8 Ways to Cut Your Food Costs and Lose Weight

With the cost of food on a continuous rise, we are all working to cut costs. So while we cut costs why not shop healthier as well. Processed foods are not only low on the nutrition level, can cause problems throughout your body, lower your immunity, cause allergies, give you skin problems, use more of our natural resources and create excess fat. So why not kill two birds with one stone and save money and eat healthier? Here are a few helpful hints to get you through it.

Source: Celebuzz

1. Don't go shopping while you are hungry! even if you can't eat a full meal you can grab a high protein low sugar protein bar to curb those cravings.

2. Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), if you can't or choose to not grow your own food this is a great way to save money by cutting out the middleman.

The CSA Cookbook: No-Waste Recipes for Cooking Your
Way Through a Community Supported Agriculture Box,
Farmers' Market, or Backyard Bounty

3. Stick to your grocery list, don't get distracted with fancy packaging and sweet temptations!

4. Frozen foods tend to use less preservatives, are less expensive, can still be found organic, and can be eaten al dente compared to the canned food's soggy appeal.

3. Shop at your local farmer's market. If the pick your food scenario doesn't quite work for you maybe you will enjoy the social appeal of a farmer's market. Most farmer's market meet one to two times a week, and if you go at the end of the day you can get some pretty good deals.

5. Eat lots of beans and rice, dried legumes. Dried beans and rice make a great staple food, are packed with whole grain goodness and are super cheap even when bought organic. You can find dried rice and beans at your local Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and independent health food stores.

Above image: Amazing Grass Green SuperFood Original

6. Buy in bulk! If you like a certain food and you know that you will use it, check with your store to see if you can get bulk discounts. For example, instead of buying one pound of your favorite rice, see if you can get a 25 pound bag. Check online first to determine the storage requirements to make sure your household can handle bulk storage.

8. Cut your portions in half. Weight Watchers recommends eating just half of what you would normally eat, try it for just three days and see how you feel. Did your energy increase? Do you have less of those yucky "I feel full feelings"? Keep a diet diary to remember the experience and adjust your eating to meet your needs.

Image above: Health Warrior Chia Bars, Chocolate Peanut Butter

Dark Chocolate Cherry/Coffee Variety Pack

Monster and the Red Bull Energy Drinks - How they really compare?

Energy Drinks exist in an entirely different world of their own. Made for just one purpose "to energize", these aluminum cans full of extraordinary energy make it possible every day to do what people think to be impossible.

Per the NCCIH, (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health), Excerpt, Energy Drinks, 2021)

"Energy drinks are widely promoted as products that increase energy and enhance mental alertness and physical performance. Next to multivitamins, energy drinks are the most popular dietary supplement consumed by American teens and young adults. Men between the ages of 18 and 34 years consume the most energy drinks, and almost one-third of teens between 12 and 17 years drink them regularly.

There are two kinds of energy drink products. One is sold in containers similar in size to those of ordinary soft drinks, such as a 16-oz. bottle. The other kind, called “energy shots,” is sold in small containers holding 2 to 2½ oz. of concentrated liquid. 

Caffeine is a major ingredient in both types of energy drink products—at levels of 70 to 240 mg in a 16-oz. drink and 113 to 200 mg in an energy shot. (For comparison, a 12-oz. can of cola contains about 35 mg of caffeine, and an 8-oz. cup of coffee contains about 100 mg.) Energy drinks also may contain other ingredients such as guarana (another source of caffeine sometimes called Brazilian cocoa), sugars, taurine, ginseng, B vitamins, glucuronolactone, yohimbe, carnitine, and bitter orange.

Consuming energy drinks raises important safety concerns.

Between 2007 and 2011, the number of energy drink-related visits to emergency departments doubled. In 2011, 1 in 10 of these visits resulted in hospitalization.

About 25 percent of college students consume alcohol with energy drinks, and they binge-drink significantly more often than students who don’t mix them.

