12 Ways to Eat Cheap and Healthy

Eating healthy is often associated with expensive foods. While this can be true for some foods there are many simple changes you can make that will save you money AND calories! One easy way to eat healthier on a budget is to eat fewer processed foods. Buying fewer packaged and ready-to-eat products is a first step to eating a more wholesome diet that can also save you at the cash register. Adopt one or many of the following 12 tips to eat healthy on a budget!

1. Cook at home more often. This is a no brainer since eating out can get expensive very quickly. By simply reducing the number of meals that you eat out you can help both your bank account and your calorie budget.
2. Make less food and eat less food. Since most Americans eat too much food in the first place, now is a great time to truly stop eating when you are satisfied versus being full, stuffed, or sick.
3. Save green by eating more green! Include more plant-based meals. It's not a secret that meat is one of the most expensive parts of a food budget so by simply switching to some other vegetarian sources of protein like beans (black, garbonzo, kidney, etc.), lentils, or quinoa you can definitely save some significant money. Consider a bean soup or use quinoa as a substitute for rice in recipes to boost the protein.
4. Buy in bulk but with a list. If you live close to a Costco, consider buying some items in bulk (some of my personal Costco favorites: organic spinach, Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter, 1% Organic Milk). Just make sure you don't overeat because you buy in big portions.
5. When eating out share an appetizer and an entree between two people. Most restaurants serve big portions in the first place so cut back on the amount you order.
6. Take a healthy snack to work. This is a great way to make sure you are getting more healthy foods in your diet. Pack some fresh fruit or vegetables. To boost the protein you can try a low-fat cottage cheese.
7. A little advance planning can save a lot of time and make your dollars stretch more for your food budget. Spend some time each week planning your meals/snacks and grocery shopping to make sure you have the ingredients you need.
8. Stop buying ready-to-eat and get to cooking. You are paying more for ready-to-eat foods and they are less wholesome so make it a plan to try at least two new recipes a week. For example, making your own black bean soup can last several meals and it will also be made with less sodium (as long as you don't add too much)and taste more delicious than buying a can of black bean soup.
9. Consider buying store brands. For less money you can often get a product which is very similar in quality. Foods to consider (canned beans, tomatoes, broth).
10. Don't shop when you are hungry and try anything to avoid shopping with your children. If they must shop with you give them their own grocery list to keep them focused on better foods.
11. Replace soda, juice, bottled tea, and other high-calorie, high-cost drinks with water. Also, be good to the environment and your budget by choosing tap water instead of bottled water. Consider buying a water filter like a Brita.

12. Whenever possible, shop at farmers' markets. It's a great way to support your local farmers and you should save money. Now, this is a great place to take your kids shopping with you! Fresh, delicious and nutritious! Visit www.localharvest.org to find one close to you!

How to Lose Weight- Part 2 Video

Just as President Obama has suggested that each of us take personal responsibility to improve our country we also need to take that same personal responsibility for our health and our waistlines. Within an average day we make countless different choices. You decide what time to get out of bed, what to eat for breakfast, whether you stop at the gym on the way home from work (IF you packed your gym clothes in the morning), if you eat too much and other poor choices. So, I like to call it my "just a little bit every day" principle. If you do just a little bit day after day, month after month, you can create some real positive results. Did you know that merely cutting 150 calories per day you would lose about 15 pounds in 1 year? Be realistic, if you start going to the gym you won't start feeling or looking better after 1-2 days but you can start feeling and looking better in a few weeks and once you feel better working out better than not working out you will be on your way to starting some new healthy habits.

So, if you are ready to get fit and healthy in 2009 check out my newest video which is Part 2 for "How to Lose Weight: 3 Keys to Success to Get Leaner". I share some simple ways to cut calories that will make a difference.

Lose Weight- Part 2 Video and Are Your Friends Good For Your Health?

Hello, I'm sitting in the Phoenix airport getting ready to fly home until next Wednesday when I leave for the final 6 cities of my 10 city tour.

I just recorded two short new videos which will not only help you reduce your daily calorie intake to assist in your weight loss efforts but also a BONUS video called "Are Your Friends Good for Your Health and Happiness?"

Find my other videos on YouTube!

Sorry for the short post but we are boarding now!

Coming soon- A Facebook Fan Page! You can also follow me on Twitter at

Families Who Eat Together Stay Together- Healthy Families

Researchers have shown that teens who eat with their families on average five times a week are less likely to be troubled teens compared to those who eat with their families three or fewer times per week. The teens who didn't eat together as a family as often were more likely to do drugs, be depressed, less motivated at school, and had weaker peer relationships.

What can you consider eating together? All family members are gathered together around the same table at the same time. No one is eating in another room and televisions are off.

So, get your kids started young at eating together but if you are often challenged by the lack of conversation consider buying Dinner Games or Family Table Topics which can both be purchased on Amazon.com. My kids love these games!

Sign Up for a Local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)

Hi All!

It's summertime! With summer, comes delicious and nutritious foods from the farm.

To enjoy the great local food in your area visit www.localharvest.org! It is a great website for finding farmers markets, family farms and CSAs near you! Personally, I pick up my two bags of groceries every Saturday morning for $25 and get an assortment of yummy foods from local farmers. My girls love going with me to pick up our "food from the farmers" and then I make a full meal entirely from my CSA food on either Saturday or Sunday night for the family. Actually, we might enjoy a bottle of wine with the meal as well which is not included in the CSA:)

So, try to buy local whenever possible to support the local environment, economy and community and decrease the number of "food miles" to your plate.

Happy Eating!
Mitzi