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Frugal Moms – Deal of the Week

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Why Eating Healthy Cost Less

I remember the really hard times we had when my husband and I were young and starting out.  Eating healthy really seemed like the bottom on our list of priorities because just scraping enough money together to put meals on our table for our 3 boys seemed like enough challenge.

I also remember dreading each and every winter because it meant facing a lot of sickness and sleepless nights with a child throwing up or whining of an earache.  I also never thought much about the deterioration of mine own health and that what we ate or didn’t eat was affecting us that much.

While it is true that fresh vegetables and eating wholesome seems to cost more, there’s the other side of the coin to consider that makes you realize how much less it really does cost.

Here’s some points to ponder on why eating healthy cost less:

1. As  you begin to eliminate some of the “fast foods”, “convenience foods” and “processed foods” out of your diet, you end up spending much less. Most of processed foods have additives and unhealthy chemicals that deteriorate your health and actually cause you to crave more junk food.   You can begin to eliminate most of this and save money as well by learning to make your own salad dressings, salsa, pancake syrup, yogurt and other condiments.

You can also make your own snacks and sweet treats which usually cost much less than the store. Plus, you’ll have more control over the amount of sugar that is used.  I was shocked to learn that most of my recipes tasted just as pleasant with less sugar. I realize now that we’ve been consuming way to much sugar in our diet.

The key here is to progress slowly. You can get quite overwhelmed trying to make a huge change over night.  Focus on a couple of new healthy recipes each month and learn to make just one more convenience item on your own.  Then, establish a routine that allows you to keep stocked up on certain items.  For instance, I make salsa every Thursday.  This way, we can use the salsa for nachos on the weekend and any leftover salsa I can use for cooking in my recipes the following week.

2. After your body becomes accustomed to eating healthier, you’ll end up eating a lot less. Once your body becomes “nutritionally satisfied”, you’ll require a lot less food to feel satisfied.  Those cravings to constantly eat will slowly vanish.  How can you not save more money by eating way less?

For example: Snacking a just a small portion of nuts satisfies hunger far longer than potato chips and nuts are better for you nutritionally.   Carrots ward off hunger far better than any candy bar can.

Keep your kids from whining about food by setting limits on when they eat and how much they eat.  Soon, they won’t be thinking about food all the time.  And if your snacks are healthy, you won’t have to keep buying tons of snacks to keep them satisfied.

Popcorn is always a real winner.  Save money by popping your own over the stove.  You’ll be surprised how easy it really is.  You’ll save lots of money eliminating the microwave bags and it’s much healthier for you without all the additives.

3.  Eating healthy means being sick less often. Less visits to the doctor equal less stress, less time wasted in the doctor’s office, less money spent on co-pay and medicine.  The healthier you and your family members are, you’ll reap more benefits that far outweigh the arguments that you can’t afford to eat healthy.

Some extra tips for eating healthy on a budget:

Watch for sales on frozen vegetables. These are healthier than canned vegetables in the long run because they retain their nutrients more, plus you’re not paying for all that extra sodium and water in the canned products.

Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. You will usually find better sales on seasonal fruits and vegetables; therefore, plan your meals according to the season and what’s available at a decent price.

Buy produce by the bag, not by the piece if available. (Example: apples, grapefruit, onions, oranges, potatoes, etc.)

Don’t put junk food in your shopping cart. Eating junk food only adds to cravings for more junk food which wastes your money on food that doesn’t provide adequate nutrition.  Make your own pudding, cookies and brownies and use less sugar.  Another benefit of not having junk food within reach is that you will more than likely evaluate how bad you really need that sweet treat before you get into the kitchen to start baking since it takes some work.

Plan a few meatless meals during the week. Cut down on the amount of meat you buy.  Most of us eat way more meat than we need to.  Vegetable soups and salads can make terrific meals without meat.   One idea is to cook meat one day and save the juices to flavor a vegetable soup the next day.   To make your salads more hearty, chop up any small leftover meat scraps to toss in with your salad.

Drink water, milk or real juice on sale instead of soft drinks: Drink milk or juice at breakfast and then drink water with the rest of your meals during the day.  Buy real juice instead of sugared drinks so that your body will be nutritionally satisfied from the vitamins in the juice.  You can still enjoy your favorite drinks at a sporting event or night out.

Buy fruits in quantity: When they are in season, buy fruits in quantity and freeze any extras. You can buy several pounds this way, and freeze extras to have them when the fruit goes out of season. Wash the fruit well, remove any spoiled pieces, dry thoroughly, and then freeze in plastic zipper bags.

Choose chicken: Meats are good sources for protein and chicken is priced fairly reasonable.  You can usually get 2 or 3 meals out of one chicken.  Chicken can be mixed with pasta for a meal.  You can also use cold chicken to create chicken salad sandwiches or simply chop some up to toss on a salad.  Use the leftover carcass to create chicken stock to add to soups.

