Welcome to Week 1 in the Eat Well, Spend Less series. This week I’m focusing on how meal and menu planning can save you money, including where to start and what to think about as you’re planning for the most financial benefit. Food prices seem to be soaring. When I look back and think of the early days of my family’s grocery budgeting, I’m amazed at how much we could do with so very little. The dollars stretched on forever, and the sale prices were just that much lower.... more

One of the things we strive for when planning our menus is making everything fit together into one nice, neat little package. We look to use ingredients in different ways throughout the week so that we’re benefiting from the ability of do-aheads and being able to buy in bulk. We also benefit from a well-stocked pantry. And breathe. Valentine’s Day was a bit of a whirlwind here, what with a sick child at home and swimming lessons right in the middle of it. Here we are on the other... more

One of the things we strive for when planning our menus is making everything fit together into one nice, neat little package. We look to use ingredients in different ways throughout the week so that we’re benefiting from the ability of do-aheads and being able to buy in bulk. We also benefit from a well-stocked pantry. So this is the New Year, and things look a little different. It’s a Clean Start for the New Year, and I hope you’re as excited about it as I am. My dear friend... more

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” – Michael Pollan A month ago now I attended the Dole Bloggers Wellness Summit hosted by Dole at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village. I sat and listened to the nutrition advice that was being dished out in support of fruit and vegetables, a recommended 7-10 servings which reduces inflammation. We were told that 33% of women and 50% of men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and that 80% of cancer is caused by poor diet, inactivity... more

One of the things we strive for when planning our menus is making everything fit together into one nice, neat little package. We look to use ingredients in different ways throughout the week so that we’re benefiting from the ability of do-aheads and being able to buy in bulk. We also benefit from a well-stocked pantry. I wasn’t planning on doing a menu this week. I’m tired from lack of sleep earlier this week (once you fall behind, it takes forever to catch up), and I’m... more