planning my meals...

[kellibelli]

Okay...I had admittedly a super bad crash and burn day...and it was only day #2, but I am trying to pick myself up and brush off and work out the stress and emotions of failure. I absolutely MUST keep my expenses down, which means I have to be organized with my meals and disciplined about it. I also need to make sure that I am getting ENOUGH food and a good balance of nutrients. Can anyone out there give me some good simple daily routines of your eating habits that will help me stay (or should I say GET) healthy and not break the bank? Thanks so much for your help. I eagerly anticipate your responses.

[Lay-Lay]

well for me my staple foods were important to me:

green patte
hummus
avocados
date nut balls

the above helped me fight cravings.

Then I bought fruits that were on sale or cheap
bananas
apples
oranges
cucumbers
tomatoes
peaches
watermelons
etc..

[kellibelli]

What is green patte and how do you make date nut balls? I can see where the date nut balls would satisfy a sweet tooth...will be very helpful for me in the future...

[Lay-Lay]

green patte

sunflower seeds as the base
(you can add whatever you want to the sunflower seeds, but this is what I do)
garlic
kale
a little olive oil
lemon juice
cayenne
pinch of sea salt

food process and use as a spread on celery, lettuce, carrots, seaweed, cucumbers, or whatever.

Date balls

20 dates
20 nuts ( I like to use pecansor walnuts)
food process

roll into little balls (above should make 20 balls) then roll in sesame seeds or dried coconut.

[Conscious Midwife]

Order Alissa's book for awesome quick fixes.

Plan on having smoothies 2-3 times a day, they are filling and work well until you come more creative

Vary your salad combinations

If your not organic then buy frozen fruit in bulk from SAM's club

If you like nuts keep an assotment of raw nuts on hand

Grocery shop on a full stomach and when you have plenty of time to check labels

Carry truely Sundried Organic Raisins for a quick pick me up when your blood sugar runs low. Oranges work great too.

Join a raw meetup.com group and hope there having a potluck soon! :D

[Lay-Lay]

oh yes, I agree get Alissas book and always have raisens in you car. I do, ALWAYS!

[kellibelli]

So frozen fruits and veggies are acceptable? Because if they are then I think that may help cut down on my expenses. Thanks so much for the recipes "Iloverawfoods" and also for the excellent ideas "lifAgift"...I appreciate your help so much.

[Bingka]

If there is an asian market near you try it out. I shop at them all the time. I went to a thai store today and bought a case of young coconuts for 5.99. It contained 9 in a case. The prices are half of what an american supermarket charges.... And the veggies seem fresher. I think because the asian culture eats alot more fruits and veggies than typical american diets.

Ken

[Lay-Lay]

I don't do frozen fruits and vegetables from the store, but thats me. I usually spend $40.00 a week on food.

[kellibelli]

I am going to see if there are any Asian markets in my area to keep my expenses down...I live in the boonies so I think that there probably wont be any around unfortunately. So, 40.00 per week???? Really??? I can totally afford that.