Making compromises due to finances.....

[T-Bird]

There's been periodic threads about the financial aspect of being raw.....

Today was a compromise for me. I've been out of greens for a while, my car is in the shop and I just bought some groceries from the local fruit and veg - almost none of it is organic:(

For the 2009 year - I let myself go "wild" just to stick with raw and mostly organic, but ended up spending several thousand dollars more on food - several thousand that I didn't earn and that came out of savings....with the special order nuts, and driving 6-7 miles to stock up on the organics....(not even counting the gas cost in this) so this can't continue....

Faced with some earthbound organics for about $4/2-3 salads worth, or regular romaine about 80 cents for a small head that will give 3-4 salads, I'm going to have to opt for the romaine going forward.

Ran out of my fall garden greens, need to start some indoor greens to pick up the slack, will be "garden crazy" come late feb-early march.

But in the meantime....I have to make some compromises. Just feeling ambivalent, and wanted to confab with those who are living in this same landscape....

I've got my romaine, bb bok choy, dill, parsley, cilantro, beet & beet greens, soaking in tempid soapy water, to try and clean them up the best I can...

[Gaius]

You actually wash your produce?

[Green_Woman]

Gaius: The produce TBird bought is not organic. Washing it is a good idea.

T-Bird: Have you ever read The Secret? :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

i'd go for non-organic and stay raw. non-organic is still healthier than SAD.

[Rick2009]

T-Bird,

There are lots of non organic foods that are very nutricious. Bananas, carrots etc. Stuff like greens can be soaked...takes less time than driving 6 or 7 miles. I would look on the brighter side: being raw is being way ahead of what most people eat. And if you juice some carrots, celery, a bit of parsely and some greens every day you will be hugely well nourished.

Best to you,

[Green_Woman]

non-organic is still healthier than SAD

Amen dat. I'm only 50% organic at best, myself, and I'm still experiencing health improvements in leaps and bounds.

[T-Bird]

Thanks for the support, y'all!

Well - I've mixed up my non-organic zukes with my organic walnuts, flax, and hemp to make the "ritz" crackers - so overall - mostly organic, lol!

Had a great GS with beet greens, pineapple, and organic frozen bananas, and it was like - way tasty.

So maybe just a big wakeup call to me to get on with my indoor garden, I love to snip my own homegrown stuff, it's such a connection to the earth, and so cost effective!

I do like to have my greens all organic, but life interferes and any GS is better than no GS, that's for sure!

Going to make a bb bok choy salad with a gingery sweet and sour dressing for everyone, a broc noodle stir fry for the kids and zuke noodles and mushrooms in the D for me. It'll be a great meal.

In 2010 - I'm thinking of having an ongoing budgeting thread in the food section, so us more cost conscious rawbies can kvetch, confab, collaborate, and be cost effective and raw - together!

[xPIXIEx]

I'm with you, T-Bird. The last few days I've been contemplating some things that could be changed. Gotta cut out the expensive items so that I can buy more. I'm determined to do this. I'll figure it out!

[freshlight]

i'd go for non-organic and stay raw. non-organic is still healthier than SAD.

what she said :)

[Green_Woman]

In 2010 - I'm thinking of having an ongoing budgeting thread in the food section, so us more cost conscious rawbies can kvetch, confab, collaborate, and be cost effective and raw - together!

I'd love to join in there!

[sprouts2go]

With the Christmas bills coming in I too am taking stock in what I buy.
What are these Ritz crackers???recipe??
Also I will be sprouting more using more sunflower seeds in recipes instead of nuts.
I want to do raw more simply.

[T-Bird]

These are the "ritz" crackers posted here quite some time ago by someone named Mindy....

2 1/2 c. walnuts soaked 1 hr. or more
2 1/2 c. cubed zuccini
1/2 c. ground golden flax seed
1/4 c. hemp seed
2 t sea salt

Grind walnut in FP until they are in very small uniform pieces (cous cous looking) - transfer to bowl
Grind zuccini in FP until they are in very small uniform pieces - add to bowl
Add ground flax, hemp and salt. Blend well. Add enough water to make spreadable dough ( 1/2 to 1 cup)

Spread between 2 trays lined with teflex

Dehydrate - Flip - until crisp

Cut in to chips - flat bread or desired sizes.

