Here in America where the economy is sucking for air and the job market is incredibly stagnant, what was once the Middle Class are now the working poor or those left jobless and in utter poverty. We are all pretty much in the same boat here, and stretching a dollar is a necessity so we can afford to pay our bills
and eat.
I am fortunate to have a job, though things are always tight money-wise. One way I save money is shopping at Aldi. They describe themselves as "a discount grocery chain that operates over 1,200 stores in 32 states," although they are based in Germany and have stores in the UK, Denmark, France, the Benelux countries, the Iberian peninsula, Poland, Hungary, Switzerland, Australia, Austria, Slovenia and, of course, Germany. The Aldi Company also owns Trader Joe's. I have found that Aldi is my go-to store, not only because of the values I can find there, but because they carry some much better products than what I can find at my local big chain grocery, and so many things that fit in very well with my family's LCHF lifestyle!
I had to go there after work today to pick up some items to make the best Keto pizza known to man (
see this post), and found other bargains along the way. Here, let me share you some of the items I purchased:
1. Pork Rinds, 99¢ per bag - My son and I love these for a snack on occasion, to dip or to eat just as they are. I love how they have highlighted "Og TOTAL CARBS" in a red banner on the front of the package!
2. Shredded Mozzarella, 4 cup bag, $3.29 - I usually shred my own, but lack of time this evening necessitates me buying the pre-shredded. Yes, I know it is coated with non-clumping agents. I'll deal with it tonight for the time-saving factor.
3. Pepperoni, 7 oz. bag, $1.99 - Mmm. For the pizza, with enough left over for a lunch for me tomorrow.
4. Heavy Whipping Cream, 1 pint, $1.99 - This is the only cream I can find in my area which does not contain skim milk, which I guess the other stores use to save money on their end, passing on no savings to the consumer and jacking up the carbs in the cream. It does contain Carrageenan, but so does every other cream in stores around here. I really need my own cow.
5. Grass Fed Ground Beef (!!!), 1 pound, $4.49 - My Aldi doesn't always have this, but when they do I pick up a pound or two.
6. Spicy Brown Mustard, 12 oz., 99¢ - I love mustard. I also picked up a bottle of Dijon, same size and price.
7. Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts with Sea Salt, 6.5 oz., $4.99 - This is dirt cheap for these wonderful, fatty nuts. And Sea Salt? Bonus!
8. Tomato Paste, 6 oz., 39¢ - Again, for the pizza. I mix herbs and spices in with it for the pizza sauce. Oh! I also got large jars of seasonings (Basil and Oregano) today as well (not pictured) for 99¢ each!
9. Sausage, 1 pound, $2.49 - Pizza topping, with enough left over to freeze for the next time I make pizza. All natural, no fillers or preservatives.
10. Pitted Whole Black Olives, 6 oz., 99¢ - Pizza topping once again, and also enough to freeze for the next pizza.
11. Mini Food Chopper, $7.99 - My food processor recently died after serving a long and productive life. This little baby won't replace that (and I can't afford to replace the food processor yet), but it will help me on some minor prep tasks for all kinds of things. Tonight it will chop the black olives, and perhaps some onion.
So, there you have it...living the good life the LCHF way, on the cheap. I have not been compensated in any way from Aldi for my endorsement of their store or products, by the way. I just wanted to share that this way of life doesn't have to break the bank. Shopping at a discount grocery store allows me to have my pizza and eat it, too, and have some money to spare.
Last, but certainly not least, my gorgeous eldest daughter, who lost 80 pounds in 9 months on low carb, has started her own LCHF blog! Do me a favor and please visit and say hello!
