How to afford 100% raw?!

[Tmoon]

Hello everyone. I have been researching raw foods for about a year. Gathering recipes, reading benefits and preparing myself for a slow transition over to 100% raw. My problem is.... How do you make this affordable? I am only at about 40% raw right now and I'm really breaking the bank. My priority is feeding my children properly, and I just can't afford anymore then I'm doing right now! Please help? I'm sure there are ways to make this affordable and I'm just clueless. I'd love any advice you guys can send my way! I just purchased a dehydrator, so I'm so excited to be able to expand the textures I'm eating by making crackers and such :)

Anyway, thanks in advance!

[MysticTree]

Home grown sprouted foods are a very cheap boon. Many foods can be grown if you have a piece of land or a well lit spare room.

[Raw Angel Mom]

Do you have a farmer market? Research in your area, there is most the time one.

Without question, if you can sprout, it is economical.

I used to worry about having the proper nutrient for my child and i would get supplement such chlorella, maca, etc.... but i came to realize that what the children need the most are fruits and essential amino acid (hemp seeds, many nuts or seed have them, my favorite source is hemp seeds because there is no allergy to them but research about that, i am not a doctor).

Eat as fresh as possible. You can buy in bulk and you can start a coop with people around you. Some people lived on carrot/celery juice for one year and their body healed from cancer. So this is to tell you, that if you can afford a variety and fancy food, fine, if not, it is better anyway to eat simple.

Pack with what is economical in your area in term of produce. Asian market, has great deal if you have one in your area. Young coconut aren't that expensive and they are packed with nutrient.

I used to spend a fortune on grocery, now it cost me less then when i was vegetarian and doing organic. Because with raw food, you tend to eat less at some point because your body cans absorb far more nutrient.

Smoothie for children can be very delicious and you can make sure to have hemp seed in them.

All the best!

p.s Some people will buy by case the produce they use the most. Just ask to your grocer or natural food store in your area. If you are up to it, you can consider wild edible plant, they are absolutely free and the most packed of nutrient and anti-oxidant. On very very important factor, is to know that you are always provided. It sound silly but our intention will manifest. When worries rise, replace those thoughts with abundance of gratitude and watch the magic.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

Hello everyone. I have been researching raw foods for about a year. Gathering recipes, reading benefits and preparing myself for a slow transition over to 100% raw. My problem is.... How do you make this affordable? I am only at about 40% raw right now and I'm really breaking the bank. My priority is feeding my children properly, and I just can't afford anymore then I'm doing right now! Please help? I'm sure there are ways to make this affordable and I'm just clueless. I'd love any advice you guys can send my way! I just purchased a dehydrator, so I'm so excited to be able to expand the textures I'm eating by making crackers and such :)

Anyway, thanks in advance!

lf you are buying from middle men like health stores, then yes, things can get very expensive. lt can be very difficult to find options where you can buy direct from obscure farms that don't advertise. The more obscure a business is, the less demand and the lower the price. The question l ask myself is this: why should l pay someone's rent and overhead expenses when l can drive to a small farm and buy direct instead? Why spend good money to fatten a middle man's wallet? l would rather spend the time and do research and get lower prices for the long term.

Do a drive and find a nut farm and buy in bulk.
Find a local fruit farm that doesn't advertise.

DO SPROUTS!!! That is the best way possible to save money. Seeds are cheap, the growing is done by yourself so labour and overhead costs are cut, they can be bought in bulk and will harvest fresh food each time (rare for most foods these days). The fruit and vegetables bought from shops are no way near the quality of the home grown sprouts....they are a very poor overpriced substitute, even many of the nuts are not suitable for eating in the shops because they are eaten all year around instead of being eaten in season.

Really...it is best to avoid buying into the popular vegan trap of buying costly low quality raw food (most fruits, most vegetables, most nuts, most seeds and most superfoods). lt's popular and there is lots of hype and rar rar about it, but at the end of the day it is largely a con. So many people try living off the `so called' superfoods and they bomb out...why? Because they don't eat fresh. lf you want to eat low quality food, fine, but make sure you do eat at least half of your food as fresh with minimal nutrient inhibitors.

The higher the path you take, the less it will cost you...but it is also less cool because you basically become a forager and farmer. Best to avoid `the system' as much as you can....avoid the fancy shops....buy from the dumps that most fancy folk avoid. l buy from some of the biggest dumps around.

lf you are dirt poor, try juicing weeds for your green juices each day. That is a HUGE start and far surpasses what most raw vegans eat.

[Tmoon]

You'd think that would have been the first thought, but I never did tink about finding farms and buying direct. Great idea. There is a coop in the area that I just found, but the price for boxes are pretty expensive!! I'll have to research a bit more and see what I can find.

As far as growing... I live in a very hot climate and so EVERYTIME I try I kill them :(. I apparently have a black thumb. I'm currently nursing some tomato plants that have yielded 5 tomatoes and nothing else. Is too hot for them to fruit, apparently. I hope I can keep them alive until it cools down a bit. Anyone know about micro greens? Are those worth the time and energy to grow? Will they even grow in 100+ degrees?!

