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August 2020

Save and Slim

During the past 6 months whilst we all protected society during Covid lockdown our lifestyles severely changed and our mental wellbeing and physical health have been impacted. I for one will admit to having added a few pounds whilst the regular daily exercise and in person socialising was swapped for a homely lifestyle.

It's time to make some healthier changes but we're very conscious that cash flow is an issue for everyone and better choices in grocery shopping can make a significant difference. With our waistlines and bank balance in mind we caught up with Alison from our local Slimming World Group to ask for her 10 top tips to 'Save and Slim'.

The following is not a paid for advertisement but we will support and promote any business or group who is managing to stay afloat and support Our Community.

Let's hear from Alison

" If I said that losing weight and saving money was doable, would you believe me?

Some people have found incomes are much lower since lockdown (or slim down as us slimmers call it) which has meant having to watch every cent while still filling everyone up.

With that in mind, not only as a Slimming World Consultant but as a mother of 4, I have a few tips to keep your grocery costs down and get you moving. "

1. Planning is KEY

On average, a family will toss out €70-€80 worth of unused food each month, so just putting a little extra thinking into planning your shopping could help massively reduce that waste. If you plan for a few days at a time in advance, think about adding meals that use similar ingredients so you are not left with half packets, half jars or something that is used once and discarded. All of these are more than likely to end up rotting and being cast out otherwise. Utilise leftovers you might have, although, if like our household this isn’t always an option but when possible those leftovers are saved and popped into the freezer for another time. Or pack them into a container for work the next day even, job done and no thinking about what you can bring with you! Add chickpeas, lentils or beans to stews, casseroles or chilli to stretch them out and bulk them up, or a simple side salad or pasta. The pulses are packed with protein which will fill you right up so a brilliant addition to any of those home cooked meals. Speedy salads with leftover lean meats, eggs or fish with a syn free dressing made from the ingredients below or simple balsamic vinegar with save you money on a shop bought lunch from a deli and save you on those syns too.

Half a jar of roasted red peppers in brine drained
1 Tablespoon good quality balsamic vinegar
2 Handfuls of Basil
Salt & Pepper
plash of water

2. Precision Prep

When using your oven when making homemade Slimming world casserole, lasagne or a cottage pie, make double. And freeze one.

Or add baking potatoes to a shelf for use throughout your week, ready made lunch idea or something to add to your evening meal- already done! This will save you money on your energy bill and having to think about what you are making. When chopping veg, chop a little bit more, add them to a container or zip lock bag and pop into your freezer ready to be boiled or steamed when needed, again, saving you time and reducing waste. A soup can be made from absolutely anything so keep an eye on your veg and if starting to wilt, don’t throw it out, add it to a pot of stock and boil it until soft, then blitz it for a completely free meal.

Freeze Meals

3. Seasonal Produce

When possible buy fruit and veg in season as they work out much cheaper than imported out of season varieties. Spring and summer means an abundance of asparagus, carrots, courgettes, broad beans, apples, rhubarb, raspberries and strawberries.

Buying loose often means the price per kilo is far less than in the pre-packaged versions. You buy what you need plus you are saving our planet but reducing the plastic packaging waste too.

go Plastic Free

4. Fakeaway

A whopping €32,000 is spent on average by an adult in a lifetime on takeaways! Isn’t that just mind-blowing! But making simple changes to our thinking and planning means we can make those takeaway meals from home in about the same length of time it takes to lift the phone and wait for delivery. Making swaps to those meals saves you not only money but brings you closer to your slimming goals. Burger and chips, pizza, spice bag and your favourite curry can all be turned into a Fakeaway.

Spend €32k better

5. Getting active and helping others

A dog owner will clock up 35 plus miles per week on average while bringing their pooch on a walk without even thinking about it. While I am not suggesting you invest in a dog for life, did you know your local Last Hope Charity or Dogs Trust are always seeking walkies volunteers to take the fur babies out. Great way to support them and a great way to get some activity into your life. Bringing in Body Magic, or activity doesn’t have to mean spending a fortunate on gyms, clubs and classes, picking a lamppost 15 minutes from home and walking to there and back 3 times a week is a fab start to build on. Does your area have a local group you could join or a community group that get active in planting, painting or collecting refuse, all a great way to get moving, bettering your mental health while helping others too.

get Support

6. A swap group

Have you and your friends discussed getting active together? To save money how about starting an activity exchange, swapping your home fitness dvd’s, hula hoops, weights, rope or yoga mats with each other. Keep track of the activity you are doing and rotate after a couple of weeks. Plus the library is a fabulous resource for fitness books and exercise dvd’s too.

7. Store cupboard staples

All those dried goods will come in handy, ensuring you are always stocked with passata, tinned tomatoes, pasta, rice, soy sauce or tinned beans means you will always have the basics for a filling meal. Rice, dash of soy and a beaten egg will mean you have egg fried rice on your plate in no time.

Staple Dishes

8. Upping your Veg

Buying meat, poultry and fresh fish will drive up the costs of your weekly shop. If adding more vegetarian meal choices to your weekly meal plan simply isn’t an option, think about your pocket by buying less and adding more of speed free vegetables instead. Bulk out your bolognese by adding extra carrot, onion, mushroom and celery, add your passata, garlic and stock and your meal will be extra filling with less meat. I always roast 2 large chickens during the week, this means one for a meal and one for lunches or shredded up in a soup with added barley, a rice dish or with a large pan of roasted veg.

More Veg

9. Buying in Bulk

If your freezer is large enough don’t be afraid to buy in bulk, fresh fruit and veg can turn so quickly and all too often we are throwing away produce that has a perfect use by date. August tends to be the rotting month so stocking up on frozen fruits and vegetables is a great way to get those speedy foods into your meals without the waste- they are just as good as the fresh versions. Bulk buying pasta or rice packets you see on offer will also save you money long term.

10. Losing Weight is hard on your own - Support is crucial

Joining your local Slimming World group couldn’t be easier, overflowing with support and motivation to get you started and stick with you through all the ups and downs.

Buying into pills, shakes or quick fix options end up costing an absolute fortune and are rarely sustainable. Often the losses are temporary. We guide, encourage and support you in making simple changes to your shopping, meal prep for the entire family to benefit from and to support you in your thinking about food choices that will fit into your life situation.

My groups have run throughout lockdown virtually and a return to our venues is anticipated over the coming weeks. Members that attend my virtual groups have lost 936kgs or 2,058lbs over the last 14 weeks, multiple weight loss awards were handed out and I have had members achieve their target in those weeks too.

If you want information on what is involved on joining now I can be reached on 0831134829 or one of the links below.

Slimming World with Alison

Click to reveal more

THURSDAY's

5.30pm and 7.30pm

Navan Rugby Club

"It is my absolute pleasure and my focus to help as many people achieve their personal weight loss goals as possible. Welcome! Eat what you like and still loose weight!

I'l show you how with THE most effective weight loss plan. "

Source: JT Article

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