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

weezl74

PS allegra, you asked if I was taking a break?

Well I said I would until we saw if shirl was seeing the site, well now we have 1200 unique visitors I thought I'd better pull my finger out!

And thanks to you all for the viral marketing

weezl74

pps Google analytics tells me some fascinating things about the readership

a visit counts as going to the site, having a look, then clicking away to something else. If you then return, that's another visit.

50 people have visited the site more than 8 times a day since it rolled out! Obviously me and my dad, keggie, Jenny and all my lovely editors must make up a substantial portion, but it also shows how many (extremely dedicated lurkers we must have

weezl74

OK one last thing before I take fergie to playgroup and have a real life for a couple of hours

*sticks neck out in slightly over brave way*

Here's what I'm thinking:

This project could be fantastic. It has room for growth. We can develop Kitty's plan, and the number 2 one (what was her name?) and then we can offer menu plans for the second month for when she's bored of the onion tart.

We can do lots of things to teach her to fish

But it takes a LOT of time.

And there's only one weezl, weezl's dad, allegra (busy sorting out the batch cooking guide) poohbear (busy adding home ec. teaching experience to rewording the recipes) Lesley (busy letting shirl know how many calories, fat grams and 5 a day portions are in the dishes)

So we might think, oh that's quite a small team then? But then we need to add, sian, potty HG, howlin, Frankie, Aless etc etc all the testers and contributors on these threads (not missing anyone out deliberately just giving a few examples:o).

Lots of folk are contributing and that's fab :T:T:T

The thing is, that's only a max of 30 people.

But over 100 people have visited the site more than 51 times in a week.

Scratches head smiley.

So I'm thinking who are they? And I'm thinking, well they aren't a brand new shirley, who's fallen in love with the project immediately and cooking like mad, because even if you cooked something 4 times a day, it's still not enough visits.

Nope, I think this is a pretty motivated/interested 100 people.

Is it pals of Weezl, being supportive of an endeavour?

I don't think so! My mum and my best mate have had 2 or 3 looks at it, but that's about all I'd expect if it was about friendship...

So why am I waffling on about these 100 people?

Well if you're out there, and you're that motivated about the project, and it could be so much more fantastic with your help....

Please get in touch!

poohbear59

weezl74 wrote: »

pps Google analytics tells me some fascinating things about the readership

a visit counts as going to the site, having a look, then clicking away to something else. If you then return, that's another visit.

50 people have visited the site more than 8 times a day since it rolled out! Obviously me and my dad, keggie, Jenny and all my lovely editors must make up a substantial portion, but it also shows how many (extremely dedicated lurkers we must have

:j:j:j:j

Wow, that is amazing!

I didn't want to proof read the vegan recipes if you weren't ready for them. Maybe have a go if I get a quiet time today.:D

Claw_back_money

weezl74 wrote: »

OK one last thing before I take fergie to playgroup and have a real life for a couple of hours

*sticks neck out in slightly over brave way*

Here's what I'm thinking:

This project could be fantastic. It has room for growth. We can develop Kitty's plan, and the number 2 one (what was her name?) and then we can offer menu plans for the second month for when she's bored of the onion tart.

We can do lots of things to teach her to fish

But it takes a LOT of time.

And there's only one weezl, weezl's dad, allegra (busy sorting out the batch cooking guide) poohbear (busy adding home ec. teaching experience to rewording the recipes) Lesley (busy letting shirl know how many calories, fat grams and 5 a day portions are in the dishes)

So we might think, oh that's quite a small team then? But then we need to add, sian, potty HG, howlin, Frankie, Aless etc etc all the testers and contributors on these threads (not missing anyone out deliberately just giving a few examples:o).

Lots of folk are contributing and that's fab :T:T:T

The thing is, that's only a max of 30 people.

But over 100 people have visited the site more than 51 times in a week.

Scratches head smiley.

So I'm thinking who are they? And I'm thinking, well they aren't a brand new shirley, who's fallen in love with the project immediately and cooking like mad, because even if you cooked something 4 times a day, it's still not enough visits.

Nope, I think this is a pretty motivated/interested 100 people.

Is it pals of Weezl, being supportive of an endeavour?

I don't think so! My mum and my best mate have had 2 or 3 looks at it, but that's about all I'd expect if it was about friendship...

So why am I waffling on about these 100 people?

Well if you're out there, and you're that motivated about the project, and it could be so much more fantastic with your help....

Please get in touch!

Uh oh, sussed!
I love the website and think its great, and also come dipping into this forum to see what you're all up to. But, a while ago I saw that someone on MSE was looking for help with their food shop and came here really to ask whether someone (you/me/whoever) could/should suggest that they look at the site and adapt it - they weren't a perfect Shirley family but could have adapted it - £100 + the upgrade to freerange eggs say, but I felt that the answer was cautious so dropped it.

