16 Weeks to Better Health - Week 2

Last week, I approved your eating "indulgence" foods, as long as done in moderation and with the right overall outlook on healthy eating habits.  I was then referenced to the following article this past Monday.  Same philosophy.  An interesting expanded outlook.

This week, I ask you to think through those indulgence foods, and try to eat a healthier version of when/if feasible.  For instance...the healthier option listed on the right:

• Chocolate --> Dark Chocolate 
• Baked Goods --> substitute whole wheat flour for white flour (or use beans instead of flour all together; Deep Dish Cookie Pie recipe), applesauce for vegetable oil, agave nectar for sugar, etc.
• Ice Cream --> Dairy Queen is actually ice milk instead of ice cream, and thus, slightly healthier.  Or a homemade frozen yogurt?
• Pizza --> Whole Wheat Crust.  Or Coach Rodgers' homemade version below.
• Pop, Energy Drinks, etc --> Green or Black Tea (unsweetened!)....quite inexpensive to brew at home, drink warm, or add ice.
• Potatoes/Fries --> Sweet Potatoes.  Emeril's Baked Sweet Potato Fries.  Or try cauliflower mashed potatoes?
• Alcohol --> Red Wine at 5 (Blue Zones Principle).
• Ground Beef/Burgers --> Elk, Bison, Venison, Ground Turkey.
• Pasta --> Whole Wheat Noodles.  Or Brown Rice Noodles (gluten and wheat free).

Coach Rodgers' Homemade Pizza

Buy (or make yourself?) a whole wheat, or sourdough, crust.  Brush extra virgin olive oil over the top. Spread salsa of choice (lower in sugar the preference) and then add drained black beans.  Add the following 5 spices:  onion flakes, garlic flakes, black pepper, cayenne pepper and oregano.  Add vegetables of choice....zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, etc.  Sprinkle cheese (parmesan is one of the healthier cheeses) over the top and bake as directed.

A few additional tips that may enhance your well-being, pocketbook and/or our environment.

• Have DirecTV?  Call 1-800-DIRECTV.  Ask for the promotions department.  Set up paperless billing (you'll receive bill by email) and automatic payment via credit card.  They will give you a $5 per month credit for each of those services so $10/monthly for 12 months.  I had both of these set up, but didn't receive the promotion until calling in.  Once applied, donate $10 to Kohawk Tennis.  ;)
• Declutter your life/home.  A few times per week, I set out to dispose of 12 things in my house.  Usually ends up being a significantly greater # of items once get going.  3 possible locations - trash, Goodwill donation box, or resale shop box.
• Buy gas on Wednesday mornings before 10 AM.  Article from Time Magazine detailing why.  At one point in my life, I would have balked at this advice....thinking convenience over pennies.  In reality, the $ saved can add up over the course of a year.  And/or use gasbuddy.com to find the lowest priced gas in your area (bear in mind the cost of travel to get there).  http://www.iowastategasprices.com/GasPriceSearch.aspx
• When purchasing online, check this website (www.retailmenot.com) for promotion codes before your final purchase.  Guarantee that I have saved over $100 in the last year alone.

Finally, Emmie's quote of the week:  "When I grow up, can I not be old?  Because I don't know how to walk slow."