The hardest challenge yet

dreaming

elantan wrote: »

Tinned lentils as well another thing i have never heard of, i tend to just use lentils i find them easy enough just shove them in and let them do their thing, will need to find a wee tin or two though as it's always good to have a back up supply, I tried shepherdless pie and just didnt like it, maybe it was the recipe i used will look out another one,

will occasionally use frozen veg and keep a handy supply but will be honest and say i dont find them as tasty and probably the way i cook them i find them too soggy. but maybe this is also something i need to work on. Thanks

oh we are sticking to cash, we have to, we have to get on top of this and we have accepted that it is going to be uncomfortable for quite a while,

was chatting with one of my brothers today and we talked about the psychology of buying things on amazon and other places how he just puts it in the basket and pays for it not thinking about it till the bill comes in and he's like WTAF did i buy, whilst i dont tend to buy from Amazon ( dont like how they treat their employees) i do buy other things ( including shopping) and didnt think about it cause it was on the debit card or the visa.

Yeah the amount of times we make it it will probably be worth making, but having an oven method would be a good idea as well... I am gonna try tinned spelt first ( if i can find out where to buy tinned spelt... admittedly havnt tried yet)

I'm not a fan of shepherdless pie either but have used lentils instead of mince in a lasagne or chilli and really enjoyed them. I think the amount of flavourings going in really adds to them. I even served up a lentil lasagne to a dedicated meat-eater who didn't notice. In some ways using lentils is better as I don't get the bloated feeling I can get after a full meat lasagne. I haven't tried tinned spelt either but have had one of the Jamie Oliver "cook in a microwave" meal of spelt risotto and it was very tasty. I bought the meals as we only had use of a microwave for a few days and they were on offer. I keep meaning to try to recreate the meal from scratch so will look out for the tins.

I'm the opposite of a lot of people and prefer to use my card for paying. I find cash just seems to dribble away. Having said that I am a very disciplined shopper and rarely make impulse buys (except for books and the odd craft item). I actually hate shopping and prefer to do as much online as I can as it gives me more thinking time and I often cancel before final checkout. I don't think I need anything other than milk and a few fresh veggies for a while as I stocked up before Xmas - I've even got biscuits left.

lessonlearned

Elan.......I know you are north of the border so which supermarkets do you have in your neck of the woods.

So far I've found Sainsbury's best for their own label tinned green lentils, and Asda or Morrison's for Napolina spelt. I also understand that B&M often have offers on tinned pulses.

I find Aldi are pretty good for those packs of precooked grains such as lentils, bulgar wheat etc They do a range called World Wide Foods, the lentil one is really tasty. You just zap them in the microwave for a minute. Couldn't be quicker or easier. Just over £1 so much cheaper than the Jamie Oliver ones. Not sure what Lidl have.

I realise that many of my suggestions aren't in the true MSE spirit Of completely cooking from scratch to save money. I know that dried pulses are much cheaper but, if you are pushed for time or just feeling overwhelmed then I see no harm in taking short cuts. Still far cheaper and healthier than takeaways. Same with vegetables etc.

Elan I'm not really a fan of frozen veg either but I do keep a few to hand just in case, mainly peas, sweet corn, endame beans, oven potatoes of some sort.

I know a lot of people are horrified at the idea of using prepared veg from the chiller cabinets but again I think it is perfectly ok when you are really pushed for time or stressed out.

A piece of lean meat or fish and some prepared vegetables slung in the oven and you can be eating healthy food within 30 minutes of arriving from work, so not that much longer than waiting for a takeaway. If you are ravenous then you could even be tucking into a starter such as soup or some healthy nibbles such as pate whist your main course is cooking.

I know my suggestions aren't necessarily the cheapest way of cooking but they are still both better and cheaper than junk food, ready meals, takeaways or your average chain restaurants.

