Yes, it's true. Food prices are sky-rocketing. However, there are things you can do to help mitigate the price increases.

Dried beans. I bet there are readers here that have never seen a dried bean, much less know what to do with them. That's OK, it's simple and inexpensive to utilize what should be a staple. Packed with fiber and protein, minerals and vitamins. Dried beans are amazing.

The A1 Soup Mix [pictured], from my home state of Maine, is a mix of 16 different varieties of dried beans and peas that make a whole pot of soup with a little prep work and some homemade chicken stock.

Homemade chicken stock? Absolutely! I buy a couple of whole chickens, de-bone and separate them myself at a huge savings versus buying boneless skinless chicken breasts. I take the leftover parts and pieces and boil them with a couple quarts of water. Add some vegetable trimmings and you have a low-sodium chicken stock that beats the boxed or canned variety, hands down!

That one, 1lb bag of mixed beans & peas together with the chicken stock makes over 10 full sized servings of 'to die for' soup, that I would serve to anybody. Add some of the chicken to this soup and you have a low-cost, low-sodium, high-protein, high-fiber meal that would satisfy a body-builder!

Regards,
Mike