I am jumping on the web now to try and find local farms. I wish I had a second fridge so I could buy by the case, that would be ideal. I might try and find one for cheap and throw it in my garage! :)

[Raw Angel Mom]

Try sprouting, i think it will be ok. Check for a nut farm also, you can get a good deal buying directly.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

You'd think that would have been the first thought, but I never did tink about finding farms and buying direct. Great idea. There is a coop in the area that I just found, but the price for boxes are pretty expensive!! I'll have to research a bit more and see what I can find.
Popular places are always expensive. Small farms are always the best; become friends with the owners and ask for great deals. l can get 15 kg of apples for only $12.


Anyone know about micro greens? Are those worth the time and energy to grow?
YES YES YES! Best food humanly possible to eat/drink.


Will they even grow in 100+ degrees?
They struggle over 100 degrees, so you need to find a cool area to put them like under the house or under a big tree. l have come home after a hard days work to find every single tray of wheatgrass, sunflower greens, buckwheat lettuce and pea shoot green DEAD....a week's work wiped out in a single afternoon....20 trays all gone. To help stop the heat l have now put insulation foil under the roof of the varanda l have my microgreens growing, but when it gets really really hot l put all my trays under the house and give them some light in the evenings around 6 pm, but that may be only 12 days of the year at most.

ln the really hot weather l would try the following: alfalfa sprouts, fenugreek sprouts, clover sprouts, mung bean sprouts, adzuki bean sprouts, chickpea sprouts.

[MysticTree]

I'm growing chickpea sprouts. They are ok even though the weather has cooled off.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

I'm growing chickpea sprouts. They are ok even though the weather has cooled off.

Chickpeas grow great in any weather.

l wouldn't dare grow chia greens in hot weather, no way! They would probably need to be lightly watered about 12+ times a day in extreme weather if they were to survive.

[delmar]

DO SPROUTS!!! That is the best way possible to save money. Seeds are cheap, the growing is done by yourself so labour and overhead costs are cut, they can be bought in bulk and will harvest fresh food each time (rare for most foods these days). The fruit and vegetables bought from shops are no way near the quality of the home grown sprouts....they are a very poor overpriced substitute, even many of the nuts are not suitable for eating in the shops because they are eaten all year around instead of being eaten in season.

In addition to this, I concentrate on sprouting more of the less expensive seeds like peas, sunflowers, wheat and corn and sprout a little bit of the more expensive seeds like broccoli and alfalfa for variety. I am convinced that cheap sprouts are more nutritious than expensive vegetables.

[Tmoon]

How do yall eat the spouted stuff? Is there a table showing the amount of days to sprout each seed? Or maybe pictures of how it should look? I bought a sprouting jar, but haven't used it. It sounds silly, I know, but it kind of intimidates me, haha.

[Tmoon]

Thank you guys so much, I really do appreciate all of your advice

[Tmoon]

Oh wait, I just saw the sprouting thread on the main page :)

[delmar]

That may be the most important thread on the forum.

[pixie_333]

Have you heard of whoofers? It's a worldwide group of farmers seeking helpers. In trade it can free room and board, food and sometimes money. They teach gardening plus building... depends. Well, if a local farmer is near you can try to get in to learn and get food. Otherwise ask a local farmer to help out for food.
Yep, some farmers will sell to you much cheaper than at a store.

Also there are market warehouses in every major city and some small towns that sell box loads of stuff of just about everything imaginable.. they come in by the truck loads of farmers worldwide... these are the places where many of those who sell at farmer markets and grocery stores get their food from if they aren't growing for themselves. The public can buy too at same price.

Some vegetables such as celery, leeks and green onions can be re-grown. Green onions for instance.. just plant the roots and white part and within a few days you'll see it re-growing. These do great indoors on a window seal. There cheap to buy, but eventualy you'll have more than you'll ever desire and not have to pay for it again. Every dollar adds up. Celery.. keep the bottom stalk part and plant in ground. A couple weeks or so it'll re-grow.

Learn about ediable weeds in your area. People are fooled by picking weeds when some of it is food and taste great and loaded with vitamins. Just be certain to not pick on a pesticide sprayed area.

When something is on sale.... buy it up!!! You can dehydrate or freeze. Also you can expand the freshness life of oranges, lemons and limes by burying them in a box of sand and keep the tip part of where stem use to be on top without being covered. This method can keep fresh for a couple months. Onions... store in panty hose and hang somewhere indoors in a cool area... will keep for months without sprouting.

Hot peppers love the heat. Re-search plants that love heat and try growing what you like. Also can ask a friend to pay half if interested in growing too.
For tomatos getting too much heat/sun... put some white colored lace over top... leave space between plant and lace. It'll sheild some sun and the white color will help cool the tomatos down to survive. Plus tomatos need food in the soil. You may need to add some things.

If you qualify... get on food stamps. No shame in getting on it. 1 out of 10 people are collecting and if you've ever worked and IRS took taxes out.... well you've already paid for your benefits.

[michigan roman]

sprouting thread link for anybody wondering http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?64973-Sprouting!

