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Sandip Bhattacharya, Flickr
"Quit eating organic ASAP." That's my tax man's advice on hoarding cash in tight times. "You're in survival mode. Who cares if hormones are in your milk?"
Hello?! I do! My kids are drinking rBGH-free milk. And, honestly, they're slurping an awful lot of it between meals. Sure, it would be cheaper to abandon my weekly trips to Trader Joe's or Fresh & Easy and shop at non-health food grocers instead. Or, we could eat less fresh produce, but what mom in her right mind would give that up?
I've tried the organic wallet fast, and I have the Ramen Noodles wrappers to prove it. The shame! Of course, feeding my family gut-garbage never lasts. I come to my (junk-dulled) senses, tweak our food budget yet more and we climb back on the five-a-day fruits-and-veg routine.
These two quick, no-brainer tricks help keep us healthy, even munching organic, on a budget:
The season is the reason. Stock up on savings with seasonal fruits and vegetables. You'll save on seasonal eats at local farmer's markets, health food stores and mainstream markets. Freeze or dehydrate what you don't eat.
CIY - Cook it yourself. Make your fav spreads and dressings at home. Whip up a tangy homemade hummus from fresh-squeezed organic lemon juice, chopped fresh organic garlic, canned tahini and canned organic garbanzo beans. With a pinch of effort and the push of a blender button, you've got an affordable dip your kids will dig (up) with home-baked pita triangles or carrots.
Your little chefs can help you make CIY salad dressings, chip dips and toast toppers—instead of buying them pre-made, overpriced and wastefully packaged. It's faster, easier, cheaper—and tastier—than you think.
More cheap, healthy eats to come.
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during the winter months i rely heavily on frozen organic vegetables and fruits. and, in fact, my local shoprite has excellent 'store brand' frozen veggies at a substantially lower price point than the cascadian farms, etc. brands.
Don't forget beans! Dried beans are super-cheap. Dump 'em in a bowl with some water in the fridge the night before to soak, then toss 'em in the slow cooker with some spices. Poof! Instant meal, high in protein and low in fat!
I buy seasonal veggies...root veggies rock in winter. And I avoid anything processed...so expensive! You can buy brown rice and a pile of veggies and cook fabulous healthy meals that hardly cost a thing.