Topic: How Can We Eat Healthier on a Really Tight Budget
Silverwolf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9196
posted
Hi <<<<< Lyme Family and Research Folk >>>>>,
This is both a Medical and Gen.Supp'Topic I figure..so either place is fine, if it needs to be moved.
The recent Breast cancer [It's benign cysts] scare I've gone thru and many others face...has TxCoord and I talking.
We've been thinking about the special dietary lifestyle we,and others may need to follow, and supplements,meds and so on.
Fighting, Lyme and Co's, Diabetes,IC, some kidney function issues, Family medical issues w/ Heart Disease,Cancers and so on...
[and what ever each of y'all may be trying to treat, get in remission, and/or live with.] How can we eat to the best benefit for our bodies on very very limited budgets?
Sorry,it is taking me three paragraphs or so to ask one question.
I am researching veggies,safer meats , gluten free and so on.
A for instance: many of us are battling yeast infections. Far to much gluten free products [often the least spendy options] are loaded with sugars and yeasty starches.
We are wanting to do a small garden,our soil is not safe [we recently were alerted the Mobile Home park we live in was a former garbage dump and landfill site].
If we are able this year we'll be doing a small 'tabletop' garden for veggies, spices and so on.
How can we get safe low cost foods, beyond the few we can grow? We search for low cost Organic meats, hard to find.
Same w/ veggies and fruit that aren't to expensive...
-One issue we ran itno,is w/food banks, almost no safe foods for gluten intolerance and diabetes.-
Anyone with experience,ideas,suggestions for better eating on a limited income...please respond!
I do believe that the better we can eat, the more we can fight physical illnesses and so on. If I can get apart of my -supplements- thru good wholesome food... it should help gain strength and energy.
Hopefully a better prepared body can use foods/ medicines/ supplements more effectively!!!
Comments? Tho'ts and Ideas?
Thanks you for anything y'all may wish to share,It's greatly appreciated!
Jus' Silverwolfi On the prowl for helpful Information!
-------------------- 2006,May-August2006 Dx w/ Lyme/Bartonella/White Matter Lesion Disease on Brain. [ Clinical Dx w/ two positives and several IND's on the tests from Igenex ], Prior Dx of CFIDS/CEBV 1992, and FMS '93-'94 Diabetes*2 Dx 10/'08 Posts: 3581 | From SE Idaho | Registered: May 2006
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Silverwolf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9196
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^^^ Up for Information ^^^
-------------------- 2006,May-August2006 Dx w/ Lyme/Bartonella/White Matter Lesion Disease on Brain. [ Clinical Dx w/ two positives and several IND's on the tests from Igenex ], Prior Dx of CFIDS/CEBV 1992, and FMS '93-'94 Diabetes*2 Dx 10/'08 Posts: 3581 | From SE Idaho | Registered: May 2006
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17hens
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Member # 23747
posted
Read "All New Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew.
Lots of veggies in a small space, organic soil mix, easy to garden, can make a garden on legs so you don't have to bend over, only tools ever needed are a trowel, a pencil, and scissors, soil lasts for 10 years.
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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Dogsandcats
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-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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Silverwolf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9196
posted
<<<<< 17hens and Dogsandcats >>>>>,
Cool, thanks for site links and book info.
I have an older copy somewhere here of Square Foot gardening book...we can look around for a newer copy too borrow too!
We were thinking of a 'table' garden so that would fir right in[er..fit right in]... !
Checking links ...BB in bit!
Silverwofli here
Oh my some of the recipes look fantastic...and we could adapt the noodles and starches to the gluten free...stop drooling Wolfi
-------------------- 2006,May-August2006 Dx w/ Lyme/Bartonella/White Matter Lesion Disease on Brain. [ Clinical Dx w/ two positives and several IND's on the tests from Igenex ], Prior Dx of CFIDS/CEBV 1992, and FMS '93-'94 Diabetes*2 Dx 10/'08 Posts: 3581 | From SE Idaho | Registered: May 2006
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Tammy N.
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Member # 26835
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I think buying food in the bulk aisle at Whole Foods or a good health food store is a great way to go..... beans, rice, quinoa, barley, split peas, lentils, nuts, oats, etc. I get really creative making various soups, etc.
