Ten ways to cut your food bill

With the price of food going up every day, heres some tips to save some cash.

1. Grow your own.

If you have the space gardening is a wonderful past time. It will improve your fitness, help you prevent SAD, get you closer to nature and save you money.
One of the easiest things to grow is tomatoes. You can save some seeds at the end of the year to plant the next.
Lettuse and herbs are easy for beginners. Buy a second hand gardening book to get you started. Gardening magazines are cheap and normally have a free packet of seasonly appropriate seeds.

Stuck for space?
If you have a window box try herbs, strawberries, tomatoes.
If you only have a windowsill you can sprout seeds and grow small amounts of fresh herbs.


2. Go Wild

Buy a book or go on a foraging workshop. You will be suprised how much free food is around. Once you have opened your eyes to the idea of free food you will find nettles, beech, dandelion, mushrooms, chickweed.
Be careful not to eat anything without knowing what it is. Remember some mushrooms and plants are poisonous. If in doubt don't touch it.

3. Shop at Farners Markets

By cutting out the middle man you can make an enormous saving. You also can see where your products come from. This is a great way of supporting your local community and enjoying fresh produce.

4. Eat Seasonal

Seasonal produce is cheap, fresh and very good for you. Eating in season is what nature intended.

5. Join a food co-op

Again you are cutting out the middleman and by buying in bulk you can make a great saving.

6. Make a list...

... and stick to it. If you do a big shop at the supermarket make sure you plan ahead so you don't get seduced by offers.

7. Cook from Scratch

The raw gourmet ready meals are very tempting but if you make your food from scratch it will work out as much cheaper. You can buy raw ingredients such as superfoods in bulk online which usually works out a lot cheaper than your local health food shop.

8. Look out for discounts

In supermarkets find the discount section. It is usualy hidden away in a corner. Find out what time they mark down their stock and plan your shop around it. I can always find some very cheap bagged salad leaves.

Some health food shops may have a small section designated to old stock, if they don't just ask. They may be happy for you to take it off thier hands.

Before you order any raw food online, give them a call. It is worthwhile asking if they have any old or damaged stock that they would like to get rid of. I know some websites encourage it in the small print.

9. Look after your leftovers

Be inventive. If you can't finich your juice or smoothie freeze the remains in ice cube trays. Pop out and store in a freezer bag when frozen. You can then pop a few in your next smoothie or use in a soup or other recipe.

Look for juicer pulp recipes. I know a lot of people plan ahead, i.e make a tomato juice and use the pulp for making a raw pasts sauce. The pulp can also be made into burgers if mixed with minced nuts, herbs and dehydrated. Look at free recipes online for inspiration.

Use your freezer to your advantage.

10. Shop Alone

Finally shop alone and when your not hungry. Simple but effective.

If anyone has any favourite tips please share......

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