About

"Do small things with great love." ~ Mother Teresa

Part of my Grandparents farm

One of the most important decisions people make day to day is what to eat. Making the decision of what food to put into your body comes from many different motivations including cost, taste, nutritional value, availability, convenience, etc. I think it is very important to examine which motivations drive you. For me, food is at its best when it is nutritionally sound, natural and inexpensive.

I was raised in a single parent home in a small town in Kansas of only 5,000 residents. I spent most of my summers on my Grandparents farm just outside of town. As a result, I learned to connect with food at a young age. I was also exposed to how food can communicate to others - you can tell a lot about how much money someone has by their food habits. I have several friends who thought leftovers were disgusting or who would look at you weird if you packed your lunch instead of paying for something in the school cafeteria. Even though convenience and eating out is put on a pedestal in this country, there is something about a home-cooked meal that holds its value and creates nostalgia in many people. Thanksgiving is a great example of this; so many enjoy it because they can't wait to eat that family recipe that's been passed down for generations. I believe that is because food also communicates love. Whether your Grandmother is in the kitchen or you are making something for yourself, food that is prepared with care and thought for those who are going to eat it evokes feelings of comfort, sincerity, happiness and love.

My cousin Britani and I during harvest.

This blog’s intention is to help those who struggle with this question: How do I feed my family nutritious food with my budget?

Many people get sucked into the trap of buying dinner off of the Dollar Menu at fast food restaurants or feeding their family a diet of frozen pizza because they don’t believe they can afford to feed their family any other way. My hope is that I can change that mindset. I agree that certain fresh food options are more expensive than a $1.99 personal sized pizza and take more time in the sense that you may have to put ingredients together. However, with some forethought and simple meal planning, it is possible to feed your family for less than $2 a serving.

I want to share my love for home-cooked meals from scratch that are both healthy and easy on your budget. Not only did I grow up in an environment that was conducive to eating farm fresh food on a budget but I am also a new addition to the housewife club! I know what it is like to care for a family on a limited budget; some times are harder than others but by getting creative it can certainly be an adventure.

This is my experiment with balancing nutrition on a budget. I hope you enjoy following along with me as I navigate this journey!

With Love,

Jess

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