How to Eat Healthier and Greener and Still Stay on Budget

As our financial belts get tighter, it seems everyone is so concerned about being green. We have always heard that eating organic and buying green is more expensive. Well to be honest in some ways it can be, but in the long run it can put a lot of those pennies you spend right back in your pocket.

Here are 7 tips to eating healthier and greener and still managing to stay within your budget.

#1 - Shop the sales --- Everyone is looking to draw you in to purchase their products. They want you to buy from their store. They want you to buy their products. To get you in, they will have great sales. Especially now that they know that everyone is watching how every nickel and dime is being spent. Look for those healthier and greener food choices going on sale.

#2 - Buy Local --- Farmers market and going straight to the farm will save you money when you are thinking organic and green. You are essential skipping the middleman. While the savings may not be substantial, it is worth it. Another thing about buying local is that you are supporting your local economy. Any money that you spend with your local providers stays in your community. It isn't going off to a corporate headquarters somewhere. This supports living green.

#3 - Buy in Bulk --- This one takes a bit of planning. Many times the more you buy the less expensive it is. This applies to the mega market down the street, or the farmer down the road. The thing here though is don't purchase more than you can actually use. Buying in bulk and then having to through away spoiled food doesn't save you money. Remember you have to figure in where and how you are going to store your purchases as well.

#4 - Cook from Scratch --- The temptation is to just get the prepared meals or the ones that little work is needed. We all lead busy lifestyles and these are by far one of the timesavers we use as a crutch. Yes there are meals that are coming out that are organic. They may include organic ingredients, but read the labels. They also include many things that you don't want. Salt and preservatives to begin with are tops on the ingredients. The packaging alone is something we need to consider when we are trying to live a greener lifestyle. Cooking from scratch lets us control the ingredients we are using. We can do cooking in bulk and freeze for later meals. We can have healthy food and convenience.

#5 - Consume less meat --- Note I did not say go vegetarian or vegan. However, it is definitely worth looking into. For many of us purchasing meat takes up a good portion of our food dollar. Filling up on fruits, vegetables and grains are better for our wallets and our waistlines. When purchasing meat think healthy. Free range, non-genetically modified, hormone free and organic meat is the way the meat should be. This may not be the easiest, or the cheapest to find at the local store. Talk to your butcher or your local co-op. If you eat less meat in your diet you will be able to afford the better cuts and raised meat when you do.

#6 - Drink more water --- This is one of my soapbox issues. We as a generation do not drink enough water. Even with all the bottled water options out there. We fill up on our designer coffees and sodas and water is an afterthought. Water is important. It is important to our health. A good percentage of our bodies are made up of water. All of our body systems need water. I am not saying you have to go and buy a case of bottled water. Please don't. The thought of all those water bottles which are already in the landfill will make a green person cringe. If you don't like the taste of your water, invest in a water filter. They come as faucet attachments, under the counter attachments and you can even buy pitchers that have filters in them you can store in your refrigerator. Purchase a few stainless steel water bottles for on the go and you are set.

#7 - Forgo the fast food. You are on your way home from a hard day. The temptation just to hit the drive through on your way home for a fast meal is overwhelming for many of us. I know some days it gets the best of me. It also blows my budget and my diet. While many have healthy choices, when you look at the cost and the bottom line they aren't so much healthy any more. When you price out how much it would take you to go home, grab a salad out of the refrigerator, and throw a chicken in the oven the price at the drive through starts to seem unbelievable. Prepare for these days and stock your refrigerator and freezer with fast options. Single healthy chicken breast, hamburger patties which are made up and individually frozen and salads you have made up at the start of the week will help you resist the allure of the drive through.

Eating healthy and organic does not have to break your bank account. Eating healthier and living green go hand in hand. They complement each other. They can also have a positive effect on your wallet if you go about it in the right way. It isn't about the most expensive; it is about buying the healthiest. Keep in mind your next trip to get food, no matter where it takes you. Your journey may lead you to the store, the farmers market or to the farm itself. Enjoy the experience!