Don't be hard on yourself....just take it one step at a time, transition in easy stages. You'll get there in the end.

dreaming

I agree with lessonlearned about not being too hard on yourself. When the children were young my then-husband lost his job and at the same tim mortgage interest rates were very high. I had to cut spending right to the bone for a while until he got a job and we got back on our feet. Although I no longer have to watch every single penny I do try to keep my costs down and attempt to cut out as much junk food as I can. Sometimes though short-cuts are worth the extra expense -in times of illness, busy-ness, or as I said before when access to cooking facilities is limited. As long as you eat healthily and thriftily most of the time then it shouldn't be a problem.
The other thing is that you have already done so much in paying off your mortgage and staying debt-free, plus all the other things you have written about. It must have taken a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where you are now so cut yourself (and your OH) a bit of slack from time to time. And cut out toxic friends too. Real friends don't make you feel bad about your life-style choices.

KxMx

There is nothing wrong with frozen veg.

In fact, it's often picked and frozen so quickly it is much more nutritious than fresh.

Frozen carrots I bring to the boil then cook on a high simmer for 20/25 mins, as my IBS only tolerates them when very soft.

I only ever gently heat through frozen peas/sweetcorn for 10-15 minutes before serving. I don't like them mushy or soggy!

Frozen jacket potatoes that you microwave have been a revelation... 5 minutes and you've got a perfectly cooked baked spud. Every time. I don't know how they do it!

You do get a soft skin rather than a crispy one, but just think about how little energy they use cooking compared to baking in the oven.

Jellytotts

Frozen veg are fab but yes they are soggy compared to fresh, mich more nutritional content. Frozen peas and sweet corn are a staple here and get chucked in with everything and anything or just served on their own, I just bring them to the boil so they still have some bite. Frozen cauli and broccoli are very soggy but added to a soup to blitz up is a cheap way of covering the flavour without the added waste of leaves and stalks (although I do use as much on fresh veg as possible)

I don't find risottos to much faff, just heat your stock in one pan, stuff chopped and ready to go and get stirring, I have a decent sized pan and get make 6 portions at once, can even stretch that if we have a portion between us with a pork steak and veg or with some bread and salad on the side. They're great for frozen veg too. Our favourite is bacon lardons (90p a pack in Lidl) with leeks (from our allotment) and then a few handfuls of frozen peas and sweet corn, a decent home made chicken stock and a sprinkle of herbs and it's fab. I only use a bit of grated cheddar instead of more expensive cheese as I only buy cheddar...it does the job nicely,

elantan

dreaming wrote: »

I'm not a fan of shepherdless pie either but have used lentils instead of mince in a lasagne or chilli and really enjoyed them. I think the amount of flavourings going in really adds to them. I even served up a lentil lasagne to a dedicated meat-eater who didn't notice. In some ways using lentils is better as I don't get the bloated feeling I can get after a full meat lasagne. I haven't tried tinned spelt either but have had one of the Jamie Oliver "cook in a microwave" meal of spelt risotto and it was very tasty. I bought the meals as we only had use of a microwave for a few days and they were on offer. I keep meaning to try to recreate the meal from scratch so will look out for the tins.

I'm the opposite of a lot of people and prefer to use my card for paying. I find cash just seems to dribble away. Having said that I am a very disciplined shopper and rarely make impulse buys (except for books and the odd craft item). I actually hate shopping and prefer to do as much online as I can as it gives me more thinking time and I often cancel before final checkout. I don't think I need anything other than milk and a few fresh veggies for a while as I stocked up before Xmas - I've even got biscuits left.

lentil lasagne, what a whole new world I'm learning about lol ... I wouldve never have thought of lentil lasagne.... its deff a case of doing what's right for the individual we cant all be the same, weve used cards for years and have found them very easy to use, using cash requires more thought, but this is all in aid of being prepared for retirement so for us for right now its cash ... well done onnthe biscuit supply i have none, all gone, even the ones I didnt like were eaten

elantan

lessonlearned wrote: »

Elan.......I know you are north of the border so which supermarkets do you have in your neck of the woods.

So far I've found Sainsbury's best for their own label tinned green lentils, and Asda or Morrison's for Napolina spelt. I also understand that B&M often have offers on tinned pulses.

