July '06 Grocery Challenge

Chrismojam

My month will be from the 15/7 to 15/8.........brassock until I get paid, so we will have to eat what we've got in.....I'm sure we can concoct plenty of meals......(tuna pasta for the next fortnight it is then!:D )

A few posters have mentioned about their kids being fussy eaters.....I wonder when did this start? Is it because there is so much more choice? Or so much more crap available? Is it all the additives that make the food so much more tasty than proper food?

I just remember when I was a kid (which wasn't that long ago......in the grand scheme of things:p ), that if I didn't eat what was on my plate, I didn't eat....so inevitably I'd eat all my food....even the overboiled carrot and turnip, and sprouts...bleugh!!!!!!!!..........and I always ate all of the food........no leaving anything on the plate.......(that hasn't left me....God my parents brainwashed me!)

And if we couldn't bring ourselves to eat what mum had cooked (because it was basically inedible or disgusting for whatever reason - long story).....then it would be tins of rice pudding or plenty of cereal...or my brother's fave....weetabix (dry) with a hideous amount of sugar......disgusting (I was addicted to sugar for years after that!)

I'm interested to know what I'll be like when I'm a mum....will I be strict or will I give in?

Why do you think kids are so fussy these days?

brokenwings

Chrismojam wrote:

Why do you think kids are so fussy these days?

i dont have kids but i have a niece and nephew who have NEVER had specially bought food
they were weaned on liquidised/mashed whatever their mom and dad were having
they have no hissy fits at the dinner table now at 8 and 6 - are well mannered but fun filled and kiddish as they should be

they eat whats on their plate for dinner and then get a choice of two ( OS and relatively healthy ) puddings

they are no trouble in restaurants or at others houses or parties
and when given a choice they almost always opt for/choose healthy food

i would NEVER criticise any parent and i am sure id be the first to sometimes go for the easy option when kids are being a pain about food - but i think tv ads, peer pressure and parents being soft and nnot wanting to do the 'eat that or eat nothing' thing are all equally to blame.

rainbow21

Hi
I've been reading these posts for a while now and as I have a really tight budget this month due to being between jobs I've decided to start the grocery challenge. I wasn't sure what it includes so I'll assume it's everything and I'm going to try and aim for £100. I think this is pretty do-able as its just me and my boyfriend (though he pays for some stuff himself anyway) and we're going away for a week so I wont include that as I've budgeted separately for my spending money for holiday.

My problem is impulse buying, particularly when I see special offers - I end up buying things I wouldn't otherwise buy just because they seem a bargain. I need to avoid non-food parts of supermarkets too as I always seem to spend more on books and house stuff for the sake of it than I do on food!

I'll start my month from today (3rd) and run it to 3rd August.

taplady

Chrismojam wrote:

A few posters have mentioned about their kids being fussy eaters.....I wonder when did this start? Is it because there is so much more choice? Or so much more crap available? Is it all the additives that make the food so much more tasty than proper food?

I just remember when I was a kid (which wasn't that long ago......in the grand scheme of things:p ), that if I didn't eat what was on my plate, I didn't eat....so inevitably I'd eat all my food....even the overboiled carrot and turnip, and sprouts...bleugh!!!!!!!!..........and I always ate all of the food........no leaving anything on the plate.......(that hasn't left me....God my parents brainwashed me!)

And if we couldn't bring ourselves to eat what mum had cooked (because it was basically inedible or disgusting for whatever reason - long story).....then it would be tins of rice pudding or plenty of cereal...or my brother's fave....weetabix (dry) with a hideous amount of sugar......disgusting (I was addicted to sugar for years after that!)

I'm interested to know what I'll be like when I'm a mum....will I be strict or will I give in?

Why do you think kids are so fussy these days?

