It’s not about the money, money, money…
It’s not about the cha-ching, cha-ching…
It’s not about the ba-bling, ba-bling…
We just wanna make the world dance
Forget about the price tag.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could all just dance together and let all the things that divide us fall away? We need to remember that the important thing is not whether we’re wearing the “right” shoes or the “coolest” sunglasses.
Don’t sell out to somebody else’s idea of who you should be. Your price tag? Should read “PRICELESS.”
Be sure to read the labels of the products you clean with (not just the food you eat).
Of course you want the most natural cleaners you can find – especially for places you clean frequently, like the kitchen and bathroom. Look for brands approved by Green Seal or EcoLogo, two organizations that identify products that have met environmental label guidelines.
All that expensive exercise equipment only helps you tone muscle and lose weight if you use it… for something other than a coat rack.
Why not try some budget-friendly options instead? You can find instructions for most of this equipment on the web or in fitness DVDs (check your library, Netflix, or trade with friends for budget-friendly options).
Jump rope * It’s inexpensive, and it doesn’t take up much space either. If you have the ceiling height, you can use it indoors. Start with basic playground jumping, and work up to boxer jumping.
Stability and resistance balls * They come in various sizes, so get the one(s) that fit your workout. Use them for coordination and balance, building core strength. There’s nothing like pushups with your feet on a ball, or crunches while sitting on a ball to make you realize there’s more toning to be done. (Stability balls also make great chairs.)
Resistance tubes and bands * Inexpensive and portable, Marilu uses these for keeping up her fitness routine while traveling. Use them to build strength and flexibility, especially in your arms, legs, and glutes.
Handheld free weights * They’re basic, but they still work to strengthen muscles and bones. Be sure you get instruction on proper technique. They’re available everywhere, and often on sale.
Kettlebells * These cast iron balls with handles were originally used for training military and Olympic athletes. Be sure you get instruction on proper technique. You can get a full-body workout – cardio, flexibility, strength training, and core stabilization – from a kettlebell workout.
Spicy Cold Soba Noodles are a favorite recipe from Marilu’s book Healthy Life Kitchen.
Some of the ingredients may be new to you, but don’t panic. They can be used in other meals, and they have a pretty good shelf life (or fridge life) so you don’t have to worry about wasting food.
Sesame oil * We love toasted sesame oil, and we add a few drops to all our stir fries and Asian meals. Find it with the Asian foods, usually in your local grocery store.
Tahini * A puree of toasted sesame seeds, this is usually found in the health food store or natural foods section of your grocery store. Sometimes it’s in the refrigerated section. It’s also used to make hummus.
Barley malt * This grain-based sweetener is usually found in the health food store. Barley malt is a syrup, and it has a rather strong flavor (and the smell might remind you a bit of beer, but don’t worry, you’re not using much). Keep it in the fridge after you open it, and it will last a long, long time (years).
Chili oil * It comes in small bottles, usually in the Asian foods section. Some brands are hotter than others, and some brands come in different heat “strengths.” Use just a little, and then add more to taste if you want.
Soba noodles * Just pasta, Asian style – and made from buckwheat.
This meal is great for a brown bag lunch. If it will be out of the fridge for longer than 4 hours, or it will be in the heat, pack along a blue ice pack to keep it cool.
1/3 cup soy sauce (or tamari)
1 Tablespoon molasses
1/4 cup sesame oil (we use 1/2 Tablespoon)
1/4 cup tahini
1 Tablespoon barley malt
1/4 cup chili oil (we use 1 teaspoon)
3 Tablespoons balsamic or red wine vinegar
1/2 bunch scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced
salt to taste
1/2 pound soba noodles
Optional: Add shredded carrots for extra color and a vegetable! We’ve also added julienned red pepper, julienned cucumber, edamame, and chopped cilantro. (But we like to play.)
Place soy sauce in a pan over high heat and reduce by half. Turn heat to low, stir in molasses, and warm briefly. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add sesame oil, tahini, barley malt, chili oil, vinegar, and scallions, and whisk to combine. Season to taste with salt, if desired.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Add noodles, bring back to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they just begin to soften, about 3 minutes. (Soba noodles can overcook very quickly, so stay nearby and pay attention).
Have ready a large bowl of ice water. Drain noodles, plunge in ice water, adn drain again. Place in a colander and rinse well under cold running water. Combine noodles and sauce, toss well, and chill.
While we’re thinking about dental care… do you know where your floss is?
Did you know most people only floss the day before they go to the dentist? That’s not very good dental care. Even if you only do it once a day, floss your teeth.
Your gums will thank you – if not now, in another decade or two… really. Think of using floss like using sunscreen – you won’t notice the effects of doing the right thing for awhile, but you will notice them. And you’ll be grateful you took care of yourself all those years.
We could all use more Money, Honey, but the smartest thing to do is use what we have brilliantly. That’s how we stay fiscally fit and fabulous – being smart with our m-o-n-e-y (so sexy!), and remembering that people (especially the people we love) are more important than things.
What do your spending habits say about your priorities?
Do you spend all your money on “treats” and have little or nothing left for necessities?
Do you budget for fitness and physical activities, like a bicycle or a gym membership or new athletic shoes?
Do you look for the free or inexpensive things you can do to enjoy your city?
How do you show the people you love that they’re more important than anything you buy?
Now grab the ones you love and get up and move! (It’s free!)
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You can still join the Fiscally Fit & Fabulous class, in session now! Sign up here.
Eleven-year-old Birke Baehr talks about “What’s Wrong With Our Food System? And How Can We Make A Difference?” at the TEDx Next Generation Asheville conference in August 2010.
Edamame (pronounced ed-ah-MAH-may) is just soybeans. You might think they sound exotic, but soybeans are a big crop in America’s heartland, so they’re really just the food next door – like corn, wheat, and oats. Don’t be afraid of them! They’re kind of like peas, in that they grow in pods, and the seed part (the pea part) is the part you want to eat.
Edamame is sold in the pod, and shelled. Frankly, the shelled ones are easier for most uses. If you want to serve them as an appetizer, get the ones in the pod, cook them in the pod (as directed on the package – which is just boiling them in salted water, lol), and serve them in the pod. Then make sure your guests don’t eat the pods! Holding onto one end of the pod, put most of it in your mouth, and pull the pod through your teeth – so the edamame “peas” stay in your mouth – and toss the shell. It makes edamame into finger food.
Because it’s the least processed way to eat soy, it’s the best way to eat it, so try it! We like this salad because it’s light and flavorful. Perfect for the warmer days ahead.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Edamame-Corn Salad with Garlic Vinaigrette Green * Serves 4-6
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon Sucanat®
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 10-ounce package frozen shelled edamame, prepared according to package directions
1-1/2 cups frozen sweet corn, thawed
1-1/2 cups julienne-cut jicama
1 small red pepper, seeded and chopped
2 green onions (green and white parts), chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
For vinaigrette:
In small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine vinegar, Sucanat®, cumin, and onion powder. Simmer until Sucanat® is dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. When cool, whisk in the olive oil and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
In a bowl, toss together the edamame, corn, jicama, red bell pepper, and green onions. Stir in the vinaigrette. Cover and refrigerate up to 12 hours. Serve chilled. Before serving, sprinkle with fresh parsley.
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While we’re thinking about dental care… do you know where your floss is?
