I hate all the talk about the economy right now. Just hate it!
I know that our economy is not in the best shape its ever been and that we are all headed for some changes (which were probably needed anyway), but I can’t stand to listen to the “doomsayers” in the newspapers and on the evening news every day and night preaching fear.
This “fear mongering” makes it possible for those with, lets say, “a little less scruples” to convince us as a nation to do things that are not really in our best interest after all… (can you say “weapons of mass destruction?”)
Sorry that’s another blog post for another time… (back to today’s blog)
There’s a lot of talk these days about a recession, even a depression, being on the way! And even though I’m not letting this talk effect me… and even though Athlon Elite is doing better than ever… there probably are a lot of other people paying more attention to their budgets right now and spending less.
If this is you, don’t sacrifice eating “clean and green,” for cheaper more unhealthy alternatives. Make your food budget stretch to cover healthy choices, it will pay huge health dividends and end up being way cheaper than doctor’s visits and lost time at work.
Here’s a food budget strategy for continuing to eat “clean and green” in tough times:
- Buy in season -Trying to eat organic summer vegetables in the winter will quickly put a dent in your food budget. Right now, root vegetables, potatoes, and winter squash are at their cheapest and their tastiest. Apples are also fresh and reasonably priced, and citrus comes into season around the holidays. Use in-season vegetables and fruits to fill your family’s table with affordable nutritious goodness.
- Think ahead - Shop once a week, and don’t shop for food while hungry. Buying all of your food on one trip avoids the trap of running to the store several times, which burns extra gas and can add extra impulse buys to your basket.
- Make a plan - Planning your weekly meals and sticking to it keeps you from buying whatever sounds good when you’re shopping. Always shop from a list.
- Buy in bulk - Try to have the staple foods on hand at all times, buying a month’s worth or more and storing it in the pantry. Many co-ops and health food stores offer discounts for case quantities and bulk bags of grains. Most grains, beans, and flour is sold in 25 or 50 pound bags. 20 pounds of beans fits perfectly in a 5 gallon bucket, keeping it fresh and safe from bugs or rodents. Check at hospitals or school cafeterias for free food-grade buckets.
- Cook at home - Eating out will burn up your cash, and many restaurants serve food with dubious origins, so cooking from scratch makes the most sense to us.
- Eat simple - For families that eat meat, cutting back meat-based dishes to once or twice a week means being able to afford organic or grass-fed choices (which are much more healthy for you on account of the omega-3 fatty acids in it). Fill out a dish with grains or beans. Making a casserole or soup can keep the menu simple and affordable.
- Make extra - A large meal cooked once a week and served as leftovers or sent for lunches helps to save energy and water. It’s less stressful for the cook as well.
- Raid the fridge - I’m the king of the end of the week random ingredient meal. I make a pot of rice (or beans, millet, etc.), sauté onions and garlic with other random veggies, mix together, and serve wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla or over a bed of brown rice.
Stay green and clean, and stay under budget…