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

A simple small nut farm run by two lovely people who employ no-one else. That's the way to go. They were even happy to drive an hour and drop over to my place to give me some free nut sprouts. The fruit farm l go to is the same way. No fancy frills, but more importantly...no employees or electronic banking facilities. lf you go to a co-op and they have elctronic banking services and employees and a fancy shed, walk the other way because they will always be selling high prices stuff.

Justine and Anthony:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b151/Marc_au/Ron1/Ron2/Ron%204/NutFarm-merry1.jpg

Some of the nut trees:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b151/Marc_au/Ron1/Ron2/Ron%204/NutFarm-merry5.jpg

The goats eat all the weeds so no chemicals need to be used on the farm. lf any of the goats get sick they will sleep in the shed with the goat, it doesn't matter if it is zero degrees outside.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b151/Marc_au/Ron1/Ron2/Ron%204/NutFarm-merry4.jpg

There is even an old raw fooder (raw for 35 years) who stays for months at a time living in the trees outside and he lives off weeds and grass.

[Stina]

I practically live on discounted, red-taped bananas from Fred Meijers. For real. I start my day with a mono-meal of a juice fruit, like nectarines today. Something a little bit more expensive. Than two, very cheap banana-based meals later, usually one is a green smoothie. Then a big salad for dinner. This is working very well for me. Once I'm not so broke again, I'll go back to buying in bulk from the organic wholesaler. That is definitely something worth pursuing.

[Tmoon]

Mr raw, that sounds fantastic. I'll be honest, I've researched a lot but I cannot find any farms in the area that aren't already signed up through CSAs. It's about 36 dollars for a box of veggies, and some fruit, supposedly enough to feed 3-4 adults for 1 week. Is that expensive? I also THOUGHT I found a nut farm, I was so excited! Until I called them and they told me all their nuts come from distributors. Uh, yeah,I don't think you should call yourself a farm if you don't FARM! Haha. Anyway... I wish I knew local people around here. Everyone is a transplant from somewhere else. I think the true locals would probably be able to point me in the right direction. Gunna have to start asking arund and seeing what I can come up with.

Stina- how do you live on so little variety?! Lol. I mean, I could do it I think (and I might have to), but isn't variety one of the most important parts of this diet, or am I mistaken? I think that's another big concern of mine: I want to make sure I do it right. And I'm such a planner that I'm trying to figure out how much of this and that I need to give me all the nutrition I need.

Thanks again guys, youre all awesome & encouraging! Love it!

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

Mr raw, that sounds fantastic. I'll be honest, I've researched a lot but I cannot find any farms in the area that aren't already signed up through CSAs. It's about 36 dollars for a box of veggies, and some fruit, supposedly enough to feed 3-4 adults for 1 week. Is that expensive? I also THOUGHT I found a nut farm, I was so excited! Until I called them and they told me all their nuts come from distributors. Uh, yeah,I don't think you should call yourself a farm if you don't FARM! Haha. Anyway... I wish I knew local people around here. Everyone is a transplant from somewhere else. I think the true locals would probably be able to point me in the right direction. Gunna have to start asking arund and seeing what I can come up with.
Ask around and keep you eyes peeled during winter when you go for a country drive to do investigations.


Stina- how do you live on so little variety?! Lol. I mean, I could do it I think (and I might have to), but isn't variety one of the most important parts of this diet, or am I mistaken?
Not my question but...lf the diet is really good (fresh and potent) and one has good vibration levels, then one can do well on very little variety. If the diet is not fresh and not potent and the person isn't vibrating at a high level, then ones seems to need a larger variety of foods to make up for what's lacking. Different situations/rules apply to different people's circumstances, there is no hard and set rule.

Animals in nature don't eat large varieties of food, so why do humans think they are any different? Our needs are similar to animals, but because of un-natural living many of us seem to require a larger variety of foods.

We like to make hard and set rules in nutrition and health, but it is not that way at all. We all live in different illusions and realities, so things are different for each person.

[walnutty]

Eating all raw food IS much more expensive than eating SAD food. But a decision has to made for greater health and longevity! My income is only $600 a month. So, I gave up driving in order to be able to purchase raw food. I had to do what I had to do! My health, at 47, is the most important thing to me.

[walnutty]

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b151/Marc_au/Ron1/Ron2/Ron%204/NutFarm-merry1.jpg



http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b151/Marc_au/Ron1/Ron2/Ron%204/NutFarm-merry5.jpg


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b151/Marc_au/Ron1/Ron2/Ron%204/NutFarm-merry4.jpg






These pictures are like a dream to me! How blessed they are to live in these surroundings. I would give up everything to live like this!

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

Those folks are some of the most cheerful and lovely people you could ever meet. They never stop smiling and will help many people in need. They also have a bartering community they are part of, and many in the community help each other when big jobs need to be done.

[walnutty]

Those folks are some of the most cheerful and lovely people you could ever meet. They never stop smiling and will help many people in need. They also have a bartering community they are part of, and many in the community help each other when big jobs need to be done.


Are they in the US?