Seem pretty good, I'm going to make my some humus and almond pate tomorrow to go with, then I'm DONE with food prep for a while....back to smoothies/salads...it's too exhausting for me....

Maybe if I had a dishwasher....

[T-Bird]

oh - but I'd cut down on the salt. I did 1.5 tspoon - next time a scant one....

[Jehote]

I'm thinking of having an ongoing budgeting thread in the food section, so us more cost conscious rawbies can kvetch, confab, collaborate, and be cost effective and raw - together!
start one! we can clue each other in on deals!

[RawKnitster]

I already make a lot of compromises and am looking for ways to make more.

I make a big compromise by buying non-organic dates at Costco. Two pounds of Medjools cost $7.99 compared to one pound organic for $12-15. Walnuts are another compromise. I get them from a local grocer for $3.89 a lb, a savings of more than 50% over organic.

Around here carrots and kale are easy to find organic for not much more than non-organic. Other organic greens are double or triple the price. Costco has organic carrots and big boxes of Earthbound Spinach or Spring Salad Mix for under $4.

I use a year-round CSA service that provides 12-14 organic items a week for $30. (The heads of lettuce are huge, and 3-4 oranges is considered one item.) The farm allows unlimited box modifications so I load it up with the produce that is the most expensive to buy organic, like greens and citrus.

There are some items that are not that bad to buy non-organic, like avocados.

I found a corner of the cold case at my local supermarket that sells bags/boxes of greens for .99 when it reaches two days before the expiration date. I always check to see if there is anything organic. Usually isn't. I have to find out what time of day they remark the prices and get there first.

[DebB]

Hi RawKnitster (and others in the NW) - I'm usually very lucky in getting the red banded organic bananas at Fred Meyer for 29 cents a pound. They toss all the bananas together when they band them and I just pick through for the organic.

I check every time I go in there, which is often for me because that's where I buy the lion's share of my produce (after Costco that is). I'll buy a *lot*, then slice and freeze.

Our Costco also carries organic raisins and organic apples. Before I started ordering nuts from Azure Standard, I bought all my nuts at Costco too. *Ü*

[RawKnitster]

Thanks, DebB. There is a Fred Meyer nearby I will check out. I'm also going to talk to the produce buyer at my local grocery about special deals on other less than perfect items. It can't hurt to ask. I've never been comfortable with bargaining or asking for specials, but times are tough and I can adapt.

I also get the SunMaid 2-2 lb pack of organic sun-dried California raisins from Costco. So soft and plump. Can't beat the price or quality. :)

T-Bird, In a couple days I'm done with food prep, too. Starting off 2010 with a change in the menu. It appears you have already started a budget thread for 2010. ;)

[mangomary]

we spend the first half of our life sacrificing our health to attain wealth.
we spend the second half of our life sacrificing our wealth to attain health..

do what ever it takes to get the quality organic fruits and veg in your mouth! :D

i sold my car and bought a bicycle like a few people on this forum have also done. ive lost some extra blubber, saved a stack of money, made some new friends and increased my fitness virtually for free!!

i get my kids to follow me on the bicycle too. its only 10miles return and i have a big bicycle trailer on the back and the kids job is to watch that no bananas try to escape! lol!

its hard being a single mum with 4 kids but i believe that god only gives us challenges we can handle and that in each challenge lays a gift. god gives us the challenges cos we need the gifts..

get enough sleep, water and sweet fruits and life starts to take on a whole new sweet level.

well thats just what ive experienced anyways!

[T-Bird]

T-Bird, In a couple days I'm done with food prep, too. Starting off 2010 with a change in the menu. It appears you have already started a budget thread for 2010.

looks like it!


i get my kids to follow me on the bicycle too. its only 10miles return and i have a big bicycle trailer on the back and the kids job is to watch that no bananas try to escape! lol!

The bike was my sole transport for many year - and main for long after I got a car. Then I was hurt in an accident and I can't ride any more on city streets. Not in chicago, it's a jungle out there for sure - a jungle of angry distracted drivers....


do what ever it takes to get the quality organic fruits and veg in your mouth!


