Retirement Planning Strategies - June 2022

3 Easy Cooking Hacks for Better Nutrition Making a meal plan is a pain, but you still want to get all your necessary vitamins, minerals, and protein through everyday foods. Even if you’re not a cooking expert, you can No. 3: Add frozen spinach to almost anything. Fresh spinach quickly loses its folate, powerful vitamins, and nutritional benefits over time, but

employ a few very simple cooking hacks in the dishes you commonly prepare! You’ll be surprised how these little boosts can reap big, nutritious rewards.

spinach, frozen at its peak freshness, saves the day. That’s why frozen spinach is actually more nutritious than most fresh spinach at the supermarket! Whether it’s for pasta, pizza, scrambled eggs, cheese dip, a smoothie, or curry, frozen spinach is more versatile than you might think. Plus, studies show spinach may have amino acids that help reduce stress and depression!

No. 1: Add quinoa to recipes. Want to add extra texture or color to your steamed white or brown rice? Mix it up with 1 cup of quinoa (any color) and another 2 cups of water or broth. Or, simply throw quinoa into any grain-friendly soup you’re preparing, like a simple chicken soup! Quinoa is rich in antioxidants and filled with fiber to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, reducing your risk of diabetes and heart disease. No. 2: Replace cream with almond, walnut, or oat milk. Cream is a popular mainstay in any American kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be dairy cream. Plant-based milk and creamer (such as almond, walnut, or oat milk) are often extra rich in vitamins and minerals and low in fat. They contain no cholesterol and are easy on your digestive system. Because they all have slightly different flavor profiles, you can pick your favorite! Walnut milk works surprisingly well in a creamy pasta sauce.

(Bonus) No. 4: Add chia seeds to cold drinks, yogurt, baked desserts, and more! It’s easy to feel guilty for indulging your cravings for sweet tea, pudding, cookies, and cake. But if you add chia seeds, you might feel a little better about it! These small seeds are densely packed with antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which may promote heart health, support strong bones, and improve blood sugar management.

We hope these tips help make your favorite dishes a little more fun and guilt-free! Enjoy!

LIGHT YOUR HOME

The Environmentally Friendly Way

heat. If you’re still using traditional lightbulbs, it’s time to upgrade. Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) cost a little bit more but last for 10,000 hours. CFLs use a fraction of the energy that traditional bulbs use but are often much brighter and safer. You can also make the switch to LED bulbs, which reduce energy consumption by 80%–90% while also lasting for 100,000 hours. Whatever option you choose, dispose of your old bulbs properly. Every city has different stipulations for recycling, so learn how to dispose of them before you recycle. Unplug your power strips and keep your lights off. The power strip is one of the most commonly used items in households across America. They’re extremely convenient, especially if your home lacks a sufficient number of outlets. While some power strips turn off when not in use, others consistently pull energy when they’re plugged in. Save energy by unplugging any power strips when not actively in use. Additionally, try and keep your lights off when you’re not home or actively using a room. It doesn’t make sense to keep your lights on when nobody is in the room. If the sun is shining, make use of that sunlight to light your house. You don’t need to depend on electricity for light during the spring and summer months so much. Just open your windows!

Did you know that if you aren’t using the right bulbs or even the right fixtures to light your home, you could be negatively affecting our environment? Believe it or not, major changes really aren’t necessary to make your home more energy-efficient, especially when it comes to lighting. Every household in America can make a few small adjustments that can have a big impact on the environment as well as your finances. If you want eco-friendly ways to light your house, try out the following ideas. Switch out your lightbulbs. Did you know that the standard incandescent bulb only puts out 5%–10% of the energy it converts as light? The rest goes out as

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