The cost factor

[abcolin]

For some time now I have been reading about the wellness that can be affected from the macrobiotics. But I get the impression this can be a rather expensive affair and at the same time I would like to switch to the said form of living primarily because I am convinced whatever we eat after cooking are full of harmful agents. Please suggest if there are any cheaper options to maintain this lifestyle.

[fulenn]

I really have not noticed cost being a factor with my family. We buy our rice and other grains in bulk, seaweed lasts a long time and so does not cost much per meal, and I grind and make my own sourdough. The money that we used to spend eating out we now keep in our food budget. We are saving around $300 per month for a family of 5 by eating this way. The $300 is mostly from eating out. After the first week or two, I noticed that we were not eating as much, either. My family still eats stuff like pizza, but I make a sourdough crust and don't put as much cheese on their food now. And it's cheaper than eating pizza out.

Of course, I am trying to eat a more balanced, or MB, lifestyle than my family is wanting for themselves right now. But I am also the cook. So almost no meat for them, none for me, more fish and tofu, lots of veggies for everyone.

Also, I am a beginner at this. So though I am doing my best at learning about how food affects me and how to balance it all, I am sure I am doing things with food that would have a MB counselor asking me to, please, stop.

I think your food bill would do alright if you eat a lot of whole grains, lots of green veggies, and occaisional fish. The more prepared food gets, the more it seems to cost.

Good Luck! Hope this helped some.

[neon]

I think the same as fulenn. Macrobiotic is just the opposite. It seems costly from the beginning because the seaweeds, miso, cold pressed oils, umeboshi, tofu, tempeh, seitan, quality malt products are more pricey. But you use only small percent of these products daily and the main base of your diet are whole grains, legumes and vegetables and these are very cheap if you compare their nutritional value/price.
I don't know about US prices, I am from Czech Republic, but I am saving 10-50% monthly from my previous expenses when I was eating not macrobiotically.
Maybe the vegetables are taking you more money when you buy very quality bio/organic ones.
But in the end, you shouldn't spend more bucks than if you were eating standard meals.

And after few years of macrobiotic and seeing the enormous healing effect - I don't care about money at all. I shifted my priorities completely.

Tell me, what's your money for, if you are not healthy?
Imagine you have some serious illness, because you wasn't eating good quality foods, for the reason you wanted to spare money for your new car (just an example). Wouldn't you want to change the past, and exchange all the money you had for the health?
Think for the future and invest your money to your health.

And sorry for my deepful funny thinking here

[Klara]

I ditto the above thinking but want to add more. When I first started mb I was totally overwhelmed - there was so much that was new and yes everything did seem expensive.

My advice is to take it slowly. You do NOT need to have everything all at once. If you can find a good teacher - or if what you are reading can explain what are the basic mb products that you need, then buy them slowly and just once every couple weeks add another item as you are comfortable.

The basic principle as stated with the other two posts, the more natural products you eat the better and probably less expensive. When you get into products that are made by companies, you go more into money. You don't need that now - later when you're more familiar with what you need, you can add on splurges as they suit you.

Even in the short list of neon's, there are things there that you don't have to get immediately - you don't need lots of seaweeds, wakame and kombu are enough for starters, I hardly use oils anymore (I do alot of water sauteeing) and I certainly wouldn't buy lots of different kinds, one small bottle of sesame oil can last quite a while. When I first started I used apple juice concentrate as a sweetener - and I still use it - and cooked fruit - granted rice and barley malts are on a higher level, but again, it can wait a few months (or weeks if you find you can afford it) til you try them.

Beans are an important protein but you need very little compared to the rest of the plate - and for the beginning I would put off tofu and tempeh - again tempeh is a wonderful food - and again, if you're ready, go for it - but if it's all too much at the beginning, just cook 1/2 cup of dry beans and that should last you a couple days.

Also look for farmer's market near you, or a coop, or compare the prices here on this site - there are options also for buying where you can look for good deals. Is there a Chinese, Asian market around you (tho there be careful of quality!!!!) - they may not have organic, but they have wonderful selections of greens and other vegetables and it's good to have variety in your vegetables.

and of course, see what sales your local health food store might be promoting - especially in the vegetable section - don't buy just because on sale, only if it's something you can use.

and finally, any chance you can grow a couple things - that's a delight and could also save a little - and much much fresher than anything you can buy!!

Klara