budget-related stories
Bike-Friendly Coastal Campgrounds - Have Fun, Get Fit, Save Money
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| Photo: RichardBH, Flickr |
Active.com lists seven fantastic bike-friendly campgrounds in coastal areas (though, of course, there are probably many, many more -- we'd love to hear about your favorite in the comments). And you might be surprised at some of the locations!
For example, did you know that there's mountain biking available in South Florida, just minutes from downtown Miami? Or that one state park in East Islip, New York, can provide you with both road and mountain biking opportunities of all lengths -- even century rides? Some, like the Astoria/Seaside KOA in Hammond, Oregon (about 100 miles from Portland), rent bikes, so you don't even have to worry about packing your own.
If biking's just not your thing, don't worry -- there are still loads of ways to get in a workout while camping out. Hiking, trail running, swimming, kayaking -- the list goes on and on. Share your favorite campsites and campground workouts with us in the comments!
Can You Really Eat Healthy on a Budget?
If your budget's been hit hard during these tough economic times, you might find yourself swapping out expensive foods for cheaper ones. But those costly foods are often the healthier ones, says Marion Nestle, professor in the department of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University. So, you might be saving some bucks, but you could be hurting your diet, and your health.
Is it possible to eat healthy on a budget? Yes, but it takes some ingenuity.
"We must avoid the temptation to turn to cheap, empty calories -- the refined grains, added sugars and added fats that give you the most calories you can get for your food dollar," says Adam Drewnowski, epidemiologist at the University of Washington's Center for Public Health Nutrition, who has been studying the cost of food per calorie.
Save Money and Cut Calories - Here's How!
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Going out to eat isn't just expensive -- it also costs you a lot of calories. Even when I'm trying to be super healthy at a restaurant, I generally consume considerably more calories in a meal than I would at home. And, let's be honest -- when you're at a restaurant, you don't always want to be super healthy. Sometimes, the entire reason you go to a restaurant is because you're dying to get the shrimp scampi, or you've been thinking about that baked artichoke dip all week long, and nothing else is going to satisfy.
Fortunately, you can make a lot of these dishes at home, where you'll save money and a lot of calories. Check out the gallery for five recipes from the Winter 2009 issue of the Publix GreenWise Market Magazine!
Got a recipe you want us to healthy up for you? Leave it in the comments and we'll do what we can to help!
TV More Popular Than Ever in America
What did you do last night? According to the Nielsen Company, there's a pretty good chance your answer is "watched TV." Nielsen reports that TV watching is more popular than ever among Americans -- up to an average of 151 hours a month. And we're not just watching television programming on TV, we're also tuning in on our computers and cell phones too.Let's do the math: 151 hours a month, divided by 30 equals ... five hours a day. Ouch.
Here's the thing about TV: Unless you've got Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred in the DVD player, chances are you're watching that boob tube in the couch potato position. And if you're like me, there just might be a bowl of chips in your lap too. Five hours of that? A person just might start to grow roots.
Shopping - Put Health in Your Cart
Have you ever unloaded your grocery cart at the check out and wondered how all that junk food got there? Marion Nestle, author of "What to Eat" says shopping the perimeter of the store will result in healthier selections.Fresh, healthier foods are found on the outskirts of your grocery store. Colorful fruits and vegetables, fish, dairy and meat are all found on the perimeter. When you delve into the center aisles, you're more likely to select unhealthy processed foods.
However, in these tight financial times, what's a person to do? The perimeter of the store may contain fresher and more nutritious foods, but they also tend to be more expensive. Try shopping the perimeter first -- plan your meals and spend the bulk of your grocery budget on the most healthful foods. Then, with specific items in mind, venture into the center aisles and look for inexpensive but healthful foods such as frozen fruits and vegetables, whole grains (like as brown rice and quinoa) and beans.
Recession - Is It Pinching Your Healthy Food Budget?
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
For dinner last night, I made a big double batch of black bean burgers and kept my fingers crossed my husband would like them. He did -- he ate three. I was hopeful because he's constantly eating frozen dinners for lunch. Not only are they filled with sodium ... those babies are expensive.
My bean burgers, on the other hand, cost me less than five dollars. We've got enough left over that we'll both be eating them for lunch for the next few days. Cha-ching!
As food prices go up and food budgets go down, people are starting to depend more and more on processed foods that seem to always be on sale. "It's hard to eat healthy on a budget," you'll hear people complain. And while that isn't necessarily true, what is true is that it's easy to choose unhealthy foods when money is tight.
Add It Up - What's the Cost of Your Unhealthy Habits?
How much are you spending on unhealthy habits every month? Take a minute to add it up.
Recession Pounds - Eating Right on a Budget
As Jacki pointed out yesterday, it's pretty unusual to find a coupon for bananas or lettuce or Granny Smith apples. Eating well doesn't have to burn up all of your fun money, but it does take careful planning. On the other hand, eating cheap is a no-brainer ... just walk down any of the inside aisles of the grocery store and you'll find mac and cheese, frozen pizza, and all manner of prepared foods at bargain basement prices.
Experts worry that as incomes fall and stress levels rise, people may turn to these less expensive and less nutritious foods to save money. But that shift comes with a price ... a rise in obesity.
Calories - Put Yourself on a Budget
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
In these tough economic times, almost everyone is on a tight budget. But did you know that you can apply penny-saving principles to calories as well? I'm not a big believer in tracking calories every day. Currently, I'm on board with the America Takes It Off: Shrink a Size program and trying to lose weight. While I don't plan to count calories every day, I have been using an online tool to count them for now. The practice helps me get a good grip on my eating habits, and it doesn't allow me to pretend I'm doing better than I really am.
