Healthy Meals on a Budget

I have found meal planning to be the best way to stay on a budget to feed myself or my family.

It is so beneficial to sit down when the local weekly sale flyers and coupons come out. It helps  to determine your meal plan. It does not mean that you can not ver off the plan when you are hungry for Tuesdays meal instead of Mondays meal. I find if I have a calendar and fill out my meals for each day I am able to budget better and eat healthier. Most people are not convinced that budgeting and healthy eating can go hand in hand. I am here to prove them wrong with recipes and shopping tips.

Many people feel they can find a deal with buying in bulk at the major chain stores. LOL, don’t be fooled until you price it out. Also don’t purchase more food than you can utilize before it is either expired or it goes bad. I am a fan of buying in bulk when the price and basic outcome saves a family money.

If you are planning on eating healthy I recommend a small garden to help supplement the need for fresh produce. I have learned to do pot gardening in my home and moving it outside when it is the right climate. I can do some fruits like strawberries, lemons, limes and potatoes. My veggies are easy with fresh carrots, cucumbers, lettuce and many others. I would check out this article to see if pot gardening will work in your home. It is easy to also have a fresh herb garden inside year round. Fresh herbs can be expensive to purchase and it is so much easier to clip off  of an indoor plant. The key to eating healthy is to season meals well so they do not become bland. Follow 10 Easy Steps to Gardening on a Budget by Morning Chores.Another great article and how to is Growing and Using Fresh Herbs by Mending the Piggy Bank.

When shopping at the grocery store purchase items that have a flow to the week. For example if making a ham on Sunday plan for ham and green bean soup later in the week or a hot ham and cheese sliders. Then of course you can always freeze some ham slices for breakfast sandwiches or another meal. It helps to put a flow in your meals while taking care of your budget.

We all need to start somewhere for eating healthy and on a budget so start your garden, grow your own herbs and let’s start cooking healthy.

Bacon Broccoli Cheddar Crustless Quiche

An easy but filling dish made with eggs, bacon, broccoli and cheddar. It will fill everyone up to start the day and is easy to freeze to pop slices into the microwave if desired. I usually bake two at the same time for a quick breakfast. The bacon can be substituted with ham or sausage.I have also made it meatless with extra veggies. It is an easy recipe by Budget Bytes .

Peanut Butter Brownie Baked Oatmeal

If you have not tried baked oatmeal yet it is worth the effort. There are so many varieties to make that I find my family never tires of eating it. This recipe sounds very sweet but it actually only has ¼ cup of brown sugar. The sweetness comes from mashed bananas and is filled with flavour from the natural peanut butter and unsweetened cocoa powder. It has a great texture to it and can be reheated or baked in the morning. Another budget healthy recipe by Budget Bytes.

Ham, Cheese and Spinach Muffins

This recipe has only 6 ingredients and the muffins may be frozen and popped in the microwave on the way out the door. It is a savory muffin so it is a little more filling and could also be packed for lunch with a side salad. I use a healthy wheat flour which gives it a nutty taste.it also is a great recipe to make with your children. This is a great morning recipe by Learn With Play At Home.

Healthy Acai Bowl

This is made with acai powder and fresh fruit. I found that i also like a spoon of granola on it also. It is easy to prepare in the morning so have your berries cleaned and some frozen. Assemble and take it along or relax at home. The recipe is for one person so feel free to double it. This was created by Healthy and Psyched.

Pumpkin Cheddar Biscuits

Are you one of those people  that loves pumpkin flavored items? This recipe utilizes fresh or canned pumpkin puree and combines it with a cheddar flour mixture that is delicious. It is healthy and nuts can easily be added for more protein. The biscuits freeze and reheat well and carry a power packed breakfast. This is a recipe by Shifting Roots.

Delicious & Easy Protein Pancakes

This is a combination of 4 healthy inexpensive ingredients that you would never think would make a scrumptious pancake. I am a believer now for sure and my family is also. We whip these up as often as possible and never have left overs. A great morning recipe by Easy Living Today.

I love to have a good lunch available to pack for my family. I have a tendency to not eat healthy if it is not prepared when I find I am really hungry in the afternoon. So I find a savory hearty lunch is best.

