It's Getting More and More Expensive to Live Beyond Our Means

I have a confession. I have been living the life of a well-to-do foodie on a coupon clipper's salary. I want organic vegetables, ethically raised meat, good fair trade organic whole bean coffee, and fancy schmancy cheese. Some of these things are not up for debate, but I have come to the realization lately that if I can't afford the good stuff, then I can't afford that particular stuff. Organic meat, for instance, is really expensive, but do I need it? I can get as-organic-as-it-gets venison for free. It's very healthy, it's "wild caught" (read: shot in the woods), and there are no worries about the animal being mistreated in the processing plant because it's dead when it is processed. Hunters get a bad rap with vegans and vegetarians for obvious reasons, but those of us who want to eat meat but don't want to support the cruelty of factory farming should be singing their praises. Hunters also do a lot for preserving forests and wildlife areas.

As far as organic vegetables, they can be cheap if you buy in season, especially at the farmer's market. Also, organic beans are still pretty affordable, and they're packed with nutrition. You just have to school yourself on how to make a great big variety of bean dishes. There are more than you think--pureed beans of all kinds, not just hummus, make a great snack. There are also pureed bean soups, vegetarian chili made from beans and as spicy as you like (maybe with some venison chunks), cold bean salads with savory vinaigrette's, and on and on. Control the flatulence factor by changing the soaking water twice before you cook them. Grains are inexpensive and incredibly versatile. Julia Child has a wonderful looking recipe for cream soups made with pureed rice. You cook the rice in the soup base until it is very tender, then you have a fat free cream soup base to which you can add any seasonal vegetable or favorite spice.
My point is, you can eat well, really well, without spending a lot of money or even that much time. Just pay attention to the circulars at your local grocer, clip those coupons, buy seasonally, and watch the road-snacking.

Check a Julia Child book out from the local library, or a whole stack of cookbooks--the library is a great source for cookbooks. Julia Child is a great source for fantastic French cooking, and a lot of the recipes use ingredients you probably already have.

Best of luck to all my fellow poverty-stricken foodies. I know you're out there. Eat well, live well, treat yourself to the good coffee, and save your money for good cooking equipment:)