Happy New Year

                                 Photo by Creativity103

Hard to believe 2011 is already coming to a close and that tonight marks the start of 2012.

With the holiday season coming to an end we've all probably eaten our fair share of holiday treats; I know I have. With the new year typically comes resolutions to eat healthier, workout more, etc. New Year's Eve is the perfect time to get the ball rolling on your healthy lifestyle. Going to a New Year's party doesn't have to mean taking in thousand of calories. Here are some of my favorite tips to help you stay healthy as you ring in the new year.


1) Fill up your plate with vegetables and fresh fruit rather than the selections from the cheese plate. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, which will help keep you full longer. Opt for hummus or other bean dip rather than creamy dressings to dip your vegetables.

Photo by flippinyank

2) If you can't skip the cheese tray, make sure to stick to one serving which is one ounce of cheese, or roughly four dice. Opt for goat or feta cheese as these are slightly lower in saturated fat. If possible, skip the crackers.

3) Bring a healthy dish to the party. This way there is guaranteed to be at least one healthy option for you to enjoy.

4) Follow the plate method: fill up 1/2 your plate with vegetables, 1/4 protein (such as fish, nuts, chicken) and 1/4 starch (such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes). Try to stick to this as best as possible. This will help keep what you are eating in check.

5) Don't hang around the food table. You will be tempted to mindlessly nosh on more than you are actually hungry for. Serve yourself and walk away from the food table to enjoy the party.

6) Be careful what you choose to drink. Holiday cocktails and beverages can be very high in empty calories. Opt for a glass of wine, light beer, or a cocktail made with seltzer or diet soda. And be sure to drink plenty of water.

7) If you know you won't be able to skip dessert, make sure to leave some room. Stick to one or two small desserts that you can't live without.

Most of all, have fun and be safe! See y'all in 2012!

Happy New Year friends!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from our dinopup to yours!



Who turned out the lights?!



Just a Quick Hello

I have been unintentionally neglecting this blog for the past month. Since I started my new job and I am still teaching at night as well, I have been super busy. But I promise I have not forgotten, so I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello! I am just sitting down to work on planning my grocery list/menu for the week, as Sunday is my day to hit up the grocery store before the craziness of the week begins.

I've been searching to find healthy, easy dinner ideas/recipes to prepare on weeknights or to prepare ahead of time. Having a slow cooker has definitely been a big help. I can throw a few ingredients together in the morning before I leave for work, and then dinner is ready and waiting when I get home. I'm always looking for new ideas to keep things fresh.

Some of my favorite weeknight recipes that I have tried or are on my list to try:

 Crockpot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili  (I love how "fall" this recipe sounds)

 Sloppy Slow Cooked Chicken Tacos (This is on my menu for the week...look for low sodium taco seasoning and no salt added tomato sauce so you can control the sodium)

Loose Meat Sandwiches (This is one of our favorites, but we've always used chicken broth and ground chicken breast instead of beef)


Here is my question: What are some favorite healthy and easy weeknight recipes you guys love?

Fitting the Gym in your Budget

After researching gyms in my area, I finally settled on a gym this past Saturday. Before making my final decision, I tried out one of the zumba classes offered on Saturday mornings. I went to the gym for the first time tonight as an official member, and I can confidently say I made the right decision.

If you currently belong to a gym or have ever looked into joining a gym, you know that it can be quite a costly investment. But a gym membership doesn't have to empty your pockets. Here are some money saving tips that I learned while searching for an affordable gym.

