Dollar A Day Meals

I recommend a movie I found on hulu:  "The  End  of  Poverty?".   You don't have to agree with the entire movie to be moved by the  poverty  you will see.....the beautiful humans you will meet, some living on only 50 cents per day. 

What would you be eating on 50 cents per day? 

Where would you live on that little amount per day?

Besides your budget, maybe another good reason to eat frugally would be to free up money and find a way to help/educate/guide these precious people?? Our church has a humanitarian fund and the money given goes directly to helping others,  such as provide clean water in Africa, etc. Our church also has an education fund to help those in poverty  get the means  to become educated and climb out of the hold of poverty.  Your  church  may have similar ways, or other ways to help. I know of churches that go to other countries as a group and help lift others out of pain and poverty.    I know  of a group  of neighbors in Utah  that save  money every year, buy the materials,  and travel to Mexico to build houses for Mexican families in need; also to teach moms about hygiene and clean food/preparation.  The ways are endless; the need is great. We can all do something,  even if we think it is a little,  just think what $5.00 a month would do for a poor family!  I encourage you to seek an honest avenue of helping others.  Or  form  your  own group to go  help out  someone  in need.  I am cautious of giving my hard earned money to groups that use part of that money for administrative costs. That is why a church contribution, to me, is best: it cuts through the admin costs.

More reasons WHY.......   

Let me state up front:  that though I won't apologize for leaning on God, if you are not a believer in Him, I am very respectful of your personal choice. 
 
We do the best we can with the money we have, and then ask God to bless  our  food  to be cleansed to give  us the  nourishment  He meant for it to give to us. We live in a day, that in order to survive spiritually,  as  well  as  temporally,  faith  is  essential  in  EVERY area of life, even food.

I know a couple nearby who run a small farm for a local farmer's market. They say that most organic foods are not what we think, and we are  wasting  money.  I will need to ask for more details, because I must admit that I wasn't paying much attention since it didn't apply to my situation,  we mainly eat 6 basic vegetables and 2 basic fruits for our fresh food (see list page for details).

We buy lettuces,  kale, broccoli,  cauliflower, bell peppers,  cukes, oranges, and other fresh fruits and veggies on sale as it fits into  our budget.

For canned, or home bottled, we mostly use what you will see on list page.  You  can  get  a good crop  of bush beans  by planting them along your driveway; and bottle them.  We have grown what  I call a 'salad row'.   Plant in same row: lettuces, carrots, onions, chard, radishes....some are on top of the ground, others are roots, so it's a lot of harvest from a little space.   Plus  when  the  leafy lettuce is growing:  just pick off  the  leaves  instead  of pulling up the entire plant.  It will continue to grow/ be of use for a longer time before bolting.  If keeping wheat and lentils on hand:  sprout  for  fresh use all year long. A salad with wheat sprouts and grated carrots is heavenly in my opinion.  Bean salad with lentil sprouts, celery,  cooked beans,  canned green beans,  minced onions,  and cabbage is yummy!!
 
Do the best you can.  Then remember that God will be more than happy to take it from there if we just ask.    He is aware of those who are  conspiring  against  health  in order to make more $$$.  He is willing to help us live wisely.  When we go to Him in honesty and pray:  "Father, we have  done all  we can  with the resources we  have,  please bless us, and  help  us  to  retain  good  health",  then the next step is to trust Him. 

We spend very little money on medical bills....very little. We are so  grateful to God; and attribute this blessing of health to  use of  the  foods  with  fiber which  He  provides. 2  kinds  of  fiber: insoluble fiber  basically  works  like a  broom  that  sweeps  the intestines.  Soluble fiber  basically  wraps  around  fats and pulls them out of  the body.   All planned by  a loving Heavenly Father  to help us in our earthly journey; if we will partake....tastes can be changed!!

Studies show that vegetables from the brassica family (cabbage, broccoli, kale, etc.)  have  cancer-fighting  properties.  Tomatoes also do this, especially when cooked.  Dry beans and lentils also fight cancer/disease; as do whole grains.   Studies  are  plentiful.  God knew what He was doing.  But we have people, especially in the U.S. who  have  refined  many  foods in  order  to  line  their greedy pockets with more of our hard-earned $$$.  Is our health even on the list of what is important to them? 

Remember a few years ago when whole eggs were 'bad' for us?? Why would we not eat something  God  already  designed??  Can  we humans  really  improve  on  what He has done??  Our family goal is to use foods as close to the whole as possible.  Especially  wheat, other whole grains,  dry beans,  lentils,  fresh vegetables and fruits.  We drink water.  We do drink a small amount of fresh milk,  especially when  we get raw milk from a local farmer for $3.00 per gallon.   We use dry milk for cooking / baking.  We eat cheese  and  meat  quite  sparingly.   I read a long time ago that humans need  about 3 oz. of meat per day  for women  and older children; 4 oz. per day for men, teens both male and female, and pregnant women; small children would be less than 3 oz. We use eggs, beans, lentils as our sources of protein,  along  with  meat sparingly, and cheese sparingly.  Of course, remember that when using beans / lentils as a protein  source it must be accompanied  with a grain, or some meat,  to complete the protein.  Thus beans in flour tortillas, lentils / rice,  beans / cornbread, bean soup and bread; etc.   We use white rice,  but usually  with beans / veggies.  As I  have  studied  the  subject of whole grains over many years,   I have noticed that out of all the refined grains white rice retains   a bit more nutrition than other refined grains, but use it wisely.

     You have my best wishes in your food journey, Janet