| Honestly, I disagree that good for you food costs more. Chips and convenience foods are very costly. I live in the Chicago suburbs and there are many ethnic markets that are far cheaper than the big chain grocery stores. I can get a week's worth of produce for 2 adults for $10-15 if I shop the local Italian market. This includes fresh garlic, ginger, lemons, limes, zuchinni, avocadoes, salad, artichokes, carrots, onions, potatoes, cilantro, peppers, tomatoes, parsley, celery, melons, grapes, peaches, cucumbers, mushrooms, asparagus, you name it! I don't buy all that every week, but they often have avocadoes for $.50 each whereas the big stores they are $2 each. Limes are $.05 each. Vine ripened tomatoes are $.99/lb instead of $3.99. Yes, it takes more time to shop the sales, but it doesn't have to cost more if you can't afford it. They also have very cheap lunchmeat - often 1/3 to 1/2 the price of the chains. It pays to shop around! I go to the big stores only for their sale items, and almost assuredly they lose money on me...but I am not their typical customer, so they don't care. : ) I also have strayed away from packaged rice and noodle mixes latety and I do everything from scratch. It doesn't take any longer, really. I just make my own mixes now - rice and thyme, cumin, paprika, cayenne...whatever I feel like throwing in that would complement each other and the rest of the meal. I used to cringe at powdered garlic and onion, but now I keep it on hand so I can make my own rubs and such. And I totally agree with Ruth & Oprah - losing weight takes hard work, plain and simple. It basically takes creating a life that is purposefully trying to lose weight. It takes mental effort and perhaps bordering on obsession at times. Yeah - that stinks - it doesn't come easy for anyone, unfortunately, but if you want to make your goal, it has to be done. I guess this is as good of an introduction as any to a forum - Hi! I am Christine and I make all my own rice and other mixes. I don't use any artificial sweeteners or fats (olestra/olean) and I am caffeine free. I sound like I am probably really hippie/granola/crunchy, but I don't think I am - I am really just trying to eat as healthfully as possible. If I am losing weight in addition, that is a bonus. I like real food. : ) I am looking forward to getting to know this bunch! |
