Healthy Monday - Common Woes of the Modern Bride: Eating Right and Saving Money

With the exception of lunching at work or the occasional birthday outing, my husband and I have made a new resolution to eat all our meals at home for the next 30 days. To some, this is already an established practice, but for us this will be tough. The idea is that we'll not only save money, we'll be able to eat healthier, support our local grocers and farmer's markets, and cut down on transportation emissions.

With the exorbitant cost of weddings and the pressure to look good in all those wedding photos, it's common for most brides to also be extra aware of how much they're spending and what they're eating. But in order to save money and eat healthier, you don't have to take measures as drastic as mine. Most of the time it's simply a matter of being more prepared, which will in turn allow you to make better choices at your local grocer. For instance, plan a menu at the beginning of the week and compile a list of ingredients needed for each meal. This way you'll know exactly what you want, which will discourage mindless wandering down the aisles where you're more likely to pick up those 50 calories-a-cookie cookies or the fake cheese that squirts out of a can.

One other thing you can do is take advantage of the internet. Sites like allrecipes.com allow you to search for recipes with specific foods, create a list of favorite recipes, and it will even generate your shopping list for you. Many sites, such as Divine Caroline and Whole Living, also offer insightful and educational resources in regards to eating and staying healthy. I personally am a fan of the article, The 20 Healthiest Foods for Under $1.