the ward method

Tag: healthy-eating

  • Realistic ways to grocery shop without crying at checkout.

    Realistic ways to grocery shop without crying at checkout.

    (Especially when you have Erewhon taste on a budget)

    Let’s be honest, grocery shopping can feel like a spiritual crisis. You go in for eggs and almond milk and somehow end up $126 deep in mushroom adaptogens and organic cacao nibs. If you’ve ever walked through a bougie grocery store convincing yourself that a $17 smoothie is basically medicine… same.

    The truth is, we all want to eat well, feel good, and not break down at checkout. But healthy grocery shopping isn’t just about the kale. It’s about your mindset, your money, and learning how to choose foods that actually work for your body and your lifestyle. Here are four ways to make it make sense:

    Romanticize being smart with your spending

    Eating healthy doesn’t mean buying the trendiest health food item on TikTok. It means learning what actually makes you feel good, and that might just be frozen blueberries and oats, over $14 almond flour crackers. You’re not “missing out” when you skip the wellness hype. You’re creating your own version of wellness that’s sustainable. Big win.

    Ask yourself: would I still buy this if I wasn’t influenced by a YouTuber in L.A.?

    Go in with a game plan (and a snack)

    Never walk into a grocery store hungry or emotionally unstable. You’ll end up buying four kinds of cheese, a box of dates, and something pickled that you’ll never eat. Have a plan, write a list, even loosely. Think about what meals you actually cook and eat, not the ones you wish you did. Build your shop around those.

    Realistic > aspirational. your kitchen isn’t a Pinterest board, and that’s okay.

    Choose staples that do the most

    Healthy grocery shopping on a budget is about picking versatile ingredients that can stretch across multiple meals. Think: quinoa, eggs, canned beans, frozen veg, greens, and your go-to protein. These items work hard. You can remix them into different meals without feeling like you’re eating the same sad salad every day.

    Let it be flexible (and fun)

    Some weeks you’ll feel like a wellness goddess, other weeks it’s frozen pizza and a prayer. Balance, right? The goal isn’t to be perfect, it’s to build habits that support you long term. Pick a few nutritious go-to’s, try one new thing each week, and let go of the pressure to do it all.

    Wellness isn’t found in your cart total, it’s in how you treat yourself day to day.

    The bottom line?
    Healthy grocery shopping isn’t about spending more. It’s about knowing what works for you, honoring your budget, and not letting the wellness-industrial complex guilt trip you into thinking you need spirulina powder to be a functioning human.

    You deserve to eat well and feel good, without crying at checkout.

  • Healthy-ish, not broke: 3 realistic ways to grocery shop on a budget.

    Healthy-ish, not broke: 3 realistic ways to grocery shop on a budget.

    (because not all of us can drop $17 on moon juice)

    Let’s be honest: we all want to eat well. Fresh produce, quality ingredients, meals that don’t come out of a packet. But sometimes your budget says “instant noodles,” while your Pinterest board screams “farmers’ market goddess.”

    Here are 3 actually realistic ways to grocery shop like a wellness girly, without going full Erewhon:

    1. Shop smart, not fancy
    No hate to the vibey stores with organic eucalyptus bouquets at checkout, but you can get affordable, healthy staples at everyday grocery stores.
    Think: oats, canned beans, frozen berries, brown rice, eggs, sweet potatoes, greens, peanut butter, lentils.
    These are the unsung heroes of healthy eating, and they won’t bankrupt you. Bonus: they’re versatile and can become a million different meals.

    Hot tip: Go in with a plan (and a snack). Walking in hungry = financial sabotage.

    2. Go for frozen over fresh
    Frozen fruit and veg are often just as nutritious as fresh, and way more budget-friendly. Plus, they last longer and save you from the guilt spiral of tossing that wilted spinach you swore you’d use.

    Smoothies, soups, stir-fries, frozen ingredients make it all easier (and cheaper).

    3. Buy in bulk (when it makes sense)
    Buying a five-kg bag of quinoa feels like a commitment… but hear me out. Bulk items like grains, pasta, nuts, and even spices can save you a lot over time.
    You don’t need a membership or an entire cupboard full, just pick a few things you use a lot and stock up when they’re on sale.

    Pro move: Reuse jars and containers so your kitchen still feels cute, even if your budget’s giving minimalist survivalist.

    You don’t need fancy adaptogens or a green juice budget to eat well. Start simple, stay consistent, and remember: good health isn’t about perfection, it’s about making what you can work for you.

    And if you do splurge on that overpriced almond butter every once in a while… no judgment.