First off, I eliminated 90% of the processed and prepackaged food from our pantry and freezer, Ive been happily ( most of the time) baking, and making snacks and meals from scratch.
Second, I quit buying white flour and processed sugar. Its poison. It wrecks havoc on your blood sugar, and overloads your brain.
recently, I added GREEN smoothies to our morning routine, the kids have always enjoyed fresh fruit smoothies, and green smoothies, are like super smoothies, choc full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and other energising and Delicious goodies. I joined a green smoothie challenge online, and am drinking a huge jar of green smoothie every morning. Its only been a week, and I have noticed a difference in my mood, my skin, my energy level and MY WEIGHT. I'm hooked.
You can research the power of green food, by reading this post from The Happy Foody or better yet, go out and buy the book Green For Life by Victoria Boutenko, it's awesome.
Finally, I have found a way to keep my grocery budget in check, while still filling my cart with all the fresh and wonderful HEALTHY food I want. are you ready...................................
I Quit buying meat!!! Yes, I did. Well, not completely ( yet) but very little. We still had two packages of chicken breast in the fridge, and instead of using them up in one or two meals, they will last us for the next two weeks. And I will no longer be fixing meals with beef or pork. I know it may seem like an extreme way of saving money, but honestly that is just a bonus. I have been toying with Vegetarianism off and on for years, and I firmly believe in the health benefits of a plant based diet. So for now, I consider us " Flexitarians" because I will, on occasion cook chicken and fish for the family, but I plan to make at least 70 percent of our meals ...meatless.
Those of you who know my Carnivorous husband maybe shaking your heads in disbelief about now, but he is not starving, he is not protesting, and he has LOVED every meal I have made this week. I'm sure he will never completely convert to a meatless existence, but he understands and accepts the changes in the Royal Kitchen and has not complained once!!
So now that I have shocked your socks off....on to this weeks Menu. We are actually halfway through this Menu, which is good because I can give you our reviews of each dish.
Breakfasts-
Green Smoothies
Steel cut oatmeal
Cereal and Yogurt Sundae's
WholeWheat Waffles and Fruit
Lunches-
Veggie Burgers
Baked Potato's
Salad/Soups
Veggie Pitas/Hummus
Left Overs
Dinners-
Spicy Tofu Stir Fry w/brown rice ( I added a bit of chicken) *** amazing everyone devoured it**
Herbed Whole Wheat Pasta w/ lemon butter and Feta
Cheese and Bean Enchilada's, Pico De Gallo, Avacado * Exellent*
Homemade Pizza night * good, but still in search of good, whole wheat pizza dough*
Vegtable Lasagna, Whole wheat bread, Salad * recipe needs tweaking, but o.k*
Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Steamed Brocoli ( grilled chicken) * Phenomenal Mac and Cheese*
Black Bean chili and baked potato's
Pasta Salad with olives and peppers, fruit, homemade bread
Planned Left Overs
Snacks-
Sweet Potato Muffins
nuts/seeds
Homemade Granola Bars
W.W pear muffins
Veggie's w/hummus
fruit/smoothies
My kids have eaten more vegatables in the last few weeks, than ever before and I am lookking forward to introducing new recipes and foods, and I go to bed feeling great about the nutritious foods my kids are eating enjoying.
