Feeding Your Family For Less

Ways to Spend Far Less Money.

Have fun living well 

for less!

Hello from The Kansas Flint Hills on the Prairie.

Wanna share.

FOOD PSYCH 101:
If possible SHOP when NOT HUNGRY or tired.  Shop with a grocery list that you have written out when not HUNGRY.  Do your best to buy ONLY ITEMS on your list.  Shop the perimeter of store.  More costly foods are generally in the middle aisles.  Know that the more pricier items are usually eye level so you reach for them first.  Look on lower and higher shelves that are not eye level for economically priced brands.  This is a little trick I learned from High School Distributive Education Class.
 

CHOOSE BRIGHT COLORED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES and DARK-COLORED GREENS:  Cantaloupes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and oranges are a good source of Vitamin C and beta-carotene.  Look for bright colors for the best NUTRITIONAL MERIT for your money.   The darker a vegetable is, the BETTER NUTRITION you get for your money.  Romaine lettuce has six times more vitamin C and five times more beta-carotene than iceberg lettuce.  Other deep-colored greens have more nutrients as do spinach, chicory, watercress, arugula, kale, brussels sprouts, and broccoli.

 

WHAT'S BETA-CAROTENE? 
Beta-carotene is one of a group of natural chemicals known as carotenes or carotenoids. Carotenes are responsible for the orange color of many fruits and vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes.  Beta carotene is converted in the body to vitamin A. It is an antioxidant, like vitamins E and C. 

VEGETABLE PUREES:
SAVE leftover cooked vegetables and puree them.  Tough stems of vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus even mushrooms can be steamed until soft, then whirled in a food processor or blender to use for sauces and soups.  They are healthier and CHEAPER than real cream and add a creamy taste.  FREEZE WELL.

SPAGHETTI SAUCE MADE EASY:
For about one-fourth the cost of jarred sauce, make spaghetti sauce from crushed tomatoes and mix in basil, bay leaf and oregano.  ADD small amount of vinegar and splashes of extra virgin olive oil.  SHIMMER for a few minutes.  WHALAH...that's it.  

SALAD:
Have a basic already washed organic lettuce mixture stored in the fridge ready to ADD your selection of add-ins.  I like adding some fruit such as sliced strawberries or mandarin oranges, raisins, a scoop of cottage cheese, sprinkled with a handful of pecans, handful of croutons and topped with salad dressing.  

Blessings to you and HEAVENLY DAZE,

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