Living richly; simply and debt-freely

rtandon27

Greying - my dear - could you please return Tilly's clogs? - I've had your 'food for thought' clunking around in my mind all day! Lovely reads you've linked too - really made me think - I do know about the closet challenge & followed it (loosely) to develop my own workwear 'uniform' - but the kitchen challenge is totally new to me!

I think we would have a hard time for instance picking a certain type of cheese - we go for whatever happens to be on sale knowing we need 'cheese' either a hard or a soft to replace what we've used up - and veg we try to buy in season, but low and behold if the asparagus is red stickered so low it's almost free, we buy those instead of full price (value) broccoli. We tend to have 1 green veg serving for each meal & since fresh can be pricey it's really whatever is cheapest per serving, not what specific may be on the list.

On the other hand - that bag of quinoa lurking in the cupboard needs to be used - I don't know if we like it because we never got round to eating it! So for us it tends to be the fads we need to stay away from - on sale or not - if we stick to fresh and simple we keep our spends low and keep the stores ticking over. Storecupboard staples should be things we use at least once every two weeks, everything else needs to live at the supermercado until we really need it (if ever).

GP - thank-you again for keeping my cogs spinning & providing 'growed up' thoughts to chew on & digest!;)

(Maddiemay - a recipe to follow shortly to help use up your chickpea flour!)

nowpanicking

Greying_Pilgrim wrote: »

I've just been taking the menu plans for 2014 down off the noticeboard in the kitchen and I did a quick tally of how well/not we stuck to the plan. It seems that February and September were the best months, where we only deviated from the plan for 3 nights in the month. July was by far the worst, when we only had 15 of the dishes planned for the 31 day month.

I must admit, I thought I had done a similar tally up last year, but I've just been looking at the start of the year and couldn't find the relevant post I wonder if I was fed up of planning/sticking to the plan by July, or whether the glorious weather that we benefited from made each evening's choice the wrong one?

For the rest of the year, we seemed to average about 3 weeks out of every 4 following the plan. MMMM, of course, I have no way of knowing what would happen if I didn't menu-plan - although my instinct would go with it'd be boring and expensive.........

Lilty - you've done all that having just recently undergone surgery???? Lawks! You're a gal and a half! Oh, but I do so know what you mean about trying to get 'the perfect shot' - I take about [STRIKE]97[/STRIKE], [STRIKE]98[/STRIKE] 99 shots of me tea each evening! :rotfl:

Greying - still have me head immersed in me stores! :rotfl:

I always start off the year with good intentions with a full 4 weekly meal planner but it usually only lasts 3 or 4 months... like the rest of my mse thinking! I definitely spend a lot more when I don't menu plan plus a lot less healthily.... So I think it definitely works

rtandon27

Maddiemay - these 'pancakes' are a staple for our weekend breakfasts - they are gluten-free as well - which for me keeps the bloating down! - sorry it's 'over-the-pond' measurements! Started with the basic recipe - found on the net, but we add dried fruit, seeds & veg to provide a bit more nutrition.

Makes 4 medium-sized pancakes

• 1/2 cup chickpea flour
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon (muscovado) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil of your choice for cooking

Whisk together the flour, water, egg, sugar, baking soda and salt until all the clups are gone from the batter

Add the following:

• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
• 1 grated carrot

Heat skilleet over medium heat with some oil. Scoop about 1/4 of the batter into the pan, cook for about 1/2 minute until the edges are cooked and bubbles come through the batter. Flip and cook for another 10 to 20 seconds until other side is set. Best served while hot! (Dare I suggest a tiny bit of maple syrup, molasses or treacle drizzled on top?)

maddiemay

rtandon27 wrote: »

Maddiemay - these 'pancakes' are a staple for our weekend breakfasts - they are gluten-free as well - which for me keeps the bloating down! - sorry it's 'over-the-pond' measurements! Started with the basic recipe - found on the net, but we add dried fruit, seeds & veg to provide a bit more nutrition.

Makes 4 medium-sized pancakes

• 1/2 cup chickpea flour
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon (muscovado) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil of your choice for cooking

Whisk together the flour, water, egg, sugar, baking soda and salt until all the clups are gone from the batter

Add the following:

• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
• 1 grated carrot

Heat skilleet over medium heat with some oil. Scoop about 1/4 of the batter into the pan, cook for about 1/2 minute until the edges are cooked and bubbles come through the batter. Flip and cook for another 10 to 20 seconds until other side is set. Best served while hot! (Dare I suggest a tiny bit of maple syrup, molasses or treacle drizzled on top?)

oooohh, thank you so much, everything in stock and don't mind over the pond measurements at all:) I am waiting result of test to see if I am Coeliac, and may have to have endoscopy anyway, whatever the result I am going to drastically reduce or give up gluten as appropriate. Recipe filed away and may try it tomorrow, I have a little "proper" maple syrup left:D

7_week_wonder

Greying_Pilgrim wrote: »

One problem that I have - and I don't know how many times I have mentioned this, so I have to get a grip of it, is portion size.

