It’s true, eating clean is a commitment. And for those times you’re feeling a pinch on the budget, these tips will help keep you moving with your commitment.
I can still remember the exact sticker shock feeling I had when looking over our first receipt the day Jon and I made a dramatic shift to eating clean… over 7 years ago.
We’ve learned so much since then, and I wanted to share a few tips with you that can keep you on your clean-eating journey in a way that will help keep you going.
1. Learn to Love Something New
I’ll share a secret with you – some things cost less just because people don’t know how to cook them.
But once you figure it out, you’ll love it!
So here are a few of our awesome bang for the buck items (we’re restocking chicken in May and turkey in June)
- Chicken Legs – Try tossing them in some baking soda, salt, sand spices and baking at 425 until the internal temp was over 185F, and, its…Amazing!
- Bacon Ends – These are the parts of the bacon that just don’t slice beautifully. But they dice perfectly. Dice it small and put it in some pasta (carbonara, please) or throw a whole ton of kale in with it and suddenly you’ll love kale again! (WIN) They’re amazing in eggs or on top of your favorite salad too!
- Broth Bags and Chicken Feet– Bone broth is like the superhero of clean foods. It’s jam packed with collagen and vitamins. One broth bag can easily make 4 quarts of broth. **This is a favorite among Moms on a budget!
- Whole Chickens – One can last for 3 meals! Roast it and serve your first meal; pick remaining chicken and add to your favorite simmer sauce with rice for your second meal; toss the bones and back in water and make bone broth for a soup for your third meal. **This is a customer favorite!
- Italian Sausage – Sweet or hot; the ground sausage is priced nicely to add to your favorite pasta or soup dish. One pound can stretch out over a larger dish. Protein + easy flavor = win!
- Chicken Quarters – Obsessed with chicken thighs? These have the thigh and leg attached… and they’re priced to sell. Grill. Bake. Yum!
2. Meal Plan Ahead of Time and Make Your List
Gosh, this is a biggie, and I have tons to say. But for now, here’s the 1-2-3-and 4 of cost – savings (Clean) Meal Planning.
- Know what’s in season locally.
- Create a meal plan for 7 days using as much local seasonal items as you’d like. (Usually this is 5 meals for us, plus 2 meals of leftovers). If you eat out 3 days a week, maybe plan 3 meals to eat + 1 leftover day. —Real life moment here — my family is pretty good at eating local in the Summer but we’re a work in progress with the winter veggies.
- Make your grocery/ market list based only on your meal plan. This can save you loads.
- Stick to your plan– Stick to your list when buying from the market and store (bye byeeeee impulse buy). And STICK to your plan to make those planned during that week. You’ll feel like a rockstar for your accomplishment and your body will be thanking you! Promise.
3. Subscribe / Join a CSA
Many farms offer subscriptions for a CSA. CSA means “Community Supported Agriculture” It’s like a buying club. You promise a certain amount of money each week and the farm promises a certain amount of their produce/ eggs, etc. You may pay less than the retail prices.
It’s a great option if you find a farm that offers you some choice in what you get each week, or if you are an adventurous eater / cook, and can be a great way to save money. If you find yourself not preparing what’s give each week, it’s time to stop. This can be wasteful.
We offer a variety of subscriptions. You’ll know the exact amount you are spending on your protein ahead of time, which helps with all your other budgeting too.
4. Buy in bulk
Whenever it’s possible, buy in bulk and freeze / preserve. Our whole/ half pigs, for example, save 20-30%. Occasionally, a farmer will be willing to sell produce in bulk.
I see many of y’all when picking up my Azure Standardorder. Azure Standard online offers a wide variety of bulk items, both organic and non, and you can find out exactly where they were grown. It’s not as good as knowing your farmer, but for some bulk items, it’s one step closer.
5. Be gracious with yourself
Have you ever had a New Years Resolution and then blown it 3 days in a row and decided to throw in the towel? I’m guessing…yes?
Here are a few tips to have a sustainable plan:
Don’t change too much at once. If you’re trying to ditch the drivethru every night, make it your goal to cook at home 2 nights a week.
Celebrate (even if it’s just quietly to yourself) when you’ve put a fresh, local meal on the table. It feels AMAZING! (Oh, and that little celebration will help keep you going).
Plan a lot of grace for yourself… If your goal is to cook 5 days a week, have a plan for if one of those 5 days just doesn’t work out. Four out of 5 days is way better than giving up.
Be real with your budget. If these tips aren’t enough to get you to the place you want to be with clean eating, that’s okay! Do what you can, and know that your work is a gift to every mouth you feed.
