Weezl and friends Phase 2 -giving it a whirl for Shirl! Testing meal plan for a month

FrankieM

weezl The spreads are fine, perhaps a bit thick, but it's a learning curve. I'm not concerned about it so please don't you be.

The 'uprising': I think my family have got used to having certain things and so see them as a 'right'. I was thinking yesterday, that when DH and I were first together money was tight and so my children just had to eat what there was or starve. And they did. My youngest is a bit pickier and I think it's because we had a bit more money and so had more things available.
Does that make sense?
As for DH, I guess as we've had more money, I've made more things available as 'normal, everyday' food and supplies as opposed to 'every now and then'.

I hope that makes it a bit clearer for you. I don't think there is anything you can do, they will just have to get used to the change. I'm not worried, just aware.

As a bit of an example. My eldest DD mentioned fruit with her lunch for school yesterday. I said her fruit and veg was already accounted for in her meals etc. The thing is, she often skips lunch, barely eats a fresh piece if fruit but because she'd had a couple of oranges last week, it suddenly became a 'right' to be able to have them (or anything else) when she wants. DH suggested she use her allowance

Allegra

Just a quickie from me while I'm psyching myself up to make porridge !

Frankie - I also still have "normal" food about - mostly because I like having a month's stocks in for the peace of mind ! Some of my stocks have been incorporated into the planner, as it uses a lot of ingredients I normally do, anything freezable has been frozen, and the rest will be eaten up by DD who is eating somewhat off plan anyway.

To all who are not doing the challenge and are unsure which thread to post on - I would very much like you to join us all here, cos I'd miss you if you weren't

Weezl - I took a risk last night and made up a batch of cereal bars, figuring that I'd just adjust the amounts accordingly for other stuff if you decide to use stocks in a different way - and here's the thing, I must be well weird, cos I thought they were gorgeous. Too nice, in fact, cos I had way too many last night even before the challenge started, and already sneaked one in this morning even before breakfast

Thing is, I'm the only one that likes them. DH tried one and diplomatically said "I am sure they will firm up and taste better once they've cooled down", and DD reckons they are "really not her thing", which is why I could do it with lard instead of butter which I would have used otherwise.

They are not really cereal bars or flapjacks - I think that will jut give people wrong expectations. They are hot oaty biscuits, I'd say, and I agree with Howlin - they could easily be formed into individual biscuits, as you would with Twink's hobnobs for instance.

But they really are beautiful. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, and you will not often hear me waxing lyrical about something sweet, but these are gorgeous. Truly they are. The top is pale golden, cracked and crunchy, and the insides are all squidgy, like an appley fruit filling. I want to eat the whole ruddy tray, and will have a hard time stopping myself from doing it !

Allegra

FrankieM wrote: »

weezl The spreads are fine, perhaps a bit thick, but it's a learning curve. I'm not concerned about it so please don't you be.

I found I needed to add extra oil to the nut butter - I'm afraid I was naughty and didn't think of measuring it, just glugged it down the funnel. Old habits die hard....:o

FrankieM

I have had 2 pieces of my homemade bread as toast this morning with the nutty butter and even though it had been in the fridge it was very easy to spread and I didn't notice the lack of marg/butter.

I have a shop bought loaf of bread, a packet of hot cross buns, some sandwich chicken, some left over belly pork (will probably have this handy for DH) and other various spreads.

I'm quite sure that most of this stuff will be gone by next week or even the weekend, so things will be more normal by then.

FrankieM

P.S I had the toast cause it's looking like just me for breakfast so far....and I think I'm going to encourage my children to eat up the hot cross buns.

I'm going to do the porridge for tomorrow.

Allegra

BTW, Economy Gastronomy - I actually really enjoyed both the program and the book. Okay, it's not frugal or thrifty as we know it, but that's not what it claims to be, now is it ? It's just a first step for people with middle gears - how to save some money and eat better. Teach people essential skills, how to cook, how to shop - and then hopefully open up your eyes to how to take it even further. Besides, it was entertaining, and the book is a jolly good read

Anyway, back to our plan - tonight is the first of my evening meal swaps. I have swapped the spanish omelette for chili, and will therefore be making up two half-batches of chili mince (to feed two) and the two half-batch cottage pies. One chilli we are having tonight, the rest is going in the freezer. I will also be making the carrot cake and a full batch of bread

Oh, and Arty - whilst I have a whole kitchen on my disposal for cooking and storage, it is really only a titchy one for someone who cooks as much as I do and likes to keep a well-stocked storecupboard, so I have food stashed all over the place, I'm afraid ! Huge plastic storage boxes with lids under the bed, boxes and sacks of onions and potatoes hidden under the dining table, and a big chest freezer in the shed !

FrankieM

The idea of food stashed around your house makes me laugh Allegra
I'd really love a basement...I could put loads of stuff in there!

Bigjenny

Hi Weezl

Can we have the cooking insructions for the Cream of Tomato Soup please.

Not clear if we have to make up Milk Powder or use it neat.

Thanks
Jenny

weezl74

thanks Frankie It's hard via internet communication to understand if people are saying they've hit an issue which is a deal breaker, or if it's not too earth shattering!

Perhaps we should have a code so I don't rewrite the planner or get in a flap over the wrong things! :rotfl:

About the recipe formerly known as 'cereal bars'- hmmmmn it seems I really can't please all of the people all of the time :rotfl:.

So Allegra likes them but DD not so much...

frankie and howlin haven't had success, which I'm not sure is because of insufficient oil, or if it's just my method can you describe what you did allegra in case you've hit on a better method than mine?

Allegra

FrankieM wrote: »

The idea of food stashed around your house makes me laugh Allegra

That's in case I get peckish in the night. Rummage under the bed... Mmmm. Milk powder. Dried pasta. Raisins. Nom nom nom.... :rotfl:

I'd really love a basement...I could put loads of stuff in there!

Ohhhh, wouldn't that be nice ! Or a walk-in larder.....