No More Breaking the Bank to Eat Healthy!
I am not a grocery store snob. I also get a little cheap thrill out of saving some money and getting a deal. However, I do like to eat healthy, wholesome foods. Some folks thinks these two things are counterintuitive - that eating healthy is more expensive than not. I have to tell you I couldn't disagree more, and I'm not even getting into the long-term medical care costs saved by eating healthy. I'm talking here and now, money in your wallet savings.
I am fortunate to live in a city with a Whole Foods, a local fresh produce market, and a Trader Joe's. However, these places are not exactly right down the street and, let's face it, convenience often wins out. And, for me, shopping at Whole Foods on a bi-weekly basis for groceries for a family of five would definitely add up.
When we moved a few months ago, I found our nearest grocery store was a Kroger. It has taken me a little while to get used to a new grocery store and a new layout. Yesterday I made a run to replenish the refrigerator and pick up something to cook for dinner. While I was unpacking my groceries I thought, "Wow"!, I did a pretty good job of stocking up on great, healthy stuff along with some paper products and cleaning supplies, and barely spent $100.00. I couldn't help but want to share this.
Don't get me wrong - I love shopping at Whole Foods and other places, but for me, it's more for an occasion and not the normal stockpiling weekly ordeal. I want folks to know they can shop healthy wherever they are! I grew up in a small town in South Georgia where my mom shopped at Piggly Wiggly. When I would go home to visit I was still able to pile up on fresh fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. There is just no magic in making the right choirs. Granted, if she wanted a specialty item she would ask me to look for it here and send it to her, but that was before the internet and before the awareness in healthy living took hold.
Yesterday, I was able to get Amond Milk, Coconut Water, Justin's Almond butter, fruits, vegetables, wild Mahi Mahi, chocolate milk (which is my boys' choice for a workout recovery drink), probiotics, hummus, almond flour and greek yogurt. All this with only driving 5 minutes down the road. I know had I gone elsewhere my grocery bill would have likely doubled. I know this because I have done it AND I happened to be shopping on a Wednesday, which at Kroger, with their card, you can save even a little more cash. Wish I could say I had planned that!
I think we need to spread the word that eating fresh, whole foods is not more expensive than filling a cart with pre-packaged, processed stuff. Whether you shop at Wal-Mart, Kroger, Publix, Harvey's, Piggly Wiggly or wherever you might be, there are good, healthy foods to put in your cart. It's not about spending more money . . . it's just about making the right choices!
Where do you shop? Do you think you spend more money eating healthy? Do you think this mindset is changing? Do you hate grocery shopping or love it? Sometimes it's a love/hate thing with me!
Hope you are ready for a great week!
I am fortunate to live in a city with a Whole Foods, a local fresh produce market, and a Trader Joe's. However, these places are not exactly right down the street and, let's face it, convenience often wins out. And, for me, shopping at Whole Foods on a bi-weekly basis for groceries for a family of five would definitely add up.
When we moved a few months ago, I found our nearest grocery store was a Kroger. It has taken me a little while to get used to a new grocery store and a new layout. Yesterday I made a run to replenish the refrigerator and pick up something to cook for dinner. While I was unpacking my groceries I thought, "Wow"!, I did a pretty good job of stocking up on great, healthy stuff along with some paper products and cleaning supplies, and barely spent $100.00. I couldn't help but want to share this.
Don't get me wrong - I love shopping at Whole Foods and other places, but for me, it's more for an occasion and not the normal stockpiling weekly ordeal. I want folks to know they can shop healthy wherever they are! I grew up in a small town in South Georgia where my mom shopped at Piggly Wiggly. When I would go home to visit I was still able to pile up on fresh fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. There is just no magic in making the right choirs. Granted, if she wanted a specialty item she would ask me to look for it here and send it to her, but that was before the internet and before the awareness in healthy living took hold.
Yesterday, I was able to get Amond Milk, Coconut Water, Justin's Almond butter, fruits, vegetables, wild Mahi Mahi, chocolate milk (which is my boys' choice for a workout recovery drink), probiotics, hummus, almond flour and greek yogurt. All this with only driving 5 minutes down the road. I know had I gone elsewhere my grocery bill would have likely doubled. I know this because I have done it AND I happened to be shopping on a Wednesday, which at Kroger, with their card, you can save even a little more cash. Wish I could say I had planned that!
I think we need to spread the word that eating fresh, whole foods is not more expensive than filling a cart with pre-packaged, processed stuff. Whether you shop at Wal-Mart, Kroger, Publix, Harvey's, Piggly Wiggly or wherever you might be, there are good, healthy foods to put in your cart. It's not about spending more money . . . it's just about making the right choices!
Where do you shop? Do you think you spend more money eating healthy? Do you think this mindset is changing? Do you hate grocery shopping or love it? Sometimes it's a love/hate thing with me!
Hope you are ready for a great week!
