That vicious grocery budget. Getting and keeping that nasty thing under control has been a beast. A real piece of work, I tell ya! More like a huge pain in my tushy but you get what I'm talking about.
I've spent 5 years in the making trying to get this under control. FIVE years! You wouldn't think it would be so hard but it has been completely brutal. Hours and hours of time spent conniving up plans of action. Menu planning, shopping trips, researching, changing methods, changing what we eat, then changing it all over again. One thing would work, yet I'd always end up failing. Budget blown. Over-spent. And usually by a lot. Can anyone else relate?
I've been trying so hard to have our family eat a healthy, real foods diet, but this task has seemed nearly impossible, at least until now.
I'm here to tell you (and myself) it can be done. It can be controlled! Take that you beast of a budget you! You can eat healthy and keep you wallet slim(ish). Note the -ish, as I realize we all have different incomes and budgets to work with.
I think I've finally nailed it though- at least for our family and I hope I can be of help to anyone else out there who has struggled too.
Over the next month, I am going to share with you all my tips, tricks, cheats, and sneaks. All my wins and failures. And everything else under the sun I have thought of in regards to food budgeting. I'll share our own personal budget and menu for the month of July (mostly tried and true yummy recipes), how much we spend, where we shop and anything else I can think of to help you successfully achieve the same. I'm going to show you bit by bit how it works for me and my family.
*Major disclosure though.* Eating healthy and sticking to a budget is not easy. I repeat, not easy. You'll need patience. Lots of it. and plenty of time to prepare and plan. It's worth it though, I promise.You're body will feel energized and clean and your families' will too.
Feel free to use what I have to get you started. Soon enough you'll be kicking that mean ol' blown budget to the curb too.
6.26.2014
Our Favorite Tropical Smoothie
Our family loves smoothies of all kinds. We generally try to do at least one smoothie or fresh pressed juice a day, whether for breakfast, or even with our dinner. Ever since owning a Vitamix blender, we have really gone in full force of this smoothie making business. High-powered blenders are a must now and we can never look back. If you don't already own one, I strongly suggest you save your pennies and get on board! This smoothie is oh. so. delicious. Trust me. Your taste buds will be thanking you (and me, of course, for the recipe!).
Our Favorite Tropical Smoothie:
Ingredients-
1 Cup Coconut Water
2 Oranges, Peeled
1 Banana (Frozen)
1 Cup Frozen Pineapple Chunks
1 Small Lime, Zested & Squeezed
2 Tablespoons Ground Flax
Optional: 1-2 Cups Spinach (to up those greens in your diet!)
Directions-
Add all ingredients to a blender (preferably a high-powered one, such as a Vitamix). Blend. Enjoy.
1.07.2013
Brownie Truffles
I love brownies. Okay..... I REALLY love brownies, but ever since going gluten-free, I'll admit I haven't been able to enjoy that dense, gooey, chocolaty square of goodness that I miss ever so much. I'll also admit I haven't tried making any gluten-free brownies from scratch. I know recipes exist and I'm sure there are amazing ones out there, but let's face it, I'm much too busy lazy to whip up a batch from scratch. It was so much easier on those pre-gluten-free days to get a box mix, add in the water,egg, and oil and voila!
So these Brownie Truffles do not taste exactly like a brownie of those olden days but they are still super good. Seriously, YUM! This treat definitely satisfies a sweet tooth and a bonus, they are actually kinda good for you. They are gluten-free, refined-sugar free, can be vegan, and made with whole, real foods.
Gotta love that!
Double Bonus- My 3 year old absolutely loves these. Yes!
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Brownie Truffles:
Yield- 18-21 balls
Adapted from Oh She Glows
Ingredients-
1/2 Cup Raw Cashews
1 Packed Cup Pitted Dates
2 Tablespoon Raw Cacao Powder
1 1/2 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 Teaspoon Real Sea Salt
1/4 Cup Chocolate Chips (preferably allergen-friendly such as Enjoy Life brand)
1/4 Cup Shredded, Unsweetened Coconut
1/3 Cup Walnut or Pecan Pieces
Directions-
1. In a food processor, add the cashews and process just until you get a fine crumb.
2. Next add in the dates and process until chunky. Add in the rest of the ingredients minus the walnuts and process until a dough forms. Pulse in walnuts so they remain a bit chunky. If dough is too dry, add a bit more maple syrup.
3. Form into balls, about the size of a tablespoon and store in an air-tight container in the fridge. Try not to eat them all in a day if you can!
Enjoy!
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