From Sundy:
In a perfect month, this is how I shop for groceries. (Of course, I rarely get the perfect month, so I generally try to do as much of this as I can manage.)
I think one of the reasons that I don’t plan meals, per se, is that I know that in any given two week period (my pay period), I’m going to make some sort of Italian/pasta meal, some sort of chili, some sort of Mexican meal, chicken dishes, ground meat dishes, etc. etc.
So, what I like to do is buy all of the basics that I need for those two weeks. They’re generally the same ingredients, and I’ve been using this method long enough that I really don’t think much about it anymore. I just walk down the grocery aisles and get pretty much the same things each shopping trip. That way when I have additional items that I need to add because I’m making something “off the beaten path,” there aren’t that many extra things to remember.
The following are the basic ingredients that I use for most of my meals. How I put them together to create various meals is mostly just a matter of different cooking methods and/or different spices, with the occasional added ingredients that may not be on my basic “Stock Up” list.
This method works for me. Your mileage may vary. (Since I’m not traveling down the grocery aisles as I write this, I may have missed an item or two…but I think I’ve pretty much got them all listed.) When I have a new recipe that I want to try, again I find that I generally have most of what I need on hand already. Anything extra is added to my white board on my fridge, and by the time I get ready to go to the store, I have it firmly in my head what I need to get.
Weekly or bi-weekly (whether I need them or not)
Chickens (2-4)
Ground turkey
Kielbasas
Other meats (depends on sales prices)
Diced and/or stewed tomatoes (seasoned and unseasoned)
Beans (ranch, kidney, black, refried, etc)
Chopped green chilies and/or tomato/chili mixtures
Pastas (I try to vary the types from month to month, but I always have angel hair)
Rice (brown and/or white)
Tuna
Canned and frozen vegetables (esp. broccoli, since we eat a lot of it)
Fresh onions, potatoes, and carrots (my “basic trio” of veggies)
Lettuce (This is only if the prices are low…I find it interesting that lettuce is the only vegetable that is only sold fresh.)
Fresh, canned, and frozen fruits (I try to vary this according to what’s on sale, but as a general rule, I like to have my “basic trio” of apples, oranges, and bananas on hand.)
Hot dogs
Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella)
Refrigerator biscuits (I get the cheapest ones, because I don’t really use them as biscuits, but as quick and easy dumplings, casserole toppers, etc.)
Lunch meats
Milk
Yogurt
Eggs
Cream cheese
Sour cream
Bread
Tortillas (flour and corn)
Monthly or bi-monthly
Olive Oil/Vinegar
Sugar
Garlic (I buy a large jar of pre-minced garlic for $3, which works out cheaper for me than buying individual cloves.)
Cereal/Oatmeal (I buy the largest bags/boxes of whatever has the lowest unit price.)
Peanut butter
Butter
Jelly
As needed (some of these will become weekly or bi-weekly as I up my breadmaking)
Flour
Yeast
Baking Soda/Powder
Parmesan cheese
Spices and herbs
Molasses
Nuts/seeds
Teabags (I generally buy pekoe types for making iced tea and at least one herbal)
Non-grocery items are on an as-needed basis….well, we buy toilet paper at least every two weeks!
NOTE: There are times when I’ve had to seriously trim all of this back (for example, when hubby has a week or two of downtime from his construction work). I do have a $30 grocery list that I fall back on during those times, but because I have a good stock from previous shopping trips, this is rarely a big problem for us.
SECOND NOTE: Most of these are very basic ingredients; however, some are convenience items that I can -- and sometimes do -- make from scratch instead, particularly when we're having to use the $30 list.
LAST NOTE (I promise!): My hubby is slowly coming around to realize that chips, cookies, candy, and soda are NOT basic food groups...but he does bring those home from time to time.
Showing posts with label Stuff I forgot to teach my kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stuff I forgot to teach my kids. Show all posts
Friday, November 14, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Buying groceries
From Sundy:
I have a little trick that I use in the grocery store (along with all of the wonderful advice that I've read in myriads of articles, blogs, etc.). There is the sage advice to never shop when you're hungry. Then there's the very sound suggestion that you shop with cash only and stick to your list (my list is in my head, but I can usually handle that). There's also the less-repeated piece of wisdom that says you should shop during off-peak hours so that you won't make hasty decisions just so you can get out of a crowded store.