I've got three youngsters all really struggling for money and think that they would really benefit from fab recipes, which are straightforward in terms of language, ingredients and kitchen equipment - I would be very surprised if they followed the plan to the letter but if they just adopted a bit at a time it would be so beneficial to them, I would say they could cook a bit more, spend and waste a lot less. I'm very conscious they're not your intended audience though. But maybe, if they made breakfast pancakes one day, they might be tempted by another recipe another day, and before you know it they would be following the majority of the plan.

Quick story:
DS2 (18, at uni), phoned me in great excitement as there was a glitch in Mr T and he'd just bought £25 of groceries for about £5 - cartons of tomatoes were knocking money of the total spend. He then phoned me to find out how to make spag bol as he had 16 cartons of toms. He then texted to say 'my spag bol was class, aren't you proud of me, in one day I've brought down an evil corporation and started making my own sauce'
There are loads of sites about cooking, but the whole essence of yours is fantastic - ie if you haven't got a pudding bowl you can use a jug etc. I love the fact that it is so good nutritionally, and that its costed.


I'm a veggie married to a Bobalike who will eat veggie sometimes but has some strange ideas. I am not your ideal helper as I've only been cooking from scratch for a couple of years (since I found this site actually).

*sticks neck out* But how can I help?

Cbm

PS sorry about the essay

Brokebuthappy_3

Ok.....you spied me!

I am an avid fan of what you guys are going and currently following the plan myself. Funds are very tight at the moment so the plan is working out very well for us. My OH is very into the plan to and like most bob's not willing to convert to a veggie plan! My DS is not a fussy eater and has given everything a try although he doesn't like the apple curd or porridge but has loved everything else.

I would say I am quite an experienced cook and enjoy cooking. I would love to help however I can

Sian_the_Green

Woohoo Claw back money and brokebuthappy! So great that you felt brave enough to come on here and post!

Claw back money, I got such a great impression of you as a mum from your post; the fact that your son called you about that offer, and knew you would have a great recipe, and knew that if he called you after cooking you would be really proud of him I think you are right that people may not adopt the whole plan but it could still change the way they cook and eat and shop.

Brokebuthappy, great name! I love that you have been 'secretly' following the plan. Have you felt like it worked for your lifestyle? I think porridge might be an age thing you know, when I was younger I wasn't a big fan but now I like it (though I can't think too hard about the texture as it's a bit like sick!)

Weezl, how are we feeling?

aless02

weezl, i know u deliberately did not want an email or a contact form, but i wish there was a way for non-mse visitors to trace it back here. Or what if someone wanted to feature the site on their blog and needed an interview? I know it's ambitious but could be possible! Not sure what the solution should be, maybe others have ideas. I just don't want u lose out on the chance something big comes along!

jaytin

I have been following these threads since way back, but I am more of a reader than a poster, finally decided to de-lurk! I wanted to have a go with the planner, but there are quite a few meals that my husband and teenage son would just not ever eat, so I thought it best to stick to what I knew I could get away with. Maybe later I can introduce other meals gradually.
Using the planner as a base I have managed to reduce our bill for food to £185, yes I know that's a lot more than £100, but as I said before my husband and son will simply not eat anything with chick peas, beans, (other than baked beans with chips!) houmous, nut butter etc. A slow start is better than no start at all! The £185 includes a lot more fresh fruit and veg and some tinned fruit and veg too, also fruit juice, coffee and more expensive tea bags. I also wanted more fish as I would really miss that personally. Since we have been spending £400-500 a month on food this is a big improvement, that's less than half.
We are in a good financial position, we don't have any debts and my husband is pretty well paid, but we wanted to add to our savings more as we will want to buy a house when my husband leaves the Air Force in 5 years. So it's not just people who are living on very low incomes who will be interested in your ideas Weezl.
I just wanted to thank everyone for their work on the planner and the website, I know it isn't totally finished but it does look great and has lots of good info, unfortunately I couldn't find it through Google I had to go through Weezl's homepage to find it. Sorry for the long post!! :T

Brokebuthappy_3

Sian_the_Green wrote: »

Woohoo Claw back money and brokebuthappy! So great that you felt brave enough to come on here and post!

. Brokebuthappy, great name! I love that you have been 'secretly' following the plan. Have you felt like it worked for your lifestyle? I think porridge might be an age thing you know, when I was younger I wasn't a big fan but now I like it (though I can't think too hard about the texture as it's a bit like sick!)

Thanks Sian the Green! Yes, it has really worked. That's why I felt I should come forward. We have been spending in excess of £350 a month for two adults and a 7 year! So to reduce the spend and but not comprise on nutrition has been a goal of mine for a while. It's only been a week but we have eaten very well, we haven't been hungry and Weezl has said I can eat cake and cheesey scones as a snack :j what could be better.