now what?!? last week i confessed all of my shortcomings when it comes to anything dealing with the kitchen. i asked for help. and wow, i got tons of amazing tips that i must share with everyone. if i didn't, it would be an injustice to all. i'm also glad to know that i'm not the only one who grapples with this.
so, here's the 4-1-1 on how to eat healthy, maintain a budget, plan meals, all while not going crazy...
{i chose broad tips so everyone could benefit. if you want the scoop on coupons, click to read more.}
{1}
rachel, had my most favorite tip! it's so simple and smart:
{2}
kristin, gave this great tip, and has a wealth of information regarding meal planning on her blog.

{3}
mama d, is flat out wonder mom. she raised 14 kids and i admire her a whole bunch. if anyone knows about meal planning, it's her! she has gobs of info on her blog, too! she said:

{4}
partial empty nester has a "power 12" list for healthy eating.

{5}
ashley said:

also, remember to visit your farmer's market for fresh produce that is usually way cheaper and tastier than that bought at a grocery store. co-op's are also great ways to save on produce.
websites to bookmark:
angel food ministries: healthy meals you can order for a very low price. {thanks charisa!}
health castle: great advice from dieticians on meal planning. {thanks summer!}
meal planning and info for certain allergies {my particular favorite, thank you diana!}
together we save: couponing and tips to get the cheapest deals. {thank you lea!}
kraft: budget wise meals... i've made several of these and they are delish!!!
now, here is an amazing food blog by my extremely talented friend, rebekah.
chelsea at triumphs and blunders is a riot. this gal wins the prize for funniest blogger ever. i just love her. she bakes and bakes and then bakes some more. you must visit.
leanna has a fun blog with great recipes:
and my we'd so be friend's in real life friend, natalie at the busy budgeting mama always has tips and fantastic recipes.
last but not least, this is oh so very helpful for writing out your grocery list. it keeps you all neat and organized:
i know there is much more info out there... cheers to happy budget friendly, healthy, meal planning!
thank you to everyone for your helpful tips!


















