirable way of eating for individuals trying to lose weight, detoxify their systems or avoid food sensitivities. Most importantly, it is a way of life, opposed to just a diet plan, for people that want to eat and live as clean as possible without going vegetarian or vegan.

These concepts include:

1) Eliminating processed foods from your diet.

2) Eating organically grown fruits and vegetables; natural foods free of pesticides and chemicals.

3) Eating unrefined grains such as sprouted breads, quinoa, steel-cut oatmeal, brown rice and beans / legumes.

4) Buying organic, pastured or wild meats instead of grain-fed meat

5) Using hormone-free dairy products

6) Cooking foods in ways that introduce a minimal amount of other ingredients such as stir-frying, steaming or baking.

7) Using healthy oils, such as olive oil, grapeseed oil, walnut oil, coconut oil or sesame oil.

WHY EAT ORGANIC FOODS? ONE EXAMPLE WHY ...



WORRIED ABOUT THE COST OF CLEAN EATING?

If you are worried about being able to afford organic fruits and vegetables. Use this list courtesy of Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in ProduceTM from ewg.com as a guide for which are the most important to buy organic or not. Any fruits and vegetables at the top of the list are MORE TOXIC and you want to buy organic; any from the bottom of the list and up are LESS TOXIC;

DIRTY DOZEN + 4

1. Apples
2. Peaches
3. Nectarines
4. Strawberries
5. Grapes
6. Celery
7. Spinach
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Cucumbers
10. Cherry Tomatoes
11. Snap Peas (imported)
12. Potatoes
13. Hot Peppers
14. Blueberries (USA)
15. Lettuce
16. Kale and Collard Greens

17. Cherries
18. Plums
19. Pears
20. Green beans
21. Raspberries
22. Winter squash
23. Tangerines
24. Blueberries (imported)
25. Carrots
26. Summer squash
27. Broccoli
28. Snap Peas (USA)
29. Green onions
30. Bananas
31. Oranges
32. Tomatoes
33. Watermelon
34. Honeydew melon
35. Mushrooms

CLEAN 15 

36. Sweet Potatoes ---
37. Cauliflower
38. Cantaloupe
39. Grapefruit
40. Eggplant
41. Kiwi
42. Papayas
43. Mangos
44. Asparagus
45. Onions
46. Sweet Peas (frozen)
47. Cabbage
48. Pineapples
49. Sweet Corn
50. Avocados

What Are The Benefits Of Clean Eating?

Clean eating can help you to:

· Reduce blood pressure

· Regulate blood sugar in Type-2 diabetes

· Reduce the risk for heart disease

· Reduce the risk of stroke

- Reduce body fat

· Improve digestive function

· Lose weight

Can I Eat Clean While Doing A Special Diet Plan?

YES, you can eat clean while doing Atkins or other low carb diets.

YES, you can eat clean while doing the Paleo Diet.

YES, you can eat clean on a diabetic or low cholesterol diet.

YES, you can eat clean as a vegetarian or vegan.

YOU CAN EAT CLEAN while doing most any diet that does not require you to buy and use their pre-packaged foods, shakes, etc. If you are vegan, do not include the dairy and meat, etc.

Just follow the guidelines and / or recipes for your diet plan by replacing the ingredients with organic, natural, unprocessed foods. Clean eating is kind of easy that way.

It is likely that you will feel so much better (less sluggish, reduce blood pressure, lower insulin levels) while making the changes because you are choosing REAL, CLEAN, HEALTHY foods and drinks. Not processed carbs and other foods that increase health risks!

How To Integrate Clean Eating Into Your Daily Life?

Because our culture relies a great deal of convenience foods (i.e. fast foods, quick boxed foods, frozen foods and eating away from home), clean eating requires a little more planning than what you might be used to.

It’s not too hard though does require you to decide in advance which foods for shopping, daily meals and snack attacks. Simple changes like carrying a lunch, instead of eating out on your lunch hour at work, will allow to maintain a clean diet, as well as save money. It is the same when you are home with the family or planning to spend time with friends. Cook a clean meal instead of going out to eat; they will appreciate a new style of eating while learning more about this new theory of nutrition. If you do eat out of the home, patronize a health food restaurant that uses organic ingredients that are cooked fresh. When in a restaurant, try to choose the simplest items on the menu, ones that are likely to have less or no processed ingredients, such as a stir fry dishes or grilled fish and steamed vegetables.

