Raw when there's no raw food in the house?

[jesslcochran]

I have a big problem. I have almost no raw food in the house and won't be able to buy more till Friday at the soonest. I didn't eat raw yesterday or today and I feel like crud but I don't have a choice.

There are veggies in the house but they're cooked. I'm going to mostly eat them and try to stay away from the pastas, meats, and sandwiches that my family is eating.

Does anyone else come up with similar problems? Money is so tight lately and it's been a matter of buy for me or buy for my kids (who eat a little raw but mostly cooked at the moment). You can guess who I chose.

I've thought about fasting but I'm on medication and I don't know if it's safe. Not taking the meds is not an option. I don't have a choice in that.

Any advice is appreciated.

*hugs*
Jess

[T-Bird]

Sorry to hear about that! It is tough when money is tight and there are kids to take care of!

Eat as lightly as you can.

Join us on the organic gardening board. Some of us are going to try ot grow all our own greens in containers over the winter...maybe this could help you?

Do you have a yard or balacony? I'd be happy to send you some seeds to start you out.

[Dimond]

When you're able to, stock up on dried and prepared foods for when you run out of produce: Nuts & Seeds, Seaweed, Dried Fruit, Food powders (green, tomato, protein), Matter of Flax Hummus, Nut Butters, Bars, Crackers, Breads, Balls, Cookies, Cereals/Grains. You can also make your own treats to keep in the freezer.

[Thick]

Do you have anything you can take back to a store to get some money? Can you go sell some books/cds/dvds?

You can get produce for free in some places. There are some stores that do not sell imperfect produce and set it out on their back porch for people to come get. There are food banks that can give you produce (and other stuff for your family so that you can afford more raw next week)

If there are pick your own farms near you, sometimes they will let you pick their imperfect looking produce for free--or really discounted.

If I lived in NY, you could come over here to eat=) Or there might be a mysterious package on your door!=)

[margoss]

sorry you're struggling with this. I'd try to see if someone in the area has a garden to share. Many are happy to give things away once massive production starts. I'm so greatful for my neighbor's tomatoes. I hope he doesn't tear them up soon!
Have you thought about fresh for you and the kids? have your veggies & lightly steam for them. cook only what's needed so there'll be no left overs. This will keep it out of the house. Even frozen veggies would be better than canned, I would think.
I just bought from a food co op. It was 18.00 would've cost about 30 in the store. I'm going to try to make it last 2 weeks plus add what I didn't get. Look for one of these in your area. they usually do this all yr. Also, see what you can get on sale & puree it/freeze it. I read about freezing tomatoes whole then letting them thaw.

[GoingtoRAW]

You can probably look at the sales in your weekly papers to see where the best prices are on produce. I can't really afford to buy all organic but I buy organic when I can-when I can find it at good prices. I check the papers and plot out where I am going to shop and only go to those places (trying to save on gas as well). I always make a list and I only get what I need.

I also make sure that I have at least one huge smoothie every day because that fills me up and I am not snacking on raw nuts so much.

Believe me I am where you are now. I lost my job recently and I am living on unemployment. I was already watching every penny when I was working - now it's worse. I went shopping Sunday to stock up for the week and I didn't get enough food because I was so afraid to spend more money. Now if I want to eat after tomorrow I will have to go back to the store tomorrow to pick up more food - enough to last at least until next Thursday.

As bad as things are it's actually helping me to kind of stick to what I should be eating and not just eating and eating because the food is raw. I make sure that I drink enough water, which I love anyway, and I am also exercising.

So good luck. I know what it's like to choose between feeding the kids and having what I need. Hang in there.;)

[Thick]

Here's a freegan meetup near you. http://dumpsterdiving.meetup.com/4/

Not sure if this is the same group http://freegan.info/?page_id=2

Freecycle has all kinds of stuff, perhaps some food from someone's garden or ? http://www.freecycle.org/group/US/?noautodetect=1

Here's a guide/photos/blog on diving for foods http://www.emoware.org/dumpster-diving/dumpster-diving-guide.asp

Here's the new york food not bombs info http://www.foodnotbombs.net/newyork.html

Here's some ny food banks http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx?state=NY

I wish I could help more!=)

[contessa20]

Aaack... So sorry that you're dealing with this. The others have given you great ideas. I wish you were closer to Delaware, I would let you come pick all the squash, zucchini, tomatoes and herbs you wanted from my garden for free.


(((hugs)))