Tips and tricks to save money and eat better

[HelenaFitbit]

It's the beginning of a brand new year and we're making our resolutions; like saving money, pick up healthy habits, eat better, lose weight and many more!

However; as time passes the motivation may be lost and we usually drop them out.  So, in the spirit of not giving up, let's tackle 2 main goals on this thread: Eat better and save money. 

Personally, I decided to invest in a crockpot, a couple bento boxes, a food scale and buy groceries by bulk. I am a bento admirer so I try to make them to have pretty, healthy and different food each day. 

So here's today's bento in an outdated Christmas tablecloth : (second tier) Kiwi slices, baby carrots, sabra hummus, cherry tomatoes, turkey ham, babybel cheese and blueberries. The first tier had some crackers and a tamagoyaki. 

All of these items were bought by the bulk and packed a night before. The bento is a BentGo box from Amazon but I also own a Bentology Bento Box. 

So, what tips and tricks do you have or you plan to use for this upcoming year?

[Mcore]

Wow! I would like to be that organized when preparing my food. It looks awesomely delicious @HelenaFitbit. Well, like you said, my New Year's resolution is to improve my diet, make better and healthier choices. It's hard to let go of what you are used to but I believe it will be very comforting when I achieve my goal.

Cheers to what 2016 brings!

[mlaccs]

So, what tips and tricks do you have or you plan to use for this upcoming year?

---

MyFitnessPal for EVERYTING that goes in my mouth.   It works with my FitBit and forces to see that the candybar is perfectly OK but will cost me 1/2 hour of walking to burn off.  If I want the candy bar then I do the walk. 

Other huge recent plus is baskets of fruit on the counter by the fridge.  When I get up to munch there are apples and bananas and oranges.   Bought in bulk they still cost less than any of the junk foods. 

[Skyerules]

Hi,

Hope you don't mind me posting, I'm new 🙂

I keep meaing to buy a bento box, but I'm just not that organized when it comes to lunch, hahaha.

I hate beans, but I just tried honey roasted chickpeas and I'm like, I can eat this, lol.  To save money I bought a 2lb can of chickpeas and made the whole can yesterday.  They are so good I'm hoping I don't eat the whole thing in a day, but it should last me about a week.  Next week I may try my own savory version.  

[kalefan2013]

I truly believe that if your fridge is empty on Wednesday . You have not wasted money on anything to be spoil and throw in the trash. I sit on Sunday morning and plan the week. Also Plan on only shopping twice a week. It's hard to have fresh if it's been sitting in the fridge for 5 days. I log every new food in myfitness pal. Just to make sure I'm not being tricked. Also mostly stick with whole foods. Start reading labels. It will turn you off of most processed unhealthy food. To save money and ensure you are getting the best price. Here we use a app called FLIPP. You can enter your postal code. Use it to pricematch all your groceries at Walmart/ No Frills ect. I save a lot of money with that app.

Thanks for posting the idea about roasting chick peas . Great Idea I'm going to give it a try

[AFChi]

I am vegetarian so I eat a lot of beans and lentils which happen to be healthy and cheap! I also buy quinoa in bulk. There are many recipes for chilis and soups with these ingredients, often crock pot recipes too.  I buy fresh fruit and veggies that are in season as well.

Fave is probably tacos. I love to make tacos with seasoned lentils or chickpeas in place of the meat.  Top with veggies of choice ( I love pan fried onions and peppers) and the corn tortillas that are like 50 cents a pack.  I mean for 1 can of chickpeas, 1 pack of taco seasoning, 2 peppers, 2 onions, 1 pack of tortillas, the meal literally totals like 4 bucks or less for the 2 of us plus we will have some left overs (f my husband doesnt devour).  Even cheaper if you buy the chickpeas in bulk out of a can.

[AFChi]

I also love to make a crock pot veggie quinoa chili. There are lots of recipes online but sometimes Ill just kind of throw what I have in the crock pot. 4 cups Vegetable broth, 1.5 cups cups of quinoa, 2 cans low sodium tomato sauce, 1-2 cans (or uncanned) black beans as the base. Then seasonings whatever I have or feel (chilli powder, cumin, cayenne, pepper,oregano etc), whatever veggies..chopped onion, fresh tomato. I cook on low 6-7 hours. I eat for days!