SOME FINAL NOTES:

Whether you choose clean eating for weight loss or management for a certain health condition, you may find that your health improves significantly with this type of diet plan, helping you to have better digestion, improved mood, increased energy and so much more. You will probably even feel healthier than you’ve ever felt before and never go back to unnatural eating.

Also, the theory is that one of the major advantages to clean eating is longevity! That eating healthy increases your potential for a longer life! I am not here to make claims to you, but I sure know that I get less gas when I eat organic eggs and feel so much better when OFF of processed foods. Maybe it will be this way for you, too, especially if you think that you are starting to experience allergic reactions to certain foods and / or gluten intolerance.

Lastly, if you find yourself OVEREATING while trying to make your healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight, you can take Skinny Fiber or Skinny Body Max with a clean eating diet plan. The ingredients are all natural; it helps with cleansing, appetite control, digestive enzymes and other healthy ingredients that help you better absorb the nutrients in the foods you eat, as well as block fats, increase metabolism and natural energy. Take it short or long term which working on your health and wellness.

I hope that you've found this information helpful. Please feel free to shoot me a message HERE with your experiences, ideas and questions ... You can connect with me at the links below for encouragement, weight loss tips and support:

Join our healthy lifestyle group!

Like my Facebook page!

Friend or Follow Me!


Here's to YOUR health and happiness!!!!


Your friend,

Lea

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What Foods Do I Eat? Shopping List, Meals, Drinks & Treats

One of my group members asked for a shopping list (well, several have asked over the years), so this blog post shares what I most recently bought at the store as well as the foods that I buy and keep in the house at all times (staple food).  I never thought to share my personal shopping list because the way I eat is much more restrictive than what most people want to eat when starting their Skinny Fiber challenge. I personally set goals that are not only based on weight, but more so eating clean (natural / organic) and especially with the least amount of processed foods and sugar in my diet. My goal is to one day be completely processed free and eat only raw food organic; this is a process for sure. I try my best to include my family but they are not always on board. I have tried to share clean eating tips with customers and members of my weight loss support group, but sometimes they are not on board because it's hard ...

So, I am sharing this shopping list and meal ideas by request for this person, and hoping that some of you will become inspired to make some healthy food changes in your diet, too!

What Foods Do I Eat For Weight Loss / Weight Maintenance?

My Last Shopping List

- Blueberry Keifer (for my toddler)
- Just Great Stuff Peanut Powder (non-gmo)
- Apple Cider Vinegar (I use this for salads and cooked greens)
- Almond Milk (all of us use it)
- Organic Romaine Lettuce
- Organic Grape Tomatoes
- Organic Spring Mix Greens
- Organic Kale Leaves
- Organic Bok Choy
- Organic Eggs (found white ones this time)
- Flax Seed Crackers (red & golden)
- Butter
- Miracle Rice (I prefer these to the Miracle noodles)
- Organic Chicken (fresh)
- Organic Ginger
- Wild Fish (I bought salmon and swordfish)
- Green Onions
- Portobella Mushroom
- Organic Asparagus
- Avocados
- Coconut Milk
- Thai Red Curry Paste
- Organic Garlic
- 2 Gallons Alkaline Water

I also bought these that weren't on the list:

- Natural cheese (cheddar, romano, mozzerella)
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch (my toddler begs for it)

- Wild Albacore non gmo / bpa-free

- Natural Sea Premium Pink Salmon - No Salt

(I wanted to try this non-gmo, bpa-free can product for salmon patties)
- Natural No Sugar Bacon

Foods That I Already Had At Home (always buy at the store)

- Organic Stevia
- Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Organic Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
- Coconut Secrets Coconut Aminos (Organic)
- Flavor Fresh Pouch Albacore Tuna
- Organic Valley Fresh Chicken
- Field of Greens (powdered, vegan, greens)
- Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein
- Organic Chia Seeds (black)
- Organic Cold Milled Ground Golden Flax Seed
- Onions
- Smoked Turkey Breast
- Organic Frozen Berries
- Lemons, Bananas, Squash, Zucchini, Broccoli Flourettes, Green Beans
- Fresh Basil, Parsley, Dill, Chili Peppers (organic)
- Garlic Powder, Curry, Tumeric, Crushed Red Peppers
- Dill, Dulse Flakes, Sea Salt,  Cinnamon
- Cocoa Powder
- Apples
- Cases of 16.9 ounce bottles ot water
- Publix Organic Mediem Salsa

My Vices ...

