Eating raw cheaply.

[luna99]

I swear I searched for a thread on this and couldn't find it.. but I"m sure somewhere there is one.

I'm trying to watch my budget lately when grocery shopping. At first when I started raw I was so excited and stoked to try all these new recipes and play with food and I wasn't really awake at how much I was spending on cashews and macadamia nuts! Now I'm trying to watch my budget... tips please?

I figure if I just buy less nuts, dates, and more specialty items that will help.

thanks everyone!

[michigan roman]

yes theres many threads on this stocked with great ideas , just have to search more .

but a new cheap meal i just got onto is steel cut oats soaked around 8 hours which softens them up and makes them chewy/creamy . i add cinnamon - banana - etc .

and you can also blend them up into a coarse powder so that you can instantly eat them . you could also buy the whole oat seed (groat) and blend it into whatever coarseness you want before adding water . look for a good price at natural type grocers and these oats become a budget stretcher .

[VeggieMel]

I don't know where the thread is, but if you don't mind buying some inorganic produce, Costco is the way to go. The money you can save is incredible. They have big bags of almonds, huge crates of mangoes and apples, big containers of organic spring mix, big bags of kiwi... Lately I've wanted to save some $$$, so I've been buying produce there.

[NicoleDaboin]

One way that I am trying to watch my budget is by buying bulk online. I just got a huge order in from nutsonline.com. These nuts will last me a while!

Also, know your grocery stores. I have been raw for two weeks, so I'm still learning. The first week I was at four different stores a NUMBER of times, but now I know which store carries what for the best price.

Also, just eat simple. That will save money.

[Maria]

Sam's Club also has 3 lb bags of almonds, pecans, and walnuts. GREAT savings. They also have organic greens for reasonable prices, and non organic fruit galore.

[DavidZaneMason]

Some additional tips:

-Stick to staple fruits and vegetables that cost less than $1.00 per pound. Things like apples, bananas, oranges, etc.

Also:

1) Shop at many stores. Buy only the 'deal' produce.
2) Look for stores that have dented or discount produce.
3) Grow your own sprouts
4) Grow your own greens / start a small garden
5) Ask your neighbors if you can raid their fruit trees
6) Forage for dandelions on your long walks
7) Get a part-time job at your local fruit stand. Make sure discounted/free produce is part of the deal! Ha! ha! I've done it! It works!
8) Make friends with the local produce stand owner and ask if you can take away his dented or older produce at a discount or free. The smaller places are usually pretty happy to part with it.

-Just some suggestions.

-David Z. Mason

[veganman]

Nicole definitely has the right idea. The larger amount you purchase, the less the price is likely to be.

Definitely keep the items refrigerated to maintain the enzymes prevent rancidity.

[michigan roman]

ok heres the monster mega thread on the topic = http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=22555&highlight=raw+on+a+budget