April 2017 Grocery Challenge

Ginmonster

I've gone over for the month this time. I popped into H&B yesterday to get some vegan mayo for the weekend as we're having a big party (a BBQ so fingers crossed the weather improves) and one of the guests is vegan so I want him to be able to have some of my hm coleslaw. It would have been fine if it was only the mayo but I then picked up veggie chorizo, veggie pepperoni and some smoky maple tempeh slices which I'd never seen before and really wanted to try. None of this was necessary I just wanted it! So £10.56 spent. I'm still pleased with myself as before I started this challenge we were regularly in overdraft by payday but now we're staying in credit. Win!


£107.37/£100

elsiepac

Ginmonster It's probably too late too help but Tesco actually sell Mayola in the free from seciton and it's about a £1, also their own brand vegan salad cream...for future reference to save a few pennies It's really kind of you to think of your vegan friend Also, assume the tempeh bacon is Tofurkey? If so, it's AMAZING

Ginmonster

Thanks Elsiepac! I'll bear that in mind next time. The one in H&B was a lot more than that.

Of course i make sure there's plenty for my friend to eat. He eats like a horse too! We've got a a mixture of omnivores, veggies like me and one vegan so we try and make sure everyone is well fed! I usually make some spicy chickpea and sweet potato burgers and then do Linda M sausages, corn on the cob and a camembert in a box on the veggie BBQ and leave hubby to sort out what goes on the meat one.

We just need the weather to play ball now...

Yes the tempeh is Tofurkey. Looking forward to trying it!

[Deleted User]

elsiepac wrote: »

Ginmonster It's probably too late too help but Tesco actually sell Mayola in the free from seciton and it's about a £1, also their own brand vegan salad cream...for future reference to save a few pennies It's really kind of you to think of your vegan friend Also, assume the tempeh bacon is Tofurkey? If so, it's AMAZING

OMG, sorry for sticking my oar in, but I really don't like the Mayola, it's vinegary, more like a (yuk) salad cream. I have tried most vegan mayos and the best imo is Vegenaise, you get it from Wholefoods, it's pricey though. Tastes like a nicer version of Hellmans. I love the salad cream, if your talking about the Free From one. You may know, Aldi now have a vegan icecream. Not tried it yet, but its meant to be nice.

Ginmonster wrote: »

Of course i make sure there's plenty for my friend to eat. He eats like a horse too! We've got a a mixture of omnivores, veggies like me and one vegan so we try and make sure everyone is well fed! I usually make some spicy chickpea and sweet potato burgers and then do Linda M sausages, corn on the cob and a camembert in a box on the veggie BBQ and leave hubby to sort out what goes on the meat one.it!

Sounds lovely. I'm sure he really appreciates the effort. Morrisons do a meatfree burger, 6 in a pack, suitable for vegans, which are really nice, I always have a pack in the freezer. Fingers crossed for the weather. Wouldn't mind the chickpea & potato burger recipe.

armchairexpert

Thanks for the lentil bolognese explanation, Suffolk Lass, all the detail is greatly appreciated!

I was feeling pretty optimistic last time I posted and then it all went sort of wrong. With one more weekly shop to do in the month I'm already at $867/1000 so unless I can convince my family to eat potato-stuffed parathas, dhal and vegetarian chilli all week (spoiler: I cannot do this) I'm going to go over.

It's a combination of Easter, school holidays (DH is home and cooking more, and his cooking is very much based around meat, plus if he's thirsty he'll make himself a glass of soft drink, or squash with sparkling mineral water, rather than just drinking tap water like a normal person), entertaining (we fed an extra 5 people for lunch yesterday) and just plain being lazy (last night DH and I were so knackered from cooking lunch for 9 that we went and bought pate and cheese and crackers for dinner).

It sounds like I'm not alone, either, so bring on May!

Ginmonster

Save_Dosh wrote: »

Wouldn't mind the chickpea & potato burger recipe.

Hmm.. recipe is a bit of an overstatement as it's something I've made up and refined over the years (we have a big party every year as my birthday falls either on or near the bank holiday).


What I do is bake a couple of sweet potatoes and then add the mashed up insides to a big bowl. I fry some onion and garlic and add that too. Then I add a couple of tins of chickpeas (partially squished usually), harissa, breadcrumbs, chopped fresh coriander, salt, pepper, sometimes some ras-al-hanout, sometimes some cayenne pepper if I want it spicier. Last year I also added some vital wheat gluten and this made them hold together much better! I don't really have quantities, I just add until it looks and tastes right and then shape into burgers and coat in a bit of flour. You have to be a little careful with them on the BBQ but any leftovers are easy to cook in a frying pan with a splash of oil.

Kayalana99

Kayalana99 wrote: »

£43 this week so £147 so far total, I could have bulked it out to!£50 but I worked out yesterday we have 16 meals :eek: frozen (not really including the random freezer stuff too like chicken pops etc, but proper meals to be made) but I did have to put a few extra items on to get it over the £40 inc extra butter and 2 extra pizzas which I know will last forever. It's going well but I worry what happens when all my freezer stuff runs out how much I'd spend on an average week.

P.s I got another code with the shopping itself rather then the e-mail ones I was using so worked out lovely!

£41 this week so total comes to £188

I think my credit card renews before next months bills so I think that might be me done and technically £188/£200 as the target was £50 unless I buy anything again during week but 9/10 I don't...

Go me!

This week was £39 too before I started getting it to £50 for the £10 off voucher so again I have a few extra pieces....oops. Just one more to go but I won't get it next week but the week after.... every little helps and all that.

(We put all food and petrol on a CC and pay it off in full every month, just find it easier for a lump sum)

Ginmonster

Last spend of the month today of £10.47 on fruit, veg and herbs.


At £117.84/£100 I'm over this month but it's not a disaster. See you in May!

[Deleted User]

Thanks Ginmonster for the burger recipe, will definately try, minus the Harissa (not got that)

pamsdish

£21 spent in Lidl, and Morries, £31 bulk buys, will amend sig and see total damage to budget.
£3 left in budget, overspent on bulk buys £6, but hopefully not much needed for ages.