Yesterday marked the start of of the CVL Eat-In Challenge: 30 Days Restaurant Free.
The Challenge:
And now, here’s your challenge. Starting on October 1st and running through the month until October 30th, challenge participants are encouraged to eat-in for all meals. This includes snacks and beverages. I am not going to state any exceptions because this is something that you are doing for yourself. Just remember if you do “cheat” one day it doesn’t mean the month is a loss. Just start right back up; each meal is a new chance to jump back in.
Set a budget for the month and stick to it. This budget should include all of your meals, snacks and beverages and should be based on your personal/family needs. This means making your coffee at home, avoiding vending machines at work (you should avoid those anyways). Do you crave dessert? Make sure to add it to your grocery list, try to avoid those late night runs to your favorite dessert spot. Every budget will be different but make sure it is one that you will be able to work with for an entire month.
My monthly grocery budget for October is $360 plus CSA (two remaining share baskets)
How you are going to keep yourself on track and what measures you plan to take to make this a successful challenge.
I am going to blog about my journey, menu plan and focus on buying vegetables, whole foods and bulk items.
If you are participating:
On October 8th, 15th and 22nd post a progress report. The post should include:
Discuss how things are going and whether you are on track for budget.
Discuss the meals you had over the course of the week.
Something you learned, a challenge you faced and how you over came that challenge
Are you participating? Add this badge to your blog:
The first pair of running shoes I ever bought were purchased on a bit of whim. I knew I needed running shoes if I wanted to run however instead of getting fitted for the right shoes for my feet I went by brand name and comfort. In retrospect I should have really done more research before purchasing them because I later came to find that although great shoes they weren’t the right shoe for me. A year later (I didn’t run much that first year) I purchased a second pair of shoes but this time I visited Fleet Feet to get fitted. I learned that I am a mild to neutral pronator however I require medium arch support. I was given the option of a neutral shoe with a Superfeet insole (the blue or green one) or a stability shoe with medium arch support. This information is really invaluable because it is really the key to picking to right shoe, so go get fitted! All that being said I decided to go with the Asics GEL-Kayano 17 . I really like the shoes but I guess you could say that after 250 miles on these I’m not totally sold. I feel like I might need just a little more arch support or maybe just a different shoe. That’s where Brooks comes in… I contacted Brooks Running about doing a shoe review and they were interested so I used Brooks Shoe Advisor to determine which shoe is right for me. So based on the Shoe Advisor and my Asics I went with the Ravenna 2. Pros: the feel good to run in; the fit is right; I like the color; I like the support, they are light weight and breathable. Cons: although they feel good to run in they don’t feel GREAT- this is the only real con that I have. So I went back to Fleet Feet. I was re-evaluated and in reality I should have probably chosen neutral pronation. Conclusion: I find that my Brooks Ravenna 2 are good running shoes, for now. I don’t have any issues with my knees or legs or stride like I did with my very first pair, however I am going to head to the Green Mountain Rehab which now has a new running store to discuss my needs more in-depth and try out the above four shoes to see if maybe they will be the perfect fit. Things I love about the Brooks: I love the service- I picked the wrong size because apparently I need a full size larger in running shoes and they were quick to swap them out. I love the shoe advisor, it is quick and easy to use. It also provides the resources to make sure you understand what they are asking for so you can choose the right shoe for you. I also love their True Blue Guarantee: Brooks products come with a no-questions-asked, 30-day satisfaction guarantee on every purchase. Who knew that choosing the right running shoe would take so much trial and error?_____________________________________________________________________________________________Disclaimer: Brooks Running provided me with a pair of their Ravenna 2 running shoes. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are based on personal experience.
Juicing is a wonderful way to supplement vitamins, minerals and enzymes. The fiber is removed from the fruits and vegetables which helps aid in the digestion process and helps the body to heal. Juicing is a great way to jump start healthy eating and give your organs a break. However juicing can be a very strategic activity. You need to plan to juice when you have the time and are able to drink it immediately due to oxidization. If you are unable to do so you may consider investing in a higher tech juicer so you are able to store juice.
