July 2010 Grocery Challenge

muffin_man_7

Brodie1 how long does it take to defrost the milk and do you freeze it in smaller amounts or as it is in 2 litres at atime really think this might be helpful not just from cost but saves having to go out if only need milk but would have to remember to defrost

honeybun16

we freeze our milk in its 4pint packs and we generally run on when you move the spare one into the fridge door get one out of the freezer , then by the time the one in the door is finished the new one is defrosted, normally works unless the kids want angels delight lol.

Well i can't see how we are going to make target this month there is still ages until the end of the month and i only have a very tiny amount left, hopefully will only be a little over the top and have brought quite a few bulk things so should not need to buy them next month so hopefully will do better

brodie1_2

Hi Muffinman,
We defrost 2 litre plastic cartons of milk, have done for years, no problems. Usually we defrost overnight, the fridge door method sounds good. Occasionally we do forget, but not often. If you have a !!!!!! near you at 1.50 for 2 bottles each containing 2 litres, its such a bargain. You may already get your milk there. Freezing means you always have milk, which we all go through so quickly, my son has smoothies for brekfast, and I am always using milk in deserts.Stops popping out to just get milk:D
hope this helps you MM
Brodie1

highland_fling_2

I take out milk and defrost overnight but largest carton I buy is 2ltrs.

Winchelsea

Hello all,

Am still within budget - £11.93 left doesn't sound much for the remaining 14 days of the month, but I have already taken off the organic veg and milk deliveries which are paid by direct debit. Also, I have a very good store cupboard, mainly thanks to App Foods.

Had a tasty meal last night of Sosmeat patties with sliced and buttered jacket potato, all covered in homemade oniony gravy, and steamed savoy cabbage tossed in butter with a little nutmeg and a bit of pepper ground over. It was really nice and very cheap.
And, have more patties left in the fridge for today, to do something different with.

The Sosmeat was very cheap from App Foods. It's a bit boring plain, but is lovely when it's tarted up a bit (like me?!!!!!!)

Rarely bother with desserts these days - a good plateful of a savoury dinner keeps me going till breakfast. On the rare occasions when I do feel peckish in the night, I get up for a mug of herbal tea - fills up without causing indigestion or weight gain!

Billie-jo

Will be glad when its Wednesday as it will be the start of a new month for us. Shopping yesterday was £33.72 and then a few bits this morning came to £7.50 and only £27.59 left in the budget now. Could possibly do it but its going to be tight. Hopefully tomorrow will be a NSD then that will leave just Monday and Tuesday so it is still doable but just not looking promising.
Here come the excuses now - we have had an extra person here for 5 days.

On a better note yesterday we got given a HUGE cabbage which will feed around 12 people !!! However I had already brought a small cabbage on Thursday.:mad: All suggestions gratefully received as only thing I can think of at moment is to make lots of bubble and squeak and freeze it. (I do not like cabbage in stir fry so that’s out) I really don’t want to waste any of it if at all possible. I hate throwing food away and thought I was being good in the week by making some chicken and mushroom soup to use up some mushrooms which were past their best but then find (by smell):eek::eek: a tub of very past it cream cheese in the fridge.

As for my HUGE stock of tins - this week we have used one tin of tuna (DH had it one lunch time as I don’t eat it ), some mandarin oranges, and some pears. So 3 tins less. :j
Oh yes and I brought my first bottle of star drops (£1 in I*eland) and also 3 micro clothes. Have already cleaned the kitchen windows with it and am hoping to persuade DH to lend a hand with the rest of them.

muffin_man_7

thanks to honeybun16 and brodie 1 yes i do get milk in farmfoods when i can thats why i like the idea of freezing i have frozen milk in 1pintcartons but the lids used to come off only if lying on side though (different frezzer to one i have now) the one i will be using this time again they will have to go on their side due to size of compartment hope they be ok. Honeybun16 thanks for defrost in fridge idea never tried that would it still work if i put them on shelf in fridge because my door thing broke in fact firdge needs replacing ( soon i hope maybe the savings from getting milk, bread , and cheese in 1 trip will help me stay on budget thanks again for helpful tips much apprieciated any more will be gratefully received too

cw18

Billie-jo wrote: »

On a better note yesterday we got given a HUGE cabbage which will feed around 12 people !!! However I had already brought a small cabbage on Thursday.:mad: All suggestions gratefully received as only thing I can think of at moment is to make lots of bubble and squeak and freeze it.

I buy a large white cabbage at a time, but only use half in my huge vat of soup. The other half I just slice, bag and freeze for later - I don't even part cook it first.

Haven't tried it with savoy cabbage though, so it depends what type you've got I guess?

Vaila

I find cabbages are really frugal, whenever i buy a red one it seems to go realy far, i do usually make it into a salad bulked up with carrots and other leftover veggies, however the prices have gone up, but still they definetly last long than a similar priced cucumber

still going strong on my nsp on groceries this month...just had a glut of rhubarb and berries

Kitchenbunny

Another NSD today, in spite of going girly clothes shopping with my friend. I'm finding it a real joy not spending.

re: leftover cabbage - it would be gorgeous chucked into a minestrone.

KB xx