Michele,
I can really relate to what you have gone through. I was doing so well this past summer on the beach until Hurricane Katrina blew me off the beach!
I evacuated to Houston and stayed there for 3 weeks so I didn't live off of MREs. Those things are tasty but full of fat and carbs! Soldiers need them but they are death to South Beachers!
Well, it took 4 months but I've shaken the sand out of my beach towel and I'm back.
There are lots of great recipes that help you stay on the beach without using expensive ingredients or lots of time to prepare. Search the web. If you know the basics of SB, you can find recipes that fit.
Beth