February 2010 Grocery Challenge

poppy-glos

two more nsd's for me, got about £20 for the last 7 days so doable if i concentrate!

BlimusOreilly

CRANKY40 wrote: »

I joined slimming world the week before last though, so I need to sort myself out. I lost 4lbs when I was weighed this week by the way.

Hi Cranky. Your strength is an inspiration. Best wishes to you and ds.
I've been debating joining SW again too as my weight loss so far this year keeps yo-yoing. But I'm indecisive for several reasons - can I do SW successfully at the same time as maintaining the grocery challenge? (as last time I remember the grocery bill went up buying specific items that I would usually buy cheap versions of); £5 a week is really pushing our budget; and lastly, I'm worried about maintaining that kind of diet. I lost nearly 2 stone last time (3 years ago) but since then have put what I lost back on plus more!
I think I'll try one more week and follow the SW diet without joining and see how that works - but I'd be interested to see how you get on. Good luck though :T

A small pop-in to Mr A yesterday and I spent £3.65. Was quite pleased with myself for resisting the £2 chickens (already have 3 in the freezer) and the £2 mega box of Weetabix minis (well strocked up with cereal too).
Should be within target this month.

highland_fling_2

CRANKY40: really good to hear from you. you are to be applauded for your strength. I hope you and your son enjoy your extra time together.

well we are having steak pie, potatoes, peas and carrots for dinner today followed by strawberry gateaux. must admit that neither the steak pie or gateaux are home made (being lazy) but hopefully they will be good never the less.

still within budget probably due to using up some freezer and store cupboard stores.

hope everyone has a good day.

SunnyGirl

Cranky Well done on getting back into the swing of things hon. My DH was asking about you the other day actually. Much love to you and the House Elf xxx

Welsh_Poppy

Morning
Well shopping yesterday and I have gone over for the month...tis hubby he pursuades me to get extras etc so finger back on pulse for March we also have visitors and going away next weekend for week so extras bought.but still hoping to be on target for year......
when an offer on I will take advantage as silly to miss just because of GC funds for that month.
I also like trying new recipes and sometimes ingredients not a stock item.

Lidl yesterday 9.59 tons fruit and veg
at good prices have enough red onions for month.

Morrisons 38.00...some good deals on at the moment

tesco 6.00 they had Andrex 4 pack quilted by 2 for 3.50 so best deal I had seen although charmin was reduced for an 18 pack...who are changing name to ...cush...something I forgot....hehehe

I normally but Tilda basmati rice at 3.50 for 500gms which is expensive but the lowest cals per rice so we went to indian shop and got 5kg of Pakistani Basmati rice for 7.49 will see how long it last has a 2 year shelf life and can then see how much it cost for year etc and if it is as nice as owner stated but cals not as low:mad:
Thinking to try items we use a lot at wholesellers etc.

BigMummaF

Spiggle wrote: »

....(managed to make a £7 piece of brisket plus around £2 of veg last for five days)....
....cats who have to have a special dried food mix....
We feed the birds daily....and so buy suet/bug balls regularly and a sack of seed every couple months. Would you advise including this cost in the GC budget please?
....economical cuts/types please?....

This is the thread with links & tips around the Economy Gastronomy programme that was on BBC a while back, where they made beef last for 3+ meals Might give you a few more ideas & they also talk about using cheaper cuts; have a look at the many Slow Cooker threads on this site for lush recipes for them too.
RSPB site for Feeding Birds, haven't read it all but there may be some advice for cheaper or home made alternatives.
As for the cats, could you get the food cheaper on-line? Just a few suggestions & Good Luck on your Challenge :j

CRANKY40

I thought it would cost more doing SW, but actually it's not that bad. I made two big pasta bakes with tagliatelle as a base. I fried (oil spray fried) a pack of quorn sausages with some mushrooms and onions, spread that over the tagliatelle and added a jar of passata over the top. Comes out about 56p a portion. I also make my jacket potatoes in bulk and freeze them. I make them properly in the oven, halve them and scoop out the insides. I mash the insides with a bit of butter and some milk, (as this way the syns are less per potato than if you put butter on them when you eat them, and they taste much nicer), then fill the potato skins back up, press the 2 halves back together, wrap up the potato and freeze it.

Oh yes, and smartprice oranges, although small are lovely and juicy, and I prefer them to the more expensive ones.

Welsh_Poppy

Cranky
That sounds yummy must try it as trying hard to lose weight and as a veggie I use quorn a lot.

cw18

Haven't reported spends since 9th - but not a lot to report.

10th, and 12th thru 17th inclusive were all NSDs.

11th saw a spend of £3.61 - including £2.52 on Whoopsies with a real value of £13.14
18th saw a spend of £2.62 on spread for my toast/butties and frozen veg
19th was a spend of £3.83 - including £2.63 on Whoopsies with a real value of £18.23 :T

I'm currently WELL within my months budget - but have to go out shortly for milk and white bread. DS was away last week, but now he's home these are back on my 'essentials' list :eek:

rosieben

I've been faffing around in the index and updating the Complete Cooking Collection -don't faint people and as always, I'm finding lots of interesting stuff; one of my favourite collections is Mr Badexamples Cooking Index - threads which, apart from being very funny, are also full of useful tips and serious cooking advice, and not just 'for blokes'; I've put a link on the front page recipe list - enjoy you may wish to have tissues and tena handy, Rikki didnt put the warning triangle there for nothing :rotfl: