For example, I'm reading the book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up", which suggests keeping around only those things which "spark joy" when you hold them. I've already set aside a box of old clothes I want to get rid of, and bought a few new outfits to wear to my newest fun activity, hot yoga.
And of course food is something we encounter several times a day. Sometimes I eat just because I'm hungry, other times I'm quite happy to re-discover a special purchase or really enjoy making a beautiful meal.
So on a recent trip to a Walmart Supercentre (of all places!), I decided to pick out a few foods that made me happy.
1. Cheap, fresh Blackberries
For less than $2, today I could have a perfect little container of fresh and flavourful blackberries. They're ready to eat right out of the package, and have a wonderful 'bursting' quality when squished in your mouth. I'll get these every time they're a good price, and eat them up within a day or two. Nutrition: High in fiber, some natural sweetness, and the deep color promises lots of healthy plant compounds for anti-aging, anti-cancer, etc.
2. Multicolored mini tomatoes
These smell great. Almost like the fresh tomatoes you might grow on your patio in the summer. I also love the variety of color, just for the visual interest. Like the blackberries, they're perfectly snackable as-is. Other options: toss these gems into a fresh green salad or roast them with mushrooms and other summer vegetables. A little salad dressing, pesto, or oregano-olive oil blend goes a long way, too.
Nutrition Value: It's a vegetable! What's not to like ... low calorie, source of potassium, fiber, Vitamins A & C. Tomatoes are also a common source of lycopene, a plant compound thought to help prevent cancer and heart disease.
3. Porridge Oats & Ancient Grains
You know how I love the nutrition of whole foods? Well, while this looks like ordinary oats, which are awesome on their own, there's actually many other grains and seeds included. But it still cooks in just a few minutes. When the weather's cold, I suggest making a pot of oats early in the week, divide into individual servings and top in various tasty ways (nuts, seeds, berries, other fruit, etc). Reheat when needed, and top with greek yogurt. Yum! A whole and hearty breakfast to start the day.
4. Pickled Beets
Naturally deep red, beets might stain your fingers. But that color, from pigments called betacyanins, also brings along the wonderful health properties of an anti-oxidant. These beets are ready to eat, and pickling rather than boiling or roasting will preserve the betacyanins better. Unlike most pickels, this version also happens to be low in sodium.
5. Flavoured Nuts
In this group, I couldn't choose just one. Three exciting picks are Wasabi-flavored almonds, lime and chili peanuts, and black pepper cashews. Because why not try a new and exciting flavor option? Nuts are linked to better heart health, lower waist circumference, and are a super-easy snack. The only problem? They're so tiny and concentrated in energy (calories) that they're best enjoyed one small handful at a time, maybe paired with a fruit or vegetable to help your stomach feel full and satisfied.
- Super-cheap, large packages of dried beans, lentils and split peas
- Refried beans with mild green chilis, for super-easy bean-based meal of quesadillas and sweet peppers
- A huge variety of spices in resealable bags, for about $2 each
- Lemon & pepper flavored tuna snack kit, which is much more filling than other processed snack foods
- Frozen, dark sweet pitted cherries. They're so full of natural sweetness that at fridge-freezer temperatures, they don't freeze solid, but will squish slightly then melt in your mouth. A wonderful frozen treat.
- Frozen chopped spinach, to make Green Eggs and Ham.
Now your challenge: What healthy foods can you find in your store that would make a tasty snack?
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