Category Archives: Health

Shop Wisely as You Pick 5 for 25

How to Shop Wisely as You Pick 5 for 25 MeatsHow to shop wisely as You Pick 5 for 25 meats for your family.

Pick 5 for 25 can be a real bargain; especially if you shop wisely to get the best deals for your family.

Here are some simple tips I use to get the most out of the Pick 5 for 25 section at the meat counter.

#1 Think before you purchase.

Pick only those items that you will actually prepare and your family will eat. One unused item will cut into your savings. Hot dogs and other processed foods may be a fantastic bargain for some, but our family uses very little of those products.

#2 Consider the time involved when you get home.

Make sure you have time to adequately prepare or store each item when you get home. Do you have good freezer containers and space for what you will not use in a few days?

I break large packages down to usable size for storage. Patties, legs, ribs and such can be wrapped individually and frozen.

#3 Price per pound less important than amount of product.

The price per pound can be inflated. Look at the size of the package, the amount you are actually getting for five dollars. I start at the back of each shelf and pick out the heaviest packages to consider.

This week, for instance, one package of lean sirloin strips was over a pound and a half. For 5 dollars, we will have steak one night and steak stir-fry another!

#4 Be flexible with your grocery list.

Explore options. A package of 5 lean, very thick patties will make 10 nice-sized sandwiches for us.

80% lean patties for ground meat recipes may prove cheaper than the same weight package of ground beef which is usually 73%. Before grabbing the large package of ground beef because you need ground meat, find the equal weight in lean patties—easy to chop up and much tastier!

#5 Poultry can be a great buy if you are selective.

In buying poultry, look for plump pieces without excess skin. A package with 12-15 legs is a real find. Bake them in the oven, cool and freeze ½ of them. Add BBQ sauce, salad, and potato for quick and easy meal for a tired shopper’s family.

As with all our tasks as busy homemakers and caregivers, shopping takes time, patience, and energy. Carefully taking advantage of sales like pick 5 for 25 options will, in the long run, actually save us time, energy and money.

Let me hear from you; I look forward to your ideas.

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30 2-INGREDIENT RECIPES AND HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE BUSY HOMEMAKER

Easy Summer Salad Meal or Side Dish

easy summer salad meal or side dish

Easy summer salad meal or side dish for busy homemakers and caregivers. Below are great helps to save time, money, and add nutrition and variety to summer meals. Be prepared for potlucks, family picnics and company dropping in. Unless you are prepared in advance, this could create more stress on your time and energy.

Consider a pasta salad as the main dish.

Fresh vegetables are readily available right now; however, unless you prepare ahead, many of them will go to waste before they are used up. For the recipe below and for many casserole dishes, finely chop your older veggies, spread out on a cookie sheet, freeze, then put in a container for later use in stews, casseroles, and even the salad below.

Use your imagination to create a show-stopper!

This simple recipe that will easily adjust for any hungry bunch. The options are endless — side dish? main dish? hot salad? cold? tart and tangy? sweet and chewy?

Be sure to read the suggestions below and adjust to your personal taste. You will add many ingredients to your list as you begin to think outside the box.

BASIC SUMMER SALAD RECIPE

Cook and drain 16oz package pasta. (regular or gluten-free pasta)

Add 2 – 3 cups fresh, finely chopped vegetables.

Stir in small bottle prepared dressing.

1. Pasta is more than macaroni or spaghetti-ho, hum!  Try bowtie, shells or other shaped macaroni for variety or choose fettuccini or whole wheat pastas.

2. Think outside the box on vegetables; go beyond lettuce, celery, sweet onions, tomatoes and peppers. Purchase whatever is fresh at the market and chop finely. Larger vegetables like sugar peas, broccoli, or cauliflower can be slightly steamed and cooled before chopping. A few sliced olives will add flavor and color.

3. Make it a meal in itself. Add chopped, grilled chicken or cubed ham for a hearty dish. Summer sausage, cocktail wieners, bacon pieces, boiled eggs, cheese cubes or shredded cheese will provide variety and color. Consider small shrimp and a light cocktail dressing. If you are watching calories and fat content, blend in non-fat yogurt.

4.Choose a dressing to complement your foods. Zesty Italian is a good, colorful dressing enhancing most flavors. For a bolder change, try a little raspberry vinaigrette or poppy seed dressing. Don’t forget squirts of lemon or orange juice to tantalize the taste the taste buds.

5. Add dried fruits and nuts. Raisins, cranberries, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds all add texture and flavor to your salad.

5. Get creative with your families’ tastes. My husband does not like broccoli, cauliflower, etc. He will eat most any salad that has tomatoes in it; especially with fried or grilled chicken pieces on top. If I toss in small chunks of broccoli, cauliflower and other of his less favorite vegetables and smother them with tomatoes and chopped chicken, I have one happy camper!

Looking forward to hearing your variations.

Hugs,

 

 

 

Cut Sodium Add Nutrition With Herbs and Spices

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herbs and spices

herbs and spices

Herbs and Spices enhance the flavor of foods and add nutrition.

Eating enough vegetables is a challenge for many families, especially those needing to cut sodium. Making meals pleasing provides opportunity to perk up old standbys with herbs and spices.   

Is the vegetable dish you are serving really healthy for your family?

The standard seasoning is lots of salt, pepper, and perhaps bacon grease. Health conscious cooks cringe at adding grease. Vegetables too often are overcooked as well which deletes many of the nutritional value. This is especially true of canned vegetables which are loaded with sodium.

Consider this simple plan of action for your kitchen as you work toward a healthier lifestyle.

As you work toward losing the salt shaker, choose one or two new spices or herbs each week. Here is a small list I have found to be great additives to a vegetable dish.

1        Garlic – a widely used herb and will compliment many vegetables if used in moderation.

2        Basil – an aromatic green leaf, member of mint family. Basil is especially good with tomatoes.

3        Celery seed – ground or whole, has a strong celery flavor. Too much can create a “hot” spice effect.

4        Marjoram – gray green herb from mint family, flavor similar to oregano but milder.

5        Parsley – delicate sweet flavor. Chopped fresh parsley livens up a plate of roasted veggies.

6        Rosemary – very aromatic leaf resembling pine needles, strong flavor.

7        Nutmeg – sweet, aromatic kernels of nutmeg fruit. Used often in desserts and breads, nutmeg can be a fun way to liven up vegetables. Just a small shake will have your family wondering what that fantastic taste is.

A word of caution: use herbs and seasonings sparingly so the true flavor of the vegetables comes through. As you cook more with herbs, you will determine what flavors your family enjoy and learn to use more or less accordingly.

As with any food item, fresh is best. Consider growing your own in a small pot and be prepared to tantalize your taste buds.

Hugs,

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