Categories: Health & Beauty

10 Simple Ways to Get Healthy on a Budget

Many reasons to live sustainably ultimately benefit one person: you.

What’s one of the best parts of joining a local CSA? Fresh, delicious veggies and fruit. Like seriously, better than you’ve ever had before.

Although I certainly avoid preaching to the crowd, my body got out of whack lately between traveling, getting sick and work. After seeing some not-so-flattering photos of myself, I decided to do a mini detox.

Kicking back into a healthier version of you doesn’t require a juice detox or lots of cash. Here’s a few simple ways to detox – all cheap, easy and locally.

10 Ways to Get Healthy & Detox on a budget:

  1. Cook at home. When my friend recently visited from out of town, I opted to cook a locally-sourced meal instead of meeting at a restaurant. Save money, calories AND get a little healthy. Win-win!
  2. Water. Why bother buying soda or sugary drinks? Instead, BYO stainless steel bottle and drink that all day, every day.
  3. Get outside. Force yourself to wake up a little early or change into your gym clothes after work for a jog or bike ride.
  4. Sign up for gym classes. Signing up for fitness classes – solo or with a friend – and scheduling in advance will help you stick to a schedule. Philly has a lot of low-cost and free exercise options.
  5. Choose snacks wisely. Much temptation exists in a land of Doritos, pretzels and sugar-packed treats. Bring fruit, veggies, nuts or other local snacks to the office for those unbearable cravings.
  6. Bulk Bins. My favorite section of Whole Foods is definitely the bulk bins section. From snacks like trail mixes to basic ingredients like seeds and grains, control how much you buy and save a few bucks – you get $.05 off per jar you bring.
  7. Pass on the alcohol. (ever so often...) Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy unwinding with a wine or craft beer while dining out… but those calories can add up. And who likes going from wide awake to narcoleptic after a few drinks? Skip a round for an H20 break.
  8. Get Farmers Market Deals. Although farmers markets can get an expensive reputation, the opposite is true when you buy local, in season foods. Arrive early or late and score deals with these farmers market tips.
  9. Make simpler meals. Although there’s tons of drool-worthy recipes on Pinterest, get creative with whole veggies and grains by grilling, cooking or eating raw. Plus, trading home-grown herbs for condiments won’t disappoint your taste buds.
  10. Create a few smoothies & freeze. Frozen, organic fruits are cheaper than the produce aisle or those pre-made juices. Create smoothies with non-dairy milk & ground flax seeds and freeze in jars for a treat.

Readers, what cheap, easy & organic tips do you have? Tell us in the comments.

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

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Julie Hancher

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