Karina Jones is a real-life ranch wife in the Nebraska Sandhills and one of the most highly sought-after speakers in the cattle industry nationwide!
If you are like me, you are looking for ways to keep that grocery cart in the center of the budget lane. I have had to become more creative and more aware of my buying habits at the grocery store. Today I want to share with you, what I am doing differently at the grocery store and in my kitchen. I would love for you to share with me, your tips on the Ranch Raised FB page.
I really think that meal planning is imperative to keeping a healthy grocery budget. Having no plan when you enter the grocery store these days, is pretty much planning to fail. I have chosen to keep meals simple and try to stay away from processed foods. Our breakfast meals have been a variety of oatmeal (like the old fashioned make it from scratch, which is honestly so easy, my kids can do it), eggs, homemade muffins, and sourdough pancakes. All options take just a few simple ingredients in my pantry and fridge.
I know that meat counter has been hard on the wallet lately. I admit, my freezer has our home-grown beef in it. I would encourage people to connect with local farmers and ranchers to buy beef. I actually think you can save money buying in bulk straight from your local cattle producers.
And of course, it is spring! Consider planting a few of your most favorite veggies. Even an apartment dweller with a patio can grow a container of leaf lettuce and a cherry tomato plant in a bucket. Also, visit your local farmer’s market and plan your meals around seasonal produce to complete your meal.
I’m not saying I have all the answers to shaving down your grocery spending, but I am trying to plan better and be better prepared. And if all else fails, we will be eating a lot of rhubarb this summer because it is free and in my backyard!
Have a great day!
Follow Karina Jones on Facebook!
Karina ranches with her husband, Marty, and 3 daughters near Broken Bow, NE. She grew up in western NE, with roots also in southwest SD. The cattle industry and raising kids is her passion.
Watching the cattle industry go the path that it has gone, she could no longer sit quietly at home checking cows, fixing fence, and doing all the everyday tasks wondering when some else was going to make it all better. As she became more active and outspoken on industry issues, she was asked to join the R-CALF USA staff in September 2020 as the Checkoff Petition Campaign manager. That position transcended into her current role as full time Field Director for R-CALF USA.
You can hear her almost every Friday on Your Ag Network’s Hot Barn Report that is broadcast on 60 radio stations with coverage in 9 states, where she deep dives into cattle industry issues and highlights R-CALF’s work on industry reforms. Listen to Ranch Raised on a Your Ag Network hometown station or www.youragnetwork.com where she talks about her daily life on the ranch.
Cattle producers are her people. She will meet you at the county fair, at the sale barn, or anywhere the dusty trail leads.
karina@youragnetwork.com or visit facebook.com/ranchraisedwithkarinajones
