April 2012 Grocery Challenge

tigerfeet2006

Sorry Nick, glad you managed to eat your brekkie first

It just amused me as they usually show the small independants on these Life of Grime type programmes and this shows that even the big guys can get it wrong.

sistercas

bought a couple of things yesterday in marks , one was some ham on 3 for 2 , dated till 2nd april , ive opened it this morning and it smells rank :eek: that means a trip to town to return it and complain, its really annoying because i havent got my car at the moment and its a bit of a trek , i never normally buy from marks as its too far away :mad:

tessie_bear

hi...lovely here again...going to have ribs for tea and think about making a curry for the weekend.....kids break up today and tomorrow so that will mean an increase in the spends as they always eat more than a packed lunch

might go to home bargains and get some crisps and drinks for a couple of picnics over easter...fingers crossed for the weather

take care tess

mumofthetwins

Well i have started early - 2 packs of wrights bread mix 18p and 5 bags of rowntrees jellys whoopsied to 10p each = 68p.

just going to figure out how to update mt signature ....

Lisa

debbym

Was going to have my first NSD in "April" yesterday but DS and DD managed to empty the bottle of suntan lotion they were sent to school with this week. Bought a Boots Kids 8-hour bottle (7.99) it was halfprice luckily, but since it lasts 8 hours I can apply it at home before they go to school so it should last longer. Had to justify the diesel for the trip so bought some other bits and bobs from MrM's at the same time so another £22.50 bites the dust but I should be OK now until Sunday....

fozziebeartoo

I would like to join for April please!

I am living alone for the 1st time ever, but still shopping like I have all the family here......:o

It's great for my store cupboard (Sallys Stores) on Second Purse thread, but not good for my bank balance

I am experimenting and trying to find what suits my new lifestyle best, currently I am withdrawing cash and trying to just use that - but sometimes I forget and use my cards.

I still feed youngest DD and DGD often and often have family or friends round to be fed at weekends so I swing from catering for 1, to catering for 6, so that doesnt help my budgeting!! :rotfl:

I am going to start with an April budget of £350 for all food, toiletries, consumables etc and will track it from April 1st to 30th in my signature.

FrugalLina

Fozziebeartoo, I had the same problem when my son moved out - it took me ages to readjust to shopping (and cooking) for just one. Likewise, I often cater for visitors, but just make a big dish of something and freeze what is left.

At least your stores of food will be plentiful!

jumblejack

S-I_am wrote: »

Hiya Mysticshaz,
Here's my couscous salad recipe. I like it make with bulgar wheat too. Both keep well and are great the next day.

250g couscous or 200g bulgar wheat
400ml hot stock - from a cube is fine.
1 fresh chilli, finely chopped or a few flakes of dried chilli flakes. Whatever you have in.
1 onion, chopped
80g sultanas
80g nuts - I use peanuts from Sainsbobs basics range
A sm bunch of fresh parsley! Chopped. Not too finely, but that's my taste.
A tbs oil

Place the couscous in a shallow bowl and pour over the hot stock. If using bulgar wheat simmer in the stock until tender. Usually 10-15 mins.

In the meantime add the oil to a frying pan. When it's hot add the chopped onion and cook over a gentle heat for about 8 mins, until the onion is soft. Then add the chilli and cook for another 2 mins.

Drain any excess liquid then Fluff up the couscous / buglar wheat with a fork - don't use a spoon as it causes it to clump together. Then, still using the fork stir in the onion and chilli mixture, sultanas, nuts and parsley. Taste and season.

Serves 4

Enjoy

We love this served with sausages or chicken.

Loving this idea:T

For lunch today we are having potato and leek soup (the leeks cost 10p whoopsied) and freshly baked bread.

For tea, we are having leftover turkey casserole n potatoes (the turkey drumstick was 50p and the veggies were 8p and 5p respectively-whoopsies again of course!)

Gotta love the reductions:T

Definitely looking our for some couscous again now. Your recipe sounds easy and adaptable:T

S-I_am

jumblejack wrote: »

Loving this idea:

Definitely looking our for some couscous again now. Your recipe sounds easy and adaptable:T

Thanks. The recipe is completely adaptable, the sultanas could be substituted for dried apricots or dried cranberries, whatever dried fruit you have in the cupboard. And the same goes for the nuts.
Enjoy.

We haven't been paid yet, and have no funds left, so we've been living out of cupboards since Mon. Things are now getting interesting. I went to make some bread today only to realise that we've ran out of white bread flour. So, I'm making an Empty the cupboards bread So far my dough is comprised of strong white flour, rye flour, wholemeal bread flour and spelt . Haven't a clue what it's going to taste like. But here's hoping.

Has anyone else come up with strange but successful combinations as the store cupboard, fridge etc gets low?

Sx

fozziebeartoo

FrugalLina wrote: »

Fozziebeartoo, I had the same problem when my son moved out - it took me ages to readjust to shopping (and cooking) for just one. Likewise, I often cater for visitors, but just make a big dish of something and freeze what is left.

At least your stores of food will be plentiful!

Thank you FrugalLina! I am relieved it isnt just me struggling to adjust!

My freezer is stuffed with basics, so I use a packet of mince for example and then seem to have twice as much in left overs to try and fit back in......I seem to be making NO inroads
there! :rotfl:

And my laundry stores have had to be relocated as they outgrew their cupboard.

The sensible me knows I really should just stop shopping :eek:, but it is such a large social/getting out of the house/getting some excercise thing for me, that I just dont want to stop....;)