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Frugal, Healthy Cooking
For Long Life and a Healthy Homestead Budget

Cooking frugal and healthy is not only a great way to give you the energy you need for a successful homestead, it also gives a boost to your budget. Cutting back on food expenses is the easiest way to save money and get out of debt.

But limiting yourself to cooking boxed macaroni or other cheap foods isn't the wisest of choices. A lot of cheap food has been highly processed. It's full of chemicals and low on nutrition. It may seem like a good deal at the time, but such choices are costly in the long run. Deprived of the proper nutrients it needs, your body becomes less resistant to disease. Also, studies have shown that highly processed food is a significant contributor to obesity. If you have a weight problem, it may not be because you over eat. Rather, you are eating the wrong types of food.

Does High Quality Mean High Cost?

The good news is, you don't have to spend a lot of money to obtain high quality food. But you do have to make a time commitment. Cooking things like brown rice, beans and grains aren't "instant foods." They take time to fix. Cooking such meals will generally take about an hour or even an hour and a half, unlike the "fast foods" that you can pull out of the microwave in just a couple of minutes.

But once you taste the difference, I'm sure you'll agree, these delicious foods are worth the extra time.

Great Cooking Links!

Whether you're raising your own chickens or purchasing the store-bought variety, check out these fun and tasty recipes at Thyme For Chicken Recipes. They've got great ways to prepare chicken for any occasion or season such as BBQ or Grilled Chicken or even Fried Chicken.

Rethink Ground Beef

Many people consider hamburger meat to be a staple of the American diet. The problem with this is, unless you're raising a steer on your back 40 acres, you're going to be consuming a lot of extra things that aren't good for you.

Recently, I watched a documentary called "King Corn," in which two young men had a DNA sample taken of their hair. They were shocked to discover that despite their fast-food diet, they were made primarily of corn. They decided to rent a corn patch, grow some feed corn and trace where it ends up.

It turns out that most farmers in the farm belt are raising feed corn. Feed corn tastes awful and has little nutritional value. But that doesn't matter because it's fed to cattle anyway. Problem with this is, cattle aren't meant to eat corn. They're designed to eat grass. If they're given a strict corn diet, and no grass, a cow will die within six months. They just can't digest the corn. It makes them sick. Yet, that's all these cattle eat. Furthermore, they're crammed into feedlots where they can barely move. If a cow gets sick, he gets trampled on by the other cattle, and when he dies, the other cattle can't get away from him. Nor can they get away from their own waste. Naturally, they get sick, so they're pumped full of antibiotics to keep them from dying prematurely.

So when you're cooking meals with ground beef you bought at the store, you're usually consuming the meat of an animal that was likely sick, stressed out and crammed with steroids. Suddenly, that burger you're cooking is not looking too good, is it?

Lentils, Wonderful Lentils

Fortunately, there is a wonderful, healthy, low-cost substitute for that ground beef. Try cooking with the lentil, an often overlooked, under-appreciated member of the legume family. This wonderful little bean can be cooked quickly without pre-soaking (20 minutes generally) and can be used as a substitute for ground beef in tacos, chile and any casserole calling for beef.

Brown Rice - And We're Not Talking Instant

Another important staple that should be on your shelf is brown rice. Not the processed stuff that can be prepared in ten minutes, but real whole grain brown rice. It takes 45 minutes to prepare and is worth every second of cooking time. One of the main reasons people get colon cancer is because they don't have enough fiber in their diet. White rice is nothing but starch. Brown rice on the other hand provides not only fiber, but wonderful nutrients your body needs. Brown rice with butter and sugar makes a delicious breakfast food. Plus, brown rice can be added to any casserole for both texture and flavor.

ezekiel grains and bread

Whole Grains

Buying a loaf of whole wheat bread at the store isn't really the answer to including whole grains in your diet. Unfortunately, several brands of commercially prepared bread has a chemical called potassium bromate. Sometimes it is called "dough enhancer." This chemical is used to give the flour a finer texture and kill bugs. It's the "kill bugs" part that should have you alarmed. Researchers found a link between consuming bromate and developing cancer. Want a really radical way to include whole grains in your diet?

