My Top 10 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget!

Lets be real, we are ALL on a budget. If I had it my way I would have my own LIVE in Chef who ALSO did all the Grocery Shopping. Since I'm not living the high life (yet :P), lets get back to reality. I have to skimp and save WHEREVER I can too!

I get a lot of "Eating Healthy is expensive. I cant afford that!" I wont lie and say that eating healthy is CRAZY cheap and you're just missing a key piece of the puzzle. BUT, what I can tell you is that you will pay one way or another. If you continue to eat processed, food like products then you will EVENTUALLY be paying to correct the side effects it has on your body. #PayTheFarmerOrPayTheDoctor #YourChoice

Yes, It can cost more money up front but DON'T worry! I'm going to share with you my Top 10 tips for eating healthy on a budget.

1. Make your Grocery List BEFORE you shop!

I spend considerably less when I shop with a grocery list. When I just try to wing it, my grocery bill is higher, and I buy unnecessary items. Not to mention, if I don't plan out the WHOLE week I forget or miss certain items causing me to return to the grocery store & waste even MORE money.

2. Don't shop when you're HUNGRY!

Going Grocery Shopping when you're hungry is a BIG no-no! Not only are you willing to tear off and exchange your left arm for something tasty, but you are also willing to buy anything and EVERYTHING! This leaves you will LESS money and VERY tempting food that you have to NOW try and avoid the rest of the week. Just skip it ALL together!

3. Buy Frozen Produce OR shop the Local Food Stand!

Most of the time foods in the produce section AREN'T actually as fresh as frozen produce. That’s because most frozen foods are frozen at the peak of ripeness, thereby preserving the food when it’s packed with the most nutrients. Fresh produce is usually harvested before it’s 100% ripe, and then spend a few days in the shipping process before they get to your grocery store and into your kitchen. If you aren't too keen on the whole frozen food thing, you can always shop the Local Food Stand! They are almost ALWAYS cheaper than the Grocery Store and it ALSO gives back to your local community! #WINWIN

4. Buy produce IN Season!

When you do buy fresh produce, make sure it’s in season. Prices drop on produce when it’s in season. They usually taste better TOO!

5. Invest in a GOOD Meal Replacement, NOT a protein powder!

Meal Replacements are SUPER convenient & easy for "on the go-ers", but if you don't do your research you can come across some potentially dangerous rip offs. If it DOESN'T replace a WHOLE meal--rip off! If it DOESN'T keep you full for at LEAST 3 hours--rip off! If it DOESN'T include at LEAST one serving of veggies--rip off! If it requires you to take more than ONE a day OR has you taking additional supplements--rip off! If it CLAIMS that you can lose weight by ONLY drinking it, NOT changing your eating habits or ADDING in exercise--rip off!  You get it! Do YOUR research! #Shakeology is an AMAZING #MealReplacement that I use everyday! Not to mention by favorite one taste like a reeses peanut butter cup! ❤

6. Cook in LARGER portions & freeze!

This tip saves time and money. Cook large batches of your favorite freezable meals like soups, pasta sauces, and other one-dish dinners. This a no brainer! #SorryNotSorry

7. Keep an organized Pantry & Fridge!

Organize, clean out, and take inventory of your pantry and refrigerator on a regular basis. This helps you reduce food waste and remember what you already have on hand. Before I make my weekly menu and grocery list, I always “shop my kitchen” first, and try to create recipes that build on what I already have in stock. This also keeps me from buying something at the grocery store that I already have at home in the back of the pantry.

8. Meal prep at LEAST once/Week!

I could have named this tip “don’t eat at restaurants,” but that’s not the real problem. If I find myself eating out a lot, it’s because I don’t have any meals prepared at home. When I meal prep (that just means making your meals ahead of time for the week, or sometimes even the month), I not only save time, but I save a ton of money that I would otherwise be spending at restaurants.

9. Stick with SIMPLE Recipes!

I love experimenting with new, healthy foods. But when the budget is tight, I can’t afford to buy five new spices and three new grains for one recipe. If I could, I’d make the most delicious, extravagant foods all the time and post them on Instagram in the most eye catching fashion possible BUT #AintNobodyGotTimeForDat! And that’s okay. Stick with recipes that require just a few, inexpensive ingredients. Check out my Clean Eating Recipes! They are ALSO #21DayFix approved!

