Wednesday, July 9, 2014

How to SHOP HEALTHY on a budget!

So you want to eat healthier foods, but you feel that they aren't the most budget friendly options?

You've come to the right place!
Today, I am just going to show you a few staple foods that you can save money on by thinking outside the box, and also demonstrate a few tips and tricks that will have you saving even more money!

So first, buy the cheaper option.
Sounds obvious right? What am I talking about?

Think about berries... they can be really pricey. Here's my tip, only buy fresh berries ON SALE! The rest of the year, buy frozen! Why? They are healthier for you (fresh berries in the winter are most likely not grown locally). AND they cost less! Woot woot! Think the same for veggies as well! Try to stay away from canned fruits and veggies. They are usually loaded with sodium and sugar, and they aren't a good deal...like, ever!

What do you like to have for breakfast?
Do you get those little packages of instant oatmeal? How about making your own with Quick Oats? You can flavor them however you prefer, and you don't have all of the junk that comes with the artificial flavoring! It doesn't take much time, and you get way more bang for your buck!
Also, if you don't already, try adding eggs to your diet. Eggs are a great source of morning protein to keep you feeling full all day, and they are usually pretty cheap! You can even mix an egg into your oats before cooking them for added protein!


Skip pre-packaged ANYTHING! Especially Veggies. They won't last as long and the quality goes down, while the price goes up! Instead, make your own mixes. It doesn't take much time, and you will be saving so much money down the road!


Get smart about meats! If you eat meat, try buying larger pieces, like a whole chicken instead of a bag of boneless breasts. Buy roasts instead of pre-cut steaks. Pound for pound, you'll be saving loads of money this way, even if you have to get a bit creative at times! If you have some favorite cuts, wait until they are on sale and stock up then, or get to know your local butcher; sometimes they can snag you some awesome deals! Start up a garden, or take up a new hobby of hunting or fishing. You'd be surprised how much money you can save, and you'll feel better spending time outside, enjoying nature! If you buy your fish, purchase frozen fish rather than fresh, especially if you live away from the coast. Most likely, the 'fresh fish' you bought at the store was frozen and thawed then put on ice, anyway. Frozen fish is flash froze and a much smarter option. 


Buy in bulk (things that have a longer shelf life). I would encourage you to avoid bulk stores if possible. Instead, look for good sales and coupons and bulk up on food that way, but if there is one thing to buy in bulk, it's items with a long shelf life. This could include spices, grains, oils, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, dry beans, etc. One of the benefits of adding oils and spices to your food is that you can have healthy food that tastes better than some of your favorite junk foods! We really go through the spices in our home!

Use, reuse, recycle. This can go for everything! Have veggie tops or meat bones that you aren't sure what to do with? Make a stock or soup that you can easily freeze and use later. The canisters that your foods come in make great storage containers and sometimes come in handy around the house. Never throw out citrus peels... you can create non-toxic cleaners and/or boil them to create inviting aromas in your home! Get creative!


Whatever you do, keep it simple and have fun! You don't have to revamp your habits all in one go! This is a process that might take some time! Figure out what works for you and be sure to try new things until you find a routine that you enjoy!

If you have any questions, or would like more info on some of the tips and tricks that I use, feel free to either comment, or shot me an email 
cheltzey.blf@gmail.com!

Happy Shopping, and good luck with your healthy lifestyle!




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