I’ve been shopping at a few different stores recently. Aldi carries several All Natural products, the new Rite Aid Save-a-Lot grocery carries All Natural Eggs ($1.39/dozen) and other all-natural and organic products, and Trader Joe’s is a fairly reasonably priced all-natural and organic mart (though a little out of the way for me on a regular basis). I can normally feed the two of us on $50/week. And I don’t need to worry about couponing…since I don’t have time…though Rite Aid does accept coupons (and has several on their website). I still like shopping at Earth Fare and Whole Foods when I’m in the neighborhood, and if I have coupons, but I don’t get to that side of town often.
I’m also looking into using Milk & Honey Organics, a local organic delivery service. For $35/week, they will deliver a basket of organic fruits and vegetables to my door each week. I already have my produce for this week, but I definitely want to try for next week. Then I can just buy a few other items and be set for the week.
Here’s what a normal day looks like for me:
Wake up around 7, get ready for work, make a cup of coffee or tea, pack a lunch, and rush out the door.
Drink coffee/tea on the way to work.
Breakfast: 1 package oatmeal and 1 c. trail mix – 1/2 c. nuts, 1/2 c. dried fruit, and a little bit of dark chocolate, with another cup of tea.
Snack: Quaker Whole Wheat Caramel Corn Rice Cakes, Carrot Sticks, or Apple.
12:30 or 1: Workout for 45 minutes to an hour, if I can. If not, I work out after work.
Lunch: Salad and a serving of whole grain: sandwich, whole wheat pasta, etc.
Leave work around 5, and workout or fix dinner, depending on if I’ve worked out yet or not.
Dinner: Another salad and some protein – eggs, fish, or beans – plus either rice or wheat toast. And/or a smoothie (with yogurt, frozen fruit and carrot juice).
Blog, read, train clients, hang with friends, etc., watch TV (currently addicted to back episodes of NCIS), make sure the house is straightened up and go to bed, to start all over again in the morning.
I’m thinking of not watching TV on work nights. Growing up, my parents didn’t let us watch TV on school nights, and I didn’t miss it. We watched movies on the weekend, read a lot, played sports and instruments, and had a great family bond. I’ve given up TV before, so I know I can do it.
So, what tips do you have for eating on a budget? What stores do you shop at? And what do you think about no TV during the week? Let me know below. Thanks!