I'm eating out of the freezer and cupboards challenge

recovering_spendaholic

Kirri - I bought quinoa last year and really tried to like it but found that it had a weird taste that I just couldn't stomach! In the end I gave it to my sister and she didn't like it either.

Thanks for the mint cake cheesecake recipe Lynsey!

I have been thinking about getting a slow cooker but I have to say that when I had one in the past I didn't like the way that the food was always a bit "juicy" - I thought I might get the Morphy Richards Flavour Savour multi cooker where you can brown the meat first in it and then switch it to slow cook, but I'm not sure. I work from home so don't actually need the slow cook function, but I am trying to use my oven less as my electricity bills are astronomical, so this might save me a bit.

Breakfast today was toast, elevenses was a marzipan muffin and lunch will be soup. Tea tonight is sweet and sour pork, made using the pork fillet I defrosted overnight.

Lip_Stick

Hmmm not sure what you mean about food being a bit juicy r_s. You need to add less water when cooking with the slow cooker as the water is retained. I did a chilli not so long back in it. I added a bit of water which I didn't have to as the juice from the tin of toms would have been fine, so it ended up ever so slightly watery. Otherwise it was full of flavour, a lot better than I've ever done on the hob.

Kirri

I can't remember the quinoa tasting of anything last time I had it! It's supposedly very good for you, high in protein so I must persevere plus I have 4 containers of it!!

Btw, what is a marzipan muffin??

Breakfast, I had some soya milk to use up so had it with frozen allotment strawberries from 2010 and some out of date protein powder, have had better breakfasts...

Lynsey

Kirri wrote: »

Lynsey, time to fight back against the marketing ploys of the supermarkets maybe go cold turkey and don't shop for a month!! (unless fresh essentials). There will ALWAYS be something on offer next week/month.. I do buy some things when on offer but they are eco/organic/basic items mainly so offers are far less frequent, if I bought 'normal' brands the shops seem heaving with offers. The shops have us where they want us, stocking up, buying more than we need etc..

I'm actually trying to go "cold turkey" for 12 weeks, then off for a few days away.
I must have over 6 months worth of food (freezers and cupboards), so need to reduce before stocking up again.
You're 100% right, there will always be something on offer next week/month, it's never ever failed yet. I think I really need to "educate" myself on getting down to one freezer and top up the second, don't just fill it because there is a space and I've seen yet another bargain.
Apart from "whoopsies" though, I've had a lot of stuff for nothing or next to nothing thanks to coupons and coupon "glitches", so not much money spent really, but went OTT a few times.
I stated on the coupons thread that this year is my "Control Year", not just cutting back on food and groceries etc, but keeping away from the GRABBIT thread also, an area of fantastic savings and especially "glitches", but I'm limiting now.
Martin's mantras are really very good if you can stick to them, that's where real money savings can be made. :money:

Did I tell you about my mobile phone contracts??
No, well that's another day.
Cut back on thoose this year also, even though I was actually getting paid more back than the actual contract value. Halved that to 3 contacts from 6 (all family, not all mine), so I have actually been trying, trying to CONTROL.

I promise I'll use the slow cooker within the next 7 days.............not too sure about the rice cooker though!!! That was a waste of money. :rotfl:

Lynsey

Kirri

Your house must be like a tardis with all that stashed away!! 6 mobile contracts too! Did you add up how much you spent last year on food?

I got hooked on the grabbit board the Christmas they had the 2 x duvet sets for 5p and the 2 x jeans I didn't need either... It's so much harder to get rid of things I find - so at least with the food reduction I can see an increasing amount of space I love

Finally had lunch as the bread was ready and nearly finished another lump of cheese.

Dinner - I think will potato and celeriac bake/gratin of some sort, maybe par boiled then cooked in some stock in the oven.. with cold Quorn Roast (again).

Julimk

DD’s pretty good really & has (mostly) been eating whatever homemade meal is put in front of her throughout her childhood. She often says she prefers anything I have cooked from scratch to any other meals.:D Recently she did a questionnaire at school & her diet was the second healthiest in the class, so am doing something right.

She has just reached the age, nearly teenager, where wants a bit more independence & a bit more of a say in what she eats. Last year I got her involved in the meal plans & she planned out a rota of different proteins, checked cookbooks for new meal ideas etc.

