I know how to

[coollikeme]

loss weigh. The problem is, it gets expensive. My wife and I went 5 months eating organic and all natural foods. I loss 18 pounds in that time with no exercise (Yeah, I know, I am lazy). My wife lost around 25 pounds and we feel as healthy as we ever did in our lives. Spending the money on organic food is killing our budget. Most of the food is twice as much as regular food . So, are there any good budget plans out there to help us mange our money, so we can stick with are plan. I really don't want to go back to crap food. Hopefully, this isn't a situation where money keeps use from being healthy. Any tips would be helpful. Thanks for listening.

[maclinda]

Perhaps this can help:

How many of your foods could you grow yourself? Tomatoes and peppers grow nicely in large pots.

Where else could you buy fresh organic produce? Do you have friends who grow organic vegetables? Gardeners would generally rather share than throw food away.

Since you didn't say if you are vegetarian/vegan, I'll add this: fertilizer, chemicals, etc. concentrate in fat. So if you eat meat, if you eat conventionally raised choose very lean cuts. For dairy, if I had to choose I'd get the organic cream or half n half, could maybe then buy conventional skim milk. So if the food has fat, really try to go organic.

You could include less expensive items in your diet more often. Grains are pretty inexpensive. Look for in season vegetables (besides, they'll be fresher so therefore more nutritious).

Buy simple foods. Granola ingredients are pretty cheap. Granola is not cheap.

Brainstorm and see what you come up with! It's a good way to live.

[Michael Clyde]

I have tried or am still doing the things that maclinda suggested. In addition, I started making more foods like bread, tortillas, and soups instead of buying these items packaged or canned. Much more time consuming, but well worth it if you can swing it. In lieu of organic, I've resorted to natural foods many times. Supposedly, some "natural food" distributers are organic. They just need a few years of consistent organic cultivation in order to put the term organic on the label. This is just what I have heard, though. Need to research. Anyway, a natural food that does not have an ingredient list a mile long must have some benefit.

[dor]

consider joining a co-op or farm share.
Farm Share CSA

also stick to less processed foods which a likely to be cheaper

[Rosi]

Eating seasonally is definitely a cheeper option. You will need to get inventive with your cooking so as not to get bored but it would make a big diference to your budget.

Also you can often get cheeper organic produce close to its best before date. If you buy in food which lasts longer, such as rice, pasta, flour etc. in bulk or when you see a special offer then you should be able to save some money there as well.

[Victoria]

I second the advice on buying bulk. I'm a college student, and it has really helped me.

[taylor2]

well- i can not afford all the organic foods. i go to this fruit/veggie store that has like real fruits and veggies from farmers. i get the best apples for 39 cents a pound and cabbage at 4 pounds for 1$.banana's will be like 10 cents a pound. in the summer months-there is a million blackberries everywhere up here in oregon.i pick.we all pick and eat and then too-i freeze tons of them.i also search for apple tree's and cherry trees and also pear tree's.alot that no one uses.they just let them rot. i go by the river and there is an old apple orchard. me and the family pick.i made tons of apple sauce for winter and froze it all.we don't eat meat.i am into raw foodism.i can grow greens anytime.i also went yesterday and picked dandelion greens to put into my green smoothies. the dandelions are everywhere right now.i use nuts very sparingly. i have lost 75 pounds since oct. of 2006.lets see.oh-we are starting a garden this yr. i just planted a big mess of lettuce that i use for taco shells/wraps.my hubby is making raised beds and he also planted blueberries and grapes this last weekend.we have been trying to exercise more than sitting in front of the tv.cause it make s us want to munch.good luck.taylor2

[coollikeme]

is very interesting, I will look in to that. Any more tips are welcome, thanks to everyone for the help. Great advice from all of you.