Sharon Simpson Thumann

Hoorah! Great post, I am still learning, as we all are, it's a day by day experience.

I try not to look at that page because it makes me angry every damn time.

I have a cast iron frying pan and grill pan, a harden andondized set sauce/frying pans from Guy Fierri and a few enameled lodge pieces.

I had this discussion with a friend of mine
 
Friend - Well it's not healthy not to eat carbs.  Our bodies need carbs.
 
Me - Oh I couldn't agree with you more.  Definitely our bodies need carbs
 
Friend - but then why are you cutting them out if you feel that way
 
Me - Oh but I haven't cut them out.  I eat plenty of them. 
 
Friend - But you cut out pasta and bread - how can you be eating carbs?
 
Me - I eat sweet potato, beets, squashes, celery root, parsnips - these are all carbs.
 
Friend - no they are not - they're vegetables!
 
Me - Mental Facepalm - lets' just call them carby vegetables.

Before my whole 30 I calculated that we were spending a little over 1,000.00/month eating out for family of 4. This also did not include starbucks nor groceries. We would order out from restaurants several times a week because we are so busy and are gone for the entire day. Since starting the whole 30 I have saved money while buying organic, at first I couldn't believe the amount I was spending on organic eggs but realized I would not hesitate to pull my wallet out for junk food. Mcdonalds meal would cost us around 28.00 for one meal, I can buy 4 lbs of meat for that price and eat for at least 3 days, this has been an eye opener for me.
I have completed my first whole 30 and my husband decided to do one as well, I am saving money and feeling healthier eating healthier and would never go back to the crappy processed foods. I have learned to cook using a crockpot and we make sure we have enough left overs for extra meals.

My husband and I talked about our spending and which meals we preferred over others. We narrowed it down to our 3-4 favorite meals. Chuck roast, meatloaf, pork chops and roast chicken.
 
Every week I make a meatloaf, chuck roast and roasted chicken. I make a "shepherds pie" from the left over chuck roast, lettuce wraps from left over meatloaf and chicken soup from the left over chicken. Six meals from three meats..seventh meal is pork chops.
 
Doing it this way I can afford the better quality meats from Whole Foods and stay within a reasonable budget.  Right now we are spending about $100 a week, which I think is pretty good considering what it used to be.. about $600 a month.
 
I no longer feel stressed about the budget and now that our garden is coming along pretty good, I hope that for the next 4-5 months I can save even more by not having to buy much if any produce from the grocer/farmers market.. except for sweet potatoes.
 
I know our meal choices sound boring but I just switch up the spices for a different taste weekly.

You can grow anything in containers! Right now I have tomatoes, zuchinni, broccoli, watermelon, bell peppers, cantaloupe, various herbs and onions growing in pots. Also, yeah you can grow bananas at home. I see several people here in Naples, FL advertising on Craigslist for free bananas from their trees. Check Craigslist for free stuff, here people are always giving away fruits because they have too many, like mangos. You might even find eggs, I did.
I live in an apartment so container gardening is the only way for me. I bought a few of these bags. I will try to grow almost everything I need veggies and fruit wise.
http://www.amazon.co...=A1SV1BYDTUK2Z5
Edited to add: I also use a meal planner. On Friday evenings I make a menu for the whole week, then figure out what veggies I need to buy and that is all I buy. Until my container veggies start growing good I still have to buy at the grocery store. Sundays shopping trip I spent $40 at the grocery store, this week I am going to the farmers market and see how much I can get with the $40 there.. an experiment of sorts! I've also been thinking about going to a local organic farm because they have U-pick.. and U-pick is usually cheaper. I just found out about them a couple days ago, sounds interesting so maybe that's where I will take my $40 this week.
I only buy for two people.

Hey Jahx! I am in Naples woot woot hey neighbor! I totally agree with you though on all of it, at first I obsessed about buying the best of the best and it made the Whole30 miserable. I buy most of my good from Costco and a little from Publix. I do the best I can and I really looked deep into our budget and there is just not room, at least not right now.. We are saving to buy a new car and I want to either have a huge down payment or enough to buy it outright. No car= no work=no money for food. Priorities!
 
So please, new people, don't feel bullied or pressured by others to always buy the absolute best, buy what you can afford and keep an eye out for sales.
 
Some people here can afford the best of the best, but some of us can not, I figure I am doing good just getting off the processed merry go round, so please be careful with your words because it can be a turn off and drive some people away, it almost drove me away..
 

