Typically it surprises people when I tell them that usually I spend around $30-$50 dollars a week on groceries depending on the season, quests, and how many juices I decide to make.
Here are just a few ideas that might help someone out if they are interested in eating vegetarian, vegan, raw, or juicing more often but consider it to be too expensive.
Some things to consider is that by buying more produce you are assisting in decreasing animal product sales, supporting farmers, and creating your own health care program. By eating healthy we can have a positive impact on not just ourselves but the world.
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Healthy On A Budget
- If you are juicing more often consider buying bags of fruits, cases, checking out wholesale warehouses, and of course getting in touch with your local farmers. Usually there is some sort of case discount on these items. This will also prevent more visits to the grocery store where you might buy items you do not truly need, emit fumes and use up more gasoline, and overall be wasteful. One thing to be careful with when purchasing cases or bags of items is inspecting your produce. Typically when I buy bagged apples or mixed fruits at least one item is bruised. At some stores these bags of fruits are at a discount because the fruits are on the verge of getting moldy
- Buying in bulk is also helpful if you are a big tea drinker or like making tonics, consider researching bags of different herbs to make your own amazing fresh blends. If you consume a lot of nut or seed milks, raw vegan gourmet foods or so on poke around for some sweet bulk deals on these goodies. One wonderful website for bulk, herbs and snack deals with tons of knowledgeable information is therawfoodworld.com
- If buying cases or bags of items is not practical because of the space you live in, try seeing if someone you know wants to split it with you. This way you can get others eating more plant based foods, save money, and have someone to share this experience with. Some wholesale warehouses actually have this as an option on their site, so please never be scared to ask someone. The worst thing that can happen is you are told “no,” and that’s not a big deal.
- Seasonal produce is almost always more affordable as well as local produce. Learn more about what grows in your state, what is in season when and also consider that natural disasters can make it difficult at times to find certain items. Eating seasonal food will also decrease assist in eliminating the environmental damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles, your food dollar goes directly to the farmer, and your family will be able to enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables. When it’s fresh it tastes better, feels better, looks yummier and there are more vitamins, nutrients and so on that we need.
- If you want to juice more, try adding water to your juices so it makes a larger batch. Also become more familiar with high water content produce. If you are not following a strict juice cleanse, possibly add soaked chia seeds or ground flax to aid in achieving satiated feeling.
- These high water content foods like romaine and celery usually happen to be more affordable too. They make a great dominate juice in your concoctions as well.
- I have mentioned before that some juicers do not twist your goodies completely dry. Please check your pulp and see if it needs to go through your machine again or if you want to strain it. Use your pulp to make broths, crackers, crusts, dog treats, dehydrated treats, or may be dry and grind them to make your own spice blend.
- Whenever you buy produce and you are getting ready to store your goodies inspect the leaves, stems, crown, if it is wet, the rind, and etc. Pull moldy berries out, check that your citrus fruits aren’t wet and so on. This way you are protecting the rest of your food, those moldy or wet pieces can spread bacteria and cause the rest of your food to go bad quickly. In the end this typically aids in keeping your produce happy, healthy and not thrown out. If you do not know how to pick a healthy bunch of something, ask someone next to your shopping or someone who works at the store. At Farmer’s Markets and stands people are always extremely helpful and knowledgeable with this type of picking, seasonal foods, and storing information.
According to SoSA, “…in the U.S. we throw away about 263 million pounds of food a day.”
- Only buy what you NEED. I know I mentioned buying cases and bags of items, but if you know you will not go through them quickly or that you do not plan on consuming 2 juices a day or more then cases of items are most likely not necessary. Just because something is on sale does not mean you “have” to buy it
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Since I buy bags of romaine, celery, lemons, apples and grapefruits I personally go to the grocery store roughly every three days for dark leafy greens, root vegetables, herbs, and so on. I occasionally buy bags of carrots which happen to last in the fridge for a super duper long time and have a fairly long season.
- Use as much of the fruit, vegetable, herb and so on as possible. Try to throw away almost nothing. Only trim off just enough of a stem, or keep as much as the pith of a fruit on as possible. Have patience while you cut and peel your produce.
- There is absolutely nothing wrong with eating or making a simple juice. Keeping life simple is one of the most difficult things we have created on our own. A lot of times I make just a cucumber celery juice. I enjoy eating a cucumber and just biting into it letting all the water attack my face
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It is not necessary to have a certain amount of items in a juice, there are no rules that it has to be complicated, 3 ingredients or more, and etc.
- If there is a dressing or meal you really enjoy at a restaurant for example find out what ingredients are made and make it on your own! You will make a much larger batch, save money, may possibly be able to cut out ingredients that are unnecessary, and make adjustments if needed using healthier options.
- Of course when or if possible grow as much as you can at home. May be that means growing herbs, having a hanging tomato plant, different types of lettuce anything is better than nothing.
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I hope these ideas can be of some assistance in eating more plant based foods while being on a bit of a budget. At first it may seem overwhelming or complicated, but once you do some of these simple steps things will start flowing into a routine. It ends up helping tons in the end, and your health is completely worth it. Thank you all for taking the time to stop by my site. Wishing you all an excellent week. Much love <3 and raw power 
Jess