The Miracle of the Grain Mill

A few months back I took the plunge and bought a grain mill. The difference has been huge. Breads made from freshly ground flour taste fabulous. I was amazed at the amount of energy I had after I began eating bread made from flour I ground fresh. Even my gravies and sauces taste better. I often bake bread for my mom, and she prefers the bleached white flour. Recently I was out of my own fresh ground flour and in a hurry, so I borrowed some of hers. The sauce I made was awful! I could taste the chemicals in it. Once you start using your own freshly ground flour, you won't want to go back.

More Great Recipes!

If you are ready for delicious meals without having to spend a lot of money, you'll want to check out these budget cooking tips.

If you're looking for a frugal, yet delicious and nourishing meal, look no further than this Lentil Brown Rice Casserole. It's been a family favorite for years!

Your kids love corn dogs, but you hate all the chemicals. Instead, why not enjoy cooking your own healthy Corn Dogs with this great recipe.

There is a better way to make bread that chock full of nutrition. Learn how to make fresh bread from whole grains with your grain mill.

Jam from your garden? You bet! Use roses from your homesteading garden to make this delicious rose petal jam.

If you're looking for a delicious variety to the typical spaghetti dish, you won't go wrong with this easy spaghetti pie recipe!

If you're wondering what to do with that Halloween pumpkin, look no further than this recipe. Here's how to turn a pumpkin into pie.

Start raising chickens and you'll likely have a surplus of eggs. Here's a great way to use them in this delicious, cheesy vegetable quiche recipe that your family will love.

If you are looking for ways to cut costs without cutting the protein, then try texturized vegetable protein or TVP. Learn what it is and why it should be on the shelf of every frugal homesteader.

Looking for a great, frugal crockpot recipe? This beefy bulgur vegetable soup recipe combines wheat berries and beef-flavored TVP.

Honey is a healthy, delicious way to sweeten your desserts. Here are some tips on baking with honey.

Your crockpot isn't just for main meals, but can also be used for desserts as well. Try this honey crockpot cake recipe!

Love authentic food, but prefer to have it at home? Then try these frugal Enchiladas. They're a family favorite.

Lots of those wonderful, gooey desserts call for canned condensed milk. Here's how you can save money by making your own with this sweetened condensed milk recipe.

If you're looking for a mayonnaise substitute, look no further than this low-fat, delicious, almond spread.

Save tons of money by cooking beans from scratch and using them as a meat substitute. Here are some tips on preparing pinto beans.

Looking for sturdy cookware that will last for generations? Look no further than Cast Iron Cookware. Learn more about this better way to cook food.

Cast iron cookware is relatively easy to care for, but taking a few extra steps will insure a natural nonstick surface and cookware that will last for decades. Here are some cast iron cookware care tips.

Start raising hogs and you end up with cuts of meat you've never cooked before. Here are some tips on the perfect Roast Pork Loin.

Buying potatoes in bulk and adding them to your menu on a regular basis is a great way to cut costs while adding nutrition. Here are some reasons you should be fixing potatoes.

Making your own authentic Mexican dishes at home isn't nearly as difficult as you think. Learn more about how to prepare Mexican cooking recipes.

Making cheese is surprisingly easy and a great way to always have cheese on hand even in emergency situations. Learn more

Build Your Own Chicken Tractor!

You Can Build a Chicken Tractor Provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to build a chicken tractor and also provides helpful information on how to get free wood and how your chickens can pay for themselves.

Click Here learn more.

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The Camping Dutch Oven
Great for Cooking Outdoors
Perfect for an Emergency

A Camping Classic. This Dutch Oven is perfect for use over or in the campfire.

The lid is reversible and can be used as a griddle. The stay cool wire handle can also be used to hang the pot over a campfire.

Cast Iron Camping Dutch Oven
Available from the Homesteading Shopper
Just $39.99

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Make Your Own Tortillas
For a Delicious Taste and Great Savings!

Eliminate chemicals and preservatives from your diet and save money when you make your own tortillas at home using this cast-aluminum tortilla press from Norpro.

Now you can make flour or corn tortillas for your own authentic-looking and tasting burritos and enchiladas.

Cast Aluminum Tortilla Press Available from the Homesteading Shopper
Just $14.59