• Do your research. Ask friends and co-workers which gym they belong to and find out whether or not they are satisfied. I also used the internet as a resource to locate gyms in my area and read client reviews.
• Know which amenities are important to you. Decide which amenities and features you cannot live without, and which ones would just be an added bonus. Fancier gyms will typically present a higher cost than gyms offering only basic amenities. I knew that I wanted to find a gym that offered group exercise classes, especially zumba. I also wanted a gym that had enough cardio equipment, so that I would not have to waste time waiting around to get on a machine.
• Test out the facilities before committing. Many gyms offer you the opportunity to try the gym for free for a day or even up to a week before joining. This gives you the chance to see if the gym will be a good fit for you. This is an important part of joining a gym. You would hate to sign a costly one year contract only to find out you hate the gym.
• Decide whether you want a month to month contract or long-term contract. Many gyms require you to commit to a one-year contract with a pricey cancellation fee. If you know you will be using the gym for at least a year, this could be an okay option. However, if you are unsure about joining the gym, you may be better off looking for a gym with no long-term contracts. Some gyms offer clients both options, and they usually offer a price-cut incentive to individuals willing to pay for a full-year upfront.
• Take advantage of employer or health insurance incentives. Find out if your employer offers any discounts or incentives for employees who belong to the gym. I got a discount on both my joining fee and my monthly rate because my employer has a special contract with my gym. Some insurance companies provide gym reimbursement, so it is worth checking to see if yours offers this benefit.
• Look for special promotions. At certain times of the year, gyms offer special promotions. When I signed up for my gym membership, they were offering one month free (I only had to pay the $25 joining fee).
• Think outside the box. A gym is not the only place to get a great work out. If a gym just doesn't fit in your budget right now, this doesn't mean you can't be physically active. Going for a walk, run or bike ride around your neighborhood can be a great workout. Workout videos can be a great option, as well. If you don't want to spend the money on a dvd, check out exercise tv or search for videos on the internet.

"Guys, looking at things from this angle sometimes really helps!"

Whatever you decide on, just make sure it is the right fit for you. Find a place where you have fun and will feel comfortable working out. If you enjoy working out, you will be more motivated to hit the gym (or tune to a workout video)!

I Love Me Some Fro Yo

Ever since I left NYC, I have been longing for some delicious soft-serve. My old roommate and I used to frequently make the 20 block walk from our apartment to one of our favorite frozen yogurt spots, 16 Handles. One of our favorite things about 16 Handles, was the fact that it was self-serve. This meant you could get as little or as much yogurt and toppings as you desired that day. Not only was their soft-serve tasty, but they had a ton of both fruit and candy based toppings to choose from. The fro yo wasn't the cheapest, but it was definitely worth the splurge for the ocassional treat. Plus, the one time they offered a Groupon, my roommate and I jumped at the opportunity to purchase one and save a little dough.

Although we have a TCBY here and many other popular ice cream places, I have definitely been missing the opportunity to assemble my own soft-serve concoction. It definitely suits the way I like to eat. I love to eat a little bit of everything rather than have to make the decision on one flavor and one topping!

Well, today I discovered this new place that just opened this past Thursday called 32 Degrees. Just like 16 Handles, this place is a self-serve yogurt bar. They had a ton of flavors and an array of fruit, nut, chocolate and candy toppings to choose from. Just like other self-serve yogurt places, you pay by the ounce, so you have the ability to control the cost of your sweet treat. As I was very excited to find this place, I went a little overboard with how much I filled up in my cup. I always like to add a lot of fruit, that is one my favorite parts! Although by the time I remembered to snap a picture, it was mostly gone :(

Fro Yo From 32 Degrees

Half eaten deliciousness

I enjoyed it right down to the very last drop.

Do you have a favorite frozen yogurt or dessert place you are willing to spend a little extra moola on every once in a while?

I know I have found my place. I also noticed that their facebook page discusses promotions they offer every once and awhile, I'll definitely have to keep my eyes peeled!

Side Tip: The facebook pages of businesses and companies are great resources to check for specials deals, promotions, and coupons.

And lucky for me, to satisfy my soft-serve cravings the rest of the time, our local TCBY offers a 99 cent waffle cone promotion every Wednesday (and yes that includes the yogurt, not just the cone)!

A Delicious Post-Workout Snack

The past few days the weather here has been beautiful, finally! After a summer full of temperatures in the high 90's, I've been craving some cooler weather. Although I know fall down here will be nothing like the beautiful weather that I am used to, a girl can dream right? I know the temperatures are going to shoot back up soon, so I've been trying to take advantage of the nicer weather as much as possible.

