a month without supermarket - new challenge for 2011 starts at post 1013

lil_me

Pale chicken isn't always bad. At my sisters last week and she had some supermarket chicken (Coop I think) and it had pink patches. You could see where they had added the colouring and it haddn't gone through. Another thing that makes me feel icky I seen in someone elses fridge was Bear cooked meat, Billy Bear I think it's gimic name was, never looked before when I have seen it in shops but what on earth they must do to the meat to make it that shape and colour, eww!

I did have a 'bad' moment today. Took the kids to the forest which is about a 25 mile drive away, went past several farm shops and just farms advertising potatoes, eggs etc, this horrible thought came into my head of *If I didn't have the kids with me or could leave one behind* *If only the dogs weren't in the boot* :rotfl: bad Mammy.

Some things yes I still use a supermarket for, but most things I don't now. Some is more expensive, but especially the meat, it's worth every bit extra for. One thing I won't do is order meat for delivery aain I don't think, apart from the extra 'miles' it travelled, every bit of it was off, the chicken Goodness Direct said to freeze I defrosted, it was going green and it stank!

competitionscafe

dianadors wrote: »

I thought it was great when supermarkets started opening on Sundays - now I hate to see cars full of people wasting precious family time shopping. I refuse to do it anymore. We don walking boots and go for lovely long walks in all weathers, creating wonderful memories for the kids.

You sound like great parents - what better than for when your children become adults to look back on Sunday walks with the family, seeing the seasons change and having such good positive memories in contrast with those kids who will have memories of their weekends revolving around a stressful weekly shop at an overcrowded supermarket. I am not at all religious but would be quite happy to see all shops closed on a Sunday as there are so so many better ways to spend the day with family or friends than going shopping...!

hazzie123

I had to go to Tescos tonight,I needed some sugar free jelly,cant for the life of me find any down the local town shops.

I was really good,only bought 4 packets of sugar free jelly and a box of Kallo stock cubes.

I was quite impressed with my 3 year old daughter who kept telling other shoppers to get out of tesco and go home.I`m gunna have to train her to tell them to get out of tesco and go to the butchers and greengrocers.

My freezer is slowly getting stocked up full of meat from the butchers and homemade meals.Another couple of weeks and it will be full,hopefully lasting me a whole month.

lil_me

I never shop on a Sunday, never will. Drives me potty as there are too many people cramming themselves into the shops. Saturdays even on the hight street is too much for me aswell. Hate it. In fact hate so much I go on quiet times even during the week. I've had to visit one shop on a Sunday in god knows how long and that was for paracetamol for my son in the local store (which opens limited hours on Sunday, saying that she also opens Christmas Day!) Called in there for some bits today, unfortunately local shopping cost me £4.99 for suncream which the same product is £1 in pound stores and she's had it there since last year but had no choice but to buy local today.

the_optimist

hazzie123 wrote: »

I was quite impressed with my 3 year old daughter who kept telling other shoppers to get out of tesco and go home.I`m gunna have to train her to tell them to get out of tesco and go to the butchers and greengrocers.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Make sure you get your goods before she says it - in case Mr T throws you out!:D

I've finally found a farm shop close by (it opened last Saturday) and together with the weekly market plus some independent shops I can get nearly everything outside supermarkets. The few bits I do still get from the supermarkets, I get so quickly, there's no time to browse for anything else, yeah :cheesy:

Psykicpup

ummm how long was this for.......
still doing it - wandered into Somerfields last Sat - didnt make it past the veg lol - felt like I was being 'unfaithful' to all the local shops I have found - who now recognise me & stop for a chat.......

tinselfairy

I haven't been as successful at this challenge as I hoped I would be.
I have found alternative sources for some of our groceries and toiletries and so I suppose it's a work in progress as now I can just keep an eye out wherever I may be for other alternatives.
It has made me look at what I buy and I have finally got around to making a rolling six week menu to match in with DH shift pattern. I started it this week, although a bit of a cheat as DS was away for 2 nights with grandparents, but I took my list to Sainsburys and bought ONLY what was on the list.
It has been topped up with bread and fruit and veg from our local shop.
I don't think a non supermarket shop for me once a month is likely to be a reality, but I thank COOLTRIKER for starting this thread and everyone who has contributed for making me think about how and where I spend my money.

catznine

Nearly there! :beer:

Last month I think my bill was £186 for a month from 21st Feb
So far I have spent another £102 if I keep this up (which I will) for rest of month then total for this month will be £162 :j which will cover the weekly organic deliveries of fruit, veg, milk, eggs and butter and about £15 a week for anything else. Cupboards and freezers still seem to be pretty full so might be less. Definately saving money shopping this way!:money:

We have eaten better I feel, Moussaka using mince from Jimmys Farm and aubergines from veg box, Beef in red wine using more meat from Jimmys Farm, Bolognaise, cous cous from health food shop, chicken from butcher in market.

Our butcher in the market has been in the paper recently a bit upset that people are saying there is no local butcher in town, it seems people have forgotton he exists shame really as he is very good.

Anyway thanks to Cooltrikerchick we have now found a better and cheaper way to shop!:T

hazzie123

Went to the butchers today and bought what I like to call "poor mans steak" Which is actually liver,it cost me 50p for two big pieces and was absolutley gorgeous.

I know some people turn their noses up at offal but it is very cheap and filling and very good for you as an alternative of a big juicey steak.

And for 50p you cant go wrong.

lil_me

Catzine, what is the stuff like from Jimmy's if you don't mind me asking ? Do you get it delivered or live near the farm ?

As for offal, I'm certainly one of those who turns nose up, I can't even stand the smell of liver, kidneys etc. Definately not for me.