- Lite Spinach Flat Out Wraps
(I keep these in the freeze just in case I want to use one on taco / fajita night. I usually use romaine or make a taco salad, but sometimes I will use a wrap)

- Atkins Chocolate Chip Granola Bar
(yes, I know not the best, but it's my on the go bar)

- Hellmann's Mayonnaise

- Philadelphia Cream Cheese

- The raw food section of the natural food store where they have little cocoa, coconut, protein balls and such. I'm pretty good at not buying them anymore, but I have weak moments for those.

Foods I Buy Often (but do not eat myself)

- Lakewood Organic Juices
(I don't drink bottled juice, but I keep these in case my husband and kids want to break up the water and tea with a glass of juice).

- Brigg's Liquid Aminos
(My husband loves soy sauce, so this is better for him to me)

- Grassfed Beef or Natural Beef (the guys like steak and burgers)

- Frozen Pizza (emergency food per hubby) and he also likes Frozen Meals

- Organic Mac & Cheese

- Pancakes, Syrup, Fruit Snacks ... Some things the kids "demand".

How Do I Eat Daily?

I have tried every popular diet ... Including the 80/10/10 and raw food vegan. I finally resolved at one that works for me (not sluggish, not gaining weight, no digestive issues, etc). I eat lean meats, lots of vegetables (mostly green and tomatoes), almond milk, eggs and sometimes cheese. I occasionally eat berries, apples, Green Vibrance. I was able to lose weight like this and maintain ...

In general, unless I eat an occasional Flat Out Wrap, I do not eat bread. I do not eat rice or noodles - just the Miracle Rice and occasional type noodles if the rice is not available.

Sugar is pretty much eliminated from my diet except for an occasional 4 grams in the peanut powder or if I have berries in my smoothie; there are alcohol sugars in the Atkins bars (which are occassional for me as well).

I drink one cup of coffee in the morning with Stevia and Half & Half.

I drink water all day; parsley and green tea a few times a week.

I take Skinny Fiber, Omega Krill, Sublingual B, Sublingual D, Raw Probiotics

Do You Overeat A Lot?

Yes, sometimes, I overeat protein and really have to watch the "oil" fats or I can have more than I should, but I try to keep a good handle on these. YES, fats are good for you, but overdoing the "good fats" can have consequences. I only use butter every so often for flavor (for years it was my fat of choice, so that was quite a change in eating for me).

I still take Skinny Fiber daily ... 

It helps me to not overeat and has had health benefits on my body (my blood pressure, leg pain and swelling during menstration have been benefits.)

Skinny Fiber is a product that we all can take with any type of diet. When you watch the videos or read that you can eat whatever you want with Skinny Fiber, this is the truth, though it best applies to any type of diet plan and not necessaribad foods". In other words, you can do the Atkins Diet, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Paleo Diet, South Beach, USDA recommended or low fat ... Any type of diet plan, though it does not include any recommendation of living on fast food, treats and other non healthy foods.

I hope this blog post has been helpful to you. Please feel free to Comment, click the Contact Page or join me at Facebook to discuss anything. 


Blessings,
Lea
P.S. Add me as a friend on Facebook - I'm a great addition to your support system :)

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Wheatgrass, Spinach & Strawberry Smoothie Recipe (Green Smoothie)

This Wheatgrass, Spinach & Strawberry Smoothie is one of my original green smoothie recipes. Wheatgrass often gets a bad rep for not tasting good, but it is actually delicious and good for you. Children will love it, too. I have pictures below of our toddler drinking it (see pictures below). This not a thick smoothie but could easily replace a cup of coffee in the morning because it gives energy. Try it and let me know what you think!

Wheatgrass, Spinach & Strawberry Smoothie

INGREDIENTS:

1 tbsp powered organic wheatgrass
1 cup organic baby spinach (I use one handful)
1 cup frozen sliced organic strawberries (can use 1 and 1/2 cups)
2 packets stevia
1 1/2 cup almond milk or cold water
1 tbs chia seed

* I used organic ingredients for this smoothie recipe.
* You can use organic vegetable protein with this to make it a longer lasting meal.

DIRECTIONS:

Add milk or water, wheatgrass, baby spinach, chia seeds, stevia and strawberries to blender ... Blend or pulse a few times if using a Ninja, Vitamix or Nutribullet ... until smooth.  Put the tip of the spoon in and dip, so that you can taste. If it could use a few more strawberries add about 1/2 cup.

