Have your Ranch but not the Fat!

Okay so since Im also into Fitness and eating healthy Ive been compelled to start  "Frugal & Fierce" Food and Fitness Fridays.  Eating healthy and losing weight or staying fit can be a challenge.  I will post tidbits and tricks that has helped and continues to help me with the ongoing challenge of staying fit.

Lets talk about dressing, if you are anything like me, I love Ranch dressing which is typically high in calories and fat but I DO NOT like the taste of "light" or reduced calorie versions.  I recently discovered a yogurt based ranch dressing and I have to say that it was GOOD and I was shocked when I looked at the nutritional information.  The brand that I tried was Bolthouse Farms which I purchased from Walmart.  The added bonus is that it is better for you because it doesnt have any artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, added flavors and its gluten-free. There are several other brands also in which you can find just about anywhere you shop for grocery.  There are also other flavors such as Feta Dill, Honey Mustard and Blue Cheese. Check out the comparison below.  

Regular Ranch VS Yogurt Based Ranch Dressing- 2tbsp
	Traditional Ranch	Yogurt Based
Calories	148	45
Total Fat	16g	3g
Carbohydrates	1g	3g
Weight Watchers Points	4	1

If you love ranch or creamy dressings and dont want to compromise taste, go with a yogurt based dressing.

Save Space and Organize your Closet using Hangers you ALREADY Have!

You look in your closet and it gives you a headache.  Belts on the floor, bags scattered(those little “swag bags” that you acquired from events, etc.)and you are trying to find your leopard print scarf and its nowhere in sight.  Closet organization can be tricky, time consuming and may require you to spend money that you dont want to spend.  These little headaches can be remedied using hangers that you ALREADY have in your closet to organize your Boots, Belts, Scarves, Necklaces, and Bags.  

Boots- For boots that have a soft cuff that can be clipped on hanger without any damage. Use a pant hanger with the push clips and clip each boot into.  

Belts- Using a triangle style hanger, hang belts over horizontal side. Make sure the hanger is strong enough to support the weight.  

Scarves- Using a triangle style hanger, hang scarves over horizontal side.

Necklaces- Using what I call a “retail hanger”(only has two sides with open notches on both sides) hang necklaces in the notches usually no more than 5 depending on the size. You can also use the middle hook on which you would hang to put necklaces on as well. I like to put the heavier necklaces here because it balances the overall weight of the two sides.  

Bags- Using pretty much any type of hanger, hang the bag handles over the middle hook.

*is ideal for lightweight bags

The aforementioned items on a hanger is an easy way to see them and be able to take off and put on what you need quickly and easily.  Not to mention, it adds to the aesthetic appeal of your closets and saves space.  Get your hangers and start your “Happy Closet”!  This is the first installation of my “Happy Closet” series, stay tuned for more.  

Shopping and Saving with 30 seconds

When shopping for shoes and clothing and you see something that catches your eye but you dont necessarily need, STOP and THINK of what you already have that you can wear with it.  If you cannot think of anything within 30 seconds DONT buy it.  Why?  

How many items do we have in our closets that still have the tag on them because we dont know what or dont have anything to wear with them?  The chances of you not wearing an item that you cant immediately think of what you can pair with it are very high.  Use the 30 second rule-Dont waste your time or money, it decreases your chances of a “Bad-Buy”.  Continue to visit the "Frugal & Fierce" blog to learn what a “Bad-Buy” is.