Due to Grocery Prices........

[many houseapes]

Thought that I'd throw out this question to everyone....Due to the ever rising grocery prices, are you eliminating some items from your list to cut costs?I have been wondering what I can scrifice without sacrificing nutrition for my family. So far, I am going to eliminate applesauce.I figure that if my family drinks a glass of juice a day(each),they are getting their vitamin C. The cost of the juice we buy is less than the cheapest applesauce that the stores have to offer.

[brainyblonde]

I have actually cut down on buying juice unless it is on sale at a great price. Last week I got a large bottle of Juicy Juice because I had a free coupon.

I bought no egg nog this holiday season because I couldn't justify the outrageous price!

[justpeachy92]

I have no intention of eliminating any food that I generally buy, because I won't feed my family less or lower quality foods than I already do. I expect to cut corners in other areas this year, to compensate for rising food costs. Especially when one of our goals is to improve our diets even more. I am considering the raw diet for myself.

[mikandmari]

I've cut way back on cereal. I also love yogurt, but I can only eat Silk (soy) brand which is rarely on sale. Now I only allow myself 2 per week.

In general, I've eliminated most convenience foods. We make stuff from scratch or not at all. It's been toughest on the teenagers, who think that just because their friends have the pop-it-in-the-microwave-then-stir stuff that we should have it too.

The latest thing was some crap called "Bowl Appetit" that is nothing more than quick pasta in a plastic bowl. I didn't buy it, so my 17 year-old bought a couple with her own money. I need to keep preaching about the cost, both in money and on the environment.

This year I also want to try to move away from name brands, to some store brand products.

[mikandmari]

Thought of another big one.. I used to buy bananas every trip to the market, now I just get them in bulk at Costco, so we only get fresh bananas once a month, the rest are in muffins.

[brenda67]

I'm going to stockup on sale items more then ever..I'm also gonna make a promise to myself to use my foodsaver this year..haven't used it in a year or more now. Little by little I've stopped buying chips and snacks over the past couple of months.I need to think healthy and put more money in the savings.I don't think I will cut the budget anymore then I've been doing.One thing I started to do is make my own bread...haven't bought a loaf in 6 weeks...thats a really big start for me.

[Daisygirl]

I have also cut back on buying bananas - theya re outrageous. I get them once a month or whenever they are on sale. I am just tryin to cut back in general, not on any one specific item.

[Ali Lee]

Because of the fiber content of applesauce, I would choose that over juice. Juice is also high in calories. Children need fiber to keep from becoming constipated. Try to buy store brand, or stock up when on sale. Remember 1/2 cup is a serving and I would actually measure it.

[AmyBoz]

I have not yet eliminated bananas because they are a HUGE staple in our home. If, by strange chance, they go bad, then I make banana muffins, so they are always used.

However, I won't buy grapes anymore unless they are on sale for .99 a pound. My family LOVES grapes, but 3.99 a pound is WAY too expensive for me. I figure my family doesn't need the sugar anyway.

[mommy4ever]

I just watch the sales.

Super Center WM has bananas at .27/lb grapes at 1.49/lb apples .97/lb, sometimes at .79/lb. Oranges are usually under $1/lb. So my fruit is fine.

As to the apple sauce... here's a thought. Around here *excuse the pun here* apples grow on trees(as in abundance). I just ask around to see who has more thn they can handle, and I go pick apples. I picked about 15 gallons of apples and set them in the freezer, made jams, apple butter and apple sauce. Home made applesauce is darker, but you have FULL control over it. I can get zucchini's by asking around too. So a thought for the fall. I also have an apple tree, but it was suffering after a huge bumper crop the previous year. We had to trim off dead branches and did it too late. This coming fall should be different.

Other ideas. I buy frozen berries. They can be pricey if eating as a dessert, however, I use them to make oatmeal. I cook the oatmeal, and cool with some frozen berries. A couple tbsp cools it, adds tremendous flavor, and adds antioxidants to their diets, not to mention a lowcal breakfast that is filling for ME. A $5 bag of berries, goes a LONG way when used this way. If we use it as dessert, well, it doesn't last long. I do watch fo coupons and sales and stock up. I am seeking a field to pick wild berries this summer, we have blueberries, low bush cranberries, raspberries and stawberries. So I should get a decent assortment, plus I'll look into the Upick and see what the prices are. My mom usually gets the kids a couple of gallons of berries, sliced and frozen..lol.

