MONTREALCANADIENSTEAMSHOP

13 Tips for Healthy Grocery Shopping

After indulging during summer vacation, September is the perfect month to get back into healthy eating habits. The first step to healthy eating is buying healthy foods, so let’s go over 13 essentials for making the right food choices before they even reach your kitchen.

With the abundance of choice and misleading information, grocery shopping can be daunting and overwhelming. Sure there is the classic rule of never going grocery shopping when hungry but you need more! Here’s what I suggest…

1. Stick to the produce aisle. Fresh fruits and vegetables should make up half of your meals. Choose seasonal produce for increased freshness, nutrients and taste. Forget the canned and boxed foods that are lacking in nutrients and full of salt and preservatives.

2. Fresh is best but it is good to have an emergency stock of fruits and vegetables. Make sure to choose frozen over canned as these lock in more nutrients and do not contain any unwanted sodium or sugar.

3. Keep a stock of easy-ready protein options for a quick lunch on the go. This includes canned or preferably glass-jarred beans and fish (i.e. chick peas, white beans, tuna, and sardines). With these you can always whip up a salad, a protein dip or sandwich with your stock of fresh veggies.

4.Variety is the fruit of life! Give yourself the goal of trying one new healthy food per week. Research a tasty-looking recipe that includes this new healthy food you want to try and enjoy a new meal to add to your repertoire. (Examples: buckwheat flour, millet, a new legume, a new herb… )

5. Buy whole foods: whole grain flour, pasta, rice, nuts, and legumes. Also experiment with home made easy dressings such as oil and vinegar rather than a pre-made salad dressing.

6. Buy plain and season yourself: yogurt, cereal, popcorn, etc…

7. Aim for quality products made with real, fresh ingredients, free of artificial colorings and agents.

8. Buy organic. On top of being pesticide and GMO-free, organic produce have been shown to contain more antioxidants than non-organic. If your budget allows, this is a healthier choice.

9. Plan the week’s menu before heading to the store.

10. Make a list. To avoid diverting from the healthy eating plan and wasting time having to return to the store for forgotten items, make a list.

11. Read ingredients lists: The first item listed is present in the highest quantity and weight. Ingredients are listed in descending order of weight on the products.

Less is more: the shorter the list the better.

Watch out for repeat items such as sugar that can come across as a variety of different names: all ‘ose’ ending words, caramel, syrup, malt, sorbitol…

Avoid artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils and trans fats, ingredients that you can’t pronounce and MSGs (listed as: hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast, and sodium caseinate)

When ingredients are named under a collective appellation, i.e. vegetable oil, you can assume the lowest quality of oil was used

12. Watch out for misleading food allegations: Being vigilant about food allegations such as ‘low in cholesterol’, ‘low in sodium’, ‘no carbohydrates’ is important as these have the effect of encouraging consumers to buy the product and eat more of it.

Here are a few examples of how food companies trick consumers with their claims:

‘0% fat or cholesterol or carbohydrates’ on foods that naturally do not contain these.

‘sugar-free’ on foods that contain artificial sugars (that are according to many experts worse for health and encourage more weight gain than sugar)

‘Organic’ or ‘Natural’ does not equal healthy

Diet or reduced calorie products often contain more artificial agents

Wheat bread/pasta/pastries is not equal to whole-wheat

Compare labels of foods that claim to be low fat or low sodium. Some foods that make these claims may be higher in these values than the original product.

13. Read the Food Labels

In Canada and in the United States: Health Canada and the FDA have made it relatively easy to evaluate and compare foods in the Nutritional Facts table. Your first step is to look at the portion being evaluated. This is another way for food companies to trick consumers as they often make their serving sizes very small. Serving sizes are also often inconsistent from brand to brand making it challenging to compare products – use a calculator to help you compare.

When you are looking at each evaluated item in the table (calories, fat, fiber) you will see a percentage number on the right, called the percentage Daily Value. This number corresponds to the average person’s daily needs of this nutrient. This is meant to give you a general idea of the food’s content, though not extremely accurate because everyone’s needs are different. An easy …

What To Look For In A New Pair Of Shoes

What in our wardrobe can make or break us? If you’re like most people, you answered shoes. Shoes can be a great addition to an outfit, but they can also make the outfit. Whether you are a woman and love heels or a man who loves sneakers, everyone loves shoes. Keep reading for a few shoe tips that you can use.

