Eat Clean On A Budget with Shopping Lists, Recipes, and a Guide

You have to remember that I am still learning here with you. I am experimenting and failing right along with you. When I released my first clean eating posts in 2013, I experienced more judgement and ugliness over not being technically “clean” on everything in my post. Y’all wouldn’t believe. I have learned so much along the way.

When I lose weight I look for grace, not perfection! And guess how I lost over 90 pounds??? Guess what works every single time? Grace! Baby steps! You work with what you have and you don’t stress. If you can afford organic one hundred percent of the time and can grow all of your vegetables, I am so very happy for you. I cannot and I am unashamed to admit that. I have to work within a budget and I make my money stretch. We can still lose weight and make it work! Let me show you how.

Let’s talk canned goods… ALDI has a great selection of organic canned goods now. I suggest those. If you cannot find them at your local store, you can always rinse yours beans like I did. I just rinsed my black eye peas and add organic beef broth or water instead. If you buy canned fruit, use the kind in 100% juice with no added sugar. I went to the store on New Year’s Eve and the stock was low. I made it work for the week and didn’t stress.No biggie!

Make sure to read labels and buy all natural ingredients if you are going to eat clean. No additives, no preservatives. If you cannot pronounce something on the label, you aren’t going to want to eat it!

I purchased gallon sized freezer bags that were BPA free to assemble my meals. This makes everything go so much easier and you’re not tying up all of your Tupperware (save it for leftovers for lunches).

I assembled all of my meals once I got home. I keep two meals in the fridge and freeze the rest. Once you cook a meal, grab one from the freezer to defrost in the fridge.

These meals are quick and easy. You can season them any way you choose or you can leave them plain for picky eaters. Pair them with a salad or steamed veggies. My guys are big salad eaters, so I assembled salads in big batches. We just grab and go!

My meals go in the crockpot with little fuss. I also use my pressure cooker if I forget to throw it in the crockpot before I leave for work in the mornings. I just make this work for me.

Sausage   $2.19

Soy Sauce to taste (I keep this stocked in the fridge)
I just cook this up like pineapple fried rice with some eggs too.

Total Spent Before Tax : $74.80

You all want a shopping list, so I am going to help you with that too! Just right click {HERE} for a spreadsheet and print that bad boy out! Take it to the store and just cross it off as you go. Prices may vary from store to store, but you should be able to get fairly close. Heck, I hope you can beat my prices! When I calculated my onion, chicken, and jalapeno prices I divided them up by what I used. If you buy a pack of onions, you will get about six. I used one. That’s how I got my price. Just chop the rest up and freeze them individually in baggies for other meals. Problem solved.

I have a family of three. I have one very hungry husband, one active and growing 6-year old boy, and me (a Zumba® fitness teaching 153 pound woman). Adjust to your own family!

Okay, I spent a ton of time putting this together. You know I did it cause I love you guys. If you don’t mind, spread the love and share this post! Can you pin it, Facebook it, tweet it, email it, whatever it is you all wanna actually do to share it? Just spread the word and help others live healthier, happier, fitter lives!

I even made you easy share buttons! Look at me being productive in this new year!