Week 8: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

It's hard to believe, but this week is the end of month two of the program! I'm happy to be two-thirds of the way done. Here's the schedule for the last week of "Phase 2."

I started the week off strong with my strength workouts on Monday and Tuesday, but my knees still weren't liking it. I ended up completing all of my strength workouts this week and chose to skip the cardio sessions to give my knees a break. I was good about foam rolling after each workout, but it was painful! I like to think that it helped, but I honestly can't tell. My knees still hurt, but maybe they would have been worse if I hadn't done it? I'm just trying to do my best to manage the situation while keeping up with the program. I know it's only going to get harder as I move on to the next set of workouts, so if y'all have any ideas I'd love to hear it!

On Saturday, we went to the Fall Festival in our town, and I did a ton of walking. It was nice to stay moving, but keep it low impact. Now, anyone who knows me well probably also knows that Fall Festival is one of my most favorite things in the world. However, something was able to top it this week. On Tuesday, we got a precious little kitten! Her name is Moxie and she is itty bitty and soooo cute! I should get an award just for sticking to my workouts this week with this baby running around to distract me. I had to lock her in the bathroom while I exercised and it was pitiful to listen to her crying on the other side of the door. She still loves me though. In fact, she's snuggled up with me right now. :)

She is so excited to meet all of you!

If you want to see more kitty cuteness and her actics, be sure to follow me on Instagram!

Do you guys have any ideas for dealing with my knee pain? Share in the comments below!

Week 9: Jillian Mihcaels Body Revolution

Recipe: Just Apple Butter

Ever since I can remember, apple butter has been one of my favorite fall foods. However, most versions involve quite a bit of sugar. Now, I understand that the sugar does have a preservation quality, but eating traditional apple butter is so sweet it can give me a headache. Plus, as fast as I eat this stuff, there's no need to be worried about it going bad. In my version, I keep the peels on because peeling a poor fruit or vegetable when that peel is edible is just sad (and more work)! This obviously isn't as sweet as the apple butter you're used to, but I like it much better. With this recipe I can eat all I want with no worries.  Plus, the smell of the apples cooking is heavenly. It alone is reason enough to try this out.

I'll warn you, this apple butter is pretty intense in the spice department. I love cinnamon and all its friends, so I think it's perfect, but it might be wise to start with half the amounts listed for the spices and increase from there. Try it on toast (alone or with a nut butter) or mixed into oatmeal or yogurt.

Just Apple Butter

adapted from Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It by Karen Solomon

makes about 2 cups

Ingredients

3 pounds apples

1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground clove

1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Quarter and core apples. Arrange in a single layer on lightly oiled baking sheets or ones lined with parchment paper.
3. Roast apples for 2 hours, making sure to switch and rotate the baking sheets halfway through for even cooking.
4. Place cooked apples in a blender or food processor along with all other ingredients. Blend until smooth.

October Farmers Market Haul

[youtube=http://youtu.be/nBqifPiSTug] What did you get at the farmers market this week? Share in the comments below!

Easy and Healthy Pumpkin Spiced Coffee

You know it's fall when people start going gah-gah over pumpkin spice flavored coffee drinks. Now I'm not going to say that I've never bought a fancy-pants coffee, but, for me, it's more of a special occasion than an every day ritual (for the health of my body and my wallet). Making your coffee at home will save you some cash and also give you complete control over what's going into your drink. Now there are recipes out there that use a homemade syrup or some other mix-in, but today I wanted to share another alternative that involves brewing the spices right along with your grounds. It's easy and can be whipped up quickly. Perfect for those of you who need instant gratification.

After several batches, this has been our favorite variation. As with any recipe, feel free to make adjustments to suit your individual preferences. I like to sweeten mine with maple syrup.

[x_video_embed type="16:9"][/x_video_embed]

Pumpkin Spice Coffee

Ingredients

1/2 cup coffee grounds

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly until all of the spices are completely dispersed throughout the grounds.
2. Brew your coffee as normal.

