While your wallet is slimming down -- don't let your waistline increase!

Many people will turn to cheaper processed foods to save money, but you don't have to! My daughter and I avoid buying and eating junk foods and sodas. We keep some on hand for company but it is not something we have on a day to day basis. On the occasion when my husband goes to the grocery store, he may load up on some chips and sodas. I am sure he has withdrawals especially since I don't buy it. The only time we have white bread is when he buys it. I like whole grain and he will eat it because it is all we have in the house. So, we do eat healthy and we do use coupons.

There are ways you can save and eat healthy too. If you are an organic food lover, check out the right side bar - a couple of days ago, I posted some links for organic coupons as well as sites for eating healthy.

Click here and visit Tip Hero for 17 Healthy Foods Under $1.

One favorite and inexpensive item we enjoy eating are lentils. They are loaded with fiber and sell for about $1 a bag. You can use them in stews or for a side dish. Here is a recipe I grew up on and a popular family favorite. When cooking my mother nor my grandmother used measurements - so I will just give you the basics and if you have any kind of cooking skills, you should be able to prepare.

• Pour one box cracked wheat (Tabbouleh) in a bowl, cover with cold water for at least one hour to soften.
• Caramelize Chopped Onions in Olive Oil (the more the merrier of both- I use 4 large onions minimum)
• Cook Lentils - directions on bag.
• Squeeze water out of the wheat and combine with cooked onions and cooked lentils.
• Add some salt and lots of pepper.
• Should now be about as thick as mashed potatoes. This is not a soup although you could also take it in that direction. Be creative.
• Can be used as a side dish. This is a very healthy dish and can be eaten with soft flat bread.
• For a shortcut - replace the bag lentils with four cans of the regular Progresso Lentil Soup - may need a fifth.
• Buy the Progresso when you can get it for .45-.50.

Other money saving tips:

Oatmeal is healthy and cheap. See example of savings...

• Not so cheap: Box of 12 - Individual packets - approx. 41 cent per serving
• Cheaper - Large container of Quaker - approx. 13 cent per serving
• Cheapest - Large container of Generic brand - approx. 6 cent per serving
• Of course price varies above if using coupon - you could get the Quaker at rock-bottom or for free.

Buy large containers of yogurt instead of individual packs. If you can't buy fresh salmon at approximately $10 per pound, buy the canned version for about $3.50 -- loaded with Omegas.

Save 20% using frozen vegetables instead of fresh. Make sure there are no salt or sugar additives. Technology has improved so we are not losing valuable nutrients in frozen food as we did in the past.

One last thing, if buying fresh vegetables and your grocer does not run specials, this is the time of year you should be visiting a local farmers market. Also, buy fruit in large bags instead of individually.