August 2008 Grocery Challenge

angelabramble

Hi, thanks for this, so simple but didn't even think of it. I keep shopping at the moment and thinking 'did I really need that?' I'm going to start on Friday for 4 weeks to find out what I've spent and then start the saving. The one I've made already is to stop buying water to take to the office everyday. I re-use a bottle filled with tap water - where I live in Scotland it actually tastes nice. This saves me £3.50 every 10 working days, I'm also freezing the bread we don't use up before it gets stale and then defrosting it on tight weeks.

WelshWoofer

Morning!
Sunny in Manchester today - what a relief, I got drenched twice yesterday walking the dog!

Congrats to all those with good news - its been a right week for it - really cheers you up! Thanks for sharing.

Fat club not so good this week - stayed the same:o Must be all of the wine I managed to sink last Friday!

Anyway, a NSD day otherwise and should be one today too - remembered to take the chicken out of the freezer for OHs enchilladas tonight (I'm having quorn fake ones!) and have the tortillas, cheese etc already in so for once I'm prepared.

I've brought a big fruit salad into work for lunch today - grapes, apple, strawberries, blackberries, satsuma etc to try to use up the glut of fruit I went bonkers and bought on the weekend!
Good for the diet too I suppose?

Am definitely going to make a potato, chick pea and spinach curry tomorrow to last a few meals worth - will be good to use up all of the fresh stuff and its "free" on a green day! (SW for those not in the know!)

Thanks to whoever mentioned leek and potato soup - have tons of potatoes and onions and will only need to get some leeks - will create on the weekend!

Anyway, enough wittering on - there's work to pretend to be doing!
Have a good (dry!) day
R x

angelabramble

Bung them in if they're red - rinse first, soak dried peas overnight and pearl barley needs a lot of cooking. My favourite lentil soup is about 4 big handfuls of lentils and a 2 or 3 chopped sweet potatoes with water. As it swells add more water and simmer until the potatoes can be mashed and you've got a nice smooth thick soup. I flavour with a couple of teaspoons of english mustard, a pinch of salt and black pepper, but you can use any kind of stockcube you like (best-ham or vegetable) Hope this helps x

newlywed

LearningToSave. wrote: »

one question...those of you that mention lentils in things,stews,soups,cottage pies etc...............do i just bung a handful in?? or do i need to soask them overnight etc??? i've loads of ood ones that need using.....also pearl barley and bulgar wheat.......but im putting off using them as im not sure how!

red (orange) lentils - bung em in, same with pearl barley. But you do need to make sure you cook them for 40 minutes or so (longer for barley) and they soak up the liquid, so you may need to check them and add a bit more liquid.

Green puy lentils I found still stayed fairly hard and need a bit longer cooking

I found a recipe for pearl barley stuffed peppers - have posted this in the index on Weezl's 50p thread. They are really good

susan946

angchris wrote: »

also my food budget might creep up as i am now eating for 2 we found out about a week ago i am up the duff/bun in oven/preggers after 5 years of trying, was a huge surprise after all those years of nothing

Many, many congratulations to both of you, angchris. You must be over the moon.:j

Sue

susan946

denisefowler wrote: »

Oooh, need to go out and get hubby an anniversary card - it's our 20th today - and they said it would never last :happyhear
See you all later,

Congrats to you as well, Denise. :beer: Does this mean it's going to be a good day for all grocery challengers??

Sue

SmileyS_2

Well today the only thing I need is rabbit food so shold be a cheapy one today,I may nip into the charity shops as noticed they are getting the winter stuff out and am keeping my eye out for winter coats etc and need to go back in and see if the missing Timberland boot from the other day has been found (£1 and as new,ideal for dog walking!!!)
Just checked the bank balance and its suprisingly healthier than I thought..I'm very impressed AND I received £50 M+S vouchers from Sky's refer a friend scheme...My next quetion will be do I spend them on overly priced food next week and save paying for shopping or do I save them for xmas pressies?

patentgirl

Morning all

havent managed to get on here much lately but still doing well this month
thanks Perrywinkle for that sausage recipe got to cater for 22 soon as a pre wedding meal and was planning on doing as much as possible before hand so that sounds great
another NSD for me today second in a row tea will be pasta, pesto, parmasan and chicken and whatever in the fridge that comes to mind
congrats angchris and Denise

newmoneysaver_2

angchis - Congratulations on your news!
deniseflower - Happy Anniversary!
SFT - Hope you have a good holiday.

Should be a NSD for me today. I managed to remember to get something out of the freezer for tea tonight, so it's gammon, egg and chips. I might have cheesy pasta tho - don't fancy chips!!! That might change when I start cooking and smell them.

Think I might see if hubby fancies the cinema tonight - we could do with some time together and it is orange wednesday!! mmm...

SmileyS_2

Actually another question for you all? On average how much do you actually spend on food.We are a family of 5..2 adults(1 meat eater 1 veggie),3 children all pre teens,a dog,a rabbit,a hamster and some fish..
Just curious really what other people spend a month on food with an average size brood..I have searched but can't find the answer!!