-
Ten Ways to Eat Organic Foods on a Budget
I have to say if I had my preference I’d opt to buy organic produce but sometimes the prices are twice as much as the regular variety. However, I have found some ways that you can buy organic foods even when you’re watching your money. Local Farmer’s Market Spring is here and summer’s just around the corner which means more farmer’s markets setting up shop for the year. These venues are some of the best places to buy organic produce and even other organic food items like honey. Best thing is the vendors are willing to give you a deal and you can buy in bulk and save more money. Community…
-
The Blog-Desperation Dinners Ahead
Before I forget…Congratulations to Alma who was the winner of the Debbie Macomber novel. I spent most of yesterday working on a couple of week’s worth of menus as April’s going to be a busy month. I”m teaching an online writer’s workshop and getting back to work on The Budget Smart Girl book. I’m now half way done with the project and hope to have it completed by the beginning of summer. I’d love to have some input from you about what you’d like to see in a budget related book. Is there something you think most books miss? Topics that are never covered? Feel free to e-mail me with your responses. Yes, almost…
-
A Budget Smart Good Buy
One food I always think’s a good buy is fish. And this time of the year it’s an even more of a bargain. Two reasons-Lent and Frozen Food Month. During March I stock up on lots of items like fish sticks, canned tuna, frozen cod and salmon, stick it in the freezer or pantry and use it throughout the coming months. Besides being a good price there are lots of reasons to like this budget smart good buy- Perfect Speedy Meal I have about ten favorite desperation dinners as I call them. Meals that can be ready in less than 30 minutes and at least half of them are fish…
-
Cutting Down on Ready Made Foods
March means St. Patrick’s Day which always makes me think of my grandmother who was from County Cork. I’ve been paging through cookbooks figuring out what I’m going to make this St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate my Irish heritage. I’ve found recipes for dishes like colcannon and Irish soda bread. Aside from trying to recreate the foods my grandma grew up eating, I’ve been thinking about the approach her generation took toward preparing a meal. Nothing came prepackaged and they shopped for fresh local produce every day. Besides being healthier, my grandmother’s generation probably saved a whole bunch of money too. It seems supermarkets aren’t just about food any more but…
-
Another Budget Buy-Green Split Peas
Last month I featured black beans as a favorite budget find. This time it’s split green peas. Like beans, split peas are also a fat free, high in fiber food. And they’re inexpensive…this bag cost just 99 cents. Unlike beans, they need no presoaking. All they require is a wash and rinse to make sure they’re free of dust and the odd small stone that can sometimes creep into the mix. One of my favorite recipes is split pea soup. I had one I’d used for years but it took a long time to cook. Unless I continually monitored it, I was always faced with split peas and potatoes that got stuck to the bottom of the pan.…
-
How Not to be a Boring Cook
I have to admit I enjoy eavesdropping. A few weeks ago I heard a lady complaining to her friend about how tired she was of cooking and eating the same meals day after day. It’s not only people who are trying to stay within a budget that get bored, but it happens to everyone at some point. We get busy so we reach for our favorite standbys or we get stressed and make the same comfort foods. When we’re on a budget there’s a tendency to go around the store in automatic drive putting the same old boxes of this and that into the cart instead of taking a chance on something new. Every so often I find myself…
-
Forget the steak… five reasons to love stews
When the temperature dips there’s sometimes nothing better to eat than a bowl of hearty stew. It’s comfort food at its very best and some of my favorite food memories from childhood are indulging in a stew my grandmother had cooked. Meat, vegetables and a savory liquid that are simmered together for hours on top of the stove to take away the chill of a winter’s day. It’s not surprising that just about every cuisine in the world has its own version. However, the best thing about a stew is, apart from the fact it tastes so good, it’s the budget smart cook’s best friend. Easy on the Cook Stews are one…
-
Bargain Foods-Black Beans
One of my favorite budget foods are beans…and they’re good for you too. No fat, lots of protein and high in fiber which experts say most of us don’t get enough of these days. Plus, with so many varieties you might never get bored. Once upon a time I purchased canned beans thinking you couldn’t get much cheaper than that. I had tried dried beans but didn’t like the hassle of soaking them and then standing over the pan to make sure they didn’t boil over on the stove or worse still, stick to the saucepan. Well, that was until I heard about using the slow cooker. Now I’m hooked and won’t go back to…
-
Adding Flavor to Everyday Foods
Food prices are creeping upwards again which makes me want to get maximum flavor out of all the foods I prepare. Over the years I’ve been experimenting with a few ideas and simple ingredients that are inexpensive- Select One Food Over Another The iceberg variety always seems to be the cheapest lettuce in the produce department. However, once in awhile it’s great to have some variety even if it does cost 20 cents more. Some of my favorites are romaine and red leaf. Another tip is if salad is going to be the main course, go with the lettuce with more flavor. The same goes for parsley. If I’m just using it a…
-
Breakfast on a Budget
Eating a hearty breakfast has many pluses. It keeps your blood sugar constant…no mid-morning or afternoon snacking. Studies have shown that people who eat a good breakfast tend to weigh less. Children do better at school. Best thing is breakfast food items are some the least expensive at the store. So why do so many of us skip the most important meal of the day? Probably because we don’t have time or find the same old foods boring. Here are some of my ideas for breakfasts that can be put together either the night before or even prepared at the weekend for week long eating. Oatmeal I have to say…
You must be logged in to post a comment.