The CDC reports that drinkers aged 15 to 23 who mix alcohol with energy drinks are four times more likely to binge drink at high intensity (i.e., consume six or more drinks per binge episode) than drinkers who do not mix alcohol with energy drinks.

Drinkers who mix alcohol with energy drinks are more likely than drinkers who do not mix alcohol with energy drinks to report unwanted or unprotected sex, driving drunk or riding with a driver who was intoxicated, or sustaining alcohol-related injuries.

In 2011, 42 percent of all energy drink-related emergency department visits involved combining these beverages with alcohol or drugs (such as marijuana or over-the-counter or prescription medicines).

Bottom Line

A growing body of scientific evidence shows that energy drinks can have serious health effects, particularly in children, teenagers, and young adults.

In several studies, energy drinks have been found to improve physical endurance, but there’s less evidence of any effect on muscle strength or power. Energy drinks may enhance alertness and improve reaction time, but they may also reduce the steadiness of the hands.

The amounts of caffeine in energy drinks vary widely, and the actual caffeine content may not be identified easily. Some energy drinks are marketed as beverages and others as dietary supplements. There’s no requirement to declare the amount of caffeine on the label of either type of product.

Safety

Large amounts of caffeine may cause serious heart and blood vessel problems such as heart rhythm disturbances and increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Caffeine also may harm children’s still-developing cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Caffeine use may also be associated with anxiety, sleep problems, digestive problems, and dehydration.

Guarana, commonly included in energy drinks, contains caffeine. Therefore, the addition of guarana increases the drink’s total caffeine content.

People who combine caffeinated drinks with alcohol may not be able to tell how intoxicated they are; they may feel less intoxicated than they would if they had not consumed caffeine, but their motor coordination and reaction time may be just as impaired.

Excessive energy drink consumption may disrupt teens’ sleep patterns and may be associated with increased risk-taking behavior.

A single 16-oz. container of an energy drink may contain 54 to 62 grams of added sugar; this exceeds the maximum amount of added sugars recommended for an entire day.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCIH has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider(s). We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCIH."

Source: Thrift Store Reseller

When you go to the energy drink aisle in your favorite grocery or corner store, what do you look for in an energy drink? Flavor balance, an absolute rush, no downtime, sweetness, or carbonation?

Two of today's most popular energy drinks are Monster Energy Drinks(recognized for their aggressive monster like M) and Red Bull Energy Drinks (recognized for their petite "red bull" on a slender grey can). 

Let's for a moment consider just the energy drinks can size. The minimalist style of the Red Bull can is slender and petite, leaving one with the feeling that less waste, less drink and less calories may be better and just as effective. The massive Monster can is 2 - 3 times the size and dressed in dark black, one might think the generous size of this can will definitely get the job done.

Inside these clean cans lie a whole other world, a world of condensed flavorful liquids composed of citric acid, liquid nutrients, amino acids, herbal supplements and a bountiful supply of caffeine. The traditional or standard flavor choices of these two rivals are not for everyone, and some even say much like other fine liquids they are an acquired taste.

Above image: Canna Energy Drink "Better for You"

But why, and is it possible to create an herbal, vitamin, and caffeine enhanced drink with an exceptional flavor? Many manufacturers have eagerly attempted to follow in the footsteps of these massive giants, and although there are many drinks that taste much better than these two, the difference lies deep in their company involvement and being at the right place at the right time. Observe the overcrowded beaches on hot days that are filled with youth and college kids, who shows up to the rescue? 

Monster and Red Bull's reputation for showing up with hot chicks in bikinis to save you from a parched energy drain maybe just what you needed to fall in love with a brand and become accustomed the raw flavors. They show up at every popular sporting event, and before you know it you have developed a palette for their taste and the lifestyle.

We can all only live for so long with minimal sleep and influential advertising, so what's next?

Do I Have an Eating Disorder?

Per the American Psychological Association, there are three main eating disorders.

"Eating disorders are abnormal eating habits that can threaten your health or even your life. 

