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Houston's premier web resource for moms!
Bridget Leigh Pugh is a wife, Stay-at-Home
Mother of two children, and dual business owner
in Houston, Texas specializing in Organic
cuisine. Her work in Fair Trade and support of
local farmers is known throughout the Southern
United States. Check out http://www.fudgette.com
Mother of two children, and dual business owner
in Houston, Texas specializing in Organic
cuisine. Her work in Fair Trade and support of
local farmers is known throughout the Southern
United States. Check out http://www.fudgette.com
"The trick is to know where the
Healthy Houston Hot Spots are and
what to get when you are there."
Healthy Houston Hot Spots are and
what to get when you are there."
Want to cook healthy for your family but you're
not sure where to begin? Here's your chance
to ask a real live chef!
Email Bridget now.
not sure where to begin? Here's your chance
to ask a real live chef!
Email Bridget now.
Cook at Home!
Save Money and Eat Healthy This Summer
With rising gas prices, expensive vacation plans, and kids’ day camp tuition,
many families find their carefree, relaxing summer to be pricier than they
planned. And as Stay-At-Home Moms or Part-Time Working Moms, many
readers understand the stretch in budgets that occur in the summer. Moms
can ease this pressure by cooking at home, and according to studies, they
can cut their monthly food budget by 50%! (Not to mention enjoy all the
health benefits Bridget’s Dish talks about monthly by cooking meals at
home.) Realistically, grocery shopping for a family can be daunting, and so
by using these suggestions, Moms can keep their family at home during
mealtime with as little stress as possible. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, and 4!
1: Plan Ahead
Meal planning is essential to cooking at home. The day before shopping,
write down a list of the family’s favorite foods, recipes that sound yummy, or
meals that can be built around clipped coupons. Don’t forget to include
breakfast and lunches! Also, think about how easy the meal is to prepare.
For instance, don’t plan on Fried Chicken and Mashed Potatoes on the
evening that the kids have camp until 5:30- there isn’t enough time to make
that labor-intensive dinner on busy weeknights! Instead, choose a quick,
throw-together dinner such as Turkey Wraps with a side of Soup and Fresh
Strawberries. After the meal list has been completed, dissect each meal by
ingredients and write them down in a grocery list. For extra convenience, try
categorizing the grocery list by section: Dairy, Meats, Frozen, Produce, etc.
Don’t forget the basics, such as Olive Oil and seasonings!
2. Create a Budget
One of the biggest issues when Moms go grocery shopping for the week is
Price. Most Moms are pleasantly surprised to notice that a grocery bill is
significantly less overall than a week’s worth of fast food and family
restaurant bills, but many families are eating without a budget. Not a good
idea! Creating a food budget is easy by calculating monthly income and
subtracting bills and other monthly responsibilities. The number that is left
can be divided into a Food Budget, or saved and spent on extras. Usually,
most families of 4-5 can eat 100% of their meals at home for $150-200
dollars a week. By eating out for lunch and dinner only, a family finds that
they spend an average of over $300 a week! That’s a terrific savings, as well
as being so much healthier. Find the right family budget, and stick with it. It
feels wonderful to eat delicious, healthy food at home that is also affordable.
3. Think “Out of the Box”
A common mistake when beginning to cook at home is to use boxed
dinners for convenience. While there are plenty of decently healthy
prepackaged dinners, the sodium and preservative content is so high that
the risks outweigh the benefit of saving a few minutes or pennies. For
example, one serving of Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni wipes
out more than 1/3 of an adult’s daily recommended sodium intake. By
adding fat-filled ground beef (even 90% lean ground beef adds 10 grams of
fat) and white pasta, the meal is anything but balanced. Instead, choose
fresh ingredients! Substitute fresh vegetables, whole grain-only starches,
and leaner types of meat like chicken and ground turkey in family favorite
dishes. Flavor with herbs and low-sodium seasonings. Once Moms are
used to cooking mostly from scratch, they can save even more money by
buying their frequently used items in bulk. Try this method for pastas, rice,
and even meats! The fresh method is also a healthy, smart choice for
snacks. By offering only fresh fruits and veggies for snacking instead of
boxed crackers and cookies, Moms can amp up their kids’ nutrition while
cutting down on cost and empty calories. Most kids quickly get used to
grabbing a portable piece of fruit and running out the door to go play!
