I've read this tip so many times over the years - to cut down on grocery expenses, have more meatless meals.  It sounds good in theory, but is it really true?  No, not always. 

Last night we had a meatless meal.  Just a combo of what sounded good to everyone ... mashed potatoes, cornbread, navy beans, and fried okra.  While frying the okra, it dawned on me that it was a pretty expensive dish to make.  I'm not talking about the okra itself or the breading, but the oil in which it was fried.  We use organic olive oil for everything.  I stock up on it when it's on sale so I'm getting the best/cheapest price possible.  Still, I figured it took about $4 worth of oil to fry the okra.  When I considered that we were blessed with getting a deal on organic ground beef a few months ago for $2.99/lb. (reg. price $8.99/lb.), the okra alone was more expensive than if I would have had some sort of dish using the ground beef for dinner.  

Will this 'new revelation' change the way we eat or the meals we make?  No.  I buy heavily when the things we use are on sale.  That ensures I'm getting the cheapest price possible.  We'll continue to do as we've always done - plan our meals based on what we already have in the pantry and freezers rather than buying groceries based on a meal plan.  I won't stop buying organics either.  I feel the Lord spoke to me very strongly about this years ago and I've done my best to be obedient ever since.  I do hope ds1 and I have success with some container gardening in late fall, winter, and next spring.  Gardening here is difficult at best due to the climate, but I have had some minor success in the past that has me inspired to give it a go again.