NOTE: I use a 16 ounce single serving cup with the Ninja Professional 1500 blender and this yields almost the full 16 ounces. I will usually have this within 30 minutes of waking and it holds me until ready for brunch, so I take my Skinny Fiber about an hour and a half to two hours after having this wheatgrass smoothie, then eat 30 minutes later.


You can grow your own wheatgrass or buy organic wheatgrass powder from the bins at your local Health Food store or online! Powered wheatgrass saves you money, lasts a long time and is so concentrated (since it is just ground wheatgrass sprouts) that you just need to use a little bit per ounce of liquid. Too much can make the smoothie bitter.


The picture is dim, but this is actually a vibrant green smoothie with speckles of color from the ingredients (i.e. strawberries, chia seeds). Wheatgrass is high in vitamin and minerals like other green vegetables. There's more on the health benefits of wheatgrass below.


Our 3 year old toddler LOVED this wheatgrass, spinach and strawberry smoothie. He pushed the milk aside and drank it down. This helps me get veges in him!


He's sporting a wheatgrass smoothie mustache with pride :) Give it a try. Maybe your toddler will like this green smoothie, too. Start with just a few ounces until your child is used to it.


Click Here for more Smoothie & Healthy Recipes

Health Benefits of Wheatgrass

Despite all of the hype you might have read about wheatgrass being a superfood with incredible health benefits, wheatgrass is a vegetable comparable to broccoli, spinach and the others we eat except wheatgrass has more Vitamin E and Protein than the two, but that's about it. Regardless, it is sprout from the wheat seed though does not contain gluten and the rave because it is a predigested food that is easy used by the body (similar concept to why we juice fruits and veges so that they are digested more easily). The concrete health benefits of wheatgrass include those of other green vegetables. Wheatgrass has vitamins A, B, C, E and calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc. It is high in chlorophyll which some believe has extra benefits, though it is not scientifically proven.. I like that I can buy organic wheatgrass in dried, ground, concentrate and add it to our smoothies ... It is cost effective and easy on the tummy without sacrificing nutrition.

Green Smoothies Help Get Raw Fruits & Vegetables In Your Diet

Juicing and smoothies can help get more fresh fruits and vegetables into your child's diet (yours too); especially the greens that they typically leave on the plate like spinach, broccoli, kale, parsley ... Just pop them in the blender with one or two types of fruits, add chia seeds and voila ... the family loves them.

If you are trying to give up coffee, eat breakfast at a decent time each day, trying to lose weight or just get healthier in general by eating more whole foods instead of processed foods, then green smoothies should be top on your list of lifestyle changes. Chia seeds are an incredible source of fiber and omega 3s. It can only help you to add them to your smoothie, as well as different types of additions like cacao, coconut oil, flaxseed, meca, etc. Maybe not all at once and certainly with research as to whether it is good for your child, but the point being to combine the different nutrients needed into an easy to drink meal or snack that covers their daily nutritional needs without having to take vitamins. You can get what you need from food.

90 Day Weight Loss Challenge (Join Us Today!)

I look forward to your comments how your wheatgrass, spinach, strawberry smoothie turned out or what other wheatgrass smoothie you suggest for my little vegetarian!


Hugs & Blessings!

Lea

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White Potatoes vs Sweet Potatoes

White Potatoes VS Sweet Potatoes - Get the facts!

Wondering which potato is better for you? This chart shows that they are pretty close in nutritional value, though sweet potatoes win with more fiber, vitamin and less carbs than white potatoes.

One thing to keep in mind is that is that both white and sweet potatoes are sold in organic form. You can buy organic potatoes at local grocery stores (you will have to research which ones) as well as at Wholefoods stores and local health stores. Potatoes are one of the vegetables on the list of what to buy organic to avoid eating pesticide and genetically modified foods.

The first paragraph of this infographic says it all ...

"NOTHING BEATS FIBER WHEN IT COMES TO DIGESTIVE HEALTH"

This also confirms why I am so passionate about getting the information out about Skinny Fiber out to whoever will listen to me.

It is not that we cannot get natural fiber and digestive enzymes from food; it is that no matter how hard some of us try, we will not get enough and / or will not stick with the healthy eating in order to cleanse, heal and develop the habit of a healthy lifestyle.

It takes will power and sincere commitment which is terribly difficult when you live in a society where fast foods, processed foods, sugar ridden, genetically modified and severely pesticide sprayed foods are the norm. YET, we can change all of this over time by learning and doing no matter how hard and how many times it takes until you get it right.

Learning why certain foods are good for you is a great start ...

So, make me proud (wink wink - just kidding - make yourself proud) and eat your organic potatoes; white potatoes or sweet potatoes have tremendous health benefits for you as you read from this chart.

Hugs, Happiness & Healthy Eating!

Your Friend,
Lea

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March Against Monsanto - May 25, 2013

MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO - MAY 25th

Join the march against monsanto: https://www.facebook.com/events/147274678766425/

Find an event in your own city: http://bit.ly/ZTDsk8

If there is not an event in your city, you can orchestrate one yourself.

We MUST take a stand!

#occupymonsanto #moms #health #food #event #organic

BTW - If you are overweight, concerned about your health and the toxins in your body from these foods, and would like to detox and start fresh with healthier foods, CLICK HERE to learn how our product can help you!

REGARDLESS, Still make sure to connect and march for YOU right to know what you are eating and to stop the monsanto madness!!!

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Gotta Drink Your Spinach Baby | Green Smoothies For Kids All Ages

Healthy benefits of spinach and green veges!

The health benefits of spinach, and other green vegetables, are irreplaceable in comparison to the "iron-fortified" / high fructose foods. You know what I mean! I am referring to all of the cereals, processed foods and "fruit" snacks that are created, marketed and ultimately become more attractive to our children. I find this such a drag when trying to feed my family healthier meals. Plus, it is really hard to please kids that prefer starchy and GMO foods to delicious alternatives like spinach, apples, kales, grapes and broccoli.

Just look at the green vegetables chart at the top of page! It breaks down just some of the benefits of eating spinach and other green vegetables, but there are more advantages not listed. I am hoping that it will motivate you (as it has with me), to learn more and increase your intake of these green vegetables; especially if you have children that do not eat a lot of green veges. Spinach is one of my favorites:

Spinach is a high alkaline vegetable that improves red blood cell function, strengthens bones, regulates heart rate and blood pressure, and combats free radicals. Spinach is also a high fiber food that helps us feel full, with digestion and immunity, great for vision and filled with vitamins that our brain and body need to function correctly.

Spinach is a super foods that we should incorporate more into our diets. So, make sure to find ways to make spinach as attractive as possible to children and other non vege eating loved ones. I have made this change in our life through kale & spinach smoothies as well as chopping spinach up finely and adding it to traditional "kids foods" like macaroni and cheese, pizza, eggs, etc.

Best Spinach Smoothie Recipe On Earth

I kid you not, the video below has a recipe for the best spinach smoothie in the world. This spinach smoothie makes for a great meal when you need to get your greens and protein in for the day. I also prefer this smoothie when I am craving ice cream, candy or cake. It is such suitable "pick me up" meal when feeling sluggish. Otherwise, watermelon juice or a standard fruit smoothie will do for a sweet tooth, but this spinach smoothie is just wonderful. Try it!



Best Spinach Smoothie Recipe Ingredients:

4 cups spinach
1 - 2 cup bananas (best if frozen)
2 whole figs
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 cup milk (best w/ almond milk)

You will not need ice cubes if you use frozen banana. Add ingredients into the blender in this order: spinach, peanut butter, figs, milk, banana. Blend to a smooth consistency. Pour into glass and serve!

Makes 2 Servings | Calories w/ one banana = 255 | Calories w/ two bananas = 388

Green Smoothies For The Family

On another note, as a parent and wife, I sometimes struggle with preparing meals that will please everyone in the family. I am always concerned about what is organic, healthy and will help me slim up. My husband and teen would prefer pizza, red meat and potatoes each day. Our baby would prefer starches and fruit every day. None of them choose to include green veges, though my teen will willingly eat green vegetables if they are made available. I find it hard to please all without preparing a feast. This is not cool because sometimes I would just like to serve a salad with different veges and maybe some chicken, but they would not like this type of meal on a regular basis :( Since I love vegetables and green vegetables are incredibly important for our health, spinach smoothies have become an important addition to our family diet. I did have to encourage all of them to try spinach smoothies (that is a funny story for another time), but all is well that ends well. Know what I mean?

Try this Amazing Kale / Fruit Recipe to increase energy, detox and get more anti-oxidants.

Share all vegetable / spinach smoothies with your child(ren)!

Vegetable smoothies are simply delicious. As with my example about sharing this spinach smoothie with my family, I highly recommend that you share ALL of your smoothies with your children / family (if they are not allergic to an ingredient). Don't assume that your child(ren) will not like vegetable or green smoothies. Most include fruit like bananas and berries that children love.  In fact, smoothies have been the only way that I could get our toddler to eat green vegetables since he was on baby food. I am very grateful to have home  juicing and smoothies as an option just for that benefit.


