Oatmeal Craisin Cookie Bites and Food Budget Secrets

As some of you may have noticed, I was in a funk as far as posting and creating new foods. That is because I was just buying the same produce that was on sale each week and therefore, making the same meals. I was in a creative jam caused by supply and budget issues.

Not any more.

Did a random rich uncle die and leave me all his money so I can buy whatever food I want?

No. Keep dreaming Katie.

I found a food co-op. A few years ago, the food co-op I was a part of closed its Salt Lake pick up location, and I was so sad. And a few months ago, I stumbled upon a new one. $25 a week for a BIG box of produce. It is different every week, just like my old co-op. which means it forces me to get creative in the kitchen. Also, it is saving my food budget like crazy. I priced out how much the produce I get would be at Smith's and it is about $45/week and I pay $25. That is about 40% savings. And I LOVE saving money. Seriously, you try feeding four people on $300 a month. It isn't easy, but it can be done. And we're not over here eating raman noodles and canned tuna every meal like when I was in college. We eat good food. You all know that, that is why you are here. It CAN be done. Eating well does NOT have to cost a lot of money. It does NOT have to be expensive. You just have to be willing to shop at multiple stores, shop the sales, use coupons, buy almost or slightly expired food...(The Manager's Special sections at Smith's are my jam. My friend found me a manual breast pump for $5 there. No joke.)

After years of a really tight food budget, I know where to buy certain things. And I will share my secrets with you.

PRODUCE

1. My food co-op. Not all food co-ops are cheap. Mine is.

2. Sprouts. We call Sprouts Whole Foods for normal people. I pretty much ONLY buy produce, bulk, and "vegan" foods there. Everything else is ridiculously expensive. But they always have awesome sales that last from Wednesday to Wednesday (like avocados were 3 for $1 this week. NO JOKE) AND on Wednesdays the previous week's sales and the current week's sales overlap so you can really get good deals.

-Also, if they are out of something. They will let you swap it for organic for same price OR give you a rain check to use later at the same price. (So you better believe I go the last day of avocado sales hoping there will be no more so I can get cheap avocados when they are $.99/piece.

3. Smith's Manager's Special Section of Produce area. It is usually tucked in a corner, but it is a great way to get produce. It is hit and miss. But best way to get super ripe bananas for banana bread or freezing for smoothies.

4. Winco. If you don't have Sprouts. Winco is your best bet. BUT use the produce fast because it doesn't last long which is why it is so cheap.

5. NPS. AKA Good Will for food. This place is in West Valley, UT and basically is full of slightly or almost expired food and damaged goods. Some things are not cheaper. Like cereal that is demolished and taped together for $2.50. I don't care if it's the family size. But other stuff can be really cheap. Again. Only if you are going to use it NOW. Because it is already on the way out.

**For the most part I just do option 1, 2, and 3.**

BULK GOODS

Not everything bulk is cheaper at Costco.

1. Sprouts. I wait for various Bulk items to go on sale and stock up. Things I buy bulk at Sprouts:

Chia Seeds

Popcorn

Rice

Quinoa

Nuts

Dried Fruit

Nutritional Yeast

Spices (absolute CHEAPEST place to buy spices)

Almond Meal - I don't use a lot but when I do I buy it here

2. Costco. Things I buy at Costco in bulk

Almond Milk

Cereal - we eat an INSANE amount of cereal in our house

Oats

Quinoa (sometimes)

Pasta Sauce

Canned Beans (sometimes)

GIANT bags of dry beans and lentils (25 lbs. Not for food storage. I actually go through about one of garbanzo, pinto, black beans, and lentils every two years...We eat a lot of beans and I use a pressure cooker.)

Frozen vegetables

Fresh Orange Juice

Sometimes nuts if they are on sale

Baby Wipes

Dog Food

Toilet Paper

Salsa

Organic Apple Sauce

Granola Bars

Crackers

Bread

Pure Maple Syrup

Agave

Honey

Flour

Everything Else

1. Smith's.

Coupons. Coupons. Coupons. I do the digital ones and paper ones. I am totally the annoying lady you get stuck behind in line digging through my coupons just to save $.50.

Also, Manager's Special Sections. They have a dairy one - for husband and child. Great way to get organic dairy products if you swing that way.

They have a regular one, also they will sell day old (and older) bakery items for CHEAP like an entire cake for $2.00, or a bag or bagels for $.99. Once I got this delicious cashew butter with blueberries and chia for $2.00. I should have bought them all because it was like crack it was SO GOOD.

2. Dollar Store.

Yup, I totally buy food at the dollar store. They have really cheap frozen fruit for smoothies and snacks for being in the car. If we are headed on a road trip, I always hit up Dollar Tree for snacks and a few toys for the car. But they have spices and random canned goods for cheaper than the grocery store. I probably go once a month and always buy more than I meant to.

Also, great for body wash and things like dish scrubbies, toilet brushes, paint brushes, etc. The dollar store in my jam. I once had like a week long Marco Polo group with some girl friends just talking about all the steals we get at the dollar store. All the storage in my kid's room and pantry - Dollar Store totes and Tupperware.

3. Winco.

Is about the same, maybe a little cheaper than Smith's. It depends.

4. NPS.

Local, organic bread for super cheap.

Everything else is hit and miss.

One summer they had slightly expired hummus - don't judge me - for $.10! Sabra for 10 CENTS! You can freeze hummus without ruining taste or texture. Just pull it out and put it in the fridge the day before you want to eat it. And freezing stops the aging process. You better believe my freezer was FULL of Sabra hummus that summer. (Normally I make my own, but I'll never pass up cheap Sabra).

Last summer, I bought a 2 gallon bucket of pickles for $2! I hate pickles but my husband and son LOVE pickles. It took up 1/4 of my fridge, but it was worth it. I planted my cucumbers in a different spot in my garden last year and it was a HOT summer and they fried. Didn't get a single one. Normally I make a batch or two of pickles 3-4x a week all (so my fridge is always full of pickles) but not this year. So I was grateful for that purchase.

But that is it. That is how I shop and only spend $300/month to eat really well and feed 3 people and a baby (aka me eating a TON because I'm breastfeeding). And honestly, some months are tight, and some months I have like $15 left over.

But enough about how I shop. Let's talk about these delicious cookie bites.

These things are bomber. I normally make some type of power ball every week for snacks etc. My son loves them. He hasn't even had these, because I hid them from him and have been eating them all myself because they are SO GOOD. I am not joking. They really taste like oatmeal cookies, but way more healthy and in a power ball form.

Also, these ones have a great consistency and don't have to chill for 30 minutes before you roll them. Instant gratification. (I am all about instant gratification when it comes to my food. I want it and I want it now.)

This recipe makes about 15-16 balls. I can't say for sure, because I always sneak spoonfuls as I am making it. I ended up with 14, and I was guessing I had already eaten the equivalent of two balls.

Ingredients

1 c Walnuts

2 T Flax Seed Mill

1/3 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder, optional

1/2 c Dried Apricots

1 tsp Vanilla

1 c Oats

1/4 c Agave

Dash of Water