When money is tight, or the costs high, I pare back to basic whole foods. I don't know why people feel it is more than the prcessed foods, perhaps it's where they live that it is infact the truth, I don't know.

For a toddler, 1 apple is 2-3 fruit servings dependant on the size. You could pop it in the oven and bake it, then scoop the sauce out, and have fresh apple sauce for little cost.Or peel and cut into a blender and have fresh apple sauce. You don't even need to do this special. Prepare the night before for the next day. While making supper use the oven for the apples too. So no extra energy expended to heat the oven.

We eat a very simple diet here, based on the food guide. My main seasonings are salt pepper and garlic powder for most main courses, cinnamon and vanilla for desserts. It doesn't need to be complex to satisfy. I've found that food has taken the role of entertainer as opposed to nutrition. I've learned that my family much prefers simple fare to eat. Whole foods for the most part. But that doesn't mean yours eats the same, nor would I expect them to..lol.

My recommendation would be to find the best nutritional value for your dollar. An organic nectarine may be environmentally responsible, safer over all, but at $5/lb, it isn't affordable. Nutritionally, it hasn't been proven superior. Toss up. I buy organic when it is feasible, I can get organic romaine lettuce for less than non organic. GO figure. ANYWAY. I think Amy in TWG hits on nutritional value/$. And really only you can decide what is best for you. If your little guy is really picky and that is the ONLY way to get his fruit/veggies servings in for the day, then that is they way to go. If he's happy to eat apple slices and pb then it isn't necessary. I'd save the apple sauce or juice as a treat.

Sorry I'm so long winded here..lol. This is of course just my thoughts, I do think you need to do what works for you and your family.

[MNmommy]

I have been making our snacks at home. I havent bought chips in I dont know how long. We like popcorn better. I have basically cut out the convience stuff out of our groceries and i've been able to cut my bill atleast $15-20 a month

[lisettelovebug]

We get juice because we get wic. We actually have A LOT of juice.. I would say there is 20 cans of juice juice in the basement.. I used to only get it when I could find it on sale. Apples are pricey now and grapes are almost $4 a pound - we only get them when they're near $1 a pound. We haven't cut down on much. Just trying to stick to monthly menu and buy stuff only on that list. I think I will try and go down to basement and see what we have stocpiled.. Maybe use up that stuff first.

[baxjul]

I don't buy anymore: juice, apples (really expensive down here), ice cream, chocolate syrup (I make my own), fruit roll ups (&etc), I know there is more, but can't think of them right now.

[mmy2grls]

My mom took me grocery shopping today. I broke down and told her by the end of the month my kids and I have no food. My mom is a pro at sales, coupons, and getting good deals.

I spent $166 today and got meat for the whole month plus a corned beef brisket as a treat. We now have everything needed for the whole month except juice, milk, and i'm going to buy frozen vegetables yet, plus I need to buy some snack stuff that we can make.

My mom gave me coupons to use and I have a $2 rebate to send in. My money is not stretching so far anymore but I can save money making home made snack items instead of buying them at the store.

[Persimmon Lace]

This is what we do to save money. It takes awhile if you haven't prepared but we eat locally and in season. Since something grown far away from home, trucked in and labeled organic is much more costly, we raise as much as possible. And one of the things I've learned from a lot of research and reading is that the organic label is becoming a misnomer in some ways. So, I buy from the farmer's market from farmers I trust, they get the money and the longest they drive is maybe 40 miles and I get great produce to put in my freezer. I have tons of veggies in the freezer and I also stock a pantry with some things, like Delmonte veggies. We eat nuts and fresh salad greens that I get from a lady who grows year round in her green houses.

Making your applesauce from apples you've purchased in season is spot on. I have peaches, blackberries and apples in the freezer. Green beans and tons of shredded zuccini that was grown in my garden plus a lot of other produce.

If you have the space grow some veggie that you know your family will love when the season comes. Freeze, can or dehydrate for the winter. It does save money over time. We had roast, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob the other night all either grown by a farmer we know, one we traded with and the corn came from a local farmer who grows the best stuff. I also do a big shopping 2 times a year and then fill in the blanks with stuff on sale.

We will never be totally self sufficient but I can feed my family or tend to their needs reasonably healthily and frugally this way. I also support the Angelfood ministries in our town for numerous reasons, it does help alot of people and the food can be worked into good meals with an added vegetable or fruit. As time goes on this ministry along with several others are going to strained to the maximum and I feel like I need to support them and the large food pantry in my town.