[lrjohnson]

I've been trying to get slimmer, at the same time that I'm tightening my financial belt.

Some things that are working for me:

Some veggies and fruits are quite cheap, such as cabbage, carrots, oranges, and apples. I'm eating a lot of those.

I am using bulgur a lot. It's a nutty whole grain. I checked the specs on nutrition and came up with this:
bulgur 151 calories, .44 gram fat, 8.2 gr fiber, 32.8 microgrmas folate
brown rice 216 calories, 1.8 grams fat, 3.2 gr fiber, 7.8 micrograms folate
The reason I picked it wasn't for the nutritional specs, it was because I like it's really deep, nutty texture. I use it as both a rice and pasta substitute, though I still sometimes eat pasta.

I'm eating air popped popcorn as a snack, no butter or oil. I use a brown paperbag in the microwave; some people think that is unsafe and prefer a popcorn popper or a special bowl for the microwave. I'm guessing I'm paying maybe a nickel a serving or less.

I'm eating a lot of beans.

I'm cutting down on bread, and eating open-faced sandwiches.

I'm eating breakfast everday, which is supposed to really help with maintaining a healthy weight. Oatmeal is super cheap, and nice and high fiber. I'm talking the cook from scratch stuff, not some instant peaches and cream stuff. I make a big batch and freeze some for my own instant.

We just started a garden, and we are hoping it works for us.

I'm going out to eat much less, which is making a real dent for me.

I'm drinking a lot of water, and for a hot veverage, herb teaeither free or very cheap, and no calories.

And, lastly, I've just given myself permission to spend a little more on good food. I figure if I eat all the good fresh veggies, and it helps me be leaner, then I'll just be willing to buy more fresh veggies, while of course looking for sale items as much as possible, and taking advantage of in season deals-which is especially easy in the summer.