Yes, it IS possible...

Ahhh, here we go. Somewhere between the enjoyable busyness (yes, I had to use dictionary.com to make sure this was an actual word), I have found my blog again. Who am I kidding, I'm never too busy for my blog. But sometimes I get so wrapped up in other aspects of my life that I simply want to enjoy each moment, instead of write about them. Today seemed like a good day to write, since I have found myself in the calm portion of the semester. With only a week and a half left, the only thing on my plate is a random assortment of 4 finals and 2 presentations. Sounds like a lot, right? Nope...I'll be fine. I am still waiting for it to get hectic, but it seems as though I've made it (almost) through another semester without much, or any, stress. Also, the next 2 weeks will take me to the completion of my first year at the Illinois Institute of Art, leaving me with only another year to go before completion. Wow...*sigh*.


Speaking of being a student...something I've learned while being a student is that it IS possible to eat healthy on a strict budget. Quite frankly, I'm getting tired of hearing that the "college student diet" is acceptable, since we basically have no money. That it's OK to eat pizza and macaroni & cheese and McDonald's because it's cheap and it's all we can afford. Well, this is me putting my foot down in disgust and slight confusion. The last time I checked, a pizza (if we're talking your standard Jack's) is around $5.00. Sure, that gives you 8 slices and fills you to the brim (with sodium cholesterol, and simple carbohydrates), but I've found a way to eat all of my food groups in less than $5.00...per DAY! 


And since you probably don't believe me...take a look at my menu on any random day:


BREAKFAST:
Cup of Plain, Non-fat Yogurt - $0.50
Banana - 5 for $1.43, which means one is about $0.29


LUNCH: 
Cup of lettuce - $1.00 per bag of about 4 servings, so $0.25
Cup of brown rice - $2.19 for a box of 9 servings, so $0.24
Ear of corn - $0.18


SNACK: 
Cup of yogurt - $0.50
Banana - $0.29


SUPPER:
Portion of fish - $1.00
Ear of corn - $0.18
Cup of brown rice - $0.24
Cup of lettuce - $0.25


Which brings my grand total to $3.92 for the entire DAY! I agree that this menu lacks variety, but trust me, I do switch it up on a daily basis to avoid getting tired of the same ole' thing. Sometimes I will throw in a bag of organic/fat free popcorn as a pre-bedtime snack. However, I've learned to stick to a few key components in order to eat healthy with my budget: 


(Keep in mind my grocery store is awesome and typically has good prices on the things I stock up on)


1. Bananas are the cheapest fruit. But when they have a sale on other fruits I definitely take a break from bananas! For instance, watermelons are on sale right now for $4.99, and will usually last me 2-3 days (I love watermelon)...so, for a treat, I will get watermelon and sacrifice a portion of my budget.
2. Fish portions are always priced at 10 for $10...thank you Jewel Osco!! 
3. Brown rice is a healthy alternative to other carbohydrates. It keeps me full and kicks my carb craving in the butt. Also, if I make a portion at a time, I will avoid eating too much of it and will get 9 servings out of each box.
4. Look for sales! Sure, I would rather get the standard bag of iceberg lettuce, but Fresh Express's shredded lettuce is on sale right now for $1.00 per bag! Who cares if it's meant for tacos. 
5. Generic tastes the same as name-brand. Unless you think about it too much, there really is no difference in taste.


So, all of these tactics combined have led me to the conclusion that it IS possible to eat healthy on a "student's budget". And eating healthy improves my mood/self-esteem/attitude, and empowers a healthier mind...which will come in handy over the next 10 days! 


Even if you're not a college student, it is still possible to feed your family (and yourself) healthy meals on a budget. I read this article on Dr.Phil.com (love this man) about eating healthy on a budget...and there are millions of other ones out there. So, do your research, clip some coupons, and focus on the nutritional value of your food without stressing about prices! 


http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/608

My favorite healthy meal: Baked fish, brown rice, and a big salad with tomato!