How to Lose Weight on $10 a Week

By QuickieChick Laurel House

Ask the average person if it's possible to lose weight on $10 a week and they will say "yeah, starve!" Ask an average college student if it's possible to lose weight on $10 a week, and they say "yeah, coupons and discount stores!" It's time to rethink healthy eating and realize that you don't have to be wealthy to eat healthy, and even lose weight. If a ravenous college student can do it, so can you!

COUPONS
You've probably either seen or heard of the extreme couponing shows where people load up on hundreds of dollars of loot and only pay a few bucks thanks to their collection of coupons. Forget fast food, there are a TON of ways to save money on groceries: Coupons, Savings Cards, Buying in bulk, Discount Stores. Yes, if you're trying to eat healthy by eating in, you don't need to be limited by your budget. The 99 Cents Only Store, Food for Less, Costco, Sam's Club, and Smart and Final are just some of the many markets that sell fresh produce, eggs, pasta, cereal-you name it-at a serious discount. So serious, in fact, that you can fill up on healthy foods and lose weight on $10 a week.

99 CENTS ONLY STORES
It seems too good to be true, so to prove it I made a trip to my local 99 Cents Only Store and bought enough food for a whole week, for just $10. There are dozens of ways to prepare these items. Here is my $10 shopping list followed by the menu for the week. This menu is what worked with the kitchen basics I already had (like mustard, milk, limes, cheese, olive oil and a few other basics). You can supplement some of these items based on your kitchen basics. Add whatever condiments you like and have fun!

WATCH THE VIDEO ON THE GOODS I GOT FROM MY SHOPPING TRIP TO THE 99 CENTS ONLY STORE

SHOPPING LIST:
Oatmeal
Dozen Eggs
Smoked Turkey (Portobello mushrooms as vegetarian alternative)
Whole Wheat Tortillas
Baby Carrots
Broccoli
Onions
Canned Tuna
Brown Rice (Grits as alternative)
Whole Watermelon (Whole pineapple or large box of strawberries as alternative)

WATCH THIS VIDEO ON "YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE WEALTHY TO EAT HEALTHY"- my 1st trip to the 99 Cents Only Store

Keep in mind, the meals below are assuming that you have some kitchen basics like olive oil, relish, mustard, etc, and it's $10 a week per person. I bought more than I needed so you could see how many budget options are out there... It's a basic guide.

BREAKFAST
-Oatmeal and Egg (Oat Risotto w/Egg): Cook one packet of oatmeal on the stove. The complex carbohydrates stay in your stomach longer and help keep you full for hours. The fiber regulates your digestive system. When the oatmeal is almost done cooking, crack an egg directly into the pot. The egg will cook with the oatmeal. Really it's the perfect complete meal of complex carbs and protein. Here's how to make it: http://www.quickiechick.com/bites-with-benefits/sriracha-oatmeal-egg-hot-and-spicy-quickie/
-(alternative)Grits and Egg: when grits are almost fully cooked, add a raw egg. The egg will cook with the grits and add protein.

WATCH THE VIDEO ON HOW TO MAKE OATMEAL & EGG... WARNING: IT'S ADDICTIVE!

LUNCH/ DINNER
-Smoked Turkey Wrap: Add chopped onions and mustard. Wrap in a tortilla. Eat baby carrots as a side.

-Broccoli Soup: Cook down chopped onions in a pan. Add broccoli and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add enough chicken broth to cover the vegetables. Add salt and pepper and allow to simmer for 45 minutes. Put entire mixture into a blender and blend to your preferred consistency. (I literally make this and eat it for lunch for 3 days in a row).

RECIPE FOR A "slightly" FANCIER BROCCOLI SOUP HERE

-Tuna Wrap: Boil one egg and chop. Add chopped egg to drained tuna. Instead of mayo add non fat Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. Mix in mustard, relish, and chopped onions. Wrap in whole wheat tortilla.

-Healthy un-Fried Rice (or grits or oatmeal): When brown rice (or grits or oatmeal- remember oatmeal is a grain too) is almost cooked, crack raw egg and add it to the pot. The egg will poach with the rice. Cook in some onions, broccoli and carrots, plus garlic if you have it for extra flavor (like fried rice but not fried!). Add some hot sauce if you have it (it's a natural fat-burner).

-Watermelon Salad: Cut cubes of fresh watermelon and add to arugula or any greens. Add goat cheese. Make a salad dressing out of equal parts orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, white vinegar, salt and pepper.

-Steamed Carrots w/ Cinnamon: It's a great side dish! Steam up carrots, add some low fat butter, cinnamon- a natural blood sugar regulator (or cumin, brown sugar, or salt & white pepper) and enjoy- no fuss!

-Frittata: Cook thin chopped onions down in a pan, add other veggies (chopped), add eggs, salt and pepper, and cook until eggs aren't runny. Put the entire pan (not one with a plastic handle) in the oven and bake at 370 for 8 minutes.

WATCH THIS VIDEO ON HOW-TO MAKE A FRITTATA

$10 a week. That's less than being on any fast food diet. Are you ready to grocery shop now?

*****
Laurel House is a Fit Living Expert, 3x published author, and believer in living a life of balance. See more of her "Quickie Tips" on her website QuickieChick.com. Watch out for her 4th book coming out next year- "QuickieChick's Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion and Finance on a Less than Fabulous Budget" (St. Martin's May, 2012).