10. Skip the Beverages!

This tip is equally for your health as it is for your budget. Beverages like juice, soda, beer, and wine should be considered treats and not staples. I like a good alcoholic beverage (or 2) as much as the next person, but the hidden calories are NOT something your wallet or your health needs. Honestly, just by cutting back on the unnecessary calories ALONE you will start to see the pounds FALL off!

Hope this helps guys!

-Your favorite fun-loving food ENTHUSIAST,

Ali

21 Reasons why I LOVE the 21 Day Fix

Today I figured that I would break down my results and the reasons why I absolutely love the 21 day fix!! So I figured I would list the 21 reasons why I love the 21 day fix! ((I know it's long, bare with me))

1. I mean come on, I lost 32 lbs in the FIRST 21 days. Like wahhhhh?! A total of 100 lbs ((so far))!

2. The meal plan. I mean it TELLS you exactly what portions to eat and what exactly to eat! #ImSpecial 3. 30 minutes. The workouts are ONLY 30min! 4. Not TOO much jumping. Thank GOODNESS! My poor boobies cant take all that bouncing around. I mean I would like to KEEP my eyes intact! 5. The foods you can have are still YUMMY. I mean I have baked ZITI on the regular. #ILikeCarbs #NoDeprivingTheInnerFatty 6. Chocolate! I get to have CHOCOLATE

7. Alcohol! The meal plan includes a few alcoholic beverages--because well, shit happens! :p

8. Let's just REPEAT 6&7. You can still have chocolate and alcohol! Maybe I should just STOP there! haha!

9. It's only 21 days. I mean--why 30 days or 60 when you can do JUST 21?!

10. Energy- I always rolled my eyes at people telling me how energetic I would feel from working out. Honestly I wanted to slap them because I was already dead tired how was physically exerting my precious energy going to give me any energy?? But it does!!!

11. Never leave the house. I never ever ever have to step foot outside to workout! I dont even have to shower after if I dont want to. #AintNobodyGotTimeForDat!

12. The price is SO reasonable. I've paid for gym memberships, shots, wraps, pills, programs--I wish I knew about this program before I went through ALL that. I use to LITERALLY take legal "speed" and inject myself with hormones to lose weight. I've WASTED 100's of $$ & severally hurt my body. Silly me.

13. Getting dressed is WAY over-rated! I'm one HOT mess when I workout ((you guys know)) I can legit roll out of bed and workout! No judgement in your own home.

14. Back to the judgement. Since I'm at home I don't have to worry about having the guy next to me--I don't have to worry when I have to hit pause. I do it at my own pace.

15. More TIME! I don't have to drive to a gym, wait for the machines I want and then drive back. I do it when I want to. I never understood why everyone stood around & talked at the gym anyway. #NotAChattyCathy

16. Shakeology. Yep I used to make fun of people for their shakes. I was totally the "I only eat real food" for meals girl. When I started the 21 day fix I swore I wouldn't do Shakeology! But from the first shake I drank I was sold! I no longer crave junk food or energy drinks for energy. I drink one of these daily and it fills my belly and gives me energy. Plus it helps my digestion a TON. #SorryNotSorry #EveryonePoops ;)

17. The meal plan is so VERSATILE that it works for EVERYONE. Have kids, picky eater, vegan, vegetarian, paleo? It's for YOU

18. And back to chocolate & alcohol. Cant forget those!

19. Being introduced to an opportunity that not only helps me reach & maintain my goals physically but also allows me to give back & help others do the same ALL while I'm building #FinancialFreedom!

20. 100 pounds lost since October and MAINTAINED throughout the whole Summer! It's so awesome to me that I am maintaining my weight and not having to kill myself to do it!

21.This program is ALREADY amazing, but to take your results to the NEXT step, you NEED the NEW 21 Day Fix Cookbook, Fixate! There are 101 approved recipes that include sweets, snacks, meals & even alcohol! #Winning I'm actually offering it for FREE for the those that decide to fall in LOVE with the 21 Day Fix like I have in the month of AUGUST! I mean, I want you to have ALL the tools possible to help you reach your goals

Email me to CLAIM yours!

25 Things I learned by the Time I turned 26

Being that I turn 26 TOMORROW, I can't help but think about how much my life has changed since I turned 25 ((for the better))!

