September 2010 Grocery Challenge

katholicos

Nothing spent today as for lunch we ate some of my home made oatcakes with cheese again and then tonight i made myself welsh rarebit as DD was still out at Alton Towers. Oh happy day!

lucylollipop

Spent another £2.16 today, on a tub of marg, and lighter fluid... The lighter fluid isn't strictly grocery shopping, but it'll probably end up in the kitchen as well as my workspace, so...

ChocClare

NSD today which was quite a result as I started September yesterday with an unexpected trip to chez Asda - forgot that I always give out new toothbrushes on the quarter days and kids now expect it - and as I want them to look after their teeth, I thought, oh well...

Of course DS then also mentioned he'd run out of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, shower gel...

DD's friend came at the weekend and drank her way through the 2 litres of orange juice that my kids were going to drink this week...

But what the hey - last night's supper was zero food miles - Spanish omelette made with homegrown onions, potatoes and eggs - so free! (ish). Pudding was plum pie made with some of the two carrier bags full of plums I got from freecycle on Tuesday. Got to "process" the rest of these and the 8 million apples which are in the process of falling off the tree before they turn to wasted mush before my eyes. Don't want plum jam (we don't eat much jam) and don't really drink much, so some sort of compote or pie or... summat seems called for. All suggestions gratefully received!

Jevvers

Resisted the lure of a takeaway tonight (largely because we are only on the 2nd of the month and with this thread in mind I thought Gawd we can't give up that easily!).

I made up a meal with what was lying around instead and it was v tasty - a sort of quick chicken stew made with onion, garlic, sliced chicken breasts mushrooms, stock and some savoy cabbage in for the last few mins. Served with couscous then followed up with HM forage crumble (apples blackberries and damsons) and a smidgen of ice cream. No wine - felt very virtuous, it can't last!

Two NSDs as far as groceries go but it can't last, my relatives are coming for the weekend and although they will be out for quite a bit of it visiting other people, our fridge is now very bare so I do have to stock up tomorrow.

Jevvers

ChocClaire wow lucky you with all those plums! What about plum and almond tart or plum clafoutis.

I found a great victoria plum tree in the park yesterday but all the low ones had gone and even though I climbed up I couldn't reach many. It's a shame as it was really laden down but you would need a very long ladder to get them so they will probably remain unpicked. The ones I did get were gorgeous tho!

Herbyme

Spiggle thanks a MILLION! What a GREAT post and how very kind of you to bother to type it out for everyone, me especially. I seem to feel a bit like someone in charge of a wild animal that will, almost inevitably, escape or maul me very soon, I'm only putting off the awful moment with my careful tactics. I need to tame it, or be braver and have more faith in myself.

Having said that I went to MrM for beans and cheese, came out about £25 worse off having bought a birthday cake, 4 tupperwares to help my picnic/school lunch efforts, some woopsied donuts for a treat and flapjacks for all the kids in DS's class (b/d tomorrow). :whistle:Not even sure if allowed to take cakes in any more.

BUT did make a fab chicken and bacon pie last night from leftover roast chicken and some ready rolled puff pastry from a thrifty cook library book, it even used up leftover gravy! and it was totally gorgeous, even my picky family liked it.:j

2 steps forward and 1 step back, as in many things in life, but at least it's forward on balance. It's educating myself out of years of spending without thinking that's tricky. Like quitting smoking, I guess, habits are hard to change. That's why help from all you guys is so hugely appreciated:T

Jevvers - fishing net on long pole worth a try?!

ChocClare - you could roast them with sugar and a dash of whatever liqueur you have to hand - the recipe said marsala but I fancy amaretto...if I had any plums, which I don't...

EllieM

Hi, I would like to join in with the September challenge

We are a family of 5 and I've estimated that we spend around £600 per month on food :eek: this must be reduced! Please put me down for £500 (although I'm working hard to not spend much more than £450)

Thanks

katholicos

carolinerunner wrote: »

Jevvers - fishing net on long pole worth a try?!

That is exactly what we saw one man do this afternoon...he was fishing next to the river and fancied an apple, he took his net and held it up by the apples on the tree...we were passing by so he gave me and mum one each too....we found a tree with lower branches further along, but that nice act of kindness made my day!

welshkaz

A nsd for me today too woohoo 2 on the trot miracles do happen..

kittie2475

Hello - well I have spent money but not had chance to add it up yet. My DD is only 7 months and last two days have been teething hell!! But I have done a freezer audit, and went to MrT's last night to get a few bargains and I now have the stuff for at least 20 meals in the freezer so I'm super pleased. I've ordered the takeaway book and today I'm ordering a slow cooker. I'm a convert!!! Today should be a NSD apart from I've decided to try and find a sack of potatoes as I think prob most economical way to buy them .

I love reading this thread - it amazes me how resourceful everyone is!!