Your Family's Food Strategies

Hi from Judy--
Let's share a few simple ideas to help you eat healthier, tastier meals and snacks this coming season.
1) Cook and eat at home. Try making at least a double batch of one of your favorite meals. Then freeze the extra portions for another meal when you're short of time or inspiration. For even more fun, take that double batch, eat half of it, and trade the other half with another family who has also made a double batch of their favorite dish!
2) Learn to shop at our local Farmers' Markets. Colville has two--the Saturday market just recently opened, and Wednesday's market will be coming soon. Local foods are fresher and tastier than those shipped long distances, and fresh produce in the season it's grown is likely to be less expensive, too.
3) Try using more whole grains in your meals--things like oats, brown rice, wheat berries, even the ancient grain quinoa. You can cook up a batch or so each week and have ready-to-eat grains available in the fridge whenever you like. Use them as a side dish, a breakfast cereal, in a casserole or salad...
4) Cook up a pot of dried beans every week, too. You'll have inexpensive protein to use in burritos, salads and soups. Experiment with all the different kinds; when you find one you love, plant some and harvest it in your own garden. (Beans can be hard to digest; try soaking them overnight before cooking to reduce flatulence!)
5) For snacks, think homeade, too! Make your own trail mixes with a variety of home-dried summer fruits combined with bulk-purchased nuts and seeds. Trying popping your own popcorn, too. Last I checked, Meyers Falls had multi-colored popcorn in their cooler. Fun!
6) A final thought--it's nearly morel season in northeastern Washington. It's quite a fun adventure to pick these delicious mushrooms, and they dry so easily for wonderful flavor in winter soups and hot dishes.

So, learn to think "outside the box" in your kitchen and discover how much fun you can have.

P.S. I look forward to hearing your ideas for food strategies to save money and eat healthier and better.