What do we eat now?

Tough economic times have made it necessary for many of us to re-think our food spending habits. Not only is this good for our wallets, but for our health. We have become one of the most unhealthy nations on the planet.

As many of us know, junk food is cheap. It's tempting to opt for quick fixes when there's little time for healthy cooking. It's not necessary to give in to temptation, however. For the past few months, my boyfriend and I have managed to eat organic, local, vegan meals for about $16.00/day. That may not sound like a bargain, but considering the cost of organic foods these days, we wanted to prove that people could eat well and remain within a reasonable budget.

How did we do it? It was simple, really - we do most of our cooking, and only eat out one night/week at the local Chinese restaurant, where steamed tofu or eggplant with brown rice can be had for $8.00. Our diet consists of a healthy variety of foods - beans, brown rice, wheat pasta, breads, nuts, tofu, fruits and vegetables, seitan, and soybean products. Although many of these products are not "cheap", with careful menu planning we are able to make our food budget stretch, with leftovers being stored in the freezer.

In the long run, we feel that the payoffs - healthy weight, lots of energy, and a strong immune system - are well worth the time and effort we put into our diet. Only time will tell which diet turns out to be a "bargain."