Week 7: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

Well, after a not-so-successful week 6, this week was much better! A new set of workouts and determination to get back on track seriously paid off. Here's the schedule:

After all of my lack of motivation last week, I had a hard week ahead of me. Not only did I have a new set of workouts, but I was about to take on 7 days of exercise with no rest day. Bleck. On Monday, I finished my last workout from week 6, which put me on track to start week 7 on Tuesday. I'm happy to report that I was able to complete all of my workouts this week, except for dropping the last cardio to rest on Sunday. 8 days in a row was not happening, especially with how much my knees were hurting. I've had tendinitis issues in my knees since high school from all of the dancing I was doing. I started doing ballet one day a week at 3 years old and from there the number of classes I was taking kept increasing. As a teen, I found myself in class 2-2.5 hrs each night Monday-Thursday and then at the studio on Fridays something like 4-10 PM teaching and taking classes. I also taught class on Saturday mornings for a couple years and near performance time we were there all day Saturday for rehearsals. I loved it, but my knees definitely didn't. Any time I get to working out really hard it starts to flare up, and it got really bad last week. I'm all for pushing myself, but not for hurting myself.

As far as the workouts this week, they were harder (obviously) and strangely exciting. It's fun to see the progress I'm making each time I graduate to the next set of workouts. I'm not someone who loves the actual event of exercise, but I can definitely appreciate the results. All of my muscles are visibly leaner and more toned and my body just feels tighter. You know that feeling you get when you're exercising consistently? I love it!

As I'm looking towards next week, I'm hoping the day off will help and I'm going to try to get in the habit of icing my knees at night and doing more foam rolling to loosen up my quads a bit. Keep your fingers crossed that all of that will help.

Do you have any injuries that get in the way of your exercise routine? How do you deal with it? Share in the comments below!

Week 8: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

Avoiding Plastics

I LOVE reader requests and today's post is just that! A quick look around and it's easy to see that plastics have become a big part of our every day life. Many (including me) are concerned with the impact this could have on our health. At the same time, part of health is sanity and it could just about drive you crazy stressing over and trying to remove all of that plastic! With that in mind, I wanted to provide you guys with some info on how I prioritize when to avoid plastics at all costs and when to not worry so much. I've numbered them, with the first being the most critical.

1. Hot/Heated Foods. If there is one thing you take away from this post it should be this: never heat your food in plastic! Risk for chemical leaching is higher when the plastic is heated so use reusable glass containers or ceramic dishes for anything you plan to reheat or that is to be consumed hot. An example would be avoiding hot coffee or tea served in a Styrofoam cup. Opt for a proper mug instead!
2. Most Used Items. Switching out the things you use on a daily basis is going to give you the most bang for your buck in terms of limiting exposure. Try replacing your plastic water bottle with a glass one.
3. Long Term Storage. The longer something is stored in a plastic container, the higher the chance of chemical leaching. Look for large glass jars or containers to store these foods instead.
4. Cold/Frozen. This is the area I would tackle last. Remember, if you plan to reheat the food you need to make sure to transfer it before heating.

Also, as a general rule in all categories, the more liquid a food is the more concerned I am with chemical leaching. Think soup vs a sandwich.

I don't think there is any need to go out any buy all new containers and have your bank account crying on the way home. If you have the money, feel free to do an overhaul, but, if your budget is more limited, institute a gradual and calculated change. Start with the containers for hot foods and your most commonly used items and replace things as you're able to from there. Also, keeping a ceramic plate or bowl at work for reheating is a great option. Just make sure you have a way to clean it after each use.

Do you try to avoid plastics? Share in the comments below!

Are You Being Tricked? Deceptive Meat Marketing

[youtube=http://youtu.be/YPmrOZ8TikQ]  

Like this video? Have any video or blog post requests? Let me know in the comments below!

September 2013 Favorites

1. Zoya Mason. This polish falls somewhere between pink and purple. It looks bright and super sparkly in the sun, but takes on a whole new look in the shade.
2. Zoya Giovanna. An emerald color (keeping it trendy) that will blow your mind. You won't be able to stop looking at your nails.
3. Cinnamon. One of my favorite spices. I love adding it in wherever I can.
4. Daily Bumps. This young couple does daily vlogs with their newborn son. They also have another channel where they talk about their fertility issues and all things baby.
5. Homemade Yogurt. I posted this recipe earlier this month and it has been my current obsession. It's just so much easier than I would have ever thought!

What things are you guys loving this month? Share in the comments below!

