The Cost of Eating Well

I love to cook. I love to look for new and interesting recipes that tickle my taste buds. I love to experiment with new ingredients (or atleast as many as my family will tolerate). I love to watch the Food Network for helpful tips about how to properly cook fish or cut an onion.

However, my skyrocketing food costs are putting a damper on my cooking spirits. With only two and a half people in my house, I can't believe how expensive my bills are each week. I'm trying to eat well by buying fresh produce and lean meats, and organic foods (especially milk and eggs). As most people know, the healthier the food, the more expensive. A can of string beans is far cheaper than fresh ones and I can buy non-organic eggs for 99 cents, on sale. Although, I don't like the idea of the caged chickens pecking each others' eyes out, never mind the hormones and chemicals they pump into them.

So, where does this leave a middle-class family trying to trim monthly expenses? I try to buy on sale, buy local and in season. I've also tried to be a disciplined coupon user, but I find that process exhausting. I think you need to be a special person to do that. With an already packed-schedule, I can't devote enough time to finding creative ways to eat well for less. In short, I just get to the checkout counter each week with a knot in my stomach, hoping that the damage is manageable. If this steady increase continues, I'm just going to have to start rationing my family's food portions. No seconds for you tonight dear...that's dinner for tomorrow...and the next night.