I've been taking this guy for a 30-40 minute run/walk around our neighborhood in the late morning.

How can you say no to this face?

We love spending time outdoors together

Most of the walk is spent with Matson either pulling me to chase a squirrel or to meet a person on the street, so it usually turns in to more of an upper body workout than anything ;)

But Mom, Dad, there is something in the water...I NEED it!

Regardless of this behavior, I always enjoy the time we spend together, especially since I know it will be much more limited once I start my new job next week.

Post-workout Snack

So, anyways...after my little workout with the pup today, I decided to come inside for some post-workout fuel in the form of a mid-morning snack.

Yogurt parfait ingredients, yum!

I mixed together pineapple Chobani yogurt, cherry vanilla granola, and fresh raspberries for a delicious yogurt parfait. I know that may sound like a strange combination, but it was delicious! Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the final product before devouring it, I was hungry! Pairing together a carbohydrate (granola and fruit) with a protein (yogurt) maintains more stable blood sugars, helping to keep you full longer. When you eat a carbohydrate by itself, you produce an initial spike in your blood sugar that results in a rapid drop in your blood sugar leaving you feeling fatigued and hungry.

Another great thing about this snack, it was an affordable choice. You may be saying, "no way, I don't believe you!" But I promise, I'm not lying!

This week chobani yogurt was on sale for $1.00, which is a great price here. Then I had a $0.30 off coupon I printed from the chobani website. So, I paid only $0.70 for my favorite Greek yogurt! I may have stocked up on extras even though I only had one $0.30 off coupon.

The (non-organic) raspberries were on sale this week for $2.00. I used a handful of raspberries (about 1/4 of the package), so technically that was $0.50 for the cost of the raspberries.

I like to buy organic produce when possible, but we don't have a huge selection of organic produce here. Often the organic produce that is available is at least three times as expensive as the conventional produce. If I find a good sale on organic produce, I stock up! I also like to take advantage of the local farmer's market. Although most small farms are not certified organic, they typically report that they are growing their produce in an organic-style (i.e. without pesticides etc). Okay, enough on that tangent, organics will be a topic for another post at a later date!

The Back to Nature granola is something I purchased awhile ago. It was on sale for $3.79 as part of a Buy One Get One Free Promotion. I paired the sale price with some $1.00 off coupons I had for the items. At Publix, you can use two coupons on a BOGO promotion because you are technically "purchasing" two items. A great way to really save big! So I used two $1.00/1 coupons that I printed off the internet, and I paid $1.79 for two packages ($0.90 per package) of this delicious granola. That means that each serving of granola I use in my yogurt costs probably less than 10 cents...trust me this granola has lasted me a LONG time!

That brings the grand total for my breakfast parfait to less than $1.50! You can't say eating healthy can't be affordable. That is cheaper than going to the drive through for breakfast, and it took about 2 minutes to assemble the entire parfait!

Working Out: A Long-Term Investment in your Health

Ever since I left NYC a little over a year ago, I have been a lot less physically active. One of my favorite aspects of NYC was the fact that even on days where I didn't make it to the gym, I still got plenty of exercise walking up and down the city streets.



View Looking Downtown from Central Park



Having traded in that NYC lifestyle, I now depend on my car to get most places. Even the closest grocery store is not really in walking distance of our house.

When I lived in NYC, I was lucky enough to have an affordable gym located on the top floor of my apartment building. Although the gym didn't offer any classes, it did provide brand new equipment and an indoor pool. I didn't quite take advantage of the gym as much as I should have, and I definitely miss having a great gym so nearby.

After settling in to my new home in Florida, in an effort to save money, I tried workout videos in lieu of joining the gym. However, I found that I wasn't pushing myself hard enough and was quickly losing interest. 

Sometimes all I want to do is snuggle up on the couch next to this guy!



Lately I've been feeling a lot more motivated to get back in shape, so even though we will only be living in Florida for about another 6 to 8 months, I've decided to "bite the bullet" and join a gym.