Turkey Spinach Pinwheels

Make the spinach tortilla rounds with turkey, your favourite cheese and spinach. Roll up in the tortilla and slice. Then pack and add fresh baby carrots, grapes, cucumber slices and a drink of choice. These can be placed in small lunch storage containers on a Sunday for a couple days during the week. A lunch idea by Damn Delicious

Chicken Burrito Bowl

I find burrito bowls to be one of my all time favourites for lunch. I can add something new everyday or turn it into a wrap. The brown rice, chicken , corn  and black beans set the base of the burrito bowl. Then add any cut up veggies you would like and add. I enjoy avocado sometimes, fresh tomatoes, kale, peppers, onions and a squeeze of fresh lime. The chipotle cream sauce is optional but made with yogurt makes it a healthy spicy option. This recipe is by Damn Delicious.

Avocado Chicken Salad

If you love chicken salad and feel an avocado a day is necessary, then this recipe is for you.A combination of mayo and greek plain yogurt will blend all the flavours together. Pile it all in a pita wrap and it is a great filling lunch. The cilantro and hint of lime will make you crave another the next day. A recipe by Family Fresh Meals.

Crockpot Barbecue Sandwich

A good hearty sandwich for lunch on great wheat or grain bread is not bad for you once in awhile. It is such an easy task to put chicken and sauce in the crockpot for this great tasting chicken. Simply shred the chicken after and store in the refrigerator. Pack lunch with some fresh veggies cut up and a great bbq chicken sandwich. I like to add a simple fresh pickle relish to mine. This easy recipe is by Family Fresh Meals

Greek Chicken Bowls

It could not make lunch easier by using this recipe for Greek Chicken Bowls.The chicken marinades and then is cooked in a yummy sauce. A cucumber salad, tzatziki sauce and brown rice is added to the lunch mixture. It is fresh, less than 500 calories and easy to pack up for several lunches. A recipe by Eazy Peazy Mealz.

So after a great breakfast and fantastic lunches it is hard to top with a great dinner. However dinners are my favourite with the family.  I like to make them count with great flavours and not to complicated. Remember that ham I talked about purchasing and cooking over the weekend. Well I think we should have the ham and green bean recipe available and also the great ham and cheese rollups.

Crockpot Ham and Green Beans

What is easier than using the crockpot while you are at work. Add potatoes, green beans ham and water to the crockpot. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook all day. An easy and Semi inexpensive meal. This is a recipe by Healthy To Fit.

Ham and Cheese Cucumber Roll Ups

I don’t like to fill up with tons of bread and so the cucumber roll ups provide a  great alternative.They are served with a great cucumber avocado hummus which has a wonderful fresh taste. Add a little fresh cilantro and spinach and you will never miss the bread.I serve them for dinner and make some sweet potato fries or a rice dish with them. This recipe is by Little Broken.

Better Than Takeout Cashew Chicken

I love Chinese food but takeout usually does not fit into my budget with a family. So i have made this dish many times and it is actually as good as take out. The fresh veggies with the chicken and the asian chilli garlic sauce is amazing. The fresh ginger and garlic is a must with roasted unsalted cashews. This recipe is filled  with protein and fresh veggies. A recipe by Averie Cooks.

Spicy Vegan Black Bean Soup

Having a hearty soup recipe is a must on those cold nights. This recipe has great flavour and is meatless because, it just does not need meat. I always go oil free with this recipe and never miss it. The jalapeno, black beans, garlic, cilantro and lime mixed with other fresh vegetables is beyond amazing. It makes a great crockpot soup and heats up well. It is a filling meal in itself but if you must a have something else toasted tortillas with hummus is great with this meal. A recipe created by The Glowing Fridge.

So many inexpensive healthy meals are available to find online or there are great cookbooks out there too. Don’t be afraid to explore new tastes with new spices. I think you will be amazed what you can create with great fresh produce and spices. You don’t have to eat meat at every meal but you don’t have to become vegan. I look for great flavors in many different ways now and have learned to plan and shop smart. See what recipes are your new favorite meals and how they fit into your weekly meal planning. I would love to hear what recipes become favorites and if you are starting a garden soon.