Penny-pinching: How eat cheap and healthy

I try hard to eat vegan. If I do eat dairy or eggs, I make sure the animals are raised free range. I also peruse online newspapers daily, and CNN seems to be making a fuss about food prices going to way of gas prices. As a poor college student, I am used to scrounging for money to buy food. So if any of you are also trying to eat vegan, veggie or just plain healthy and eco-friendly here are a few recommendations:

Farmer's Markets:

These are easy to find in almost any city. Living in the midwest, one of the first things I do when I move to a new city is check out where the farmer's market meets. In Madison, WI it's easy because the farmer's market is in the middle of the city. Fresh produce is available here at inexpensive prices and since it comes from smaller farms the animal products are almost guaranteed free range. 

Here's my strategy for shopping there: either go really early or really late. The pro of going early is that you get to pick the best and freshest of the produce. The con is that the prices are steeper and haggling is more difficult. Not to mention that you have to wake up at 5 am. If you go late, farmers are very persuadable haggle-wise because they just want to pack up and drive home. (I presume to sleep since they must get up at 2, 3 am to start the drive down.)

Co-ops:

To find a co-op near you, listen to word of mouth and do some research online. I find being a member has quite a few benefits if you plan to shop there often, not the least of which includes lower prices. 

Trader Joe's:

These aren't everywhere in the US, but if you live on the coasts or the central midwest you may be in luck. Not only do they feature many ethnic foods, but it's also quite inexpensive. Another bonus is that you don't have to join some store club or coupon hunt, it's the lowest price they'll make it. One of my favorite features is the three dollar bottles of wine, known as 3 buck Chuck. 

I hope you find this article helpful!

Party planning

Marie Antoinette knew how to have a good time.

Happy Friday to one and all! I hope you have lots of fun planned, but if not, here are a few last minute ideas:

• Croquet party: Put on your favorite sundress and sandals and get outside to enjoy this posh english past-time. To feel authentic, you may as well serve tea along with mini pastries. (I've done this multiple times, to great success. Sure it sounds lame, but if your friends are good sports, they're sure to have fun!) Rules for playing croquet can be found here.
• Foreign movie night: Can't travel this summer? Do the next best thing, immerse yourself in another culture for a night. Feeling french? Make crepes with friends and watch a french movie ( I would suggest L'amour, c'est la folie with Audrey Tatou). Do you and your friends speak spanish? Serve tortillas de patatas while you watch Volver or L'auberge espanol. Germany? Watch the Edukators. Japan? Serve sushi and enjoy Wasabi. If you have ideas for other countries/recipes/movies, please tell me!
• Mystery: This one is fairly simple, and especially fun when the weather isn't treating you well. Start off with a mystery movie or tv series, I would suggest anything with David Suchet playing Hercule Poirot, though for a more comedic mood, Clue is always a classic. Play mafia to continue the theme as guests try to guess who among them has been dealt a murderous card. 
• Casino: Dress up (or don't) serve mixed drinks (or non-alcoholic versions if you're underaged) and play a slew of fun card games! 

Do you have any other great ideas? Please share! I hope you all have a glorious weekend!

Energizing Yourself

This afternoon, after I had finished watching Australia's Next Top Model on Youtube, I felt like rolling onto my stomach and falling asleep. I nearly did, but I remembered I have work in an hour. With Minneapolis weather so dismal and depressing lately, finding energy to do all the things I want to do has become increasingly difficult, so I did a bit of research and figured I'd share my finds with you.

• Turn on the light! I always keep lights off during the day because I hate wasting energy, but a surefire way to wake yourself up is to turn on a few lights, this alerts your brain that it's day and starts your circadian rhythm. 
• Eat a big breakfast. Naturally grown foods are best for energizing you. Carbohydrates such as bread and pasta contain a lot of energy. Also, try these foods:

-berries

-beans

-melon

-soy products (yippee! for vegans!)

-nuts

-tea

-citrus fruits/juices

-spinach

-low fat dairy products 

• Exercise. Getting your body stretched out and moving helps wake you up and prepare you for the days activities. Here's a yoga routine I found in The Yoga Deck by Olivia Miller. As with all yoga, hold the position however long you want and repeat as often as you desire. (Usually I get through one repetition in 10 minutes.)

1. Knee Hug: Hug your knees to your chest, or as close as they will get.
2. Chair: Stand up straight, making sure your posture is good. Then slowly sink down as though you are about to sit in a chair. Go as low as you can and hold.



3. Mudra: Lace your fingers behind your back and push away from you. Bend over so that your head is between your knees with you arms still outstretched.




4. Boat: Lie flat on the floor. Raise your legs and torso as far off the ground as you can, arms outstretched in front of your head. Then, keeping yourself up, pull your arms behind you.