Unfortunately, we were both ill over New Year & it’s all gone out the window. Really must try harder!:o

Lynsey

Kirri wrote: »

Your house must be like a tardis with all that stashed away!! 6 mobile contracts too! Did you add up how much you spent last year on food?

No I never kept a check last year, only from the latter half of 2011 when I decided to combine eating out of cupboards and freezers with a budget - basically to give me more options than just trying to use what I had (not that committed) and to see how much I could save as I didn't need to buy and had the luxury of just picking up bargains - some great ones also at times.

Re tardis: My house isn't that bad really, even though there must be a good few hundreds of pounds of groceries, cleaning stuff and toiletries, I have the stuff scattered (neatly and organised) all over the place, lots of cupboards, garage, loft etc. I do give stuff away also (MIL and son and to a neighbour now and again). PDF coupons when the stuff works out free or they even pay me to take the stuff away was my downfall. I wasn't really greedy for myself as I gave stuff away, but got a great buzz at hitting the BIG 4, even though it really was the manufacturers who stood the cost.
Lyric wise it was Queens, "I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now." - now it's more like Oasis's "Little by little".
Basically, it was addictive and fun at the same time. Anyone new to couponing can save a fortune at first as they have all the coupons available and using them with offers and with £2 off £20's etc, can max up. They do dry up to a degree until they are updated or new ones come along...............and they do. How many more shampoos, conditioners or shower gels do I need though?? They'll get used and I should just wait until I'm down to 3 months supplies, but I regarded bargains as investments, if that makes sense.

God, that's enough and I've had my Viking gammon and although I've been out today, I've managed to avoid going into supermarkets and shops and even passed ASDA twice.
Another NSD, 2 in a row and only 10p spent in 3 days. :j
Milk will last until tomorrow and I'll get some then, running low on potatoes and need some double cream (possibly Saturday). Cheese is going down in fridge, but got some in the freezer for cooking (sauces etc.).

Get the slow cooker out in the morning to take a look and clean the dust off!! Pork casserole seems favourite, though I'm sure there are some lamb cutlets hiding, or possibly sausage casserole??

Lynsey

Lip_Stick

I made a Jambalaya style dish out of rice, mixed seafood, green pepper, onion, chopped tomatoes, and spicy chinese hot pot seasoning I had stashed (great stock take I did as I missed that off I notice). Was tasty with lemon juice added. I did wayyy too much though as there's enough for another meal leftover.

Jumlink. I'm hoping ds turns out like your daughter and eats all my home made food. He's just turned four and I think he's getting bad habits from other kids saying 'I don't like pasta' or 'cheese' but then eats it anyway and enjoys it lol. He is good and never turns his nose up unless it's too spicy, but he does like things 'a little bit spicy' he says.

Edit - realised I missed the seafood off my list too! What a rubbish stock take I've done, no wonder it was so quick!

VfM4meplse

recovering_spendaholic wrote: »

Kirri - I bought quinoa last year and really tried to like it but found that it had a weird taste that I just couldn't stomach! In the end I gave it to my sister and she didn't like it either

Kirri wrote: »

I can't remember the quinoa tasting of anything last time I had it! It's supposedly very good for you, high in protein so I must persevere plus I have 4 containers of it!!

Persevere you must! Quinoa can be used just like couscous and bulgare wheat, and is ideal for a tabbouleh-type salad / to bulk out a soupy dish. Or try it with a little salt, ground pepper and a little oil from a jar of sundried tomatoes for a quick and simple snack.

Lynsey wrote: »

I'm actually trying to go "cold turkey" for 12 weeks, then off for a few days away.

Lysney, you have been such an inspiration on this thread. I'm not going anywhere near a supermarket until Saturday (maybe longer) but will make a quick trip to my local fruit stall tomorrow. The fridge is empty of actual food, save for some milk and opened condiments...last week I used up an ancient stash of Shredded Wheat, have moved onto the Oat-So-Simple now (bought c2006 ) and then will get stuck into the Weetabix. Am still taking soups and curries out of the freezer but don't always fancy them on the day, they keep for another couple of days in the fridge and are still tasty (and safe!) when heated thoroughly. At this rate, I think I'll be able to defrost the freezer before Easter!

Kirri

Can I confess this evening I felt totally fed up of dinner from what I had to use up yet again.. felt like going to the supermarket to get something I fancied instead!!