Zesty Cook » food

Top 7 Foods under $1

zesty — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:00:59 +0000

Can we eat healthy and not break the bank? A couple of years ago I wrote an article about grocery prices going out of control and I still believe that is the case. Over the past couple of years especially with all the world issues, food prices have not reduced in many areas. With that said, there are still some great foods that will not break the bank and offer you lots of nutrition. I compiled a list of my top 7, added some links to foods recipes I have made using these ingredients and I would love for you to add other ones you may think of just in the comments section.

Foods under $1 Per Serving

1. Oats

High in fiber and complex carbohydrates, oats have also been shown to lower cholesterol. And they sure are cheap—a dollar will buy you more than a week’s worth of hearty breakfasts.

Serving suggestions: Sprinkle with nuts and fruit in the morning, make oatmeal cookies for dessert.

2. Eggs

You can get about a half dozen of eggs for a dollar, making them one of the cheapest and most versatile sources of protein.

Serving suggestions: Poached Eggs for breakfast, egg salad sandwiches for lunch, and leftover eggs for dinner.

3. Kale

This dark, leafy green is loaded with vitamin C, carotenoids, and calcium. Like most greens, it is usually a dollar a bunch.

Serving suggestions: Chop up some kale and add to your favorite stir-fry or pasta dish or KALE chips.

4. Potatoes

Because we often see potatoes at their unhealthiest—as fries or chips—we don’t think of them as nutritious, but they definitely are. Eaten with the skin on, potatoes contain almost half a day’s worth of Vitamin C, and are a good source of potassium. If you opt for sweet potatoes or yams, you’ll also get a good wallop of beta carotene. Plus, they’re dirt cheap and have almost endless culinary possibilities.

Serving suggestions: Try Easy Breakfast Potatoes; sweet potato fries for dinner, or baked potatoes.

5. Apples

I’m fond of apples because they’re inexpensive, easy to find, come in portion-controlled packaging, and taste good. They are a good source of pectin—a fiber that may help reduce cholesterol—and they have the antioxidant Vitamin C, which keeps your blood vessels healthy.

Serving suggestions: Plain; as applesauce; or in baked goods like Apple Granola Muffins.

6. Bananas

At a local grocery store, I found bananas for about 19¢ apiece; a dollar gets you a banana a day for the workweek. High in potassium and fiber (9 grams for one), bananas are a no-brainer when it comes to eating your five a day quotient of fruits and veggies.

Serving suggestions: In smoothies, by themselves, in cereal and yogurt or of course banana bread.

7. Beans

With beans, you’re getting your money’s worth and then some. Not only are they a great source of protein and fiber, but ’bonzos are also high in fiber, iron, folate, and manganese, and may help reduce cholesterol levels. And if you don’t like one type, try another—black, lima, lentils … the varieties are endless. Though they require soaking and cooking, the most inexpensive way to purchase these beans is in dried form; a precooked can will still only run you around a buck.

Serving suggestions: In salads, by themselves, or even in dips.

Let me know your thoughts on this as I really think it a a valuable post just to reiterate to you that we can still eat healthy and cut costs. Have a great day and add your comments and tell me some other food items.

Take care

zesty

Zesty Does the G!

zesty — Fri, 21 May 2010 11:00:48 +0000

Happy Friday! I have a special announcement that I wanted to share with you today. It is local news to Prince Edward Island and it marks the launch of a new free monthly magazine called the G! I have been fortunate enough to be chosen as a contributor to the magazine from the sense of food and everything about it. Needless to say I am pretty excited to say the least. I also met with the G! team and emphasized the importance of a blog in this particular time and space and worked with the folks to come up with a design that would depict the G! in a way that pops.

More details on the G!

G! A Sassy Offshoot of The Guardian is the Island’s source for ‘Infotainment’ – a free monthly magazine featuring articles, pictures and musings for a thriving demographic ages 25 – 44. Leaving the ‘regular’ news to the local daily newspapers, G! offers its readers a slightly irreverent, entertaining take on the world.

Each month, G! will feature different themes. Food, fashion, entertainment, fitness and technology will be explored by regular columnists and guest contributors. Never boring. Sassy, not serious.

Over 25, 000 free copies of G! will be available Island wide in coffee shops, restaurants, corner stores, gas stations, hair salons, grocery stores and various locations. And did we mention it’s free?

Zesty in the G!

The first issue was released to the public yesterday and there is definitely a buzz in the air. I got my hands on a few copies earlier this week and it is pretty cool. Being a part of some bigger magazines in the past for simple articles seemed really neat at the time but to be a monthly contributor so close to your community holds a special place in your heart. The first issue is titled “The Eatin’ & Drinkin’ Issue” and I focused my article on some abnormal party foods to take your house party to the next level.

It was super fun coming up with an article on this topic. I chose to feature were the ever popular and simple – “Parsnip Chips”. Remember these? Only 5 minutes to prep and super fun to eat! Here is a snapshot and a peek at the parsnips.

Stay tuned for some more fun in the G! and feel free to email or comment any questions you may have about the G! If you want to follow more closely you can follow them on Twitter or check out the new blog! Have a great weekend and if you are in Canada… Have a great long weekend!

Take care

zesty

Top 9 Party Planning Ideas

zesty — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:00:17 +0000

Hey you! End of the week is here and I wanted to switch up things a little bit and share with you some tips I try to use when planning for a get together or party. Now these ideas are nothing earth shattering or unheard of but it is just a guideline that may ease some stress around “PARTY TIME“.

For a simple centerpiece, arrange bunches of flowers ( daisies, etc in small tin buckets )
Plastic glasses and utensils make cleanup easy
When serving messy meals like ribs, use lightweight bandannas instead of thin napkins
Dress salads just before serving
Keep lots of napkins and or paper towel on hand to wipe up spills
To keep beverages cold longer, place in a full tub of ice, water and salt ( 1 Tbsp. per Quart of water )
Use checklists and try to divide up tasks among your helpers
Plan ahead and prep whatever you can ahead of time.
Have Fun while doing it

Ok, so it is 8:55 pm o’clock in the evening ( last night ) and I just realized I have a client meeting at 9:00 that I totally forgot about so that is going to eat into my evening of relaxation. Oh well – I will still try and sneak a piece of fudge and possibly some killer banana bread before hitting the sack.

Have a great weekend and I will talk to you on Monday.

Take care

zesty