Tired Tuesday; and Tuesday's Tip

Good evening!! I'm not sure why but I have been incredibly tired all day! I actually dozed off for two minutes at work until someone wanting to use the gym nudged me awake, haha. I'm really hoping it's just the lack of sleep from the last 4 or so nights catching up with me; I don't think I slept more than a couple hours straight due to schoolwork and general tossing and turning. So, in the interest of keeping this short but interesting so that I can go to bed, I'm veering away from today's eats (practical and boring) to bring you: Tuesday's Tip! Now, I'm definitely not sure whether or not this will be a 'weekly feature' or anything, it just happened to be awesome alliteration for right now ;)

How to shop on the cheap (skate):

I'll admit it freely: I'm pretty cheap. Heck, I work for my money and don't work enough to make a lot of it, having other educational priorities. In these times of economic crisis, everyone is looking at the little things that they can do to help 'trim the fat'- and with the holidays coming up it'll be in more ways than one ;)  How do you shop healthily, on a budget, at different stores?

New Leaf is fantastic. It's very similar to Whole Foods (which we don't have anywhere near) but doesn't have as appropriate a nickname as 'Whole Paycheck,' though I'm trying to come up with one! (any ideas?) They specialize in local and organic products. Because of this, it tends to be a bit pricier; but you really can tell the quality!

Here are the goods!

Tip 1: I know a lot of people say that their healthy/cheap tricks involve going to the grocery store with a plan. I disagree. Sure, I write down things I know that I need (this trip I needed frozen veggies); however, I just make sure I don't go in hungry! I also write down generalities ("tea," "yogurt," "fresh vegetables," etc). This way, I can go into a store and shop based on not only what is on sale, but what looks fantastic. FYI- Everything but the Oikos was on sale; and All of the winter squashes were 89 cents a Pound! I knew I needed a vegetable so I decided spaghetti squash, being on sale and the right size/price, was absolutely the way to go. Also, I wanted tea and the seasonal teas were on sale- why not try something new?

Spice-Tastic! Seasonal things always get me into the spirit.

Tip 2: coupons, Coupons, Coupons! Seriously, sunday is one of my favorite days of the week just for the paper. Also, a lot of these more specialized stores will often send out their own newsletters or flyers and/or have them around the store. New Leaf, in particular, has a "Healthy Clippings Catalogue" free to pick up which includes coupons for popular items (I grabbed a 'winter' And a 'holiday' one-shh!). 

Nope, that's not a typo.

From a bill that began at $10.02, I managed to coupon and 'on sale' my way down nearly half! Part of that is great thanks to the amazing Jenn- thanks to her Oikos win the yogurt was free. 

Tip 3: The most lucrative tip? Combining 1 and 2! Look at what is on sale, and then look at what you have coupons for. I chose that particular brand of frozen vegetables because I had a coupon for them (plus they're amazing); the holiday teas were all on sale but I happened to have a coupon for the Celestial Seasonings brand; and I knew Oikos was in my future when I opened my amazing care package. In fact, the only thing that I did not have a coupon for was the Spaghetti squash which, I think, ended up being the most expensive thing I got. Still, it was a sale item as well.

So, sorry for the potentially boring post, I was just amazed at the store the other day and felt the need to share my tips. These may sound time consuming, but it honestly takes all of five minutes to look through the paper, another five to make a list, and once you're at the store looking around it's a snap to combine the two together. What are your healthy budget tips?

Happy cheap shopping!

Independence day (minus the aliens...)

With it being my first quarter away from home, though I am a Junior, the question of what it means to grow up has been circulating. Is it defined by a certain age? A locale change? Or just an inner feeling?

Lost on the 'tube,' except not really ;)

Some people go and seize the day in an effort to prove independence. My dad, not knowing a direction, joined the Marine Corps. My sister chose a school she felt was an appropriate distance from home. A cousin got married.

Hey there Paddington!

My family has always loved to travel. Because I did not get the opportunity to go away to college straight away and lived at home while going to community college, another opportunity presented itself. I worked, I went to school, and I saved. With this money, I decided to go backpacking... however... 

Hanging with cows...

