Tuesday "Try"... Small Comparisons

     One way to incorporating healthier choices is to start with "small comparisons." Every time you go to the grocery store pick one item you normal buy and compare it to a healthier choice. Start making a list ( one item at at time) so you can see the price difference and if/when you go to another store or see a sale you will be more aware of a good deal, plus when it's written down, you don't have to remember it again. This will help you decide what items you feel are worth the extra difference. 

      I picked a few items that I compared when I was at the grocery store to show you. The prices will vary from store to store but comparing will give you a general idea so you can make more informed decisions and "choose" healthier. You may be surprised at the small difference in some of the items that you weren't even aware until you compared. And when you find them on sale, (if your able) buy more them one.

Store Brand 1 lb butter - 3.44
Name Brand 1 lb butter - 4.39
Store Brand Organic 1lb butter - 4.99 ( on sale for 4.49)
Earth Balance 15 oz Non-butter - 3.69

Pillsbury cinnamon. rolls - 3.09 (hydrogenated oils etc)
Immaculate cinnamon rolls - 3.29 ( not organic but no hydrogenated oils, no corn syrup, etc.)

Kraft Mac and Cheese 11oz. - 2.99
Annie's Mac and Cheese 11oz - 2.29 (organic ingredients )

Skippy Natural Peanut Butter  15oz - 2.69 (non hydrogenated oils or corn syrup)
Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter 15oz - 2.99 (non hydrogenated oils or corn syrup)
Organic Smuckers Peanut Butter 15oz - 4.19

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

This is one view of my containers.

These are my blueberries bushes.

        I came across this link the other day http://brownthumbmama.com/2014/04/start-vegetable-garden-25.html about starting a vegetable garden for $25.00. So I thought I would share what I'm doing in my own backyard.
        For years I had an organic square foot garden and this past year a new neighbor moved in and decided to use lots of chemicals to try and get rid of ivy that was growing on his side of the fence (coming from my yard). Can't say I blame him, but at that time we were having non stop rain and all the chemicals ran down onto my lawn, garden, flowers and plants I had put in the ground. Lost almost everything! I was very discouraged but not out, so I decided to container garden. I'm using containers       I've had around my house and ones I hope to can find from family and friends, plus the dollar store has containers as well. You don't have to have a lot of money to grow your own herbs and vegetables. One thing I do for seeds, is buy them a few here and there ( or you can ask friends and neighbors to share if there is extra) that way the expense is spread over time.
        Right now I only have some herbs started and will continue to plant vegetables in the coming weeks. Growing a garden always gets me excited... there is NOTHING better then fresh whole food from my own back yard. So get a few containers, plant a tomato, a pepper a few fresh herbs then you will have all you need for that tomato sauce your going to make when your harvest is ready!!!

Another view... I have a few strawberries in the hanging basket.

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

Tuesday "Try"... Skinny dipping

Homemade Hummus

Looking for something to dip your naked vegetables or chips in? 

Try homemade hummus! 

http://allrecipes.com/Video/172/How-to-Make-Hummus/Detail.aspx

     I have to admit, I've never made it before, but it was SO easy and really good!! And like a lot of my cooking, I didn't make it all in one day. When I made dinner (and with planning to make hummus on my mind) I decided to cook the chickpea's ( you can use canned, but I like to use fresh when possible) and then put them in the refrigerator until the next day when I had more time. I also made a double batch so the next time I want hummus that part is already done. 

      Hummus is one of those foods that you can do so much with. You can taylor it to your liking, with extra garlic, hot chili peppers etc. You don't even have to use chickpea's (garbanzo beans) - try making a bean free hummus with, spinach, beets, cauliflower or carrots. Even the traditional recipe you can played with like, extra tahini, lemon juice etc. just taste and adjust.

       Try making hummus to take to a party, spread it on your sandwich or hamburger bun instead of mayo, turn it into a salad dressing with vinegar, salt and pepper, or just have something yummy and healthy to use as a dip. The idea's are endless... google it!

       A few health benefits are: there high in fiber, minerals and vitamins (manganese, zinc, magnesium, copper and iron) and lots of protein. And it only takes a few ingredients, a blender or food processor and a desire. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/hummus-for-real-recipe.html

2 cups of cooked chickpea's (garbanzo beans)

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 tsp. salt

4 Tb. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/8- 1/4 cup water

1/3 cup tahini

1/8-1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

(This is my adjusted recipe from the original link posted above)

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

Tuesday "Try"... Mochi

Mochi is a traditional Japanese food made from a special short-grain sweet rice. It's steamed then the rice is pounded to accentuate its chewy texture and nutty flavor.

I found a cinnamon raisin Mochi the other day marked down, so I thought why not give it a try ( there is a plain flavor available too). The recipe on the back of the package was, Raisin Cinnamon Mochi Danish that I decided to follow and see what happened, but Pinterest is full of ideas for what to do with Mochi. I even saw one idea to make waffles.

This is what it looks like when you take it out of the package.

The recipe said to cut 2 inch squares and follow baking instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Place pieces at least 1 inch apart on a baking sheet

Bake 8-10 minutes, until Mochi pieces puff up and brown.

Here is what they look like after they come out of the oven.

The recipe said to remove them from oven, let cool and take a sharp knife, cut a slit in one side of each Mochi pocket and stuff with cream cheese, nuts and honey.

I didn't have cheese or non-dairy cheese on hand, so I used peanut butter, honey and chopped up some walnuts. I'd like to try the cream cheese ( non - dairy for me) next time. It would add a very nice contrast that the peanut butter didn't. But it was still really good, easy and fun to play around with. 

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!