My own personal trick? As I drop each item into my cart, I round up to the nearest dollar in my head and keep a running total as I shop. (Of course, this means that I need to shop alone, so I am not distracted.)
My trip might go something like this. Drop in a 10 pound bag of potatoes at $2.50. That's 3. Add three loaves of bread...4, 5, 6. Five cans of beans...7, 8. Chuck in a reduced turkey breast that isn't on my list, but is a GREAT bargain...9, 10, 11.
And on I go, until I get to the checkout. This way, I am very rarely surprised by the total amount due. It's what works for me.
I have a little trick that I use in the grocery store (along with all of the wonderful advice that I've read in myriads of articles, blogs, etc.). There is the sage advice to never shop when you're hungry. Then there's the very sound suggestion that you shop with cash only and stick to your list (my list is in my head, but I can usually handle that). There's also the less-repeated piece of wisdom that says you should shop during off-peak hours so that you won't make hasty decisions just so you can get out of a crowded store.
My own personal trick? As I drop each item into my cart, I round up to the nearest dollar in my head and keep a running total as I shop. (Of course, this means that I need to shop alone, so I am not distracted.)
My trip might go something like this. Drop in a 10 pound bag of potatoes at $2.50. That's 3. Add three loaves of bread...4, 5, 6. Five cans of beans...7, 8. Chuck in a reduced turkey breast that isn't on my list, but is a GREAT bargain...9, 10, 11.
And on I go, until I get to the checkout. This way, I am very rarely surprised by the total amount due. It's what works for me.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Let's talk gravy!
From Sundy:
I remember when I absolutely despised cooking. Mostly, it was a confidence thing. I had no clue what to do! In fact, I was teased unmercifully by my college roommates if I had to refer to a cookbook on those rare occasions that I attempted to cook something. And because I didn't have any practice at cooking, those meals were generally not all that tasty. Vicious circle of self-doubt there!
Then when I became a parent and my children were smaller, I didn't think I had the time or the know-how to make a meal from scratch. I know now that I simply needed to learn a few basics and practice, practice, practice. I'm not saying I'm a fabulous cook, but I do get compliments from time to time now. :)
One of the most versatile basics of cooking that I learned was how to make gravy from scratch.
I know, I know...some of you are probably thinking the same things that I did. "Mine always has lumps in it" or "Mine usually just tastes like flour" or "But the mix is so EASY!" Making gravy, once you get the basics down pat, is super easy and quick, too...and you just have to remember that the key secret is constant whisking. I taught my son (over the phone) how to make it when he was 13, and he mastered it fairly quickly.
The Better Times webzine has a great webpage on gravy and all of it's variations, such as cheese sauce, mornay sauce, etc. Here are the basics for white gravy.
You are going to use equal amounts of butter and flour (usually 1 to 3 tablespoons of each) to each cup of milk. And yes, you can substitute margarine or oil or pan drippings, but no, you cannot make it in the microwave. After a few times, you'll be able to "eyeball measure" the amounts. (Oh, and make sure you have your three basic ingredients with you right from the start, because once you get started, you cannot stop or you'll ruin your gravy. Don't worry...it really only takes a couple of minutes.)
Are you ready? Go!
1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan, then whisk in the flour.
2. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking the entire time. (Better Times suggests removing the pan from the heat, then pouring in the milk, then returning to the heat, but I've never had a problem keeping it on the heat.)
3. Keep whisking over the heat, until your gravy begins to thicken. Spice to taste.
Refer to the gravy page on Better Times for ways to vary this recipe to make brown gravy, cheese sauce, etc. :) They also list a gravy rescue method, just in case your gravy doesn't thicken the way you want it.
Remember: Constant Whisking! :)
I remember when I absolutely despised cooking. Mostly, it was a confidence thing. I had no clue what to do! In fact, I was teased unmercifully by my college roommates if I had to refer to a cookbook on those rare occasions that I attempted to cook something. And because I didn't have any practice at cooking, those meals were generally not all that tasty. Vicious circle of self-doubt there!
Then when I became a parent and my children were smaller, I didn't think I had the time or the know-how to make a meal from scratch. I know now that I simply needed to learn a few basics and practice, practice, practice. I'm not saying I'm a fabulous cook, but I do get compliments from time to time now. :)
One of the most versatile basics of cooking that I learned was how to make gravy from scratch.
I know, I know...some of you are probably thinking the same things that I did. "Mine always has lumps in it" or "Mine usually just tastes like flour" or "But the mix is so EASY!" Making gravy, once you get the basics down pat, is super easy and quick, too...and you just have to remember that the key secret is constant whisking. I taught my son (over the phone) how to make it when he was 13, and he mastered it fairly quickly.
The Better Times webzine has a great webpage on gravy and all of it's variations, such as cheese sauce, mornay sauce, etc. Here are the basics for white gravy.
You are going to use equal amounts of butter and flour (usually 1 to 3 tablespoons of each) to each cup of milk. And yes, you can substitute margarine or oil or pan drippings, but no, you cannot make it in the microwave. After a few times, you'll be able to "eyeball measure" the amounts. (Oh, and make sure you have your three basic ingredients with you right from the start, because once you get started, you cannot stop or you'll ruin your gravy. Don't worry...it really only takes a couple of minutes.)
Are you ready? Go!
1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan, then whisk in the flour.
2. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking the entire time. (Better Times suggests removing the pan from the heat, then pouring in the milk, then returning to the heat, but I've never had a problem keeping it on the heat.)
3. Keep whisking over the heat, until your gravy begins to thicken. Spice to taste.
Refer to the gravy page on Better Times for ways to vary this recipe to make brown gravy, cheese sauce, etc. :) They also list a gravy rescue method, just in case your gravy doesn't thicken the way you want it.
Remember: Constant Whisking! :)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Ach...ache
From Sundy:
Monday, I woke up with the most horrific pain right under my shoulderblade. It hurt to turn my head from side to side; it hurt to raise my arms to the level of my shoulder...it just plain hurt. I didn't want to run straight to the doctor if I could take care of it myself, so I used some of the frugal home remedies that my time in the trenches of motherhood has taught me.
I filled an odd sock with rice, knotted the top, and microwaved it for about a minute. It made a nice spot of heat to apply to my shoulder. I like these better than a heating pad, because A) they are cheaper, B) easily made and applied, and C) I can't leave one on too long, because they naturally cool off after just the right amount of time.
Nope, no relief.
I put my back to the door jamb and tried to massage it out. Then when my hubby came home, I had him try to massage it out.
Nope, no relief.
Then there's ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory). I was once offered prescription strength Motrin (800 mg) at the hospital after a sprain. I turned it down when I realized that I could buy 250 OTC tablets of 200 mg ibuprofen (which makes basically 60+ doses) for a much cheaper price than fifteen 800 mg pills for $10 copay. So I tried three OTC ibuprofen tablets (600 mg total).
Nope, no relief.
So, I drank a cup of very, very strong chamomile tea and promptly went to sleep. I am a major light-weight, I know! ;) Melatonin is my alternate sleep aid, and I usually have to cut the pill in half!
The second day, the spasm was worse, spreading like a bar from one shoulderblade to the other. I could not even drive, without some serious pain, much less sit at my computer at work, so I called in.
I again tried all of my frugal tricks to loosen the spasm, but no dice. I even upped the ibuprofen to 800 mg. Nope. So after several hours, I decided that I would go see the doctor. Because even mommies have a limit to how much they can take. ;)
And let me explain...I'm not exactly a wimp when it comes to pain. I've endured much worse (childbirth comes vividly to mind), but this was the kind of pain that is a steady dull thump when you're sitting still, and a big ole smackeroo when you move...the kind of pain that makes you a bit nauseous, if you know what I'm talking about....
So when I got to my doctor, I explained everything I'd already tried, and he gave me a mild muscle relaxant to try, with a second prescription for pain "in case." Hopefully, this will do the trick. $10 copay to the doctor, and $8 and change for the two prescriptions. Not too bad, but I would have liked to have used that $18 for something for the family.
A friend seriously questioned why I hadn't just gone to the doctor immediately. The only thing I can really say is that usually my frugal home remedies work, and I don't need to shell out for the doctor's copay and the prescriptions. Also, as I was neither bleeding nor on fire, it wasn't enough of an urgent care need to me to warrant an immediate doctor visit.
So, yes...I did stay in pain for a few days while I tried to fix it on my own; however, I DID go to the doctor after only a few days. Most of the time, I don't even go to the doctor at all -- probably not such a good thing either....but there ya go.
Monday, I woke up with the most horrific pain right under my shoulderblade. It hurt to turn my head from side to side; it hurt to raise my arms to the level of my shoulder...it just plain hurt. I didn't want to run straight to the doctor if I could take care of it myself, so I used some of the frugal home remedies that my time in the trenches of motherhood has taught me.
I filled an odd sock with rice, knotted the top, and microwaved it for about a minute. It made a nice spot of heat to apply to my shoulder. I like these better than a heating pad, because A) they are cheaper, B) easily made and applied, and C) I can't leave one on too long, because they naturally cool off after just the right amount of time.
Nope, no relief.
I put my back to the door jamb and tried to massage it out. Then when my hubby came home, I had him try to massage it out.
Nope, no relief.
Then there's ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory). I was once offered prescription strength Motrin (800 mg) at the hospital after a sprain. I turned it down when I realized that I could buy 250 OTC tablets of 200 mg ibuprofen (which makes basically 60+ doses) for a much cheaper price than fifteen 800 mg pills for $10 copay. So I tried three OTC ibuprofen tablets (600 mg total).
Nope, no relief.
So, I drank a cup of very, very strong chamomile tea and promptly went to sleep. I am a major light-weight, I know! ;) Melatonin is my alternate sleep aid, and I usually have to cut the pill in half!
The second day, the spasm was worse, spreading like a bar from one shoulderblade to the other. I could not even drive, without some serious pain, much less sit at my computer at work, so I called in.
I again tried all of my frugal tricks to loosen the spasm, but no dice. I even upped the ibuprofen to 800 mg. Nope. So after several hours, I decided that I would go see the doctor. Because even mommies have a limit to how much they can take. ;)
And let me explain...I'm not exactly a wimp when it comes to pain. I've endured much worse (childbirth comes vividly to mind), but this was the kind of pain that is a steady dull thump when you're sitting still, and a big ole smackeroo when you move...the kind of pain that makes you a bit nauseous, if you know what I'm talking about....
So when I got to my doctor, I explained everything I'd already tried, and he gave me a mild muscle relaxant to try, with a second prescription for pain "in case." Hopefully, this will do the trick. $10 copay to the doctor, and $8 and change for the two prescriptions. Not too bad, but I would have liked to have used that $18 for something for the family.
A friend seriously questioned why I hadn't just gone to the doctor immediately. The only thing I can really say is that usually my frugal home remedies work, and I don't need to shell out for the doctor's copay and the prescriptions. Also, as I was neither bleeding nor on fire, it wasn't enough of an urgent care need to me to warrant an immediate doctor visit.
So, yes...I did stay in pain for a few days while I tried to fix it on my own; however, I DID go to the doctor after only a few days. Most of the time, I don't even go to the doctor at all -- probably not such a good thing either....but there ya go.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Stuff I forgot to teach my kids!
From Sundy:
When you fill the sugar canister (or flour or whatever), do it OVER THE SINK. That way any spilled sugar can be washed easily down the drain.
When you need new pot-holders, opt for the silicone variety if you can. They are almost indestructible, easy-to-clean, and besides cooking, you can use them to help open jar lids. :)
Broke a lightbulb that's still in the socket? Save your fingers! Jam a potato onto the jagged end of the bulb, and use the potato to twist the broken bulb right out of the socket.
When you fill the sugar canister (or flour or whatever), do it OVER THE SINK. That way any spilled sugar can be washed easily down the drain.
When you need new pot-holders, opt for the silicone variety if you can. They are almost indestructible, easy-to-clean, and besides cooking, you can use them to help open jar lids. :)
Broke a lightbulb that's still in the socket? Save your fingers! Jam a potato onto the jagged end of the bulb, and use the potato to twist the broken bulb right out of the socket.
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