I have to look at a slightly bigger picture now - being homeless would really impact my health negatively....

anyhoo - the meal I made was great - and the smoothie. don't have anymore pineapple, my fav, but will do the rest of the non really very good oranges, but put one tangerine in for a kick, the beet greens, and frozen bananas...

At least everything is washed so that's a time saver today....I'll make 2 dips for the onion bread and ritz crackers I've made over the next 2 days and hope that and salad/smoothie keeps me going into the weekend or longer...but - I'm a healthy eater, love to eat:):o

[T-Bird]

oh - just so you all know -time is at a real premium around here at the moment....

For christmas, we got a puppy from the shelter, so are very busy with potty training and keeping garbage out of his cute little mouth. He's a dear, but very time consuming....

[kaybee]

Raw Knitster-- re: dates: order them from the date people, especially if you can get the "seconds" and you can probably get organic dates for even less than the non org ones at costco. i just got a 10 lb wetpack of bahris and they are AMAZING. i usually get the seconds but they dont have any til later in the year

[rawjess]

I always use raw seeds instead of nuts in recipes- sunflower, flax, sesame. May taste a little different, but the results are still good and it saves a lot of money. I can't afford to be totally organic either, but just do what you can. I never let it bother me that I can't be; I just think about everything that I AM doing and what I'm NOT doing is so small in comparison.

Also, this may seem extreme to some people, if you're really struggling financially and want to stay raw, you can get free and organic produce. The amount of food thrown out every day by grocery stores is incredible, and most of it is still perfectly good to eat! Trader Joes, unfortuanely is a big one. I highly encourage you to check out these videos showing how people live off of completely free food by 'dumpster diving'. They've never gotten sick, and it is possible to be raw this way too! It's also preventing waste- less stuff going to the landfill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUJX5xchedI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtbBUPbKdIA

[Green_Woman]

How about instead of DIVING, go to the Store, explain your predicament and ask them if instead of pitching their trash, they give it to you at the end of the night??

[Tirza]

This is great. Ideas will flow here, I'm sure.

So - is everyone gardening who CAN garden in their situation? That would be THE BEST way to get organic produce, and talk about cheap. We are in a very small apartment but I am still trying to find ways to sprout at least, and maybe the odd window or balcony pot. Everyone has heard about the co-op gardens they used to have even in the middle of the city during war times. I see on YouTube that there are many even today.

Making friends with people at the Farmers Markets is a good plan. You can often get great deals by buying at the end of the market day when they are anxious to get rid of all they can. That can apply to regular non-organic as well when we need to save.

I think it's a good idea to learn how to substitute seeds instead of nuts, as they are often cheaper (eg: sf seeds) and less calorie-laden, which is an issue for me. It would be good to have a recipe thread as well that is dedicated to economical recipes. I think a lot of people are put off by the exotic, expensive, unusual ingredients ("super-foods") that appear in many recipes. We need to know how to do this if times are tough, so we can maintain optimum health.

I'm just moving to an apartment that is closer to the grocery store so I can walk over there instead of drive. Also right on the bus line.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I have to look at a slightly bigger picture now - being homeless would really impact my health negatively....


actually... melissa and her family have been homeless for almost 2 years now and they are doing really well health-wise (not great but not horrid) eating raw and being homeless. they are still 100% raw... just don't have as much to eat as someone with a home, income etc. but other than a few flu/colds (they were never sick before becoming homeless) they are all doing well.

not telling you to become homeless, just pointing out that it can be done. ;)

[Tsurugi_Oni]

A good way to help buffer the finances is by looking at ur other aspects of life. The $$$ savings between living in a single and double apt. Buying at a giant supermarket, buying at a Costco, or having a 3 adult apartment combining their money and buying bulk from a farmer. Or when meat-eaters buy half a cow and split it between many people. The more people you get on board the easier it is on your budget, rotating through bulk goods, etc. EX: I could get a box of 30 mangos for 50c (normally 80c each), or 80 Persimmons for 35 c(normally 70c) each. But if I did, they'd spoil before I could eat em. So I split the cost between two friends, and we all benefit. So now instead of spending 35% of my budget on an even smaller percentage of my diet (BIG problem with individually buying bulk foods), I'm spending a % more close to my actual needs. IT's more efficient.

