The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

VJsmum

And the chocolate

katep23

A heads up for the FB pie lovers amongst you (I know there are a few!) Family Bargains have the just chicken FB pie and Princes mince beef pie for 99p each.

Pooky

The way I understand it is that frozen veg is picked and frozen within a few hours therefore will be at its peek of vitamin content, most of the so called fresh veg around today is picked early, ripened artificially and then shipped all around the country, most of it is a good couple of weeks old before it hits the shops. Yes the texture of frozen stuff is a bit hit and miss but you do learn over time what works. I steam most of it as it keeps it's shape a bit more, if I'm not steaming it then I only just bring it to the boil.
I find we eat far more veg if it's frozen as its so easy to chuck a handful of this and that into the pot/sauce as you're cooking.

Bigjenny

Fuddle I buy frozen cauliflower and broccoli, being on my own I found that fresh ones were going over before I could eat them. Don't buy frozen cabbage though, its all stalk.

fuddle

Thank you pooky. I'm known to boil the legs off stuff so that's a really helpful tip. Ta

I'm trying to fathom why something that has been prepared and sliced, frozen and care to keep it frozen upon shipping, cos of running freezers in SM, has pretty much optimal nutrients etc costs much less to the consumer. The veg still has to be sourced so why is 'fresh' veg costing a premium while frozen is marked much cheaper? Just throwing my thoughts out... I don't expect toughies to know the answer, although I wouldn't be surprised if someone did

FairyPrincessk

Fuddle, it is because there is less waste with frozen. Fresh veg doesn't have a very long shelf life, people will reject the less than perfect/bruised pieces and it is very difficult to predict exactly how much will be bought. With frozen, the SM can keep it on the shelf for a much longer time, imperfect shapes etc can simply be sliced up with the rest and if people don't buy as much one week it doesn't go off before the next week. I've also read the frozen is quite healthy. HTH.

Cheapskate

I don't usually buy much frozen veg - peas, sweetcorn, green beans, etc - but this winter I will be, mostly for budgeting reasons. I've sometimes frozen fresh veg to stop it going over if I know we won't use it in time. Need to plan a bit better this autumn/winter, I can see fruit and veg prices creeping up already! :eek:

Fuddle, glad to hear DD has put a bit of weight on, bet she'll be ok, especially when we get into autumn and you do all those lush comfort foods!

Going to play at a friend's house for a bit (free!) then finish my lists of what's in the freezer and pantry and do menus until the end of the month. Got kids' new school shoes the other day - £70 for 2 pairs !!!!!!! :mad: Both of them, even the 4 year old, will be taught how to clean them at that price!

A xo

cosette

Just a quick note about decaffeinated coffee - you can buy decaf coffee that has been decaffeinated using the 'Swiss water process' rather than chemicals. I haven't read anything negative about this process, so it's what I choose if I can.

I must admit I find that programme really annoying (although didn't see that particular episode). The style and the presenters are so dumbed down, and even when the content is interesting it could usually all be said in about 5-10 minutes!

Food choices are hard though aren't they, that's why I prefer to buy as little 'packaged' stuff as possible, otherwise I spend ages having to read the labels. My daughter is the same, and often wails 'Mum, I'm turning into you...!'

Possession

Ditto, Cheapskate. They handed me a voucher for 20% off while I was in there, but surprise surprise it was only for adult shoes. Excuse me, I've just spent over £70 on 2 pairs of shoes in your shop, I can't afford to buy any shoes for myself!
Thanks all for the info on decaf drinks. I don't drink them very often so I think I'll just not worry about it.
Re. frozen veg, I buy a big bag of frozen carrots to make soup with, it's cheaper, makes a huge pot and no peeling or chopping.

School uniform - DS's new school has a rather eye-wateringly expensive sports kit and logo-d shirts, but still allows you to get skirt/trousers/jumpers in a generic style. I think I've had to spend about £280 so far and I don't have football boots/mouth guard and other little bits yet. I also need to get his bus pass soon, but my parents have very kindly said they will pay for that.

Popperwell

cosette wrote: »

Just a quick note about decaffeinated coffee - you can buy decaf coffee that has been decaffeinated using the 'Swiss water process' rather than chemicals. I haven't read anything negative about this process, so it's what I choose if I can.

I must admit I find that programme really annoying (although didn't see that particular episode). The style and the presenters are so dumbed down, and even when the content is interesting it could usually all be said in about 5-10 minutes!

Never heard of that process, whatever brand does that should publicise the fact...agree regarding the comment on the programme in general, most of these kind of series are similar in their format/style. And are padded out.