Eating healthy on a budget.

[learnllovelaugh]

I think a good way to think about it is nutrients per dollar rather than calories per dollar. Nutrient rich food may be more expensive, but it should do a better job of satisfying hunger.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by learnllovelaugh

I think a good way to think about it is nutrients per dollar rather than calories per dollar. Nutrient rich food may be more expensive, but it should do a better job of satisfying hunger.

well, what's a nutrient rich food?

[Weena]

Originally Posted by spacecadetglow

Worth it to invest in a little rice cooker.

One of my favourite appliances. I use it all the time to cook rice or quinoa.

[learnllovelaugh]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

well, what's a nutrient rich food?

Green smoothies have become the majority of my diet so I like to use any raw organic fruits and vegetables. Organic food supposedly has about 50% more nutrients in it so I believe it's worth the extra money. It tastes better too.

[firenexx]

well, what's a nutrient rich food?

Food that is rich in nutrients.

...

(Not that hard to figure out)

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by firenexx

Food that is rich in nutrients.

...

(Not that hard to figure out)

lol Thank you for that insightful nugget of information.

[elucidate]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

lol it's not rude. I've just always over cooked, under cooked, overflowed. Boy how many times have I overflowed. Usually with rice and pasta, tho I don't cook either anymore. I see all the different instructions, and I guess I just get overwhelmed. Lentils seems easy tho, so I might try that.

Couldn't you get a timer?

[elucidate]

Originally Posted by ellie

I was told soaking lentils helps reduce flatulence that you usually get from eating lentils. It gets rid of the gunk...not sure how true it is though Although, personally I think it does make a difference

Throwing in a couple of bay leaves will do the trick in reducing flatulence.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by elucidate

Couldn't you get a timer?

that never helped either lol but thank you for reminding me that I have some beans soaking. I would have left them on the counter. and it's already been 15 hours.

[missbhaven]

Originally Posted by elucidate

Throwing in a couple of bay leaves will do the trick in reducing flatulence.

That's the first time I've heard that, but I've I do always add bay leaves to my bean soups instinctively.


As for a rice cooker, have any of you got Ebert's (The famous movie critic who got I think cancer in voice box) rice cooker book. It's one I've been wanting to pick up since he uses it a bit like a slowcooker. He claims that the rice cookers have a technology that magically knows when to stop and turn off and he has a bunch of other recipes for it's use other than simple rice.

Also, I came across this site when I was looking for a no knead bread recipe (Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day is another book I want).
It may give you a few ideas.
Budget Bytes

[russianrocket]

Well, I cooked the beans. They taste crummy lol. As I said, I have no idea what I'm doing.

[Lauxa]

Crummy how? Too hard, too soft? I usually cook them for about 60-90 minutes, and I like to add a few cloves of garlic to the water. Don't add salt until after they are cooked or they get tough. Beans are pretty bland by themselves so I like to spice them up.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by Lauxa

Crummy how? Too hard, too soft? I usually cook them for about 60-90 minutes, and I like to add a few cloves of garlic to the water. Don't add salt until after they are cooked or they get tough. Beans are pretty bland by themselves so I like to spice them up.

Hard to describe. Tho, the last time I've ate home cooked beans, was, well never. So I'm judging them by the ones I've eaten out of a can. They seem a little too hard possible. And a little more crumbly then mushy. Soaked over night ( 15 hours. maybe too long..) and then brought to boil, then left to simmer for 90 minutes or a little longer. And yes, very bland lol.

[Lauxa]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

Hard to describe. Tho, the last time I've ate home cooked beans, was, well never. So I'm judging them by the ones I've eaten out of a can. They seem a little too hard possible. And a little more crumbly then mushy. Soaked over night ( 15 hours. maybe too long..) and then brought to boil, then left to simmer for 90 minutes or a little longer. And yes, very bland lol.

If they are hard, that is easy, cook them longer.

Did you rinse the beans after you soaked them and then cook them in fresh water? Did you skim all the scum off the top of the water after the pot came to a boil?

My favorite way to spice them up is with some fresh pico de gallo.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by Lauxa

If they are hard, that is easy, cook them longer.

Did you rinse the beans after you soaked them and then cook them in fresh water? Did you skim all the scum off the top of the water after the pot came to a boil?

My favorite way to spice them up is with some fresh pico de gallo.

I cooked them almost up to 2 hours. lol it's just hard for me to judge the way they are supposed to be. I also have no idea how old they are lol they were sitting in the pantry for who knows how long.

Cooked them in fresh water. There was no scum on top tho. What do I do with the water that's in the pot? Soup?

[Lauxa]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

I cooked them almost up to 2 hours. lol it's just hard for me to judge the way they are supposed to be. I also have no idea how old they are lol they were sitting in the pantry for who knows how long.

Cooked them in fresh water. There was no scum on top tho. What do I do with the water that's in the pot? Soup?

I just dump it out.