Week 6: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

This week was rough as far as exercise was concerned. Definitely the worst week yet. Here's what the schedule was supposed to be (I didn't stick to it very well):

I don't know what was up this week. After last week being so crazy and requiring so much dedication to get my workouts in, this week was just the opposite. We were getting back to normal life after a busy few weeks and there wasn't anything to get in the way of my workouts. However, I was exhausted and just not feeling it. I skipped on Monday with the idea to just push everything back a day. I was tired, my knees hurt, I needed a break. But then Tuesday came and I was considering skipping again. Thank goodness for Jasen encouraging me to get my pump on because it meant I went though with my workouts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. He even joined me once. We also went for a few evening walks to enjoy the fall weather. At this point, as long as I did my workouts on Friday and Saturday, I would have made it through the week with only the last cardio session missed. But that's not what I did. Friday I skipped. I could just exercise on Saturday and Sunday. Then Saturday got busy and I didn't work out that day either. Ugh. Why could I not get my butt in gear?

With only 1 day left in the week and 2 workouts to do, I came up with this plan: finish up week 6 on Sunday and Monday, and start week 7 on Tuesday with no days off. That way I could still get all of my workouts in and get back to a normal schedule for week 8. Well I did get my Sunday workout in before church and I'm going to do today's workout once this post goes up. Starting off good! Now I just have to keep up with it...

Lesson learned this week: don't put off things for tomorrow that you can do today.

Do you ever have weeks where exercise is the last thing you want to do? How do you deal with it? Share in the comments below!

Week 7: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

5 Fall Recipes

Just like everyone else, I'm super excited for fall! Today, I thought I would share five recipes that are on my list to try out. I've also created a Pinterest board dedicated to this topic, so I'll keep adding recipes as I find them. :)

1. Baked Butternut Squash Chips. A fun way to use all of that fall squash!
2. Maple Roasted Chickpeas. I've been wanting to try a roasted chickpea recipe for a while, and this sweet version might just be the first one.
3. Beef Chili and Soaked Cornbread. Fall weather also means warm and cozy soups and stews. Since the tomatoes are gone for the year (sad face) I'd switch out the ones in this recipe for canned.
4. Maple Pumpkin Butter. Maple + Pumpkin = Fall. The end.
5. Caramel Apples Without Corn Syrup. This would be a great Halloween option for people who don't think you are trying to poison their child.

I hope you guys enjoy trying out these recipes as much as I will!

What is your favorite fall recipe? Share in the comments below!

Should You Try a Menstrual Cup?

[youtube=http://youtu.be/43gW0zOth80]  

What are your thoughts on menstrual cups? Share in the comments below!

How To Make Yogurt at Home

Today I have something super exciting to share with you guys! For the past month or so I've ventured into the world of yogurt making and, let me tell you, it's amazing! Now, if you know me well, you know that I'm a big fan of making things yourself. Store-bought foods usually don't stand up in terms of flavor or what's good for your health. Despite this, yogurt making seemed a little too daunting for me. I mean, super weird people make their own yogurt right? Well I'm here to prove that wrong! Or to prove that I'm super weird. I'll let you decide. For the past couple years, as I've gotten deeper into the real/whole foods world, I've seen things about people making their own yogurt. Some used special yogurt machines and others took a "try this, it kinda works, cross your fingers" type of mentality. Neither of these appealed to me. I'm not into specialty, one-purpose equipment. It takes up space and doesn't give a great value in terms of versatility. Also, the type A and food safety side of me thought that approximate recipes for something that involves GROWING BACTERIA simply wouldn't cut it.

Since Jasen and I got married I've been cooking more than ever (another extra-hungry mouth to feed) and I've been more aware of our food budget. Somehow, the idea of yogurt making came back to the front of my mind. I mean, it had to be doable. Grocery stores are a new thing in the context of human history. Making this stuff yourself was once the normal thing to do. Plus, most store bought yogurt contains an additional ingredient, pectin, to make it thicker. Oh, and did I mention making it yourself is also cheaper? Sign me up! After some perusing on the internet, I've found a method that works well (I've made 4 or 5 batches) and doesn't make me worry about our safety. Plus, it's really not that hard at all! All you need is some milk and a little plain yogurt to start you out. Then, you can use your own yogurt as the starter for subsequent batches.

