Genius ways to get a healthy lifestyle on a budget

It’s tempting to buy name brands you’ve seen in ads, but you pay for that prestige. Store brands – many of which are nearly identical to the name-brand versions – are a good way to use healthy foods swaps to save money on groceries.

Eating is practically free if you can grow food in your own backyard. “If you’re new to gardening or don’t think you have a green thumb, start off with a few simple herbs,” says health and wellness expert Caleb Backe. “Herbs are generally pretty resilient and taste way better when they’re freshly picked. Once you get the hang of it, plant some of your favourite foods like tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, peppers, and berries.”

If you have leftover food that you’re sick of eating and don’t want to waste, switch it up, and turn it into a soup. “Some canned or frozen broth is your best friend here,” says nutritionist Keith Ayoob, associate clinical professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. “Or make your own. It takes some time, but it’s passive time, so you just let it simmer in the evening while you watch TV or do something else.”

Instead of buying heavy-duty cleaning products that likely contain hazardous chemicals or splurging on special green brands, make your own natural cleaning solutions using ingredients like baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice. “Try making your own non-toxic cleaners with products you already have in your kitchen,” says healthy lifestyle expert Mary Black. “One of the easiest ways to be healthy is to rid your house of those nasty poisons.”

Buying pre-cleaned and pre-cut food can save time, but it won’t save you money. Purchasing a head of lettuce, cleaning it, and chopping it oneself is more cost-effective than purchasing a bagged salad, and it will frequently remain fresher for a longer period of time. The same for carrots, celery, etc.

However, keep in mind that if buying pre-peeled garlic is the difference in you making a home-cooked meal or ordering takeout because you didn’t have time or plan ahead, buy the pre-peeled garlic.

Nature requires no down payment and no monthly membership, so go ahead and take advantage. Connecting with nature might simply look like taking a walk around the block or sitting on your front step for a few minutes. “Go for a walk during your lunch break, do yoga outside or in the garden, and plan jogging and hiking adventures on the weekends,” says self-care coach Zakiyya Rosebelle. Doing outdoor activities is not only a free or inexpensive way to get exercise, but spending time outdoors can help improve your overall wellbeing and mood.

Be sure to check the contents of the refrigerator and pantry as well to see what you already have. It’s possible that there are edible items stashed away in the back that can be used, or you could want to organise your meals around edible items that need to be consumed before they go bad. You should only make plans to buy things that you are certain you will make use of. You won’t have to waste as much of the things you buy but don’t end up using if you do it this way.

Practicing gratitude can take on many different forms, but regardless of how you do it, it’s a great way to appreciate what you already have.

Gloria Grace Rand is a spiritual alignment coach, podcast host, and the author of the best-selling book, Live. Love. Engage. – How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Being Yourself. “Spending a few minutes every morning journaling your thoughts, even if all you write are your plans for the day, helps to get your creative juices flowing and improves your intuition,” Rand says, “Keeping a gratitude journal is also great for your health! Every night, spend a few minutes journaling about the things and people in your life that make you smile and feel gratitude. The more gratitude you express, the more you have to be grateful for.”

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Source: RD.com