So, you know I love food, so variety and tastyness are very important. In terms of cheapness, the only way I think I survive is we have this store called the milk pail, which is a european style market which has ridiculously good and cheap veggies. I would guess for the two of us we spend $15-$20 there and maybe $40-50 at Trader Joes in a week, and then I occasionally have to go to Safeway for something I can't get a Trader Joes. And now there's a new whole foods nearby, so I have to stop myself from going there too often. I would say we spend more total than most people, but we try to do healthy things like have fish at least once a week, lots of vegetables, and few prepared foods. We both make our lunches and we go out for dinner once (sometimes twice) a week I'd say.
I've also been trying to be more healthy, by trying to eliminate most crappy processed stuff, high fructose corn syrup (which is in way too many foods), preservatives, and trying to have fresh tasty foods, like real (not processed) cheese and fresh veggies and fruits and lots of whole grain foods. It does take more effort to cook and is a bit more expensive I think, but I think it's worth it.
So, since lunch is your predicament, this is how I do it (I had the same problem with eating campus food too often, and realized I could be spending a lot less). First, I have this INCREDIBLY AWESOME lunch box. Pretty much is has 4 little containers, a rice bowl, a soup bowl and two other small ones. It forces me to have 4 interesting things every day, so lots of variety. It is a bit expensive, but I think it was worth the investment.
What I've been doing recently is on Sundays I make soup for the week, like leek and potato, butternut squash, mushroom, or hot and sour soup (this weeks) and bring that in the soup bowl. In the large container I have veggies like baby carrots, hearts of palm, sugar snap peas, celery, red bell pepper, etc or a salad. I will sometimes have hummus for these in one of the little containers. I then have grapes or a cut up apple (add some lemon juice so it doesn't brown) for fruit, and normally some tasty cheese. I've been splurging at the milk pail weekly on really nice cheese, then have an ounce with lunch every day (this week it's a semisoft goat cheese in a rind, I got a half pound for three bucks). Some of the soups are super easy to make, and I can send you recipes if you want. Also, if there is leftover stir fry or indian food (which we love making on the weekends) I have that and make extra rice to pack with me. Other things I've put in the little containers include nuts, types of lunch meat, olives, raisins and other things I can save for afternoon snacks.
If you want any recipes (many of the soups are easy, and some are one pot soups), or if you ever need dinner ideas let me know. I love coming up with recipes ideas and food things :-)
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I've also been trying to be more healthy, by trying to eliminate most crappy processed stuff, high fructose corn syrup (which is in way too many foods), preservatives, and trying to have fresh tasty foods, like real (not processed) cheese and fresh veggies and fruits and lots of whole grain foods. It does take more effort to cook and is a bit more expensive I think, but I think it's worth it.
So, since lunch is your predicament, this is how I do it (I had the same problem with eating campus food too often, and realized I could be spending a lot less). First, I have this INCREDIBLY AWESOME lunch box. Pretty much is has 4 little containers, a rice bowl, a soup bowl and two other small ones. It forces me to have 4 interesting things every day, so lots of variety. It is a bit expensive, but I think it was worth the investment.
What I've been doing recently is on Sundays I make soup for the week, like leek and potato, butternut squash, mushroom, or hot and sour soup (this weeks) and bring that in the soup bowl. In the large container I have veggies like baby carrots, hearts of palm, sugar snap peas, celery, red bell pepper, etc or a salad. I will sometimes have hummus for these in one of the little containers. I then have grapes or a cut up apple (add some lemon juice so it doesn't brown) for fruit, and normally some tasty cheese. I've been splurging at the milk pail weekly on really nice cheese, then have an ounce with lunch every day (this week it's a semisoft goat cheese in a rind, I got a half pound for three bucks). Some of the soups are super easy to make, and I can send you recipes if you want. Also, if there is leftover stir fry or indian food (which we love making on the weekends) I have that and make extra rice to pack with me. Other things I've put in the little containers include nuts, types of lunch meat, olives, raisins and other things I can save for afternoon snacks.
If you want any recipes (many of the soups are easy, and some are one pot soups), or if you ever need dinner ideas let me know. I love coming up with recipes ideas and food things :-)