You simply pour your milk into a pot (I use a non-homogenized milk from this creamery) and get it heating up. A slow and steady heat would probably be best, but sometimes I'm impatient and put it on high. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature. I prefer a candy thermometer that clips on the side of the pot for convenience.

A skin can form on top, especially if you're using a non-homogenized milk. Some people throw this out, but I'm not trying to waste stuff, so I just stir frequently to prevent the skin from forming in the first place. Once, your milk reaches 185 degrees Fahrenheit (this kills other bacteria that could compete with your culture), take it off the heat and let it cool to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Then it's simply a matter of adding your culture (aka yogurt), mixing well, and putting in your oven to do its thang. Make sure you don't add the yogurt before the milk is cooled, or you could kill the bacteria you're trying to grow. Wrap your pot in a towel and turn on the oven light. This creates enough heat in the closed oven to incubate the yogurt. I let it sit over night so it can work undisturbed.

When it comes out, it'll look like this! Mine is yellow on top because the fat in the non-homogenized milk has risen to the top.

Then I simply give it a stir and put it in some jars to be refrigerated. It's super yummy and there is something so satisfying about knowing you made it yourself!

Homemade Plain Yogurt

makes 2 quarts

Ingredients

1/2 gallon of milk

1 tablespoon plain yogurt

Directions

1. Pour milk into a large pot with a thermometer attached or near by.
2. Heat milk until it reaches 185 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring often to prevent a skin from forming.
3. Allow milk to cool to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring often to speed up cooling and (again) prevent a skin from forming.
4. In a glass or liquid measuring cup, add the yogurt and some of the warm milk. Mix until the yogurt is completely incorporated. Pour this mixture into the pot and mix with a spoon to distribute it throughout.
5. Place pot in the oven uncovered, wrap in a towel, and turn on the oven light. Close the oven and allow to sit for 10-12 hours.
6. Remove pot from oven, transfer yogurt to containers, and refrigerate.
7. Feel awesome about how cool you are that you just made your own yogurt!

How do you guys feel about making your own yogurt? Have you ever tried it before? Share in the comments below!

Week 5: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

Hope you all had a great weekend! Today I'm talking about Week 5 of Body Revolution, which brought on new strength DVDs as well as a new cardio workout. Here's the schedule:

The week started off on the wrong foot. I woke up on Monday with a huge cramp in my neck. I used heat, stretching, and some massage, but it was not budging. I hoped that it might get better over the course of the day, but that didn't happen either. Result: no workout on Monday. I decided not being able to move my head up and down or side to side probably wasn't that best thing to push. It was frustrating. I hate starting the week behind like that.

Tuesday I was still stiff, but much better, so I started my workouts for the week. Seeing how challenging it was with the residual tightness made me confident that I made the right decision in not exercising the day before. This new set of DVDs was definitely challenging, but it also showed me how much my strength has increased over the past month.

Jasen and I had a 9 hour drive to Tennessee for a wedding this weekend which gave me an extra challenge to deal with. We left on Thursday evening and stayed with some family at the half-way point. Then we got up early Friday morning and headed the rest of the way.

We stayed in Knoxville with one of my roommates from college, Randa. I still had to get Friday's workout in, so I exercised that afternoon before getting ready to go to the rehearsal dinner. We had a full day ahead on Saturday between seeing the city and the wedding itself, so I got up early and did my workout before the day got started. That's definitely my favorite way to do things. While I'm certainly NOT a morning person, getting my workout out of the way first thing always feels great. I hate having it hanging over my head all day long.

On Saturday we did lots of fun food things! First we went to brunch at a restaurant called Tupelo Honey. Our meal started off with biscuits and a blueberry spread. Delicious.

Randa got a breakfast bowl with goat cheese grits and eggs,

Jasen opted for fried chicken (his favorite) and biscuits,

and I got a cup of tomato soup, a fired egg BLT, and home fries.

Needless to say, after all of that, we were stuffed. We headed off to the market and Randa introduced us to her favorite farmers that she gets her CSA box from each week. I went a little crazy, because they had tons of tomatoes and other summer veggies that we just can't get at home anymore. I LOVE tomatoes! They also had the best corn I've ever tasted (Randa made some for lunch the day before) and super sweet grapes. I loaded up.