4. Just Have Fun!
In the beginning, don’t sweat a few missing ingredients or complaining
kids. It takes time for families to get used to eating home cooked meals
instead of drive-thru fare, both with taste and planning. Like Bridget’s Dish
preaches every month, make eating healthy a family affair and involve the
kids! Summer is a great time to take a few minutes to let kids help in the
kitchen. Set out an array of sandwich items and let kids create their own
sandwich. Create a Rainbow Salad out of colorful pasta and veggies, or
even fruit for those kids who are veggie-shy. If kids love pizza, try making
homemade Bagel Pizzas on whole wheat bagels, or for Hamburger-Lovers,
try mini Turkey Burgers on cute, pint-sized whole grain buns. Eating at home
is not just about saving money, it’s about having fun!
Moms can help ease the financial stress this summer by following these
four steps to eating at home. On top of saving up to 50% on their monthly
food budget, families increase nutrition and lower their fat content by
choosing to cook their own food. Planning ahead is key for busy moms
when shopping for the week, and by creating a menu and detailed grocery
list, Moms can minimize their time at the store, and have more time to spend
with their family. Forgot an item or two? Not a problem, just swing by the
store on the way home from a fun day as long as it is the family’s food
budget! By creating a food budget, families become aware of their food
habits, and more likely to skip going out in an effort to remain within their
decided limit. In a world of rising gas prices, summer camps, and vacation
plans, food budgets can ease the financial strain that many families are
feeling this summer.
Moms also should be focused on fresh foods versus boxed, prepackaged
dinners due to the preservatives, chemicals, and especially sodium that are
packed into meal kits. By thinking of fresh produce, whole grain starches,
and leaner cuts of meat, Moms can cook delicious, healthy food for a fraction
of the price and calories of getting the meal at a restaurant. And kids can get
excited about these healthier meals by remembering to have fun! Whether it
is garnishing the plates, adding an ingredient, or even planning a meal, kids
are more likely to eat and enjoy their new food lifestyle if they feel involved.
So, Moms, have a blast cooking, saving money, and spending time together
this summer!
* * * * ** * *
Homemade Whole Wheat Pizza Crust
This yummy made-from-scratch pizza crust is kid-friendly and freezable! For
Moms looking to begin cooking at home, this is a delicious way to ease into
healthy eating. With this whole wheat pizza dough, soon kids will be
begging for Mom’s pizza over delivery any day. Control the calories and fat by
adding lots of veggies and lean proteins, and don’t forget to have the kids
help!
Whole Wheat Pizza Crust:
1 (¼ ounce) envelope active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 ¼ cups warm water
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
Cornmeal
Save Money and Eat Healthy This Summer
With rising gas prices, expensive vacation plans, and kids’ day camp tuition,
many families find their carefree, relaxing summer to be pricier than they
planned. And as Stay-At-Home Moms or Part-Time Working Moms, many
readers understand the stretch in budgets that occur in the summer. Moms
can ease this pressure by cooking at home, and according to studies, they
can cut their monthly food budget by 50%! (Not to mention enjoy all the
health benefits Bridget’s Dish talks about monthly by cooking meals at
home.) Realistically, grocery shopping for a family can be daunting, and so
by using these suggestions, Moms can keep their family at home during
mealtime with as little stress as possible. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, and 4!
1: Plan Ahead
Meal planning is essential to cooking at home. The day before shopping,
write down a list of the family’s favorite foods, recipes that sound yummy, or
meals that can be built around clipped coupons. Don’t forget to include
breakfast and lunches! Also, think about how easy the meal is to prepare.
For instance, don’t plan on Fried Chicken and Mashed Potatoes on the
evening that the kids have camp until 5:30- there isn’t enough time to make
that labor-intensive dinner on busy weeknights! Instead, choose a quick,
throw-together dinner such as Turkey Wraps with a side of Soup and Fresh
Strawberries. After the meal list has been completed, dissect each meal by
ingredients and write them down in a grocery list. For extra convenience, try
categorizing the grocery list by section: Dairy, Meats, Frozen, Produce, etc.
Don’t forget the basics, such as Olive Oil and seasonings!
2. Create a Budget
One of the biggest issues when Moms go grocery shopping for the week is
Price. Most Moms are pleasantly surprised to notice that a grocery bill is
significantly less overall than a week’s worth of fast food and family
restaurant bills, but many families are eating without a budget. Not a good
idea! Creating a food budget is easy by calculating monthly income and
subtracting bills and other monthly responsibilities. The number that is left
can be divided into a Food Budget, or saved and spent on extras. Usually,
most families of 4-5 can eat 100% of their meals at home for $150-200
dollars a week. By eating out for lunch and dinner only, a family finds that
they spend an average of over $300 a week! That’s a terrific savings, as well
as being so much healthier. Find the right family budget, and stick with it. It
feels wonderful to eat delicious, healthy food at home that is also affordable.
