Your Health: Most Valuable Asset!

I am appalled at the number of people who think that the first thing they should do in order to get their finances under control is to eat cheap! People actually think that the best way to pay off debt or save money is by forgoing their first line of defense: their health!

Think of your car right now. What would the life expectancy of your vehicle be if you never changed the oil, never maintained the engine, never used the correct gasoline, used cheap spark plugs, cheap tires and cheap motor oil? What would your car be like after 6 months, a year or five years (if it makes it that long)?

Your body and your health are no different than that of your cars'. When times get bad you should be more vigilant on taking care of your car because that can mean the difference between life and death. Same for your health. You need to be more healthy and in top physical strength when times get lean because your good health is needed for your survival and the survival of your family.

Ramen noodles, rice and beans, mac and cheese, frankfurters may save you money but will cost you your good health in the long run!

"But Boomie", you may be saying, "we have no money, my partner lost his/her job, our mortgage increased, my credit cards are due, my student loans are overwhelming, I've been downsized, lost my overtime, etc. etc. etc." Do you have any idea what financial stress does to the human system? Your body and immune system needs nourishment and comfort right now. Your body can't fight the stresses of life if it is deprived of proper nutrition.

It's a challenge to maintain one's good health during a downturn. It is not, however, impossible. Once you have confirmed in your mind that you will start making proper food choices, eat well and maintain your good health, the rest is easy.

Rule #1. STOP EATING OUT ANYWHERE. This includes coffee/tea/soda. You will not only save money but will eat better if you start packing your own lunch, snacks and put your morning coffee in a thermos (which you can buy at a yard sale, flea market or dollar store). In addition, keep a granola or energy bar (no high fructose corn syrup in the ingredients) on your person or glove compartment always. This helps immensely from passing through a fat induced drive-thru when hunger strikes. Eat when you get home!

Rule #2. Start shopping weekly food sales and plan your menus accordingly.
Rule #3. Learn how to cook. Watch cooking shows on PBS (not the Food Network).
Rent cookbooks out of the library.
Rule #4. Read the labels. Start eating low-fat. Eat more whole foods. Eat more fruits and veggies. Drink more water (no soda). Lay off the red meat. More chicken/fish/turkey.

"But Boomie", you're still talking, "that stuff is very expensive. I can't afford it".
You can't afford NOT to eat like that.

I bought all these vegetables for only $7.16. I get them in the last-day-of-sale bin at my local supermarket. Every supermarket has them. If yours doesn't, go find a store that does. Best days to go are Friday (when they are getting ready for the weekend crowd) or a Sunday or a Monday (when the weekend crowd didn't buy what the manager thought they would). All these vegetables will keep in my refrigerator for a week. Sometimes, however they won't. They have to be frozen. So I spend some time on Sunday slicing and dicing and I place the fruit or veggies in zip lock bags in my freezer. Bananas and strawberries are frozen for either later use in breads, muffins, pancakes or smoothies. Peppers, onions, carrots, broccoli are chopped and frozen for later usage in stir fries, soups, stews and casseroles.

"But Boomie", you're still whining, "I don't have the time." There is no excuse, I am happy to say, for not devoting at least 2 to 3 hours of your time on your good health. If you brush your teeth and comb your hair every day, you can spend a few hours per week on shopping and preparing your meals. You are making an investment in your most valuable asset: your good health.

Here is what my DH and I had for this Sunday's dinner. I made a fresh tomato and cauliflower sauce (saute' onion and garlic in a little olive oil, add one large can of Italian crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, parsley, tsp of red pepper flakes. Simmer for 20 minutes then add diced cauliflower. Simmer another 45 minutes) pour over cooked pasta (I get Barilla, on sale at $1 a pound box-I don't go cheap on pasta). A touch of grated Parmesan cheese, a small glass of Italian red wine ($8.99-lasts for 1-2 weeks). One glass of red wine is healthy. Turn off the TV. Sit down and enjoy your meal. You can include a small salad. Finish with a fruit dessert. I made some extra for tomorrow's lunch and froze the remaining sauce for another meal.

My system also holds true for your daily bread. Most supermarkets have bakery departments and sell day-old bread. These breads are usually 33% to 75% off their original price. Here are 2 breads I picked up this morning. One is Sourdough and when sliced, makes an excellent morning toast. Or it can be sliced and frozen for another time. The other is a whole grain wheat bread which I am going to slice into cubes, toast/bake in the oven and then freeze and use to make a stuffing on Thanksgiving Day.
I never buy white bread. It must be a whole grain bread. Sometimes I luck out and get organic. Either way, I win and so does our health.


I hope I have stressed the importance of maintaining your good health. It's a very important thing and should not be taken for granted. All the money in the world can't help you if your health is lost. Don't waste it. Please eat right. And exercise. I do it right in the supermarket sometimes (when I don't have the time). I walk up and down the aisles, back and forth across the length of the store. Whatever works. My normal routine is usually a 30-45 minute walks 2 or 3 times a week.

And so it goes.