Inexpensive Ideas For Fun Family Outings

The time we spend with our families is priceless. But most popular family activities can quite expensive.

 Even a simple night at the movies can put a serious dent in the budget by the time you buy tickets, popcorn and drinks for everyone.

Fortunately, there are cheaper alternatives to expensive family outings.

They provide the opportunity to have just as much fun at a fraction of the cost. Some are even free.

Movies and Music

Kids are often itching to see the newest releases at the movie theater.

Doing so even once a month, however, can get pricey. One alternative in some areas is the drive-in.

Admission is usually much cheaper than it is at a regular theater, and some let you bring your own drinks and snacks.

Drive-ins usually show fairly new releases, so the kids can say they saw something that's not out on video yet.

Some theaters offer reduced-price matinees during the day.

Some even have free kid-oriented movies on weekend days. These options offer the theater experience without the outrageous cost.

Kids often want to go to concerts, but tickets to see the most famous bands are far from cheap.

Check your local paper for free concerts in the park.

 Many areas have them during the warm months.

Young children can enjoy the music without the huge crowds and deafening sound systems and older children might gain an appreciation for less well-known bands.

The Great Outdoors

Nature offers a wealth of possibilities for family outings. Camping is a wonderful activity for families, and it doesn't have to be expensive.

 It can be as simple as pitching a tent in the back yard or you can spring for a camper and rent space at a campground.

 Bring the grill and some hamburgers or hot dogs, or catch some fish to fry.

Parks are great for day trips. Those with playground equipment can keep youngsters entertained for hours on end.

Hiking trails offer opportunities for exercise and exploration.

Most parks have picnic facilities, so you can pack a lunch instead of eating out.

Other Ideas

Here are some more inexpensive family activities to consider:

* Play miniature golf. Admission is usually quite reasonable, and it provides the opportunity for relaxed yet engaging family competition.

* Visit a petting zoo. These small zoos do not have the exotic animals you see at larger ones, but kids can feed and pet the animals.

* Go to a museum. Some offer cheap or free admission, while others cost more.

But the larger and more expensive ones often sell season passes, so if you live close by, you can visit numerous times for one low price.

* Go boating. If you're fortunate enough to live near a body of water, boating is fun and relaxing.

Canoe and paddle boat rentals are inexpensive, and when you're done boating there are usually other cheap or free activities in the area.

* Attend events at a nearby college. These may include plays, concerts, dance recitals and movie showings. Prices are low, and student discounts usually apply to kids, too.

Having fun as a family doesn't require a six-figure income.

If you look hard enough, you can find lots of free or cheap activities that parents and kids can enjoy just about anywhere.

Eat Organic Foods To Avoid Toxins

Food that is grown or raised without chemical pesticides or chemical fertilizers is called “organic.”

We’ve become so accustomed to getting by with foods that have been grown with fertilizers and that contain harmful toxins, that we’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel truly “well.”

 We don’t know how good we can really feel.

Why else would you choose to eat organic food? We pay a lot in terms of flavor and nutrition to eat perfect-looking food.

 Yes, organic food might have an occasional bruise on its flesh – but so does food that’s been sprayed with harmful chemicals.

 Organic food, though, are generally fresher and more flavorful. Many times, they’re grown locally, so they haven’t been stored or refrigerated.

 Consider the difference in flavor between a vine-ripened tomato and a regular tomato. There’s just no comparison.

The body has to process everything you put into it and eliminate what it cannot digest.

 If your food contains toxins in the form of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, your body has to figure out a way to get rid of the toxins. 

When the body cannot get rid of toxins fast enough, it stores them until it has time to eliminate them. This can lead to many health problems.

 Many of the pesticides used in farming have been found to be carcinogenic. 

Reducing your exposure to these toxins can improve your health. True, some people eliminate toxins well. 

Still, the body needs to expend energy to eliminate toxins when it could be doing other things such as healing damaged cells, fighting off viruses and bacteria, or patrolling the body for cancer cells. 

Even people who can tolerate or eliminate toxins could feel substantially better without putting these poisons into their bodies.

 And if your system is sensitive to toxins, you’ll be much better off eliminating them from your diet as much as possible. 

Fortunately, it’s easier to do this because there’s a greater selection and variety of organic produce in our grocery stores.

Healthy Foods For Easy Weight Loss

Experts say there are two basic categories of foods that can be considered "keeping it off super foods" because they fill your tummy without piling on the calories: fruits and vegetables. 

And the nutrient that gives fruits and vegetables that ‘staying power?’ Fiber. So, if fruits and vegetables are the "keeping-it-off super food groups," fiber may well be the "keeping-it-off super-nutrient." 

 Protein is another super-nutrient. It's becoming more scientifically accepted that protein may help to curb appetite. 

Protein also offers staying power, and can slightly boost your metabolism in the process.  But it’s imperative that you choose your proteins wisely, because like all other foods, if you’re eating more than your body needs, it’ll show up on the scale as a gain, instead of a loss.  
 
The following super foods are smart, low-calorie choices that will benefit your weight loss efforts:  

Green Tea - Researchers suspect that the catechins (helpful phytochemicals) in green tea may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and mildly decrease body fat. So indulge in either a hot cup or a nice tall iced glass of green tea. 

Broth- or tomato-based soup – Soups can help reduce hunger before meals and increase your feeling of fullness. 

Low-calorie green salads - Having a low-calorie salad – which is not defined as one that’s loaded with croutons, high fat dressings, and cheese - as a first course can help you feel full, thereby reducing how much you eat with your main course.  

 Wisely choose your ingredients, and its high fiber content can be the key to helping you fight cravings later in the day. 

Yogurt – Including dairy products as part of your healthy diet may promote your weight loss efforts.  Choosing a light yogurt may help you fight off hunger pangs due to its combination of protein and carbohydrate.

Beans – A great combination of fiber and protein, beans help you feel full longer, which means they may work to curb your between-meal appetite.

Water – Water is your body’s lifeblood, and you should be drinking it through your day. It’s a great no-calorie beverage, and you can get it by drinking unsweetened tea, flavored unsweetened mineral water, regular water with lime or lemon, or even in your cucumber.  

 In addition to helping flush toxins from the body, it can also help you feel full.  So when those hunger pangs strike, try drinking a glass of water before grabbing that snack.

High-Fiber, Whole-Grain Cereal - Whole grains in general help boost fiber and the nutritional value of your meal.   

One of the easiest ways to give your daily diet a whole-grain boost is to have a bowl of higher-fiber whole-grain cereal as breakfast or a snack.