Help! My Healthier Lifestyle Is Giving Me A Budgetache!

Kadeeae

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Going from where I was to where I want to be (healthy eating etc) is slightly overwhelming, really two different worlds!

Seakay - I have always had a huge interest in the WWII homefront and was always in awe of how they made do with what they had. It could very possibly be time to start trying a few things from that period. I do eventually want this lifestyle change to carry over to include my whole life, cleaning products and such - but know that I can be easily overwhelmed and will have to ease things in as other areas become more routine (did that make sense? lol).

I know I can do this because I haven't had, and been able to pass by KFC without so much as a sniff. I absolutely loved KFC and now can't see the sign without thinking about the poor chickens stuffed into cages with hardly any feathers and sores on them Of course, it's not only chicken or even meat for that matter, but it's where I'm starting - with food.

As a start we are now buying all of our meat from the local butcher - we have no greengrocers, although the butcher does carry a few veggies, not sure where they're from as I've never asked Eggs - for quite some time now have been at the very least Free Range and usually Organic.

I am making all of my own bread now, either in the Panny or by hand, but will on occasion buy a few rolls from the local independent bakery.

Right this minute the only real problem I can think of with the seasonal veg end of things is that BH does not eat much of a variety of veg - no root veg so that makes it a bit difficult especially when trying to make casseroles/stews etc.

As far as "healthy" v. full fat/full caloric varieties I now buy the full fat/higher calorie stuff pretty much no matter what it is. I would rather have butter that is made to the highest quality with organic milk and just have a bit than I would have a low fat/low calorie "spread" that may or may not have a tiny bit of butter/buttermilk in it and 25 other things that I cannot pronounce and that have been 'created' in a lab somewhere.

I just noticed how long this is becoming and how I'm rambling on. And on . . . sorry! I've gotten quite a few ideas from the replies already, but if there are more I'm listening!

prettypennies

Kadeeae wrote: »

As far as "healthy" v. full fat/full caloric varieties I now buy the full fat/higher calorie stuff pretty much no matter what it is. I would rather have butter that is made to the highest quality with organic milk and just have a bit than I would have a low fat/low calorie "spread" that may or may not have a tiny bit of butter/buttermilk in it and 25 other things that I cannot pronounce and that have been 'created' in a lab somewhere.
quote]

I am right with you on this one. I would rather have less of a natural but higher fat/sugar product than more of a lower fat but artifically laden product

Raspberry_Swirl

thriftlady wrote: »

Brie is actually relatively low in fat cheesewise.

don't tell me that

Kadeeae

prettypennies wrote: »

I am right with you on this one. I would rather have less of a natural but higher fat/sugar product than more of a lower fat but artifically laden product

Ppennies (for short, lol)

Makes sense to me. I'd rather eat at a restaurant than a chemistry lab ;-)

And, to ramble on a little bit more, I can't help but think that a lot of todays new "ailments" that didn't exist or at least not in the numbers they do today are due to or partly due to the chemicals we down (or did) without a second thought. The so and so society/organization/government body says it's ok to eat or drink and the sheep just follow.

I know. I used to be a sheep. More of a bulldog now. LOL!

prettypennies

You are absolutely right there. The number of kids in my class with asthma or severe allergies is really worrying.
It's all very well companies saying that a particular pesticide is safe to use, but once you start mixing all those different chemicals sprayed onto food, cotton and everything else and all the preservatives and other nasties thrown in; who knows what you end up with?

Kadeeae

Pp (even shorter, no offence )

I do really feel that's true and, sadly, it's something that only time will tell.

I've become quite the detective when it comes to packaging and food. I'm buying less and less pre-packaged anything but when I do buy it I always look to see what the "ingredients" are. It's amazing how what appears to be the simplest thing - and something you would think would only have one or two ingredients ends up having LOTS more. :eek:

ceridwen

Couldnt agree more with all the above - and now the powers-that-be are thinking in terms of introducing nano-technology into our food :eek: :eek: - almost makes G.M. food look like a "walk in the park" from what I gather so far.

I wish we lived in a democracy - where the Government would listen to our concerns on these things.

Psykicpup

Kadeeae wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Going from where I was to where I want to be (healthy eating etc) is slightly overwhelming, really two different worlds!

Seakay - I have always had a huge interest in the WWII homefront and was always in awe of how they made do with what they had. It could very possibly be time to start trying a few things from that period. I do eventually want this lifestyle change to carry over to include my whole life, cleaning products and such - but know that I can be easily overwhelmed and will have to ease things in as other areas become more routine (did that make sense? lol).

I know I can do this because I haven't had, and been able to pass by KFC without so much as a sniff. I absolutely loved KFC and now can't see the sign without thinking about the poor chickens stuffed into cages with hardly any feathers and sores on them Of course, it's not only chicken or even meat for that matter, but it's where I'm starting - with food.

As a start we are now buying all of our meat from the local butcher - we have no greengrocers, although the butcher does carry a few veggies, not sure where they're from as I've never asked Eggs - for quite some time now have been at the very least Free Range and usually Organic.

I am making all of my own bread now, either in the Panny or by hand, but will on occasion buy a few rolls from the local independent bakery.

Right this minute the only real problem I can think of with the seasonal veg end of things is that BH does not eat much of a variety of veg - no root veg so that makes it a bit difficult especially when trying to make casseroles/stews etc.

As far as "healthy" v. full fat/full caloric varieties I now buy the full fat/higher calorie stuff pretty much no matter what it is. I would rather have butter that is made to the highest quality with organic milk and just have a bit than I would have a low fat/low calorie "spread" that may or may not have a tiny bit of butter/buttermilk in it and 25 other things that I cannot pronounce and that have been 'created' in a lab somewhere.

I just noticed how long this is becoming and how I'm rambling on. And on . . . sorry! I've gotten quite a few ideas from the replies already, but if there are more I'm listening!

It is a hard change I admit .. I started with the ' give up supermarkets for lent' last year although I was already trying to but local stuff anyway.
I but food at my local shops, farmers markets & even car boots lol

I find I spend much less as I'm not tempted (how often does that bag of doughnuts just happen to fall in the trolley) & I can get great deals by bulk buying. 25 kilos of potatos for between £4 + £8 - better than a pack that does 2 meals for a quid :eek:

I check the farmers markets, cos althought they can seem expensive the meat doesnt shrink so you get more meals or at least a better meal....

& the amount of home grown veg etc available from carboots is amazing & you can chat to the grower!

pigpen

I am terrible.. I run on the philosophy it is will stretch between everyone and a few portions left over it is saving me from feeling wierd the next day so I'm happy.

Any damage from chemicals in food is more than likely already done.. so what the heck..

I do loads of bulk buying.. rice, pasta, potatoes, other veggies that last!

I buy most stuff when it is on offer and buy loads of it!! Hence I have 30 packs of pull-ups!! lol

spaghetti_monster

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=721283&highlight=michael+pollan

I hope this has come out as a link! Reading through this thread last night made me think of it.
I like Michael Pollan's phrase "The silence of the yams" (think Thriftlady mentions it)
ie. food that doesn't need a label to tell you what's in it is the best!

I don't know if you can still listen to the show - I think that only recent radio shows are available but I went to his website and read a few of his articles - very interesting!

http://www.michaelpollan.com/write.php