A Healthy Body and a Healthy Wallet

There are many ways to make your life simpler when it comes to making dinner. One of these is to stock your pantry with the staples that you use all of the time. These non-perishable items have a long shelf life and are the base of a meal: olive oil, vinegar, salt, rice, pasta, canned chicken broth, canned tomatoes, mustard, pepper, flour, and honey. The perishable items to have on hand are eggs, onions and garlic. Keep a running list of these items and replace them as they get low. If you purchase them in larger quantities while they are on sale, you will not have to restock them often. If the items you use all of the time are in the house, your shopping trips will be considerably shorter because all you need to do is get the fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products you need for the week or the day.

If you need to fix a quick meal, or you are going to have unexpected company, all you need to do is run into the grocery store for three items: fresh basil, salad greens and bread. When you get home you can put a pot of water on to boil for pasta, brown garlic in olive oil, add canned tomatoes, salt, fresh basil and cook that for 15 minutes. While the tomato sauce is simmering, cook the pasta and make a salad dressing of oil, vinegar, and mustard. Serve the pasta with bread and the salad and you have a delicious, healthy meal in about 30 minutes.

Is it easier to pick up a ready-made chicken with the trimmings at the deli? No, because you still have to go to the grocery store. The deli meal also costs a lot more, and you have no control over the salt, fat or nutrition. You could go out to eat, or order in, but you still have to wait for the meal, you would be spending a lot more, and you have no control over the ingredients or nutrition. With a bit of planning, you can put a quick meal together. It is easy and a lot healthier for your body and your wallet.

Cooking is easier than you think and you are worth the time and effort it takes.

Simple cooking idea: Buy Cheddar and Monterey Jack when they are on sale. Cut them into usable portions, label, wrap well, and put in the freezer. The taste and texture will be perfect.

Copyright ©2009 by Gigi Centaro. All Rights Reserved.