[MysticTree]

I think they are in Australia.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

In Oz. They have dozens and dozens of huge trees at the back of the farm, both for hazel nuts and chestnuts. Loads of sprouted nuts laying all over the place that the goats love to eat, they'll eat the whole nut with spikes and all. Chestnuts are very dangerous things to pick (the spikes), but all we do is stand on the side of the spikes with our shoes and the inner chestnut slides out. The nuts sprout good on the ground in damp conditions, and Justine even suggested l throw the nuts in the garden (not bury) and sprout them if the weather is cold and wet enough. But it gets much much colder in the mountains than where l live, so l never did sprinkle them all over the garden.

[Stina]

* I can't afford to not be raw, even if that means eating a humble diet primarily of bananas for extended periods of time before I get the cash flow to eat a bigger variety of produce.
By buying discounted bananas, I can have a meal for under $2, but closer to one dollar.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

l can have a filling meal for about 80 cents that keeps me satisfied for 5 hours or more if l sprout 80 grams (five tablespoons) of sesame seeds. l would think it would be much cheaper in the U.S.

[Living Food]

I am convinced that cheap sprouts are more nutritious than expensive vegetables.

Very true.


Mr. Raw, I wish I lived where you do! Such a pain to get nut sprouts. And the company sounds much better where you are too...

[MysticTree]

Very true.Mr. Raw, I wish I lived where you do! Such a pain to get nut sprouts. And the company sounds much better where you are too... but most people don't want to live almost exclusively on sprouted foods. The cheapness is great for those that do of course but most people are not wanting that lifestyle.

[delmar]

Eating all raw food IS much more expensive than eating SAD food. But a decision has to made for greater health and longevity! My income is only $600 a month. So, I gave up driving in order to be able to purchase raw food. I had to do what I had to do! My health, at 47, is the most important thing to me. I am becoming convinced that, by growing much of your own food, it is possible though not easy, to eat raw for less than most people spend on food.



but most people don't want to live almost exclusively on sprouted foods. The cheapness is great for those that do of course but most people are not wanting that lifestyle.Very true, but no discussion about how to afford 100% raw is complete without mentioning sprouting. I am gravitating to more of a sprout based diet because it seems like the most practical way to reach my goal of growing most of my own food.

[MysticTree]

Very true, but no discussion about how to afford 100% raw is complete without mentioning sprouting. I am gravitating to more of a sprout based diet because it seems like the most practical way to reach my goal of growing most of my own food. if you go back to the start of the thread then you'll see that I am the one who first mentioned growing your own foods.

[delmar]

if you go back to the start of the thread then you'll see that I am the one who first mentioned growing your own foods.I am sure that's right. I guess the point you were making, if I understand correctly, is that there is no one right strategy that fits everyone's lifestyle.

[MysticTree]

I am sure that's right. I guess the point you were making, if I understand correctly, is that there is no one right strategy that fits everyone's lifestyle. exactly. We are all different with different goals, starting health, budgets, free time, abilities, interests and any other of probably a million considerations. We just do what fits in with what we can do. I don't think there is all that much wrong with my health. I could do with losing some weight and being fitter. I don't feel I'll if I eat a cooked food a few days or even weeks. I always feel at my best on raw and it is my ideal but I don't beat myself up about any of it. I have always loved fruit and veg and whilst I have eaten some junk in my time, I never existed solely on it. I will admit I'm not in the best mood this week but this is frustration at the situation I am in domestically. It will all come right.Sorry if there are no paragraph breaks. I have put them in but am posting from my mobile and they never show up.

[delmar]

Georgina
We all get a little grouchy from time to time, but you are appreciated. In fact you are probably the one person here who's attitudes seem to mach my own most closely.

[MysticTree]

GeorginaWe all get a little grouchy from time to time, but you are appreciated. In fact you are probably the one person here who's attitudes seem to mach my own most closely. thank you Delmar, likewise as far as I am concerned. I miss speltrong who was also very sensible and fun. I still chuckle every time I look at my juicer and imagine you knocking 9 bells out of yours trying to clean it. I have a lot of juicing to do tomorrow and the day after etc. The growing has finally built up a head of sustainable steam so to speak.

[delmar]

I have a lot of juicing to do tomorrow and the day after etc. The growing has finally built up a head of sustainable steam so to speak.Fantastic :dance:

[walnutty]

I am becoming convinced that, by growing much of your own food, it is possible though not easy, to eat raw for less than most people spend on food.



I would LOVE to be able to do this! It is a dream of mine!

BUT, currently I live in a tiny, subsidized apartment in the middle of cement city (Phoenix) with no direct sunlight coming into the windows and no place to put plants.

So, how would I do this???

[pixie_333]

It's pretty expensive growing your own food. I did a lot this year and haven't reached not even a small fraction worth of food vs what I've spent on containers, seeds, soil, fertalizer etc. And quite a bit I used free stuff and what I already had around. Thus far it would of been far cheaper to buy at markets. None of it is as easy as it sounds. Some things are challenging to grow vs some easy stuff.

I've even addressed this with other local farmers and they express the same how expensive it is, but is worth it so you know where your food comes from and can pick it fresh.

Some things to grow can produce quite a lot and doesn't need much maintence. But the space to have for more things.... it's challenging. One needs a lot of room for various things.

[drraw]

There's an upfront cost to growing your own food, but it is only a one-time cost. There's also a bunch of cheap ways to get started. I use finished toilet rolls and milk cartons for starter plants as well as string and tree branches I find from the back yard to prop up tomato plants. You can also use rain water collection to save money on the watering of the plants.

