You’ve made the decision to eat more healthfully — now what? How do you know what basic groceries you’ll need to prep healthy meals and stick to your nutrition goals?

Grocery shopping can be overwhelming as it is — according to the Food Marketing Institute, the average supermarket has around 30,000 items to choose from.

So we asked nutrition experts to explain the best methods for coming up with a basic grocery list of healthy staples you should always have on hand in your kitchen.

How to Create a Basic Grocery List

“It’s always best to go to the grocery store with a basic grocery list in hand — this can help prevent impulse buys and keep you on budget,” says Krista Maguire, R.D., C.S.S.D. and Nutrition Manager for Beachbody.

The good news?

Once you take the time to nail down a good basic grocery list, it’ll only take only a few minutes to figure out what you need on future shopping trips.

“I find the best way to go about building a healthy grocery list is to plan out your meals for the week,” adds Maguire. “When you have an idea of what you’ll be eating, you’ll know exactly what you need to buy.”

Use the basic grocery list below as your baseline, then add whatever additional ingredients you’ll need for any healthy recipes you plan to try this week.

Most recipes yield multiple servings, so if you live alone, plan on using the leftovers as meal prep.

For example, say you want to make spaghetti with spinach and ground turkey: “You’ll likely buy one box of pasta, one package of ground turkey, one jar of pasta sauce, and one bunch of spinach,” says Maleah Staton, R.D.

That’ll yield enough food to cover 4 to 6 of your meals for the week.

Creating a Basic Grocery List on a Budget

It’s expensive to eat healthy — or is it? Healthy food has a reputation for being a wallet buster, but you can eat well on a budget if you plan ahead.

“If you’re on a budget, you can opt for recipes and foods that are less expensive,” says Maguire. “For example, choosing chicken over steak should save some money, or eggs instead of fish.”

Bulk foods are usually more affordable than pre-packaged foods, so Maguire recommends buying pantry staples like grains, beans, nuts, and spices in bulk.

And don’t pay for the convenience of pre-chopped fruits, veggies, and salad mixes.

“Sticking to whole foods instead of packaged items is a great way to lighten the total grocery bill,” Maguire says.

It may take some extra time to prep your foods, but your wallet will thank you.

The Best Staple Foods to Add to Your Basic Grocery List

There are certain healthy foods you should always keep on hand, so they’re there when you need a snack or a last-minute healthy meal.

“There are so many things you can do with chicken breast, ground turkey, eggs, and organic tofu,” says Maguire.

“Also, [stock up on] a variety of canned beans — like garbanzo beans to make hummus, or black beans to throw in a breakfast taco or on top of a salad or into a mixed grain and veggie bowl, she adds.

And make sure you always have the ingredients you need to make the healthy treats you (and your taste buds) love.

“Some staples I find myself always buying include oatmeal, bananas, almond milk, nut butter, walnuts, eggs, avocado, and sprouted bread,” says Maguire.

Here are the healthy staples you need.

For the refrigerator and freezer:

• Fresh fruit (“It’s nice to have some you can grab for on-the-go snacks like bananas or apples,” says Maguire.)
• Frozen fruit
• Fresh veggies
• Frozen veggies (“My freezer staples include frozen riced cauliflower, frozen kale, and broccoli,” says Staton.)
• Protein of choice (chicken, fish, steak, organic tempeh, organic tofu, canned tuna, or salmon)
• Milk or an unsweetened non-dairy milk alternative
• Unsweetened plain Greek yogurt
• Eggs (ideally local or pasture-raised eggs)

For the pantry:

• Non-refrigerated fruits and vegetables (sweet potatoes, avocados, tomatoes)
• Dry whole grains (oats, quinoa, brown rice)
• Canned beans (garbanzo, pinto, black)
• Dry pasta
• Bread (sprouted or whole grain)
• Nut butters
• Condiments (olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salad dressing, salsa)
• Natural sweeteners (honey, maple syrup)
• Snacks (air-popped popcorn, whole-grain crackers, dried fruit, nuts)

For the spice rack:

Spices can really amp up the flavor in healthy dishes without adding calories or sugar.

“I love using basil in Asian or Italian dishes and cilantro, curry, and cumin in Mexican or Indian dishes,” says Staton.

Keep these on hand:

• Sea salt
• Pepper
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Curry
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Chili powder
• Cinnamon
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Rosemary

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Hen parties are a great way to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of a friend or loved one. They are often filled with fun and excitement, as well as a few cheeky activities! If you’re looking for some ideas to add some spice to your hen party planning, look no further! In this blog post, we will discuss some fun activities that will get everyone in the party spirit. So grab your closest girlfriends and get ready for an unforgettable night!