I opted for a gym with two convenient locations that offer an array of classes, including zumba, which is one of my faves! Although it is not the cheapest gym in the area, it is the best option for me.

From past experience, I have learned that I have trouble motivating myself to head to the gym for a 30 minute run on the treadmill. But, if I know there is a class at a certain time that I want to attend, I get a lot more excited to hit the gym. It feels like a lot less work if you are having fun, right?

I look at the extra cost of the gym as an investment in my health for the long-term. A little extra money spent up front will hopefully mean fewer healthcare costs later...think preventative care. Not to mention that since I will be working many 12+ hours a day over the next coming months, I know I will welcome the stress relief and endorphins from hitting the gym.

Has the cost of a gym membership been holding you back from being physically active? Stay tuned for my next post which will offer some tips for fitting the gym in your budget.

What's the Plan, Stan?

Whoops..I have been MIA from this blog for way too long, not sure if any friends or family are even still reading! I apologize for disappearing for two months, and I promise to blog more regularly. Life just somehow got way too crazy, and I inadvertantly neglected Healthy Eating on a Dime. So, if anyone is still there, here goes nothing.

For me, weekly grocery shopping and meal planning go hand in hand. I compile my grocery list using the weekly sales circular for my local grocery store. I typically do my grocery shopping for the week on Sundays.  Prior to heading to the store, I sit down and plan a tentative list of meals for each night. Meal planning is an important part of both saving money and healthy eating.  

I have several go to recipes, but I am a big fan of trying new recipes. Every week I always seem to come across new recipes I can't wait to cook. I use an excel spreadsheet to type up my shopping list. This keeps my list very organized, and I have it set to auto sum my spending totals to save me time doing calculations. Here is the step by step for how I plan my weekly grocery shop.

My favorite page of the sales flyer--the fresh produce, yum!

(Sorry for the poor picture quality...I had to use my phone because my camera is currently MIA)

1) Skim through sales flyer and circle deals that I think I want to add to my grocery list.
2) Use a coupon website such as The Krazy Coupon Lady or I Heart Publix to help me save time matching up coupons to the weekly deals I plan to take advantage of in my grocery store sales flyer.
3) Then in my excel spreadsheet, I type up the following headings: item, # to buy, price each (for each item), price (total price before coupons--may be different from each price if buying multiple of one item), coupons (this is where I list any corresponding coupons that I will be using), and final price (this is the price after coupons for that item). This makes it really easy to keep track of what I will be buying and what I will be spending.
4) The first items I add to my excel spreadsheet are always sales promotions I don't want to miss out on. These are not necessarily items I will be using this week. They are items I want to stock up on for another week because I can get a good deal on them either with or without a coupon. This might be something along the lines of frozen or canned vegetables, frozen fruit, cereal, oatmeal, fish, chicken, lean beef etc. Also note, when I say stocking up, I do NOT mean in the style of TLC's Extreme Couponing. Since Publix does a lot of buy one, get one free promotions, I typically stock up on 2 or 4 of a particular item depending on how good the deal is and how frequently we use the item.
5) The next set of items I add to my list are fresh fruit. Opting for in season fruits can help you save on your grocery bill. I try to stick to the fruits listed on sale in my grocery flyer each week, which are usually fruits that are in season. Since the sale fruits will differ from week to week, I never find that I get bored of my fruit choices. In fact, in the past, I had always bought pretty much the same favorite fruits from week to week, but now I find that I incorporate a lot more variety in to my fruit choices!
6) At this point, I would now make my meal plan list for the week. When choosing recipes, I try to choose recipes that incorporate mostly ingredients that are on sale. I especially focus on the vegetables and meats or fish that are on sale, as these items can put a dent in your grocery bill. Again, I try to stock up each week when foods I enjoy are on sale to allow for more variety in my meal plans.
7) Once I add the ingredients for my meal plan to my excel spreadsheet, I give the sales flyer one last look to make sure I have not missed anything. Then I gather any coupons together and I am ready to shop!

