Dearest readers, did you know that 1kg of boneless, skinless chicken breast has around 300g of protein? In 7 days, that divides to basically 43g of protein per day. Now you can say ok so what? Well, did you know that according to various sources, a McChicken breaded chicken patty is around 113g uncooked (that includes breading)? That sandwich by itself, not delivered, is around $7.59. Again, so what? Well, I get my kilo of fresh not frozen boneless skinless chicken breast for $20. I flatten and marinate them, air fry them, turn them into strips and chunks. They are freezer friendly and can be easily portioned out. When you take buns, flatbread and affordable salad mixes, you have the ability to quickly make toasted sandwiches, salads, omelets and flatbread chicken pizzas in less time than a delivery takes, cheaper and with better macros. Now, why did I write an intro that jumps straight into the middle of everything? Because this is just too good! :)
Basically, the idea that motivated me to learn how to do this and then do it better, faster and cheaper is this: Spend the least amount of money for the best possible outcome on things you must have, so you can save more money for things you choose to have (or experience). Here are some more ideas on how I do this with food.
So, I already went over chicken breast haha. Now, how about smoothies? Let us say you want a fruit smoothie with some sorta milk or kefir, protein powder and a greens powder. Those taste pretty good when you buy them outside. Besides, you look at the cost of frozen fruit and it is a little pricey. Well, never fear because I did some math on that one haha. I figured that, ok, frozen fruit in the store is convenient but hey it has to stay frozen for a while without losing quality. So naturally it is flash frozen. However, if your fruit will stay in the freezer no longer than a week or two, cut it into pieces and freezer bag it, or create your own ratios of fruits, blend them and pour them into ice cube trays! That way you get smoothie cubes! Now, what do we do about those pesky greens powder prices? I know it is not nearly the same, but personally I am happy with throwing some avocado in with the fruits when I make my smoothie cubes and that is that. As for milk, if you drink regular or lactose free, buy the bag not a carton- much cheaper! ;) Finally, remember that milk can already have a decent amount of protein- that means you can put less of your protein powder in the smoothie, so you have to buy the powder less often. Finally, when you make a smoothie versus a store, you can make it less thick so you can actually drink it properly! :P Finally, you can pick cheaper fruits that most smoothie places usually do not use because they do not work well in popular smoothies, and you can use that fruit as filler- more smoothie but cheaper. Think apples and pears. ;)
Now, how about soup? I have friends who used to dissolve a bullion cube or just warm up canned chicken soup in order to get some comfort and sort of like the taste of home etc. Most people who are single and on their own do not make soup because you think it has to be an entire pot and so elaborate. But, on the other hand, many people like bone broth. Still, the thought of pressure cooking bones with some veggies in a shared apartment or a condo or something, and doing it for a few hours, is like the last thing you want to do. So, you go and buy packets of instant bone broth or you buy it ready-made and pay through the nose for it. Well, no need for that any more if you choose a hack I know. Bone broth is rich with collagen- the best of it can turn into a bit of a gel when refrigerated (that is the most potent broth that is the best for your skin, bones, connective tissues). For those who do not know, people all over North America have been using Knox gelatin and similar brands to get bone broth benefits for like decades and decades. So, you can technically take a lot of water, buy some organic bullion, and knox gelatin. Then, you read the Knox label and take 50 percent of their recommended gel powder amount for the amount of water you are using (you still want to make a pot of broth). You cook that with bullion and when it cools a bit, you get rich and delicious yet low calorie bone broth consistency, and superior benefits from taking in all that collagen. Again, this broth freezes well or can sit in the fridge for 3 days or so. Oh, and you can throw some chicken breast chunks in it that you prepared earlier, or you can use this broth to make rice noodles or, well, rice. :)
Bottom line, if you are not already using these or similar hacks, and you did spend a few months super busy with life and you have not been eating the best foods or enough protein, try some of these or find similar shortcuts that work best for you and do it for two weeks. I have a strong suspicion you will see a big difference in terms of health and energy levels.
Love you guys, mwah! :)
Basically, the idea that motivated me to learn how to do this and then do it better, faster and cheaper is this: Spend the least amount of money for the best possible outcome on things you must have, so you can save more money for things you choose to have (or experience). Here are some more ideas on how I do this with food.
So, I already went over chicken breast haha. Now, how about smoothies? Let us say you want a fruit smoothie with some sorta milk or kefir, protein powder and a greens powder. Those taste pretty good when you buy them outside. Besides, you look at the cost of frozen fruit and it is a little pricey. Well, never fear because I did some math on that one haha. I figured that, ok, frozen fruit in the store is convenient but hey it has to stay frozen for a while without losing quality. So naturally it is flash frozen. However, if your fruit will stay in the freezer no longer than a week or two, cut it into pieces and freezer bag it, or create your own ratios of fruits, blend them and pour them into ice cube trays! That way you get smoothie cubes! Now, what do we do about those pesky greens powder prices? I know it is not nearly the same, but personally I am happy with throwing some avocado in with the fruits when I make my smoothie cubes and that is that. As for milk, if you drink regular or lactose free, buy the bag not a carton- much cheaper! ;) Finally, remember that milk can already have a decent amount of protein- that means you can put less of your protein powder in the smoothie, so you have to buy the powder less often. Finally, when you make a smoothie versus a store, you can make it less thick so you can actually drink it properly! :P Finally, you can pick cheaper fruits that most smoothie places usually do not use because they do not work well in popular smoothies, and you can use that fruit as filler- more smoothie but cheaper. Think apples and pears. ;)
Now, how about soup? I have friends who used to dissolve a bullion cube or just warm up canned chicken soup in order to get some comfort and sort of like the taste of home etc. Most people who are single and on their own do not make soup because you think it has to be an entire pot and so elaborate. But, on the other hand, many people like bone broth. Still, the thought of pressure cooking bones with some veggies in a shared apartment or a condo or something, and doing it for a few hours, is like the last thing you want to do. So, you go and buy packets of instant bone broth or you buy it ready-made and pay through the nose for it. Well, no need for that any more if you choose a hack I know. Bone broth is rich with collagen- the best of it can turn into a bit of a gel when refrigerated (that is the most potent broth that is the best for your skin, bones, connective tissues). For those who do not know, people all over North America have been using Knox gelatin and similar brands to get bone broth benefits for like decades and decades. So, you can technically take a lot of water, buy some organic bullion, and knox gelatin. Then, you read the Knox label and take 50 percent of their recommended gel powder amount for the amount of water you are using (you still want to make a pot of broth). You cook that with bullion and when it cools a bit, you get rich and delicious yet low calorie bone broth consistency, and superior benefits from taking in all that collagen. Again, this broth freezes well or can sit in the fridge for 3 days or so. Oh, and you can throw some chicken breast chunks in it that you prepared earlier, or you can use this broth to make rice noodles or, well, rice. :)
Bottom line, if you are not already using these or similar hacks, and you did spend a few months super busy with life and you have not been eating the best foods or enough protein, try some of these or find similar shortcuts that work best for you and do it for two weeks. I have a strong suspicion you will see a big difference in terms of health and energy levels.
Love you guys, mwah! :)
