When I began writing this morning, my first thought was . . why is eating healthy so much harder than eating junk food? But the more I thought about it, I realized that eating healthy isn’t hard .. what’s hard is overcoming the habits of eating junk food. I’ve never been much of a fan of storebought cookies but I cannot eat just one potato chip. My downfall is Dr. Pepper and a big hunk of warm bread with butter. I’m not making bread these days. I’m not drinking Dr. Pepper but I still realize I make some unhealthy choices. Portion control is an issue around here too.
Over the weekend, the grocery store had some chicken breasts that were marinating in herbs and spices . . no oil, or anything fattening. They were nearing their “sell by” date and were marked down so we bought three packages. Sunday Vince grilled four of the chicken breasts (along with tuna we were having for dinner) and we saved the chicken breasts. Each day for lunch this week, we’re having a salad and we split one of the chicken breasts.
Salad
It’s a healthy choice. It’s quick, it’s easy and on these hot days . . it’s cold and that’s refreshing. I have the salad made up ahead in the jars in the fridge so about lunch time, I dump the lettuce into two bowls, slice a few tomatoes and a cucumber, add the chicken breast and lunch is ready!
A friend was telling me that every day she drinks a “detox drink” made from 1/4 cup. pure cranberry juice, the juice of one lemon and 1 T. apple cider vinegar. It seems like all the cranberry juice I had found in the stores was a cranberry juice blend but she told me that Walmart has this pure cranberry juice now so I got a few bottles.
Cranberry Juice
I need to be drinking at least one glass per day of water with either apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to hopefully lessen my chances of more kidney stones. We started out drinking it straight cranberry juice, lemon and apple cider vinegar but quickly decided a little honey made it a whole lot better.
Cranberry Drink
Then we decided that adding fizzy water from the Soda Stream would make it a whole lot more refreshing. It’s actually delicious . . hopefully we haven’t ruined all the health benefits and it has to be better than drinking soda but here’s what we do now:
Cranberry Drink:
Into a tall glass, add:
- 1/4 cup pure cranberry juice
- 1 tsp. honey (optional)
- 1 T. Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
- juice from one lemon
Stir til honey is blended with juices. Add fizzy water, sparkling water, club soda (whatever you want), leaving enough room for ice. Add the ice and enjoy!
It may be one of those drinks that the first time you have it, your lips pucker and you think it’s pretty sour, but for us, the more we drink it, the more we want it.
Dona says
That sounds a whole lot better than some detox drinks I’ve heard about. I may have to try this one!
Peggy Rowe says
It looks like you are getting a good start on changing. I think a little change at a time works best to get adjusted. My husband and I are struggling with healthy eating and portions as well. When we lived overseas so many people commented about how the U.S. has so many all you can eat buffets and our portion size in restaurant was huge. As I started reading your article I was thinking how so many supermarkets and etc have junk soooo handy! Even places like Whole Foods have baked goods like cookies very handy. As I keep hearing in the media, our country doesn’t always put the healthiest things at reach. Of course I know it also depends on where you live. Here in Oklahoma I think we are only beginning to think about healthy but mostly not lol. In the area where I live the choice is grease or more grease. Very little healthy eating choices for eating out. You are an inspiration of changing. Thanks!
Joyce says
I find that eating healthy is a lot more expensive too. I have a garden, but there are never guarantees on how much it will produce. I think the fresh fruit I prefer is the big expense item(s) for me. I try to buy what’s on sale and in season, but sometimes you just have to splurge on the good stuff…like fresh cherries! 🙂
Diana G says
Love Knudsen Juices they are so good. We drink the cranberry with 7up (50/50 split) and its so good !
tina marie says
We will have to try the juice. Adding the honey gives you some much needed boost for your immune system, too! Thanks for sharing this.
Dar in MO says
Thanks for this info. I have been looking for a pure cranberry juice and my thought was to buy real cranberries and just blend them with some water. I checked with our Wal-Mart and that small bottle was a bit expensive ($8.00+). Maybe with only using 1/4 cup and adding some other liquids to it, it will go farther.