Truth Or Dare

Truth or dare is always a classic party game. It’s a great way to get everyone talking and laughing, and it can be tailored to suit any group. The rules are simple – each person takes turns either answering a truth question or completing a dare. Truth questions can be anything from embarrassing childhood stories to revealing secrets about the bride-to-be. Dares can range from harmless fun like singing a silly song, to more daring tasks like a streak down the street. For a hen party, you could dare the bride-to-be to do something outrageous, or make up some cheeky dares for the whole group to complete.

Hen Party Scavenger Hunt

A hen party scavenger hunt is a great way to get everyone out and about, exploring the local area (or wherever you’re celebrating). This game can be as simple or as complicated as you like – you can set a list of items for the group to find, or give them clues to follow that will lead them to the next item on the list. As seen on https://www.gelballundercover.com.au/, you can add some spice to any game. You can split into teams and give each team a list of things to find or photograph. The first team to complete the scavenger hunt wins! To make it more fun, you could add in some forfeits for the losing team, or dare the bride-to-be to do something embarrassing.

Mr & Mrs Quiz

This is a fun game that tests how well the bride-to-be knows her future husband. You can make up your questions, or find a list of Mr & Mrs questions online. The bride-to-be must answer each question correctly to win the game. To make it more challenging, you could give her a time limit to answer each question, or set several questions she must get right to win.

Toilet Paper Wedding Dress

This is a fun activity that will have everyone in stitches! Each person must create a wedding dress out of toilet paper, using only the supplies you provide. Try to use different colors and patterns of toilet paper to create unique dresses. The bride-to-be must choose her favorite dress, and the person who made it wins a prize. The bride-to-be must then model her creation for everyone to see. This activity is great for getting everyone creative, and it’s certain to result in some hilarious photos!

Hen Party Dares

This is a fun game that can be played with any size group. You will need to write down a list of dares and put them into a jar or bowl. The bride-to-be must then choose a dare from the jar and complete it. Dares can range from harmless fun like singing a song, to more daring tasks like a streak down the street. For a hen party, you could dare the bride-to-be to do something crazy, or make up some cheeky dares for the whole group to complete. Think outside the box and have some fun with this one!

Would You Rather

This is a great game to get everyone talking. You will need to come up with a list of would you rather question, and the group must choose which option they would prefer. Questions can be anything from light-hearted and silly, to more serious topics. This is a great way to break the ice if you’re playing with a group of people who don’t know each other well. Even if you know everyone in the group, it’s still a fun way to get everyone talking and laughing.

Never Have I Ever

This is a classic party game that is sure to get everyone talking. The rules are simple – each person takes turns making a statement about something they have never done. For example, “Never have I ever been skydiving.” If anyone in the group has done the thing you’ve said, they must take a drink (or do whatever the agreed-upon punishment is). This game is a great way to get to know people, and it’s certain to result in some embarrassing stories!

Hen parties are a lot of fun and there are many activities to make them even more enjoyable. Try out some of these games and activities to add some excitement to your next hen party! Cheers!

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Socializing outside is a safe way to see your loved ones without contracting COVID-19, but that isn’t easy to do in the winter. Brides have an especially frustrating challenge if they want to host their ceremony during snowy months. This guide explains eight tips for planning a winter wedding during COVID-19 so you don’t have to worry about everyone’s safety while coordinating the wedding of your dreams.

1. Check Local Requirements Weekly

As variants emerge, city and state governments will adapt their rules regarding large gatherings. Keep up-to-date with the requirements that affect your venue’s location. Check the city’s website or social media accounts to find the latest information that could affect your wedding. If anything changes, you’ll know how many guests are allowed to gather indoors and whether you need to worry about postponing your ceremony.

2. Minimize Your Guest List

Weddings are traditionally large events, but you don’t have to invite everyone you’ve ever known. Creating a small guest list minimizes the risk of making your ceremony into a hotspot event. Add the people within your inner circle to your list and avoid inviting people like co-workers or long-lost friends you don’t get along with.

3. Find A Fire Pit

If people can keep warm outside, they can get fresh air at your wedding and reduce potential virus exposure indoors. Compare rental fire pits, patio heaters, or warming stations and set them up around your venue to invest in everyone’s safety.

4. Remember Your Self-Care Routine

Worrying about the state of the world can distract people from habits that support their well-being, especially when they’re also planning a wedding. Take care of yourself to nourish your physical and mental health.

Consider adding helpful habits to your daily routine like hydrating lotions, a vitamin regimen and an exercise plan. You can start any time, but starting these habits a few months to a year before your wedding will help you look and feel your best long before walking down the aisle.

5. Request Disposable Drinkware

People often set their drinks aside at weddings to have fun on the dance floor. Other people might pick up their identical glasses and accidentally share drinks without realizing it. Ask your bartender to use disposable drinkware to avoid this problem. You’ll get your custom cocktails and guests can label their cups with markers.