In my garden, I have an economy aspect to it. I usually grow things that are hard to find or expensive or that produce high yields. Beefsteak tomatoes are good, leaks, kale, peppers, herbs, etc. are all good options. Next year, I'm going to start incorporating wild foods into the garden that hopefully take care of themselves, need less water, and keep coming back after the snow melts.

I just grabbed a lot of wild blueberries today from the forest. Although, I will need to finish my fast before consuming them.

--drraw

[michigan roman]

http://www.everwilde.com/store/Parris-Island-Cos-Romaine-Lettuce-Seeds.html

[michigan roman]

http://www.willhiteseed.com/products.php?cat=68

[michigan roman]

above are the two cheapest seed sources i know of . one can grow alot of greens for very cheap . i just use 4 prong cultivator to plow up my soil 4" , then broadcast seeds by hand over bed , then use steel bow rake to rake seeds into soil a bit , then lightly cover bed with straw to help keep moisture in and weeds out

you can also buy the sun seeds sold at store for birds and rake them into soil same way and grow tons of nutricious delicious sunny micro greens very cheap

and tomato plants so easy n cheap to get alot of production out of

and then theres all kinds seeds to cheaply sprout such as mung bean

so i respectfully disagree with outlook its costly to grow your own

just have to master your version of the process

[michigan roman]

since going vegan 20 years ago ive done alot of gardening , and heres my favorite garden tool . best tool to break up hardened soil where you want to plant : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031575S6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&smid=

[michigan roman]

my other best tool http://www.amazon.com/Bully-92309-16-Inch-Fiberglass-Handle/dp/B002Z8N7SM/ref=pd_sim_sbs_lg_4

[michigan roman]

then this very necessary for compost pile http://www.amazon.com/Tines-Forged-Pitch-Fiberglass-Handle/dp/B005E9HNS4/ref=sr_1_9?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1344742310&sr=1-9&keywords=pitchfork

[michigan roman]

and this needed for digging up / breaking up soil http://www.amazon.com/Ames-True-Temper-1890100-Classic/dp/B000OMIJXE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_lg_9

[michigan roman]

and now they make shovels with the part you step on to dig being wider so you can get more force into the shovels digging action ,
at link put your mouse pointer on that part of shovel for a close up http://www.sears.com/craftsman-long-handle-digging-shovel/p-07183525000P?prdNo=15

[michigan roman]

and the good old transplant shovel , sorry i get high on gardening talk lol : http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-7062-Softouch-Polished-Aluminum/dp/B00005YX2U/ref=pd_sim_lg_3

[Frugal Raw]

Greetings!

I have a few tips for you too!

* Don't go heavy on the nuts - use sunflower seeds (2.69/lb) instead of almonds ($7.99/lb)

* Use bananas and zucchini as staple items - zucchini can be used to spread and make creamy a nut cheese, while also lowering fat. It also makes a lovely soup base.

* When you buy fruits that mold quickly - like berries - soak them in a white vinegar/water solution 1:12 to kill the spores they may have picked up at the store. Soak for 10 minutes, rinse, and dry before storing.

* when you buy components for salad, wash and dry lettuce before storing in air-tight bags - this will preserve it longer. Keep compnents stored separately and build your salads as you consume them rather than making a big bowl, dressing it, and having it wilt.

* if you have leftover salad, blend it and make it into a savory smoothie!

Hope these tips help you - I have more, but it's late. I'll chime in again tomorrow!

*

[MysticTree]

heavens to Betsy! If you go rushing out to buy everything brand new then of course it gets expensive. Don't forget yard sales, relatives (friends or neighbours) that have become too old or ill to garden (they love the idea that someone will use their tools) and always ask if you can borrow them until they are feeling well enough again and until you have yourself kitted out. Think permaculturally. Use things you already have, things others are throwing away. You can make newspaper seed pots, use pop bottles (you'll have to get others to save those for you) as cloches. If you see pallets being slung in skips, ask if you can have them for your garden (we have fenced our hens with pallets but you can use them to make raised beds). Join seed cooperatives and clubs - people with greenhouses will often grow a few for you if they can swap with something you have or if you offer to water their garden and keep an eye on things if they have to go away. Check out Freecycle or equivalant where you live. Birthdays, Christmas or whichever gift-giving festivals you observe, make it known you are gardening mad. You really don't need to spend a lot but you certainly can if you choose to.

[pixie_333]

Folks, I've spent close to 3 hundred and barely got a thing out of it... perhaps 40 bucks of food. I've already owned all the gardening tools for years and isn't included with what I spent this year. I had to pay for containers, soil, soil food, and seeds. I did use branches in my back yard for poles and the chicken wire I already had to enclose one section.
There isn't much room to grow things in containers. loose leaf lettuce, beans and tomatos is a breeze. I only had permission to inground so much... rest had to be containers. Seriously... absoloutely lost a lot of cash and I know how to grow food.

[pixie_333]

Oh and spectrum and gro lights and cheap lamps to start the seeds and do some indoor gardeing.

[MysticTree]

Then you are very silly to even try it aren't you? Why would you spend so much? Crazy.