I find Aldi are pretty good for those packs of precooked grains such as lentils, bulgar wheat etc They do a range called World Wide Foods, the lentil one is really tasty. You just zap them in the microwave for a minute. Couldn't be quicker or easier. Just over £1 so much cheaper than the Jamie Oliver ones. Not sure what Lidl have.

I realise that many of my suggestions aren't in the true MSE spirit Of completely cooking from scratch to save money. I know that dried pulses are much cheaper but, if you are pushed for time or just feeling overwhelmed then I see no harm in taking short cuts. Still far cheaper and healthier than takeaways. Same with vegetables etc.

Elan I'm not really a fan of frozen veg either but I do keep a few to hand just in case, mainly peas, sweet corn, endame beans, oven potatoes of some sort.

I know a lot of people are horrified at the idea of using prepared veg from the chiller cabinets but again I think it is perfectly ok when you are really pushed for time or stressed out.

A piece of lean meat or fish and some prepared vegetables slung in the oven and you can be eating healthy food within 30 minutes of arriving from work, so not that much longer than waiting for a takeaway. If you are ravenous then you could even be tucking into a starter such as soup or some healthy nibbles such as pate whist your main course is cooking.

I know my suggestions aren't necessarily the cheapest way of cooking but they are still both better and cheaper than junk food, ready meals, takeaways or your average chain restaurants.

Don't be hard on yourself....just take it one step at a time, transition in easy stages. You'll get there in the end.

we have all the major ones, closest to me is Asda Co-OP and we should be getting a lidls apparently, like you I'm not looking for total frugaldom, I'm looking for the right balance, even having prepared food from the supermarket would be healthier than a takeaway I imagine ... it's all a work in progress, baby steps

elantan

dreaming wrote: »

I agree with lessonlearned about not being too hard on yourself. When the children were young my then-husband lost his job and at the same tim mortgage interest rates were very high. I had to cut spending right to the bone for a while until he got a job and we got back on our feet. Although I no longer have to watch every single penny I do try to keep my costs down and attempt to cut out as much junk food as I can. Sometimes though short-cuts are worth the extra expense -in times of illness, busy-ness, or as I said before when access to cooking facilities is limited. As long as you eat healthily and thriftily most of the time then it shouldn't be a problem.
The other thing is that you have already done so much in paying off your mortgage and staying debt-free, plus all the other things you have written about. It must have taken a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where you are now so cut yourself (and your OH) a bit of slack from time to time. And cut out toxic friends too. Real friends don't make you feel bad about your life-style choices.

yeah I agree totally the toxic friend situation needs looked at, I havnt even shared the worst bit it was just horrific atleast 2 more years till we see them again I think for me ...

lessonlearned

elantan wrote: »

we have all the major ones, closest to me is Asda Co-OP and we should be getting a lidls apparently, like you I'm not looking for total frugaldom, I'm looking for the right balance, even having prepared food from the supermarket would be healthier than a takeaway I imagine ... it's all a work in progress, baby steps

That's the ticket.......you'll get there.

Re ....the friend situation. I have to say I was very shocked when you told us what had happened that night.

No one, no one has the right to make you feel like that. I can understand you want to keep the peace but there are limits to peacekeeping.

Have you heard the expression "Red Velvet Rope Policy". I suggest you google it for a proper description but basically its a term psychologists use as a tool for keeping toxic people at arms length.

I can recommend it......

I now operate a strict red velvet rope policy. I only allow people who care about me and who are nurturing and supportive into my inner circle.

I now draw a distinction between my real friends and those who I deem casual friends and acquaintances. I am unfailing polite and civil at all times but I know who to keep at arms length and those who I give my time and attention too.

Toxic people are like poison......best avoided.

Draw a line and don't let them cross it.,

balabooberlies

Hear, Hear !

I am only just learning this at a ripe old age.

Semi-ashamed to admit that I have had to look to myself, and will continue to do so everyday for these behaviours.

So much of it is learnt and becomes habit/normal. I have a long way to go to create new habits.......and to keep them.

I wish you well Elantan. What you and your husband have achieved so far is mind boggingly amazing. You've got this.

Bala