Your'e Taking Away Our Snack Foods?

I was a bit anxious about leaving a few of the kids' "staples" off of my "cost cutting" shopping list.  Would they survive without fruit snacks, juice, white bread, an assortment of crackers, and cereal?  Would I survive without something "quick and easy" to throw at them when they feel like snacking?  I can't tell you how many times I've sent Phoebe (my 3 year old) to the kitchen  at 6am on Saturday mornings, while I lay in bed breast feeding Greta and trying to get a few more minutes of sleep, to get herself a bowl of dry cereal to munch on.  It was so easy! But was it healthy?  Not so much.

Before we made the big change, I sat down with the kids and talked to them about what we were going to be doing, and how it would effect our eating habits.  They were already used to eating healthy and nutritious foods, but this would be the first time we would cut out COMPLETELY all the snack foods they also enjoy.  My kids are 7, 5, 3, and 1, and THEY LOVE FOOD!  I got a few perplexed looks at first when I told them our bodies didn't really NEED fish crackers, but as soon as I mentioned that, instead, we would be baking more cookies and breads from scratch, their eyes lit up and I could tell they were totally on board.

Since making the switch, our snacks consist of apple and orange slices with yogurt, sliced carrot, cucumber and celery, & homemade whole wheat chocolate chip cookies.  Frankie (my only boy, and the hungriest 5 year old I know) hasn't once asked for any of the old snacks he was used to. This is a miracle!  On top of that, he is less whiny, more focused on his school work (we homeschool and he is in Kindergarten), and he is all around a much much happier little guy.

Here is a HELPFUL TIP:

Post a clear, easy to read (possibly even illustrated) menu on the fridge EACH DAY.  I write mine out the night before so it's ready to go.  I write a big B on top for Breakfast, followed by what will be served that morning. Under that is a large S for Snack, followed by what their snack will be.  Then L for Lunch, S for Snack, and D for Dinner.....all listing what will be served.  This shows them what to expect and when to expect it.  It takes me out of the equation so if they don't like what they're served, it's not my fault, it's the menu's fault.  If the menu shows it, that's what you're eating.  End of discussion.

Children are so innocent and impressionable. It makes me happy to think that I am teaching them healthy eating habits that will shape how they eat for the rest of their lives. They are also learning how to create food with their own hands rather than look for it in a package at the grocery store.  And I hope that in the future, if offered a bowl of fruit loops for breakfast or a bowl of granola with yogurt and berries, they will opt for the latter!

Healthy kids = Happy kids

"Cutting Costs" Shopping List

Only a few days ago I began this new adventure by cutting our families food budget down to $275.00 per month.  And I am excited to say that our lives have already changed dramatically.  I was quite intimidated by the task, not sure if I could live up to my expectations for myself.  Not sure if I could make time in my day for the necessary food prep and all the cooking that goes into living on only whole, raw, and homemade foods.  While it has been a lot of hard work, it has been very rewarding and enjoyable.

Here is the shopping list I used.   I may have to tweak a few things, or add additional items to the list as the month proceeds.  We'll see how it all pans out.  But for now, these are the items I started with.


Dairy

• Full Cream 1 Quart
• Whole Organic Milk (not raw) 2 Gallons
• Cheddar Cheese  32 oz.
• Mozzarella Cheese  32 oz.
• Salted Butter  32 oz.
• Sour Cream (full fat)  1 lb.

Produce

• 20 lbs Russet Potatoes
• 5 lbs Apples
• 5 lbs Bananas
• 5 lbs Carrots
• 1 Large Celery
• 1 Green Cabbage
• 3 Heads Broccoli
• 2 Cucumbers
• 10 lbs. Oranges
• 3 lbs. Onions (yellow or white)
• Large package Baby Spinach

Grains

• Whole Wheat Flour  15 lbs.
• Whole Grain Rolled Oats  4 lbs.
• Brown Rice Pasta 32 oz.
• Brown Basmati Rice 10 lbs.

Protein/Meat/Fish

• Dry Pinto Beans  16 oz. bag
• Dry Kidney Beans 16 oz. bag
• Dry White Beans 16 oz. bag
• Dry Red Lentils  16 oz.
• Canned Pink Salmon  4 - 8 oz. cans
• Ground Beef (grass fed if possible) 5 lbs.
• Whole Chicken (w/out antibiotics or hormones) 4 or 5 lbs.
• Eggs (we get all our eggs from our own hens, but I'm guessing 5 dozen or so would do)
• Beef Bones (should not pay more than $6 on these. if they want more than that, go elsewhere)

Other

• Soy Sauce
• Natural Peanut Butter 32 oz.
• Honey x2
• Tomato Paste 2 - 13 oz. cans
• Diced Canned Tomato 4 - 28 oz. cans
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Raisins  32 oz.
• Bulk Flax Seed 16 oz.

I chose to do my shopping at the local Safeway. The GRAND TOTAL for all of it was $197.00 .  

This leaves me with over $75 dollars to pick up any extras I will need.  We go through milk quickly since we have a 12 month old who drinks whole milk bottles regularly, so we will need to buy more throughout the month.  It's also nice to have a buffer for things like spices, yeast, baking soda, etc.  

I plan to post the meals I'm creating along with pictures. So far we've had Chili with Corn Bread, Cow Tongue Tacos (The tongue was not planned and not on the shopping list. A friend brought over the parts of their recently butchered cow they weren't going to use. Thanks Pat!), and Meatloaf & Potatoes. The kids and I have baked healthy cookies, whole wheat bread, got our sourdough bread starter going, and tomorrow we will be trying out a new homemade yogurt recipe.  I feel very blessed!

Cutting Costs in the Kitchen

My very first blog post is about something that I have recently become very passionate about.  With the economy  at a low point, many families, including my own, are struggling to make ends meet.  Cutting costs of living is not only a smart thing to do, but it is essential. 

But what do you do when you feel you've cut out every expense possible? You get creative! Why not try something completely new?  Why not attempt to whittle  my monthly food budget down to $275.00?  Can it be done?  Well that is what I'm about to find out.  And I will share my strategies, recipes, mistakes and victories with you as I go. 

Today was day one.  After spending the day Yesterday planning meals and creating a shopping list (with a lot of help from other creative women who enjoy blogging and sharing their ideas), I hit the grocery store.  My main objectives in planning my menu were :  

- keeping things inexpensive, but of good quality
- including only whole, raw foods that will provide all the essential nutrients we'll need
- choosing foods that can be used in many different ways

Because I've eliminated all packaged, processed foods, I will be making a lot of things from scratch. Like homemade bread, muffins, yogurt, granola, tortillas, etc..   I realize this will increase the time I spend in the kitchen tenfold, but with a few tricks (which I'll blog about later), and better time management, I believe I can do it!  It's all about positive thinking, right?!  

Stay tuned for tips, pictures, and instructions on the meals I will be creating.  

Living simply and frugally does not mean you have to sacrifice healthy, whole, delicious foods.  That is what I intend to convey by sharing my experiences as I cut costs in the kitchen!