I thought I'd share. I am a bit of a health nut, not only am I calories, fat, etc conscious but I hate chemical in my food! But I am in alaska so my budget and overall options have me a bit limited. We don't have a whole lot of organic up here, so I do what I can by making jus about everything from scratch... Seriously everything. I know exactly what is in it and I can control the calories.
So, the tips... I feel you can use these any where and probably cheaper than me! First and foremost whether your budgeting, watching what you eat or both... PLAN!!! It doesn't take that long and you can plan as far or as not so far ahead as you'd like. I plan my husband and my meals about a week in advance. I typically plan to cook every other da, so I make enough for 4 servings. I hardly ever waste... EVER! I hate wasting it is throwing money away... And wasting all the hard work I out into a meal I work with my husband (you can with your kids, my parents did!) I ask if he's craving anything, or if there is something we haven't had in awhile. Then I take what he says, if anything and PLAN MY MEALS AROUND THE SALES. Now DO NOT fall for the sales trickery! Only buy it if you need it! That is why you're planning after all Stay on track. If you don't feel like eating the meal you planned then use what you have and switch it!
Now tips for keeping it healthy. This is a bit hard because my husband hates chicken! And beans! And most potato! And loves cheese and pasta and beef... Ugh! So I make things like tacos with low fat beef, fajitas and I use lettuce as a wrap instead of tortillas. I make risotto with barley and no cheese, I'll bake instead of fry, and use bulgur (my secret amazing ingredient that I'll put in another post) to fluff things up. Spend a little extra for the organic where you can and make from scratch as much as possible. I make all of my lunches on Sunday or at least all of the pieces. For example, this week I had chicken caesarean salads! So I prepped the chicken, bulgur, and homemade Cesar dressing on Sunday.
Tips
Plan plan plan
Plan around the sales
Don't let the sales trick you into buying things you do not need!
Work with your family to plan
Take your time, prep, think, enjoy!
So, the tips... I feel you can use these any where and probably cheaper than me! First and foremost whether your budgeting, watching what you eat or both... PLAN!!! It doesn't take that long and you can plan as far or as not so far ahead as you'd like. I plan my husband and my meals about a week in advance. I typically plan to cook every other da, so I make enough for 4 servings. I hardly ever waste... EVER! I hate wasting it is throwing money away... And wasting all the hard work I out into a meal I work with my husband (you can with your kids, my parents did!) I ask if he's craving anything, or if there is something we haven't had in awhile. Then I take what he says, if anything and PLAN MY MEALS AROUND THE SALES. Now DO NOT fall for the sales trickery! Only buy it if you need it! That is why you're planning after all Stay on track. If you don't feel like eating the meal you planned then use what you have and switch it!
Now tips for keeping it healthy. This is a bit hard because my husband hates chicken! And beans! And most potato! And loves cheese and pasta and beef... Ugh! So I make things like tacos with low fat beef, fajitas and I use lettuce as a wrap instead of tortillas. I make risotto with barley and no cheese, I'll bake instead of fry, and use bulgur (my secret amazing ingredient that I'll put in another post) to fluff things up. Spend a little extra for the organic where you can and make from scratch as much as possible. I make all of my lunches on Sunday or at least all of the pieces. For example, this week I had chicken caesarean salads! So I prepped the chicken, bulgur, and homemade Cesar dressing on Sunday.
Tips
Plan plan plan
Plan around the sales
Don't let the sales trick you into buying things you do not need!
Work with your family to plan
Take your time, prep, think, enjoy!