Types of Juicers:
Centrifugal: This juicer has a fast spinning grater and a strainer where the juice goes through and then out the spout. This juicer is a fast juicer with a larger mouth which allows for less prep and easier clean up. However your juice oxidizes quickly which breaks down the enzymes and the juice starts to loose nutrients. When using this type of juicer juice should be consumed quickly, within 15-20 minutes of juicing. If you are unable to drink your juice immediately you can put in an airtight mason jar and store in the fridge. However if the juice turns dark brown it means it has oxidized and no nutrients are left, this is when you should toss it.
Masticating: This juicer has a slow turning screw that squeezes the juice through a stainless steel screen.
Twin Gear: This is the lowest speed; it presses the fruits/vegetables between two gears until the pump is nearly dry.
Both the masticating and twin gear types of juicers take more time to clean up and to juice and both of these types of juicers are more expensive. The benefit to both of these juicers is that they incorporate less air into the juice which allows them to last longer. The masticating can be stored in the fridge up to one day and the twin gear lasts up to 72 hours.
I would love to invest in a masticating or twin gear but after months of research I bought a Breville Compact Juice Fountain two years ago. I haven’t been using it as often as I used to but I dusted it off the other day and got right back into things. I have a drawer full of items to be juiced and I am looking forward to having a nice big juice for breakfast. My Favorite Green Juice
1 bunch green kale
6 small carrots (or 2 large)
1 small apple
3 celery stalks
squeeze of lemon juice
Every month, the Hubz and I seem to have the same discussion about cutting back on eating out. And yet, nothing really changes.
One of the biggest realizations that we have come to is how crazy it is that we can debate for days, months, weeks over making a simple purchase for something like a new shirt or shoes, and yet when it comes to dining out we don’t even think twice. Looking back on things I am just imagining how many shirts, shoes, and new bags I could have bought over the years if we had just cut back on dining out. The trouble is, we really enjoy dining out. Not so much the actual eating part, but the social aspect of it. It’s nice to peel ourselves away from the computers and get out and do something together. It gives us the opportunity to take a break and enjoy each others company. No dishes to clean up is certainly a nice perk!
So, why not dine out? What are the biggest problems with eating out?
Portions – Most of the times, your portions are way too much for one person. Many times, Neil and I will share an entree and a salad or appetizer. But, whether you just aren’t feeling like eating the same thing as your partner, or you just feel like you’re hungrier than you probably are, sometimes you just want your own meal. You could always ask the wait staff to box half up of your meal before they bring it out, but, honestly, how often does that actually happen?
Expense – There’s no two ways about it, eating out is expensive. Just think about how much that pasta with salad dish would have cost you at home. Would that bottle of wine you shared at dinner really have cost you $35.00 at the grocery store? Often, a meal for two (as simple as the one i just mentioned) can cost upwards of $60. In reality, you can make it at home for $15-25 (including that bottle of wine!). I know that part of what you are paying for is the experience, but why not try to recreate that at home? And hey, tipping your partner with a kiss is a lot cheaper than 15-20% of that $60 bill (and more fun!).
Mystery – Often, it can be a mystery as to what you are actually eating. Unless a restaurant clearly labels each ingredient on their menu, you may not have any idea what is in your dish. Often restaurant dishes are filled with sodium and fats used to heighten flavor which makes you want more, creating repeat customers. Not to mention that you don’t know what the quality of the ingredients they use are or whether they are packaged or made from scratch.
How can eating at home help?
You have control – You have all of the control. You can control: the portion sizes, the quality of ingredients and the costs. When we eat at home we are able to buy high quality ingredients to make dishes that are tasty, healthy and better fit our budget. You can control the salt and the fat, which helps you take control of your diet.
How can I address the things that get in the way of cooking at home?
