Weezl's phase 1- recipe testing and frugalisation- come one, come all!

artybear

p.s

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Dedwydd Everybody!!

FrankieM

weezl I'm happy to do any of those meals over the next week and as DH is away I could probably do some veggie ones too. I'm assuming there are no 'non storecupboard' ingredients? Just so you don't have to feel rushed to get the recipes etc up. Oh, actually, if you post the chilli one first, I'll do that for tea tonight.

I hope that makes sense???

I had a little look at the poll in DT and found the egg thing very interesting. I personally would happily go without most things if money was very tight so didn't feel that I had a box to tick for myself but meat is certainly the no-brainer for my DH. Do you think the free range eggs is more of a female choice?

maysmummy

Just read the DT thread (most of it) and it seems that they haven't given this anywhere near the thought that you have, Weezl & crew.

One lady even said she doesn't know how much she spends on food in a month! I think that she may be on the wrong site..or perhaps she needs to read more and comment less:mad:

MM
Ps I have posted to her on that thread that she is wrong in thinking that dentists like patients who need loads of fillings. Silly ****

Lesley_Gaye

weezl74 wrote: »

I think it's an extremely valid point. I'm very glad you made it.

Please help me understand how we help shirley if this is her view too.

Example 1, man is not looking where he's going and falls into a hole. We throw him a rope, he thinks 'fair play! and hauls himself out.

Example 2, man is pushed down a hole (by his employer, the government, ludicrous banking system). We throw him a rope and he thinks: why should I have to use it? and stays in his hole.

My worry is that he is the one who is doubly punished.

It's been interesting reading the DT thread and feeling the resistance. This is something I knew anyway but had forgotten. The biggest problem with getting people to help themselves is getting them to 1) accept they have a problem 2) anyone, let alone them, can do anything about it

Using the hole analogy, person is in hole, we throw them a rope. They refuse to see it or refuse to believe it will hold them or they are in the hole, but the hole is familiar and they will stay there thanks

EG A close relative and her husband have been in various financial difficulties and are currently just about surviving. But most meals are made using expensive ingredients or pre-made. The toddler has pre-made smoothies, individual pkts of raisins and bottles of babyfood and even the ice cubes are bought in bags. The heating is on high and when the mum gets hot, she opens a window because the heating needs to be on for the baby

I know a lot about budgeting and stretching food and have never bought ready meals etc etc, but any advice I offer is not heard. I have to not say anything as it would fall into badgering quite quickly as I get very frustrated with the complaints about lack of money when there is at least that area that could be so much cheaper

In short, one of the issues that will ocurr when trying to implement this project is ... jargon alert .... change management. Most people, most of the time, will move towards pleasure and away from pain. Towards the pleasure of a latte and a bun in the cafe and away from the pain of sorting out the elephant in the room. Towards a new top or a night out at the pictures and away from drawing up a budget and seeing just what the size of that big scary problem is. Facing a difficult situation head on and trying to deal with it is a huge huge step and one many people will just not tackle.

When we come to the point of throwing the rope, we will need to make it look a very attractive rope and really sell it

I hope I haven't been too negative, I really believe this can help a lot of people, but being prepared to be a rescuer and being prepared to help your rescuer rescue you are 2 very different things

Lesley_Gaye

weezl74 wrote: »

Potty and Ioiwe, :A I'm sure you guys are a bit fed up with recipecal and surveys, I'm sure you are after all your sterling efforts. Would anyone be willing to post a couple of surveys or calculate some recipes? I'm just concerned that those are quite big jobs and a bit thankless

And even more of a big ask:

Anyone who is good at detail, unphased by spreadsheets and is skilled at finishing a job jotting each i and crossing each t.

I would massively appreciate being able to share the current meal planner/stock taking spreadsheet with you, for discussion and feedback, and checking out where my logic/maths/optimism are letting me down. I estimate this would take a while, so please only say yes if you feel able to/and interested enough to enjoy doing that!

I notice that googledocs lets you instant message each other whilst looking at the same spreadsheet, perhaps someone would like to do that and we could chat about the spreadsheet as we iron out it's hiccups

spreadsheets are right up my street -sling 'em over gal

I don't mind doing the recipecal thing either -although I have been using sparkrecipe - is that as useful to you?

PS am LOVING the sun this morning, it makes SUCH a difference. I feel like rushing out and sowing lots of seeds

ariarnia

Looking at the poll as it stands, the two options for meat hit second and third respectively, which if added together roughly equal fr eggs (32 votes to 29 making a close second).

These are the only 3 options that have reached double figures to date. Not exactly surprising, but interesting ntl.

It also would have been interesting if there had been two options for egg as well to see who would have not done without if barn/caged.

weezl74

Lesley_Gaye wrote: »

Using the hole analogy, person is in hole, we throw them a rope. They refuse to see it or refuse to believe it will hold them or they are in the hole, but the hole is familiar and they will stay there thanks

When we come to the point of throwing the rope, we will need to make it look a very attractive rope and really sell it

:T:T:T:T:T

ariarnia wrote: »

It also would have been interesting if there had been two options for egg as well to see who would have not done without if barn/caged.

Good point! Sadly with doing Asda first, we have lost a bit of leeway with barn eggs as they're 22.3p per egg vs 18p per egg for Free range

But when it comes to a teco/sainsburies version, hurrah!

Savvy_sewing

I am finding it difficult to follow at the moment. Just hope its all going well.
Pity Mr A doesnt have the same Discount Milk as Mr T does. Purple lid, 4pints or the nearest size in litres is only 65p. All my grandchildren (except 6week old) and the family will drink it.
Depends on age of Bob and Shirley's kids, but if they are in low income etc they may get £3.10 in vouchers for Healthy Start milk, and fresh veg??

FrankieM

weezl Don't suppose you've got a recipe for the chilli mince & rice and peas yet, have you?

ifonlyitwaseasier

hey Weezl, sorry been in a dream world, started new job so not very with it!!

i see the apple bars have been done, i'll try and get back on the site again and finish what i was doing before