Next, we stopped by an olive oil and vinegar shop and tried some of the different varieties, then we headed back to the car. Randa drove us through the UT campus, but it was rainy so we didn't venture out. We also went to a Trader Joe's and an Earth Fare because I'd never been to either before. Normal people visit grocery stores for fun right?

Then it was back to the house for a little rest and getting ready for the wedding. The rain stopped for the festivities and everything was beautiful!

On Sunday morning we got up early, packed up, and got on the road for the 9 hour drive back. I didn't do the cardio this day. With as tired as we were and a full day of driving ahead, it just wasn't happening.

Overall, exercise this week was a challenge, but I'm proud that I got in 5 workouts despite it all. It really proved to me that exercise isn't about finding the time, but making the time.

What did y'all do for exercise this week? Share in the comments below!

Week 6: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

Things I'm Excited About For Fall

1. Boots. I've been in search of a good pair of riding boots for a couple years now, but they never fit comfortably over my large calves. These are extra wide and have some elastic, so maybe they'll do the trick!
2. Pumpkins. While most people are having dreams of Starbucks, I prefer the real thing. Whether used for decor or eating, their quintessential for fall. Plus, making your own pumpkin puree tastes way better than the canned stuff and makes you feel especially fancy.
3. Dark nail polish. I love my brights, but I'm definitely ready to rock the fall colors. Zoya Hunter is a great green and is right in line with this season's military trend.
4. Sweaters. They're super cozy and this one has kitties on it!
5. Apples. They're one of my favorite fruits to add to my plain yogurt, great for snacking, and come in tons of different varieties. They also make a great salad addition!
6. Seasonal candles. I love this one from Aroma Naturals. It's a mix of orange, clove, and cinnamon and doesn't have any of the yuckies found in most candles.

What are you most excited about for fall? Share in the comments below!

Fall 2013 Nail Polish

If you're a nail polish fan like me, watch my latest video with my favorite polishes for fall! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9a9e07pTH8&feature=youtu.be]

Does Chipotle's New Thought Provoking Ad Have an Impact?

A new Chipotle ad, "The Scarecrow," has gotten some buzz recently. It's also brought about some interesting conversations in the comments sections of YouTube and articles discussing the 3-minute mini movie. Watch it below and then read on.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUtnas5ScSE]

Really, watch it. No skipping!

I don't think there is any question that the ad is eerie. However, the message, the messenger, the intent, and the over-all impact have become big points for discussion.

1. Does this ad give the impression that Chipotle is vegetarian? If so, is this a cop-out on their part? Should they have included images of sustainable, humane meat production? This didn't even occur to me until I saw some comments from people who were not familiar with Chipotle. They said the ad gave them the impression that it was a vegetarian establishment. While I do see their point, I don't think the intention was to gloss over the fact that Chipotle uses meat. Their position has never been that meat is bad, just that there are better ways to raise meat animals. Also, you can purchase a vegetarian meal at Chipotle and you get free guac. :) Lastly, Chipotle put another moving ad out 2 years ago that does depict sustainable animal agriculture.
2. Why is this an ad for a game app? Does it cheapen the message? I wasn't quite sure why there was a game associated with this advertisement. It just didn't really make sense to me. To get more info, I watched the behind the scenes video for the ad. According to the makers, the intent of the game is to provide a fun and engaging way to educate people about the food system. I did my research for you guys and downloaded and played the game (ya know, hard hitting investigation) and it was pretty good. I don't know that I'll play it all the time or anything, but it was cute. It doesn't delve too deep into the issues, but it might be educational for someone who is younger or has no knowledge of these issues.
3. Should it take a glossy ad from a company like Chipotle to bring this message to the greater public's attention? While it sometimes seems unfair that marketing plays such a big role in our decision making, the truth is, it does. Just because an idea is important doesn't mean that it will necessarily reach the public or attract attention. At the same time, an idea that is unhelpful or even damaging can get the spotlight and support with a little glitter and glam. Rather than fight marketing's power, I think it's right to embrace it. Plus, a company like Chipotle has an audience that is ready to listen to what they have to say. Chipotle shows that sustainble ag can taste great, be accessible to the masses, and, most importantly, that lots of people are willing to pay for it. While they aren't perfect (hint: no one is), they are transparent concerning their areas for improvement and vocal about the changes they are constantly trying to make.
4. Does this ad have any lasting impact? Is Chipotle using it's visibility to start a real conversation about the broken food system or do people simply watch it, think "that's awful," and then run through the drive-thru on their way home from work? As far as this is concerned, I have no idea. The video has over 5 million views at the time of this post (6 days after it was released), so it is obviously reaching lots of people. Many of my Facebook friends have shared, commented, and liked the video. But, does that translate to action? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I don't know if there is a "right" answer to each of these questions, but they sure are thought provoking. I'd love to hear what y'all think.

