Spring Sales

Since I am a bargain shopper, I have found that spring is a great time to catch certain products at a good price and stock up. 


Second Hand Clothing-since it is time for spring cleaning, a lot of people are going through their closets and getting rid of things they don't need. It is a good time to find nice things at consignment shops and thrift stores.


Cleaning Supplies-Since it is spring cleaning season, cleaning supplies will go on sale through the month of March and April. A lot of coupons for cleaning products are also printed at this time.


Winter Equipment/Winter Sports-When it is safe to say that the last snow has fallen for the winter season, a lot of stores will discount snow removal equipment and deicing products. It is also a good time to buy snow sports equipment and heavy winter clothing.


Fruits and Veggies-Spring Veggies and Fruits can finally be purchased locally. Common products include: Apricots, Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Carrots, Chard, Cherries, Peas and Strawberries.


Meats-Certain kinds of meats typically go on sale during spring months due to certain holidays-Corned beef (St. Patrick's Day), Lamb (Passover), Ham (Easter).


Homes-Spring is the time a more homes go on the market than any other time of the year. It is a good time to look to buy or sell a house.

Smoothies

I have found smoothies to be an quick and easy way to get a good dose of fruits or vegetables in a easy to make and easy to eat way. Smoothies can be breakfast, lunch, or dessert. For those who are trying to loose weight or maintain a steady weight, a smoothie can be an excellent way to fill the tummy, count calories, and get necessary nutrients without the fat. I particularly love non-dairy fruit smoothies, but dairy does add extra protein for a long morning or afternoon. I also try to not eat smoothies for breakfast every day, because carbohydrates are also needed to boost metabolism and provide various vitamins and fibers to the diet. Protein powders can be found in a number of health food stores, but there are natural foods that can be used in smoothies and they already have high amounts of protein in them.


Sources of Protein
Tofu
Tree Nuts
Eggs (dried eggs may be a safer method than raw)Tree nuts
Peanuts
Beans
Dairy-milk/yogurt
Soy Milk
Almond Milk
Whey Powder
Cheese
Fruits High in Protein
Avocado
Guava
Passion fruit
Pomegranate

Tips:

1. Use frozen fruit or slice and freeze fresh fruit-including bananas. Frozen fruit gives smoothies a nice icy texture. 
2. Blend until the liquid at the top of the blender forms a funnel-add more liquid or solids to get that consistency
3. The longer the blend the more fluff and airy texture the smoothie will have
4. Choose fruits and vegetables that are in season to get the best prices

Mango Peach Smoothie
1 peach, sliced
1 mango, peeled and diced
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk
1/2 cup orange juice, or as needed

Directions
Place the peach, mango, soy milk, and orange juice into a blender. Cover, and puree until smooth. Pour into glasses to serve.

Peanut Butter Smoothie 1 banana
1/8 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup soy milk
2 tablespoons honey

Directions
In a blender, combine banana, peanut butter and soy milk. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and drizzle with honey for garnish.

Filling Blue Smoothie
1 banana
16 whole almonds
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup raspberry yogurt
1/4 cup Concord grape juice
1 cup 1% buttermilk

Directions
Peel the banana and cut into 1/2-inch chunks. Chill in freezer until solid, about 2 hours.
Place the almonds, oats, and flaxseed meal into a blender; pulse until finely ground. Add the frozen banana, frozen blueberries, yogurt, grape juice, and buttermilk; puree until smooth.


Avacado Smoothie
1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
3 tablespoons honey
8 ice cubes

Directions
Combine the avocado, milk, yogurt, honey, and ice cubes in a blender; blend until smooth.

Plain Vanilla Smoothie

2 c. milk-use soy for more protein

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

1 T vanilla

Directions: Combine ingredients in a blender and add ice until a funnel forms in the liquid in the blender