Healthy things that are easy and do not cost a lot.

(Commonly referred to as my favorite healthy things.)

Part One of a three-part series in which I, in all my inexperience and unqualified-ness, suggest how you can integrate healthy habits into your lifestyle.

Part I: Internal Healthy Things

Water, Lime, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Liquid Chlorophyll

Do you like drinking scary green stuff? No? Too bad! Because this tonic is very good for you. All it involves is taking half a lime and squeezing it into eight ounces of lukewarm water, adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of liquid chlorophyll, and drinking it. Why limes and not lemons? Because limes are cheaper and similar in nutritional value: hella vitamin C. Apple cider vinegar is antimicrobial and promotes pH balance, making you feel reallll good (make sure you buy organic). And chlorophyll: man, that just does all kinds of super duper shit. All kinds. I don’t know exactly what, which is why I’m generalizing so much, I just know it’s good. 

Blackstrap Molasses

I ran NCAA Division I Cross Country in college (I’m trying to impress you, but I walked on and was the slowest team member), which means iron intake was no joke. Blackstrap molasses is very rich in the mineral and an incredible value; just make sure you purchase it unsulphured. As someone prone to anemia, taking one tablespoon a day is of great assistance in making sure I don’t set up residence in fatigueville. 

Salmon

Gotta get them Omega 3’s, homies! They help you feel happy! Which is muy importante! Cold water fatty fishes are great for that. Of course buying fresh is always best, but if you’re a semi-poor person like me, you can get very good deals on frozen, farm-raised fish. For example, I like to buy pre-cut and individually packaged salmon at Whole Foods. For $20 I can get a package of six, which is nearly an entire week’s worth of dinner! Protein wise, at least. And, if you’re not a fan of seafood, Cod Liver Oil pills are a great alternative. Just pop and roll.

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

This salad literally takes five minutes to prepare and is a nice deviation from the run of the mill leafy shit we normally eat (although I do love leafy shit). I like to take half a tomato, a quarter of a long cucumber, and dice both of them up finely. Then I drizzle some olive oil, maybe give a squeeze of lemon, sprinkle some salt, and voila: salad. That is not leaves.

Hummus

Hummus is a great alternative to other dips (duh). While incomplete, chickpeas do have a lot of protein, and pairing hummus with carrots or celery makes a healthy substitute for chips and salsa.

Popcorn

Popcorn is incredibly cheap and full of antioxidants. HOWEVER, I am not referring to microwave popcorn or movie theater popcorn. SORRY, GUYS, nice try. I’m talking about old school stovetop popcorn. Which is very easy to make and tasty. Plus you can season it as you please, and so long as you don’t put a pound of butter in it—although maybe that’ll satisfy your daily calcium requirements, who knows—you’ll be doing your body good. 

Apples

Just wash and eat. They’re amazing for you. They’re easy to carry around. They taste good. They curb hunger. I don’t know what else to say.

NutriBullet

I bit the bougie bullet and bought a NutriBullet. While technically not a food, it does help me make fruit and vegetable smoothies, which are a food, and, that's right: very good for me. I bought mine on discount from Boxed for about $80, and considered it both a deal and an investment. It beats paying $10 everyday for a beverage I could make at home. Since the NutriBullet comes with portable containers, I make my drink the night before and chuck it in my bag on the way to work. I like to make mine extra bougie and add superfood powders like maca, green coffee, and chia, while using unsweetened almond milk and coconut water. I’m sorry.

Super Super Dark Chocolate

I inherited a sweet tooth from my father, and it is intense. Like, wake up in the morning and have no problem eating a Kit Kat intense. Not that I’ve done this . . . 

Because of course that’s not very healthy. Yet, that sugar craving is a for real thing, and it has to be taken care of. Therefore, what I do to quell the beast is feed it squares of 90% cocoa chocolate. Does it taste like bittersweet dirt? Yes, a little. But very fancy, extra delicious and nutritious, smooth dirt loaded with antioxidants.