There's A New Granola In Town Called My Favorite Indulgence And I'm Giving Some Away

My Favorite Indulgence was started by a fellow foodie friend Vicki Schrimmer; a self-taught/family-taught/taste-buds-taught baker.  For 10 years she was on a quest to make granola and after lots of experimenting and testing several different flavor arrangements My Favorite Indulgence was born.


The product line features four varieties: Nut-Free Granola, Chocolate-Mocha Granola Granola with Nuts, and Pumpkin-Spiced Granola. I've tried all three and would say the Granola with Nuts is my favorite.

All of the granola is slow roasted in small batches giving it a nice crunch. They are all trans-fat free and vegan; perfect for those wanting a healthier snack option. Try it mixed with yogurt, sprinkled over fresh fruit or by the handfuls right from the bag...it's that good.


Now for the fun part
 *** 2 lucky readers will have a chance to win a bag of the Granola with Nuts enter below*** Contests runs through 5/21/2013


  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Healthy Eating on a Budget

I'm not saying it's easy but it's not impossible to eat healthy on a budget. Eating healthy should not be a hardship but often times it can be if you don't know the basics. Below are just a few ideas I put together to help you get started.

1. Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season.  They will not only cost less, because they don't have to be shipped, but they will also taste better. If you can't buy them fresh frozen is a great option. But be sure you are getting just veggies and not added sugar or salt.  (read packages carefully)

2. Grow your own.  This may not be practical for everything, but even just growing the few herbs you use most can save you money.  And since you've grown it yourself you know that it has't been treated with any harmful chemicals.

3. Cut out processed food. The sugar and salt they contain will only leave you hungry for real food; which means you end up eating more. You may need to "condition" your taste buds for this one but once you do it becomes routine and easy.

4. Use leftovers wisely. One meal can often be spread out into several others during the week.  Leftover chicken from tonight's dinner can be tossed in a salad for tomorrow's lunch. Veggies can be sauteed and added to eggs to make a nice hearty omelet.

5. Prioritize. What's important to you when it comes to food? Most people have no qualms spending upwards of $5 at Starbucks on a daily basis but think it's outrageous to spend that much on fresh veggies. If you decide that you want to eat healthy then spending a little extra for good food will become less of an issue for you.

Chickpea & Zucchini Salad: Brown Bag Series #13

By: The Food Hunter

In my Brown Bag this week: Chickpea & Zucchini Salad.  I grow my own lettuce and even though I use several different varieties in any given salad I still tend to get bored.  So I am always trying to switch things up; either with a new dressing or a cool mix in.

This week I decided to do a basic chickpeas and zucchini mix with a light lemon drizzle. Placed over your favorite salad greens this makes a great lunch.



Chickpea & Zucchini Salad

1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
2 small zucchini, quartered
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
lettuce of your choice
salt and pepper to taste

In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and zest until thickened.  Season with salt and pepper. Combine your zucchini, chickpeas and feta.  Place on bed of lettuce and lightly dress with lemon and oil mixture.

Zinio Online Magazine Subscription Giveaway

Have you heard of Zinio? It's an app that allows you to get digital access to magazine subscriptions on your iPad, iPhone, Android mobile phones and tablets, laptop or desktop.

You can now browse thousands of top magazines from around the world and purchase subscriptions or single issues instantly from your computer or mobile device to be read wherever and whenever you like. For someone like me that peruses several magazines a day this is great news.

Zinio is currently offering some great deals including:



2 for 1
2 years subscription for the price of 1 on 48 participating titles
Ends April 23
and
 Earth Day
save an extra 50% off over 100 participating titles
Ends April 30



****Now for the fun part 9 lucky readers (plus myself) will get  1 free subscription to the magazine of your choice.   All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and let me know what your favorite magazine is by the end of the day on May 3rd.****

Fat Chance No-Going-Back Weight Loss Plan: Week 9

By:Jennifer Giralo

The start of this week dealt with one of my biggest issues. I have a lot of issues, but in regards to food, I need to get a hold of my super-power ability to make excuses. I can make an excuse out of anything for any situation.

The book really focuses on reframing those justifications or excuses. We only perceive that we need food. We can change the way we think about a situation and negotiate those thoughts within ourselves. For example, the book mentions my favorite excuse.

I’ve had a hard day, I deserve this.

The book suggests reframing it to think more along the lines of delayed gratification. Instead of thinking you deserve food, think of yourself as deserving of a healthy and slim body. It will help you overcome the default thinking of using food as your reward.

Another theme for this week was actually one of my justifications I use on a daily basis, social occasions. I always eat whatever out at restaurants whenever hanging out with friends. The books says to eat a light snack beforehand and to be prepared to say a polite no if you are not hungry.

What is your most frequently used justification for eating poorly and how can we reframe it?