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Superheroes Getting Started
Feeling a bit overwhelmed...

Feeling a bit overwhelmed...

Started by Kayden Ryan on August 29, 2011

9 Comments

Kayden Ryan said #1 Aug 29, 2011 at 3:32pm

OMG - ok - So my big question is how the h**l do you people afford to eat this way?

I just made a meal plan for my first week of being super hero and its really not that extreme but I probably have a 200$ grocery list. I do understand that some things like the umeboshi stuff and the miso and oils i wont be buying every week, but oh my god!

How do you keep the cost down and manage to stick to this?

Ruthy said #2 Aug 29, 2011 at 4:43pm

Hey Ash-Lee :)

I felt that way when I first went macro too. Its tweaking and knowing where to buy. I buy in bulk at an online organic place and save myself LOADS of money. Also, like you said, there are some items that you will literally use for weeks and months before they need replacing too.

Definitely shop around and just do the best you can...in time, you will have it down to a tee and realise you are saving yourself money rather than spending more.

Hope this helps :) :)

Kayden Ryan said #3 Aug 30, 2011 at 1:12pm

Thanks so much,

I guess its just gonna take some time to get used to, and like you said shopping around and finding the best deals. Hopefully it happens fast! LOL

Laura Reissman said #4 Aug 30, 2011 at 6:29pm

Hi Ash-Lee. I save money by buying miso, oils, spices, seaweed in Chinatown. If you have any ethnic markets nearby, you might find some bargains. And as Ruthy suggested, buy in bulk when possible when shopping for rice and beans. Organic veggies can be expensive; try your local greenmarket to save money. Good luck!

Kayden Ryan said #5 Sep 8, 2011 at 3:39pm

Can you find umeboshi in chinatown? or is that a japanese thing?

I always get so intimidated going into chinatown and shopping and not knowing how to explain to all of the chinese clerks what exactly it is that im looking for. Ahhhh!!

said #6 Sep 8, 2011 at 6:18pm

Hi Ash-Lee,

Hopefully this will bring you some hope: our family grocery budget has drastically decreased eating superhero/vegan. There is a large initial output if you just go for it though. But - if your family is anything like us - eating a few more meals at home and not throwing away as much food balances it out a little. Some tips that really "make it happen" for us:

1. Buy in bulk. Our local Whole Foods & natural food stores have bulk bins. I can buy a giant box of oats for under $2. That'll last a few months!

2. Don't focus on the "tiny parts." Special oils, pastes, goos, gums and the like are great and can really make that extra touch. But when you're just starting out, using rice or white vineagar instead of ume isn't going to make a big difference.

3. Only buy the "dirty dozen" organic. You can Google a quick list on that.

4. I'm told [I don't buy things online] that you can really save a lot of money buying things on sites like Amazon.com.

5. Plan, plan, plan. Come up with 5 - 10 meals for a week based largely off of what you have - not what sounds super yummy and you want to have (okay, you can get the stuff for one or two "new" meals ;)). For example, if you don't have any beans in the house, don't decide to make a 5 bean chilli. Sure, it won't break the bank and will last for days but if you're trying to cut back a bit, shop in your pantry first and use up those pasta boxes.

Stephanie Hatfield said #7 Sep 8, 2011 at 7:20pm

Those are great tips Tania! I have been first using what I already have and slowly stocking up on the little "necessities" of eating a Kind diet. I look at it like when I first moved out on my own and had to buy EVERY staple for my pantry! There are so many new things I want to try, but i'm trying to control myself and try new things slowly so I don't empty my bank account all at once! I figured it would be frustrating trying to figure out what to make for my meals, but instead it's exciting getting to find all new things to eat. It's almost like being a kid in a candy store!

Another tip is to try to grow your own vegetables and herbs yourself. I live in an apartment with a balcony, and i'm growing several different fresh herbs I use regularly, along with some serrano peppers. Of course it depends where you live, how warm it gets, etc. as to what you can grow, but most herbs will grow well even indoors in a nice sunny window or grow light.

Laura Reissman said #8 Sep 8, 2011 at 8:03pm

They are great tips. Ash-Lee, in NYC's Chinatown there are a couple of Japanese stores plus a pan-Asian discount store with goods from Korea, Viet Nam, Japan, and China. I've also found that some of the Chinese stores also stock some Japanese products. YMMV.

Kayden Ryan said #9 Sep 12, 2011 at 2:59pm

Thank you guys all so much!

Tiana, those are all really great ideas - thanks so much! I dont buy online either cuz I am from Canada and amazon.ca doesnt do food.

I tend to throw myself into things 110% - so of course when having to restock everything in my house with all the new oils and vinegars and everything, its soo overwhelming at the time, but you guys have all given me such good advice! I do grow herbs and peppers and tomatoes (yes I know they are bad...) so that does save a bit, but of course thats all the cheap stuff to begin with! lol

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