Keep an eye on the budget. If you know you have an amount in mind that you want to spend on shoes, be mindful of that amount when shopping. Sales and discounts could tempt you to buy more than you truly need and make it difficult for you to maintain the budget. Just buy what you need and keep your costs down.

When buying shoes for your wedding day, try the shoes on at around the same time of day that your celebration will take place. Feet have a tendency to swell during the day. With a good fit at the same time of day, you will be more comfortable on your special day.

For best results, ask a shoe store’s associate to measure your foot. This measurement will help ensure that you get the correct size shoe when purchasing new shoes. You can also use this information to find out if you require a narrow or wide shoes. Many people do not realize how important this information is when buying shoes.

Even when the weather is hot, it is not a good idea to wear flip-flops too often. These shoes have no support and can cause injuries. Flip-flops should only be worn for short periods of time.

Measure your feet at least once every year, even as an adult. You may think that your feet are set by the time you’re older, but it’s far from the case. Your feet change as you age, so it’s important to measure them annually. It can mean all the difference to your overall comfort.

Walk around in your shoes before you pay for them. Walk around the store a bit to make certain the fit is right. You will be able to feel any rubbing that might occur. This will allow you to save some money and time because you won’t have shoes that fit poorly.

Fashion Trends

If keeping in style is important to you, take the time to search out some fashion blogs. There are many out there that talk about all the popular fashion trends, including shoes. By keeping on top of this you will learn what is in and out, and will know what to get.

Latest Trends

When you next go shoe shopping, try not to get carried away by trends. The shoes you like the most are what is best for you, not what other people feel is the best. You are bound to use them more if you actually like them.

This article contained some interesting information about the part of our wardrobe that no one can live without: shoes. Shoes are something that will always be looked at, so you need to make sure you look fierce in the ones you buy. This article will make that much easier for you to do.…

Why A Wireless BBQ Thermometer Is Essential

You are going to need the best kitchen gadgets if you want to become an expert cook. Even if you’re not aiming for a professional career in the culinary arts, you are going to have to use some of the best gadgets in the kitchen in order to put out the best dishes. One such device is the wireless BBQ thermometer. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entering a competition, you are bound to use a wireless BBQ thermometer in the future.

You can minimize the possibility of cooking a bad dish if your equipment is working well. No second guessing when the meat is done. This point is particularly important when you’re grilling. When grilling, you are going to need a wireless BBQ thermometer because you will need to let the meat rest and cook inside the grill. Cooking temperature plays a big role in the doneness of the meat.

Steaks are usually medium rare or well done. Cooking the meat too rare or too overdone is a main problem in grilling. When this happens, the person who will eat the steak will not be able to chew it well. You will be showing off poor taste and poor skills in grilling.

The trick is to let the heat and the smoke cook the meat. You shouldn’t remove the cover, even if it’s to check on the meat. You’d be letting the heat out if you open the grill door too frequently. The wireless BBQ thermometer can determine the temperature inside the grill and inside the meat even when you’re not opening the grill’s cover. Because it’s wireless, you get alerted even when you’re standing a few feet away.

Look for other things to be done around the kitchen while the meat is cooking. It can make your charcoal barbecue grill tastes better than what you expected. This is the secret of chefs who can create several courses within an hour.…

Can you remember the most recent time you’ve been clothes shopping for yourself? If it has been a long time, your wardrobe is probably a bit stale. Don’t be discouraged, keep reading for some great fashion tips to help you get up to date with fashion.

A belt makes for a simple fashion boost. Available in a wide array of fabrics and styles, belts offer endless opportunities to express your fashion style. Pair a brightly colored belt with your skinny jeans, or create a fashionable look by adding a bold patent leather belt to your outfit for a night out on the town.

Make sure your purse complements the other bags you must carry so that you can look your best. So when you do bring a purse, make sure that it complements your outfit as well as anything else that you bring. However, two items is more than enough to have in your hands at any given time.

Pull your hair up and off your shoulders. Long hair can get in your way on a busy day. If you do not have time for a more elaborate style, just pull it into a cute bun.

It is okay to wear sheer clothing as long as you watch out for things that are too transparent. Wearing something that is too sheer, particularly in private areas, will make you look trashy more than it will make you look classy.

Come with a style that is unique to you. There are a lot of followers, but just a few truly unique people who create their own fashion. You have to have a certain kind of personality to do this, however, once you do it, you can receive compliments on your unique style.