[pixie_333]

Mystic, sometimes it's best to ask first before assuming. I do use a lot of recycables. Infact building a house out of mostly recycables. Some things one needs to buy. Some veggies and fruits can not fit in a soda bottle. Some things are litterly BAD to use to grow in that many people are not aware of. Infact near all pallets are chemicaly treated that posion food and the air if burnt. And unfortunitely many people are not aware of this and gardening with them. There's only specific types of plastic that can be used to grow food in... yet still isn't healthy for ones food grade.

[walnutty]

I have a friend on facebook who gets free food boxes from city programs and just keeps the fresh produce they contain and passes on the processed/cooked foods.

[pixie_333]

Then you are very silly to even try it aren't you? Why would you spend so much? Crazy.

Mystic... just mind your own business with me, okay. You have a harsh energy to you that rubs to people in a way uncomfortably.

I'm all up for suggestions... but not a degrading negativeness.

[MysticTree]

I didn't say you didn't recycle. I just said you are crazy to spend so much - unless you are happy to spend so much in which case carry on. I don't use treated pallets for growing. Most pallets here aren't treated. If you sow/plant at the right time then there is very little that won't fit under a pop bottle cloche. Growing doesn't need to be expensive but if you want it to be then carry on. Of course if you choose to see negativity so be it. I'm actually being very positive that cheap gardening is possible. Some might say that you are being negative for saying it has to be expensive.

[pixie_333]

It's an investment mystic. Lights last... I can't use the fertalizer all in a season... some foods require a lot of room. I just had hoped to of gained far more than I did.
But again... our energies do not resonate together. And words like crazy etc is harsh stuff and not welcoming to anyone. Your energy is attacking often based on many threads I've read that doesn't feedback on my posts.

[pixie_333]

I'm saying leave a line between us because it disturbs me a bit.

[MysticTree]

Crazy is quite an affectionate word over here and especially when spoken. Online everyone loses the tone something is written in and puts in place the tone they perceive as having been used. I engage with lots of people on here and in particular whilst Mr Raw for example says a lot of stuff I don't agree with, I am incredibly find of him and his crazy (said with affection) ways. Yes lights are an investment but they aren't a requirement. I have been gardening for forty years and never seen the need to get any. At the moment we don't even have domestic lighting though we have seen a solar panel system that is affordable and will provide two bulbs worth for about four hours a day. We will probably get that before winter - for us not for plants!

[delmar]

Folks, I've spent close to 3 hundred and barely got a thing out of it... perhaps 40 bucks of food. I've already owned all the gardening tools for years and isn't included with what I spent this year. I had to pay for containers, soil, soil food, and seeds. I did use branches in my back yard for poles and the chicken wire I already had to enclose one section.
There isn't much room to grow things in containers. loose leaf lettuce, beans and tomatos is a breeze. I only had permission to inground so much... rest had to be containers. Seriously... absoloutely lost a lot of cash and I know how to grow food.While I would not have said it the way M. T. did. I do agree with her that you are the one who spent that $300 and are unsatisfied with the return that you got. I one the other hand have probably spent not much more than $40 growing food and I believe I have cut more than $300 off my food budget and I am just getting started. I scrounge, I forage, I sprout and I compost and I don't buy any commercial fertilizer.

[MysticTree]

While I would not have said it the way M. T. did. I do agree with her that you are the one who spent that $300 and are unsatisfied with the return that you got. I one the other hand have probably spent not much more than $40 growing food and I believe I have cut more than $300 off my food budget and I am just getting started. I scrounge, I forage, I sprout and I compost and I don't buy any commercial fertilizer.

I don't buy fertiliser either. It's over used generally and my hens provide tons more than I need. The eggs they provide are sold so the feed I buy for them is covered. All they cost me is time and they are part of my family so I love spending time with them.

At albeit inflated shop prices value I currently have either in seed, soaking or at various stages of sprouting about £100 worth (retail value) in pea shoots. The seed cost me less than £3.00.

I can beat the ready sprouted prices of alfalfa and radish by about 4 or 5 times - both are going like trains with healthy delicious growth.

Courgette seed is expensive relative to the number of seed in the packet but for some reason courgettes in shops over here are expensive. The first 4 fruit I pick will cover the cost of the seed, the second 4 will see me in profit.

Lettuce will cover the cost of the seed in the first 3 salads I make.

Setting up raspberries will be a bit more expensive but is likely to cover costs by the end of the 3rd season (less I'd hope) and a kiwi plant or 4 will provide so much fruit that I'd be sick if I ate it all. These fruits will crop for many years making an enormous saving over-all.

Much of the seed can I use can be grown in situ so there is little need for trays but they cost just 50p each which still keeps the price of a tray of wheat grass at less than quarter the cost of a bought tray and each tray can be used for a good 5 years if I'm not rough with them.

Raised beds I make with packing crates from work. They are only 8-12 inches high at the moment but as we get more crates in so the beds will get higher.

I consider gardening a hobby and the time I spend doing it means I'm not keeping, riding and competing with horses for example though I realise there are lots of cheap hobbies as well as gardening.