Also organic carrots and potatoes are well priced pretty regularly. Then buy other organic produce when on sale. For instance, my local store has been having huge heads of escarole on sale for $1.99. I cook that, add some cannolini beans and some chicken broth, and that is a delicious meal, very reasonably priced. Salad on the side and you are good to go. If you need more substance, make brown rice on the side.
Check local food co-ops (that are organic). This brings costs down considerably.
Also, when local crops starting coming in, maybe speak with the local farmers and ask if they would consider giving you discounts. These folks, in general, tend to be very loving, health-conscious people, imo, and would likely be very happy lend a helping hand to a family battling illness trying to get healthy.
Oh, and Trader Joe's has the best organic brown rice pasta for 1.99. We love it and serve it many different ways.
Best to you.
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
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Silverwolf
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Member # 9196
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Hi <<<<< Tammy N.>>>>>
One of the stores we frequent does the bulk foods, they recently had an issue. Someone got some flour types mixed up and a Celiacs individual got ill.
They are trying to redo a bit to keep that from happening. When they get the issues solved that may be a good place to check.
And we can watch for our local farmers market to start back up too.
That Escarole Idea sounds good... we found some Gluten free chicken broth,and we could do some sort of beans,or rice
...LOL your making me hungry...waiting for TxC' to get back from an errand..so lunch is late!
Thanks for the ideas!
Jus'Silverwolfi here
-------------------- 2006,May-August2006 Dx w/ Lyme/Bartonella/White Matter Lesion Disease on Brain. [ Clinical Dx w/ two positives and several IND's on the tests from Igenex ], Prior Dx of CFIDS/CEBV 1992, and FMS '93-'94 Diabetes*2 Dx 10/'08 Posts: 3581 | From SE Idaho | Registered: May 2006
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momindeep
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Member # 7618
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Trader Joe's carries some organic fresh vegetables and fruit...I find them to be pretty fairly priced if you have one of those by you.
Posts: 1512 | From Glenwood City WI | Registered: Jul 2005
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TF
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Member # 14183
posted
I think Tammy had some fabulous ideas there. The local food co-op has saved friends of mine a lot of money on food.
I'll just add that our county is now offering free composters to anyone who wants them. They are just a round wire mesh container. You throw all your fruit and vegetable waste into it and turn it over occasionally.
Eventually, it turns into wonderful compost--"brown gold" to any garden.
We just threw all of this stuff in a particular spot in the yard when I was a child. When it snowed, the snow melted on the compost pile--that's the decomposition process. I will always remember that.
My father had a very extensive garden, and he used every bit of that compost. So, don't waste your vegetable and fruit scraps by throwing them in the trash. This helps the local dump not have to handle so much garbage also.
Throw all old plants from the garden into the compost bin also. Like, at the end of summer, or once the lettuce goes to seed or the beans stop producing, etc.
Put leaves, grass clippings (other people's work too), etc. Then, you will be gardening organically.
You could even grow flowers and flatten them each year by pressing them between glass. Will help memorialize your recent test!
When you go to produce stands in the summer, look for the baskets of "seconds." Often, there are some great buys in these, especially tomatoes.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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MannaMe
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Eggs are a good source of protein. We are able to get 'cracks' from an organic chicken house at a greatly reduced price.
The eggs are usually not cracked open. If there are any eggs cracked open we give them to the cats. Saves on the cat feed too!
Posts: 2602 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2011
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sammy
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For an elevated garden you could use hay bales. My family lines one side up against a fence and puts metal stakes in the ground to support the other side. This keeps them standing upright.
You can grow all kinds of veggies this way. It's nice because the hay bales keep the food off the ground so you don't have to stoop down to pick anything up.
If you are going to use the hay bale idea, start now. They need time to prep. Get the bales set up where you want them (in the sun) and put veggie fertilizer on them. Water them (if it rains you won't have to). Basically, they start to break down and it makes good conditions for plants to grow.
We usually start planting tomatoes in May. You could google to see when to plant what you want.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Wow to all those who have responded! I used to garden and grow stuff, but now I won't even venture into any area with grass or dirt. Just call me concrete--that's my middle name these days.
Trader Joe's is awesome as is Whole Foods. And a lot of mainstream supermarkets are catching on to the fact that there are people who are looking for organic produce and GF products.
