$0/h Food Budget- Tips & Tricks?

[_a_A_C_c_]

20 cheap, healthy foods: http://www.divinecaroline.com/22177/52070-twenty-healthiest-foods-1/print

some of the things are the list are expensive when out of season, but otherwise its a good reminder that there is more out there than ramen.

 

[Changed]

I can say from experience that eating potatoes, beans, and rice will not sustain you (healthily) for very long. Without a job and money, and supported only by my friends, I lost about 20 pounds in a month and a half on a similar 'diet'.

Take advantage of any food-bank, public assistance you have. And, like somebody else already said, get a job in a restaurant for income and a shit-load of free food.

 

[belarki]

An incredibly cheap & rather healthy breakfast can be made with just rolled outs, skim milk powder, and whatever fresh fruit is in season or honey/cinnamon/unrefined sugar to garnish

While brown rice is awesome you really need to add other veges to it for nutrients. Frozen peas/corn/brocoli/other assorted veges can be pretty cheap if they're too expensive to buy fresh.

 

[Cyc]

My maternal grandfather lived in a cabin on Vancouver Island until he died a few years ago. He had no plumbing, generator for electricity, and some limited disability assistance.

You definitely live in one of the nicest places in the world. One of my dream destinations is to visit UBC campus before I die.

Best of luck, Akoto. You are a smart and resourceful individual, and I have no doubt you will manage just fine.

 

[tambourine-man]

I go out all the time over here in the UK, we pick mushrooms, brambles, blackberries, rasperries, gooseberries, damsons, apples, strawberries, chestnuts, hazelnuts, wild garlic, but I also go fishing and pick mussels, throw in a pot for crab and dive for scallops, using just a snorkel here.
We use fresh nettle tops for making beer and we use dandelions for wine as well as other plants about here.
we save loads on our shopping bill, some times we get out rabbiting which is coming up.

Are you married to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstalll, or something?

Or is Ray Mears your Dad?

 

[Akoto]

One of my dream destinations is to visit UBC campus before I die.

UBC is my goal! Thanks for the encouragement It really is very beautiful out here.

 

[ocean]

Were you able to find a local Food Bank??

I saw this article about Wild Food and thought maybe you'd be interested-
You might also look at the library for info on Wild Food- (Yeah, I've been interested in hunting for food in the woods here so.....)
HERE IS THE ARTICLE ABOUT A WOMAN WHO WROTE A BOOK ON WILD FOOD IN THE PNW

Let us know how you're doin'!!


And Cyc- That is wy too awesome about your grandfather. Sometimes I dream of living off the grid......and Vancouver Island looks incredibly beautiful. Would be the ideal place to do just as your Grandfather did........but I love hot showers and the internet

 

[tiggerific]

Are you married to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstalll, or something?

Or is Ray Mears your Dad?

lmao,nah just country mate, quite common round here.
we get screwed on prices for everything so find every way in which to save a bit.
used to keep chickens but the mink got them, mind you if I ever catch the mink family the will be shoes

 

[tiggerific]

Tigger's post reminded me of this: 1 Chicken, 17 Healthy Meals, $26 Bucks, No Mayo. Some items were already from their pantry but still accounted for in the cost.

that was good, I like it, kind of my thing though bit of a frugal person

 

[Cyc]

I think the reason most places frown upon it is because if word got out they'll gladly give away the stuff for free at the end of the day, no one would buy their products all day. They'd all just wait for closing time, you know?

I don't think that's the reason at all. The majority of society would balk at the idea of taking free food, nevermind free food that's left out near the trash.

I believe the reason has to do with "undesirables" lurking around your business at night, combined with the liability of giving someone food that could potentially be argued unsafe in a court of law.

It is a shame though--I remember once I was with some friends who were waiting for their friend to close up at Dunkin' Doughnuts. Friend's kid brother asked for a box of doughnuts they were throwing out... Said they couldn't. Kid brother waited 'til they put the bag in the dumpster then went home with a bag of doughnuts. His parents weren't very happy, lol.

Dunkin' Donuts most likely has a strict corporate policy regarding the disposal of food for the reasons I mentioned above.

You're more likely to see charity from small businesses, where the owners actually live in the neighbourhoods they work.

 

[addictivepersona]

^ Very good points. It probably does have a lot to do with "undesirables" lurking, and the liability. I never thought of either of those. And yeah, very true about the small business point.

 

[Akoto]

Were you able to find a local Food Bank??

I did and it was great. Walk in with ID, walk out with food. Nicer stuff than I would even buy myself.

Clearly it would be far less fun if you were someone who depends on it but it sure does feel good to live somewhere that has this service.

 

[tiggerific]

^ what did you get and how far can you make it go?