On a Saturday morning several weeks ago, I ran out to a nearby Harris Teeter for a few items I needed to make brunch for my guys. My son had requested omelets. My husband just wanted some food. So I headed straight for the produce section to see what I could find on sale.
The produce I find on sale dictates the veggies I use in my omelets. First rule of eating healthy on a budget: creativity.
One of the things I love about making omelets is that you can pretty much throw in any ingredients you have on hand, to create a fabulous meal. Plus, eggs are so versatile and nutrient-dense — rich in protein, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and lutein — that they make a healthy and affordable option any time of day.
When I browse the produce section, I look for the “reduced sale” items first. Different stores can have reduced priced items located in variety of places — so ask where they’re located if you are not familiar with the store.
At my local Harris Teeter, all the reduced priced produce can be found on a tall metal stand bearing a large sign that reads “Produce Reduced for Quick Sale” — hard to miss it! At Target just up a few miles down the street, reduced priced items are found in their respective sections with small orange “reduced” stickers on them. It’s easy to overlook reduced-priced items in stores that follow this method.
Take a look at the great food I bought for under $2 during my most recent trip to Harris Teeter. You can’t see the prices on the bags of bananas, but one was $1.02, and the other was $0.93. What a deal!
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And, those ugly brown/black bananas are the BEST to make banana bread with! I buy the "used" bananas and stick them in my freezer. For meat eaters: our local Ingle's reduces the hormone-free, organic meat when the sell-by date arrives - I buy everything in there with a "reduced for quick sale" and put it in the deep freeze! Great piece, Tonya, and very informational.
Hi Susan - you're right, ripe bananas do freeze very well and they make great smoothies. Finding organic items on the reduced price rack makes bargain shopping really worth the effort. Thanks for your insight!
Tonya, this is a great piece, very informative and helpful. I love omelets, and I agree with you that they are a great, nutritious way to use whatever you happen to have on hand and make a meal.
Recently I ate at a local restaraunt a cheese omelet with slices of avacado on top, and it was amazing! I'd like to recreate it at home, except along with the cheese throw in some turkey bacon and onions. Yum!
Alanna - you're right – eggs and avocado are great together! Another great way to incorporate eggs into a healthy lunch or dinner is by making a quiche. Again - throw in whatever ingredients you have on hand with your favorite cheese and bake. Makes a healthy, delicious and very economical meal.