Can You Be A Couponer and Be Healthy?

When people find out that I'm a hardcore couponer, I often times hear the old "couponers eat too many processed foods" argument. And try as I may to convince them otherwise, what they see on tv doesn't help my message.

If you go by what's offered in the Sunday coupon inserts, one could assume that we live off of Lunchables, Hamburger Helper, frozen dinners loaded with sodium, and countless other processed food products represented in those Sunday inserts. 

And I'll admit that there's a lot of crap in those Sunday inserts, but there are some real gems as well. Just recently I've stocked up on light tuna fish, real fruit juice, low cal salad dressings, whole grain cereal, whole grain pasta, frozen fruit, and many other food products that I'll proudly feed my family. All for pennies on the dollar. All healthy in moderation.

I'll even take it one step further and say that if you forget the food altogether, couponing can still make a huge difference in your quest for eating healthier. If you no longer have to spend cash on toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, dish liquid, laundry soap, paper products and a slew of other products couponers get for cheap or free, you can take that money and buy the fresh produce and meat that's so darn expensive these days.

So, where am I going with this, you ask? I'm making some changes. Nothing drastic, just a few tweaks to better represent what I believe in. I believe that you can coupon and still eat well. I believe that being healthy is important. I also believe that moderation is key and that you don't have to give up everything you enjoy for the sake of being fit. 

If I eliminated every treat, my kids would most likely move in with Grandma. Therefore, I will still stock up on things they enjoy like cookies, ice cream, and other sweets, because you can still be healthy and enjoy these things in moderation. Moderation. It's my word for the year.

But more importantly, I'm stocking up on the good stuff. 

Products that can help me cook healthful meals that taste good. Foods that can be used as a base to help make meals more affordable. Yeah, I'm talking about you, Mr. Barilla whole grain pasta. Nothing but love for you baby!

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are great and all, but let me tell you, boy is peanut butter good used in a savory sauce. Have you ever tried chicken satay? I see a good recipe blog post coming down the pike.....

One of my goals for this year is to be an example of a couponer who is moderate. To show the world that couponers are normal people who not only save a ton of money, but also care about what they feed their families.  And to prove that a "fit couponer" is not an oxymoron.

Of course I'm still going to bake decadent treats now and again, but what I really want to do is share more recipes that utilize products we get for free/cheap that can be used to make wholesome meals that are good for ourselves and for our families.

And because this post seems so very serious in tone, I want to leave you with something that will make you laugh. Or make you scratch your head. Your choice.