Struggling along as best I can

Makingabobor2

Ooh. I am just about to start on that book actually, bought it a couple of weeks ago. TBF, we already eat from scratch 99% of the time. Always loads of fresh veg,fruit, lean meat, fish. My downfall is just the chocolate. TBH I dont want to give up the really dark choc, as it actually has health benefits. I just want to eat a lot less of it. Starting from today I am going to be a lot more strict with myself. Especially as the price of it has rocketed lately.  

Moorviews

It’s very impressive that you have made such good progress with the healthy diet. I have myself succumbed to far too many festive treats unfortunately! I am enjoying having more fresh vegetables again now that I have made inroads into using things up from the freezer. 

nannygladys

Hi everyone
ref UPF - I think its very difficult to find good easy alternatives that will appeal to the hard working young parents, or money challenged families and children as the manufacturers seem to make their food/treats very moreish with attractive looking packaging, cheap and quickly prepared that is very appealing. Its shocking when you read the ingredients in them, I can't pronounce half of them most of the time, let alone know what damage they can do. I think what really made me think about it all was the origin of margarine and what went into it and the way cereals were pushed onto us because there was a glut in the US, advertisers, governments and the manufacturers are very clever slippery people!! Anyway less of my rant, I know it all takes time to cook from scratch, shop more wisely etc etc but its the choice I have taken and don't expect anybody to follow (including family), its my personal choice and mine alone  and I wont lie it isn't as easy as you think   

Right onto my no spend January. I have bought a few bits and bobs of food, some food for the pooch and the odd thing that I had run out of, but on the whole its been very interesting (I know its not quite over yet) and I have learnt what I actually eat most of, this last week I have been eating more out of the freezers and stock cupboard and I haven't been enjoying it that much .

In February I'm going to do a low spend month on food and drink and the money I have saved this month will buy me a new bm and hopefully have some left for an ice cream machine. The most recent storm overturned my swing again and it'll need some repairs done on it but it should be ok! I'm in two minds about a new small plastic g/house because if these storms are going to happen a few times every year it's going to cost me a fortune to keep replacing it  so still unsure what to do about it, I think it will depend on whether I need money for something else like bills going up!! and I made a list the other day of what realistically needs doing in the house and garden and the fact that I need a new pair of glasses (I still have to wear varifocals, even though I had the cataracts operation) and the my present pair cost just under£300 and that was with all the discounts, so I have to be careful where any money is going to be spent. But I will survive and come out the end in the black!!!! Its amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. 

I have been through my craft stash and found a couple of X-stitch pictures I can do this year and today I went to Hobbycraft to spend a voucher I had and bought some wool to knit another jumper/cardigan for wearing later in the year, I've also got a voucher for a free carvery meal to take before the end of February so I will look forwards to that and the garden centre I use and have free coffee at opens the restaurant after its refurb in a week or so, and I can start going back there for a pleasant look around and a nice drink!! So I have a few nice things to look forwards to.

Anyway that's it for now, another essay done - sorry!
Nannyg

cbsexec

Do you think being a vegetarian makes it easier to give up UPF?   I know what I should eat but I’m easily swayed 🤔☹️.  I am in awe of your efforts 

nannygladys

cbsexec - Its not easier being vegetarian if you eat mainly the processed mince, sausage etc but I've been  a veggie over 30 years which was before Linda Macartney etc started to produce fast food products and although I have tried them all, on the whole they haven't been used as the main part of my eating. I do eat some cheeses, eggs, but mainly my dishes are bean based, sometimes I do wonder what I eat !!

nannygladys

Well thank goodness my January challenge has ended now and I can go and buy some fresh veggies and fruit 
I not sure what I've learnt by completing it but I think I have a better understanding of what to stock up on for the future. Also I must spend a lot on unnecessary bits and pieces that I didn't realise, not spending has made me think how I use my stocks and that I need to have a rethink on what pantry items I need to stock up on, that applies to toiletries as well.

So for February I'm going back to frugal roots and being mindful about cooking, spending on everything and trying to come up with a plan for the garden! I've been through my seeds and have plenty, but will need some compost for pots and I would like to grow more flowers to encourage a bit more wildlife, mind you the dog will probably trash them but hey ho if you don't try it doesn't happen! The money I saved from January is going to be spent on a bm and i/cream maker as I've already said and any this month will go towards my new glasses. 

Today I took the pup for a very long walk and we're both pooped, he's been sleeping all night and I've just watched tv!!! 'this dinnertime I actually hung out some washing and although it didn't completely dry it was well on the way, so that's an improvement and finished it off over the radiators. Oh and I have managed to prise the top off the paint pot so I can start painting tomorrow, I've been trying all week to get the top off  , so after I'd managed that I started to wash the walls in preparation so hopefully I can start tomorrow.

So that's me caught up more or less. I hope everyone is OK after these storms we've had and everything is getting back to normal, I gather some people in Ireland and Scotland are still without power its made me think about different ways to cook (camping stove) if the power is out for any length of time and to check oil for my oil lamps and water supplies, I always keep some bottles of water in but the dates need checking and perhaps another large bottle bought, as someone said its ok having pasta and rice in but if we haven't the water to cook them in we can't eat them dried!
Nannyg

cbsexec

Thanks for the info.   I am trying to eat more veg and beans and cook from scratch.  I’m afraid I’m not strong on willpower tho.  😂. I do like a cake or two and don’t make my own!   Must try harder 

[Deleted User]

cbsexec said:

Thanks for the info.   I am trying to eat more veg and beans and cook from scratch.  I’m afraid I’m not strong on willpower tho.  😂. I do like a cake or two and don’t make my own!   Must try harder 

Do not deny yourself too much though. Life is for living too!

cbsexec

Oh I agree.  Life is for living.  I was really meaning I should make more from scratch so less processed food ie home made cake 😀. Perhaps I should have said laziness rather than lack of willpower 😂

nannygladys

Well I'm still here and not really spending an awful lot!!! I was paid a couple of days ago, sorted my banking out and have yet to get cash for the month, but I have to go to the PO tomorrow so I'll withdraw some whilst there, out last bank closed its doors a while back 
So the last few days, I have been walking the dog, catching up with washing and cleaning and all the mundane bits of life. I had a go at making some bread rolls and as usual they didn't turn out brilliantly but at least they are edible!! I'm going to buy new flour and yeast to try again so I hope I'll have more luck next time. 
My back to basics has begun and I'm having a sort though to see what I need but the first thing will have to be an eye test and I must sort a couple of banking bits out as well. I saw today on you tube that energy prices will be rising again this year(may be a couple of times!) its really going to get difficult and it does get to me especially I have g&e for heating etc but someone suggested heated throws etc so I'll to start looking into alternative things I can do for next winter.
Back to simple meals again for the rest of this month and I'm hoping that I can stick to my meal plan I have written for the next two weeks as I'll be doing a shop for it all over the weekend. I have had notification that my two free coffees a month are available again after the refurb of the cafe, so next week I'll be visiting and having a good look around at the plants etc for ideas whilst I'm there, and I have a couple of other bits to go/see to before March. 
I'm going to see my eldest DGD tomorrow as it's her day off so I'm looking forwards to that and perhaps we can to up into the city for a look around.
Nannyg