July 2009 Grocery Challenge

Phoolgrrrl

Feeling pretty pleased with GC this month. Had some potatoes that were startying to sprout so going to try making gnnochi tonight. Need to buy eggs but they will do weeked brekkie as well. Its a bank hol here on mon so treat breakfast! I'm thinking pancakes, yum!

Ratotuille went really well, used mushrooms, red and yellow pepper, aubergine, courgette and onion roasted them in some olive oil and garlic for 40 mins then simmered for a bit with tin of chopped toms, balsamic vinegar and italian seasoning. Served on top of pasta.Soem in the freezer for another time

sistercas

helen_jelly wrote: »

Hi everyone

we are getting married this weekend

Helen

ooh congratulations :beer: I hope you have a brilliant day

lilmisskitkat

Can i join this month? Sorry to be late! My month started on Tues 7th and runs for 4 weeks. Budget for food, toiletries and cleaning is £270 - thats for myself, DH, DD (7) and DS (1).

I went shopping on Tuesday and spent £111.52 which includes all the nappies, wipes, toiletries, cleaning and storecupboard things for the month. The money left will be divided up for fresh stuff each week plus any extras we might need that i forgot about.

I have some meals in the freezer from doubling up on my cooking and i'm trying to use my slow cooker more to keep the freezer stocked with HM meals for days when we're in a rush or m not feeling so good (i have FM). I can't meal plan with set days as i dont know when DH is at home or working away too far in advance so i tend to write a list of meals, working around things i have in or have picked up on offer/reduced and go from there, ticking each one off as we have it.

Hopefully i can stick to it this month, haven't joined in the challenge for a while

Kate xxx

helen_jelly

Sistercas - thank you

I'm with you all the way re Captain Jack

Helen

greent

Argh! Just totted up this month's spends and I'm nearly half way through the budget already!! The spends DO include a birthday present and £8 on sun lotion though, plus a few £s on some present bits for Xmas.

However, my freezer is full - I can't fit anything else in there - I hvae bought lots of reduced meat this month, which is a good thing overall. I have also got lots of f&v in, with 2 more veggie boxes due before we go on hols - so will need a bit of room in freezer to freeze any excess veggies before we go! Am also fairly well stocked on nappies & toiletries. Main spends left will be veggie boxes, ham for packed lunches, milk (lots!) and bread, I think - oh, and yogurts! I expect I'll be right at the limit come my month end though - eek!

haven't got much veg growing this year due to new baby - but have a small amount of cut and come again lettuce, a row of runner and French beans (mixed) and 7 tomato plants. My mum is also growing coourgettes & cucs, and I';; end up with some of her produce

Off to sort dinner out

greent
I MUST menu plan.... I MUST menu plan......

tessie_bear

hi all....its raining here today...but quite warm...odd and playing havoc with my planning for next week....i might do fajitas on one evening im sure they suit all weather eventualities (sp?)..also a stir fry as i have quite a lot of reduced to chicken to use up...i have a real fancy for spanish omelette so might have a go at that

went to hb today...got some of the chilli and choc crisps for 19p(6 pack) which i think are minging but dh and ds like them so...bargain as far as bit for packed lunch go

im off to do a meal plan for next week
take care
tess

karenccs67

Today I went to Asda and spent more than I wanted to but I did get a leg of lamb for £5, pork chops for £2, large pack of mince for £2, 6 pork & pickle pies for £1, a pack of 50 cocktail sausages for £1 and 10 pieces of smoked mackerel for £4. The freezer is looking fuller even if bank balance is looking smaller. :rolleyes:

This week I've also bought my son some new school wear from M&S since they are doing 3 for 2 and FREE P&P on schoolwear, but I did it very carefully because you always get the cheapest item free. I did as 3 seperate orders.

1. 3 x 3 pack of school shirts £10 each (got 1 pack free - saving £10)
2. 3 x 5 pack of socks £8 each (got 1 pack free - saving £8)
3. 3 x 5 pack of boxer shorts (£8 each (got 1 pack free - saving £8)

I placed my order online on Monday and even with free p&p, all three orders arrived yesterday. I cannot complain whatsoever.

Thanks very much M&S :T:j:T :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

cw18

tessie_bear wrote: »

went to hb today...got some of the chilli and choc crisps for 19p(6 pack) which i think are minging but dh and ds like them so...bargain as far as bit for packed lunch go

I picked up some of those on Tuesday - not tried them yet, but DD was disgusted at the idea. However my elder DS is due home on 4 weeks leave from the Army on 1st Aug, so I'm sure he'll hoover them up if I don't like them :rolleyes2

Spent a total of £2.56 in HB on Tuesday, and £1.47 on milk at A!di yesterday. Have managed my 5th NSD of the month today though, so I'm hoping I can keep this up.

Tomorrow is the last day of week 2 of my 5 week meal plan. This was made up based around the contents of my freezers (and to some extent my cupboards), and it's starting to freak me out that I can see spaces appearing that I'm making no attempt to refill Even worse is the prospect that my smaller freezer will be at least three quarters emptied before the end of the month :eek:

I had expected to start filling gaps after our local Mr M opens next Monday, but after a call from my GP surgery in the last hour I'm not so sure that's a hot idea any more

I had a fasting blood test 8 days ago to check my cholesterol (a non fasting test last September showed it to be slightly 'iffy'), and they've called to say the results are back (I was due to contact them next Tuesday for them). Was clear the results are still 'iffy' as I doubt they'd call me otherwise (confirmed it's high, but can't give me the actualy readings over the phone), and I was then informed the GP wants me to see the practise nurse. First available appt is 24th July, so I won't know until then what dietary changes they want me to try I was told I could have an earlier appt with the GP if I was worried, but I'm not and I'd rather not take up her time if she's asked for me to make an appt with the nurse...... I do know they'll be wanting to try dietary changes first, as a 'condition' of authorising the test was that I worked with them if the results came back high - but the GP knew this wouldn't be an issue as she knows I hate taking medication if there's another option. Both my parents are on meds for it, but as they were both in their 60s when they started on them the GP says it doesn't count as a 'family history' to be worried about.

So it looks like I may have to reconsider my GC budgets from next month onwards :eek:

meanmarie

Congratulations to Helen Jelly and partner...have a great wedding.

Haven't had my cholesterol done for years cw18...you just reminded me that its time I had a check, it was high then.

Spent €8.89 to-day on potatoes and grapes, both on offer! Will update sig in a minute.

Keep trying folks, it can be done

Marie

Julimk

Well, I’m half way through my mammoth 6 week month & did the week 4 top up shop today. Not too bad, as came in at just over £12 & even with the whoopsies I picked up a couple of days ago I am within the budget I allowed for the week.

Should be plain sailing from here. DD is only here for another week before the school breaks up & she will then be at her Dad’s for 2 weeks. It will then be just me & I will make do with what is in anyway, mostly. Though, TBH, that is plenty!