Grocery prices are taking a bigger chunk out of everyone's budget. As you look for ways to lower your bills, remember that the one thing you don't want to cut back on is your health. Knowledge is power!

"Can you remember the last time you had a salad?" asks Donna Fjelstad, a nutritional consultant who conducts seminars across the country. "The United States is the richest nation on earth and the unhealthiest. This is the only generation of children who may not live as long as their parents. Eating an adequate daily amount of fruits and vegetables reduces your risk of all major diseases, and yet 80-90 percent of people attending my seminars aren't getting enough of them."

Fjelstad will share nutritional tips to help you look good and feel great, including recent changes in dietary recommendations issued by the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and others, during her free seminar at the Body Mind Life Expo (www.101expos.com), to be held March 7-8, 2009 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Fjelstad will be joined by Dr. Donald R. Timm, Ph.D., who has worked in the field of disease prevention, wellness and cardiac rehabilitation for 40 years.

Turn healthful eating into a family event by buying larger quantities or fresh herbs at your local farmers market. Or consider starting a garden swap in your neighborhood: where everyone grows a different vegetable – there's not a lot of time commitment when growing just one vegetable and the crop is usually more than one family can use.

For other money-saving tips on a budget, Fjelstad and Dr. Timm suggest:

• Cut back on unhealthy fast foods and processed foods. "When you eliminate or at least cut back on processed foods and fast foods, you are reducing your intake of many unhealthy ingredients such as saturated fat and sodium. You will also save a lot of money," says Fjelstad.
• Choose lean, budget-friendly protein sources. "Healthful choices include a pork loin center cut because it costs about the same as pork chops but contains much less fat," says Dr. Timm. He adds that, "High fat meats also have more calories. Plus a high saturated fat content in meats is directly related to a rise in bad cholesterol and a drop in good cholesterol."
• Avoid white foods. "Don't waste your money on white foods such as sugar, salt, white pasta, white breads, potatoes and white rice because they are generally so over-processed that they add very little nutritional value to your diet," advises Fjelstad. "Look for whole grain alternatives for the starchy items on your grocery list, and choose sweet potatoes over white potatoes."
• Stock up on tuna. "Certain fish, such as salmon and tuna, are very high in beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids," says Dr. Timm. While fresh fish can be pricey, he advises that canned tuna is a good price-conscious alternative.
• Eat a minimum of six servings of fruits and vegetables daily. "Raw is preferable," says Dr. Timm. "Choose a variety of the most colorful you can afford for the greatest nutritional benefit. Good choices include bananas, carrots, apples, dried beans and broccoli." Adds Fjelstad, "If you can't get this many servings of fruits and vegetables into your diet every day, look for a whole food alternative for economy and excellent nutrition." She and Dr. Timm will reveal more details about this alternative, as well as other tips for slowing down the aging process, improving your health and reducing your risk for all types of diseases, during their seminar at the Body Mind Life Expo.

To learn more about the Body Mind Life expo, to Shop at the Show before you go, or ask a question of one of our guest speakers, visit www.101expos.com. You may also watch a short video from last year's event.

Admission to the expo is $3 with the half price coupon available at www.101expos.com, and free to kids 17 and under when accompanied by an adult. Further information is available on the expo hotline: 612-798-7256.

This year's Body Mind Life Expo is sponsored in part by KSTC Channel 45.

Biography – Donna Fjelstad

Donna travels the entire United States to help people achieve a better quality of life. She helps her audiences learn new insights in the area of proper exercise, weight management, anti-aging and building their health through nutrition.

Biography -- Donald R. Timm, Ph.D.

Dr. Timm has worked in the field of disease prevention, wellness and cardiac rehab for 40 years. He has degrees in Health, Exercise and Behavioral Sciences and has published articles and research in these fields. He is Co-Founder of the Galter Life-Center, and earned the prestigious "Leadership Excellence Award" by the Medical Fitness Association.