What are your thoughts on the issues surrounding "The Scarecrow?" Share in the comments below!

Week 4: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

Just as I was starting to get back into the swing of things as far as my exercise is concerned, this week brought about a new challenge: vacation! Jasen's side of the fam planned a last hurrah for summer at the beach. I was excited, but not looking forward to finding time for my workouts. Jasen and I went down Tuesday evening and stayed through Sunday. This is what my workout schedule looked like for the week:

Our late departure meant I was able to get Strength 3 and 4 in before we even left, which made things a bit easier. Now, while I don't think vacation needs to be a vacation from physical activity, that doesn't mean it's easy to get your butt in gear either. Thank goodness these workouts are only 30 minutes long! I mean, who wants to be cooped up inside when outside looks like this:

Normally I probably would have ditched the DVDs and pushed myself back a week in favor for being active in my locale, but I made a promise to you guys and I'm sticking to it! I ended up completing all of my strength workouts and forgoing the cardio for being active at the beach. I always feel like the strength is non-negotiable because it's so specific in the muscles it targets, but the cardio is just to get an extra burn while giving your muscles a little bit of a break. I figured with daily walks through the sand and running around with the wee ones, it was a fair trade.

On the last day, Jasen and I got up early to watch the sunrise. Then we headed in and I had an egg on a whole wheat biscuit with a side of veggies for breakfast. Yum!

I must say I'm pretty proud that I stuck to the plan and got my workouts in. I even lost some weight which is always a win when you're on vacation.

Do you still exercise on vacation? How do you get a workout in? Let us know in the comments below!

Week 5: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

Eating Organic On A Budget

It's a common complaint that eating healthy and organic foods is more expensive than eating junk. While this can be true if you buy a lot of specialty or processed products, it can also be affordable to eat well if you know how to do it. With that said, I don't know why it is virtuous in our culture to spend as little on food as possible (see Extreme Couponers). Obviously if you aren't bringing in enough money to feed yourself this should be a concern, but even those who are well off get sucked into this mentality. Spending as little as possible on food and dropping thousands on a designer handbag are both admirable. What? I recently had a request from a reader to write a post with tips for those who want to eat organic, but aren't independently wealthy. I'm here to tell you that you can eat delicious, healthy food on a budget, if you put in the effort. It's all about doing what you can, prioritizing your food dollars, and giving yourself a break some times. Jasen and I definitely don't spend unlimited amounts of money on our food, but we're still able to eat well.

1. Grow your own. No matter if you live on several acres or in an NYC apartment, you can still grow something. Potted herbs are a great place to start!
2. Shop at your local farmers market. You can get great prices and, as you start to build relationships with the farmers, you can often get deals or freebies.
3. Use the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" lists to prioritize your organic dollars. These list which foods have the most pesticide residue (most important to buy organic) and which have the least (less important to buy organic). If you have to choose, you're better off getting organic versions of the thin skinned fruits and veggies like apples and tomatoes, and buying non-organic when it comes to thick skinned foods like oranges and watermelon.
4. Eat less meat. Organic and pastured meats can be expensive, so, rather than eating cheap meat every night, opt for organic meats 2-3 times per week.
5. Stop buying chicken in pieces. Buy the whole chicken and cut it up yourself. Not only is this cheaper, but it gives some variety in your diet and you can use the left-over back bone to make stock.
6. Buy foods in bulk. Often, this can be cheaper (but check to make sure it is)! When it comes to meat, buy a whole cow or hog and freeze it for the year. If you are single and/or don't have a huge freezer to store the meat, go in with some friends and split it.
7. Don't get sucked into organic specialty products like bars, crackers, and cereal. They're quite expensive. Choose whole, real foods instead.
8. Make as much yourself as possible. You can save lots of money by taking the time to soak and cook dried beans rather than buying canned. I've recently started making my own yogurt. Start with one change at a time and add them on gradually. As you go, what was once a big deal will become your new normal.
9. Eat in. Eating out is super expensive and often the quality of the food isn't that great. When you do eat out, make it a special occasion and choose restaurants that specialize in something you can't make yourself and/or ones that use local and organic ingredients.
10. Find the money. Most people spend some of their income on extra items they don't need. Now, while there isn't anything wrong with this, if you are on a limited budget, you might need to eliminate or reduce these items in order to put that money towards your food. It all comes down to what is more important to you.

