Monday, February 13, 2012

Bargain Organic


We all want to save money. Always looking for the best deal, cutting coupons, buying that dress that you will probably never wear just because it was 75% off. It is great when we can save, however, with some things it is best to spend the money.
One thing that we should definitely spend the money on is good food. When we go to a major grocery store, we will see many of the key things that should be in a cook's kitchen: fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, etc. 
We will even many times find great deals on them such 2 for $1 and so on. We have to also look at why these foods are so cheap. In some of these major groceries, they may offer an organic section. In most cases, they are void of anything organic. This is why the food is cheap and again, we should just spend the money.
We are already nutrient deprived because most foods lack the nutrients that we need due to poor soil. The food sold in most major grocery stores is the worst of the worst. We get what we pay for.
Let's examine the purpose of food. The purpose of food is to give the body energy and to assist the bodily functions/systems in operating properly. Many of us have forgotten this and only focus on the taste in place of considering how what we are consuming will affect our bodies. Many of the illnesses that we experience are due to poor food quality and eating regimens. 
There are ways to save funds even with organic dining. Check out your local farmer's market. Many of the things available in a farmer's market are locally grown and have organic selection. The prices at here are also usually quite exceptional for what we will receive. Also, check out your local health food store. Some things may be a little pricier, however, health food stores have sales too! You can opt to go with the health food's store brand, which usually runs a couple of dollars cheaper.
Cooking at home is another way to cut corners. Sometimes it may seem easier just pick up a burger and fries, however, it really takes just as long and really costs more. Those .99 fries can really rack up over time and we may not even notice it because we do it so fast, that we usually do it outside of a budget...fast food!
If you love burgers and fries...make it at home.


Benefits of Cooking at Home

With the groceries that you buy you can have more than 1 meal.

 Your baby can get the best nutrients from you when you eat the best foods available. 

You can make it taste just the way you want it.(if you can't cook just watch a cooking show)

You know that your food is quality because you know that you purchased organic products.

You have peace of mind that your food is cooked in a clean environment.

You cooked your own food, so you  will be at peace knowing that no one tampered with your food because they were getting off shift and you pulled up 30 seconds before it was time for them to go (some people do these things)!


If you consider yourself clueless when it comes to cooking, no worries, with right practice= perfect!
Continue to check out this blog for upcoming organic recipes!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Avoid Eating Chunky Style




How did I become chunkalicious? Well, pregnancy definitely had a part in this. However, what do we do when we are pregnant? Eat, eat, and eat some more. For the diligent Mommy who wants a healthy newborn, she will have a well rounded food regimen, that will also make her well- rounded. This is a good thing because who is it about? You said it... the baby. For the nursing mommy, we know that this carries on into the nursing stages as well. This brings us up to speed to the period I am in now. Baby is still nursing, however, also eating. This cuts back on my nursing schedule, which also should cut back on my eating schedule. It took me a moment to realize this. I had made my eating schedule a habit. I looked in the mirror and wondered, 'Why am I still so chunky'? Then it hit me, I'm eating chunky portions which equal to chunkalicious when I no longer need to.

After realizing this, I immediately changed my portion size and the amount of meals that I consume. Although I am still nursing, I see myself shedding away inches. What a relief.  I am still a nursing mama, which means for me, I'll hold on to a bit of the weight. Yet, there are still some things that I can do to aid in it coming down bit by bit.

What we eat also will contribute to being chunkalicious. Many of us may say to ourselves (including myself), 'I'm already fat, so I'll just eat all the cupcakes that I want'. This is the wrong way to think about our position. We have to remember why we are this way. When we make bad food choices, we add to the problem instead of applying the solution.If we eat right, the pounds will shed a lot faster than if we stuff our faces with empty calories. Make it count. Choosing the right foods will encourage our bodies to lose weight. Also, what is most important: what we eat effects the baby.
I have had my moments of being discouraged when I look in the mirror. Wanting to be myself again, realizing that it will take time. Speaking to ourselves right with love and compassion will cause us to see the beauty of the here and now.  Considering all the priorities, the health and happiness of mommy and baby, will cause everything to bounce back gradually and naturally. Patience, patience, patience.

Try these nutrient rich entrees and notice how much your appetite curbs:
Lentil Chili and Rice
Vegetarian Pizza
Baked Salmon Fillet w/ Corn on the Cob and Green Beans

Do you have any entrees that are high in nutrients? Comment away!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Beginning the Journey

Nursing your baby is such a beautiful experience. You and baby gaze into each others' eyes and it produces such a bond. These are precious moments that become loving memories. Now...for the real issue at hand.
If you are like me, then you are a person who holds on to pregnancy weight while lactating. While I want to trim down and get back those washboard abs, I have to be balanced in doing this.
The first focus that I have is... my perception. How we think about ourselves plays a major role in how our body responds to us.If I look in the mirror everyday and tell myself how fat I look, then my body will respond to this by holding on to FAT!. We have control of how we think, look, and feel. So, instead of devaluing myself, I will love the skin that I'm in!
Everyday I will stand in the mirror and tell myself how beautiful I look. I will visualize myself being in tip- top shape, running on the beach in that hot swimsuit! I'm sure that we all have heard, 'You are what you eat'. Well, how about,'You are what you think'! Everything starts in our thinking.
I have a plan and this marks the beginning of my journey from: Chunkalicious to Curvaceous!
Comment! Share your plans for going from Chunkalicious to Curvaceous! The journey is better when we complete it together!