Please help

jfdi

Similar to OP, but not quite (!).

I'm on Slimming World green days most of the time - which doesn't fill OH's heart with glee!

He has 'pocket money' to treat himself to meat / c rap (usually pasties & chocolate!) which he does out of my sight (at work or down the lottie!) and we eat MY choice at home!

Could something like that appease him & keep him sweet?

winniepooh

jfdi wrote: »

Similar to OP, but not quite (!).

I'm on Slimming World green days most of the time - which doesn't fill OH's heart with glee!

He has 'pocket money' to treat himself to meat / c rap (usually pasties & chocolate!) which he does out of my sight (at work or down the lottie!) and we eat MY choice at home!

Could something like that appease him & keep him sweet?

Thats not a bad idea :T

Toonie

I have a similar problem, but my BF is realising that we do need to save money, as at the moment mine is the only regular wage and I don't earn enough to be spending on pizza, coleslaw etc. He does like to have meat at every meal, so I'm just trying to get him to eat less meat, or I'll make a nice pudding, so he won't want as much for his main meal.

If he is complaining about the fridge being empty, ask him what he think should be in there and whether he'll eat it. In the evening or at weekends I will make up snacks and just put them in front of BF and I and that way there is less looking in the fridge and cupboards. At the moment this is either popcorn with brown sugar sprinkled over whilst still hot, a selection of cheap cut up fruit or a bowl with nuts and dried fruit.

moneydribbler

I've no more hints on how to whip your OH into shape, but for the freezer storage, given you're defrosting the old fashioned way anyway (incidentally, 24hours in the fridge is better than just out on the side, but out on the side won't hurt either as long as it's not sitting in full sun for hours once it's defrosted) you can put a freezer bag into whatever box(es) you have, fill the bag so it "takes on" the shape of the box, freeze the whole kit and caboodle, take out the bag of frozen stuff and stick it back in the freezer, then reuse the box.

We used to do that a LOT when I was a student with minimal storage space/small freezer as the bags take up less space, and if you wash the bags you can reuse them later, too.

kal25

winniepooh wrote: »

I think i'm going to try the local butchers for meat.

You could also try your local market if they have one of those butchers van things, you can get loads of meat there. You could also try farmers markets where you will b able to get fruit/veg and meat. Not sure if that is cheaper or not. But we have decided we r going to do this. some of the supermarket prices for meat is ridiculous. So at the weekend I will b taking myself down to the market to fill up.:A HTH kal25

winniepooh

I think i'll buy a fortnights worth of meat and freeze it.

But one question I have if I do that and say I cook a shepherds pie would I be able to refreeze it?

kal25

yes winniepooh. I do this all the time, Your shepherds pie should be fine to freeze. So as long as u freeze your mince when you get it should be ok.
Also I put mine into batches. So would be a good idea for you to do this so u are not defrosting meat u will not use. For example our mince I know we only use a bit so will bag into 2/3 bags to freeze. Then when I need to use I am not defrosting a huge amount that will be thrown or wasted. Hope that makes sense. Kal25

Hawthorn

winniepooh wrote: »

I think i'm going to try the local butchers for meat.

Have a look around - our butchers does wonderful bulk buy offers which is great if you have the space to freeze. My hub is a proper carnivore too. He would eat meat for breakfast, lunch and dinner if he could!

winniepooh

thanks for the tips everyone. keep them coming

dancingfairy

Maybe let him have his favourites once or twice a week. I can understand his reluctance if he is used to having things one way and then all of a sudden things change completely. Maybe get him to choose what he would most like?
Are you saving for something specific or trying to get of debt? Maybe point out to him - this means we can save £40 a week towards a holiday/new car/paying off a credit card etc. So he can see what the point of it is.
Would go with what one the other posters suggested - if he really truly hates a meal then chuck that recipe and try a new one - but see if it is worth cooking again - maybe there are some easy adaptions that would improve it?
I guess maybe bulk buying meat and freezing it would work out cheaper or maybe you could try the stretch a chicken thing - ie you have it for Sunday roast, Monday you have cold meat with what's left over and potatoes/salad etc and maybe sandwiches and Tuesday you could make a casserole/ stew with the leftovers.
Maybe have meat but bulk out the recipes with more veg/pasta etc so you use less of it but he is still getting some meat?

Hope you find one of the suggestions useful. Change can be a shock and can take some getting used to. Good Luck.