It’s nearing the time of year when people commit to ‘being better/eating healthier/working out more’ in the new year. Might I suggest a totally different approach, and get you to think about joining in with me for a Back To Basics January?
I am challenging myself to a Back To Basics January: one where I go “back to the basics” in an effort to reduce my grocery bill and daily spending, focus on healthy ingredients, and commit myself to making the healthy food that I buy at the grocery store. During the month of January, I will be posting my go-to easy meals, recipes for basic items, and my favorite ways to prep for healthy eating.
The point of Back To Basics is to live more simply. We so easily can eat out a dozen different foods in a week, or purchase pre-made foods. Cooking shouldn’t just be a puzzle you put together, but a fun inspired activity. Back To Basics is to appreciate the art of cooking, to save money, and to realize what conveniences are worth it and what aren’t. The components of the challenge are below.
HOME COOKING
From pasta sauce to easy baked chicken, there are recipes that I use frequently that I will be posting during the month of January. I will be posting these recipes at least twice a week to give you new ideas about how to turn basic raw ingredients into quick, simple, and delicious meals. I plan to share my normal grocery list during the first week as well to give you an idea of what I stock up on to eat healthy + homemade.
Meal Resources: Quinoa Oatmeal Bake / Crockpot Shredded Chicken / Veggie Fried Rice / Guacamole Greens Salad / Baked Turkey Meatballs / Fall Harvest Kale Salad / Simple Apple Crisp
MAKING SNACKS FROM SCRATCH
I have a whole snack drawer at home full of processed foods that I grab on the way out the door to the gym or when I need a bite of something. Instead of relying on those protein bars + snacks that have ingredients I don’t love, I want to prepare a couple batches of bars + bites (along with other snacks like popcorn, hard boiled eggs) to have on hand for grabbing quickly.
Snack Resources: Cocoa Almond Power Bars / Pecan Pie Bites / Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie / Sweet Summit Trail Mix / Cilantro Hummus / Banana Ice Cream Bon Bons / Green Smoothie
EATING AT HOME
While I love to explore Denver and be a part of the community, eating out during the month of December (mostly because of us moving) really added up and I am hoping to get back on budget by eating at home as much as possible for the month of January. When friends want to get together, it’s a great excuse to cook for them and enjoy our new space!
MAKING COFFEE
This is another expense that I keep telling myself I will cut back on – but haven’t gotten around to it, so I’m including it for my challenge! I have easily been spending $10 a week on coffee, and would love to reduce that. I hope to do a post with Noah on different ways to enjoy coffee at home (we love french press coffee + percolated coffee).
WANT TO JOIN?
A quick recap of what Back To Basics January challenge entails:
- Cooking basic items from scratch (for example, making homemade pasta sauce instead of jarred)
- Reducing dependence on prepared foods (for example, making my own granola bars)
- Eating 100% at home (I am excited to invite people over to our new kitchen!)
- Making coffee (this will save me an average of $10 per week since I have been buying hot coffee)
Any questions? Are you in?
Let me know how you’re planning to tackle one of these or all of these challenges in the comments below.
I would love to have you along for the ride! Use the hashtag #backtobasicsjanuary so we can all see each others’ hard work!
Marisa
Meg says
Hi Marisa!
What a great inspirational idea! I’m definitely in and looking forward to January 1st!
Marisa says
Glad to have you on board, Meg! Let me know if you have any questions or need specific ideas!
Deb says
I am totally in. Can’t wait to start. Thank you.
Marisa says
Wonderful! Welcome, Deb!
Amy @ The Little Honey Bee says
I’m so in! I’m helping my mom curb her “sugar addiction” starting January 1 so this is perfect.
Marisa says
Wahoo!! Happy to have you joining, Amy. Would love to hear more about how you’re helping your mom – I need to reduce my sugar cravings too!
Lauren @ alovelysideproject.com says
I’m in!!! I also wanted to decrease my sugar intake in January so this sounds like a perfect plan. THank you!
Lauren @ alovelysideproject.com
Marisa says
Help me with that one – it’s hard to ditch sugar! Glad to have you along!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Love the idea Marisa! That is great!
Cara says
All of these are changes I need to make or get better at! Looking forward to a healthy, happy 2015!
Marisa says
Awesome, Cara! I am looking at this challenge as a good way to refocus 🙂
Anne|Craving Something Healthy says
I love this idea! Here’s to a happier, healthier, and a few extra bucks in our pockets 2015!
Marisa says
I agree – happy, healthy, and rich 😉
Despoina says
I am definitely in! Greetings from Greece!
Marisa says
Welcome, Despoina! 😀
Farrah says
This is a great idea! I don’t drink coffee and go out to eat maybe once every couple months, so I’m probably going to try to keep making basic things from scratch and if I’m feeling super ambitious, I may attempt to make my own granola bars! 😛
Marisa says
Perfect – I love that you are excited about making your own snacks!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I actually have a few friends who don’t blog but instagram like crazy and are looking for something exactly like this starting Jan 1-Maybe I should refer them here.
Great initiative.
Marisa says
I would love to have them join, Arman! Let them know about the hashtag (#backtobasicsjanuary).
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
Great idea, Marisa! Can’t wait to join in 🙂
Marisa says
Thanks for your support, Tara!
Cassie says
I am definitely in!! I want to cut out added/refined sugar, processed foods and alcohol for Jan! I have friends visiting in Feb so Jan will be a good time to eat at home and save money + cals!
Marisa says
Yes!! Glad to have you on board, Cassie. Sounds like it’s perfect timing in between things.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
This sounds like such an awesome idea! Count me in, lady!
Marisa says
So happy to have you along for the ride, Sarah. Feel free to send me any of your posts that you think fit the challenge and I’ll share them with my readers too!
Diana @sosmallsostrong says
This is such an awesome idea!!! Especially the coffee part. I spend almost 20 bucks a week on coffee because I’m an iced girl. I like it homemade but to brew it and ice takes time and I need to be out the door.
Coffee challenge accepted! 🙂 I’m so glad I ran into your blog lady! 🙂
Marisa says
So glad to have you along for the ride, Diana! Would love to see you use the hashtag, #backtobasicsjanuary!
I love iced coffee in the summer and it’s perfect if you can brew a batch on the weekend – if I end up doing a post on coffee, I’ll make a note about how I make my iced coffee too (but basically french press a little stronger than normal, put it in the fridge, add ice and milk on the way out the door!).
sherry says
I have special dietary needs with a pancreas issue
any Ideas on a healthy diet?
My doctor suggested a Mediterranean diet
Marisa says
Hi Sherry- Thanks for your question! A Mediterranean diet boils down to how I generally try to eat- lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, oils, nuts, spices, and some fish with other items sprinkled in.
Many of my recipes on my site fit that (or can be easily adapted), but I would recommend you speak with your doctor or a dietitian for further recommendations!