's motd Saturday August 28, 2010

[Guest guest]

COSTS TOO MUCH

Saturday, 28 August 2010

Every week I receive E-mails from

people who tell me they can't lose weight because they

can't afford to buy healthy foods. Well, I've gotta

tell you something, that's just not true.

You can eat in a healthy way and lose

weight on the food budget you have right now.

You simply have to make some changes in the way you

shop and in the way you cook.

For instance, when it's lunch time

at work, do you sometimes go out with some coworkers

to a restaurant or fast food place to eat? Hey, that

can really add up, calorie and money-wise.

You need to brown bag your lunches more often and

bring them to work. You can make your own salad at

home cheaper than you can buy it in any restaurant.

Or how's about making yourself a healthy sandwich on

whole wheat bread and having it for lunch at work?

It's also cheaper to bring your own snacks from home.

You know what the best snacks are. Fruits, vegetables

and yogurts are ideal snacks for you to enjoy without

tossing money into those vending machines at work. Save

your money, honey!

At home, I live with my housekeeper and, of course, my

wonderful Dalmatian, Hattie. Every week, I cook ahead

and fill my freezer. So we buy lots of our foods in

bulk. I buy ten pounds of ground turkey to make my

turkey meat loaf, meatballs and turkey burgers ahead

of time. That way, my whole week of meals are planned

plus I save money buying in bulk and cooking ahead.

All of the big superstores like Walmart, Costco and

Sam's Club specialize in bulk items. So find your way

to some of those stores. You'll save a lot of money

buying in bulk the items

you use a lot.

Many years ago, I was on Good

Morning America the same day as Erma Bombeck, a

humorist who "specialized" in suburban living. While

I was doing the show, I also got to watch her segment

on clipping coupons. Coupons have been

around for years and a lot of people take them for

granted. They're in the newspaper, in magazines and

you even get them in your mailbox. (You can also find

lots of them online.) But you won't believe the money

you'll save by clipping those coupons. I'm telling

you, the savings really add up!

Now I have to tell you a little

secret about coupons. (But you have to promise not to

tell.) See, the food manufacturers have already

factored the costs of the coupons into the prices of

the foods you buy. So, by not using them, you're

really just putting more money into the manufacturers

pockets. And why do that?

Also, when you visit the produce section of your

supermarket, focus on buying fruits and vegetables

that're in season. They'll be cheaper than those

shipped in from all over the place and you're more

likely to find seasonal produce on sale, too.

In your supermarket, you'll also

see lots of generic store brand versions of many of

the national brands you buy. I buy generic all the

time. I'm telling you, they're often as good as the

national brands, taste good and...cost a lot less!

And one more little bit of advice, don't waste

food. Portion your foods so that you're using

just enough for the dish you're having. I mean,

doesn't it make good sense? The less food you throw

away, the more money you save!

I hope all of this information helps you. I know that

many of you are on a budget. You have rent,

mortgages, utilities and insurance to pay. But still,

you need to put the way you eat at the top of your

list. Because when you're properly nourishing your

body, you're going to be healthier. You can never put

a price on your good health. And you know, I want the

best of health...for all of us!

Love,