Cheaper Eats & not Much Choice

       When it’s definitely past time to skimp you might want to try some split green peas.  I’m just lucky I have some and a place to cook them cuz some people don’t even have that.  I’m very grateful to the one above for what I do have.  You can make that last 3 days.  The last piece of ham is perfect for a pot of split peas soup.  The ham will be used for the oil needed to keep the peas from being too dry.  Lean ham is low in calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs  http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/sausages-and-luncheon-meats/1344/2 but somewhat high in omega 6 fatty acids needed for brain function. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-6-000317.htm’  It’s important to maintain brain functioning nutrition if at all possible on low budgets.   Fish is your main source of Omega fatty acids so if you don’t have fish take your cod liver oil or what ever fish oil you use.  My mom use to give us cod liver oil when we had it so that’s what I use. 

O-k so split peas, ham, onion, garlic, basil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes , water and a teaspoon of fennel for flavor, for the heart, blood pressure and asthma.  Not too much because I find it loosens bowels.

The story of the green pea it seems goes back in time to 7000 or 6000 BCE for the gathered peas with the first signs of cultivated peas around 500 to 400 BCE by the Greeks and Romans and sold in the streets of Athens as hot pea soup, considered an energy food. http://www.vegparadise.com/highestperch52.html The pea pods grow in a coiling winding twirl like vines upward attaching to what ever is available much like green beans. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pea   The name pea is thought to be from the old English name Pisum.  The raw pea being extremely low in fat has quite a variety of vitamins and minerals high in vitamin K for energy plus 67% vitamin C and 23%  thiamine (B1).  Dried peas are 65% fiber and can also stabilize blood sugar. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=56

Cheap Eats – Healthy Too

     Rather than a fast food burger that isn’t too healthy and is only good for one meal I often go the the market and get salad fixings.  I try to pick inexpensive produce (which is getting hard to come by) and toss a salad together which is usally good for a few meals.  The other day I bought a bunch of Bok Choy for $1.01 which to me tastes very good, is very thirst quenching as it is aproximately 66% water, has about 9 calories per cup, zero cholesterol and is also loaded with much needed body enriching vital nutrition.  Too many to list.  See the website below for nutritional value of Bok Choy.    http://nutrition.about.com/od/fruitsandvegetables/p/BokChoy.htm

Not to mention the various ways to fix it if you don’t want salad.  I use it mostly in salad but like it steamed or stir fried also.  I always feel the less it’s cooked the more nutritional it is.  Bok Choy is from the cabbage family of vegetables and cabbage is very healthy also and is another inexpensive vegetable that goes a long way both in nutrition and in many meals if you need to streatch your dollars.  A head of cabbage which will keep in the fridge for 10 days or longer can be used in a variety of tasty dishes.  I don’t buy cabbage very often simply because it does last so long and honestly I’m tired of it by the time I finally finish one head of cabbage.   That’s another story in itself.

Back to the  first cheap eats recipe:  Bok Choy $1.01, red bell pepper – $1.50, expensive for me but rich in vitamin C and very flavorable.  Also good for two meals, tomatoe – less than a dollar for the oblong one, garlic – less than a dollar and good for several meals.  Basil.  Throw some grapes in if you have and some nuts if you have.  I usually throw some flax seed on top too.  (helps with hormonal issues such as hot flashes)  Good for men and women.  I most often don’t use salad dressing and this particular salad didn’t need it.  When I do use salad dressing it’s usually olive oil and balsalmic vinegar or a spoon of honey and some mustard.  If the leaves go limp on the bok choy before I use it up that’s when I steam it or stir fry it.  Still very tasty with no dressings.

I often just grab a red bell pepper and eat it like an apple for lunch or an avacado which I like with red hot sauce on it. 

So there’s some of  my favorite cheap eats. 

Tip for today – Try to eat a few nuts daily.   Just a few.