There are numerous hair accessories that can work for a number of styles. Hair accessories include ponytail holders, headbands, hair bows as well as hair extensions. Focus on having several accessories available to you. For example, if you want to look athletic, wear an athletic suit and a matching ponytail holder. If you’re going out for the night, pick a headband that goes with the outfit you’re wearing.

Wear dark colored blouses and skirts to make yourself look skinnier if you’re overweight. Wearing darker colors camouflages your body shape and de-emphasizes areas that are less flattering. Elastic waistbands can help make skirts more comfortable.

Are you in the market for a new pair of jeans? When you walk in the store, you probably see many fits and sizes of jeans. Don’t let the huge assortment overwhelm you. Choose classic styles such as a boot cut or straight leg jean. You will get a lot of wear out of them, and it should flatter your body type.

Did you enjoy the fashion tips? Can you see yourself creating a brand new wardrobe if you put these tips to use? These tips were made for something like that. You won’t feel unfashionable if you take these tips and apply them to your life.…

Confused About The World Of Shoes? These Tips Can Help

When you buy a pair of shoes, does it give you an amazing rush? As you slip them onto your feet like the fabled crystal slipper, do you become the best you that you can be? If so, shop smarter for shoes by using the tips below as you search.

When shopping for shoes, visit several shoe stores to find the best price. Many shoe stores offer buy one get one free or buy one get one half off during their sales events. By finding such a sale, you can maximize your savings be getting two pair of shoes at a reduced cost.

When buying shoes for your wedding day, try the shoes on at around the same time of day that your celebration will take place. Feet have a tendency to swell during the day. With a good fit at the same time of day, you will be more comfortable on your special day.

For best results, ask a shoe store’s associate to measure your foot. This measurement will help ensure that you get the correct size shoe when purchasing new shoes. You can also use this information to find out if you require a narrow or wide shoes. Many people do not realize how important this information is when buying shoes.

Pick shoes that feel comfortable to wear. Your feet are important and so are the shoes you wear. If your shoes don’t feel right and your feet start to hurt, you can actually damage your feet. This could lead to future problems, so you really need to be sure the shoes you wear fit right.

Beware of forcing your shoes or sneakers to multitask. Not every pair of shoes is great for every circumstance. Did you know for instance that there are differences between walking shoes and running shoes? You’ll be better off by identifying your need, and then choosing a shoe that fits it well.

Keep a nice pair of neutral shoes in your closet. A nice pair of black or brown shoes go with almost anything. If you keep a pair, you are sure to have something to wear with anything. Get a classic style in one of these two colors and you’ll be covered.

Fashion Trends

If keeping in style is important to you, take the time to search out some fashion blogs. There are many out there that talk about all the popular fashion trends, including shoes. By keeping on top of this you will learn what is in and out, and will know what to get.

Latest Trends

You can find the next great pair of shoes and forgo the latest trends. A great shoe collection contains shoes that stand the test of time, not those that are quickly out of fashion. Trendy shoes might be fun for a while, but you will quickly get tired of them.

When you become a smarter shoe shopper, you truly hold your destiny in your hands. No longer will you buy uncomfortable shoes which you never wear again. Instead, you will buy the perfect pair to suit any need and style you wear, leaving you gorgeous, comfortable and pleased as punch.…

Christmas Shopping Procrastination – How To Get Your Shopping Done On Time?

If you’re one of those holiday shoppers who are frightened by the their Christmas list or just lack the will power to start on the list then the start of December will definitely find you in a panicky sweat. What you lack is the proper motivation and support to do your holiday shopping.

For the lazy holiday shopper, one of two things can work. Try a shopping partner, someone who can give you lots of advice and whose opinion you trust when you’re faced with a tough situation. You can set up a points system for yourself, every time you buy gifts for say three people on your list; you’re entitled to a reward. Keep your rewards simple and low cost; the point of the system is to motivate you and not to pile a few additional boxes for yourself under the tree.

If you’re running late on your Christmas shopping, the internet might just be the only thing that can save you. While stores will still have lots of stuff available, it’s bound to be hidden behind crowds of extremely determined shoppers and buying ‘some’ gifts maybe possible, but not all gifts. Turn to online stores and retailers. You’ll be facing tight delivery and shipment dates so go for sites that let you order online but pick the items from a store yourself.

When in doubt, buy food. Holiday food gifts, Christmas gift baskets and fruit bouquets are a great gift to send to mom or to give your wife for the holidays.…