A great resource if you need meal ideas is 100 Days of Real Food. After this mom and her family completed a 100 day real food challenge, they went on a 100 day real food on a budget challenge where they spent less than what they would have received on SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits. You can read all about their struggles and tips here.

Even with these tips, the bottom line is that you have to make healthy eating a priority. It does sometimes require sacrifices, but the benefits are much greater.

Do you guys have any money-saving tips when it comes to eating well? Share them in the comments below!

Recipe: Classic Hummus

I love hummus. It's great for dipping vegetables and also the secret to a killer veggie sandwich. I've tried a lot of brands in the grocery store (and I definitely have my favorites), but I've been on the search for a good homemade recipe for a while. You guys know I like to make everything myself that I can, plus homemade things usually taste better right? On my hummus search I've tried a few recipes and none were inedible, but they still never tasted quite as good as what I could buy in the store. Part of me said just suck it up! It's cheaper and better for you and it doesn't taste bad, just not great. Stop being whiny! But, when you're already doing a lot of cooking, it can be hard to find the motivation to put the time into making something that doesn't even taste that amazing. So, after some experimenting, I've come up with a recipe that, in my opinion, in the best one out there.

Classic Hummus

makes approximately 2 cups

Ingredients

3/4 cup dried chickpeas or 15oz can (if you canned, start with step 4)

1/3 cup chickpea cooking liquid or water

4-5 tablespoons sesame tahini

2 cloves garlic

Juice of 1 lemon

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Soak dried chickpeas in water overnight.
2. Drain chickpeas, add to a sauce pan, and cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then simmer partially covered for 30-45 minutes, or until chickpeas are tender.
3. Drain cooked chickpeas, reserving 1/3 cup of the cooking liquid
4. Add chickpeas, half of reserved cooking liquid/water, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, cumin and salt  to a blender or food processor and blend. Gradually add the remaining liquid and continue blending until you reach your desired consistency (sometimes the chickpeas hold on to more water, so adding the water gradually ensures you don't end up with runny hummus). Taste for salt and adjust if needed.

1. Stir in olive oil or drizzle it on top for serving. Enjoy!

Watch the video below to see me make this recipe and hear about some possible variations.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/2rtpO7UJk4k]

Have you ever struggled to recreate a favorite food or recipe? Let me know in the comments below!

Week 3: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

Back again for my weekly JM Body Revolution update! This week I started a new set of strength DVDs. Here's the schedule:

I wasn't sure how the first jump to harder workouts would go, but it really hasn't been too bad at all. Strength 1 and 2 were definitely easier, but I felt ready for the increase in intensity. There are two main differences between weeks 1 + 2 and weeks 3 + 4.

1. In the first two weeks there aren't any jumping moves because the program is designed to be appropriate for people who are starting from zero as far as fitness is concerned and also have a good bit of weight to lose.
2. The first two weeks don't have any combo moves so that a beginner can learn the form for basic exercises. For example, in weeks one and two, you would do sumo squats and overhead tricep extensions separately. In weeks 3 and 4, you do them together.

I'm happy to report that I did all six workouts this week! I did end up moving the second cardio session to Sunday because Saturday was BUSY, but I'm fine with that. The amount of dread I feel is decreasing, which must mean my body and mind are both getting back into the routine of exercise. Also, I can definitely tell that my strength is coming back and my body just feels more toned over-all.

Here I am after my workout on Sunday. Sweaty, but still smiling!

What did you guys do for exercise this past week? Let me know in the comments below!

Week 4: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution