In these uncertain financial times, we are looking for ways to spend less, and one of the smartest areas of spending less should be on our food consumption. One way to do this is to eat at home more often, or if you work, to brown bag your lunches, as you will, in a month, notice some extra change, that is for sure...
Another way is to find ways to stretch your food, in ways such as making two pot meals, like chili, beef stew, chicken and noodles, lasagna, spaghetti, and well, you get the idea. Buy less snacks, especially chips and cookies, instead, make popcorn, make your own cookies, eat nuts, fruits, serve veggies and dip, and so forth. Those non nutritious snacks from the store are costly, and are not good for anyone...
I buy those 60% cocoa chocolate chips, which are inexpensive, offer antioxidants, and can be used for a snack attack, or for making delicious hot chocolate, plus, you can melt and serve on fat free ice cream, and so forth. I buy the Ghirardelli ones, and pay like $1.88 a bag, which lasts me about 2 weeks, but, I don't have little ones around, so, if you do, they will go faster for sure. Point is, they are more nutritious than Nestle's chocolate chips, are satisfying in small amounts, are packed with antioxidants, are versatile, and save money...
Rice and noodles are must haves, as you can take leftover meats, make a sauce or gravy, and use either of these to make a great meal, plus, it is quick. I use brown rice, as your body needs the nutrients from such foods, but, I have read that any rice is good for you. With leftover roast, or chicken you can make pepper stir fry, or meat, gravy and noodles, or chop suey, or hot meat sandwiches, or many other dishes. You don't need lots of meat to make a satisfying meal, not at all...
If you eat pork, hams are your most versatile and while they might be costly, you can lots of meals out of the ham. You can have a ham dinner, then, wrap and bag in freezer bags, individual servings for other meals. From this you can make ham and cheese scalloped potatoes, ham fried rice, ham sweet and sour, bean soup, or several other dishes, each of which might give you an additional 2 meals per individually wrapped package. Also, you can have grilled ham and cheese sandwiches with some kind of soup, fries, or salad, for a fun meal...
I have to care give most of this week, so, right now, I am making chili. Then I will make a roast, then, I am making chicken pot pies, pepper steak, and other great two (or more) meals, some of which I share with my clients...
For lunches, there are lots of ways to go. Mott's applesauce, whether in individual containers or not, is a great buy, and is packed with body essential nutrients. You should eat 2 cups of salad a day (use green leaf lettuces, like romaine, green leaf, red leaf, and so forth), so make a big salad, make sure is dried well, and pack in gallon sized freezer bags, it keeps for days. I usually take peanut butter sandwiches, as they provide nutrition, plus, I don't have to worry about them spoiling, along with applesauce, and some sort of snack, though not always. For kids, there are lots of options, but, steer clear of the costly, non nutritious pre-made lunches. True, they are time savers, and kids love them, but, add up the cost over a month; it is outrageous...
Did you know for calcium milk is still the most cost-effective source of calcium? Kids need 4 servings a day, adults need 3. Milk is another food which is extremely versatile. You can make chocolate milk, hot chocolate, pudding, add to foods, make shakes, fruit smoothies, fruit desserts, and so much more. I have a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios's in the morning, along with a glass of milk to which I add 1 teaspoon of Nestle's quick chocolate, take my multivitamin, and am good for hours. I have a glass of milk with dinner, and then hot chocolate at night. My 3 servings are done. I also eat organic yogurt, and cheeses, but, milk is the cheapest way to get the calcium, for sure...
Vegetables are so versatile as well. I make many soups with them. I serve them at most meals, and just love them. You can make many dishes with vegetables as well. I also make sure to eat beans at least once a week, though, you should have them more often. Beans are another very versatile food. A great snack: Take red kidney beans, put in blender or food processor, and mash a bit, pour into saucepan, add some powdered garlic, and about 2 Tablespoons of butter, cook on medium high until bubbling, then simmer for a while. When cooled, spread into an oven safe dish, add some cream cheese on top of the beans, then add some grated cheese, bake until cheeses are melted, about 15 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, and salsa if you prefer. This is so yummy, satisfying, and very inexpensive. We love it!
Well, this is just a post of reminders and tips. I will be offering more money saving ideas this month, as gas is going up again because of the Mid-East crisis, and we might as well get used to cutting costs when and where we can, for we know that things are unlikely to ever be the same....
