There’s a reason “The Colonel” still serves this iconic side — it’s an essential part of any real American’s cook book.
One of my favorite ways to budget and plan new recipes is by re-purposing old ones! This recipe does just that. With gusto.
I utilized my black bean burger recipe and added a twist to create an easy meal for stuffed bell peppers on a budget. The most expensive part will be the bell peppers. The stuffing earns an A grade in cost per kcal.
$ – Savvy: For tips on how to make this B-grade recipe into an A-grade meal, check out the “Savvy Alternates” table below!
Continue Reading…The relationship that Americans have with meat is tight-knit and longer standing than a few generations of Weber grills.
It’s a particular way of eating; a recognizable, familiar, predictable and sought-after shared experience that is not only cultivated but greatly celebrated. From the first buck of hunting season to top-market Spencer steaks, gathering around the grill is not simply a pastime, it’s a quintessential tradition for many.
And I can honestly say, I love to celebrate it too.
There is something to be said for the gathering of people to cultivate good food in the spirit of togetherness. Italians have this down pat. Interestingly, community is one of the key shared factors among centenarians (the oldest living folks) in Italy and other Blue Zones around the world.
Another factor is enjoying a pesca-vegan or pesca-vegetarian lifestyle! Don’t be afraid of the higher fat content in the Mediterranean diet – just aim for healthier plant-based fats and mix in unsaturated fatty acids from wild fish.
Yes – less meat is actually better for living a healthful long life.
You’ve probably heard it called the “Mediterranean” diet, but it really is a whole lifestyle – the diet plus regular activity integrated into daily life, a life-long commitment to investing in community and occasionally some good wine.
Continue Reading…For the sake of all of our health and longevity, I’ve created a few easy, delicious, dollar savvy and dare I say – “toddler approved” – meatless mains to get you through at least 2 dinners a week.
I created this meal while training for a half marathon; the fuel and nutrients it provides were unparalleled by anything else I was eating.
If this meal is outside of your budget, too high in Calories, or just takes too much time – fear not – I created a specific section below to navigate these hang-ups. It’s called “savvy alternates”. Give it a go.
This recipe is all about “putting it together”. There are essentially 3 of my recipes in this one meal (plus alternates).
Crispy Spirally Sweet Potatoes
(julienned here)
Black Bean Burgers
(vegetarian alternate)
The Purple Salad
(low cost alternate)
A (0 - $450)/ B ($450 - $800)/ Dinner/ Sides/ Tips & Tricks/ Vegetarian
3 Easy Budget Savvy Salads to Savor
When it comes to budgeting groceries, let’s be honest: veggies are often the first to get the boot.
Why? It’s simple math: they’re expensive and don’t offer a lot of Calories for what you pay. Unfortunately, this means some of the best foods for optimal health and a long life are getting shafted, and other foods are taking their place.
For instance, it’s really easy to grab a bag of potato chips and know you’re getting a lot of calories for only a few bucks, as a side to a sandwich or soup. Similarly, how simple is it to make endless amounts of spaghetti with bread as a side because everyone knows that a side salad won’t contribute nearly the same amount of calories as cheese bread will.
What a lot of people are beginning to practice is either nixing their salad dressing entirely, or putting it on the side. I’d like to suggest that, in keeping a balanced diet and being mindful of total Calories consumed, we can not only keep the dressing but increase the amount of it.
How?
Continue Reading…