6. Provide Matching Masks

COVID-19 has a much more difficult time infecting people who wear masks in group settings. Provide matching masks for your guests to wear during your ceremony and reception. They can color-coordinate with other favors like gloves or blankets and double as reusable gifts for your guests after they go back home.

7. Point Out Testing Centers

Even with all of these precautions, your guests might still feel nervous gathering for a big event. When creating your invitations or wedding date reminder cards, include information about testing centers near your venue. Everyone can get a rapid test on the morning of your wedding and rest assured that no one got positive results before coming to your ceremony.

8. Establish A Virtual Link

In addition to inviting guests for in-person attendance, stream your wedding with video conferencing software or websites designed for live events. Anyone who can’t make it due to illness or inclement winter weather can still be part of your big day without putting themselves or others at risk.

Planning Your Winter Wedding During COVID-19

The pandemic complicates many traditional events, but it doesn’t have to make wedding planning feel impossible. Use these eight tips for planning a wedding during COVID-19 to keep everyone safe and healthy. Taking care of your physical wellness, providing masks, and even establishing outdoor warming stations are just a few ways to make everyone comfortable during your big day.

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Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to remind your partner just how much you love them. But planning a trip with the person you love can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. When it comes to planning a romantic getaway with your significant other, you want everything to be perfect and memorable! So, what does that mean? It means that you need the right location, ambiance, and activities. You don’t want it to be too over the top, but you also don’t want to skimp on anything.

A romantic trip can be as simple as a quick day trip to a nearby city, or as extravagant as a round-the-world tour. The important thing is to find out what your significant other wants and then give it to them.

A Countryside Picnic

Going on a picnic is a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. It allows you to spend quality time with your partner in a beautiful setting, and it doesn’t require a lot of preparation. Picnicking can be as relaxing or as exciting as you want it to be. The first thing you need for a good picnic is food, so start preparing some food items. But don’t prepare too much because you will have to carry it all by yourself, so keep it light. Make sandwiches of bread, fish or chicken. Make some salad or fruit salad to munch on while you are resting on the grass. Of course, bringing some wine will romanticize the occasion.

Last but not least, choose a nice patch of grass with some nice shade and prepare to have a romantic and relaxing Valentine’s day with your loved one.

Exploring The City

This might sound like a strange idea, but going out and exploring your own city with your partner may be more exciting than you think if you both try and get into the tourist mindset. Imagine you’re both mere visitors and walk around, try the cuisine, the café’s, book a dinner reservation at a great local restaurant, go all out for this day. Planning a Valentine’s Day date in the city with dinner is a great way to save money, and still have a lovely evening with your significant other.

Planning a date night doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of ways to enjoy a romantic night without spending a lot of money.

Paris

Your partner is a special person in your life, and you want to make this Valentine’s Day special. That’s why you want to find a romantic location that’s perfect for spending the day with them. One of the most beautiful places in the world to spend a day with your significant other in Paris, France. It’s a European destination known for its romantic scenery, good food, and endless amounts of culture.

If you’re not great with planning and don’t really know the city that well, you should consider professional help, like the tour guides at Hellotickets, who provide great options both for Paris and many other romantic getaways. With all of the things to do in Paris, it can be hard to pick the best things to do for Valentine’s Day there. You can start off by enjoying a romantic cruise on the river Seine. You will pass by many of Paris’ iconic sites including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral…

Camping Trip

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and you know what that means… campfires, s’mores, and romance in the air. Making your Valentine’s Day special this year? Make it a camping trip. Get out of town with your significant other, pack up all of your gear, and enjoy the peace and serenity of the outdoors. This also may seem like a funny idea for a romantic getaway, but going for a short camping trip may bring you closer together than ever, and spark a great romantic feeling.

A Romantic Gift

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love and affection for your partner. The day is celebrated in different ways around the world based on culture, religion, and tradition. It doesn’t matter whether you are married or not, Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to show your love and affection to your loved ones. A cute way to declare your love is through a candy bar wrapper with a personalized message and a picture of the two of you together. You can use a ready-made kit or create your own from scratch. Just print the design onto colored paper, stick it onto the ready-made wrapper, and voila! It’s easy and sweet.

Tips For Success

1. Set a nice dinner table
2. Pick a nice restaurant with great food and ambiance
3. Make sure you have flowers on the table, but don’t forget the chocolates too!
4. Listen to each other and try to remember how and why you fell in love in the first place
5. Enjoy having one-on-one time, learn about each other even more.

A romantic getaway can be a great way to spend some time together. Planning the trip can be fun, but it can also get stressful pretty quickly if you’re not careful. We hope these suggestions will help you plan a fun and memorable trip together!

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