Wednesday, January 9, 2013

An Apple a Day: Eatin' Clean, Feelin' Good!

Image courtesy of getshockt.com
If a genie suddenly appeared before me and gave me three wishes, I would most definitely ask him to turn one of my female relatives into a doctor... a doctor who took up residence in my apartment and was available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CONFESSION: Even though I know it's good for me, I HATE (notice the all CAPS) going to the doctor. To me, a visit to the doctor's office is nothing short of the worst blind date ever, except for the fact that said doctor is poking and prodding your body before you've even had a drink! Talk about a red flag!

Clearly my problems would be solved by a live-in doctor/relative - someone who already knows me like a book and is not shocked or awed by any of my strange questions regarding the body (oh yeah! I've got a lot of them).

Image courtesy of tattoodonkey.com
But since no genie is knocking down my door, I have to resort to other measures. You've heard the phrase 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. Well friends, I'm here to tell you that there's some major truth to this children's rhyme! When you take the time to put good things into your body, then you reap the benefits of good health and avoid paying an arm and a leg to see the doctor! That's what I call two birds with one stone!

Here are my top five tips for eating healthy while still watching out for your wallet...

1) Eat less meat. Now before I lose you to your favorite steakhouse and a serious case of denial, hold on! I didn't say you couldn't eat meat. I just said eat less meat. Americans in general consume much more meat than they should. If you try to eat just a little less meat each week, you'll have some extra cash in your pocket to splurge on the good stuff - the grass-fed, organic, and free-range types - so that when you do eat meat, you're getting the good stuff!

2) Eat more grains and beans. Grains and beans are so good for you... and very filling in the process. Plus, they're inexpensive and you can usually buy them in bulk. Their lengthy shelf life makes them perfect for storing long-term, in addition to saving you money long-term. And when it comes to beans, if you don't have time to deal with the dry version, just buy them in a can! No judgment here!

3) Pick and choose which organic produce you buy. Though I may come across as completely fanatical at times, I DO understand that organic is expensive and it's not always feasible. If you can't justify buying all organic, the Environmental Working Group has made your task of picking and choosing much simpler! They've created an easy guide to stick in your wallet and reference when you're shopping the produce section. The Dirty Dozen are the top 12 produce items that you should try to buy organic if possible! Then there's the Clean Fifteen, which are the 15 items lowest in pesticides. You can download or print your very own copy on their website. Here's a sneak peak...

Image courtesy of ewg.org
4) Buy local. Local farmers usually charge less for their goods because they avoid the costs accumulated from shipping their produce to faraway lands. So if you have a local farmer's market near you, by all means, take advantage! Plus local produce is higher in nutrients because it's not on the road in the back of a semi for days or weeks at a time! Local = Fresh + Nutritious!

Image courtesy of responsibletechnology.org
5) Join a CSA. This fancy little acronym stands for Community Supported Agriculture. When you join a CSA in your neighborhood, you purchase a share of fruits and vegetables (and sometimes even fresh flowers) from a local farmer. You make a bulk payment up-front but enjoy a whole season of fresh produce for much less than you'd pay at the store. You usually get so much produce that it forces you to get creative in the kitchen to use it all! If you live in New York, you can find a CSA near you on the Just Food website, and if you live outside New York, check out Local Harvest.

Eating healthy doesn't have to be a drag. If you take my advice, you'll barely notice the cost difference and your doctor will have to find someone else to poke and prod!


4 comments:

  1. These are great tips! I've been looking for CSA options in my area as a self-gift for the new year. And quality over quantity is always a great motto whether it be meats or produce. Thanks for the motivation this morning!

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    1. What a great new year gift to yourself, Mary! Hopefully the Local Harvest website can help you find a CSA close to home! So happy you're joining IIN this spring! If you have any questions along the way, I'm your girl!

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  2. Great tips! For 2013, I will do my best to stick to healthy lifestyle. I started eating more fruits and stopped drinking unhealthy soda and juices.

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    1. Hi Amy! Those are both great steps in the right direction! I sense good things ahead for you in 2013! Thanks for reading my blog!

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