Claim health, well-being and thrive in the 21st century while spending less money and gaining more value. Invest in yourself. You will need to pay less at the doctor or hospital if you put this information into practice. Knowing is good. Doing is better.
For Part 2 in this series, we’ll look at some ways to save money and promote health by making healthy choices at the grocery store.
One of the top tips for saving money at the grocery store is to buy in bulk. Always choose organic or biodynamic to avoid contaminants. Buy from a source that frequently turns over its inventory. Heat and light slowly age many herbs, spices, and other foods. If you can, combine orders from 3-6 people and then divide the items when they arrive. You might start or participate in a buyer’s club.
To stay as healthy as possible, an important principle to follow while shopping is to avoid processed foods. Start by obtaining whole foods. Stop buying things in boxes or packages. Bring your own containers so you can buy from the bulk bins without using a plastic bag. Buy whole foods, choosing plastic wrap-free versions when possible.
Organic dried lentils, beans, peas, and chickpeas can often be bought in bulk to save money.
There are a wide variety of lentils, beans, peas, and chickpeas to explore individually or in combination. In addition to being inexpensive, they are easily digested; combine well with herbs, spices, nuts, seeds; and provide protein, fiber, and many essential nutrients needed in small amounts.
Also in the bulk section, fall in love with grasses. Organic buckwheat, wild rice, millet, quinoa, are all grasses that are easily digested. They combine well with vegetables, fruit, herbs, and spices for delicious main courses and sides. We recommend that you go grain free and choose grasses instead. Be sure to store them in glass or ceramic rather than plastic. Halophytes (salt loving plants) are making inroads into food consumption given their health promoting components. These wild greens can add a unique and tasty twist to regular diets.
In the produce section, there is a whole world of organic squash, sweet potatoes, and yams to explore, and we prefer them to white potatoes. In all cases we suggest rinsing them in baking soda followed by an apple cider vinegar rinse. Do not peel as the nutrition is in the skin. The rest is fiber and is delicious when combined with organic or biodynamic herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, and edible flowers.
Also found in the produce section, crunchy vegetables promote wellbeing. From cucumbers to celery, carrots, broccoli (and the whole cruciferous vegetable family), snap peas, asparagus, jicama, and anything that requires some chewing, promotes health from mouth to tush.
Also, certain tropical fruits such as organic pineapple, mango, sapote and papaya contain digestive assistants (e.g., bromelain, papain, etc), that can improve digestion and result in a happy belly. Use these fruits as snacks, appetizers, condiments, or desserts.
Nightshades include tomatoes, tobacco, eggplant, potatoes, tomatillo, goji berries, pimentos, and peppers. As part of a healthy person’s diet, they are helpful. People with autoimmune conditions, from arthritis to asthma, need to be aware of how their body reacts to nightshades, and avoid if problematic. Even a small panel using the LRA testing can be helpful to learn about one’s delayed allergies and make the right decisions.
In the spice aisle, you will find salt, pepper, nutmeg, cardamon, and saffron. Traditional Celtic Sea salt has the most trace minerals for which the body is often hungry. Celtic Sea salt is used by the pinch; it does not flow or grind because while it looks solid, there is a supersaturated solution present as well. We recommend not cooking with salt but rather adding it at the end of cooking or at the table.
Pepper is best fresh ground. The beneficial piperine is activated by heat and helps other nutrients (like curcumin) to be absorbed. It is short-lived so grind it and use it for best taste, value, and nutrition.
You can include a shaving of nutmeg or ground cardamon seeds or saffron in most dishes to make them even more nutritious, delicious, and best value compared to store or restaurant bought.
Following the principles of Nature’s Alkaline Way and Nature’s pHarmacy™ will help keep you healthy, and using some or all of the tips above will help you to stay nourished and well-fed while saving money. Stay tuned for Part 3 which will cover healthy changes to make to your routine when home and out to save money now, as well as to keep medical costs down into the future.
We want you to THRIVE with Nature’s pHarmacy™.