FYI, there is the so-called "dirty dozen" and the "clean fifteen"
The fruits and vegetables on ``The Dirty Dozen'' list, when conventionally grown, tested positive for at least 47 different chemicals, with some testing positive for as many as 67. For produce on the ``dirty'' list, you should definitely go organic -- unless you relish the idea of consuming a chemical cocktail.
``The Dirty Dozen'' list includes:
* celery * peaches * strawberries * apples * domestic blueberries * nectarines * sweet bell peppers * spinach, kale and collard greens * cherries * potatoes * imported grapes * lettuce
All the produce on ``The Clean 15'' bore little to no traces of pesticides, and is safe to consume in non-organic form. This list includes:
Buying organic produce is VERY expensive. I buy organic strawberries and apples when I can find them. Sometimes they're on sale. But with the regular apples, I believe that if I peel them, that itself removes some of the pesticides.
Finding organic bell peppers is next to impossible for me. I just love red bell peppers for their taste and nutritional value. I tend to buy them when they're on sale and make stuffed peppers and roasted peppers from them. I will post my recipes if you want.
I also buy Idaho potatoes...the conventional type, as I've yet to encounter an organic version. I think as long as you don't eat the skin, you are not ingesting the majority of pesticides.
And in the summer, I buy local peaches and nectarines and tomatoes and corn whenever possible, pesticides or not. I can't resist the taste and I hope that by buying local, the nutrients are more readily available to the body. Not to mention that it's a good thing to support local farmers.
Eggs and chicken cutlets are always on sale somewhere. I have recipes for those as well so let me know if you want me to post them.
So glad that you started a new post on this very important topic! You've received some very good advice and input!
-------------------- You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'
---Eleanor Roosevelt Posts: 748 | From somewhere | Registered: May 2010
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Silverwolf
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Hey there <<<<< momindeep ,TF, Lymetoo ,MannaMe , sammy, and AlanaSuzanne >>>>>,
Well Drat we don't have Trader Joe's here, but we are going to explore a bit...when we have to be out for an errand.
We can check 'net and phone book and see what is where to help save on gas.
If we watch sales maybe we could even make a composter type idea...
LoL ...TF shucks should I save a memento of me poor pinched Petunias and mashed Marigolds?
Well ya know,some of the garden pest bugs don't like Marigolds [a friend plants them a row over from her tomatoes as a natural bug repellent and a bit of weed control.]
They are good repellent but do need to be kept in check.
Lymetoo, I understand about the starches too,especially fighting Yeast...one of my meds I actually have to have a small bit of starch to take it.
So I've been trying to not have a lot of starches other than for the meds. Hope your back and neck are doing better!
MannaMe, We'll have to see if there is a similar place here. We had to give up two very sweet kitten s a couple summers back after sudden allergy,TxC' and I miss them.
Sammy, TxC's dad sent us a bit of info' on the Hay bale gardening some years back before he passed away. This willhelp w/options too.
If we could get some bales inexpensively, I'm wondering about combining w/ some square foot gardening ideas.
It'll be a Table top garden or something similar,as we still have bad days and may need cane,walker or wheelchair to get around.
Sammy,hoping you are feeling better ,and surgery went smoothly [have to check your thread again for update!].
All repliers thank you for sharing tho'ts and ideas for us. TxCoord loves to get a garden in...
and we couldn't the last couple years w/his surgeries...maybe we can get a small one in to help this year.
The various ideas here will help and are appreciated !!!
Edit in ,I am so slow typing, AlanaSuzanne, thanks for the info' and food lists. The Dirty dozen is something to watch out for...safety wise.
We have to watch very carefully to find Organic foods at a good sale price too.. Not easy.
Hopefully the Table top garden Idea will help us stay a bit safer,from the darn Ticks and other bugs. I'm looking up info' on safe to use,and inexpensive bug,flea and tick repellents as well.
We don't want mosquitoes nesting around us either...TxC's bout w/ West Nile 'was one to many for us. Yet we must find safe food sources inexpensively.
Okeydokey ,Jus' Silverwolfi [yummy I am thinking of some delightful pear tomatoes..]!