It's always the hardest way to change cuz it takes a ton of effort to start, but it's the next step in thinking about your budget. Hell, I'm actually in the process of starting a Raw Vegan Produce twitter for my city and hopefully having local businesses/farmers join up to post prices. It's something to think about.

Whatever system you use tho, it HAS to be sustainable for your budget AND health. And you can't just break even, but you gotta have room to grow.

[T-Bird]

actually... melissa and her family have been homeless for almost 2 years now and they are doing really well health-wise (not great but not horrid) eating raw and being homeless. they are still 100% raw... just don't have as much to eat as someone with a home, income etc. but other than a few flu/colds (they were never sick before becoming homeless) they are all doing well.

Are sleeping in a car or under an overpass in -10 weather?!?!?

What does homeless mean to them? Where do they get money to buy any food at all??

[T-Bird]

I'm actually in the process of starting a Raw Vegan Produce twitter for my city and hopefully having local businesses/farmers join up to post prices. It's something to think about.


That's pretty interesting - let us know what kind of results you have.

I shop all over the place for the best prices...it is very time consuming sometimes, but I am cheap and frugal and have lived in poverty conditions in the not so distant past and know how to pinch pennies, which I do most times.....

I am also a single mom to 2 teens, have a professional job requiring travel, and providing the best life I can to my kids - with a SFH, pets, girlscouts, etc.

So I am very busy.

The things I need to do to reduce food costs are:
To grow my own.
Reduce waste.
Shop even more carefully, and not over or under buy. Takes some trial and error....I haven't mastered this yet.
Keep the kitchen and fridge clean and organized to I know what I have - and use it while it's fresh.....

[Aleesha Sattva]

Are sleeping in a car or under an overpass in -10 weather?!?!?

What does homeless mean to them? Where do they get money to buy any food at all??

living and sleeping in their vehicle
living and sleeping in a tent
sleeping under the stars
living in a homeless shelter type townhouse (this part has only been a couple of weeks out of the two years...)

they've done it all... depending on what comes their way and what their needs are. sometimes her hubby is able to find work, other times they rely on the kindness of others.

their food is kept in a cooler in the back of their vehicle. they only buy what fits in the cooler at any one time.

i'm not sharing this for you to pity them... it's been an AMAZING adventure for them... hard but amazing. i just wanted to share that it can be done!

[Green_Woman]

Great tips, T-Bird...

I'm going to try organic gardening again. My fall crop was destroyed by bugs and adverse weather conditions. Still learning my way around a potted green. ;)

[RaisingAlex]

Homeless? Hummn Actually I am the one you speak of. giggling. Being homeless was/is the very best experience we have ever had in this life. Yes it has its ups and downs but there are many more ups than downs. We are in this moment living in a commune filled with crazy christians, it is just another experience we are living. We camped for over 300 days, occasionally we slept in the van. As a matter of fact being indoors like we are right now is very uncomfortable for us. Can't wait to "get out" in the spring. (smiling) It is what you make it.

As far as food goes we ate raw all the time, there was nothing expensive about it. We ate just like we were meant to, apples, oranges, greens etc, ya know everything in the produce dept not too much changed there as we tend to eat things that have not been uncooked or processed etc... Yes making a huge raw recipe is processed food IMO and expensive. Where we were at the time was a very small town so there was no expensive exotic fruits etc.. it was just straight forward and simple. Also gathering wild food every morning helps a lot as well.

We love living without walls, when this all began for us I never thought I would ever say that, but it is true. I love living simply with no stress, worries, bills, etc...

We NEVER lived under bridges etc.. those places are left for those on drugs and other problems. we were/are smarter than that and have crazy survival skills to prove it

[Aleesha Sattva]

you certainly have survival skill liss... that's for certain. ;)

[freshlight]

wow, this sounds so interesting! Thank you for sharing, RaisingAlex!..wish I could go to your blogs,- did you delete them?

