Make healthy eating a priority. If might seem like there’s no money in the grocery budget for organic vegetables or whole foods, but usually, there is. It’s all about choices, understanding the value of nutrient-dense food as opposed to cheap yet satisfying calorie-dense food, and being a knowledgable, discerning consumer. Tana Amen said it best: “We live in a broken food culture where government subsidies support the production of cheap, low-quality, toxin-filled foods that make us sick, fat, and depressed. It’s not always easy to walk into a grocery store and choose salad greens and fish and ignore the miles of aisles filled with chemically-manufactured foods that are purposely designed to attract your attention and condition your taste buds to eat ever more sugar, fat, and salt.” Changing old eating habits and setting new priorities might be a battle at first, but the results will be worth it.
Grow your own food. Growing your own vegetables and herbs is inexpensive and easy. Plus, what an awesome way to experience your food, be outdoors, appreciate nature, and get your hands dirty.
Shop local. Farmers’ markets are a great way to get the BEST quality organic fruits, vegetables, and eggs around. It may not be as cheap as you’re used to, but here’s one tip to make things easier on your wallet: Give the “cosmetically challenged” produce a chance! A lot of times, farmers’ will set aside a box of semi-wilted greens, oddly-shaped tomatoes, or fruit that’s a tiny bit bruised and sell at a heavily discounted price to move the product. Take advantage! These are perfectly edible, especially if you’re going to make juice the greens or make home-made pasta sauce from the tomatoes.
Buy fruits and vegetables in season. Lowest price and peak flavor. Around this time, June and July, apricots, peaches, plums, cherries, strawberries, corn, cucumber, radishes, watermelon– to just name a few!