Hey Jahx! I am in Naples woot woot hey neighbor! I totally agree with you though on all of it, at first I obsessed about buying the best of the best and it made the Whole30 miserable. I buy most of my good from Costco and a little from Publix. I do the best I can and I really looked deep into our budget and there is just not room, at least not right now.. We are saving to buy a new car and I want to either have a huge down payment or enough to buy it outright. No car= no work=no money for food. Priorities!
 
So please, new people, don't feel bullied or pressured by others to always buy the absolute best, buy what you can afford and keep an eye out for sales.
 
Some people here can afford the best of the best, but some of us can not, I figure I am doing good just getting off the processed merry go round, so please be careful with your words because it can be a turn off and drive some people away, it almost drove me away..
 

Hey Jahx! I am in Naples woot woot hey neighbor! I totally agree with you though on all of it, at first I obsessed about buying the best of the best and it made the Whole30 miserable. I buy most of my good from Costco and a little from Publix. I do the best I can and I really looked deep into our budget and there is just not room, at least not right now.. We are saving to buy a new car and I want to either have a huge down payment or enough to buy it outright. No car= no work=no money for food. Priorities!
 
So please, new people, don't feel bullied or pressured by others to always buy the absolute best, buy what you can afford and keep an eye out for sales.
 
Some people here can afford the best of the best, but some of us can not, I figure I am doing good just getting off the processed merry go round, so please be careful with your words because it can be a turn off and drive some people away, it almost drove me away..
 

Hey Jahx! I am in Naples woot woot hey neighbor! I totally agree with you though on all of it, at first I obsessed about buying the best of the best and it made the Whole30 miserable. I buy most of my good from Costco and a little from Publix. I do the best I can and I really looked deep into our budget and there is just not room, at least not right now.. We are saving to buy a new car and I want to either have a huge down payment or enough to buy it outright. No car= no work=no money for food. Priorities!
 
So please, new people, don't feel bullied or pressured by others to always buy the absolute best, buy what you can afford and keep an eye out for sales.
 
Some people here can afford the best of the best, but some of us can not, I figure I am doing good just getting off the processed merry go round, so please be careful with your words because it can be a turn off and drive some people away, it almost drove me away..
 

Hey Jahx! I am in Naples woot woot hey neighbor! I totally agree with you though on all of it, at first I obsessed about buying the best of the best and it made the Whole30 miserable. I buy most of my good from Costco and a little from Publix. I do the best I can and I really looked deep into our budget and there is just not room, at least not right now.. We are saving to buy a new car and I want to either have a huge down payment or enough to buy it outright. No car= no work=no money for food. Priorities!
 
So please, new people, don't feel bullied or pressured by others to always buy the absolute best, buy what you can afford and keep an eye out for sales.
 
Some people here can afford the best of the best, but some of us can not, I figure I am doing good just getting off the processed merry go round, so please be careful with your words because it can be a turn off and drive some people away, it almost drove me away..
 

Hey Jahx! I am in Naples woot woot hey neighbor! I totally agree with you though on all of it, at first I obsessed about buying the best of the best and it made the Whole30 miserable. I buy most of my good from Costco and a little from Publix. I do the best I can and I really looked deep into our budget and there is just not room, at least not right now.. We are saving to buy a new car and I want to either have a huge down payment or enough to buy it outright. No car= no work=no money for food. Priorities!
 
So please, new people, don't feel bullied or pressured by others to always buy the absolute best, buy what you can afford and keep an eye out for sales.
 
Some people here can afford the best of the best, but some of us can not, I figure I am doing good just getting off the processed merry go round, so please be careful with your words because it can be a turn off and drive some people away, it almost drove me away..
 

Hey Jahx! I am in Naples woot woot hey neighbor! I totally agree with you though on all of it, at first I obsessed about buying the best of the best and it made the Whole30 miserable. I buy most of my good from Costco and a little from Publix. I do the best I can and I really looked deep into our budget and there is just not room, at least not right now.. We are saving to buy a new car and I want to either have a huge down payment or enough to buy it outright. No car= no work=no money for food. Priorities!
 
So please, new people, don't feel bullied or pressured by others to always buy the absolute best, buy what you can afford and keep an eye out for sales.
 
Some people here can afford the best of the best, but some of us can not, I figure I am doing good just getting off the processed merry go round, so please be careful with your words because it can be a turn off and drive some people away, it almost drove me away..
 

I buy the nutiva coconut oil at costco and it lasts us about 6 weeks or so. I make my own ghee--MUCH cheaper!

