Eat your fruits and veggies!

Along with cutting back our budget (see this post), I have also been focusing on improving our eating habits.  This is so easy and simple, that I can't believe it took me so long to do it...  Early every afternoon, I have been making a focused effort to put out a tray of fresh fruits or fresh veggies for us to snack on.  It just sits on the table while we work and go about our business.  When we are hungry, we swipe some carrots or strawberries from the tray and snack away.  Having the food already prepared and out makes snacking healthfully so much easier!  Seriously, give it a try!

Although I had read about putting out a crudite platter (that's what these trays of fresh fruit and veg are called), I had never actually done it before except on special occasions.  And, it wasn't until this past school year that I had ever seen anyone else put out a platter on ordinary days.  One of the familys that I tutor for puts out a tray every single day as the afternoon snack for the children.  When I realized a few weeks ago that my favorite jeans are getting a bit tight, I decided to give this a try.  We've both had more energy, and fewer junk food cravings since I began doing this.  Not enough time has passed to see any change in my waistline, however...stay tuned for that news in a few more weeks.

 

Eat Well and Slowly - art by Nicole at Blue Bicicletta on Etsy

I have also been making a more conscious effort to drink water and eat breakfast every day.  I usually down a ton of coffee and forget breakfast entirely.  We do have a Brita 42629 Slim Pitcher but it is kind of small.  So, I invested in a gallon size water pitcher.  Every morning, I filter water and fill up the ice cube trays and gallon pitcher.  Then, I pour a glass of water, pour a mug of coffee, and settle down to breakfast.  I have to tell you that I am hooked on Special K Red Berries and scored some great sale prices last week (see this post).

For the next three weeks, I will also be focusing on eating the food we already have in our pantry and fridge, only going to the store for produce and absolute essentials that we run out of along the way.  Tonight, we are having tacos.  Tomorrow, we will be having this amazing looking dish:  Chicken Oat Cutlets and Mashed Potatoes with Lemon Sauce from Maroc Mama.  We don't have chicken in the fridge, but I do have some turkey cutlets in the freezer that will be perfect, and I have everything else necessary (subbing dairy/soy-free margarine for the butter).  YUMMY!