2009 - 5 Cheap, healthy and easy meals for the new year!

A new year - a new motto! 

Getting back to work full-time while raising a 2 year old and still finding time to center myself has been the ultimate challenge of 2008. So in 2009 I'll be focusing on ways to keep myself healthy while saving time and money. 

I've (finally) joined the famous Park Slope Co-op. This members-only grocery store requires that I work 2.75 hours a month, but I can see from my grocery bills that I'm spending 40-50% less on food already - and it's all the high quality, organic products that I am committed to buying. 

*Find out if there is a food buying club, CSA or co-op in your area by entering your zip code at www.localharvest.org.

 

I'm also focusing on healthy meals that take less time, but add superior nutrition to my diet and keep my growing toddler full of energy.

Here are some of my favorite ideas:

1. Cook a large pot of whole grain twice a week and keep in the refrigerator in a sealed container. This way I'll have an easy base to quick, healthy meals any time of day. Leftover rice heated with rice milk, cinnamon and raisins for breakfast is easy and filling, especially if you add some chopped nuts or crushed flax seeds. 

2. Make a soup or stew on Sunday - and lots of it! This way I'll have yummy leftovers throughout the week to toss in a thermos for those long rides on the subway. I can also add a cup of leftover grain to some leftover soup and call it a meal!

3. 2 cups grain + 1 can vegetarian chili + 1 avocado + 1/2 cup salsa = delicious mexican meal for 2 for under $5!

4. Keep the Veggies coming! That's right, eating more vegetarian based meals can save you a lot of money as well as improve your health. The USDA (ever the bastion of forward thinking health consciousness) reports that the average price for all vegetables is $.12 a serving, while the average serving of beef for October 2007 was $1.30. That's quite a difference!

1 can chickpeas + 1 clove minced garlic + 1 head broccoli, steamed + olive oil + salt = dinner!

5. On the go? Stop into a deli or grocery store, hit the refrigerated section and pick up a bag of baby carrots, a container of hummus and some olive or whole grain crackers - easy, healthy, yummy, done.

Here's to a great, healthy, crazy-free 2009!

Be well, Alex

Comments

[Cindy]

Busy is the name of the game when it comes to raising children! By eating whole foods, it is easier and often less time consuming to put dinner on the table. I often find that if I do not have time to fix an amazing meal, my family focuses on raw veggies and whole grains for snacks that keep us going.

Have a great New Year!
Cindy

[Kelleen]

Those are all great ideas that I have been using for years. I prepare all my own food from scratch and do it all on the weekends except for oatmeal which I make twice a week. It keeps well in the fridge just like other grains. I've also found that using my crockpot and rice cooker frees up my time quite a bit.

Also, when using canned chilis and beans be sure to check the sodium content. Some are really high.

[Stephanie]

Thanks, Alex! All great tips. You should write a busy mom book.

[Uzbekjoe]

Eating a Vegan diet is so economical and healthy for you.
Sunday is my prep day. I use the rice cooker. Cut up veggies. Been doing it long enough to know which veggies last the longest.
Goal is to do all my prep work once a week.
Nice to have dinner in 10 minutes of less after a long day working.

[jenny]

Another use for grains - We often mix leftover pasta (of any kind) with scrambled eggs and cheese. We call it noodles and eggs. The kids love it and it's easy to make in the morning.

[sheree]

I am so happy for you! We have had to be on a waiting list and just got accepted to our local CSA! Thanks for the great tips!!!

[Charlynn]

Great tips. Thanks!

[Patti]

Another suggestion, especially if you're an Italian food lover, is to make a huge pot of sauce and freeze it in single sized portions. In the morning, move from the freezer to the refrigerator to defrost. All you have to do is make the pasta at night.

I've never tried this (I prefer glass storage containers) but a friend freezes her sauce in freezer bags that she flattens and stacks, which is an ideal way to store in space compromised freezers.

Alex, I wish you and yours a happy and healthy new year - all the best in 2009.

Patti

[Casey]

I like the grain/breakfast idea. I'm going to cook up some brown rice this week and see how it goes.

[MT]

Eating organic, vegetarian meals is also kinder to the environment than eating meat. Thanks for the tips.