They include:

• Anorexia nervosa: Individuals believe they’re fat even when they’re dangerously thin and restrict their eating to the point of starvation.
• Bulimia nervosa: Individuals eat excessive amounts of food, then purge by making themselves vomit or using laxatives.
• Binge eating: Individuals have out-of-control eating patterns, but don’t purge. 

Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology

More About Eating Disorders

Almost everyone has concerns about their health and/or their weight occasionally. However, people with eating disorders take these concerns to an extreme.

If you are not sure how to proceed and you believe that you may have an eating disorder try moving forward with a few of these positive actions:

1. Get Help, find a Psychologist or other person that you can trust to help you move forward towards health
2. Get treatment for your anorexia and bulimia
3. Therapy can help restore the real you, not the sick you!
4. Find treatment for binge eating

Video: Binge Eating Disorder Video (my secret food addiction) | Eating Disorders & Food Addiction

Sensa's Weight Loss Promises - Sprinkle your weight away!

Sprinkle your weight away! Some here and some there and weight will just magically melt away. No more problems with clothes not fitting or those ghastly self-esteem problems. Although Sensa Weight Loss products are available at Amazon and Cotsco, it seems there are a few warnings that should be considered before you go for the gold, but first their promises.

Image courtesy of: Sensa Weight-Loss Program: The Accidental Discovery That's Transforming the Way People Lose Weight

Developed by smell and taste expert Dr. Alan Hirsh, the theory behind Sensa's Sprinkle Diet is that your senses are all connected. 

Biography

"Dr. Alan Hirsch, a Neurologist and Psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of smell and taste loss, is the Neurological Director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, IL. He is a Faculty Member in the Department of Medicine at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology and Department of Psychiatry at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center.

Since being accepted into medical school at the age of 16, Dr. Hirsch's career has been dedicated to studying the sensory system of the human body. He lectures frequently around the country, and has conducted and published over 180 research studies on sensory phenomena. His 20-plus years of research regarding the impact of smell and taste on weight loss led him to develop the patent-pending technology used in the Sensa Weight-Loss System.

As America's foremost researcher on the effects of odors and flavors on human emotion, mood and behavior, Dr. Hirsch has helped create the sensory experiences for thousands of products and places, from the refreshing fragrance of your favorite shampoo to the welcoming scent in a hotel lobby. In fact, there's an excellent chance that at least once in the past four days, you've come in contact with a product or place he's helped to odorize!

Dr. Hirsch has been featured in major magazines and has appeared on Dateline NBC, CNN, Good Morning America, Extra and the Food Network." Excerpt, Amazon 2021.

Image courtesy of:
Hirsch's Guide to Scentsational Weight Loss

In fact, how you smell and taste influences how much you eat. Sounds reasonable. Sensa's Promises:

1. Now you CAN lose fat WITHOUT depriving yourself!
2. SENSA® and it makes losing weight simple
3. Just sprinkle on your food and lose weight naturally, without restrictions
   
4. SENSA® is NOT a diet or an appetite suppressant
   
5. Prevents you from overeating
   
6. No side effects
7. No Dr's visits
8. Speeds up the process that trigger's your "I'm Full Signal"
9. 30 Day money-back guarantee

So what's in it that works this unearthly magic on my body? Sensa's Ingredients List:

• Maltodextrin
• Tricalcium Phosphate
• Silica
• Natural & Artificial Flavors

Wow, I had originally started this blog post with intentions of finding the dirt on Sensa. However, at this point, I might use it to lose those extra stubborn pounds. I would love to hear any feedback on your Sensa Weight Loss experiences. Good and Bad. Sprinkle away until then.

I will be randomly listing my experience with Sensa's Weight Loss system over a 30 day period, including emotional and physical changes and real-life pictures. Stay tuned.

____________________________________

Side note:
Our original blog post (shown above) was created in 2012.

• After further investigation of this diet in 2021, I found that the product may no longer be available, possible recall for this product, and a few class-action lawsuits. 

• We welcome your comments about any experience that you may have with the Sensa Diet Plan below.

