Monthly Archives: February 2013

*ATTENTION* How to Save Money, Reduce Food Waste, Live Happier

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Let me start by saying.. I too am completely guilty of wasting food. And to be even more honest, I wasted a batch of kale last week due to lack of time. I know I know *enters cyber scold here :(* BUT there’s hope, and i’m pleased to say, I hardly waste food these days. Here are 5 QUICK and effective tips to help you save food, time, money, and the environment, applicable to everyday life. So if you love to save MONEY, love the environment, or simply want to be more efficient, read on my friend…

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I. Plan Ahead! Why?

When you buy food without a plan, you end up buying things you dont need, simple as that. By planning what youll purchase, you reduce the chance of OVER buying and wasting. So save your pockets, time, and money, and plan ahead. Make a list and stick with it!

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II. Dont stack your plate with food you wont eat! Why?

…because you can always go back for a second or third plate. Have you ever filled your plate, and gotten full grabbing your belly halfway? You cant put that food back in its dish so it goes to waste. Cut your plate in half, you can always go back for seconds.

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III. Freeze what you can!

At the end of the week, if you haven’t used your produce, freeze it. I often do this when it comes to smoothies and it works just fine. Last night I froze apple slices to use for a later time. Just find out if your food is freezable and for how long. Simple! 🙂

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IV.  “..but it’s on sale”

Raise your hand if youve ever bought food just bc its on sale? I see you.. Its fine, we’ve all done it. This one takes mental effort but I assure you, if you have no immediate plan for it, don’t buy it. It will be ok! haha. Yes, you save money, but you also save money that you never spend. To help, check whats on sale online ahead of time at your local grocer to incorporate that into your planning. Win/win!

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V. Donate food just sitting in your pantry.. Why?

Chances are, if you haven’t prepared your non-perishable food in 6 months, itll likely go to waste. So if you’ve fallen into the sale trap, just donate what you haven’t used and free up some space in your pantry. The kicker is, don’t let those foods pile back up. Be selective! win/win!

Waste reduction starts with US! Every time we waste food we are not only affecting ourselves, but the environment. In America, our food waste rots in landfills producing harmful emissions. Check out this article The Washington Post did on food waste in America 6 months ago ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/08/22/how-food-actually-gets-wasted-in-the-united-states/ ) Food waste is an issue on corporate levels, and personal. So lets all do our part. We literally have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Also visit, http://www.unep.org/wed/ to find out TONS about food waste, what we can do about it, and how to help the environment. This years World Environment Day theme is Think. Eat. Save. Check my next post for more tips.

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In the meantime, How do you reduce food waste? Were these tips useful? How do you think, to eat and save? Eat, to save and think? Or save, to eat and think? Let me know!

Push Your Limits, You Are Worthy, Stop Settling!

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A pep talk/ reminder I had with myself that I am sharing w/the world..

I had about 4 long paragraphs of a beautiful backstory to my point in this blog post but I decided to save the backstory and skip to the point, which is, YOU, WE, are worthy!

My uncle let my test drive my dream car this past weekend. It was freakishly ironic how he ordered the very car ive spent months drooling over and plotting ownership of. 100% electric (ZERO gasoline), luxury, ZERO emissions. Everything a woman like me could ever dream of.

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He let me test drive it and I didnt want to push its limits lol. I guess he was tired of my cautious driving and smacked his leg as he yelled, STEP ON IT!!! …and so I did, and that was all she wrote. I will admit, it felt so great to push it 80+, it was so freeing and smooth, like driving on a cloud. I believe, if he never told me to gas it, I wouldnt have pushed it past 60. Later it made me think…

I am like that car. I am luxury, I am beautiful, and I was made equipped with everything I need to take life by the reins, to “speed”, to handle curves. So why do I ever limit myself? Whenever I see people driving super fast cars sloooooowwwwwww I always think, whats the point? I know y’all think that too, its not just me.. mmhm. That car was MADE for speed and performance yet I didnt want push it, why? and when I did, it felt like that’s what I was supposed to be doing all along. It could handle it. It loved it. Imagine going through life and never pushing your luxury car (yourself) to your full capacity. How satisfied would you truly be at the end of it all?

The thing is, limits are comfy, and sometimes we cant even perceive that it gets better. Way better. That you will be safe out of your bubble. But why wouldnt you be? You were put here on this earth with all the proper equipment to handle every bump, curve, swerve, and enjoy the ride. It feels better. Its different. Its strange. Its new. But its, so YOU. A situation will having us driving our mercedes like its a 86′ toyota. Disservice to self? I think so. So PUSH YOUR LIMITS… we are ALL truly worthy and when we things get a little comfy, push. This can apply to anything (health, fitness, wellness, any personal challenge, growth, spirituality, fears.) I pushed my uncs car pretty far, yet even then, it had so much to give. And thats another thing, pushing your limits doesnt mean you have to be completely extreme. ie. pushing so far you arent being authentic to yourself. Pushing even a little out of our comfort zones is a HUGE accomplishment. Let your boundaries grow at your pace. but let them GROW.. and it may make you squirm a little in discomfort but the end result is always beautiful. Expansion!

WE ARE WORTHY! NEVER settle! Ever!

This was my limit trigger, have you had any? Or a time when you pushed your limits and had an amazing experience? I have many more stories but I want to hear yours. Or if you don’t push your limits, why not? What are you waiting for?

Happy Sunday!

recycle bags? what’s in it for YOU?

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So by this time I have learned that not everyone cares about the planet. and simply off of basic morals alone, most dont feel compelled to do things like recycle. and based on my knowing, this person may or may not be you reading this. In case it is, im gonna provide a few quick reasons why recycling is for you..

1. A lot of stores give money credit for bringing your own bag(s) instead of using theirs. Now though this may be only 5 or 10 cents (per bag) lol, its still money that YOU arent paying but actually getting free. And who doesnt like free? FREE… do I need to say it again FREE.. ok I think you get the point. So ask your local store do they give bag credits, youd be surprised.

2. Reduces clutter.. Yes it reduces clutter. How you might ask? Several reasons. If youre like me, after shopping, I can rest assure you have a whole cabinet jam packed with plastic bags to “reuse.” Well what else can that cabinet space be used for? I mean, reusable bags dont take up that much space so if you make the switch, this free space can be allocated for more useful things 🙂

3. Dont you want to be the cool person at the store or wherever who has their own bag? Its a new chance to get creative (especially for kids), and if youre actually shopping at clothing stores, it can provide capacity for greater storage instead of shuffling 4 and 5 bags at the mall.

Now dont all jump at once, get out there and get to recycling…. 🙂

Rock Your Socks Green Smoothie

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So heres a very simple green smoothie recipe,  things can be altered but theres a few basics thatll get you started

a blender

1 cup spring water or coconut water (for larger batch use 2 cups)

2 cups of spinach  ( the greens are your base so you dont have to use spinach use any  greens you want to use)

2 apples sliced

2 pears sliced (again, be creative, you can use mangoes, pineapples etc. ) but pears are key for me, they really mute out any bitter taste and contribute to sweetness

1 ripe banana

1/2 lemon

…and thats it. Those are your basics.

I blend the water and greens first, then slowly add the fruits at high speed. Since my blender isnt as powerful as others this helps me avoid chunks. Add more or less as you please and dont be afraid to experiment to get the taste you like. You may add less greens and more fruit until you can handle more greens. Its really what works for you. What’s most important is youre getting your smoothies in. In addition, I add other things including but not limited to chlorophyll, spirulina, chia seeds, hemp protein powder etc. Give it a try and let me know how it goes. Anymore questions just let me know. Cheers!Image