Day 10 – Raw Food Cost and Corn Avocado Salad

Since I’ve started this blog, several people have asked me about the raw food cost of this lifestyle because I am buying so much fresh produce. Timothy Ferriss refers to this in his book, The 4-Hour Body, as the “six-pack tax, the nominal fee you pay to be lean.” However, I don’t completely agree that healthy has to mean expensive.

Fresh fruits and vegetables don’t have to be pricey. We try to buy produce in season which cuts down the price, and we grow a lot of our own vegetables at home. We also buy a bit of fruits, veggies, and nuts from local markets, and we haven’t spent any extra money on unnecessary items at the grocery store. We are only eating specific foods so there hasn’t been any impulse buying at all. For the first time ever, we are actually sticking to our shopping list!

Even if we were to buy all our produce, nuts, and seeds at full price from the grocery store, we are still spending less money than the typical shopper. Meat is expensive, as well as packaged, ready-made meals and take-out meals. Don’t forget the doctor’s bills, OTC drugs, and prescription drugs that go hand in hand with those foods.

Another quick, satisfying salad!

Corn Avocado Salad
serves 1-2

1 ear of corn
2 small tomatoes
1/2 red bell pepper (capsicum)
1/2 red onion
1 avocado
1 Tbsp cilantro
1 red chili pepper (optional)
1/2 lime, juiced
sea salt and pepper to taste

• Remove corn kernels from cob using a sharp knife.
• Chop remaining vegetables, avocado, cilantro, and chili pepper if using. Mix with corn kernels in a medium bowl.
• Add lime juice, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.