• Class action lawsuit: Sensa Weight-Loss Crystals Lawsuit Denied Class Certification

Extreme Weight Loss: Get a Tongue Patch and Lose 50 Pounds

This new extreme weight loss method suggests that you can lose 25 to 30 pounds in just a month, and possibly 50 or more in just two months. But how far are you willing to go to meet your weight loss goals?

This Beverly Hills doctor boasts that all you need to do is sew a patch onto the surface of your tongue. And because the patch is so uncomfortable, it makes it hard to eat. Forcing tongue patch wearers to eat a liquid low-calorie diet. Dr. Nikolas Chugay's weight loss plans include liquid drink recipes, psychological treatments, and much more. The patch is the size of a postage stamp and is secured to the top of the tongue with just six stitches.

Source: Daily Mail

Patients recover immediately after the patch is removed and he says it cheaper, safer, and less invasive than the lap band. Watch the video below with the doctor's explanation of his services and more on the procedure.

Possible negative side effects include:

• Speech difficulties
• Trouble sleeping
• Swelling of the tongue

“At the start, you can’t even move your tongue for the pain. I’ve tried to eat solid food but it’s impossible,” says Yomaira, speaking from her family home in Charallave, an industrial conurbation on the outskirts of Caracas. “It’s a huge inconvenience, but I’m doing it to feel better about myself. I was very fat.” - From the Time article: The ‘Miracle’ Tongue Patch: Beauty-Conscious Venezuela’s New Extreme Diet

Possible positive effects:

• It teaches you discipline
• Teaches you to eat differently
• It costs $150 in Venezuela, a lot cheaper than weight loss surgery

Personal notes:
Alternatives to this may be to staple your own tongue instead of getting the patch sewn on (do not do this, it is just a joke). Or just force yourself to live on smoothies for a month (probably a better alternative to either of the aforementioned, but talk to your Dr first), and if you give in to temptation and find yourself going for solid food just take a hammer and hit yourself (also just a joke).  In 2013 Venezuela, this is the new weight loss fad and the preferred gift for a 15-year-old girl's birthday present. Hmmm...

Source: World Time

Disclaimer:
All suggestions are not recommendations, and this blog/blogger holds absolutely no responsibility for your actions.

Lady Gaga's Weight Gain

Lady Gaga's weight gain brings up some issues and questions. Do you sometimes wonder, if you had it all what would it be like? What would look like? What would you own? And what would you eat? 

Well, I would look fab, because I would have a personal trainer, weight loss coach, and all the money and time in the world to do what my heart desired. Including working out instead of stressing about money and working an hourly job while wishing for something better.

                Above image courtesy of: MusicQueen.com

Above image courtesy of: Athleanx.com

Above image courtesy of: Radar Online

As if weight gain were only affecting the poor and middle class. LOL!! That's funny. So what is it, what causes people to gain weight? It's not money, it's not a lifestyle, so it must be the attitude. One's attitude throughout the day, the amount of rest and peace they receive, or the pleasure that they find in every day.

Above image courtesy of: Daily Mail

Above image courtesy of: Pinterest

                Above image courtesy of: The Twist Gossip

Style News reports that "After receiving quite a bit of negative attention for her recent weight gain (she put on 25 pounds), Lady Gaga took to her social media website, LittleMonsters.com, to respond — and to reveal a painful secret."

On Tuesday, Gaga posted a photo (above) of herself wearing nothing but a yellow bra and underwear, along with this caption: “Bulimia and anorexia since I was 15.” With the picture, she announced the launch of a new movement, “A Body Revolution 2013,” meant to encourage body acceptance. More on this in tomorrow's blog post.

Regardless, she doesn't look that big to me, try analyzing your feelings at this moment. How do you feel when you read about celebrity weight gain? Are you nervous? Oh no! Lady Gaga gained weight! Does that mean that I could gain weight too? 

Chances are if you are reading this article you are either thrilled by other people's problems or are truly looking for inspiration to propel your own motives. With weight gain, there are usually psychological issues that circulate throughout your life to prompt you to use food as a crutch for emotional support. 