3. Think “Out of the Box”
A common mistake when beginning to cook at home is to use boxed
dinners for convenience. While there are plenty of decently healthy
prepackaged dinners, the sodium and preservative content is so high that
the risks outweigh the benefit of saving a few minutes or pennies. For
example, one serving of Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni wipes
out more than 1/3 of an adult’s daily recommended sodium intake. By
adding fat-filled ground beef (even 90% lean ground beef adds 10 grams of
fat) and white pasta, the meal is anything but balanced. Instead, choose
fresh ingredients! Substitute fresh vegetables, whole grain-only starches,
and leaner types of meat like chicken and ground turkey in family favorite
dishes. Flavor with herbs and low-sodium seasonings. Once Moms are
used to cooking mostly from scratch, they can save even more money by
buying their frequently used items in bulk. Try this method for pastas, rice,
and even meats! The fresh method is also a healthy, smart choice for
snacks. By offering only fresh fruits and veggies for snacking instead of
boxed crackers and cookies, Moms can amp up their kids’ nutrition while
cutting down on cost and empty calories. Most kids quickly get used to
grabbing a portable piece of fruit and running out the door to go play!
4. Just Have Fun!
In the beginning, don’t sweat a few missing ingredients or complaining
kids. It takes time for families to get used to eating home cooked meals
instead of drive-thru fare, both with taste and planning. Like Bridget’s Dish
preaches every month, make eating healthy a family affair and involve the
kids! Summer is a great time to take a few minutes to let kids help in the
kitchen. Set out an array of sandwich items and let kids create their own
sandwich. Create a Rainbow Salad out of colorful pasta and veggies, or
even fruit for those kids who are veggie-shy. If kids love pizza, try making
homemade Bagel Pizzas on whole wheat bagels, or for Hamburger-Lovers,
try mini Turkey Burgers on cute, pint-sized whole grain buns. Eating at home
is not just about saving money, it’s about having fun!
Moms can help ease the financial stress this summer by following these
four steps to eating at home. On top of saving up to 50% on their monthly
food budget, families increase nutrition and lower their fat content by
choosing to cook their own food. Planning ahead is key for busy moms
when shopping for the week, and by creating a menu and detailed grocery
list, Moms can minimize their time at the store, and have more time to spend
with their family. Forgot an item or two? Not a problem, just swing by the
store on the way home from a fun day as long as it is the family’s food
budget! By creating a food budget, families become aware of their food
habits, and more likely to skip going out in an effort to remain within their
decided limit. In a world of rising gas prices, summer camps, and vacation
plans, food budgets can ease the financial strain that many families are
feeling this summer.
Moms also should be focused on fresh foods versus boxed, prepackaged
dinners due to the preservatives, chemicals, and especially sodium that are
packed into meal kits. By thinking of fresh produce, whole grain starches,
and leaner cuts of meat, Moms can cook delicious, healthy food for a fraction
of the price and calories of getting the meal at a restaurant. And kids can get
excited about these healthier meals by remembering to have fun! Whether it
is garnishing the plates, adding an ingredient, or even planning a meal, kids
are more likely to eat and enjoy their new food lifestyle if they feel involved.
So, Moms, have a blast cooking, saving money, and spending time together
this summer!
* * * * ** * *
Homemade Whole Wheat Pizza Crust
This yummy made-from-scratch pizza crust is kid-friendly and freezable! For
Moms looking to begin cooking at home, this is a delicious way to ease into
healthy eating. With this whole wheat pizza dough, soon kids will be
begging for Mom’s pizza over delivery any day. Control the calories and fat by
adding lots of veggies and lean proteins, and don’t forget to have the kids
help!
Whole Wheat Pizza Crust:
1 (¼ ounce) envelope active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 ¼ cups warm water
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
Cornmeal
- In a small bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and water and let stand for 5
minutes. In a food processor, combine both flours and salt by
pulsing several times to combine. With the processor running,
gradually add yeast mixture. Continue to process until the mixture
forms a ball. - On a lightly floured surface, turn dough out and knead for 5 minutes.
Spray a large bowl with nonstick cooking spray and place dough in
bowl, and then spray the top of the dough with nonstick cooking
spray. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place (about 85
degrees), free from drafts, for 1 hour. - Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into two balls and roll out 10
inch circles. Sprinkle two baking sheets with cornmeal and place
rolled out dough on each. Create a crust by crimping the edges, if
desired. Prick dough with a fork and spoons on marinara sauce.
Add cheese and desired toppings. (If freezing, at this point wrap the
cookie sheet and pizza together well in foil and freeze for up to 3
months). Bake fresh pizza at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or
frozen pizza for 25-30 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is
melted. Enjoy!