I went alone. Why? Well, I suppose it was a way to assert my independence; but really it came about more organically than that. I wanted to use my own money and had seen more than enough of my parents the past two years that I knew I wouldn't be homesick for five weeks. My friends, though ambitious, prefer a more high-maintenance aspect of traveling than I do (focusing on spas and nightclubs as opposed to hostels and museums). It also bears mentioning that not a lot of people had funds available for a trip, nor the right timing. 

Right before they attacked- the bike survived, but with copious amounts of slobber

So I had an amazing 5 week hostel experience through the United Kingdom. It was amazing and, while inadvertent, became a really important tool in learning infinitely more about myself. Because of this trip (as well as various other amazing experiences and/or traumatic events too numerous for this post, haha) I became a more confident person which helps me assert my independence each day. 

Was there an event that (intentionally or not) helped you learn about yourself? Did you have any show of independence? How do you define being grown?

(p.s. thanks so much for your guys' patience with the change of pace/posting the past week or so- I cannot wait till midterms are over. I have a few pictures of some yummy eats which bear mentioning.... all in due time!)

We Are Lucky

This is the same highway that runs outside my house 500+ miles away!

Good evening blog pals! Well, just because I'm still on midterm/finals hiatus doesn't mean I'm off posting completely (I was thinking about it, but it's far too addicting! Haha). 

For the first time, I live somewhere different from the area where I grew up. I was both extremely excited and nervous to move. There are things I love about my home town, but for the moment I'd like to focus on the present and future.

Do you have a favorite bike route? What's the longest bike experience/hike you've taken?

I absolutely love Santa Cruz. I love that I'm within walking distance to the beach. I love that the weather is still relatively mild (though generally much cooler than I'm used to, but it's still California!). I love that I'm within walking distance to school. I love that strangers smile and say hello just by virtue of living in the same town and loving life. I love that there is an emphasis on health if you look for it, and farmer's markets. 

Hello rollercoaster at the warf!

I love that it is an incredibly diverse and varied area. Basically, anything or any type of person you would want to find is out there; you may have to look a little bit. On the same note, anything you would like to avoid (for instance, I'm not big into the 'party' scene) there are plenty of places to feel comfortable. My mother was worried about the area being "sketchy" (we're from small town southern california, remember) and, while there are areas with homelessness and drugs, it is most definitely not dangerous or trashy! I mean, anywhere can be dangerous if you don't have your head on your shoulders!

The forest meets the ocean.

So what do you love about the town that you live in right now? We are all incredibly lucky to have health, and (at most times!) sanity and happiness- so let's remember just how fortunate we are! Happy thursday ;) Back to some elbow grease!

mag-tastic!

I'll admit it, I like reading magazines. Sometimes, even a literature major needs a break from dense material (or really any novel material)! There's something about quick stories and quips that is so satisfying- especially on a treadmill or a walk when my mind can't quite process long detailed information. Unfortunately, as a college student my disposable income has decreased significantly and I can no longer build up stacks and stacks of recyclable fun. So the question remains, which one to invest in?

fitness? (NOT my gym, haha)

I have such a wealth of interests that it's hard to narrow it down (note the, partial, sarcasm, haha). Of fitness magazines I tend to prefer Women's health (although sometimes a little dense, very interesting- the women's version of "Mens Health"), Fitness, or Shape (although sometimes a little fluffy). Self just doesn't do it for me. 

nutrition?

I'm also a big fan of nutrition. The company that accredited my Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Certification has a newsletter with lots of tips; Health is usually interesting although I feel may cater to an older (i.e. over 20) crowd; Women's Fitness usually has some interesting information regarding nutrition also and Nutrition Today is always a good read, albeit a little high-brow. Lastly?

cooking

I salivate over Cooking Light and, for Valentines Day last year, my grandma got me the cookbook, haha! There are plenty of others to choose from too: Vegetarian Cuisine, Bon Appettit, etc. etc. Some of the fitness magazines usually include a few good recipes, but no where near the wealth and variety of these gems.

Question: Are you a magazine fan? What are your favorites? I may invest in a subscription to one and, with holiday season coming up... who knows! I would love some opinions...