Sensa may work, but it will leave you high and dry with your emotional baggage that had once prompted the weight gain in the first place. My hopes, in the end, would be that Lady Gaga recognizes her power over the population, especially the female population, and inspires women to no longer think bad of themselves and to move into something healthier.

New Nutrisystem Spokeswoman: Melissa Joan Hart's Weight Loss

It’s like rolling out the Grammy Award’s envelope… the New Nutrisystem Spokeswoman is Melissa Joan Hart. Some may remember Melissa for her show in the 90’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Source: Nutrisystem

Since then she has grown and she is now 36 years old and a mother to three, congrats! And also the new spokeswoman sharing her weight loss secrets for all moms to hear. In September she had her third child and has already dropped an incredible 20 pounds.

She states that "I love working with Nutrisystem," the actress—who currently stars on the hit ABC comedy Melissa & Joey—said in a statement to ET Online. "The program is really delivering results for me and I look forward to long-term success, staying motivated and helping others do the same."

Source: Celebs-life.com

       

Melissa is just one of the after baby celebrities to endorse Nutrisystems weight loss plan. She follows the successful weight loss path of Marie Osmond, Tori Spelling, Danielle Fishel, and more.

Source: People Magazine - Parents

Melissa Joan Hart's Book:
Melissa Explains It All: Tales from My Abnormally Normal Life
"Melissa Joan Hart explained it all-from dating to bullies-in her groundbreaking role as Clarissa Darling on Clarissa Explains It All. She cast a spell on millions more viewers as Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Now, in Melissa Explains It All, Melissa tells the frank and funny behind-the-scenes stories from her extraordinary past and her refreshingly normal present..." Read more here.

Melissa George's Favorite Foods and Diet Secrets

The Australian-born film and television actress Melissa George is best known in Australia for her role as Angel Parrish on the Australian soap opera Home and Away (1993–1996).  Born in 1976, Melissa developed an interest in dancing and at the age of seven. 

Image courtesy of: MadeForMums

Eventually her enthusiasm for dance evolved into a passion for artistic roller skating. Which won her an Australian national roller skating champion and numerous bronze medals in the National Championships and finally a Junior World Championship in 1991.

So what does this motivated actress with a passion for life eat?

Some her favorites include:

• cooked salmon and avocado rolled up in seaweed, she has two of those and says to be full in a really good way

Image courtesy of DailyMail

A typical daily diet for Melissa consist of?

• Morning: soy iced coffee, scrambled eggs with brown bread, as carbs are also important. 
• Around three o’clock: grilled tuna with green beans and bread
• Dinner: schnitzel with lingonberry sauce
• In the winter moths she adds curries and pasta to her meal plans

Does she snack?
In an interview with STAR Magazine she explains that she does not usually, although sometimes she will have Greek yoghurt and honey.

What foods does Melissa avoid?

• Anything that makes her feel sluggish

Racheal Ray's Weight Loss - How did she do it?

The carefree and witty TV chef Rachael Ray has recently gone through some major body and health changes. With a cyst discovery that forced her into throat surgery, she was presented with the opportunity to improve her health.

Image courtesy of: Dailymail UK

Image courtesy of: Dailymail UK

Source: Zimbio

In many cases, celebrities and just the normal Joe and Jane are faced with similar learning experiences. There have been many cases where cancer or other issues with one's body prompts them to build a better, healthier self. Almost like facing one's immortality in the eye propels one to recognize the short time we all have on earth.

Source: nydailynews.com

Rachael Ray's weight loss took dedication and change in her daily routine. So many of us wish we could lose weight but never put the effort into the daily and sometimes hourly dedication that it requires to change oneself. Ray took up jogging, the gym, sleep schedule adjustments to ensure she was getting adequate sleep, change of portions sizes, food choices, and now claims she feels healthier and sexier, thinks clearer, and has more energy.

Source: US Magazine

Image courtesy of: Diets in Review