Healthy food on a budget

Its official, the country is in a recession, and has been for a while. I know from personal experience, the majority of my paycheck is spent on food, and attempting to eat healthy makes the bill even larger. On the Canadian Broadcasting Centre's Web site, Tara Kimura addresses food shopping on a budget (just because it's from Canada, doesn't mean it's not valid here too).

Kimura talks about the penny pinching culinary skills that rose out of past economic hardships (like world wars and economic depressions). But we seem to be in a bit of a pickle. Most foods that are budget and waistband friendly seem to be non existant. Or are they? Why can't we do what our grandmothers (or great grandmothers) did?

We have easier options! Simple as that. Who wants to go through the trouble? But there are some simple ways you can have the best of both worlds.

Registered dietitian Andrea Holwegner gives these tips.

• Shop fresh, seasonal produce.
• Frozen fruits and veggies are a great alternative. They are frozen at the peak of freshness, and they may be better than some fresh fruit you are grabbing, and it can be cheaper.
• Dried or canned legumes (beans, lentils and such) are the cheapest sources of protein. And on a personal note, so is tofu. Take the cringe off your face and try it! There are many ways (like baking) to cook it that changes the texture and enhances the flavors you add.
• Buy grains in bulk (like oatmeal, instead of instant pouches). They last a while and are budget friendly.
• Buy the pasta and rice plain and add your own flavor. Its cheaper, and you can get a variety for less.

Basic line, get creative. Look up recipes from times when the economy was worse than it is now, and see how all those families made it work. Think of it in a positive light, cut down on the expensive stuff while you can, and it will seem oh so much better when you indulge.