| Everyone is budget conscious these days, but | | | | Buy large family size packages of chicken and |
| watching your budget does not have to mean | | | | fish, even if your family is small or you have an |
| compromising your health. You can eat well, lose | | | | empty nest. Double the yield of chicken breasts, |
| or maintain a healthy weight and stay within your | | | | by slicing them in half lengthwise, wrapping each in |
| budget, by following a few simple suggestions. | | | | a separate piece of wrap, and freezing. |
| Eat more at home and less in restaurants, and | | | | Sauté chicken breasts in olive oil, a |
| find yourself eating healthier and saving money. | | | | teaspoon of granulated garlic and a little reduced |
| Take advantage of locally grown seasonal fruits | | | | calorie margarine along with mushrooms and |
| and vegetables available at farmer's markets and | | | | onions. Serve with your fresh frozen vegetables |
| farm stands during the summer. They are | | | | roasting in the oven, and you have a quick, |
| fresher, healthier, and less expensive than | | | | healthy meal that rivals any restaurant, and is |
| supermarket varieties. Many local growers refuse | | | | considerably less expensive. |
| to use chemical pesticides, contributing to your | | | | Americans love beef. Lean beef is a valuable |
| good health. | | | | protein when added to your diet, but beef can be |
| When shopping, buy large quantities of the fresh | | | | expensive. Shop the sales for the best cuts and |
| vegetables you use most. Rinse under warm | | | | price, divide into portions and freeze. Use in |
| water. This is especially important for getting rid | | | | stir-fry dishes along with your fresh frozen |
| of any chemical residue on supermarket produce. | | | | vegetables. When buying ground beef, substitute |
| Blanch vegetables by plunging into boiling water | | | | ground turkey or combine ground turkey and low |
| for no more than a minute, then immediately | | | | fat ground beef in equal amounts, and freeze. |
| plunge them into ice water. Dry thoroughly. | | | | Freeze meatloaf or burgers ahead of time until |
| Portion out in freezer bags and place in freezer, | | | | ready to use. When you fire up the grill, |
| saving time, money and contributing to your | | | | everything you need is ready and waiting at your |
| overall health and well-being. | | | | fingertips. |
| The next time you need vegetables for dinner, | | | | Americans also love pasta. Luckily, pasta is |
| grab a bag from your freezer, steam and serve. | | | | relatively inexpensive and good for us. Buying |
| Create your own mixed vegetable packages. | | | | whole wheat and whole grain varieties add a |
| Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, corn, onion and red | | | | nutritional punch to meals. Serve fresh frozen |
| pepper are a colorful combination that enhances | | | | vegetables over pasta, top with almonds, low fat |
| every meal. Another combination might include | | | | cheddar cheese chunks and enjoy a healthy, |
| peas, carrots, mushrooms and onions. Use your | | | | delicious, vegetarian meal that you created. |
| imagination and mix vegetables to your taste, | | | | Don't forget those wonderful summer berries. |
| being sure to use as much color as possible. | | | | Rinse berries under lukewarm water, and dry |
| A quick, easy, healthy way to get your veggies is | | | | thoroughly before freezing. Place fresh blueberries |
| to cut a medium size potato into one-inch chunks, | | | | and blackberries from your local farmer's market |
| leaving their skins on. Place in a baking dish. | | | | or farm stand in freezer bags. Cut off tops of |
| Sprinkle olive oil, one teaspoon each, Italian | | | | strawberries, slice in half, freeze in single layers on |
| seasoning, granulated garlic and chives over | | | | cookie sheets, before placing in freezer bags. |
| potatoes. Add one tablespoon reduced calorie | | | | Taking advantage of buying and freezing fresh |
| margarine. Bake at 375° for about 45 | | | | seasonal produce throughout the summer saves |
| minutes. Add one package of your fresh frozen | | | | money and ensures healthy, affordable meals all |
| vegetables and roast an addition fifteen minutes | | | | winter. |
| or until potatoes are tender and vegetables crisp. | | | | |