-------------------- 2006,May-August2006 Dx w/ Lyme/Bartonella/White Matter Lesion Disease on Brain. [ Clinical Dx w/ two positives and several IND's on the tests from Igenex ], Prior Dx of CFIDS/CEBV 1992, and FMS '93-'94 Diabetes*2 Dx 10/'08 Posts: 3581 | From SE Idaho | Registered: May 2006
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posted
We get whole organic chickens from whole foods, and pop it in the crock pot overmight on low. That way it is $2.50 a lb instead of WAY more for organic or abx free meats.
After the crock pot, the meat basically falls off the bone, so it is not much trouble to clean off. We have boiled down the bones to make soup stock too!
-------------------- IgM ++41, IND 31, 34, 39, 83-93 IgG IND 41
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." - unknown Posts: 72 | From NC | Registered: Sep 2011
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Carol in PA
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If you decide to grow tomatoes, consider adding a cherry tomato plant. Years ago, when I had a garden, I found out that the cherry tomatoes would produce even when the weather was too dry for the regular tomatoes.
We had a drought the summer I found that out.
And what's this about buying gluten free chicken broth? It's pretty simple to make your own.
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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MannaMe
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We had a volunteer cherry tomato plant come up in our flowerbed one year. It gave lots & lots of tomatoes!!
Since it was near the house it was protected from the early frosts and was still producing long after the garden tomatoes were dead.
I like to cook chicken or turkey with plenty of extra water for the broth.
Posts: 2602 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2011
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Silverwolf
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<<<<< Wheelwatcher, Carol in PA. MannaME >>>>>,
Love Cherry Tomatoes !!! We generally grow them when we do a garden...and they produce for quite awhile, Yummy !!!
Part of the reason we buy gluten free soups/broth/Breads etc. is because neither TxCoord nor I can stand up in one place for very long.
In Essence, we should be in a Retirement community, with extended care options. Unfortunately , we live in SE Idaho,on an extremely limited budget.
And we fall thru the cracks as to available help, we have friends who work in the field trying to find help for us...
Again,In general, If you have a chronic Illness, especially if you are over mid 30's ,don't come to SE Idaho expecting help...
Back to healthy eating, we have not been able to do a Garden since 2005, Job changes and losses,and loss of health has prevented. That is why we are looking at a simple to maintain tabletop garden.
Even if we can get this going, and use wheelchair,and canes etc to maneuver..there are GMO/GE issues.
In this area the sugar beets, wheat, corn, and potatoes are GMO and/or have GE type chemicals applied. Yes for positive, we know several farmers personally.
Consider that,Unless you can grow an Organic/Non GMO/Non GE [genetically engineered] crop in a specially enclosed greenhouse,
... with bees and other such insects to pollinate that have not been on any crop but yours. Pollen from GMO/GE crops will get into your crop.
Still, knowing what is in the soil you are using, might make it a little safer to grow foods and flowers. Even the lovely heirloom seeds,hard to find and often costly, can get contaminated once planted out of doors.
Then add in the Smart Meter issue w/ EMF's and RF's that is doing damage to people,pets and plants.
Still, we are trying to find low cost ways to eat as healthfully as possible for : Gluten free issues,Diabetes, Kidney issues, Lyme Disease and Co-infections,yeast problems and so on.
And every few months seemingly the 'Diet police' are telling us something that was once tho't good for us...is dangerous to eat or drink and will cause cancer,or something equally horrific.
Don't mean to be a downer here, just looking at what actually is, the way it is...and then hoping and praying and searching to find the best and safest options.
Where we are living we cannot trust the water,and will be carting specially filtered water to our plants ,physical issues and all.
We are fortunate enough to have way to get specially filtered water, that actually adds safe healthy minerals etc. [it has been dubbed " Living Water ". ]. Perhaps it will help protect the plants as they grow?!!
Anyway, with all of this said/vented... Thanks you all so much for the replies Ideas,info etc. It has given us some options, to help us find the healthiest safest foods for us,at a lower cost.
Again ,TxCoord and I,don't mean to sound like all down... bummed out downers. This is the reality in which we live.
Jus' Silverwolfi trying to keep my chinny chin chin up!
-------------------- 2006,May-August2006 Dx w/ Lyme/Bartonella/White Matter Lesion Disease on Brain. [ Clinical Dx w/ two positives and several IND's on the tests from Igenex ], Prior Dx of CFIDS/CEBV 1992, and FMS '93-'94 Diabetes*2 Dx 10/'08 Posts: 3581 | From SE Idaho | Registered: May 2006
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