I hadn't made any progress towards my $20 Challenge really since the later winter/early spring. But this week I got back on the ball, and started again. Small deposit from half.com

Old $20 challenge balance: $11.23
Half.com DD: $17.14
--------------------------------------
New $20 Challenge balance: $28.37

So I decided to follow-up yesterday's food post with another one. I'm not sure if anyone here has heard of this program. My Mums found out about it and we just tried it for the first time this month.

Basically, you get a choice of different "boxes" of foods. You choose what you want, pay AngelFood ministries, and then pick up the food at a local pickup site. Each month they offer different packages/boxes of food. Each package/box has a variety of foods in it, and the prices are great!

This month we got the Regular box and Special #4. Between the two, here's what we got for food:

REGULAR BOX:
1.5 lbs Ribeye steak
2 large chicken breasts
4 lbs chicken legs
1.5 lbs pork chops
1 lb 80/20 ground beef
1.5 lbs turkey burgers
12 oz deli ham
1 lb frozen sweet potatoes
1 lb frozen green beans
can of pears
can of OJ concentrate
3 lb bag Idaho potatoes
3 lb bag onions
2% shelf stable milk
dozen eggs
Toll house cookie dough mix

SPECIAL #4:
1 large head of cabbage
3 lb bag Idaho potatoes
3 lb bag onions
1 lb carrots
1 extra large summer squash
1 avocado
1 mango
4 Bartlett pears
1 cantaloupe
3 lb bag macintosh apples
3 lb bag golden apples
6 sm boxes raisin
package of apple spice pie mix

Total for it all: $52 (no tax)


They have a special Thanksgiving box we are thinking of ordering. And for next month we have already picked out our boxes.

If you want to see if they offer this near you (it is nation wide) check out the website at angelfoodministries.com They also post each month's "menu" there, which is a description of the boxes and what is in them.

*Courtesy of Everyday Cheapskate Daily Email

When it comes to food, there is a commonly held belief that if it's cheap, it can't possibly be healthy and if it's healthy, it's not going to be cheap. That may be true if we're talking about fresh wild salmon or fresh blueberries purchased in the middle of winter, but there are untold healthy options that are affordable on any budget. Here's a quick grocery list to help you cut food prices while you boost nutrition, and a few recipes, too.

1. Oats. Oats are high in fiber and good for lowering cholesterol. One dollar will buy you breakfast for a week, or give you a good start on oatmeal cookies for a tasty treat. Spend that buck at a store like Whole Foods or Sprouts that offers oats in bulk and your buck will buy even more.

2. Eggs. A buck will get you about six eggs. Bring on the protein-rich egg salad sandwiches!

3. Sweet potatoes. Keep the Swine Flu at bay by eating foods that are rich in beta carotene, which strengthens the immune system and promotes bone and eye health.

5. Apples. Apple season is here, so this fruit is plentiful and cheap. A dollar will buy enough to enjoy fresh slices as a lovely snack or tasty dessert, and a great way to dress up a meal.

6. Nuts. Peanuts, walnuts and almonds are cheap "power foods" and perfect snacks to keep you energized throughout the day. Buy them in their shells to get the best price.

7. Garbanzo Beans. Also called "chickpeas," these help balance blood sugar levels, and are high in fiber and protein.

8. Whole Grain Pasta. This cheap staple is made up of complex carbohydrates, meaning that it packs more nutritional punch than does its white-pasta counterpart.

9. Sardines. These little fish don't come with a mercury warning, just plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids for heart and brain health. Chop them up and add them to salads and pizza or mix them with lemon juice and olive oil for a tasty spread.

10. Spinach. Your mom always told you to eat your spinach, and she was right. This leafy green can be prepared in oh-so-many ways, and it is packed with calcium, iron, folic acid and vitamin A. Skip the washed and bagged spinach and wash it yourself to save.

**To see suggested recipes and the original article, visit debtproofliving.com