We want a polytunnel - I have a business plan formulating in my head for that but it will be a big outlay that will take a while to pay off. The great thing about gardening is that next year is always going to be better.

[adobegirl]

Greetings!

I have a few tips for you too!

* Don't go heavy on the nuts - use sunflower seeds (2.69/lb) instead of almonds ($7.99/lb)

* Use bananas and zucchini as staple items - zucchini can be used to spread and make creamy a nut cheese, while also lowering fat. It also makes a lovely soup base.

* When you buy fruits that mold quickly - like berries - soak them in a white vinegar/water solution 1:12 to kill the spores they may have picked up at the store. Soak for 10 minutes, rinse, and dry before storing.

* when you buy components for salad, wash and dry lettuce before storing in air-tight bags - this will preserve it longer. Keep compnents stored separately and build your salads as you consume them rather than making a big bowl, dressing it, and having it wilt.

* if you have leftover salad, blend it and make it into a savory smoothie!

Hope these tips help you - I have more, but it's late. I'll chime in again tomorrow!

*

These are wonderful tips. Thanks so much! I did not know that soaking berries like that would make them last longer. I usually end up freezing them when I wished I didn't have to.

And I'm definitely going to try the zucchini cheese sometime! Do you have a recipe?

[delmar]

I could say more but my mobile phone lack of paragraphs is probably making your head hurt Delmar! Not I problem for me. I use my mouse and highlight a section at a time.

[Frugal Raw]

These are wonderful tips. Thanks so much! I did not know that soaking berries like that would make them last longer. I usually end up freezing them when I wished I didn't have to.

And I'm definitely going to try the zucchini cheese sometime! Do you have a recipe?

The zucchini cheese is simple - peel it and pop some of it into your blender - blend until smooth. Then add this to your nut cheese to desired consistency. I would suggest start trying about 1 part zucchini to 3 parts thick, dry nut mixture. Then season to taste. This also works well when making a cheese sauce, (like for lasagna or zucchini pasta) at more of a 50%/50% ratio. Add some nutritional yeast and a slip of red bell pepper for a more cheddary flavor. Leave out the red bell pepper and the nutritional yeast for more of a white sauce. :)

[MysticTree]

Not I problem for me. I use my mouse and highlight a section at a time. I've tidied it up for you and added a few extra words so it actually makes better sense. I really dislike posting from my phone.

[truerawhealth]

I have the same problem you do, but her are a couple tips.

I do mono meals of cheap foods, like watermelon, banana, and carrots.

Green juice is also very cheap to make.

Next year I'm planning a huge garden.Best of luck

[walnutty]

Green juice is also very cheap to make.



Not if you do organic green juice!

[Tmoon]

Thanks for everyone's responses, they are greatly appreciated!! Frugal raw, I'd love to read more of what your tricks are, I didn't know most of what you told me. I hope when you hav time you'll share more!!

Thanks everyone, this is all great info! :)

[truerawhealth]

Not if you do organic green juice!

Yeah. I can't afford organic very often, but celery, kale and cilantro from Walmart is really cheap. Organic is out of the question for people on my budget. But raw nonorganic produce is still better than the s.a.d alternatives

[walnutty]

Yeah. I can't afford organic very often, but celery, kale and cilantro from Walmart is really cheap. Organic is out of the question for people on my budget. But raw nonorganic produce is still better than the s.a.d alternatives


My food budget is $150 a month. Green juices go directly into the blood, so in my opinion, if you are not juicing organic greens you are harming yourself.

[pixie_333]

When one doesn't appreciate the word "crazy"... you ought to apologise rather than elaborating where you find it correct term to use. I see through it.

Good luck growing food in clay land and sand. You'd be the first to grow veggies in it. I have to buy soil. Soil isn't cheap.

You're a walk of negative energy mystic. I didn't post to get criticized. I simply shared what I had to do has been expenseive and first year dissapointment in what I hoped to gain. You've gone on post "crazy" where you never took the time to ask if I've done this or that... and just assumed and tried to degrade me along the way.

You also made a bizzare post just to soley say you were the first to mention to grow your own food. You must be GOD or still alive from "Adam and Eve".

When one states your behaivor and reactions makes one feel uncofortable etc... then you should respect it and move on. You don't even give an apology... just elaborte further.

Get the facts first before debating.

[pixie_333]

Yeah. I can't afford organic very often, but celery, kale and cilantro from Walmart is really cheap. Organic is out of the question for people on my budget. But raw nonorganic produce is still better than the s.a.d alternatives

Walmart tends to sell the worst of the worst pesticide grown foods available in their produce section. When I find the info I'll share it. But it's pretty much better to starve than eat what they sell. There's many organic org after them and on their tail researching with all the monstanos they buy from farmers. It's truth some sprayed foods aren't as toxic as some other spraying farmers. But Walmart tends to seek the most sprayed.

