Raw on a Budget

[chayil0427]

Greetings

This is my first post and I'm so happy to be here. I wanted some tips on being raw on a budget.

I'm ready to purchase a dehydrator, blender, and juicer, but as a college student the prices for the most superior brands are a bit :eek:

Does anyone have any tips on less expensive products that work well in addition to tips on being raw on a budget?

Thanks

Chayil

[chilove]

Hi there,

You can do a lot with just a blender and a food processor. With these two items you can make smoothies, soups, dips, dressing, pates, pestos, marinara sauce, etc.... You can pick up used blenders and food processors at lots of thrift stores (especially goodwill for some reason) or on ebay or craigslist for super cheap.

If you get a spiralizer, which is only around $30.00 you can do zucchini noodles which are delicious with Alissa's marina sauce or pesto on them. THey are even yummy with some guacamole or just some cut up avo, tomatos, lime juice and cilantro on them.

SOme cheaper shopping options include produce stands and produce markets, asian markets, farmers markets and making friends with produce managers at various local stores and asking about buying produce by the case at a discount and asking them to hold their "un-sellable" (usually just bruised or perfectly ripe, which they think is over ripe) produce for you to buy at a discount.

I don't usually shop at regular grocery stores unless I see very good deals advertised in the paper at them.

You can use sunflower seeds in a lot of recipes instead of other nuts, they are much, much cheaper.

You can buy Lara bars super cheap at a chain store in the Seattle area called SUper Supplements. THey might ship to other areas you could check them out. I think that they are also selling them at costco now. I'm sure they a have a good deal on them. Costco has other good deals on produce.

Blessings!

Audrey

[deberaw]

Hi Chayil! Welcome!......we have a Nesco dehydrator that we got at Bed, Bath and Beyond.......it was under $50.00 and I think that store carries a 20% off coupon found in local newspapers.....we have a regular blender.........we do have a Champion Juicer and got this for a good price on EBAY!......I have a discount membership at our local health food store and shop sales in the produce when possible........Best of Luck to you!:)

[StarFire]

Aloha!! Check out (MATTYE's) Amberstorms Blog -- here's the link... if you look down at her signature she has a link to her recipes all geared to RAW on a BUDGET... she has some beautiful and creative suggestions and recipes...

blessings on your journey!

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/blogs/blog-2970/

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/clever663.gif ... you'll love her recipes -- so easy and sooo clever!!

[Holli]

These are all great ideas. Just wanted to add that if fruit is on sale or you can buy in bulk, buy it and freeze it (bananas especially are pretty affordable and freeze very well-peel and slice first. Some fruits don't do well when frozen, but most do). Buy the fruits and veggies that are in season and enjoy them. Variety is great, but I don't think we have to get all of our variety in one day. Good luck to you and welcome!

[FreeLily]

It was about $50 and I use it everyday. I am saving up to get a vitamix but in the meantime the magic bullet is good for smoothies but its also great for grinding up flax seed and nuts.

[EZ rider]

when you go into the store be sure to look for the ripe - ready to eat - bananas as they mark the price way down to move them. I have two blenders, a VM and a cheapie Walmart one. For a lot of the blending I do the cheapie does just fine. One thing the cheapie falls short on is during the summer when I like to put lots of ice in my drinks and have it throughly crushed. Also, if you have an Asian market near you check that out. Good luck.

[Blazin'Jane]

Along with all these great suggestions, I would learn how to sprout things--it's very easy and any of the RAW books give ample directions. Mung beans, lentils, garbanzo beans are all very cheap at the hfs and pack a wallop of nutrition--something like 40 times what it would be if they grew into vegetables. and sprouts go in many things: soups, salads, smoothies, to name a few. Welcome to this great place and good luck on your raw food journey. keep asking questions! ;)

[AvyB]

I was just struggeling with this this AM. Being raw is pricey, but there's so much room for improvement with my situation. I've been slacking & haven't been to these forums in a while, back for motivation!! :D

[chayil0427]

thanks...i was looking at the recipes in the back of Alissa's book and I realised there is so much I can make with a regular blender and food processor and a dehydrator.

right now i'm going to start out with those items and save up money to get the green star juicer and vitamix at a later time...

thanks so much for the tips...:p

chayil