shrinking waistlines, not wages.

Once blind to grocery store prices, I am now coherently aware of the price tags on my produce. I never thought twice about tossing a bruised apple away when someone else was footing the bill, but along with independence comes frugality. Needless to say a bruised apple (at $1.69 a pound) is still an edible apple. 
But here's the kicker: do grocery store prices keep you from making healthy choices?? 
Let's face it, the words 'organic' and 'natural' weigh a lot heavier on the checkbook than 'fried' and 'double-stuffed'... but lest we forget, the latter weigh a lot heavier on the scale. 


Let's do a once-over on your fridge:
wilted lettuce - check. 
slightly moldy berries - check. 
a forgotten squash that can't possibly still be healthy - check. 
The average family of four in the US tosses out about $1,350 in groceries every year, according to Jonathan Bloom (American Wasteland: How America Throws Away Nearly Half of Its Food). If we shop a little smarter we can save both our budgets as well as our bodies. Here's how:
- plan ahead. design a weekly menu AFTER checking for ingredients you have stocked.
- buy what's in season (remember, frozen fruits and veggies can have JUST as much nutritional value)
- go meatless!! I'm not asking you to adopt a vegan lifestyle, but pick one or two days a week and substitute meat for beans, whole grains, and eggs (Meatless Monday!!) You can cut your grocery bill by over 25%. 
- don't buy more than you need (hello Costco)
- organic isn't always better (but is always more $$$). Read nutrition labels. 
- buy locally grown produce (you live in Lancaster Country - NO excuses)


fitnessmagazine.com shares 3 easy-to-use budget tips:
1. Cut back on coupons. You'll end up buying things you really don't need simply because you are getting a 'deal'. 
2. Shop after you eat. A hungry belly influences a discerning mind. 
3. Leave the kids at home (enough said).

Here's a FITNESS dollar-menu shopping list. All of these good-for-you foods are under $1 per serving!!
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/smart-shopping/the-fitness-dollar-menu-budget-friendly-groceries/?page=1

We've been taught how to navigate a grocery store while protecting our pockets as well as our figures...what else is holding you back from executing your goals?
Lack of motivation? Time management? Your sweet tooth?

- NMC