I like the idea of banking calories and, in theory, it should work. However, I have a horrible sweet tooth. Like many of my co-workers, I've been trying to minimize sugar in my diet. I splurged on a tiny sugar cookie the other day and had serious sugar cravings for the next 24 hours. So, for me, banking up for a bigger treat is probably a bad idea. How do you think this idea would work for you?
20 Healthy Foods for Less Than $1
- Oats. High in heart-healthy soluble fiber, oats are a quick and tasty meal. A dollar will get you more than a week's worth of breakfasts.
- Eggs. About a dollar for a half dozen, eggs -- once given a bad rap for high cholesterol -- are now back in the good nutrition fold.
- Kale. Roughly a dollar a bunch, kale and other dark leafy greens are packed with nutrition.
- Potatoes. As long as you don't fry them or slather them in fatty condiments, potatoes can be a part of a nutritious diet. Sweet potatoes have the added benefit of beta carotene.
- Apples. Most varieties are very inexpensive and can satisfy a sweet tooth with their crunchy goodness.
- Nuts. A great source of healthy fats, nuts might seem expensive, but since their portion size is small, many varieties (such as peanuts, walnuts and almonds) land well under a dollar per serving.
- Bananas. High in potassium and fiber, bananas are a nutritious and inexpensive food.
- Garbanzo Beans. Beans, in general, are a healthful and ridiculously-cheap food. Plus, they're a great protein-rich replacement for high-cost meat. Garbanzos are a versatile and healthful choice.
- Broccoli. Delicious raw or cooked into a wide variety of meals, broccoli is well under a dollar per serving.
Donny Osmond, Barack Obama, and Natural Beauty - Week in Review - December 22 to December 28
If you missed our daily postings this past week, we invite you to take some time to catch up on our prior week's news and gear up for a new week of healthy living information and inspiration.You know that a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you reach your fitness goals. But what about your thoughts? Do they play a role? Laura thinks so and has three tools to help you get started.
Carnie Wilson shares one of her favorite "side effects" of weight loss -- more sex.
You thought you learned how to do it when you were six, but are you tying your shoes correctly? Let Kristen teach you how.
Don't have a whole hour? Don't worry. Bev tells us that 30 minutes in the gym is golden.
Fitz interviews Donny Osmond and finds him pleasant, warm, funny and fit.
Just in time for a little post-holiday down time -- Kristen has natural beauty treatments you can do right at home.
President-elect Barack Obama appears even more fit than ever in Hawaii. Presidential fitness, indeed.
Economy hitting you where it hurts? Bev tells you how to get fit for zip.
Finally, start gearing up for January 1, when That's Fit teams up with AOL Health for America Takes it Off: Shrink a Size!
Happy New Year, everyone!
How to Cut Costs While Eating Out
Eating at home is undeniably more economical and is also a better way to control the health quality of your meal. But, if you're like me, you enjoy going out to eat once in a while. During these penny-pinching times, does eating out need to be cut from your budget entirely? Not at all. Just follow these healthful tips for eating out on a budget:- Order water. Forget about ordering wine, or soda, or fancy bottled waters. Just stick to plain old tap water. It's free in cost and calories.
- Skip the specials. When your server announces the day's specials, just disregard them. They're usually more expensive and, when it's not on the menu, you may not pay as much attention to how it's prepared -- you don't want to be surprised by high-calorie sauces or other unhealthful additions you weren't expecting.
- Ask about extras. Make sure you get what you paid for and order whatever healthful sides come with your meal. Remember, even if the only sides listed are high in calories, you can scour the menu for lighter options; most restaurants are happy to substitute sides.
- Doggie bag it. Be sure to bring home leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.
- Skip dessert. You don't need the extra calories or the extra cost. If you must indulge, consider splitting a dessert with someone else.
Even in these difficult economic times, do remember to tip your server appropriately -- they need to make a living, too. Do you have any other tips for eating out on a budget?
Phones Over Food - The Newest Diet Craze?
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
If you had to cut back on expenses and were forced to choose between cutting back on your cell phone minutes and cutting back on food, which would you choose? Virgin Mobile is hoping you choose to cut back on food, which, according to a recent survey of their customers, is what most people prefer.In the survey, 88 percent of the respondents said they'd be dining out less frequently, while 41 percent planned to buy fewer groceries to combat the weak economy. However, just 32 percent planned to cut back where cell phones were concerned. So, in essence, they're willing to give up food before giving up a chance to chat.
I call shenanigans. Here's what I think: People responded this way with good intentions -- maybe, by cutting back on eating out and groceries, they figure they'll eat less junk and consume fewer calories. However, when push comes to shove, and someone's craving ice cream, they're still going to run out to Coldstone and buy that five dollar sundae. But, it raises a good question -- how is the economy affecting your diet?
Parks bridge the financial gap with fitness
Research has long shown that living near green spaces -- parks, manicured boulevards, gardens, etc. -- can improve health. Recent research shows the benefits of green spaces are greater than originally thought. The open spaces help residents release stress, and they promote physical activity.
If you're feeling the budget crunch, a local park might be just the place to score some free fitness opportunities. You may be lucky enough to have a local park that has areas specifically designed for fitness. If not, there's still plenty you can do. Check out this post for ideas.
