It's time to go through your fridge!
- Check dates and labels, especially on dairy products like milk, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. “When in Doubt, Throw it Out!” Prevent food-bourne illnesses and check the temperature of your refrigerator. It should be set at 40 degrees or less, while your freezer should read 0 degrees or less. Temperatures above these levels can increase the risk of food-bourne illnesses.
- Trying to get more calcium and protein into your diet by eating yogurt? Make sure you stock up on low fat and low sugar varieties. Throw away fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt. Try nonfat, plain or Greek yogurt. Sweeten with 1 tsp agave or honey.
- Get rid of those high calorie sauces such as barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, cheesy sauces, dips, etc. Replace them with low calorie, light and low sodium versions. Keep these “indulgent” condiments in check by only eating 2 tablespoons per day. Try to incorporate “free” condiments like chili sauce, horseradish, vinegars, fresh salsa, Bragg’s Amino Acids, and seasoning blends.
- Stock your refrigerator with low calorie beverages. Swap your once-a-day soda habit with an occasional better-for-you ginger ale or Hansen soda. Sip on healthier beverages like flavored teas. Try adding excitement to your water with cucumber, mint, or a slice of lemon, orange, or even cherries when in season. Also, try our fabulous Pomegranate tea recipe! (See recipe below)
- Freezing any leftover Diet Designs meals? Prevent freezer burn, by tightly wrapping the containers in plastic wrap, removing as much extra air as possible. Do this with any leftover homemade meals that you freeze!
- Dig to the back of your freezer and trash those sodium-laden, high calorie frozen meals! Throw away full fat frozen treats that you’ve been reaching for to satisfy your late night sweet tooth. Instead, substitute whole fruit sorbets (Ciao Bella is a favorite of ours!) and low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt. Try making your own frozen treats, by freezing a few handfuls of grapes or ½ a banana with ½ ounce melted dark chocolate.
- Still hanging on to salty snacks, chips, and cookies? Ditch anything full of dyes, hydrogenated oils, added sugars, and preservatives. Substitute these with healthy snacks such as black bean chips, “Kind” and “Kashi” granola bars, brown rice crackers, plain popcorn, or raw nuts, such as almonds and pistachios. Go even further and choose snacks that come from the refrigerator instead of the pantry. Fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products can satisfy your between-meal cravings. As always, remember to keep an eye on your portion size. Don’t eat directly from any bag or before you know it, you’ll quickly overindulge!
- Stock up on fiber-rich and whole grain products, such as rolled oats, quinoa, brown rice, whole grain pasta, and barley. Other great items to keep on hand are low sodium canned beans to add protein and spices to pack your meals with flavor. Keep a few low sodium soups like butternut squash or tomato when you need to add a low calorie appetizer to your dinner or for a quick lunch.
NOW THAT YOU’RE DONE CLEANING, IT’S TIME TO DONATE!
· FOOD. Anything you do not eat (if not out-of-date & safe to eat) should be donated to a local food bank, shelter, church, etc.
· CLOTHING. Someone can and will use your cast-offs. Either drop these off or call for FREE pick-up. Not all donation-type organizations will come just for clothing, but the Vietnam Veterans of America will! In fact, they NEED clothing and more; they even accept cosmetics! Please go to http://www.clothingdonations.org/service.htm to help.
Pom Tea
Makes: 5 Servings
Makes: 5 Servings
5 bags of green tea with chamomile (we use Celestial Seasonings Chamomile Green Tea)
8 ounces pure pomegranate juice (we use Pom Wonderful)
4 cups boiling water
- Add the tea bags to the boiling water. Steep (let the tea bags sit in hot water) for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and add the pomegranate juice.
