How to eat clean on a tight budget

As I've posted in the past, I am always on a tight budget. Eating clean can be a challenge when moneys tight. If I had an expendable income I would buy grass fed beef, hormone free chicken, organic fruits and veggies, and many varieties of expensive nut butters. Buuuut I don't so unfortunately I can't buy that kind of stuff! One day I will be able to purchase those things but for now I make due and try to be as healthy as I can.

I do NOT however purchase frozen meals, boxed snacks, or any other cheap convenience foods.

Here are my top 3 tips to shop on a budget:

1.Go shopping when you have time and a plan.
Going to the store when you're in a rush can result in spending more money on things you don't need and forgetting the things you do.
 Make a list of the things you need and what stores you need to go to. When you go to the store try not to buy anything extra. Have a dollar amount in mind when you go shopping. I usually try to stay under $50 a week for Robbie and I.

2. Look for sales and deals. I usually always get produce on sale. Another great place for produce is a farmers market. You can also take part in bountiful baskets. You can sign up online and for about $15 get a large amount of produce. You can pay extra for organic as well.

I always get sales on meat. Meat is where I spend the bulk of my budget so if there are good deals I buy extra and freeze it so I never run low. Often times I find "manager's specials" on meat. As long as you get it in the freezer ASAP you can use it whenever you want. This allows me to get lean meats for a good price.

I get my frozen veggies usually on sale at Frys for $1. They are the kind you have to boil on the stove. It's takes a little more time than the Steamer veggies you can make in the microwave but those can cost up to $3 a bag! I also buy the Kroger brand plain greek yogurt. It's way cheaper than Fage or Chobani and just as good nutrition wise. I often grab a small bag of frozen berries for cheap as well if prooduce is not on sale that week to add to my yogurt or cottage cheese.

3. If you can afford it, get a Costco membership. I get my eggs from there for really cheap. I also love their frozen individually wrapped chicken and tilapia!

Pictured above are all the  groceries I bought for a total of just over $31

I hope this helps some of you out there struggling to buy food on a budget. If you go in with a plan, budget and list you can't go wrong. Always shop the perimeters of the store and avoid the boxed crap.

Happy Shopping!

XoXo,

E





Japanese Chicken Soup

You may have noticed a lot of soup/chili options on my blog. I often get creative in the kitchen in this area because it is fairly cheap to make a soup and when you are on a budget like Robbie and I are, we can eat it all week. Last week I made one of our favorite soups: my mom's Japanese chicken soup recipe. I revamped it a bit replacing the white rice with brown and more veggies. It is really easy to make and although it is not really soup weather it works.

Ingredients:

• 8 cups water in a large pot
• 8 low sodium chicken bullioun cubes
• 2 cans of lower sodium creamed corn (you don't have to add this but I love the corn)
• 8 eggs whipped
• 2 bags of frozen asian stir-fry veggies
• 4 boiled and shredded chicken breasts
• 2 tsp pepper
• 1-2 cups brown rice (I like to make it on the side so I can add it to my lunches but I am still able to have the soup for dinner without the rice)

Directions:

• Put the water into the pot and put the burner on high
• Add the bullioun and pepper and allow the water to boil
• turn the burner down to a medium heat
• add the 2 cans of corn and the veggies to the water
• pour in the whipped eggs and as you do so stir the soup quickly with a fork so you don't get an omellete on the top layer!
• add the chicken to the soup
• Let simmer for 15-30min
• serve with rice or without and you can always add a little low sodium soy sauce : )