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

Allegra

Oh, and Weezl, was it this post of Susan's that you meant ?

weezl74

twinkle_star wrote: »

I'll admit I'm seriously suspicious of a meal planner with much less than the 5-a-day fruit and veg but I'd be willing to give it a go if I felt there were definitely enough vitamins, minerals etc.

My big query is where are all these vitamins and things coming from if not from the veg. I know we relied on some supplemented foods on the vegan planner, and to be honest, I'm wasn't too sure about that anyway. If we were relying on more supplemented food rather than naturally occurring nutrients then it feels a bit like you might as well eat whatever you fancy and take a vitamin pill.

If, however, they can come from the foods (e.g. potatoes full of vitamins but not counted in five a day) then all power to the super frugal plan.

excellent question twinkle

they are coming from the fruit and veg. I am happy to say more about this if anyone would like?

I didn't know you minded about supplemented foods, that's interesting. Shirl and Kitty's plans already contain those though, so we're not losing anyone by continuing to use fortified products I don't think.

I admire you for being willing to give it a go if all the vits are there. And for thinking it's great if the vitamins come from the fruit and veg.

artybear

4-1 sad face

Allegra

weezl74 wrote: »

they are coming from the fruit and veg. I am happy to say more about this if anyone would like?

I think we all probably would

twinkle_star_2

I'd definitely be interested in hearing more Weezl.

I wasn't totally sad about the use of supplemented foods as I know it's ridiculously hard to get all the necessary nutrients for so little money, especially for vegans. Also, I know I use some (soya milk, cereal, etc) as a short cut when I'm not feeling as though I've been very healthy.

But I do feel that there shouldn't be too many used because the efficacy of vitamin tablets (and by extension of added vitamins) has been questioned on several occasions so personally I try and get as much as possible from food sources.

So, anyway, tell us more please - am most intrigued!

System

weezl74 wrote: »

you've obviously been following our debates

Ah well, I've been lurking throughout. Like Twinkle_Star, I don't agree with using supplemented foods such as the Ready Brek equivalent, nor with relying on items which are only available at a particular supermarket and not even at all of its branches. So, since you wanted to do the pricing spreadsheet stuff yourself and didn't need me for anything specific, I thought it less disruptive to keep my opinions to myself. Which most people would say was a state to be encouraged ;-)

But I am still very interested in the project (actually, I've sent a couple of PMs to people about data things, so I've not been totally uninvolved). Thought I'd better say something delurkative now because it looked as though there was a gap developing between your current goals, your initial goals, and the various suggestions for next steps, and I couldn't just sit and not comment. And now I shall return to hibernation... :-)

HowlinWolf

I am devastated. The fridge and freezer packed in just as I was starting to make the lasagne. That's a whole month's shopping and all of yesterday's batch cooking is at risk. The top of the fridge heated up quite hot from the light so everything that was bought yesterday that was on that shelf has had to go in the bin. We can't claim on the insurance as previous claims history means we would be unlikely to get house insurance renewed (had enough trouble this year). I am just hoping my parents get home in time to be able to salvage some of it into their freezer but it's not looking promising. I quite honestly just want to sit and cry.

Weezl, you should do the Weezl month if that's what you feel you should do, you might only get one chance at this project and you should do it the way you want it to be.

But I think I might be thinking more along the lines of Mr Weezl and Twinkle on this one and I think it has a very niche appeal. I think trying to take shirley from point A to point Y in one move might be doing it a bit too quickly. You were very dedicated to live on 50p a day I'm not sure that most people would be that committed. (said with love)

twinkle_star_2

Have you got any cool bags HowlinWolf? If so, stick everything you can in them. If not, pack as much cool stuff together in a box and insulate it with bottles of cold water and stuff around it all with crumpled plastic bags to keep the cold in. Hopefully it can last long enough to get to someone else's freezer! Crossing fingers for you!

jaytin

I know you probably already did, but have you checked it isn't just a blown fuse? I hope it's something that simple. If not, then I am very sorry about all your lost shopping. I had this happen a few years ago and I also felt like crying as it was right after we had done a monthly freezer shop. *gives Howlin a big hug*

HowlinWolf

jaytin wrote: »

I know you probably already did, but have you checked it isn't just a blown fuse? I hope it's something that simple. If not, then I am very sorry about all your lost shopping. I had this happen a few years ago and I also felt like crying as it was right after we had done a monthly freezer shop. *gives Howlin a big hug*

Yes, I have changed the fuse twice, plugged it into a different socket and checked the circuit breaker. There is a smell of electrical burning in the fridge so I think it's just burnt out. I might need Weezl's 50p a day plan now while we find the money for a new fridge and freezer.