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

weezl74

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

I work advising people in debt, and presented with a budget for 4 people that only inlcudes £100/mth for food, the HMRC would negotiate on the putative £12000 tax debt, to allow more for food

ceridwen wrote: »

Actually - looking at Penny's point - as I understand it: I believe the standard amount of money "allowed" for food per person per week for debtors is £25 per week (which I think personally is about right).

Been pondering this point quite a bit actually, and it's hard to word my answer without coming across wrong! But I'll give it a go and you can all forgive me later :rotfl::o

I want to start by saying that anyone who works advising people in debt is doing a phenomenal job:T:T:T:T, and I do not want to challenge that in any way. (This is me saying, Penny the work you do is brilliant, I am not at all critical of it.)

The struggle I have is at the highest decision-making governmental level with this.

I'm wracking my brains for how to explain what I mean and how I feel.

Health psychologists have estimated that the effect on health of a serious debt problem is equivalent to the person smoking 75-100 cigarettes daily.

If our family of 4 are allowed as ceridwen says £25 per person per week, then the 4 of them are spending £5214.20 per year on food.

If they could follow our plan they would save £4036.79

It could slice years off the payback time. Years saved of not smoking 75-100 cigarettes a day. That's got to add so much to their life expectancy.

I believe in that.

DH said something else last night which I thought was very interesting. If you gave this family 200-250 per month, and no cooking resources/recipes etc, and this has been proven socialogically, the majority reaction is to live on highly processed foods- microwaved smart price lasagne and oven chips/frying chips, for example, is easy quick and fits into that budget. It's what so many would do and do do when faced with hardship (another kind of Do-do!:rotfl:).

If you halve this budget, as we are doing, then there's simply not enough money for that! It's fresher, it's got more veg, it's cooked from scratch there are no trans fats

In the second world war there was little money for food. We had rationing. People were healthier than they are now. At close to subsistence level living, the UK was healthier. And they didn't have debts around their necks chipping away at their health as steadily as if they were chain smoking.

So I guess that's my answer to, why not just spend more and take longer to pay off the debt.

I hope it's not too controversial

weezl74

homegrown_life wrote: »

I'm thinking you wanted to use the vinegar and it was a way of ensuring you had some for the pickle?

basically yes! It gives enough vinegar for a 2lb v large jar of chutney, without us having to buy 75p of vinegar, and also gives quite a bit of the veg for said chutney

HTH xxx

phizzimum

homegrown_life wrote: »

Weezl, can I ask a question about the pickled cabbage? Is there any reason why you're using pickled? I noticed on mySupermarket (which I know can be wrong) that they don't count this in the F&V totals. Googling also suggests that pickled veg isn't counted but I can't really find a definitive answer. Just wondering why maybe not to use a standard red cabbage? In Asda it's 68p/kg and might be more palatable to some people as part of a salad (I've no idea I never eat cabbage that much!!!) I'm thinking you wanted to use the vinegar and it was a way of ensuring you had some for the pickle?

I didn't know that pickled veg doesn't "count". does the vinegar destroy vitamins? my DDs always used to ask if Branston pickle counted as a portion of vegetables!

In_Search_Of_Me

Morning all...still cant keep up!! Ok frugalised carrot cake is in the oven minus orange, with 1.5tsb bicarb and raisins as didnt have any sultanas...will report back later! I did half in a flat tray and half in muffin pan to see what they diff is - was thinking of fictitious family and fact that muffin pan adds a feeling of being a bit more luxurious or is that me?!
ps eezl wonder if the frugalised versions of recipes can go on post 1when theyre ready for testing as took a while to find...just a thought?

phizzimum

just been googling to find out about pickles - surprising little information to be found.

one website said that pickles were too processed to count (in the same way that jam or marmalade wouldn't be counted), but we're not talking about Branston packed with sugar - we're talking about preserved vegetables.

but the same website said that a pickled veg could count towards your colours for that day - in the same way that ketchup still has health benefits.

that's why I find all these 5 a day "rules" confusing and sometimes nonsense! I know that spuds don't officially count - but they do contain vitamins. I know they have to stop people eating nothing but jam and chips and claiming to be healthy but I find it quite patronising.

sorry weezl - I know you've researched all this already, but just thought I'd post what I'd found.

homegrown_life

no I couldn't fnd anything much out either, although admittedly I haven't searched for long. I suppose, it's a case of it will still be of nutritional value but is that enough for the plan if it's not officialy counted as a f&v?

poohbear59

weezl74 wrote: »

poohbear59, I'm ever so greatful you posted! It feels like yours is the exact kind of situation I was hoping we could all come up with some useful suggestions for, although you are already doing all the good stuff . Grand to have you here. Seems like yours and DH's perspective will be very useful going forward.

Can I ask a little more? Would DH ever give up meat if things were really tight, or do you feel that twice a week is the minimum? If it could only be either something with a meaty flavour but hardly any meat daily (example: a HM pizza with a slice of smokey bacon snipped onto the top of it along with veg) vs a more substantial amount of meat (100g belly pork + stuffing + vegetables) twice a week, which would he be best able to cope with for the long term? Many thanks if you are willing to give this feedback! xxx

I am pretty sure that DH will not give up meat to the extent of only having a bit on to of a piece of pizza but disguised to look like more seems to be working.

I make a bacon suet pudding with a smattering of bacon bits in it mixed with leeks and he is happy with that.
Earlier this week I did sliced fried potatoes with cabbage and three hot dog sausages chopped up small, all mixed up with a bit of MrT basic cheese on top between three men. They really enjoyed it and didn't notice the lack of meat.

For Sunday dinner last weekend I made a small boned and rolled breast of lamb with a mint and breadcrumb stuffing which they all loved too. The had a miniscule amount of meat but again were happy with it.

Tonight is spicy lentil shepherd's pie which is a favourite of DHs.

I don't think he will go as far as being completely meat free but a few veggie days mixed with one or two which seem to have more meat than is really there plus one day of a roast or maybe a pie with all the normal Sunday roast trimmings is as far as he will go even if we have no spare cash.

I also have to admit that we do have a few rabbits in the freezer which I cook up into pies and again a little meat goes a long way and is FREE! And we have hens so have our own eggs.

I hope this helps.

Lesley_Gaye

Sian_the_Green wrote: »

Smooth or crunchy?

oh crunchy every time

In_Search_Of_Me

ok the muffin version has been tasted ...I cooked the mix at 160 for just under an hour and its yummy! 1.5tsp def enough as nice and fluffy. Sultanas also work really well. So a 9/10 from us!

phizzimum

good idea to make muffins ISOM - I'll try that next time as it will help with portion control (in theory!)