What's in Your Wallet?

Okay...so...over the past few weeks, I have really tried to increase my cardio and strength training. It is great one day and a great big piece of hell the next day. Needless to say, while I have been busy the past few weeks, my dieting and exercise have remained and I am 21 pounds down! Also, I really notice my clothes fitting much better and I have more energy...I just FEEL better and that feeling is priceless.

So speaking of price...instead of asking "what's in your wallet", I began to think in terms of "what's in your fridge". Ever notice how you almost have a predictable route through your house that almost always includes opening your fridge? I never really thought about the power of the fridge until I began to notice everything in my fridge. What options do I have for snacking? Ever notice that most unhealthy snacks are easy access? Ice cream is wrapped, pudding cups, frozen food (just open and heat)..need I go on? So I wondered what food is in my fridge that at a glance is easy access.....AND I (I mean my husband) could create a healthy meal with minimal effort? Here my easy access list:
1. Chobani Greek yogurt- I LOVE the fruit you stir- it is also 3 times the protein and fat free!
2. Low fat Skim milk string cheese- it takes...what...3 seconds to open? Great snack to keep on hand for the kiddos...if I had any...
3. Laughing cow cheese- I love the Garlic and Herb- 35 calories per slice!!
4. Cottage cheese- I like the kind in 90 calorie cups
5. Hershey's chocolate syrup....Don't judge me...I never said "the perfect fridge"
5. Pickles- Did you know that each mini-dill has, like, 5 calories?! You could eat the whole jar! Just watch the sodium...
6. Apples- easy snack- just eat it!
7. Better n' Peanut Butter- this is peanut butter, but with fewer calories and sodium...I freakin LOVE it!
8. Marinated Mushrooms- Yummy.....

Hmmmmm....what else is in our fridge that maybe is used as an ingredient? The above items are present right now in my fridge and foods I like to snack on- they are SUPER easy to prepare and not too expensive...so now the staples in our fridge right now:

1. Cabbage- It is just good. You can make cole slaw, steam it...so good!
2. Potatoes and Onions- I don't eat too many potatoes, but once a day is good....
3. Carrots- Steamed or added with a meat, they work well with salads too...
4. Spinach- A little olive oil and garlic on medium heat- it cooks down and tastes great- we use in salads also...
5.Minced Garlic- We keep this in the fridge at all times...
6.Grilled Chicken- We buy a family pack of chicken each week (or freeze it and use as needed) and Scott grills it on Sunday. Then we have grilled chicken through the week...so this is in my fridge right now....
7. Leftovers- yeah...this isn't an ingredient, but if you cook, why not go ahead and cook extra to feast on later? Then you are saving time and maybe money if you eat leftovers for lunch the next day.

So there's a little example of what's in my fridge...keep it healthy and you will be surprised to see that your trips to the fridge get fewer and fewer. Happy snacking!

Signing off,
Miss Mad