6000 meals under 50p in 2010; feeding your family on a low budget

mark55man

thanks for the support team. need some advice - today was a birthday in the house, and there was a huge demand for a take out - to which I succumbed.

so I don't know whether to count that as 6 under 50p (because I use a different budget for that) or 0 out of 6 (because the takeout cost way more than £3 !!)

so I'll take your advice on that !! - broadly means I will either be 12/18 or 18/18, as lunch and breakfast were on track

VenusFlytrap_2

Mark - don't know what you should do re counting the takeaway as a 'fail' for the 50p challenge, it was for a special occasion after all and this is your challenge so it's up to you!

What I do know is that you should definitely give misscousinitt's recipe for apple, carrot and raisin cake a go - I did it as little buns as discovered halfway through that I don't own a cake tin and they are gorgeous! So good in fact that they all got eaten and I've made a second batch today. Highly, highly recommended!

morag1202

I'd count it as 12/12 with meal totals of 454/498

Not fair to count it at 12/18 if a different budget. Happy birthday to them - hope you all enjoyed it.

mark55man

I know bit of a dilemma isn't it.

My only difficulty with 12/12 (which is otherwise the best solution) is that it doesn't help me get to my 6000 total meals 50p or under!!. the challenge "91.3% 50p or under in a year" just don't have the same ring to it!!

boredofbeingathome

If i remember rightly Mark- Weezl used to have a treat budget, and i think you should to. That way you can justly budget and have a few treats.

It must be difficult with extension going on at the moment as well.

misscousinitt

VenusFlytrap wrote: »

Mark - don't know what you should do re counting the takeaway as a 'fail' for the 50p challenge, it was for a special occasion after all and this is your challenge so it's up to you!

What I do know is that you should definitely give misscousinitt's recipe for apple, carrot and raisin cake a go - I did it as little buns as discovered halfway through that I don't own a cake tin and they are gorgeous! So good in fact that they all got eaten and I've made a second batch today. Highly, highly recommended!

Thanks Venus, glad you enjoyed the cake, so good and relatively guilt free both financially and diet wise.

Mark, I think you should go for the 12/12 option, everyone deserves a treat.

ellas9602

phizzimum wrote: »

ooh that sounds yummy ellas - have to admit i'm a bit of a cheese addict, so this thread has given me something else to feel guilty about! I think your sandwich filling sounds pretty healthy - healthier than just a cheese and mayo sarnie anyway. how long does it last in the fridge for? a few days?

well done mark - you're doing brilliantly. no buried treasure dug up from the garden yet?

Hi Phizzimum
I make enough for about 3 days and it keeps well. I make as I'm cooking Sunday lunch usually using the cabbage heart cut fine, 1 grated carrot (I don't bother peeling) and whatever else + black pepper. It makes a surprising amount too.:)

phizzimum

thanks ellas, thats a good idea to make while you're cooking.

mark - I would count the treat meals as 6/6, as the money hasn't come from your grocery budget. I think the better your stats look the more motivated you'll be!

mummyroysof3

misscousinitt wrote: »

Hi

Finally back to add my Carrot Apple & Raisin cake to the recipe list.

8oz Self Raising Flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
5 tblsp sunflower oil
grated zest of 1 orange and 4 tblsp juice
5oz light brown sugar
5oz finely grated carrot
1 medium eating apple, peeled cored and grated
3oz raisins
2oz pumpkin seeds
icing sugar for dusting (optional)

Heat oven 180C/fan160C/gas4. grease a 20cm round cake tin. Mix flour, baking powder, salt & cinnamon together in a large bowl. Separately mix together orange juice, sugar and oil. Add orange mixture to the flour with the carrots, raisins, pumpkin seeds and zest, stir until really well mixed. Spoon into tin.
Bake for 50 mins to an hour -check with a skewer to see if its cooked. Cool on a rack and then dust with icing sugar if liked.

No eggs or butter, so quite cheap to make - I think I costed it out at about 1.50 for the cake last time I made it.

Sorry for the delay.

x

would i beable to make this without the orange zest(have orange juice in) and without the pumpkin seeds?

many thanks x

JCS1

How about crediting £3 from grocery budget to your entertainment budget? You could then put 6/6 @ 50p on your grocery.