Frugal Friday: Fresh juice the frugal way
Always one to be on the lookout for ways to eat healthfully yet frugally, this past year we've been experimenting with making fresh juice. And believe it or not, we have found it's not that expensive to pull off!I did a bit of research and found a durable juicer on eBay for $50. We then started pricing costs of fruit and vegetables to determine how to get the best for our buck--both nutritionally and financially.
Our favorite frugal juice combination so far is orange/carrot juice. I usually buy oranges when they are on sale for $2.99/bag or less at Aldi and then we buy carrots for $0.99/bag. Altogether, this $4 investment will make enough juice for three breakfasts for all four of us.
We usually serve our juice with either bagels, English muffins, or homemade bread for a total cost of about $$0.40/person for breakfast. If I have extra eggs, I might scramble up some of those for extra protein, but it's still under $0.60/person for breakfast.
One of the great things about the juicer is that I can use it for fruit or vegetables which might be getting past their prime or need to be used up quickly. This past week, we've had lots of tomatoes from our garden, so we've been throwing those in our juice in the mornings for a little extra Vitamin C punch.Better even than the ability to use up fruits and vegetables which might otherwise go bad before we can eat them, though, is that I've found I can sneak almost anything into our juice and the whole family will gladly drink it down--even the girls who aren't always the world's best veggie eaters. It's always nice to know we've started off their day with lots of nutritious vitamins freshly squeezed!
--------------------
Have a frugal tip to share? Post about it on your blog and then come back here and leave your link below so we can all be motivated and inspired. Remember to keep it family-friendly and to post directly to your blog post, not to your blog homepage. Links going to the homepage of your blog or any other part of your blog besides the direct link to your Frugal Friday post will be deleted.
If you don't have a blog, you are welcome to leave your tips in the comments section. Thanks so much for participating!
Labels: Frugal Friday
posted by Crystal Paine at 10:25 PM
27 Comments:
I love fresh juice! There's a "banana juice" link on my blog, under post about "Bananas"! I use bananas and plain/vanilla yogurt in mine. Throw in whatever melon or berries we have. I also juiced carrots and froze the juice in ice cube trays. That helps "chill" the juice. I also enhance with probiotic powder and fresh ground flaxseed. My boys have special diets (no soy and oats!). I LOVE from scratch cooking, being frugal, shopping at farmer's markets, and finding the best deals, especially on fresh produce! I am so glad to have found both of your blogs! A true blessing to me and MANY others!
Crystal, would you be willing to share more information about choosing a juicer? I have a large garden and a small orchard, and I would like to experiment with some fruit/vegetable juice combinations (apple-carrot, pear-beet, etc.) Any guidance regarding juicers would be most appreciated - thanks so much!
Laura @ tenthingsfarm.blogspot.com
Thank you for the idea. I hate to admit it, but I usually buy the V-8 splash which is obviously full of sugar. I bet your juice tastes 100x better :). I will check out some juicers and see what I can do. Thanks again for the tip! Have a great day! Donna
We love our juicer, too! :) We found ours on Craigslist for $10, and use it often. Our favorite is carrot/orange juice, too. Although sometimes we toss in berries or a splash of coconut water.
What a great idea to put in tomatoes!
Blessings,
Michele @ Frugal Granola
I'm going to have to try the orange and carrot juice. My 11-year-old requested a juicer for his birthday last year and we've had a great time with it! Thanks for the great tip and this is a wonderful blog!
We have a Vita-mix, which is similar to a juicer and we love it! I agree it is a great way to get kids to eat fruits and veggies. It even works for picky moms :).
Toni
Thanks for the tips! I bought a nice juicer at a garage sale over the summer for 40.00, but had yet to use it since it just seemed cheaper to eat the actual fruit. :-) Maybe I'll give the orange/carrot thing a try this morning.
Hi Crystal!!
I recently found a way to save up to 50% on my groceries!! Check it out!!
http://radicoollife.blogspot.com/2008/08/share-florida-food-network.html
Love your blog!!
Bryssy
Hi Crystal! I just found a way to save up to 50% on my grocery bill! Here is the linky to my blog!
http://radicoollife.blogspot.com/2008/08/share-florida-food-network.html
Best,
Bryssy
I am going to have to check into a juicer. My husband has actually been wanting one so it may work out. Thank you for sharing that tip!
Crystal,
Thanks for hosting such a great forum to share our frugal tips! We appreciate all the work that goes into your site. have a blessed day!Michelle@ByHisgraceandforHisglory
You just saved my juicer from Craig's list. I was cleaning out and hadn't used it in years. It is in my dining room waiting to be posted! It is a really nice machine and I think I'll hang on to it. Thanks.
I never thought that would be frugal... thanks for sharing!
I'm anxious to get our garden growing! How nice to have homegrown tomatoes right outside your door!
I agree. We have a juicer and it is a great way to use fruits and vegetables that are over ripe. Thanks!
I love this blog, you are so helpfull to stay at home parent who are trying to stay that way. I have started my own blog to give other moms insight to some of the things you can do to help save money. check it out thanks angie
That sounds delicious! Our family needs a little more protein in our breakfasts, so we would definitely have to add the eggs.
I love learning all the frugal ideas!!
I just love all the post from Frugal Fridays. I look forward to reading the every week.
I have been wanting a juicer for forever!! But I had considered how expensive it would get to juice all the time...so thanks for this post!
I also thought though..that maybe its a fad and after a while I will get too lazy to make my own juice...do you see this happening? (I don't want to spend them money if I will only use it for one week...)
That is great! I always thought it would be to expensive to do my own juice.
~ Leticia
I couldn't live without my juicer ;) It is used almost everyday! We love making our juices for the breakfast smoothies we enjoy throughout the week. I enjoy your blog!
Oh yum! Fresh juice DOES sound wonderful!!!
And Crystal, I have to tell you how much I appreciate Frugal Fridays!! I have learned SO very much from your blog and from the other ladies that share, as well.
Thank you!
His,
Mrs. U
I love your fruit and veggies pic Crystal! It makes me want to juice something:)
We love our juicer too. We did our research before buying one and purchased a Jack LaLanne's power juicer. It was around $90 at Costco new but I think you can get them at Walmart now too? Our favorite is carrot/apple juice...esp. with apple picking season here now!
I never thought about juicing fruits or veggies that are about to go bad until I read your post. Thanks so much for your idea, now I don't have to throw those away.
Just curious as to why you use baby carrots instead of regular size ones? Usually baby ones are much more expensive!
Post a Comment
<< Home