My two are both fussy and I know its my own fault. When they were babies I just didn't know what healthy eating was:eek: we lived on junk food crap ourselves so they never really had a chance. It wasn't a matter of giving in, I just didn't know any better.I was fussy myself and its only in the last few years(am 40 soon!:eek: ) that I have tried new things myself. My mum is incredibly fussy too so its inherited!:rolleyes: I also hadn't a clue about cooking.
But I am now really into healthy eating after my OH had some serious health issues with his heart and we always try and eat as well as we can now but its hard to get the kids to see the advantages of this. I think that schools could do a lot more to promote healthy eating and when they do cooking lessons show the kids how to make proper healthy meals instead of all the cakes my two came home with!

I just hope that like me they get the message eventually!:D

donna

Hi,

i got my Tesco shopping delivered this morning. They didn't have the stewing beef or the raisins so total spent so far for July is £51.59. I got 1052 points as well so thats £42.00 in deals.

I have £15 in cash to get essentials as and when they run out. I hope the shopping will last at least a week as i am only meant to spend £40 per week to hit my £160 for the month target.

Looking at what i've bought i should get the following evening meals from it:

1)Chicken in mushroom sauce with pots and veg
2)Chicken in tom sauce with pots and veg
3)Chicken casserole and rice
4)Cottage pie and veg
5)Spag bol
6)Corned beef hash and rice
7)Would of had beef casserole but never got beef so not sure for 7th night, bought a big bag of chicken so probably another chicken casserole.

Does anyone have any other ideas of what i can make out of the shopping list above?

couttleberry

Having a go at this this month. Am collecting receipts starting from 3rd and going through to 3rd August (as receipts have already been mislaid from over the weekend). Aiming for a budget of £500 for the month (not including milk which is delivered and therefore a constant amount per month). That's for 2 adults, 11yr old, 9 yr old, 8 yr old and 4 year old twins. Its going to be hard, especially as school's out (we're in Scotland)and we tend to buy the odd ice cream etc.

ally1974

I've just finished my second week of the challenge (my dates run from 20-19th) and my total for this week is £27, £2 over my budget!
I have, however, got five meals of spag bol and four of chilli in the freezer, enough bagels for another weeks breakfasts and all I'll need is the little bits like milk and veggies.

broomstick27

Did tesco on monday and spent £10.97. I was so shocked - i usually spend four times this, if i keep this up all month will be well under budget! shame i'm going out for lunch and dinner next week, oh well

Chrismojam

taplady wrote:

My two are both fussy and I know its my own fault. D

I will SOOOOOOOOOOOOO be like that 'if it ever happens'.........at the mo I am so like...oh i'll be strict blah blah..........rubbish!!!!!!I will so give in!:p

It will be........sod it I never had it..............have your fill!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My sis is a bit like that while trying to be strict at some level...not easy!:p

Bless her.......she's now going to be a grandmum at 40...........making me a great aunt at 32:mad: I've told nephew I'll tie an effing not in it!!..and i aint joking.........he has much to learn.:p I don't jopke about that much!!;)

Shortie

Okay. so I'm new to this, but I figure commiting this in writing will make me try to do it...

Me and OH have a joint account that I put £200 a month into for our food shopping. There's me, OH, 3 year old and 2 cats. (oh, and we often pass one over the fence to my Dad - literally. My Mum has different diet and we're cooking so why not?)

Although I 'think' I budget, we still always go over the £200 mark so this month (my food month runs 19th-18th each month), we'll do our reciept saving (got a spread sheet ready to write it all down into) so that August 19th - Sept 18th I'll be initially aiming at keeping to the £200 and then try to whittle down from there.

Already got the cats going... Popped to Nettos yesterday to check if they were cheaer the Tescos (not really - goes to show how much Tesco Value I already buy!) and bought a 19p can of cat food. They don't normaly touch budget stuff (oh my have I tried.....) but this one they wolfed down! So, rather than £10 per month for cans they are now going to be £6. Good boys eh?)

Love the menu planning recipies btw :T :T