There are a couple core reasons people turn to eating out and I’m hoping to give you some ways you can address those. Many people end up eating out for the following reasons:
I don’t like to cook – A lot of people just don’t like to cook. Whether they find it tedious or just too hard. One way to make it fun is to find a friend who likes to cook or who is good at cooking to cook with. The Hubz used to have cooking parties with his friends all the time and found that it really helped to improve the quality of food and the healthiness of the food he was eating at home. If you are in a relationship, make it fun by making it something you and your partner do together. Break the preparation up into different steps: chopping veggies, sautéing your veggies and/or proteins or boiling the pasta for example. This allows you to spend time together and make the process a little less tedious or labor intensive.
I don’t know how to cook – Look into taking a cooking class. It’s a great way to learn and maybe even meet some new friends who may share your passion for food. Many local health food stores, kitchen supply stores (Williams-Sonoma for one), community centers and in some cases even bloggers or restaurants in your area are great resources for cooking classes. These classes are usually offered at reasonable rate and some classes even cater to couples. You will often find these classes focusing on different cuisines or dishes which will allow you to to become an expert at cooking the types of food you love to get when you eat out. You can often find classes offered on the basics of cooking as well (knife work, making broths, etc). Investing the time and money you would normally spend on eating out one night is a great way to learn to provide for yourself for years to come!
I don’t have time – Cooking a big meal can be intimidating and time consuming. But there are lots of great, easy, tasty and healthy dishes that you can throw together quickly. Often the time you put into making a quick, healthy dish can be less than you would invest in going out to eat. Between work, health coaching and blogging spare time is hard to find, so I often feature some of my favorite quick, healthy recipes on the blog. Some examples of some quick healthy dishes include: couscous and steamed veggies and beans, salads with lots of veggies and a lean protein. A favorite of the Hubz’s is what we like to call “Beans, Greens and Grains” at home. It’s usually a combination of some sort of bean (any will do, for example: black eyed peas, chickpeas or white beans), a whole grain (brown rice, quinoa, etc.) and a hearty green (the Hubz loves kale, collards and spinach).
In a pinch, when you are on the run and are really running short on time there are some great frozen healthful options from brands like Amy’s Kitchen and Kashi that are tasty, clear about what goes into them and packed full of nutrients. These meals will help you address any of the three issues I listed above as reasons for eating out and are much more cost efficient.
The Challenge:
And now, here’s your challenge. Starting on October 1st and running through the month until October 30th, challenge participants are encouraged to eat-in for all meals. This includes snacks and beverages. I am not going to state any exceptions because this is something that you are doing for yourself. Just remember if you do “cheat” one day it doesn’t mean the month is a loss. Just start right back up; each meal is a new chance to jump back in.
Set a budget for the month and stick to it. This budget should include all of your meals, snacks and beverages and should be based on your personal/family needs. This means making your coffee at home, avoiding vending machines at work (you should avoid those anyways). Do you crave dessert? Make sure to add it to your grocery list, try to avoid those late night runs to your favorite dessert spot. Every budget will be different but make sure it is one that you will be able to work with for an entire month.
Focus on simple, healthy meals during the week and one “WOW” dinner on the weekend. When you keep things simple you reduce stress and the desire to eat out. The “WOW” dinner is a replacement for eating out; make something special and make an event out of it. One of our favorite things to do is pick a movie and create a meal that follows the theme of the movie.
Have a prep day. One of the biggest challenges many of us face is time. Take one day per week, I find Sundays work well for me, and prep your meals for the week. This helps things run smoothly through the week and you will have more time doing the things you want, rather than being in the kitchen all night.
Buy in bulk and portion out. I love to buy nuts, seeds and dried fruit in bulk for snacks. When I get home I portion them out into little containers so they are easy to grab and go. This is also great to do with other snacks such as veggie sticks and hummus or whole grain crackers and salsa.
Keep it simple and have fun.
