Here's to Your Healthy Heart

We can't control how long we live but we do have some say in the quality of life we have. Check out the healthy lifestyle recommedations offered by the American Heart Association.

Hope you aren't allowing this crazy recession to depress your life and positive outlook. Our lives are so much more than society lets on. The free joy of eyesight, beauty in nature, smiles of those we encounter are all part of real living. Daily, I choose to push aside the media and gratefully enjoy the basics, the boredoms, the no-drama paths that allow me to live as stress-free as possible. I can't change anyone but myself and that's hard enough but not impossible. When I decide to make healthy changes, I see what I missed before and actually live better. Freedom!

Make the Bird Go Farther!

On MSNBC.com, Elizabeth Rogers demonstrates what many of us already do with one chicken to economize and avoid waste. Check it out!

Homegrown Veggies

Recently, someone at work remarked that I was like Michelle Obama in growing my own veggies. I responded by noting that Michelle Obama is more like me since I've been growing some of my own food for over a decade and she apparently just started - with a lot of help I might add.

It's so wonderfully amazing to plant seeds one week and eat food from those seeds a few months later. You don't need to own any land to plant since many vegetables and herbs will grow in planters and pots. There's nothing like a home grown tomato or herbs for cooking. I feel like I am walking in God's abundance when I can depend on Him to produce as He works with my willingness to plant, fertilize, and water: He is my source. I feel less dependent on farmers and drivers and markets to connect me with the sustenance I need to survive. Since I know how to cook and follow recipes, I don't need to visit restaurants or buy packaged meals which cost a lot more than cooking from scratch even after you factor in use of energy. Knowing bsically what ingredients are in the food I eat matter much more to me these days than even a few years ago.

If it still cold where you live, try planting a few seeds indoors this week. Browse the numerous gardening sites on sunlight, fertilizing, and watering for great results. Enjoy the abundant life available to those willing to act on wisdom and knowledge. Freedom!

Versatility of Ground Turkey

Trying to eat well during the recession? Consider ground turkey instead of red meat beef for various recipes. Also, consider eating less of the pound at one meal than you normally do and add more fruit and veggies to the meal. When I buy 1.25 lbs. of ground turkey, I am able to make six small to medium hamburger patties from it which becomes part of 6 servings vs. 4 with larger patties. I feel satisfied and full. If I make meatballs, I make them smaller and end up with about 30 instead of 15 large ones: Plus, spaghetti and sauce go on sale regularly.

I like ground turkey in burritos, tacos, and nachos. These are filling meals on the cheap especially because the turkey often goes on sale at least once a month in at least one store. These combinations are digestable, tasty, and appreciated by your body since they aren't too heavy on your system.

Your side dish can include sliced fruit - you should slice it yourself since it's cheaper than the market slicing it for you. Cutting back on consumption is healthy physically, financially, and emotionally as you begin to appreciate that you have more than enough for yourself and some to share with others. Freedom!