You might NOT realize this but we truly are at war with the food in this country.
The Grocery Store IS the Battlefield (essentially)… think I’m spewing nonsense? It’s true, take off your blinders and wake up – BIG FOOD, Monsanto and HUGE pharmaceutical companies dominate our food and health care system.
Think they have your best interest at heart? I’m here to say that they don’t.. our government elects are too moved by money, fame and power.
Consumers are driven by cheap prices, and convenience while their health takes a backseat.
The outcome (poor health) is completely avoidable by better choices, yet is often prescribed as an easier solution.
What’s a Frugal Shopper to do?
I LOVE saving money on my food – there is NO question about that. We are on a tight budget just like everyone else that is trying to save. But, there is ONE difference: I LOVE to eat real food. Not packaged food. Not factory farmed food. Not processed food. I like real food.
Just a few days ago, someone wrote to me and said “I’d LOVE to eat like you do. But I think it’s impossible. It’s too expensive. There is NO way we could afford that.”
I don’t believe that we spend all that much quite honestly so I took offense to that immediately.
We have a shift in priorities versus the average consumer – while some prefer the grocery store, we prefer to support our local farmer
While we prefer to make food at home, others prefer to buy it pre-made
While “cheap meat” may entice some people to stock up on chicken drumsticks for $.48 a pound, I’m the one who has to ask WHERE that chicken was processed – why is it so cheap? Before… a few years ago, I would have NEVER bothered to ask. It was cheap, what more could I want?
Considering you can spend $80 – $90 in YOUR shopping cart on food that is full of processed sugar, I’ll take that $90 and spend it on entirely different items, without stepping foot in the grocery store.
This person had to ask “Well what DO you eat???”
Feeding my family is FAR beyond opening a box of cereal and dumping on milk. It’s far richer than ripping open a pack of Keebler and throwing the in the lunchbox every morning. It just is. Perhaps not as convenient, but you pick your battles. My battle is that.
If you don’t think you can eat better, then take a look at the number of people that have medical issues right now in this country. Those that rely on prescription medicine to alleviate issues with their heart, high blood pressure, and cholesterol – things that diet can ultimately help rectify if given the opportunity.
Genetically Modified Food (GMO’s) are a HUGE business in this country. If they weren’t, then you wouldn’t see them pushed so hard. Items that are banned in other countries are sold here without any repercussions. Produce that is sold cheap here in the grocery store might just be a great deal, but added to the other great deals you find .. those items too may be drenched in pesticide. Consider the long term effects, and if that doesn’t worry you then I’m not sure what to say.
Most people know that they need to eat better.
After ditching bad food and making better choices the last few years, I will say that the transition was NOT easy. Especially when you see that checkout counter inflation.. the opportunity to stock up on advertised deals for MUCH less – and promotions that offer FREE milk when you buy 3 {Highly Sugared} Kids Cereals. Promotions like Monopoly Games (Albertsons & Safeway) to get you to come back into the store… Instant Win Games (Fry’s) that are for highly processed foods – sure, they might be fun to do, but the items you are vying for are not really that good in the big scheme of things.
Most people just accept food as is and move on – their sanity is more important than what they put in their mouth. Food IS a big deal in this country – considering the health problems we have, starting from kids that are just infants to adults that are on multiple medications a day.
Here are 10 ways to Incorporate {Real} Whole Food in your Family – On a Budget
#1 – Join a CSA
I can’t say enough about this – joining a CSA helps the farmer.. you’ll score a box or bag FULL of local, organic produce from your own area. Every week is different — and usually you can get a full or a half share.
We opt for a full share ($25) and it lasts us ALL week. Not to mention we support the farmer who has the same mindset We do.
#2 – Buy Local
It’s RARE that we go to the grocery store – buying from your local farmer (Milk or Produce) directly or at their Farmers Market will help you support your local economy a LOT more than giving the grocery store your dollars.
You will get fresher produce.
Your meat will be much higher quality – not to mention you know where it comes from.
#3 – Grow your Own Produce
Anyone can grow items in the space they have. Herbs in the window, plants on the porch – even check your area for a Seed Library to get a hold of heirloom seeds that you can grow in your own backyard, too.
#4 – Plan your Menu AFTER
This ultimately works well for those of you on a CSA – we too plan our meals around the produce from our CSA – we ensure that ALL of that produce gets used before our next pick up.. and it also allows us to use up the items we have already in the pantry.
Planning after allows you to get those items you need only for that week – eliminating any waste you might have had if you were shopping BEFORE . Of course, there are pantry items we keep as staples, so that helps too.
#5 – Buy Bulk Items in Bulk
We might not go to the grocery store each week, but we do make ONE large Costco trip once a month – that trip allows us to get our Grains and Bread, Oatmeal and {some} produce in Bulk – outstanding prices on those Organic items .. without having to clip or find a deal in store.
#6 – Stop Eating Out
For us, just one meal out for 6 of us is $30 – $35 – if we were to go the Fast Food Route. Kids have activities? Then plan before and make something at home. Invest in an Instant Pot and try some of our Instant Pot recipes – the pot will actually cook it while you are gone and keep it warm. Stop making excuse to roll through a fast food window or restaurant just because you failed to plan.
I know that sounds so harsh but it’s the truth. The cost of convenience for you could have purchased you $30 – $35 in “healthy” food (you know, the food that is so impossible to afford).
#7 – Read Labels
This might sound overwhelming for you but considering that 85% – 90% of the grocery store is processed food anyways, staying clear of the center aisles and learning how to read labels on the rest of the items will not be that huge in terms of time. It’s easy.
Avoid things with 5 or more ingredients. Look for real items – you know, items not in a box. Think that the kids cereal with free milk is a great deal? Think again – it’s all sugar.. does the grocery store care? Not really – their goal is to sell you as much of what is in their store as they can.
#8 – Learn the EWG’s Dirty Dozen and Clean 15
Be familiar with this list – you don’t have to buy everything “good” – but remember that if you belong to a CSA you likely won’t even have to think about the Clean 15 or Dirty Dozen as most CSA’s are pesticide free or Organic.
#9 – If you Work, Brown Bag It
Taking your own lunch is so much more cost effective and better than buying lunch out. You don’t have to worry about what’s in your foot and how much the bill will be… simply allow yourself enough the night prior for an extra serving and put it in a container.
Invest in some lunch containers that you can bring to work every day and reuse.. encourage your co-workers to brown bag it with you.. take your money saved and re-invest into your savings account. You might be surprised to find out exactly what you were spending!
#10 – Drink More Water
Ditch your sports drinks, juice boxes and soda and head for water. Invest in a Stainless Steel Water Bottle like this one HERE to take with you to work daily.
Don’t like water plain?
Then learn how to add fruit and experiment with essential oils in your water – but make sure you are using quality essential oils (and you can see what we recommend HERE).
Switching to a real food diet is not something that you should shun off because you think you can’t afford it. Take your grocery purchases on a regular basis and add those to what you spend on snacks, Starbucks purchases, and even going out to eat – THAT is your real food budget.
We have mentioned before – we might not coupon like we did a few years ago but guess what? Our grocery bill hasn’t really changed much at all – the only change is that we are not sitting on a FULL pantry of cardboard boxes and processed food. We actually DO have food, but it’s food that requires effort to make. Meat might be cheap at the grocery store but it’s not exactly the meat you want to feed your family … or is it?
Find a local farmer, and make some small changes – you might be surprised at how far your money will go.