You know, last year when I turned 25 I felt like the world was coming to an end. I called my mom crying and complained about how I hadn't accomplished enough in my life. I complained that I felt like a complete and utter failure for not being "further" in my life. I was 300lbs at this point, unemployed, no REAL friends and hated the direction my life had taken. I was broken. Ashamed of who I was and how much I had let myself go in every aspect. It's pretty funny looking back at in now, because now I feel the EXACT opposite.

I know a lot of us were raised to think that we should be in a career, married, have the dream house and kids by the time we are 25--so last year when I wasn't even close I nearly stroked out. Tomorrow I turn 26 and am THANKFUL that I am just NOW coming into my "own."

When I say my own, I mean the life I was meant to live and the person I was suppose to be. Within the last 10 months I found my passion, my purpose, lost 100lbs and found the man I was suppose to be with--and through doing so I found that person that I always imagined myself to be. Had some of the opportunities and circumstances happened 11 months ago or earlier for me--I may of squandered them. I am BEYOND thankful that god ((or whatever higher power you believe in)) didn't bless me with certain opportunities until I was ready.

With all that being said, I wanted to offer some wisdom as to what I've learned and discovered in the last 26 years!

1. Life is now. Like happening right now. Start doing the things you've always wanted to do. Write them down. Make a timeline. Plan & execute.

2. Don't sweat the small stuff. Most of the daily stressors you experience will not matter in ten years...most likely even in one year. #Bye Felicia

3. Take care of yourself. You are responsible for your own happiness. Not your partner. Not your family. Not your friends. You know yourself best and what makes you happiest. When you're happy, everyone else that comes into contact with you will be too. Or will at least experience your radiating glow.

4. Positivity is priceless. This one always comes back to me.

5. Your work matters. No matter how insignificant or unimpressive you believe your work to be, there is value in it. Take pride in what you do and others will too. Commit yourself to a high level of quality work in your occupation, continually learn & improve yourself, and embrace failure as part of the process.

6. Isolation is avoidable. It's easy to fall into this self-inflicted trap by avoiding people and experiences. Make it a priority to surround yourself with people who are good for you. Even if it is just a few trustworthy comrades. No man is an island!

7. Be careful who you surround yourself with. Choose your influences wisely. They say you're the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Don't be too careful though or you'll just start hanging out with your succulents like one of my friends (ahem).
 
8. Regularly unplug. Turn your phone off, turn everything off. Calibrate.

9. Spend more time in nature. Taking a walk always changes my mood and perspective for the better. Always.
 
10. Grow. Try hard things. Push the limits of your comfort zone.
 
11. Let people know what they mean to you. Show love, grace, appreciation, generosity.

12. Own a pet. The unconditional love that you will give and receive is life changing!

13. Be open to change. Especially when it comes to people in your life. It's hella scary sometimes, but you have to roll with the punches.

14. Always have a book you're reading.

15. Be intentional.

16. Always have an open door. Yes, my home is not what I want it to be and is usually a mess, but most people don't even notice and the polite ones won't say something about it. Nobody is perfect.

17. Make memories. Plan trips, occasions, experiences. Take photos. Make home videos. Don't let life go by.

18. Stop giving in so much. Yes, still compromise, but you know you're always the one giving in.

19. Take care of your body. Do things that boost your energy. Be healthy and involved in life. People rely on you, so do your part to make sure you stick around for as long as possible.

20. Say yes more than no. You'll be happy and usually never regret going to parties or socializing with friends. This directly conflicts with #18.
 
21. Talk to people in grocery stores. Or wherever. I learned this from my mom. Everyone is the same or going through the same things. It makes my day when I'm looking at tea or something and someone tells me I should try this kind or that.

22. Show respect. In general. In relationships. In nature. In driving. In conversations.

23. Forgive. Show grace always. Let them off the hook.

24. Make new traditions and pass them on.

25. Show pride in your identity. Your work. Your name. Your house. Where you came from. Everything. Go Pack Go.

Here's an EXTRA one;;

26. For those that think they aren't where they are "suppose" to be in life--cut yourself some slack. There is no set time or date that you're suppose to be ANYWHERE. When you were suppose to get there, you will! Until then, keep striving to be the best that you can be <3