A few additional pointers, if anyone is still reading this ridiculously long post!
It is helpful to set a weekly grocery budget before starting. My goal is to spend $50 or less each week, or $25 per person. Obviously this may not suit your financial state, so you just need to figure out what works for you--whether it is higher or lower, just remember you can make it work. I am filling my cart with primarily healthy foods, including some organic foods. You can definitely eat healthy on a budget, it just takes a little planning.

When meal planning it is also important to make sure that you have a handy helper who sleeps by your feet, while you are hard at work ;)

If you are really lucky, maybe you can find a helper that will do all the typing for you!

Although this may sound time consuming, I really only spend an hour or less prepping for my shopping trip. Going in to the grocery store prepared saves me a lot of time at the store. Since I have been using this method to shop, I also find that I no longer wander the grocery aisles looking for other items to add to my cart, saving me both time and money. I can usually be in and out of the store in 45 minutes or less. Also, having my meals planned out ahead of time saves me time during the week. There is no guessing on what I will make for dinner and no last minute trips to the store to grab missing ingredients. I always try to stay flexible, since weeknight plans for us can change. I like that I have all the ingredients for all my recipes for the week on hand, so I can easily substitute one night's plan for another night.

How many of you plan your meals each week? Do you typically go in to the grocery store with a plan? Good luck with the meal planning and I'd be happy to answer any questions!

Edamame Hummus

Clearly I am on a hummus kick with all these posts about hummus! I guess I'm craving the stuff. Back when I lived in NYC, my old roommate and I loved Trader Joe's edamame hummus. I've yet to find any other place that sells an edamame hummus. Since there is no Trader Joe's close to where I live now, I have been stuck longing for edamame hummus with no way to satisfy my craving. That is until I stumbled upon this recipe for edamame hummus the other day from Gina's Skinny Recipes. As I have all the ingredients, except tahini, in my pantry and refrigerator, I plan to give this recipe a try tomorrow. I plan to substitute sesame oil for the tahini as I happen to have some in my pantry.

                                                    Photo by Wokintime

What is edamame?
If you are not familiar with edamame, they are a type of green soybean often used in Asian cooking. Translated literally, edamame means "beans on branches." Edamame are slightly larger and sweeter than traditional soybeans grown in the United States.

Why should I try edamame?
Unlike most other beans, edamame provides all the essential amino acids, making them a source of complete protein. This means the protein they provide is very similar in quality to that found in meats, eggs and dairy products. This makes edamame a great option for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. In addition to their protien quality, these soybeans are also an excellent source of dietary fiber. Furthermore, the isoflavones present in soy may help protect against certain diseases such as heart disease.

The Nutrition Facts
Each 1/2 cup of edamame provides 120 calories, 11 g protein, 13 g carbohydrate, 9 g fiber and 2.5 g fat (1.5 g polyunsaturated fats, 0.5 g monunsaturated fats). In addition, these soybeans also provide vitamin C, vitamin A, B vitamins, calcium and iron.

How much will edamame cost me?
With all those health benefits, you are probably thinking edamame are too expensive for your budget. This is not true. On average, a 12 ounce bag of frozen edamame will cost around $3.00. This is only slightly higher than the cost of your average bag of frozen vegetables, but edamame are more than just your standard bag of frozen vegetables. Since they provide a source of complete protein, you can replace your standard protein of choice with edamame. Jump on the "Meatless Monday" bandwagon, and swap out your chicken, steak or seafood for some edamame.

Also, keep on the lookout for coupons for brands of edamame that are sold at your local grocery store. Publix recently had a sale on Cascadian Farms frozen vegetables. I paired that with a coupon I was able to find on the Cascadian Farms website, so I was able to stock-up on organic edamame for an even more budget-friendly price. (I'm not endorsing that brand over any other brand of edamame, it just happened to be on sale so I took the opportunity to stock up).

Where can I find edamame?
Edamame can be found in many grocery stores throughout the United States. I typically purchase frozen edamame still in their shells, as I find this to be a convenient and affordable option. If your grocery store has a sushi counter, you can typically find fresh edamame there, as well. Some stores, such as Trader Joe's, sell pre-shelled edamame that can make an easy addition to a salad or stir-fry. If you have never tried edamame, I suggest trying some today!

