How to get all that Protein on a Budget

 Dieters and diabetics alike eat protein!  It keeps us full, it keeps us happy and it doesn't cause sugar spikes.  For most people protein means meat.  Meat is expensive!  One of the biggest reasons that people think they can't stick to a healthy living plan, is how expensive healthy food is.  Mac-n-cheese is cheap.  Steak is not.  Even Chicken is so expensive, unless you are willing to buy the whole bird, and a dieter usually only wants the white meat. And then there is the "the-hormones-in-the-meat-are-making-us-fat" argument.  I don't know if that is true or not.  This is what I know:

1) I want to eat.
2) I want it to taste good.
3) I want it to be healthy to fuel my body.
4) I want to cook one meal for the whole family (see number 2).
5) I want to be able to afford to eat this way.

I don't consider any of these wants unreasonable.  But to accomplish them all, I buy in bulk.  I buy from a place called Zaycon foods.  I buy the beef which is 97/3 and tasty.  I buy the chicken, which is boneless, skinless, hormone free and not previously frozen- so fresh.  I do buy it in 40 lb increments. It is worth it to me.  I get it home and repackage the meat into quart sized freezer bags and I add marinades to about 1/2 of what I get.  That way, I take a package out of the freezer in the morning and by dinner time, I have a nice marinated chicken breast to cook up.  Easy!  I pay $1.00-$2.00 less per pound by doing this.  When you buy 80 lbs of meat that adds up!  I think it takes my family of 6 3-5 months to go through this much chicken.  Although, some days we are having beef, but we mostly eat chicken.

For me the quality is better that my local grocery store and the price is lower, so it is worth the extra work of rebagging. I know for others this is not the case, but for me it works.

What do you do to keep the cost of eating correctly down?

By the way, I am including a link to Zaycon Foods here for you.  Go ahead and take a look.  See if they deliver in your area of the country. If so, give it a try and let me know what you think.  They have a lot of great products.  And before anyone asks, NO! +Zaycon Foods  did not pay me to write this. Yes! I like the service that much! And the only sort of compensation I might get is that if you buy something, and go through my link, I get $1.00 off on my next order.  It is not enough for me to write a blog post.  I have to actually like them.  :)

https://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf1982

Asian Chicken Salad

Asian Chicken Salad

2 large chicken breasts
your favorite Asian marinade. I used Yoshida's Sweet and Savory
Marinade for 24 hrs. Don't skip this step!

After 24 hrs. cut into bite sized pieces and cook on the stove top.
toward the end of the chicken cooking, I added water chestnuts. I am not sure if they should be eaten straight out of the can, so I cooked them.

While the chicken is cooking I put some Olive oil (I have also used wok oil and it is yummy) in a pan and heat it. Then I throw in some raw almonds. (By some, I mean 3 1/2 of my handfuls. I have small hands. That is the best measurement I can give you.)

I sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt and pepper and a few dashes of paprika. You might be able to skip the paprika. I like it. I cook until golden and shiny. (Okay, I taste one.)

When done, set aside.

Dressing: (I realize the quantities aren't precise- but the fact that I remember them all is a miracle, so go with it.) :)

about 1/4 cup rice vinegar (this is the most important ingredient and no other vinegar will work)
about 3 Tb. soy sauce
about 2 Tb. Honey
1 tsp ginger (or less)
You can add some orange juice, I'd say 2-3 Tb.

Wisk together and set aside.

When ready to eat lay your lettuce in a bowl, add all the yummy veggies that you want, carrots, snow peas (okay I hate snow peas, but Seth likes them) green onions etc. Peel and slice oranges and lay on top and then add your almonds. Now put your meat over the top, (and your water chestnuts obviously). Give your dressing another quick wisk and drizzle over the top.

Delish. 

I also serve with some chow mein noodles, because everyone seems to like that. :)