Have a great week, blessings & PEACE...
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Another way is to find ways to stretch your food, in ways such as making two pot meals, like chili, beef stew, chicken and noodles, lasagna, spaghetti, and well, you get the idea. Buy less snacks, especially chips and cookies, instead, make popcorn, make your own cookies, eat nuts, fruits, serve veggies and dip, and so forth. Those non nutritious snacks from the store are costly, and are not good for anyone...
I buy those 60% cocoa chocolate chips, which are inexpensive, offer antioxidants, and can be used for a snack attack, or for making delicious hot chocolate, plus, you can melt and serve on fat free ice cream, and so forth. I buy the Ghirardelli ones, and pay like $1.88 a bag, which lasts me about 2 weeks, but, I don't have little ones around, so, if you do, they will go faster for sure. Point is, they are more nutritious than Nestle's chocolate chips, are satisfying in small amounts, are packed with antioxidants, are versatile, and save money...
Rice and noodles are must haves, as you can take leftover meats, make a sauce or gravy, and use either of these to make a great meal, plus, it is quick. I use brown rice, as your body needs the nutrients from such foods, but, I have read that any rice is good for you. With leftover roast, or chicken you can make pepper stir fry, or meat, gravy and noodles, or chop suey, or hot meat sandwiches, or many other dishes. You don't need lots of meat to make a satisfying meal, not at all...
If you eat pork, hams are your most versatile and while they might be costly, you can lots of meals out of the ham. You can have a ham dinner, then, wrap and bag in freezer bags, individual servings for other meals. From this you can make ham and cheese scalloped potatoes, ham fried rice, ham sweet and sour, bean soup, or several other dishes, each of which might give you an additional 2 meals per individually wrapped package. Also, you can have grilled ham and cheese sandwiches with some kind of soup, fries, or salad, for a fun meal...
I have to care give most of this week, so, right now, I am making chili. Then I will make a roast, then, I am making chicken pot pies, pepper steak, and other great two (or more) meals, some of which I share with my clients...
For lunches, there are lots of ways to go. Mott's applesauce, whether in individual containers or not, is a great buy, and is packed with body essential nutrients. You should eat 2 cups of salad a day (use green leaf lettuces, like romaine, green leaf, red leaf, and so forth), so make a big salad, make sure is dried well, and pack in gallon sized freezer bags, it keeps for days. I usually take peanut butter sandwiches, as they provide nutrition, plus, I don't have to worry about them spoiling, along with applesauce, and some sort of snack, though not always. For kids, there are lots of options, but, steer clear of the costly, non nutritious pre-made lunches. True, they are time savers, and kids love them, but, add up the cost over a month; it is outrageous...
Did you know for calcium milk is still the most cost-effective source of calcium? Kids need 4 servings a day, adults need 3. Milk is another food which is extremely versatile. You can make chocolate milk, hot chocolate, pudding, add to foods, make shakes, fruit smoothies, fruit desserts, and so much more. I have a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios's in the morning, along with a glass of milk to which I add 1 teaspoon of Nestle's quick chocolate, take my multivitamin, and am good for hours. I have a glass of milk with dinner, and then hot chocolate at night. My 3 servings are done. I also eat organic yogurt, and cheeses, but, milk is the cheapest way to get the calcium, for sure...
Vegetables are so versatile as well. I make many soups with them. I serve them at most meals, and just love them. You can make many dishes with vegetables as well. I also make sure to eat beans at least once a week, though, you should have them more often. Beans are another very versatile food. A great snack: Take red kidney beans, put in blender or food processor, and mash a bit, pour into saucepan, add some powdered garlic, and about 2 Tablespoons of butter, cook on medium high until bubbling, then simmer for a while. When cooled, spread into an oven safe dish, add some cream cheese on top of the beans, then add some grated cheese, bake until cheeses are melted, about 15 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, and salsa if you prefer. This is so yummy, satisfying, and very inexpensive. We love it!
Well, this is just a post of reminders and tips. I will be offering more money saving ideas this month, as gas is going up again because of the Mid-East crisis, and we might as well get used to cutting costs when and where we can, for we know that things are unlikely to ever be the same....
Have a great week, blessings & PEACE...
