Oh my goodness, yes, the price of produce is frightening. I like to give my kids healthy snacks, too, but with five kids 12 and under, it's not cheap to do so.
I have found a couple tricks to help shave off a few dollars from the grocery budget.
1. I found a Discount Drug Mart here in town where prices are SO much better on dry goods and such than at the local grocery store. Milk at our grocery store is $4.69 a gallon! But, if I buy it close to the expiration date at DDM, I can pay as little as $1.50 a gallon! Their snacks are generally better, too, but the selection isn't as great.
2. I also try to get to BJ's or Sam's as often as I can. I have to deal with storing the bulk goods, but it is worth it! I usually get the big bucket of pretzels, applesauce packs, yogurt, cheese sticks, graham crackers, Goldfish, and chicken nuggets there.
3. We are huge fans of popcorn here, and that's relatively inexpensive. I buy that in bulk, too, and we go through it! Here are some fun recipes for popcorn:
http://www.popcorn.org/nutrition/recipes/index.cfm and
http://www.thatsmyhome.com/mainstreet/popcorn/index.htm
4. I keep Amish Friendship Bread starters in my freezer, and I try to keep instant pudding mixes in my pantry so that I can whip up a batch of bread in the morning before everyone's up. That stuff is a huge hit. If you need recipes, you can find some here:
http://www.mainstreetmom.com/forums/...iendship+bread
5. When I do bite the bullet and buy fruit, I make darn tootin' sure my kids eat it before it goes bad! Ugh....there are few things more frustrating than throwing out expensive food because of neglect.
6. I've also heard that you can make your own granola bars (if you have time!) Here's a recipe that I've had on file but have never tried:
Ingredients
* 8 cups uncooked oatmeal
* 3 cups corn flakes or bran flakes
* 1 cup wheat germ
* 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
* 2 tsp cinnamon
* ½ - 1 tsp. cloves & nutmeg mixed
* ¾ cup dark brown sugar
* ¾ cup canola oil
* ½ - 1 cup honey
* 1 ½ cups water
Directions
1. Mix all of the above ingredients in a very large baking pan so it can be spread out. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
2. Add to the mix: 4 cups of nuts (raw sunflower seeds, raw pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, chopped walnuts) and bake another 15 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven and add: 3 cups of dried fruit (raisins, craisins; apricots, candied papaya, candied pineapple – diced into small bits).
4. As the mix cools, stir it to be sure that the entire mix is cooled and dried out. Store in airtight container. Serve with yogurt.
I hope this helps!
Mia
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