The Paleo Diet Cookbook: More than 150 recipes for Paleo Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks, and Beverages (10 page)

BUY IN BULK

 

• Raw nuts, dried herbs and spices, and even herbal teas can be purchased in large quantities from the bin or bulk section of your local grocery store or supermarket. This not only saves money but is eco-friendly because it reduces unnecessary packaging.

• Take advantage of poultry, meat, and fish specials and sales. For most single people, the refrigerator’s freezer section is just fine. You can store enough frozen meat, fish, and poultry to last a few weeks. If you have a large family, consider buying a dedicated freezer.

• When fruits and vegetables go on sale, buy a large quantity and choose recipes that will maximize their use during the week. For instance, serve spaghetti squash with marinara sauce when tomatoes go on sale or make a big batch of fresh salsa. With a little planning, you can take advantage of sale prices while preparing delicious meals for your family.

• Buy whole meat rather than precut, skinned, and boned selections. You can easily skin a chicken breast yourself and save quite a bit on the price. Similarly, take advantage of the lower price per pound of large roasts and simply slice them into smaller, more convenient portions, which you can then freeze.

BUY LOCALLY GROWN FOODS

 

• Let your food and meal choices be influenced by local and seasonal availability. Locally grown foods are almost always less expensive than their foreign counterparts. You also reduce your carbon footprint when you buy food from farmers’ markets and local grocers.

• Be flexible with recipes and modify them to accommodate locally grown foods. Many of our recipes have plenty of room for improvisation and ingredient substitutions. Don’t be afraid to try something new by making practical adaptations.

DO IT YOURSELF

 

• Do you love almond butter but not the seventeen dollars per jar price tag on the raw, organic variety? Investing in a small nut grinder might be worth your while. Buying nuts in bulk and grinding them yourself can result in delicious new blends. Walnut butter spread on celery sticks makes a quick and easy Paleo snack.

• Another great money-saving idea is to make your own jerky, dried fish, or dried meat. Home dehydrators are inexpensive and can also be used to make dried fruits and veggies. Dried banana slices are delectable.

GROW IT YOURSELF

 

• Start a little backyard garden. Find out which fruits, vegetables, and herbs grow well in your climate and locale. Nothing beats homegrown baby lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, and scallions, and these can be grown just about anywhere. You even can set aside a small part of your yard for strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries; these also grow well in most climates.

• Start a food cooperative in your neighborhood. You might grow basil, oregano, and rosemary. Your neighbor will grow tomatoes, while someone across the street will cultivate squash. Before you know it, everybody benefits as your garden-fresh fruits and veggies mature and are harvested throughout the summer and fall.