Plant-Strong Shopping on a Show String
Along this plant-strong journey of mine, I have learned many great money-saving tips to keep me on the E2 path. Often time, people will ask me, “How do you afford to eat this way?” I am still not quite sure why there is such a myth about eating vegetables, and it being so expensive. There are no processed foods on Engine 2 Diet, and you are essentially buying fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains. And, if you shop in bulk, prices are even more of a reduction.
Here are a few money-saving tips that will help you save money when you are planning and shopping for your plant-strong menu items.
-Make a Weekly Menu: This is the most useful tip. I have four, weekly menu plans, and I rotate them out every fourth week. Sometimes, it doesn’t always stay on track, but I have an idea of what I will be making and serving. This is a great way to save money at the checkout.
-Create a Shopping List: I have a master list of grocery items that includes everything I generally use. It serves as a good tool to stay focused in the grocery store when I am often drawn to displays and beautiful endcaps.
-Hit Websites of Favorite Products: You’ll find manufacturer’s coupons online. Print them out, and take the coupons with you. There aren’t many coupons that I use for shopping, but it is always good to see one for a plant-milk or fresh produce, for example.
-Use In-Store Coupon Books: If you’re a shopper at Whole Foods Market, the Whole Deal® is always a great way to plot your grocery store trip. With sensible and thoughtful writing, the publication offers manufacturer’s coupons and private label coupons, as well.
-Use a Shopping App: Query shopping apps that will help you save moolah as you shop. You will find them easy to use, and beneficial to your shopping patterns.
-Shop for What You Need: I live in southeastern PA, and there are produce warehouses where I used to shop. Lots of produce, stuffed into plastic bags, and usually for one dollar a bag. The bad thing is that you did not get to select exact pieces, AND sometimes, you would get more than you needed. Not sure I can use ten zucchini in a week. In the end, it wasn’t cost-effective.
-The Best Time to Shop: I like shopping early in the morning, the store is easier to manage and you can cruise up and down the aisles. Fresh produce looks delicious and everything seems more accessible.
-Shop in Bulk: Get all of your beans and grains in bulk. If you’re mindful of keeping your carbon footprint at an all time low, buying unpackaged foods is a great way to be a good steward, and save money. If you’re buying grains, double line the plastic bags, because if a grain cuts a bag, disaster will ensure. Bulk is my favorite, because I can get exactly what I need.
-Bring Your Own Bags: Not only do I take my own bags grocery shopping, I also pack my own groceries. One bag is for frozen fruit and veggies, one bag is for dry goods, and the other is for fresh produce. I do this because it makes it super easy to get the groceries into the house. If I am running late, or whatever, I always grab the frozen bag and the produce bag, and this way, I can unpack them, easily, and not worry about anything going bad in the car!
We eat really well in my home, and I am always proud of the plant-strong dishes that I create for me and my husband. We spend within the ballpark of $100-125 per week. We eat delicious meals that I make with recipes that are Engine 2 compliant, and part of that means having foods that are nutritious and flavorful!
Eating strong foods doesn’t have to break the bank.
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