Coconut oil from Costco is actually a decent price and I like it. It lasts my family of two for awhile because I use other fats to cook with as well.

Hey Jahx! I am in Naples woot woot hey neighbor! I totally agree with you though on all of it, at first I obsessed about buying the best of the best and it made the Whole30 miserable. I buy most of my good from Costco and a little from Publix. I do the best I can and I really looked deep into our budget and there is just not room, at least not right now.. We are saving to buy a new car and I want to either have a huge down payment or enough to buy it outright. No car= no work=no money for food. Priorities!
 
So please, new people, don't feel bullied or pressured by others to always buy the absolute best, buy what you can afford and keep an eye out for sales.
 
Some people here can afford the best of the best, but some of us can not, I figure I am doing good just getting off the processed merry go round, so please be careful with your words because it can be a turn off and drive some people away, it almost drove me away..
 

Just remember to buy what you can afford. You can do this eating all conventional or even just a mix of conventional and organic.

I appreciate the past few comments. While I do buy grass fed beef, I can't afford to buy organic produce that much. And I'm trying to convince my mom to give whole 30 a try, but she lives in a remote area and isn't sure about finding some of these products that are very different to her. She's used to shopping at Walmart and buying what's cheapest. I think that this would be more approachable for her if I just get her on whole foods and label reading, without having to worry about making perfect choices for everything.

Hey Jahx! I am in Naples woot woot hey neighbor! I totally agree with you though on all of it, at first I obsessed about buying the best of the best and it made the Whole30 miserable. I buy most of my good from Costco and a little from Publix. I do the best I can and I really looked deep into our budget and there is just not room, at least not right now.. We are saving to buy a new car and I want to either have a huge down payment or enough to buy it outright. No car= no work=no money for food. Priorities!
 
So please, new people, don't feel bullied or pressured by others to always buy the absolute best, buy what you can afford and keep an eye out for sales.
 
Some people here can afford the best of the best, but some of us can not, I figure I am doing good just getting off the processed merry go round, so please be careful with your words because it can be a turn off and drive some people away, it almost drove me away..
 

Sharon -
As long as you're eating your veggies in the right quantity and drinking plenty of water throughout your day, I don't see anything inherently wrong with it. Make sure you're not using V8 as a veggie or meal replacement, and that you prioritize actual water over other drinks, then enjoy your V8.

Honestly, in my experience and as always your mileage may vary, the key to keeping the grocery bill down is simply this.
 
Stop obsessing over the word "Organic".  By and large, if you are embarking on a Whole 30, your eating habits previously were fairly awful.  You have already been been exposing yourself to the worst foods/chemicals you could.  Frozen vegetables are fine.  Beef that isn't labeled "Grass Fed", or "Pastured" also won't cause your heart to spontaneously stop.  
 
Embrace that simple concept, and the Whole 30 is actually *significantly* less expensive than the current diets of those for whom it does the most good.  
 
Is grass fed, pastured, "certified" meat and produce healthier than the standard found at your local supermarket?  Sure.  I won't argue that point.  Is it something you should stress over with your Whole 30?  No.  The Whole 30 is a large enough change in ones habits that adding an additional stress is unnecessary.  I had a friend whom I introduced to the Whole 30 actually give up half way through because she couldn't find the meat and produce locally, and was having to drive an hour and a half to do her grocery shopping.  I tried to explain/convince her that it wasn't necessary, and she kept referring me back to these boards, and how she *needed* these things to make the whole 30 work.  We are talking about a single mom, who works two jobs.  Adding 3 hours of drive time to her week... it was just too much.  Maybe she wasn't committed enough.  Maybe if she saw more people advocating plain old supermarket beef/chicken/eggs and frozen vegetables, she would have just stopped by Wal-Mart where she normally shops, and she could have completed the Whole 30, and made those healthy changes.  
 
I love the Whole 30, it changed my life (Sadly it wasn't permanent, I fell back into old habits and am starting another whole 30 sept 1st), and these boards are an absolute wealth of information, and the people here are just wonderfully supportive.  That being said, I think sometimes we focus a little too narrowly on the minutiae, and forget about the overall benefits and goals the Whole 30 is helping us to achieve.

Just remember to buy what you can afford. You can do this eating all conventional or even just a mix of conventional and organic.

Just remember to buy what you can afford. You can do this eating all conventional or even just a mix of conventional and organic.

Just remember to buy what you can afford. You can do this eating all conventional or even just a mix of conventional and organic.