Welcome back, congrats on the little one.
You posted in a Paleo forum, but sounds like you want to do Atkins. There is a '72 Atkins group under the buddy forum with all the rules.
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=386471. If you gave up the AS and other processed foods you could do Atkins carb levels with a focus on real food. I don't use any AS except a little stevia extract and am definitely in the camp that is better for your health and weight loss.

Also under Best of, there are budget meal ideas, or google "budget low carb". All the winter squash are in season now...we had a slow cooker beef and butternut squash stew last night ...slow cookers make those tougher meats flavorful.
http://www.rubiesandradishes.com/ca...es/slow-cooker/