I USED to think eating healthy just wasn't an option.
Financially, I wasn't in a good place, and honestly, going into the grocery store --- the unhealthy food was not only convenient, but it was CHEAP.
As I began my health and fitness journey, my eyes were opened to what I was doing to not only MY body, but my children's bodies too. I mean really, think about this. Our kids are being raised on chemical laden junk food. This generation doesn't have a chance unless WE as parents step up and teach them, educate then, MODEL for them what it is to treat your body and life with respect.
It was a struggle -- at first I WAY overspent buying only what was on the grocery lists of health gurus I followed. There was no way I could sustain that kind of spending. But I couldn't continue feeding my family and myself shit.
As time has gone on, I have found several tips that have worked for US, and have brought our spending WAY down.
#1) Buy IN SEASON vegetables and fruit. This means in the winter, I don't buy as many berries unless they're on sale, I pick things like Squash (Spaghetti Squash is almost DAILY in my house in the winter --- all made in different ways --- check out pinterest for ideas!).
#2) Shop only ONCE every two weeks. Ensure your milk, cheese, yogurt, etc., is the one with the furthest best by date.
#3) Buy FROZEN vegetables. Nothing like going to the grocery store, buying and spending your grocery budget on a bunch of healthy food, only to realize you MUST eat all the perishable food the first week, and are left with virtually nothing week two. I buy in BULK when they're on sale. ***PERK*** You can get ORGANIC when it's frozen and not spend nearly as much.
#4) Set a budget and use ONLY CASH. Thank you Dave Ramsey. :P The cash only system has seriously helped in being able to tackle debt and move us closer to our goals. If you only have a set amount, you make due.
#5) BAKE your kid's snacks for school. Cookies, muffins, etc., and then FREEZE. Buy the ingredients at a bulk store where it's much cheaper. And this way you can feel good sending them to school with no chemicals. The videos being shared on Facebook about cancer causing kids foods are horrifying.
#6) Buy in BULK at bulk food stores. Look at the flyer and buy what is ON SALE. Raw Almonds, Oats for oatmeal, baking ingredients, pastas, etc. Lentils, chickpeas and quinoa are great for protein sources but are also very inexpensive and pack a lot of punch in terms of nutritional value.
#7) ENSURE YOU HAVE A MEAL PLAN. Having a meal plan ensures you don't OVERBUY. Take an inventory of what you currently HAVE, and then sit down to make a meal plan so you can try to use everything you have before having to go get more. This may even eliminate a week's worth of grocery cash which you can then roll onto debt or use for something else!
Last but not least:
#8) If you are serious about taking care of your body, you will NOT get the nutrition and vitamins JUST from food. Fruits and vegetables sourced here just don't have the nutritional content they used to because of lack of quality soils. Add in a calorie deficit if you are trying to lose any weight, and you will be deficient. Even IF you had your own personal garden, lots of vegetables, were NOT on a calorie deficit, you'd still be missing key vitamins. Take a multi vitamin, fatty acids, and an extra dose of packed greens. I personally take Shakeology because it combines all of them AND replaces a meal. Ends up being less expensive than buying all those vitamins, and on top of that, is convenient for me in the morning with my kids (and they drink it too for all those fussy children!) and is equivalent to 5 trips to a salad bar with more nutrition than you'll find in multi vitamins.
I hope this helps!
Below is my meal plan for week TWO of the Coach Grind where I've chosen to do 21 Day Fix Extreme until I launch Glam Squads TEST GROUP for Core De Force {{COMING SOON}}.
Keep it simple! You don't need to have new, complicated recipes every meal! Strive to try a new recipe once a week and incorporate it in if it's good!
