OMG! It's sooooo expensive....

I’m not going to lie.  Yes, eating healthy can be “expensive”.

It can “cost” more than those wonderful (please note my sarcasm here) 10 for $10 Banquet frozen “dinners” (I use the term “dinner” lightly).

And,

It can “cost” more than the “value” menu at your favorite fast food stop.

However, when you take a look at the big picture, you may see there is not that much of a difference.  You can still spend the same amount, or even less, by banishing convenience foods and focusing on foods that provide the body with much needed nutrients, like fresh fruits and vegetables.

**Just a note: I talk about “organic” and how that is the way to go.  I still do not change my stance on this, but I do understand that I am also lucky to live in a place with many organic options that will not break the bank.  So instead, I will give you this advice: Buy organic when you can.  When you cannot, still go the fresh route because fresh fruits and vegetables are better than modified food any day! 

So how much did I spend at the grocery store this week?

$86:  That is how much I spent on my healthy food this week (for two people)?  Now, compare that to the $125 (average) that I was spending weekly on the old way of eating filled with 10 for $10 Banquet “dinners”, canned items, frozen pizzas, burritos, ice cream, hamburger, pastas….you get the point. And that $125 was just the grocery total; it doesn’t even take into account the 3 (if not more) times we would eat out weekly, usually fast food since that is all that is open around here past 9pm. 

Rework your grocery budget and you may be surprised. Take a look at all of the processed/convenience foods you buy. And don’t forget the impulse buys as well….you know you come home with at least a few; after all, grocery stores are a business and are designed to squeeze every penny possible out of every person who walks through their door. Also, how many times do you go out to eat during a week’s time?  I’m pretty sure we saved at least $40 a week on this alone!

I guess my point here is, eating healthy does not have to be expensive if done with a little thought.  So, in my opinion, when someone says it is expensive, a number of times I feel it is just an excuse because he or she does not really want to change his or her eating habits.  With a little research and some reworking of your budget, you can find the money to eat this healthier way.

Weekly Update: Sorry for the Delay

Still working on the modifications for the blog about cost, but wanted to give everyone an update on how I am doing.

I have been eating the new way for over a week.  I feel better. I don’t crave the crap as often.  Yes, I still crave things from time to time, but not in that psycho “if I don’t have it now, I am going to hurt someone” kind of way.

I’ve taken one nap since starting this, but only because it was a lazy kind of day and I was bored out of my skull; I have stopped crashing in the middle of the day every day, practically crawling to my bed because I had to lie down. 

I am not as cranky as I have been the last few months; if you didn’t know me you would have sworn I had eternal PMS.

I was nauseous most evenings from loading myself with crap all day; no more.

I would have muscle spasms in my stomach; those are gone too! I rode an elevator last night without having an attack of vertigo afterwards; something I have been fighting for 2 years now!

And my total weight loss is now 6 lbs.  It may not sound like a lot, but when you look at it in regards to it only being about a week and a half, I would say that is something!

Change is good!

Screw Counting Calories!

It’s been a few days since I wrote my blog introducing my “Time for Change” and I must say that as each day passes, it gets easier and easier.  So what exactly have I done over the last week or so? A few simple things:

First and foremost, I had to be ready.  I had to get it in my head that I wanted to make these changes.  I also had to understand that there will be times when I may slip up, but that is okay.  Shit happens. 

Once I knew that this time would be the one, I started with the crap I’ve been putting in my body. 

I cut out:

• Soda (including the extremely evil form of diet, which WILL be blogged about in the near future)
• Breads
• Pork (sorry bacon lovers)
• Processed foods (Gone are most of the processed foods in our home with the exception of a few things that are leftover from previous trips to the grocery store)

Instead I started eating/drinking:

• Organic vegetables
• Organic fruits
• Organic meats and fish
• Gluten free or organic pasta
• Flavored mineral water (to “replace” the soda)
• Fresh orange juice
• Water

Of course, this isn’t my full menu for every day, but here is a sample of what my day (foodwise) looks like:

Morning:

• Coffee
• Small glass of OJ or Naked’s Green Machine
• Organic yogurt with organic granola

Lunch:

• Veggies with dressing on the side (Trader Joe’s has a fantastic organic hummus dressing that I highly recommend)
• Organic corn chips and salsa

Mid-Afternoon

• Smoothie time!!! (Thank you to BeautyBreakthrucom for some absolutely awesome recipes….check this great site out here: www.facebook.com/beautybreakthru )

This is my favorite smoothie so far:  The Good Green (BeautyBreakthru.com) 

The smoothies are a great way to add beneficial foods to your diet that you would not normally eat.  I will say that not all of the one’s I have tried so far are fantastic, but I have not thrown any down the sink either.  I chose the smoothies over juicing because I already own a blender, and it’s not in my budget to go out and purchase a juicer at the moment.  Someday I will get one, but in the meantime, this is working out fantastically! 

Dinner: (this is an example of one of this week’s dinners)

• Grass-fed/Organic chicken thighs cooked in the crock pot with organic tomato sauce.
• Gluten free/organic corn penne
• Sauteed peppers

If I get hungry throughout the day, I have some trail mix on hand or grab some sliced cucumber or apple.

Since beginning this “hardcore” on Sunday, I have lost 4 lbs. Yes, you read that correctly…4 lbs in less than a week!!!!  I feel better. I don’t get the insane urge to nap in the middle of the afternoon.  And best of all, I rarely crave the crap food….instead, I have begun to crave the darn smoothies! 

I hope this gives everyone a good idea of where I am at so far!  

Coming soon, I will tackle the “it’s expensive” excuse and the evils of DIET drinks!  

Five foot four and a hundred and ninety pounds

The only way to do this right and have it be beneficial to myself (and hopefully others) is to be 100% honest! 

Hi, my name is Krista, and I am unhealthy and overweight! 

One week ago, I changed my Facebook timeline photo at LadyDie’s World to say “Time For Change”.  I have told myself this many many times in the past, but I can be a master procrastinator and excuse maker.  However, this time I knew I had to stop making excuses and start changing some things in my life.

I never had a problem with being a bigger girl.  My huge boobs made sure that I would never be waif-like, and I am ok with that.  But when I got to the point where I was no longer comfortable in not only my clothing, but in my own body, I realized something has got to give (and hopefully not the seams of my pants).  So I started doing some research like reading different blogs, listening to personal stories of people I know as well as people I have been blessed to meet, and I (along with hubby) are on our way to a healthier life! 

I’m starting with healthier eating habits and as my energy builds, I am adding more movement into my life!  During my process, I will be writing what I have been eating, doing, and any progress I have been making.  It’s been an interesting first week so far, so stay tuned.