[MysticTree]

When one doesn't appreciate the word "crazy"... you ought to apologise rather than elaborating where you find it correct term to use. I see through it.Good luck growing food in clay land and sand. You'd be the first to grow veggies in it. I have to buy soil. Soil isn't cheap. You're a walk of negative energy mystic. I didn't post to get criticized. I simply shared what I had to do has been expenseive and first year dissapointment in what I hoped to gain. You've gone on post "crazy" where you never took the time to ask if I've done this or that... and just assumed and tried to degrade me along the way.You also made a bizzare post just to soley say you were the first to mention to grow your own food. You must be GOD or still alive from "Adam and Eve".When one states your behaivor and reactions makes one feel uncofortable etc... then you should respect it and move on. You don't even give an apology... just elaborte further.Get the facts first before debating.
First of all not all my posts are addressed to you. There are others on this thread. The comment about first raising the subject of growing food was addressed to Delmar and there was nothing Adam and Eveish about it at all. We were talking to each other in a sequence of posts that made sense at least to us.

Clay and sand is not a bad starting point but yes, there are better soils. I bought compost in to start with because all I had was tarmac and scalpings -I'd take your clay and sand over tarmac and scalpings every time.

Secondly it wouldn't matter what I said or how I said it you would take offence. That is for you to deal with. I have said it wasn't said with negativity but you prefer to believe it was. That is up to you but it's not for me to worry about.

[MysticTree]

My food budget is $100 a month. Green juices go directly into the blood, so in my opinion, if you are not juicing organic greens you are harming yourself. That is a tight budget. Well done on achieving that - I go without many things but spend it instead on foods that I like - and which, being raw, are often expensive.

[MysticTree]

Yeah. I can't afford organic very often, but celery, kale and cilantro from Walmart is really cheap. Organic is out of the question for people on my budget. But raw nonorganic produce is still better than the s.a.d alternatives

I think you can shop quite cannily for organic and often times, over here at least, the price isn't so much difference.

[Living Food]

Not if you do organic green juice!

It is if you juice organic sprouts + microgreens that you grow yourself. That goes with most food you grow yourself, but sprouts + microgreens are the quickest to grow and can be grown year round, and they're better in nutritional value then any mature vegetable out there.

[MysticTree]

Absolutely. The micro greens I will have grown in just the previous month will more than cover the cost of 3 cubic metres of organic compost I bought in. I put the spent compost in the compost bin with the muckings out from the hens and all veg waste and some clippings etc. It would be fair to say that I wouldn't buy micro greens at retail prices which is what I have used in my calculations but in 6 months I reckon the cost will equate to a meagre number of pennies for my foods and I will still have all that compost to recycle and use again :)

[SunshineMN]

But Walmart tends to seek the most sprayed.

I highly doubt Walmart goes out of their way to find the most sprayed produce they can find. I wouldn't doubt they go for the cheapest but do you really think they ask the producers if they sprayed them more than another producer?

[MysticTree]

I highly doubt Walmart goes out of their way to find the most sprayed produce they can find. I wouldn't doubt they go for the cheapest but do you really think they ask the producers if they sprayed them more than another producer? I'm sure you are right. Follow the money. Cheapness is usually behind most buyers' choices in many walks of life.

[MysticTree]

Even MrRaw who lives in Oz, land of the high priced everything, is raw on a few dollars a day. It really is possible if you want it enough.

[walnutty]

Even MrRaw who lives in Oz, land of the high priced everything, is raw on a few dollars a day. It really is possible if you want it enough.


Yep, I agree! If you want it (or anything) bad enough you will find a way!

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

and weeds and lawn grass can be our friends as well. lf the lawn grass was planted years ago there wouldn't be too many chemical worries from any seeds. Lawn grass can be tough to juice, but it's good stuff. lf you don't have a lawn, find a neighbour who will let you juice their lawn instead, and pick all their weeds. Even better, try finding nice renters who never mow their lawn and start cutting it everyday for juices.

[Living Food]

I wonder what the nutritional comparison between lawn grass and wheatgrass is? At least the lawn grass is growing outside at a normal rate of growth.

I'm pretty sure that GM (bioengineered) grass has now been approved, but as long as the grass you're getting wasn't planted recently you should be fine - since grass is self-propagating, most people probably don't plant it anyway.

There's nothing you can do about cross-contamination, but the chances of that happening are probably low.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

I wonder what the nutritional comparison between lawn grass and wheat grass is? At least the lawn grass is growing outside at a normal rate of growth.

.

l don't think lawn grass is near as nutritious as wheatgrass, but it is still good. Then again, l think various wild grasses are said to be even better than wheatgrass. lt's the same with farm weeds v's wild weeds; wild weeds are far stronger when taken from the forest. Wild thistle juice burns my mouth out and l feel like a fire breathing dragon, but farm weeds are so much more mild.

[delmar]

l don't think lawn grass is near as nutritious as wheatgrass, but it is still good.
That depends on your lawn, I guess. The grass in my lawn would appear to be some variety of wild grass. It will easily grow 2 feet high if I let it go, but the county code enforcement seems to have a problem with that, at least in front of the house. They do allow me to let it go a bit in the back though.

[delmar]

...Lawn grass can be tough to juice, but it's good stuff...

I just bought a blower/ vac mulcher that does a really good job of chopping up the grass so that it is ready to run through my juice press. It doesn't chop it up fine enough to remove the juice or heat it up so I don't think oxidation will be much of a concern. It think it will be a great way to quickly juice large volumes of grasses and weeds.

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