Bleh. Seems like another article about foods that are cheap (for middle class people watching their budgets but with no -serious- financial problems). In other words, only relatively cheap. I'd like to see some suggestions about how people with seriously little money can do this. It's not like I can eat an egg, a handful of walnuts, and some lentils and call it a day! What about for those of us living on part-time jobs and paying for school? Or single parents raising children on an hourly wage?
The bottom line is that healthy foods are fresh foods. When you can't get to the grocery store more than once a week, you can't have fresh foods for half the week. Yes, there are some things you can freeze, but it's pretty limited. And you can't buy produce in bulk (not if it's spoiling, that is) - you'll just end up canning or baking a portion of it, essentially destroying the nutritive quality.
I think the article is great. My only problem is I want to buy organic. I will only buy organic eggs, and milk (I don't eat meat) which hurts my budget. Any advice on saving money and buying organic?
We invested about $100 on an upright freezer (found on craigslist,org) and it's been great to take advantage of bulk sales when they happen. Rarely see that with the no-hormone, no-antibiotics meat (chicken, pork and beef) that we eat, unfortunately. We try to buy local and organic whenever possible. It's not necessarily cheaper but there are other important payoffs (supporting local economy, environmental impact, knowing where your food comes from and how it's processed) that offset the cost.
This was a great article. Buying fresh and actually cooking food is sooo much healthier and cheaper. Since many of the items do not spoil or go bad quickly, stock up when on sale. I check the weekly ads from all of my local grocery stores. Then when I'm in the area, stop and pick up the item(s) on special. When good 2 fer sale occurs, I call a friend and we go half. This strategy helped me a lot when I was on a very nery tight budget.
I agree with all but 2 items. Eggs: I always get organic eggs. I pay alittle more and thats ok. Beans: I use dried beans in the bag...much cheaper per serving.
" $3.19 for 42 ounces (15 cents per serving) Oatmeal is a hearty breakfast, but you can also cook sturdy steel-cut oats in chicken broth for a savory side dish. Or, mix oats with ground turkey to stretch your meatballs."
I have to admit that I tend to think of oatmeal as a breakfast food or something to bake with. I never would have thought of using it as a dinner side dish - cooked with chicken broth.
I like everythng on the list and have most in my pantry. I've got to try the yogurt by the quarts. I'd never considered that before and I may even try the lentils again if I can find a good recipe for them.
I'm anxiously awaiting summer this year for all the fresh veggies ~ I live in a condo, but have joined a CSA (community supported agriculture) program where each week, I will receive 1/2 bushel of fresh veggies. I also bought into the egg and flower shares - which means every 2 weeks, I will receive fresh eggs from their RI red hens and fresh cut flowers to spruce up my life :-)
I just wonder what I'll get !! Maybe some of the veggies listed in this article...they all sound soooo good!
BIBLECHICK
3/24/2009 11:22:30 PM
I have found all of these items at or below a dollar at some time during the year in my local market. Beets/turnips and such veggies are also a great buy at the local farmer's market--because you can use the greens as well as the root. Turnip greens are great in soup and in rice dishes. Beet greens can be used in salads. Really stretches things...
I enjoyed this article. Some of the items listed, seem to be a fair amount more expensive in this area (South East) though some are less. I just found some sweet potatoes at the farmers market for 59 cents per pound. Buying local and in season can help keep costs down and it good for the environment and the economy.
ARTISBORING
2/17/2009 8:49:06 PM
One of my standbys is soy milk. I'm not a vegan, but I don't like regular milk and I have found soy milk to be more filling and more tasty anyway. Some brands are more expensive than others, but you can find some good values. And honestly, prices here (Manhattan) are so high that it is hard to tell which grocery prices have gone up.
SHAZNAN
2/8/2009 1:53:36 PM
In general this is a good article. Just reminding to bargain shop on the good foods instead of settling for less "less healthy" that is. I do not have a bargain Joes I think that is what they called it. I do have a Winco and I am able to get a lot of bulk. I also if I get there at the right time I can get some real good produce for real good prices. However I have yet to see bananas for 19 cents. Bummer... all in all it is the seasons, where you go, and who is having sales. I also like the local farmers market I find it to be a little more affordable then a few of the stores around my area. I have been growing some of my own veggies, and a few years ago we had a community garden. The kids loved even hubs. We would go and pick our veggies together as a family and tend to the garden as a family it was kind of fun.The kids loved watching our little thieves (bunnies) run away with some produce.
