Eating Raw Food on a Budget
Best Of Raw 2010
Last year, Rawmazing was nominated for 2009 Best of Raw. I was flattered but never really said anything about it. This year, I have been nominated in the “people” category for “Best Raw Gourmet Chef”, and Rawmazing has been nominated in the media category for “Best Raw Food Blog” (it is in there twice…vote for either, they will combine the votes at the end). It you would like to pop over and support Rawmazing, I would love it! It would be a great way to help me spread the word about raw food.
You can vote here: Best of Raw 2010: Best of Raw
Eating Raw Food on a Budget
I hear it, I feel it, I understand it. Eating raw food, in these economic times can be a bit of a challenge. In the summer, I spend at least 2 days a week at the farmer’s market, stocking up on pesticide free, local fruits and veggies. They are inexpensive, bountiful and fresh! I always go into sticker shock the first day I have to go back to the supermarket for my fresh produce.
The gorgeous huge bunch of kale that I bought for 2.00 is now a skimpy little bunch that costs me 7.00 and comes from who knows where, every day of travel decreasing its nutrients. Greens, herbs, and let’s not even talk about tomatoes, all seem extraordinarily expensive and less tasty.
Nuts, seeds and super foods like cacao powder and goji berries are always expensive. They are a staple of my raw diet, so I “shop” for them.
A week ago I decided to do a comparison of prices at some of my favorite places to shop. The results were astonishing. Just on cashews, there was a 3.00 per pound difference from one coop to another. Cacao powder was untouchable (2 x as much as ordering on line), but I did find some cacao butter that wasn’t too bad. Even greens went from over $6.00 for a 3/4 lb box to $3.95 for a 2 lb bag! I was blown away to find organic frozen broccoli at Costco at a cost that was at least 1/4 what I would pay for fresh. It is a good winter alternative.
My best suggestions for Eating Raw on a Budget:
1. Price out ingredients you use frequently at the different stores that you shop at and do a comparison.
2. Make your lists according to the store you shop at.
3. Make sure you compare bulk prices to packaged prices. I have found that some packaged goods are less expensive. We tend to think because it is bulk it is cheaper. Not always the case.
4. Don’t be afraid of frozen food. Good quality, organic frozen veggies are a cost saving alternative to fresh in the winter. The enzymes and vitamins stay intact and often are even higher in content than fresh food that has been picked early and shipped. Remember, the minute produce is picked, the nutrients start to degrade. Flash freezing on site helps to preserve them.
5. Mail order. I order A LOT of products online. Often the savings that you get for the product greatly out-weighs the cost of shipping. Many places will cover shipping on orders that are big enough so plan accordingly. Do a google search for the product you are looking for and find the best prices. The best part of mail order? You don’t have to waste your precious time or gas getting it!
Saving money takes a little effort to set up, but it is really easier than you think. Once you have your cost saving places mapped out, you can save a lot of money!
Barbara wrote on January 17, 2011
thanks for this post. i would love to see some of your online resources. i’m somewhat new at raw eating, i dibble and dabble but hope to transition to a high raw life. sometimes i get a bit overwhelmed, but i know that’s mainly because i’m a newbie.
Russell James wrote on January 16, 2011
Hey Susan,
already voted for ya, I think your photos alone are worth an award.
Whether you get a gong or not, keep the great content coming
Russell