Just about every travel blogger has a post about saving money for travel or saving money while traveling. Most have some great suggestions, like cutting cable and selling off the car, but most of these posts are redundant now. Therefore, I’m going to begin providing readers with some smaller money-saving tips (Note: I don’t have anything planned after this post, but I’ll definitely think about adding to it).
Today’s money-saving tip: Eating Super-Cheap and Healthy at Home
I’m not always the healthiest person, but I’ve been trying to get more exercise and eat better (I’ve done better with the latter). I also didn’t have a decent job until last summer, so I had to find ways to stretch my food budget. I discovered the joy of soup.
I found Bob’s Red Mill Vegi Soup Mix at my local store and tried it. For about $5, I got a few healthy meals in a 1-lb. bag. I then realized I could make this mix on my own and save more money (though not with organic ingredients). The mix is just lentils, split peas, and pearl barley. Each 1 lb. bag of lentils, split peas, or pearl barley only costs about $1; I just have to mix them all together in a container.
Once the ingredients are mixed, I just have to take about 1/2 a cup, rinse it, and cook it. Too cook this soup, just bring the mix to a boil and let it simmer for about an hour. I also add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to give it a little flavor (it is a bit bland).
Depending on how much water I use, I get about two to three bowls of soup for dinner — plenty for one person. And it only costs me about a quarter. It’s a great healthy bargain that I consistently eat about four nights a week.
You can also add other ingredients and spices to the mix to make it suit your taste.
Do you have any suggestions for improving this soup? Or any variations to go with it?
Sounds great. I’d add some cayenne pepper and eat it with quinoa.