So with my new cookbook out, I had a friend who was cooking several of the recipes for a family member and wanted to know just how much I spend on “being healthy” This is great food for thought and so I wanted to share my opinion on this with you.
Like everything else in life, you put your money where your heart is. People can say one thing and do another but if you look at where they spend their money, this is a good indication of where their priorities lie.
Before I started really paying attention to my health and my budget in terms of grocery shopping, I spent on an average of $800 per month for three of us to eat. (Mind you, i have a gangly 18 year old!) This amount DID NOT include dining out. Wow!
So a year or so ago, I made a pantry list and this list is what I use to keep my kitchen stocked. The items on here are ones that I use to make a variety of meals and if I have these ingredients on hand, they will not only last me the entire month but provide great meals for the month thus eliminating the need for repetative trips to the grocery store and the inclination to dine out. Hint hint. We all know that a quick trip to walmart or target for eggs can turn into a $80 day.
Now that I am watching what I buy and put into my body (priority ONE) I only spend about $500 per month on groceries. I buy organic and local whenever I can, I buy items like organic brown rice, spelt flour, canned beans and tomatoes, frozen veggies and fresh organic fruit when I can get it. I make from scratch most of the meals that we eat and don’t ever use boxed meals. I also make most of our bread. For this season I have signed up for a local organic CSA (Community supported agriculture-farmofplenty.com) so I will get fresh herbs, greens and produce every other week. In the summer months I try and hit a farmers market every week as well and try to know my farmers so I know they are not treating their produce with miracle grow, fungacides or other herbacides.
So the choices come down sometimes to a dollar or two difference between organic and non…my advice? Skip the coffee stop or the cigarette buying or the candy bar and invest in you and your family and choose healthier options.
Now, don’t think for a moment, I have more time than you do. I run two businesses, go to school full time, not to mention being a wife and mother of a homeschooled teen. I CHOOSE to make our food and cooking a priority as it is the fuel you give your body and affects more than just your checkbook!
The other thought I will put out there is this. Until we decide AS A SOCIETY to buy organics and healthier food options, ask for them, consume them and support local farmers and coops that provide them, BIG AG will always take your money time and time again. When I say BIG AG I mean your corporations from the seed makers right through to the company name on your cereal box!
Last but not least, I should say that my cookbook can be used with an nice wholegrain organic flour and dairy products if you choose, but invest in yourself by getting off of the refined sugar so please use the recommendations I give in it. BIG AG already fills you up with alot of refined sugars in your normal grocery store purchases of this which is directly related not just to childhood obesity in our country but in Type 2 Diabetes which is a lifestyle disease!