This is one thing that I've accidentally cracked over this holiday! One of the more diverting parts of last year was being diagnosed with coeliac disease The plus is that I feel so much healthier following a gluten free diet, but I haven't quite got the hang of gluten free baking, so I caved in and bought some gluten free goodies for the festive season. I don't want to put them on the same plate as regular biscuits/cakes, so I've ended up serving individual little saucers (tiny ones designed for tapas) for each of us with just one biscuit in each. So instead of having two or three biscuits each like we would normally, we've had just one each haven't noticed the difference. Presentation is definitely everything in this case:) So yes, smaller more mindful servings is the way forward.

liltdiddylilt

Greying_Pilgrim wrote: »

Lilty - you've done all that having just recently undergone surgery???? Lawks! You're a gal and a half! Oh, but I do so know what you mean about trying to get 'the perfect shot' - I take about [STRIKE]97[/STRIKE], [STRIKE]98[/STRIKE] 99 shots of me tea each evening! :rotfl:

Greying - still have me head immersed in me stores! :rotfl:

Ha, you know me. No rest for the wicked and/or super stupid! in this house. It is all mothernerd style, little and often, don't push it too had or your spine pushes back stuff. I am feeling a lot better today x

gallygirl

maddiemay wrote: »

I have decluttered at least half of the remaining choccie brownies that I made yesterday for the family visit today, they clearly appreciated them and went off merrily with a box full:D

I didn't know you could declutter food by giving it away. I thought the rule was you had to eat yourself .*

GP I too need to clear the cupboards so you've inspired me. I also need to lose weight. Quickly .* So the packs of curry paste that are two years out of date are getting chucked :T.

Going back to page 1 to see what's for lunch tomorrow .




* These two statements may well be linked

7_week_wonder

maddiemay wrote: »

oooohh, thank you so much, everything in stock and don't mind over the pond measurements at all:) I am waiting result of test to see if I am Coeliac, and may have to have endoscopy anyway, whatever the result I am going to drastically reduce or give up gluten as appropriate. Recipe filed away and may try it tomorrow, I have a little "proper" maple syrup left:D

Oops - I missed this the first time round. I hope you get a conclusive result soon: if you are coeliac it isn't the end of the world and, for me at least, the benefits far out way the inconvenience of having to follow a gluten free diet!

sugarpuss27

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful one.
Bit late to the party, got the lergy and feeling a bit under the weather so have been wallowing in front of the TV. Hope you managed to catch Esio Trot. What a wonderful gentle story acted beautifully by Dame Jude and Dustin H. One of the best things on telly this Christmas season.:T
Thinking about your de-cluttering tales has made me think again about getting on with clearing the garden and summerhouse. My beloved garden got neglected for nearly 2 years as I had a shoulder problems and hubs is not gardener! (understatement). Then me Pa passed away and the summer passed by in the blink of an eye and all us daughters bought home all we could and filled up every available space with a life time of stuff that we couldn't or didn't want to sort out without proper thought. I have been doing this in dribs and drabs and have broken the back of it. Sooooo all that's left is toot that needs to go to the tip. Done the giving to whoever needs stuff and CS so onward and upward. Summerhouse needs a new floor, garden needs revamping and bringing back into line and a space for some veggies, cannot wait to get stuck in, it will be slow going as shoulders are not in good shape and hubs will have to help, (works long shifts) but it feels like a positive start to a New Year, moving forward, content and happy with my lot. Top of my list for this and every new year try harder to be kind not only to others but also to myself. It's taken me till my 50's to work out that we can only be who we are, do and be the best that we can and it'll be ok in the end.
Thank you GP for this thread and for all you wonderful posters who contribute. I don't post regularly but have gained so much from your insightful and witty comments.
I wish you all love and kindness.
SP

Hopefuljoy

Hello chums! In the spirit of decluttering food I've identified cans of lentils which need consuming. So delias chicken with lentils it is then this weekend. Also have a large quantity of quinoa which needs digging into and have a few recipes in mind for that. The freezer is quite small and largely empty so some portions of homemade lasagne will be frozen for dinners tomorrow as I made six portions today.

I agree with your philosophy Greying.... sufficient unto the day! Unless it is highly desirable and freezable I'm only cooking the two portions we need. I've found that I'm making much better use of the ingredients as a result and DD and I are eating more regularly as a result. Mind you she made a Delia chocolate agreeable torte today and it is amazing! It's cut into slices in the freezer to be shared with family tomorrow.

Just dashed back upstairs from emergency sink overflow!! Looks like a fat blockage. Blast!! It's all my fault for being lazy. I could kick myself. Towels everywhere under the sink unit. I am such an idiot and hate myself suddenly!! Does anyone have any handy hints before I fork out on an expensive plumber? Sorry for being so dramatic but it's easy to knock me off balance with house issues.

On that note I'm going to hide under my duvet until tomorrow. All water based machines are turned off so we will be fine. At moments like these I wish I had a lovely DP OR DH to help. Xx