What's in Your Pantry?

Each day I awaken with another idea for healthy changes to make.  This morning I had a bright idea that should prove challenging, but I have to ruminate on the health benefits. I am not going to go shopping for groceries until everything in my pantry, refrigerator and freezer is used up!

The only exception will be for Ezekiel bread and organic butter, and perhaps the occasional fresh fruit or vegetable, and rice milk, and eggs.
But when I go to the store, I will have a list and cash.  No cheating!!

I asked my husband if he was up for the challenge...you realize this means I have to drink up all the 20 boxes of tea before I buy coffee again...his look was so funny!  He said, " Oooookaaay. I'll try."  LOL!
If you saw my food supplies, you would understand!

A couple of years ago, I started storing up dried beans and rice, spices and canned goods in case the world collapsed.   I have myriads of jars of jelly and jam, odd assortment of pickles and chutney...the list goes on! 


I actually do think there will be health benefits, the more I think about it.  For example, tea has antioxidants that coffee does not have, and less caffeine. (I posted a link to an article about green tea that is very enlightening at the end of this post) Dried beans and rice do not have the fat and other bad stuff like steroids and other mysterious additions we know nothing about.  Most of the rice I have stored is brown rice. This is great for our digestion!

One fun thing will be using the marshmallows and pudding and chocolate chips!!! I buy that kind of thing around the holiday season, but many times they never get used.  :) I may have to post some of the recipes I concoct!

I am going enjoy making my own granola again.  You would not believe how much oatmeal I have out in the refrigerator in the garage!  Oatmeal is awesome for lowering cholesterol.  But I have not cooked any in over a year!  I could put the chocolate chips in the granola! Chocolate is good for you!  Antioxidants! :)

Making homemade bread should be a challenge. Time to let it rise might be hard to find...oh wait! This is something I could do with the grandkids! Yes! 

I guess the best health benefit will be a boost in my creativity!
Supper is at 6:00pm...all are welcome!  Blessings, Anna Marie


http://www.webmd.com

10 Simple Changes to Improve Your Health

If you have been following my blog you know I am all about small, do-able steps to get healthy. Thought I would share a list of things I am doing and maybe it will spark some ideas for you. Most of these are not new, but I figured if I need reminding then probably others do as well!  Here goes:

1. Start your day with thanksgiving!  Put a reminder beside your bed that you will see when you open your eyes. Or if you are a techie, make an alarm wake up that says, "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!" instead of a ringer! 
2. Take the stairs and not the elevator.
3. Park at the outside of the parking lot and not the closest. Think of it as saving those close spots for the elderly and handicapped, being thankful you can walk! 
4. Choose whole-grain over processed.
5. Double the veggies and cut the meat in half.
6. Share dessert. :)  One or two bites is satisfying! 
7. Try a new activity: Hiking in the state parks, walking and exploring your town's historical district, take tennis lessons, prayer walk your neighborhood, grab your partner and take some dancing lessons!
8. If you have an addiction, try cutting back on one each day. Whether it's coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, Hershey kisses. Count how many you are indulging in each day and cut back on one each day and replace the time you would have spent indulging with an activity like jump on a re-bounder, take a short walk, do a set of sit-ups, push-ups.  Stop and sing at the top of your voice something that makes you laugh! 
9. Listen to classical music for at least 15 minutes each day. (I promise it helps the brain!)
10. Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine each day without wearing sunscreen...Vitamin D, baby!

I would love to hear some of your ideas, too! Blessings, Anna Marie