Get creative with beans: You should use beans a substitute for meat frequently. There are several varieties and you can find tons of bean recipes online. You can prepare them in a crock pot; so when you return home, they are ready to consume. The USDA recommends eating beans at least 4 times per week. If you experience gas after eating beans, you should try washing them, covering them with water, bringing the water to a boil. Then drain off the hot water and refill the pot with fresh.

Buy locally. Sometimes you can save money by buying fruits and vegetables locally.  Honey and nuts are a couple of other items to consider buying locally.  If you live in a coastal area or an area where you can fish, make that an integral part of your diet. You can catch them from the ocean, lakes, or rivers; saving money in the process.

Buy peanut butter in bulk. Peanut butter is great for those on a budget as it’s popular with almost everyone and helps ward off hunger. You can use it for sandwiches instead of eating hot dogs. Peanut butter also makes great cookies and goes well in banana shakes, etc.  Bigger containers may need refrigeration since it can last you for weeks.

*Note: you can easily create your own peanut butter by processing peanuts in a food processor.  Check out details and instructions here by click here.

Fill up on foods with high water content. Watch for sales on watermelon which make a great family treat.  Salads and even gelatin are other examples on filling up on foods with extra water content.

Use rice and potatoes as fillers. Rice and potatoes are usually cheap and offer nutrition as well.  Once again, you can utilize the internet to find lots of new recipes for these main ingredients.

Take time to measure. I find that measuring can be sort of an “inconvenience” when you’re in a hurry, but I also realized that I can really stretch my ingredients by taking time to measure.  Figure out what least amount you can get by with on spices and seasonings and use that exact amount.

Be sure to measure items that are more costly.  I measure my frozen blueberries in the morning for my breakfast.  They’re a little costly to begin with, so I don’t want to just thoughtlessly toss them into my bowl in the mornings.  I take time to measure out a small serving and overall this saves money by being cautious about the amount I use.

Plan your menus around the sales. Some people are big on menu planning, but rather than try to plan your menu and then shop for the necessary ingredients try finding out what’s on sale at the local market and then plan your weekly menu around that.

How to Live Within Your Means

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. ~ Pr. 22:7

Many families are struggling to live within their means, either because they have already accumulated too much debt, or because their spending habits are uncontrolled and they simply don’t know how to manage their money.

Here are a few quick tips on how to live within your means and keep yourself debt-free:

1. Cut Up the Credit Cards. Credit cards create a huge temptation to spend money you don’t have. If you must have one card, leave it at home while shopping and place it in the care of the person most responsible for your family’s financial health.  Never use it except for emergencies that may occur such as while traveling.  If you must use your card in the case of an emergency, put top priority on paying back the charge within a very short time to avoid the extra expenses of credit card fees.

*Note: If you already have credit card debt and are carrying large payments at high interest that are crippling your budget, talk to a community credit debt counselor. There are many groups that offer this service for free. They’ll help you to understand how your debt can be cut down faster, and whether a consolidation loan is a good idea.  Also, consider grabbing a copy of  The Financial Facelift for helpful guidance and information on eliminating debt.

2. Create a Simple Budget Plan to Follow. Even a simple budget written down in a notebook will work, or you can go the extra mile by creating a spreadsheet on the computer.

Start creating your budget by gathering all your bills, and calculating your monthly expenses, remembering to include a 1/12 portion of any annual expenses. (Also, it’s wise to create an emergency fund by setting aside a small amount each month to place into savings.)  Next, take your gross income and figure out how much should be set aside per week for absolute essentials.

Whatever remains after your necessary expenses is what you have for additional options such as saving for vacations, education or retirement funds and entertainment.

3. Consider the Question, “Can I Live Without It?” Before you buy, always determine if you really need it. Thinking of buying a new stereo system or a new car?  Ask yourself if it’s worth going into debt for, or just how far it will stretch the family budget.  If it’s something you feel that you absolutely need, do some price comparison shopping first.  To save even more, consider buying “used” items at thrift stores, garage sales and from your local classified ads.

Above all, don’t forget to pray about your needs!  Remember, when you live within your means, you eliminate financial stress and enjoy the many blessings from God who will faithfully supply all your needs.

*Click here to get:  The Financial Facelift, Christian-based information on eliminating debt.

How to Break the Paper Towel Habit

On “Thrifty Thursday” I thought I would address the subject of paper towel waste.  I decided that this was another area where I could save a few more pennies.  Paper towels wipe up small messes and are just tossed into the trash…hence you can just imagine hearing the little “cha-ching” going on at the paper towel manufacturers.

A few weeks ago, I decided to invest in a couple bundles of white wash cloths that were on sale.  I also bought a tall, white, round plastic trash container (the kind with the swinging lid on top) to toss in my cloths and other towels when they were dirty.  To be honest, I still keep paper towels on hand to grease a pan or to use when I want to serve some cookies but don’t want to mess with little dishes.  But overall, I feel better about being less wasteful.

I have found that keeping these white cloths nearby are really handy and just as easy to use as grabbing  a paper towel.  When my napkins for the table are gone, I plan to put some of these in my little square basket that I keep on the table.  My boys can toss them into my container when the poor little white cloths are done being abused from wiping dirty hands and faces.

