How much do you spend per month on groceries?
My family certainly spends more than $100 each month.
Earlier this week, I spoke with a gentleman who has a $100 budget
organic 4for food every month.  During our strategy session, I gave him many suggestions for improving his health, and unfortunately, many products that I suggested would take him out of his budget.

organic3Another friend of mine mentioned that during the holidays, her food budget decreases, because she’s spending a lot of her income on gifts.  Yet another friend mentioned that eating well is too expensive, and requires too much time.

I had to get creative. 

Organic really is more expensive.  If you go to your local grocery store and compare conventional produce to organic, you’ll see the difference, if you haven’t already noticed.  It’s an absolute MUST in our home, and we actually do not check the prices because it’s not an option for us. Why? Because food that is not organic generally contains one or more of the following:

antibiotics
artificial growth hormones
high fructose corn syrup
artificial dyes (made from coal tar and petrochemicals)
artificial sweeteners derived from chemicals
synthetically created chemical pesticide and fertilizers
genetically engineered proteins and ingredients
sewage sludge
irradiation

 

kraptPlease empower yourself and do some research.  These are not things you want in your body-or anyone you know! The truth is, organic really just means REAL food. It’s the food that our ancestors would have just referred to as food. Now we have so much complexity in our world that there are a million confusing labels.  I love this video, and how it really exaggerates that point.

Back to the basics here.  Is it possible to eat well with only $100 per month.  I say yes.

Lowest cost veggies, year round’ :

cabbage

carrots

celery

potatoes

onions

farmer's markets have the best deals
farmer’s markets have the best deals

Yes, you’ll end up a bit hungry if you’re living on these few veggies everyday, so the next few items are dried beans, and rice. Beans and rice are a perfect combination, and are great fuel for the body. Mixed with the veggies listed above, you have yourself a super nutritious meal.  Oats are next!  Oats make for a great breakfast…a bit of cinnamon and for an extra special treat-cooked with an apple, delicious!  Apples are very very important to buy organic.  The conventional apples are extremely toxic. 

If you have a farmer’s market in your area, it’s even easier to buy low-cost product, because what’s in season will usually be cheaper. Buying more produce, and less products in a package (preferably none at all), will decrease the grocery bill. Shop on the perimeter of the grocery store. Buy less meat will also decrease the grocery bill.

Try these options for

super low-cost, super easy to make (and take along) meals:

when in doubt, beans, greens and rice!  Mushrooms for protein :)
when in doubt, beans, greens and rice! Mushrooms for protein 🙂

beans, rice and potatoes, onions, tomatoes and celery: how amazing is it that you can make this and eat it for two days?  In a rush? Have beans and rice in your fridge ready to go!  Put some in a mason jar, and voilà! Lunch for work!

soup with all of the veggies above (beans and rice optional)

taco salad with iceberg lettuce, beans, rice, tomatoes, onions (avocado optional)

breakfast: oats with apples and cinnamon

Miso with veggies is one of my favorite  low-cost, quick and easy meals.
Miso with veggies is one of my favorite low-cost, quick and easy meals.

Eating well doesn’t have to be a challenge. It’s all about habits, and your why.  

broccoli and potatoes-low cost and gorgeous!
broccoli and potatoes-low cost and gorgeous!

What is your “why?”  Please share in the comments section below.  If you don’t do this step, at least do it for yourself.  Put it in writing. The man I mentioned in the beginning has diabetes.  This is his why. He’s not ready to surrender to his supposed fate.  He’s going to overcome diabetes and not let it rule his life.  What is your why?  I want to live my life to the fullest, and enjoy every moment-which I know is much easier when I am fueled.  Why do you want to give yourself this gift? When would now be a good time to start?