For years I designed my gluten-free grocery list to include all of the normal favorites that American families have grown to love.
Bagels. Waffles. Pasta. Bread. Cereal. Crackers. Frozen pizza. Cookies. Ice cream.
The cold, hard evidence from my investigation on the cost disparity between normal food and gluten-free food was nothing short of appalling. If the label says "Gluten-Free" you can expect to pay at least three times the amount you were accustomed to paying in the past.
After years of shopping like this, my pocketbook gave me an ultimatum: find a way to eat that doesn't break the bank or spend the next fifteen years paying 27% on your favorite dairy-free ice cream.
I choose the former. And we've found unexpected joy.
Joy in cooking healthy dinner from scratch every night.
Joy in watching my three young monkeys enjoy diverse foods that most of their peers won't touch with a ten foot fork.
Joy in making snacks and sweets in my oven and being able to gracefully pronounce every last ingredient from top to bottom.
Joy from living simply.
We've found this joy by trading in the frozen waffles for our own Praise Worthy Pancakes.
Packaged cereal for oatmeal—every morning.
Pasta dinners for eccentric brown rice dishes.
Ice cream for... well, there is no replacement for ice cream.
We've learned to trade in the bowl of ice cream for one bite of dark chocolate after dinner.
All of this helps us to keep our pocketbooks grounded and our heads level. I couldn't be more pleased with this experiment. And miraculously, three months in, I have the distinct pleasure of hearing from every last member of my clan how much they love oatmeal in the morning. Sweet satisfaction.
Week 30 Meal Plan
Monday - Spiced Chicken with Stubby Vegetables
Tuesday - Hearty Butternut Squash Soup
Wednesday - Crockpot BBQ Chicken with The Slaw
Thursday - Egyptian Rice and Lentils
Friday - Taco Nachos with Guacamole
Saturday - Tuna Casserole
Sunday - leftovers
This song won't leave my head. It keeps playing over and over again. It's a good thing my favorite band sings it otherwise that might be annoying.
Zac Brown Band - As She's Walking Away
Well done. I was wondering how you'd solve that problem. Awesome. I have to say I'm the one that falls off that wagon more than the kids. Most of the time I don't have time. But Yesterday I made my own lara bars, I've won once again. And now I'm making my own almonds butter, at least half price justin's. But what I really wanted to say was Vitamin Cottage has Rudi's glutenfree bread (ogriginal and raisin doesn't have corn) for $3.49 for the rest of this month. And it's damn good.
ReplyDeleteYes! Love that bread. Indeed it is damn good. And it's cheaper than our normal stuff. Thank you dancing lady.
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