The news reported that with Canadian unemployment rates increasing eating healthy is becoming very expensive and out of reach for many families.
A team of shoppers bought apples in different cities throughout Canada to compare prices and they found that in some cities five apples cost $7.00 while in other cities the same type of apples cost $2.50.
Eating healthy does not have to be expensive but in Canada it can be challenging. Canada is a big country and food has to travel long distances to get to a local grocery stores which increases the cost of food but even in Canada there are ways to reduce your grocery bill and still eat healthy.
1. Cook from scratch.
-someone is getting paid for processing the food that you are buying so you if you make it yourself you are in a way paying yourself.
2. Buy in bulk.
-packaging costs money so try to buy large quantities of food when items are on sale or you have some extra cash. But, remember..buy only what you use, if you buy something that you never eat, it's not really a good deal.
3. Eat locally grown food.
-This is hard I know, winter in Canada is not conducive to growing food year round. But, you can grow or buy larger amounts of fruit and vegetables when they are in season and freeze or can them for use in winter.
4. Shop the weekly grocery fliers
-make a list of the items you need from the grocery fliers and try to buy what's on sale. Keep in mind that gas costs money so it may not be worthwhile to shop at all the grocery stores that have sales if you have to drive great distances between each store.
5. Make vegetarian meals several times a week.
-Meat is expensive and you can save quite a bit of money by reducing the amount of meat you eat. Stir fries are a great way to do this, increase the amount of veggies and add some brown rice or whole wheat pasta and you have a healthy and inexpensive meal.
There are many ways to reduce your grocery bill, the internet is full of ideas. I read the Down to Earth blog daily. It's well written and full of ideas and how to’s on living simply and becoming more self sufficient.
Now on to something fun, Sew Mama Sew is hosting a "fat quarter swap" but hurry, it's over on Feb. 13th.
In the shop I added a hanky. I used the bone linen/cotton I thought was too dark for hankies but I’m pleased with the result.
Have a great day.
Margaret
4 comments:
Another great post. You're right, eating healthy doesn't have to cost money if we are careful. We eat fruit in season. We eat deer meat (all free) and we garden big time.
Hi Margaret. Thanks for the comment on the brochettes. Your pasta looks delicious. Was it too much work to make it from scratch or would you do it again? I've never made pasta before but its on my list to do someday:) Kari
Hi Kari, no the pasta is quite easy but it takes time. Next time I'll make just what I need and use it the same day rather than make it to store for future use. I found that getting the right consistancy is a bit tricky. Mine was a bit too soft so I had to lay it out to dry strand by strand. If it was a bit drier I could have just laid it out and not worry about it touching because it would not have stuck.
Post a Comment