Josiah is like a different child eating a natural diet, and we have seen Rachel's joint pain and other symptoms are directly linked to consuming gluten and casein. A new way of eating is here to stay.
But our grocery bills have been absurd lately! Now that we are well-established in eating gluten free and avoiding food additives, it's time to ponder what I could do to help save some money. Here are a few ideas I have come up with:
1. Budget a set amount to use on food.
When it's gone, we're done (but hopefully not hungry!) It helps me to really evaluate how badly we really need a pre-made, processed treat versus making something from scratch.
2. Make a list of favorite, low budget meals.
For those meals that cost more, what could I do to bring costs down and within budget? Several recipes for low budget meals (including some that are allergy friendly), can be found if you check out this link: http://www.5dollardinners.com/.
3. Make a list of favorite, low budget snacks.
Most specialty-made gluten free foods and snacks are fairly expensive. But there are some natural alternatives like fresh fruits, vegetables, soups, and chips that are more budget-friendly. I do buy Envirokidz bars for Rachel from time to time because they are the cheapest of the gluten free snacks I can find. I've also splurged for gluten free oreo-type cookies, but I've found I could make these myself, too: http://truebluexf.blogspot.com/2011/02/oreosgluten-free.html!
4. Get creative.
There are a few places where I can find coupons for the foods we use, and Amazon is a great place to order GF flours. Kroger and Meijer both have great sales and coupons online, so when I find a good buy, I can stock up.
As I make these changes, I'll share some tips and recipes. Some of them may help any budget whether gluten-free or not. Not only that, cooking from scratch is healthier than most things that are pre-made!
If anyone else has tips to share, please leave a comment!!
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