September 2011 Grocery Challenge

Need2bthrifty

Morning All, got to the end of my 1st ever GC (5wks). Have to say the last couple of wks were tough and seriously challenged my culinary inventiveness and taste buds. I’ve always enjoyed vegetarian meals, however having forced myself into eating mostly veggie (couldn’t get any meat offers and refused to pay full whack) I think it is more about re-educating my mind and being receptive to new flavours and textures. The Shepherdless Pie was the most challenging, it looked like Shepherds Pie but my brain couldn’t compute the taste, therefore a GOOD dollop of “brown” sauce was needed, so spent 0.30p on sainsbugs basic brown sauce in order to replenish stock as there’s another 3 portions in the freezer.

Been baking loads as a treat for myself – cup cakes, scones, ginger biscuits and twinks hobnobs , loads of which are in the freezer so should keep me going for a few of wks. (btw, the hobnobs were great crumbled into my hm yoghurt, better than just plain oats & honey)

I will need to restock my baking supplies, start building up my store cupboard items again as well as cleaning products/toiletries/loo roll (noticed sainbugs has offers on shower stuff so might treat myself to one of the big brands, although I have been using their 0.11p basics baby bath which is adequate – just doesn’t smell so nice)

So I’m declaring for September’s challenge, in credit by 0.32p, spent £49.68/50.00.

Because I intend doubling up on purchases, I will up my total for October to £80.00 (25/9 – 29/10 another 5wks)

debbiedeejay

Hello Just wizzing through while am busy in kitchen making starters and pudding for Sunday lunch at my Dads (helps him out a bit - he's 85,still insists we go for Sunday lunch every week,normally he cooks the whole lot but since there will be 7 of us today,thought he could do with a hand!)

Just pulled out receipts from past couple of days and have spent a total of £30.10 in Mr mozzies - which included an extra spend yesterday aft of £8.94 of bacon and buns,milkshakes,and quorn version of bacon slices for veggie DD2 as a treat for all after first footy game of season played -still lots left over for another meal too so thats ok.

right am off tocheck out my mushroom starters (big mushrooms stuffed with garlic & herb philly on offer at 99p Mr Mozzies and topped off with homemade breadcrumbs -into oven for 15 mins-yummy!):)

meg72

tessie_bear wrote: »

hi...

we went to warwick uni today to pick up conkers...got loads what a shame we cant eat them

take care tess

Yes I have always considered it a shame we cant eat them but I do like to pick a few up to bulk out Christmas Pot-Pouri and one year had great fun sticking woggle eyes on them with a little red hat to make tree decorations.

zippychick

HI ladies, am setting up Octobers thread. Rosieben- are you happy if i copy your lists from the start of the thread?I see they are all very recently up to date. Which ever suits, let me know

Helenjelly - you've done a fantastic job! Are you happy to help in October? If so let me know when your list is updated to copy

Thanks to both the aforementioned ladies for your help. Pink and I very much appreciate it:j:A:D

Zip

jpscloud

I've stopped counting for this month, as I went way over. I have spent only MSE stylee though, stocking up on value products and non perishables on offer, etc. - so hopefully next month will be rolling in on budget!

angelatgraceland

Aromatherapy=veggies roasting in olive oil in the oven! just my "thought for the day"! DD made lovely gingerbread people the other day-needless to say they were devoured quickly. I've had a rummage through the freezer and pulled out a bag of stewing steak, a bag of bacon pieces-thick ones from offcuts pack and some pizza dough I made last year in the BM. Tonight I will be cooking for tomorrow and will make bacon and onion pudding,steak and onion pudding and 3 pizzas. That should suit everyones varying tastes! Ive prebooked a Mr A delivery for Mon week but struggling to top it up to £99 for my free delivery(Mr A credit card). Ice***d have loo rolls on offer I am told-18 rolls for £4. I don't really like cheap loo rolls but as my "kids" seem to eat them I may well get some for upstairs. Ive also got a bad cold so Im getting through them too. Sorted out my kitchen cupboard and rejigged what I keep in the cupboard in the garage so nothing gets forgotten.

rosieben

zippychick wrote: »

HI ladies, am setting up Octobers thread. Rosieben- are you happy if i copy your lists from the start of the thread?I see they are all very recently up to date. Which ever suits, let me know .. Zip

that's fine Zip, thank you for the new thread :A

so to keep things simple, any recipes from this point on I will add to the October thread - if anyone notices me updating this month please feel free to

Spinmerightround

Popped into M's earlier and bought myself a bottle wine and few other bits that were on offer including hubby's fav cereal for £1, so need to add £8.95

minicazzybee

Happy sunday everyone, hope you're all having a wonderful weekend.

My DS is on a 'boys' only weekend with OH, so it's been wonderfully peaceful and quiet weekend for me. Thought I would have to hit the shops big-time in order to fill the time, but instead have been very productive and had a huge sort-out of kitchen drawers/cupboards/DS's toy boxes in preparation for his 2nd birthday which will inevitably involve an avalance of new toys.

Bit hungover today after a wonderful night out with mummy friends (used a groupon voucher for gorgeous meal-very MSE) and the meal was fabulous, strongly recommend The Olive Tree for excellent Greek food for anyone in the Leeds area.

So due to the hangover I couldn't face AS*A, so trotted off to the local A!di instead and must have just timed it right. Only spent £8.76 for a weeks shop included 2 packs of Beef Stir-fry strips, reduced from £2.19 to £1.53. So will turn one pack into Beef in Garlic and Ginger Noodle Stir-fry and shall probably reincarnate the other one into Beef Pad Thai, or maybe even an egg-fried rice.

Have given their fake Pantene a go too, but not holding out much hope for it; has anyone tried it?

TrixieB

zippychick wrote: »

Thanks to both the aforementioned ladies for your help. Pink and I very much appreciate it:j:A:D

Zip

Hear hear! :j:beer::T

Afternoon all, NSD here. Thankyou for your words of encouragement re the boyfirend. Leftover sausage stew and hm bread again for tea. If he moans I will throw it at him. And send him back home to his mother's. He's moving in next month, think we're heading for a few rows!!

Angelatgraceland the bread was fine with my adjustments, was going to put some grated cheese in too but then realised need that for tomorrows chicken pasta bake