AH... hypocracy!

[purktoni]

I'm beating myself up. I try to be frugal, green, buying Organic foods and trying to lose weight all at the same time.

Green and Organic go hand in hand, but its not always easy being Frugal when you're trying to make the right choices. Its also hard to stick to a diet when your torn between buying what's cheap, buying what's Organic and buying what's low in fat and calories.

I'm doing Weight Watchers and the pre-packaged foods make it SO easy to stay on the plan, but they are neither cheap NOR Organic! And, with all the packagine, not very "Green" either.

I just feel like such a hypocrite eating my overly processed meals in a box while stressing to my kids that they take their Oganic lunches to school to avoid such junk.

Ugh... anyone relate??

Toni in MI

[ArmyOfFive4God]

Totally! I finally came to the realisation that eating healthy in the long run is cheaper on bills you'll accrue in the future- dentist, doctor, OTC meds, etc. Just keep pegging away at it. It will work out in the long run, and it can be terribly difficult.

Good luck to you!!!

PS- Have you tried some bulk suppliers for more natural foods? Maybe a co-op for organics & such?

[MoonMommy]

Oh yes....plus, I feel guilty because some of the organic stuff comes in plastic containers, which aren't very green. Although, I do try to find as many uses for them as possible.

[celina]

depends on the dire consequences of current weight....i am over 100 lbs over weight.and now i see a trainer twice a week...NOT CHEAP..but working very well.....i still gasp at the price..but dh says, its worth it for my health..and if dr had told me that much money to live longer and get healthy we'd have found a way...

so decide...as summer comes its always easier to stay on plan with farmer markets etc....it may be worth it , shorter term ..as you find your way..give yourself permission..and as time goes on you'll find the right items with which to replace the others with

good luck with ww...

[Nickle00]

Check out this website for a CSA near you. You buy a share, put in a certain number of hours of work on the farm and you get fresh produce weekly or every other week depending on if you buy 1/2 share or a whole share. It saves TONS of money (frugal), there's NO packaging (green) and it's all super healthy!!

http://www.localharvest.org/

[Nickle00]

P.S. I think CSA's are a great way for kids to learn about hard work and where their food comes from plus they have a lot of fun helping out!!

Peace & Love!!

[Spirit Deer]

Very few people are 100% frugal OR green, so you're not the only 'hypocrite' in the world.

If you're really concerned, why not make your own WW meals ahead of time from scratch? You could adapt the once a week or once a month cooking methods using WW guidelines and save the money and get healthier food too. And avoid the green/frugal guilt!

[IntlMom]

I hear ya loud and clear.
I seem to be at odds with myself constantly...it;s a two way battle, basically:

1. cheap/frugal (think prepackaged stuff I can get nearly free)
2. healthy/organic/low gluten/natural/locally grown/......you get the idea

my two sides kind of take turns winning...lol in a not funny sort of way.

[Kaos Kitty]

I hear ya loud and clear.
I seem to be at odds with myself constantly...it;s a two way battle, basically:

1. cheap/frugal (think prepackaged stuff I can get nearly free)
2. healthy/organic/low gluten/natural/locally grown/......you get the idea

my two sides kind of take turns winning...lol in a not funny sort of way.

I'm exactly the same way! Trying to stay organic and eat cheap - we're eating some pretty weird meals this month! I feel a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Hyde when I go grocery shopping.

[IntlMom]

I'm exactly the same way! Trying to stay organic and eat cheap - we're eating some pretty weird meals this month! I feel a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Hyde when I go grocery shopping.

me too!!

ok, tonite was boxed breaded fillets, tater tots, and cheese sticks...which was waaaaay to cheap

but tomorrow will be HM chicken stock with a bit of chicken, some beans, and some froz veggies, with some homemade bread - yep, tomorrow nite I'll know I filled their tummies well.....
...tonite? well, I dont want to think about tonite!!

[Thevail]

My problem is starch...

Starch is sooo cheap... rice, potatos, noodles..and so filling. And everyone loves it.

And it's sooo fattening, and useless and has zero nutrients.

Aha..you'll say..brown rice...
But it's twice the price..and I can't get my family to eat it anyway..they say it tastes "musty".

I find that hulled barley (not pearled) isn't too bad for you and it's pretty cheap.

[Kaos Kitty]

me too!!

ok, tonite was boxed breaded fillets, tater tots, and cheese sticks...which was waaaaay to cheap

but tomorrow will be HM chicken stock with a bit of chicken, some beans, and some froz veggies, with some homemade bread - yep, tomorrow nite I'll know I filled their tummies well.....
...tonite? well, I dont want to think about tonite!!

Exactly! Glad to know I'm not the only one!

[mommy4ever]

I'd suggest finding ways to make your own snacks from your organics. You can make a baked oatmeal with organics, cut it in portions and store it. Same with a cookie, or homemade granola bars. You'll save money, organic baking is less than that processed WW stuff, and it'll be way yummier(I'm doing WW too btw).

If you take a day to plan your snacks for the week, you'll go a LONG LONG way! Did you know you can make a brownie with black beans? Make yourself a home mix for brownies and instead of the oils and eggs, use the blended black beans. Very healthy and moist, high in protein(aka filling foods) and can satisfy a craving for sweets. Better alternative to a packaged granola bar Great for the kids too.

Once a week I make snacks for the family. I make banana muffins for me, 3 points(oatmeal and whole wheat). and a banana muffin for them. (1/2 white 1/2 wholewheat for the picky ones). I make a streudal for dh for breakfast, or do breakfast sandwiches. I make my own lunches. Quinoa and black beans, portion and and refridgerate. Santa Fe beans and rice, and portion it. They are all satisfying and healthier than any bought prepackaged. And convenient since it's made in advance.

Just like anything frugal, you can eat organically and *more* frugally by planning it out. Sure it might not be as cheap as getting the non-organic processed stuff, but it doesn't need to break the bank. As you said the WW stuff is pricy, make your own healthier version with total control.

[IntlMom]

Did you know you can make a brownie with black beans? Make yourself a home mix for brownies and instead of the oils and eggs, use the blended black beans. Very healthy and moist, high in protein(aka filling foods) and can satisfy a craving for sweets. Better alternative to a packaged granola bar Great for the kids too.

Ok, so I think we would love to see your actual recipe for this.....can you post it? I'm intrigued!

[Nickle00]

I make vegan black bean brownies. You could use the same recipe though and un-veganize it if you don't have the vegan ingredients.

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup vegan sugar
2 bananas
1/4 cup applesauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into a lightly greased 8×8 pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

E.T.A.-- Regular sugar would work for these