P.S. ~ Here’s a little video on this very subject that I saw just today…

Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas for Kids

For “Thrifty Thursday” I thought I would offer you some ideas to create some quick and easy breakfast meals.

With cereal costing  mega bucks per pound, I think it’s time we ban the cereal isle and make our own breakfast! (And please feel free to share some of your own ideas with the readers here.)

Breakfast is a very important meal.  Studies have shown that children who eat a balanced breakfast are more alert in school, perform better and in many cases are less prone to bad behavior than children who skip breakfast.

Here are some quick and easy breakfast ideas for kids:

Eggs – Eggs are versatile and nutritious, plus most kids like them. Scrambled eggs are quick to make;  you can add a little chopped turkey ham, cheese, chopped tomatoes or mushrooms.  Simple boiled eggs with slices of toast will make an excellent breakfast too.

Bake Ahead Muffins – Muffins aren’t always the most nutritious meal, but if you bake your own muffins you can use mashed banana, chopped walnuts and a little honey for a naturally sweet breakfast muffin.

*You can also replace half of the amount of white flour for healthier whole wheat flour.  And you don’t have to stick to just sweet muffins; try a savory turkey bacon and chive muffin or cheese and turkey ham muffin. Bake them the night before for a quick and healthy breakfast.

Fruit – Try a fresh fruit salad with a yogurt and cheerio dip. Using a rolling pin, mash a handful or two of whole grain Cheerios in a plastic bag and transfer to a bowl. Fill another bowl with yogurt and let your kids dip the fruit pieces in yogurt then in the cheerio mixture. Whole grain Cheerios have a lower sugar content then many of the cereals on the supermarket shelves.

Pancakes – Prepare a basic pancake batter the night before, cover and refrigerate in the morning. In the morning all you need to do is heat the grill and your entire family can enjoy delicious homemade pancakes. Serve with a little maple syrup or jam and some fresh fruit on the side.  *Peanut butter can also be spread on pancakes for a different flavor.

Pizza for Breakfast – Split a couple of bagels in half, top with a little pizza sauce, grated cheese and some chopped turkey ham. Place under the grill for a few minutes and you have a nutritious breakfast pizza. You can also use English muffins or pita bread.

Breakfast Burrito – Wraps are a great alternative to toast and cereal. You can make a scrambled egg breakfast wrap with a little bit of  turkey ham or cheese added to it or you can add a little cream cheese and turkey or even make a breakfast pizza burrito.

Oatmeal -  You can use your crock pot to make delicious oatmeal that will be ready in the morning.  I also found a nifty recipe earlier this week for “Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal” that I intend to try really soon.  (It looks yummy!)

Remember breakfast doesn’t always have to consist of the traditional toast, cereal and eggs.  You can experiment a little to keep things interesting.

As a final note, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to always make the perfect family breakfast. If your kids really aren’t hungry at breakfast time a simple banana (or peanut butter spread on a banana) and a glass of orange juice will give them an instant boost.

Save Money Creating Natural Beauty Remedies at Home

For Thrifty Thursday, I thought I would share a few ways that will keep you from spending a fortune on beauty products at the store.  In fact, all of the ingredients you’ll need are right in your kitchen or pantry cabinet.

Here are three ways in which you can create natural beauty remedies at home in a flash…

Olive Oil: You cook and bake with it; but did you know that you can use it in a variety of other ways? Because olive oil is chemical free, it can be used on your skin; as a bath oil, moisturizer, massage oil, and conditioner.

For example: You can apply a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice to your skin before bedtime to moisturize your skin. To strengthen your nails, soak them in warm extra virgin olive oil for five minutes. Massage your sore muscles with a mixture of extra virgin olive oil and rosemary. Apply olive oil to dry hair as an overall conditioner. It will leave your hair smooth and shiny.

Oatmeal: Wouldn’t you love a facial? Get out the box of oatmeal from your cabinet and begin. This oatmeal facial will not only exfoliate, but moisturize your skin as well…

Oatmeal Facial Recipe:

1 package of instant oatmeal
1/2 cup water
2 TB yogurt
2 TB honey
1 egg white

Mix the water and oatmeal, then add the additional ingredients. Apply a thin layer to your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes or until you feel tightness; then rinse your face with warm water.

Dry Skin Brushing: Here is a technique that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Before taking a shower in the morning, use a brush or sponge and begin the dry skin brushing process to exfoliate dead skin cells, and improve your blood circulation.

Here’s how to do it: While standing the shower with the water off, start at your feet and begin brushing in small circles toward the upper part of your body. Then work your way down the back of your body to complete the process. Do not scrub hard, but apply even and light pressure. After you have completed this procedure, take a shower.

For extra exfoliating try these homemade sugar scrubs…

Sugar Scrub Recipes:

Lemon Sugar Scrub:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 TB grated lemon zest

Green Tea Sugar Scrub:

2 cups white sugar
1 cup honey
3 TB of green tea
5 drops vanilla

*Please  feel free to share some of your own homemade beauty recipes with our readers.