[Joeyandboys]

i have a difficult time eating healthy on a budget. tonight i made chicken and black bean tortillas (i didn't eat the chicken) and that was good, but i run out of meal ideas. i have plenty of snack ideas....

suggestions for meals?

[Shelby]

Check out e-mealz.com . I'm not currently using it because I'm trying Joy Bauer's 90/10 recipes, but it's been great for us! There are low-fat plans.

[brenintx]

The best advice I can give you is to eat in season. Fruit and veggies in season are always less expensive than not in season. http://www.localharvest.org/

I know you have a lot of dietary restrictions so I'm not sure about giving you recipe ideas. I eat a lot of dairy (yogurt, cottage cheese, low fat cheese), whole grains, low fat meats, and tons of fruit and veggies. I always have a few ounces of protein (dairy, beans, chicken, turkey, pork, or some beef), a whole grain (rice, bread, pasta), and 1-2 veg at most meals. I eat fruit with breakfast and lunch and some snacks.

[Peace~Karen]

- Dried beans and grains are reasonably priced from the bulk bins of health food stores.
- Shop for produce at your local farmers' market. The produce is fresher, tastier and usually less expensive.
- Eggs are a great for quick and inexpensive meals.
- Eat less meat. You'll be surprised how much you can save just by going veg one or two days a week.
- Cook in large portions and freeze leftovers in single serving contains. This is much more cost effective than buying packaged frozen foods.
- Homemade soups, stew and chili are great low cost, healthy options.
- Buying organic on a budget...

- When shopping at the farmers' market ask the farmer about his/her growing practices. Often local farms use sustainable farming practices but prefer not to deal with the red tape required to label their produce "organic."
- Refer to the Environmental Working Group's list of fruits and vegetables that carry the greatest pesticide load. When organically grown fruits and vegetables in the local grocery store don't fit your food budget, avoid the items that are most heavily contaminated by pesticides and other chemicals used on crops, and stick to those that are least likely to be contaminated.

Hope that helps!

Peace,
Karen