The journey to good health can be challenging at times, and by that I mean our food choices as well as our budgets to help support healthy habits. The more you consider what our health means to us, the more we realize that stretching the budget a little more to get good, healthy, quality food also saves a lot of money in medical bills down the road. As most of my readers know I'm fighting against heart failure.... but I refuse to let it progress without a fight. Since my diagnosis right before Christmas in 2018, I have completely changed my lifestyle. I like to choose stores that give me great customer service as well as provide me with the foods I feel comfortable serving to my family as well as myself. Great deals can be found, but I am also more willing to spend a little extra to get good quality. For the location I live in my local choices are Food Lion and Walmart grocery. Unfortunately I don't feel the selections are of good quality so I drive about 40 minutes to get to Harris Teeter. I also enjoy shopping at Publix as well. Since we were in Harris Teeter and everything looked so wonderful, I decided to share a little from that shopping trip. This is my opinion only and this is not a sponsored post. :-)
Their deli section has a wide variety to choose from and they have Boar's Head lunch meats; which I like due to the choices and the fact that they provide nutritional books letting you know what's in all their meats and cheeses. For me that is so important as I have to watch my sodium levels. I rarely eat meat, but occasionally will have chicken, salmon and turkey. I've pretty much eliminated cheese other than some baby Swiss and some Mozarella.
I was really happy to find this no salt added turkey. The amount of sodium total is 55 mg in a slice.
Just look at all this fresh amazing produce!! So many healthy options to choose from!
I get excited walking in the door just knowing I have great options to choose from!
Kathleen and Jerry were shopping with me and had to get a picture of her beautiful face among all the lovely fruits :-)
The meat section is one of Jerry's favorites as he decides what he'd like for Sunday dinner and throughout the week. I usually pick up fresh salmon to have at least once a week. Such a big difference fresh!
Yes.... I do take my own bags as well, especially cooler bags as we have a bit of a drive. I've also been known to bring a full cooler if I know we will be stocking up. ;-)
I found this dark chocolate bar I want to try, but only one or two squares at a time. No more eating terrible candy bars. Actually I got it last Sunday and still haven't broken into it. I'm really watching my sugar intake as well as my salt and fluid intake. Dark chocolate is supposed to be a healthier choice. :-)
Even better NO SODIUM!!!
I also tried out this drink, I've never seen it before and it has the slightest bit of bubbly in it, but is actually really good. Not very sweet but just enough flavor to help once in awhile. Especially since I mostly drink water or unsweetened teas. Anyone else tried this or heard of this brand? They are a little pricey though. When I got these they were on sale 2 for $5.00. Normally $2.99 each.
Also NO SODIUM and very low on everything else and it tastes good :-)
Just about every day for lunch I make some kind of a healthy stir fry. My taste buds have changed so much! I crave healthy things now.
For this one I bought zoodles all ready to go, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, chicken and spinach. So delicious! Harris Teeter has a lot of pre cut vegetables that really save on dinner time. They are a bit pricey so I don't always go that way, but sometimes when it's a busy night I will plan to have them so they're all ready to go! Healthy, delicious and quick meals! No excuses ;-)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt/pepper to taste
16 oz baby red potatoes halved
2 Tbsps olive oil
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/3 cup fresh parmesan
4 fresh mozzarella cheese slices
2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Preheat oven to 400 degrees lightly oil a baking sheet with olive oil.
To make bruschetta, combine tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil leaves in a medium bowl. Salt and pepper to taste. Set aside in a bowl.
Season chicken and place on a baking sheet. I like to line mine with aluminum foil for easier clean up :-) Put potatoes in a large bowl and add olive oil, garlic, thyme, oregano, basil and parmesan (season to taste) Toss gentle to combine and then add to other side of the baking sheet.
Place in oven and bake until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are golden brown and crisp about 20-30 minutes. Then put a slice of mozzarella on each piece of chicken during last 10 minutes, once melted remove from oven and add bruschetta on top and enjoy! :-)
I also had a request in my email from Eileen to share the recipe for my chocolate cupcakes that I made from the Everything Dash Diet cookbook. I couldn't find anything online to link to the recipe so I am including it here, but please visit their website for more great recipes and ideas. :-) You can find their link here
Hope you enjoy these Eileen, let me know when you get a chance to bake them what you think :-)
1 2/3 cups white whole wheat flour
3/4 cups light brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons sodium free baking soda
1 cup water
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 muffin tins with liners.
Place dry ingredients, except chocolate chips, into a mixing bowl and mix together.
Add wet ingredients to pan and mix until well combined.
Pour batter into muffin cups filling about 2/3 full.
Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over batter.
Place in middle of the oven and bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool.
Enjoy!! :-)
Hope you are having an amazing Thursday!!! Many blessings,
Jill