Added incentive:
Need a little added incentive to keep you on track? All participants who participate with no cheats will be eligible for a $10 amazon gift card purchased for you by me.
Requirements:
You must follow all of the following requirements to be eligible:
Blog post announcing your participation by 12pm EST on October 1, 2011. The blog post must include:
Why you are participating in the challenge.
Your monthly budget.
How you are going to keep yourself on track and what measures you plan to take to make this a successful challenge.
On October 8th, 15th and 22nd you must post a progress report. The post must include:
Discuss how things are going and whether you are on track for budget.
Discuss the meals you had over the course of the week.
Something you learned, a challenge you faced and how you over came that challenge
Lastly on October 30th a final report must be posted. This post must include:
Discuss how the challenge went and whether you were able to stay on track for budget
Discuss positive changes you have experienced with your health, your relationships and your wallet.
Something you learned, a challenge you faced and how you over came that challenge
Today I’m juicing and I’ll blog about that later but first head over to the Health & Wellness with Lindsay Blog and check out a few new things.
New Things:
Warm Wishes: I would like to give you the opportunity to send a friend a little fall treat (warm mulling spices) and a warm wishes message from YOU. Read more here.
Pumpkin Cookie Recipes: Yes you read that correctly- TWO pumpkin chip recipes for you. Which one do you like more? Get the recipes here.
Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat; add the carrots and onion and saute for 5-6 minutes until soft and lightly browning. Stir in the garlic and cook for one minute. Add the vegetable broth and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the roasted tomatoes.
Pour the contents of the pot into a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Return to the pot, season with salt and pepper and heat until desired temperature.
Ladle into two bowls and top with a sprinkle of parsley.
Last night I had a real hankering for oven roasted tomatoes. I eventually found myself at the natural foods store picking up a big bag of plum tomatoes and then home slicing them and preparing them to roast. I decided to also roast some fennel from our CSA and a few bulbs of delicious local organic garlic.
How I Roast Tomatoes, Fennel and Garlic:
Pre-heat oven to 350F.
Line two baking sheets with unbleached parchment paper.
Cut tomatoes in half and place on the baking sheet flesh side up.
Slice the fennel bulbs into 1/4 inch slices and place in one layer on the baking sheet.
Dress the tomatoes and fennel with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
For the garlic: I remove about 1/2 inch from the top of each bulb, saving the little bits of garlic that come off to use in another dish.
I then drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and wrap in aluminum foil.
Enjoy your roasted tomatoes, fennel and garlic in sauces, soups, pasta dishes and dressings.
Or in these recipes to come.
{Sneak Peak}
Trust me the zombie I live with loved these dishes.
*Hubz is slowly getting better and his bruises have gone from dark purple to yellowing. He’s a tough guy.*
So based on the Shoe Advisor and my Asics I went with the Ravenna 2. Pros: the feel good to run in; the fit is right; I like the color; I like the support, they are light weight and breathable. Cons: although they feel good to run in they don’t feel GREAT- this is the only real con that I have. So I went back to Fleet Feet. I was re-evaluated and in reality I should have probably chosen neutral pronation. 
Conclusion: I find that my Brooks Ravenna 2 are good running shoes, for now. I don’t have any issues with my knees or legs or stride like I did with my very first pair, however I am going to head to the Green Mountain Rehab which now has a new running store to discuss my needs more in-depth and try out the above four shoes to see if maybe they will be the perfect fit. Things I love about the Brooks: I love the service- I picked the wrong size because apparently I need a full size larger in running shoes and they were quick to swap them out. I love the shoe advisor, it is quick and easy to use. It also provides the resources to make sure you understand what they are asking for so you can choose the right shoe for you. I also love their 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Disclaimer: Brooks Running provided me with a pair of their Ravenna 2 running shoes. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are based on personal experience. 
*Hubz is slowly getting better and his bruises have gone from dark purple to yellowing. He’s a tough guy.*
