Choosing Voluntary Simplicity » Frugality & Nutrition series http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com About finding balance in your life, connecting with who you are, and creating a lifestyle where you wake up each morning eagerly anticipating the day ahead. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:08:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 New Government Guidelines for the Average Cost of Food at Home http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/new-government-guidelines-for-the-average-cost-of-food-at-home/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/new-government-guidelines-for-the-average-cost-of-food-at-home/#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:08:24 +0000 Shirley http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/?p=777 The new government guidelines for the average cost of food at home were released in December of 2009. There are the usual four levels of spending... thrifty, low-cost, moderate, and liberal... and each level represents a nutritious diet of home-prepared meals and snacks.

]]> http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/new-government-guidelines-for-the-average-cost-of-food-at-home/feed/ 9 Is It Possible To Have a Soy-Free Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner? http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/is-it-possible-to-have-a-soy-free-traditional-thanksgiving-dinner/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/is-it-possible-to-have-a-soy-free-traditional-thanksgiving-dinner/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:42:46 +0000 Shirley http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/?p=617

Reader question... "Is it possible to have a Thanksgiving dinner that isn't full of soy? I was diagnosed with a severe (life threatening) soy allergy a few months ago and everything we normally would have for our Thanksgiving dinner seems to have soy on the label. Ideally we would have turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, pies, stuffing, but all the labels say soy. What can I do?" --Diana S.

]]> http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/is-it-possible-to-have-a-soy-free-traditional-thanksgiving-dinner/feed/ 2 Is Coleslaw a Part of Your Thanksgiving Tradition? http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/is-coleslaw-a-part-of-your-thanksgiving-tradition/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/is-coleslaw-a-part-of-your-thanksgiving-tradition/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:59:21 +0000 Shirley http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/traditional-coleslaw-traditional-thanksgiving/ For me, coleslaw is a part of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner... I can't remember a single Thanksgiving without it. My mother is "famous" for her coleslaw, and the aunts, uncles, and cousins always request it. She still makes the coleslaw for the extended family gathering, making it the way she always has, even still chopping the cabbage by hand.

]]> http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/is-coleslaw-a-part-of-your-thanksgiving-tradition/feed/ 13 Harvard Healthy Eating Pyramid — An Alternative to the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/harvard-healthy-eating-pyramid-an-alternative-to-the-usdas-food-guide-pyramid/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/harvard-healthy-eating-pyramid-an-alternative-to-the-usdas-food-guide-pyramid/#comments Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:09:59 +0000 Shirley http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/harvard-healthy-eating-pyramid-an-alternative-to-the-usdas-food-guide-pyramid/ A common criticism of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid is that it offers flawed information that has been influenced more by food industry lobbyists than by nutritional research. The nutrition experts at the Harvard School of Public Health have come up with an alternative Healthy Eating Pyramid, based on the "best available evidence about the links between science and health."

]]> http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/harvard-healthy-eating-pyramid-an-alternative-to-the-usdas-food-guide-pyramid/feed/ 3 How “Normal, Thin People” Eat http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/how-normal-thin-people-eat/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/how-normal-thin-people-eat/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:23:25 +0000 Shirley http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/how-normal-thin-people-eat/

Reader question... "I am wondering how all of you handle serving sizes at meal times? Do any of you actually follow the recommended servings per day when the family is served; and if so, how do you serve up the meal? Do you plate it up and then bring it to the table or do you let everyone serve themselves? What about seconds for family members without weight problems? I come from a family that has always been very overweight and my husband is also now very overweight. I really believe that the answer to the problem is to just eat smaller portions and concentrate on eating healthier, balanced meals. I am concerned about our children's eating habits... I want them to learn good habits for a lifetime but it has been confusing for me as to how to actually accomplish this. How often do you serve treats and deserts to your family? And again, when you do, do you only serve one serving for each person or just how does that work? Our kids love junk food and sweets... and so do we... I know that we must eat a lot less of these things... or do we have to eliminate them completely? Again... I think that the answer is to limit them... but I have no idea what 'occasionally' means. How often do you serve dessert, and how often do you have stuff like popcorn and the 'occasional bag of chips'? I guess this sounds stupid to most of you without any food and weight issues... but it is a big problem for those of us who do. I really would appreciate your input!!! I guess I am just wondering how 'normal, thin people' eat!! Help!! And thank-you!!!" --Anna

How would YOU answer these questions? »

]]> http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/how-normal-thin-people-eat/feed/ 32 “Farm-Fresh” Eggs — When Organic Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/when-organic-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/when-organic-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:18:15 +0000 Shirley http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/when-organic-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/when-organic-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/feed/ 4 Produce and Pesticide Residue — the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-and-pesticide-residue-the-dirty-dozen-and-the-clean-15/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-and-pesticide-residue-the-dirty-dozen-and-the-clean-15/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:05:04 +0000 Shirley http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-and-pesticide-residue-the-dirty-dozen-and-the-clean-15/ Environmental Working Group recently updated its "Dirty Dozen" list for those fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residue. According to the EWG, if you buy organic for the twelve fruits and vegetables on the Dirty Dozen list, you can reduce your pesticide exposure by almost eighty percent. If you can't buy all organic, they suggest prioritizing your purchases by buying organic where it counts the most.]]> http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-and-pesticide-residue-the-dirty-dozen-and-the-clean-15/feed/ 1 High Fructose Corn Syrup — The Debate Goes On http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/high-fructose-corn-syrup-the-debate-goes-on/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/high-fructose-corn-syrup-the-debate-goes-on/#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:48:23 +0000 Shirley http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/high-fructose-corn-syrup-the-debate-goes-on/ "To dispel myths and correct inaccuracies associated with this versatile sweetener and highlight the important role high fructose corn syrup plays in our nation's foods and beverages. The campaign provides science-based information to consumers to enable them to make informed decisions about their food choices." Uh huh... OK...]]> http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/high-fructose-corn-syrup-the-debate-goes-on/feed/ 8 Corn and Chicken Soup with Rivels http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/corn-and-chicken-soup-with-rivels/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/corn-and-chicken-soup-with-rivels/#comments Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:59:12 +0000 Shirley http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/corn-and-chicken-soup-with-rivels/ make the rivels and spread them out on my cutting board to dry. I also make the stock for the soup by simmering chicken pieces (usually thighs) in a large pot of water. Since any soup is only as good as the stock it is made in, I try to make the stock as flavorful as possible. I always add dried or fresh sage, basil, salt, and pepper... sometimes celery, onions, and carrots... and simmer the stock until it has reduced by about half. Then I refrigerate the stock overnight. Once it has cooled any fat in the stock has congealed and can be easily skimmed off the top.]]> http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/corn-and-chicken-soup-with-rivels/feed/ 5 How I Make Rivels, Couscous Size http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/how-i-make-rivels-couscous-size/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/how-i-make-rivels-couscous-size/#comments Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:37 +0000 Shirley http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/how-i-make-rivels-couscous-size/ http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/how-i-make-rivels-couscous-size/feed/ 7