Homemade Hummus

Image: Pixomar / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Although delicious, storebought hummus can be expensive, even with coupons and store sales. Try your hand at making your own hummus with this recipe from A Few Shortcuts. If you have a stocked pantry, you should be able to save the cost of purchasing many of these ingredients. Tahini is probably the most expensive ingredient this recipe calls for, but as you only need to add 2 tablespoons, a jar will last you a long time. To prolong the shelf life of tahini, store it in the refrigerator rather than in your pantry. If you are not familiar with tahini, it is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. Tahini is often used in Mediterranean dishes including hummus and baba ghanoush. You can also try your hand at making tahini at home, if store bought breaks your budget.

Other Substitutions for Tahini

Try substituting another natural nut butter such as peanut butter. The flavor will be somewhat different than traditional hummus but still delicious. If you have toasted sesame oil on hand, you can use that to substitute for tahini, as well. Keep in mind toasted sesame oil has a stronger flavor than tahini, so it may provide a more pronounced flavor in your hummus.

                                                                                                                                        

Homemade hummus is a low-fat and affordable source of protein that makes a great addition to any meal or snack. Looking to jazz up your bagged lunch? Spread hummus on whole wheat pita bread and layer in your favorite raw or roasted vegetables. Not sure what to give your child for an afternoon snack? Offer hummus with veggies and baked pita chips for dipping.

Homemade hummus is delicious, and in my opinion, often better than the store-bought variety. You can even get creative and make roasted red pepper hummus or artichoke hummus. The possibilities are endless!

Have any of you ever made your own hummus? What is your favorite kind of hummus?

All You Magazine Grocery Challenge

If you are not familiar with All You Magazine, it is a magazine that offers money saving tips, healthy recipes and coupons.  Beginning this Sunday June 19th, they are running a grocery challenge to encourage you to eat healthy and save money on your grocery budget.  Go here to enter.

The Challenge is to spend no more than $25 on groceries per family member per week of the month long challenge.  This means, if there are two people in your family, your goal is to spend less than $50 each week of the challenge. They also want you to get creative and prepare well-balanced meals.  This challenge is a great place for you to start trying to re-evaluate your grocery budget, especially because the focus is on well-balanced meals rather than just stocking up your pantry with pre-packaged, processed foods.  

The winner of the challenge will receive a $1000 grocery card and appear in All You magazine. I'm definitely excited about this challenge, and I think you should check it out too! Also, it seems like today may be the last day you can sign up, so don't waste time!

Organic Blueberries on Sale at Whole Foods Tomorrow, June 17

Unfortunately I do not live close to a Whole Foods anymore, but if you are lucky enough to live by one, you should take advantage of this sale! Tomorrow, Friday 6/17, organic blueberries are on sale for $1.99 a pint. This is a great price, especially for organic berries.  If possible, purchase extra and freeze for later! Blueberries make a great addition to smoothies, oatmeal and pancakes.  They can be even be mixed with plain greek yogurt or enjoyed by themselves.

Blueberries get their characteristic blue-red color from the pigment anthocyanin.  These anthocyanins are also responsible for the antioxidant activity of blueberries.  Out of all the berries, blueberries have the highest antioxidant activity, so not only do blueberries taste delicious, but they are also good for you! In addition to being touted as antioxidant-rich, blueberries are also high in vitamin C, manganese and dietary fiber.  Even if you are not a blueberry-lover, their role as a nutrition powerhouse food should hopefully spark your interest!

Go here to learn how to freeze your blueberries for later.


Here are some great blueberry recipe ideas to use your fresh blueberries:

Chicken & Blueberry Pasta Salad

Filet Mignon with Blueberry-Bourbon Barbecue Sauce - I'm not much of a red-meat eater, but this sounds like something I might be able to convince my boyfriend to taste, as he loves meat!