[Green_Woman]

Being homeless was/is the very best experience we have ever had in this life.

From age 14-16, I lived in a 20 ft travel trailer with my birthmum, birthdad, two sisters, one brother, two birds and one very small, very smart dog. We traveled ALL over the States, we lived literally hand-to-mouth for half that time, and it was.... well... it was hands down the best years of my at-home life!!!

I loved it! And I wasn't exactly the biggest home-body either... but cleaning was a snap, everyone got involved in dinners and we used to watch Library videos together as a family and were ALWAYS playing board games and Boggle and Scrabble and Risk.

When we moved into a "real house", life got different. Not worse or better. Just different.

But the experiences we had as a family unit traveling the backroads of Life together smashed into that scrawny trailer?

I would never trade them for a second. :)

[Green_Woman]

P.S. Lest I be a thread-hijacker, let me just add that those penny-pinching years (basically my Parents were even more money-poor when I lived at home than they are now) taught me ALOT about squeezing a dime!!! :D Compared to my first 20 years, I live like a Queen now!

[RaisingAlex]

freshlight - Yes I still have my blogs up. My sister Aleesha has been posting occasionally on them for us/about us. I will be writing once again in the next few days. There is a lot of people here in this commune we live in, so it is a bit difficult at this moment. giggling.

[sprouts2go]

I would love to see a thread on replacing nuts with seeds. My son is allergic to nuts and I am not good at knowing how to replace them.

[freshlight]

Thanks for your respond, RaisingAlex :)
Today I managed to go to your blogs,- yesterday it was impossible for some reason. I think there is something wrong with googlemail.com here in Europe.
Anyway,- beautiful pictures and very inspiring, thank you! What a cute little boy you have! ;)

[Green_Woman]

Sprouts - post your question in the main forum! Fewer folks will see it here. :) Also, do a SEARCH for that topic before you post... chances are good, it's been discussed before and you can get the info you need there. Best wishes!

[RawKnitster]

Raw Knitster-- re: dates: order them from the date people, especially if you can get the "seconds" and you can probably get organic dates for even less than the non org ones at costco. i just got a 10 lb wetpack of bahris and they are AMAZING. i usually get the seconds but they dont have any til later in the year

Thank you, KB. I will do that. Bahris was the type I bought from the raw store. They were amazing. How do you store your fresh dates? Freezer?

[kaybee]

i think they tell you to refrigerate them not freeze them..i forget. just ask them. at the moment they are sitting in my trailer / mobile home/ poor excuse for a mobile home lol still in their box...they need to be in the fridge but with the recent weather here its seriously as cold in the house as in the fridge, so.... but yeah , i didnt know what they were sending me cuz i was trying to order them so they would be at home when i was home for xmas so i could drag them back to ireland with me, i didnt care i just wanted SOMETHING :) and they send me bahris. was i ever surprised when i opened the box and ate one and they seemed like they were fresh(?). really moist. and SO good. not like any other dates ive ever had.

[T-Bird]

i think they tell you to refrigerate them not freeze them..i forget. just ask them. at the moment they are sitting in my trailer / mobile home/ poor excuse for a mobile home lol still in their box...they need to be in the fridge but with the recent weather here its seriously as cold in the house as in the fridge, so.... but yeah , i didnt know what they were sending me cuz i was trying to order them so they would be at home when i was home for xmas so i could drag them back to ireland with me, i didnt care i just wanted SOMETHING and they send me bahris. was i ever surprised when i opened the box and ate one and they seemed like they were fresh(?). really moist. and SO good. not like any other dates ive ever had.

ok- I'm ordering some!

[kaybee]

yeah, totally order some. if you need to save money, ask them if they know when they will have enough seconds to make boxes of seconds available, and wait for those. even if you get the regulars, you are still more than likely paying far less than hfs prices and they are fresh, organic, and direct from the growers :)

[Traceyraw]

I had to cut way back also. I try to by on sale and freeze the stuff myself. Apples you can make raw applesauce and freeze it. I have been washing the greens and freezing them they don't make good salads but for juicing and smoothies you can't tell the difference.

Live Raw and Prosperous