I want to share one more important thing with you before I end this blog post ...

I never considered liquid meals as a filling replacement for the "real thing", though my body has adjusted well to smoothies becoming a meal replacement for me; especially in the morning. Taking Skinny Fiber has helped a lot with controlling my appetite during this process. As my body adjusted to smoothies becoming a meal for me, the Skinny Fiber controlled my appetite, so that I was not drinking too much. That probably sounds strange to you, but here is the deal ... too much of anything is not good for you. YOU CAN GAIN WEIGHT ON A HIGH CALORIE RAW FOOD DIET, so you need to watch. This is typically for those who make "gourmet" raw food meals that include too many bananas, avocados, nuts, olives and coconut. Don't get me wrong, these are great for you in moderation, but not suggested as the primary foods in your diet or you could gain weight instead of lose weight. This is another reason why the green vegetables are SO IMPORTANT for you. They provide the nutritional balance and fullness you need in addition to all of the other veges.

I look forward to knowing whether you tried this smoothie recipe and whether you liked it, as well as the juicing / smoothie favorites that you have incorporated into your family's diet.

Enjoy!
Lea

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Myth 1 - Healthy Food Is More Expensive

It totally irks me when people complain or give the excuse that healthier foods are more epensive; that they cannot afford to buy healthy food. The reality is that buying fresh fruits, vegetables, fibers, etc is not more expensive than loading your cart full of larger packages of meat, processed foods and unhealthy snacks.

Healthy Food Is Not More Expensive Than Bad Foods

Healthy food is not more expensive in the long run. It really comes down to whether you want to spend $5 to $6 on a 1/2 gallon of ice cream and $12 on a small roast, OR spend the money on vegetables to make a few salads (lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, green pepper and so on) and boneless skinless chicken. It also comes down to whether you want to spend $4 or $6 on frozen french fries and vegetable oil, or fresh potatoes and yogurt where you can bake this combo for healthy fries, plus have potatoes and yogurt left over for other meals?Healthy foods becomes more affordable as the unhealthy foods becomes less desirable. There is a give and take.

Here is how:

• You'll start noticing the good deals and sales on the healthy foods are run just as often as with the other types of foods. They just might not be all at one store. Our family shops between different stores and CSAs to get the best deals on fruits, vegetables, spices, meats and healthy pastas (like organic and kelp noodles). Additionally, you can afford to shop at the Natural Foods stores if you learn to shop according to what they have on sale (just as you would in a regular grocery store). This simply involves buying ahead - when possible - to save on future purchase needs. In all cases, sometimes you need to blanch and freeze, jar or can, or precook and freeze when you buy in bulk.
  
  
• We started asking store managers where more natural and organic foods were available to us. This was sometimes by brand names because those companies had sent us coupons; other times we asked for the natural / organic foods because they were items we wanted to introduce to our baby's diet. Within a few months, the managers, at this particular store, began coming to us while shopping to let us know where to find what we requested, as well as what, new, healthier foods they brought in.
  
  
• Shopping within season makes eating healthy foods less expensive than eating processed foods and from sales items. 

Changing the way you eat and becoming more healthy is not more expensive in the long run. You learn where to buy which foods included in your diet, as well as which store managers are more helpful in getting in the healthy foods that you want to buy.

Additionally, I have found that healthy meals do take a little more planning in comparison to some of the unhealthy food choices that I was making, but well worth the few extra minutes it in comparison to the way one looks and feels from eating junk foods. As a mother, I have found that it is much easier to have my son eat a fruit or cut vegetables than to argue about how many Pop Tarts, Chips and Cookies her can eat. Fruits and vegetables actually fill the body longer than junk foods. These healthy foods are less expensive on our household budget, too.

As I started changing the type of foods we eat, preparing healthier meals has become less time consuming and more enjoyable. My family actually appreciates the variety and does not always know that they are eating healthy substitutes. Our major change is smaller portions of meats and pastas, larger portions of vegetables on their plates.

Healthy Food Changes & Appetite Control

Need help controlling your appetite while you are making healthy food changes?

Skinny Fiber can help you control your appetite while you are changing your ways. It has natural dietary fiber, digestive enzymes and energy containing ingredients that are good for your body, and can help with weight loss.


Here's to YOUR weight loss success!


Hugs & Blessings!
Lea

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