Blueberry-Ricotta Pancakes

Low-Fat Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry Blast Smoothie

Old-Fashioned Fruit Crumble - This is the only recipe I have actually made before.  I used fresh raspberries and blueberries. It was quite delicious. Even my picky-eater boyfriend had a few bites.  This typically means a recipe is quite good, especially since he rarely eats fruit, especially for dessert. So go ahead, give it a try!

Although I haven't tried most of these recipes, they all sound really fantastic.  Once my boyfriend and I can find some time to go blueberry picking, I will try some of these recipes. Until then I will be holding out for a good sale on blueberries at the local Publix!

Image: Grant Cochrane/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Brown Bag Your Lunch

Packing lunch isn't just for school-aged kids.  Bringing your lunch from home is a great way to ensure your lunch is healthy as well as affordable.  Spending $10 per day on lunch may not seem like much, but over the course of a year those dollars can really add up. Bringing your lunch from home also allows you complete control over what you are eating including the portion size.  The majority of restaurants serve oversized meals increasing the likelihood of overeating.  If the idea of packing your own lunch seems too daunting a task, start simple--leftovers from the night before, a turkey sandwich or the old standby of peanut butter and jelly.  Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Make sure your lunch is balanced and provides a mixture of whole grains, lean protein (beans, nuts, poultry, fish, lean red meat) and fruits and/or vegetables.  These foods provide protein and fiber that will help you stay full for the remainder of the work day.  

• Don't be afraid to get creative! Bringing the same lunch every day can get quite boring, so don't be afraid to jazz up your selections.  Try almond or cashew butter with a banana or fresh berries instead of the traditional peanut butter and jelly.  Opt for hummus instead of ranch dip to accompany your favorite veggies. Bring a salad made with grilled or roasted vegetables instead of raw ones.  You can even go the route of breakfast for lunch and bring cereal, hard-boiled eggs or yogurt.

• Plan ahead.  On the weekends or on a weeknight when you have a little extra time, cook up some extra food.  If you are making soup or chili, make extra and freeze into individual portions.  This makes an easy meal you can grab out of the freezer on your way to work. Grilled chicken makes a great addition to your favorite salad or sandwich.  Shred grilled boneless, skinless chicken breasts over brown rice and your favorite veggies for an easy meal.  

• Pack your lunch the night before, so you are not racing to get your lunch together as you are trying to head out the door to make it to work on time.

• If your office does not have a refrigerator available, make sure to add an ice bag to your lunch box to keep your food from spoiling.  

• Invest in a re-usable lunch box or bag, like Aladdin's Chill Lunch Box or Reuseit's Insulated Zipper-Top Lunch Bag, as well as re-usable tupperware.  This will reduce the impact paper and plastic bags have on the environment.  It will also help keep your food from turning in to a big unappetizing mess before lunch hour arrives.  Re-usable bags and tupperware are an initial investment, but they will save you money in the long-run.

• Encourage your co-workers to bring their lunches from home as well. You can all save money together and exchange creative lunch ideas to help keep you on track.

Now that I've shared some of my favorite tips, I'd love to hear some of your favorite foods to pack for lunch.

Photo Credit

Some Great Tips from the June 2011 issue of Today's Dietitian

This article from the June 2011 issue of Today's Dietitian provides some great tips on organic eating and overall healthy eating when on a budget.  I recommend checking it out!

New to the Blogging World

I've been meaning to start a blog for about a year now, but never quite got around to getting one up and running.  Between struggling to find a name that I found fitting for my blog and the craziness that came with finishing grad school, moving out of NYC, moving to Texas and then moving again to Florida, starting a blog got put on the back burner.  With the help of my friend Alison, I finally hunkered down and decided today was the day to start my blog.  

I've been a registered dietitian since February 2010, but nutrition and healthy eating have been a passion of mine for a long time.  In this economy, money is tight for most people.  I know that it can seem difficult and daunting to eat healthy on a budget. I want to show you that not only is it possible to do so, but it can be enjoyable as well.  Follow me on my journey to save money, eat healthy and please my picky-eater boyfriend!