Alright, so now we're gonna get started. I'll be introducing basic principles as we go, and the one I'm going to share with you today is one of the most important, so write it on the back of your hand or tattoo it on your forehead or something (don't really, please; just remember it).
Everything is cheaper when you buy it in bulk.
Think about it; you're not paying for packaging. You're not paying for advertisements and fancy logos. In the case of dried beans and such, you're not paying for them to be precooked and preseasoned for you. (That said, I have no objection to canned beans; maybe you like them better or feel that you don't have the time to go through the process yourself to end up with a product you can just buy ready-made. We'll address that later.)
But anyway, today we're just talking about the basics: easy things like rice and other grain-related products, beans, spices, etc. Ingredients you can (and should) always have on-hand. Ideally, you only have to buy them once a month, but it may take you a little while to get the amounts just right for your household.
I'm also going to introduce you to some friends you may not have met before, such as quinoa.
Queen-huh? No, it's pronounced "keen-wah". I don't know why, but then again I have no idea why the word "phonetic" isn't spelled how it sounds... mystery of life. Anyway, quinoa is technically not a cereal grain like wheat, barley or corn; it is a "pseudocereal". That's not too important for you to know, but what IS important for you to know is that quinoa is AMAZING. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber-- which, btw, very few people are getting enough of nowadays-- iron, magnesium, phosphorus, B vitamins (veeeeeeery important!), polyunsaturated fats and the all-important PROTEIN!!!
You know how a protein has to contain all 9 essential amino acids to be called a "complete" protein? Well, it does. Anyways, for a long time it was believed that the only foods that contained "complete protein" were animal-derived foods (meat, eggs, dairy, etc.). It was then discovered that soybeans (edamame) actually contain all 9-- just not quite in the ideal proportions. That's why the majority of vegetarian faux-meats on the market today are made from soy. Only thing is, soy protein isolate (which is the stuff used in most of said faux-meats) is deficient in methionine, one of the essential amino acids.
Bummer.
Thankfully for all you veg-heads out there (thank you, Rachel Ray), quinoa has been found to contain a nice balance of the magic 9, and since its natural, whole-grain form is SO much fun to eat, it is not in danger of being dissected like the poor soybean has been (not yet, anyways). Quinoa is cooked like rice, which means it's easy. It has almost no flavor of its own, which means it'll adopt any seasoning you give it as its very own. It also has an awesome, unique texture, which means it won't get boring. Win-win-win... and win!
Alrighty, I think I'll end on that note. Next time, on The New Food Stamp Gourmet: the all-important SHOPPING LIST.
Ciao!
Friday, April 16, 2010
The Beginning
Good afternoon everybody, and welcome to my blog!
My name is Beverly. I'm a returning-adult college student studying to become a registered dietitian, as well as an avid foodie. I love cooking and I love saving money, and with this blog I hope to teach some of you out there how to do both.
This idea came to me last semester (my first semester back in school after a 2-and-a-half-year hiatus), as I was writing a research paper for my English class on the Food Stamp program and the need for adequate nutrition education as a mandatory part of the package. As I was reviewing the literature, it occurred to me that not only do FSP recipients need to know what kinds of foods contain which vitamins and other nutrients, they need to know how to prepare them! Knowledge is essentially useless if you can't apply it. I've always had a heart for practical education, so I decided that since I have a good bit of knowledge in the areas of nutrition and cooking, this is something I could do.
When planning, I decided that if I was doing this at all I was going to go all in; I applied for Food Stamps and was approved. My only food budget for the month is going to be my EBT card. This means that there are certain things that I will not be able to buy; that's fine with me. This is a semi-scientific experiment; whatever suffering I endure will be to the benefit of posterity. Kind of.
This information is geared toward people who are receiving FSP benefits, but those that aren't are welcome to join; everybody likes to save money! It is intended to help you make educated decisions which will benefit you and your families more than you know. The rates of nutrition-related preventable diseases in the USA today are frighteningly high, and who doesn't want to try to protect themselves and their kids from those dangers as much as possible? If you put in the effort, you will see your rewards.
I will post a new entry every few days with recipes, shopping tips, and pictures of yummy dishes I've created with the pricing included (your pricing may be a little different depending on your location).
Ciao!
My name is Beverly. I'm a returning-adult college student studying to become a registered dietitian, as well as an avid foodie. I love cooking and I love saving money, and with this blog I hope to teach some of you out there how to do both.
This idea came to me last semester (my first semester back in school after a 2-and-a-half-year hiatus), as I was writing a research paper for my English class on the Food Stamp program and the need for adequate nutrition education as a mandatory part of the package. As I was reviewing the literature, it occurred to me that not only do FSP recipients need to know what kinds of foods contain which vitamins and other nutrients, they need to know how to prepare them! Knowledge is essentially useless if you can't apply it. I've always had a heart for practical education, so I decided that since I have a good bit of knowledge in the areas of nutrition and cooking, this is something I could do.
When planning, I decided that if I was doing this at all I was going to go all in; I applied for Food Stamps and was approved. My only food budget for the month is going to be my EBT card. This means that there are certain things that I will not be able to buy; that's fine with me. This is a semi-scientific experiment; whatever suffering I endure will be to the benefit of posterity. Kind of.
This information is geared toward people who are receiving FSP benefits, but those that aren't are welcome to join; everybody likes to save money! It is intended to help you make educated decisions which will benefit you and your families more than you know. The rates of nutrition-related preventable diseases in the USA today are frighteningly high, and who doesn't want to try to protect themselves and their kids from those dangers as much as possible? If you put in the effort, you will see your rewards.
I will post a new entry every few days with recipes, shopping tips, and pictures of yummy dishes I've created with the pricing included (your pricing may be a little different depending on your location).
Ciao!
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