51 {comments}:
Good tips to remember for when I'M a mom! :-)
mama d def had it down! wow! $450 a month for all of them. haha my boys eat me out of house and home....we spend way more than that and i cook 6 days a week and pack their lunches! she rocks on that!!
i love to meal plan and cook....i am usually found in the kitchen! (can't wait to be barefoot and PREGNANT again) hee hee
WOW!! Great tips! I love tip # 1....never really thought about it like that!
Thanks for doing this post, Carissa! :)
These are excellent tips. I love the perimeter shopping. In fact, by the time I'm to the area of processed foods my cart (or carts) are full.
I need to read more on the $450/month. Our budget, for a family of nine, can be painful. I need to be very careful and wise. I tend to overbuy on deals...I have extra space in the food budget...so that when I find a great price on something I can stock up.
I'm going to make Hannah read all of those blogs. She's right...it will bless her when she's a mom.
Rachel
Wow what great tips! I love #1.....I have never thought of it that way! How Awesome!
Thanks for sharing girlie
xoxo
Summer :0)
I've heard the perimeter shopping thing before, but it is so hard not to go down the cookie aisle! I really need to use my crock pot more...I think I just need some really good recipes that I know my family will eat. Thanks for sharing all these great tips!
I'm so glad you liked my tip! I liked the "power 12" list. I'm going to remember that one.
those are excellent tips!! Thanks so much for sharing them with all of us! :)
Great advice! I have heard about making making menus in advance, crockpots are the bomb, and the perimeter of the store is my favorite! Great tips! PS I want to read more about the family of 14 that eats on $450 a month!!! (Cyber high-five)
i was seriously so excited for this post!!
i love new tips on saving money!!
that first one is AWESOME!!
i always just go through the middle aisle and put in whatever and not really thinking about if its a good purchase. so i'm really gonna use that tip!!
Wow - greats tips! Thanks for passing them on!
Awesome tips, Carissa! I will share them with my mom, after all, she is trying to loose weight and eat healthy!
Actually, I could just get her to look at this post! =)
OMGosh, absolutely canNOT wait to go through everyone's blog who you've posted here! Such great ideas for every family! Thanks so much for sharing the wealth of info!!
Goodness sakes! Lots of great advice thank you!
These are all such a great tips! Thanks so much for sharing!! :)
Great tips! Thank you for sharing and for all the links.
Blessings,
Amy
Oh the hardest part for me is figuring out what to cook (and what James wants)! So I made a list of all of the things I have/can cook and make James pick a few of what he wants. Then I go off of those and plan meals that would coordinate.
Thank you for your kind words Carissa! You're so sweet! What a great idea to compile all these ideas into one super charged post. This is a great go-to resource...I'll definitely have to bookmark it! Hope you're having a wonderful day so far, ~Kristin from Windy Poplars
I definitely struggle in this arena. The problem is - because of family health issues and allergies, I buy mostly organic produce, natural groceries (no preservatives or artificial ingredients), grass fed meat etc. I buy clearance as much as possible but it's NOT cheap. Feeding 8 people that way is insanely expensive. Still trying to figure it out. Thanks for sharing the tips.
Hey! You want to sign up for a personalized blog theme song? Head over to my blog and see how to sign up! :)
Have a lovely day beautiful lady.
Lynnette :)
Thanks for all the tips! I always make menus in advance and ONLY buy what is on the list!
Great tips!! I'll definitely be using these when we start our family :)
thanks for linking me up! i'm so impressed with all of these ladies! wow! can't wait to check them all out.
Thanks for re-capping! These tips are so simple and easy to remember. Excited to put them to use! <3
Thanks for sharing my tips! I look forward to "meeting" some of your readers.
I love the "shop the perimeter". That is something that I do, but had never thought of it so succinctly.
Another budget saving tip ... when buying canned goods, etc ... shop the bottom shelf or the top shelf. They put the most expensive brands at eye level. Also, take your little kids with you, so that they can hand you all of the cans off of the bottom shelf. :)
I look forward to checking out your other links. Thanks for the great post.
Laurel :)
Thanks for the tips! I will be doing some of these for sure! I do the shopping around the outside of the store before the inside. It does work and i do have healthier stuff in the cart.
~blessings
Dorcas
Great tips! I love the one about shopping the outer aisles at the grocery store. I've never thought of that.
Hi Carissa, stumbled upon you blog today and I really love it - USEFUL information with lot's of thought put into it, well done. Look forward to following in the days to come. Hope all is well with you and yours in one of my most favorite cities in the U.S.
Best - KT and Lady
KT-GOLDENS.BLOGSPOT.COM
What a great post! I can' not wait to check out all of these links.
LOVE this post!! Can't wait to read through everybody's blogs. Thanks for adding me... you are too sweet!!
Hope you're having a great Tuesday!
Oh, this is such great advice and good tips! Thanks for sharing the results.
We love a lot of salad meals during the hot months. Also, one way to placate your family if you make a meal that's leftovers or not a favorite, serve hot bread or dessert that night to go with it. Corn bread, hot rolls, garlic bread or a pan o'brownies can be a wonderful way to improve the mood.
What a great post... I am feeling inspired to become more domestic. We'll see how long that lasts!
such great advice! i actually plan all of my meals already-- i have a separate calendar that i use to write down each plan for dinner and then freeze some of it to have in a couple of weeks (i used to not be a fan a freezing, but if you pick certain meals and then package them up really well you really can't tell the difference!). it really helps save money!
Wow! Great tips! I do tend to shop aimlessly without menu plans... ;)
By the way: lovin' your blog and grabbing your button.
thanks for all of these tips! As a soon to be newlywed i need all the help i can get.... we can only survive off of grilled cheese for so long!
These are such great tips Carissa. Thanks for posting this. :)
I LOVE the shopping list that you can put everything in their category! So helpful!
love the tips!! I always have that "shop the perimeter" thought in my mind...now it's just about staying focused and on-track to actually do that when I hit the stores. hope you're having a great week!
Love some of these tips! I already plan meals for my family and am trying to eat healthier so I can't wait to use some of these.
these are all such great tips and resources! I'm bookmarking this post. Thank you so much for sharing :)
Ahhh! The words written out make it sound so easy! I need a personal chef...I would take that over a housekeeper any day. :) Great tips...thank you so much for sharing from the wealth of info that you received!!
I am so happy I could help :) So pleased you like the link :) What a great post, sweetie. I will use few of those tips myself. It’s so interesting....
Kisses and have a fun day :)
You don't understand how much I love this post. It gives me hope!! I called Tyson and I told him all about it... I'm excited to try all of these new ideas next time I grocery shop. I think this will help me spice up my typical chicken and rice nights. Thanks for doing so much work to put this together for us. I'm REALLY so excited!!! Have a great day my sweet friend!!
I am a terrible shopper. I would probably spend less money if I just hired someone to meal plan and shop for me. I wish that sentence was an exaggeration.
Even with the tips I can't seem to make it work. And now I am thinking about whats for dinner...lol
These are such great ideas! Thanks for sharing :)
so i'm not a mom. but i totally loved and appreciated these tips. because a} i'm an organization freak and b} i'm a wannabe health freak. so basically i loved it. thank you!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing them ☺!
New here! LOVE the shopping list! Great blog!
Thank you for sharing all of this!!! I really need to get better meals in the bellies of my family. I have to check out those links.
GREAT tips!!!! I completely forgot about Angel Food, we did that a year or two ago when it was nearby our house. We also shop at Aldi, can't remember if I mentioned that. Their cheese, milk and produce is super cheap. It's cash/debit only there.
Post a Comment