Healthy Eating at a Reasonable Price

Frugal Friday

When you have a family to feed, the food bill can be the one most expensive outlay each month. If you decide to add on top of that a complicated diet that requires numerous expensive items then your food bills can spiral.

We have been following Tosca Reno's Eat Clean diet as much as we can. I find this a healthy way of eating , not a diet as such, although my husband is losing weight by following the principles.

I haven't found it is any more expensive than any other healthy way of eating. Although we could eat  meat and fish daily on this diet, I don't, as feeding five of us would make that a very expensive choice. We find alternative sources of protein or actually use cheaper cuts of meat. See here for some of the principles I am following to keep my budget down at the moment.

This is one of my favourite meat based recipes that all the family love;

Beef and Walnut Stir Fry

1 tsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Coconut Butter ( or olive oil )
1Ib of lean beef cut into thin strips ( in recipe it says 1 inch chunks - I found it is nicer in strips with the kids)
(1 bunch of asparagus - optional )
1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
1 cup green beans
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup of toasted walnuts
1 tsp sea salt
pepper
Juice of one orange
1 tbsp soy sauce

Heat Oil and coconut butter in a pan
Add beef and cook until done on both sides
Add veg and garlic and stir fry until just tender.
Add walnuts and heat through.
Decant mixture to another dish.
Add juice of orange to the pan and heat/stir. 
Add soy sauce and stir.
Cook on low heat until mixture is reduced by half.
Pour this mixture over the meat mixture and serve on brown rice.

This is not a picture of the one I made . Mine was not quite as pretty as this and it had been half eaten by the time I'd remembered to take a picture. 

Tosca Renos Beef and Walnut Stir Fry

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.

Hairsprays

Wednesday Beauty Buys

I used to love a good can of hair spray when I was a young slip of a girl. I would spray in a load of "sun in" (remember that?) and then glue my frizz into shape with half a can of Silvikrin.

As sense dawned on me and I realised this was not the best look, I gave up on hair sprays completely.

More recently I have realised that , as with most things in life, there is a middle ground. There are some great flexible hairsprays out there that give volume and hold to your hair without the dreaded stiffness associated with hairsprays.

I don't know what the weather has been like where you are, but we seem to have had weeks of wind ( and I am not referring to the fact we are on a high fibre diet!). 

I am attempting to grow my hair for the last time and any gust of wind has the ability to make me resemble some unkempt Afghan Hound. 

So, hairspray has once again become my best friend. Only this time it is a more healthy relationship that has been tempered by the wisdom of time passing.

I have a few favourites that I use on a regular basis, but tried a fair few sample sizes to reach this decision. I like to be able to buy a sample size for a couple of pounds when all I want to do is try a product out. 

These are a few of my favourites:

• Tresemme Ultimate Hold Touchable Finish - this is a very light spray that is barely detectable, but does give a fair degree of lift and hold, especially when styling. This is a great everyday spray when I want movement in my hair.
• L'oreal normal strength hairspray - this is a firmer hold spray and you have to be careful not to overdo it. However it does brush out quite easily. This is a good spray if you are putting your hair up. It has quite a strong fragrance.
• Boots hairspray firm hold - a basic, but good hairspray if you want a budget buy that will give hair some hold.
• Sebastian re-shaper - brushable, humidity resistant strong hold hairspray. This is one of my favourite strong hairsprays. A little more expensive, but I can see why.
• Sebastian shaper - zero gravity - dry, brushable lightweight control hairspray. This is my favourite spray. It doesn't dry the hair out, doesn't stick it down, but helps keep the style. Worth the money.
• John Freida Shape and Shine. A good firm hairspray without the stickiness. 

At the moment I would say the two favourites are the Tresemme touchable finish for a bargain buy and the Zero Gravity from Sebastian for a salon buy.

Any suggestions for a good, but not stiff hairspray ?!

What's in My Handbag

 I have been cutting back on the junk I carry around in my bag.

 There! 

 I said it out loud.

I still have days when everything, but the kitchen sink comes with me, but as the children get older I need less. My bag is not full of wet wipes, snacks and emergency toys any more.

When I am teaching I have a large carry all bag for files, books and whatever resources I need for the day. My drinks and lunch bag go in there too.

So I have built up a little collection of smaller bags - how did that happen?

I have my purple zatchels satchel, which I love, but I get frustrated with the undoing of the buckles. Lazy ? Maybe.

Purple zatchels satchel

I have my gap bargain, green cross body bag. This is a lovely small bag - perfect for shopping days when you need your hands free!

Green Gap bag

Then there is my latest love. An impulse buy. A coral/red colour in leather from Next. At only £25 it would have been rude not to.

Coral Next leather bucket bag

The Contents

What's in my bag?

I still cannot cope without my notepads and diary. I am a writer. I do put my calendar into my ipad, but I have to write everything down too. I make lists and jot down notes as they occur to me. It is not quite the same dictating them into a phone. However I do use the Evernote app for lists and I find that helpful.

Every few days I have to decant everything and get rid of the stuff that has crept back in that I do not need. 

I still carry my ipad around when I am at the kids clubs - it means I can work as well as watch them play their sports!

The hand cream is the lovely freebie off a magazine this month from Neal's Yard. I love it and will probably repurchase when it is all gone.

I love this little make up bag. It only cost £5 and is just large enough for a small mascara, a concealer and a lipstick. Sometimes I can squash a few plasters and painkillers in there too if needed. 

The hand gel is a must when working in school - need I say more.

My purse is a Marc O Polo bargain - lovely and roomy. I can fit all my cards, stamps, receipts and coupons in here.

What would be your essentials to carry in a small bag?

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.

Shopping My Wardrobe

Rose Gold and Coral

I can't quite bring myself to give up the long sleeves and jeans just yet. The weather is lovely and sunny this weekend, but the temperatures are not enough to tempt me yet. We did use the BBQ to cook both evenings over the weekend though!

I have a bit of a love affair going on with Topshop Baxter jeans at the moment. They are so comfy and they do them in a 32" length so I am a happy bunny.

I am hankering after a white pair now the sun is beginning to appear to add to the grey and black pair I already have.

This coral cardigan is a lightweight Gap sale bargain. I love it. It is neither too hot, nor too cold. It looks equally good with a skirt as trousers and can be dressed up or down. I have worn it to work a fair few times as well.The sleeves are a proper length on me too - love Gap for long sleeves!

The tan sandals are my bargain from the end of last summer ( see here) for £10 and still going strong.

The necklace is a thrifted gift from a friend who knows my love of coral. The watch is a rose gold one from Next which I think was about £20. The hoop earrings are also rose gold and were £4 for 2 pairs , again from Next. Rose gold and coral are a lovely pairing. 

The bag is a new purchase confession. An impulse buy. I just couldn't walk away as it was leather, a lovely coral/red colour and only £25. I was powerless.

Coral cardigan -  Gap sale £19.99
Necklace -  Thrifted Free
Sandals -  Peacocks sale £10
Baxter Jeans -  Topshop £40
Watch, earings and bag -  Next £20, £4, £25

Total cost of outfit - £69.99
Total cost of accessories - £49

Do you have a favourite colour pairing this Spring/Summer?

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.