From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening MFW'rs

I ended up choosing to not make a bulk cook of rice.  I cooked what I had indicated in the Hoppin John recipe - but in reality, there was plenty, and so I put one (takeaway size) pot of cooked rice into the freezer.  I used 5p shallots in the recipe, along with the 'waste' green bell pepper from Monday.  I hadn't got any 'greens' to go with as such - no 'spring greens', Brussels sprouts or cabbage, so I added some frozen spinach in at the end of cooking.  It was nice, and I'm hopeful that we're full of beans, and lots and lots of luckiness for the coming year 😁👍

We split a pot of 39p strawberry yoghurt for pud - I don't think I mentioned it was a...... 300 or 350g pot, so a nice amount each for us.  It was yummy kefir yoghurt too, so hopefully we've ingested a gazinty-billion of the 'good' bacteria and will be 'jumpin' tomorrow 😁 I didn't realise that Graham's was a Scottish brand - so yet again, my thanks extends to Scottish farmers, growers and producers 👍

DH set too and mended the mower this afternoon too, replacing the pull cord.  In this instance I have to extend my thanks to all the folks who bother to post (obscure) 'how to' vids on u-toob, as DH watched a vid in real-time and was able to 'see' what the presenter was referring to, and follow the guidance 👍 Thank heavens for DH, there is no way we could afford to 'get people in' to do half this stuff - assuming of course, for things like the mower you could 'find' menders anymore ☹️ 

Right, we've not spent any money today, but DH has done all the little 'home' things that needed doing, and all food was from stores - I'm notching that up as a win.  I'm trying to remind myself it's Thursday and tomorrow is F.r.i.d.a.y........  The school hols have whizzed..... ☹️

Ta for popping by.  Greying X

kayannie

A slightly belated Happy New Year to the Greying family. 
I haven't been shopping since 22nd December, I was going tomorrow but have decided to stretch it out till after the weekend. I can't face the shops yet!
I don't know if I've mentioned it on here, but having just had a big birthday, the government have generously increased my pension by 25p a week! I just can't decide what to spend it on!
Where do you buy the 'Graham' brand from? I've never heard of it until you mentioned it.
KA x

Greying_Pilgrim

Hey kayannie - belated Many Happy Returns on your birthday - I noticed on Frugaldom's thread that you mentioned you were turning 21 again 😉 Gosh, 25p a week - blimes, well worth getting analysis paralysis working out what to splash on with all that 'extra' in yer budget, eh?  Isn't it like the £10 Christmas bonus that was introduced in..... 1973? or '74 - and if it had kept up with inflation, would be worth £190 now?  But no, accept your £10 Christmas 'box' and be grateful 🙄

I don't have a comprehensive list of where stocks Grahams, but definitely hB has some of the products (they do quite a range, and seem to be expanding all the time), I got this yoghurt in h3r0n f00ds, and they sometimes stock the cottage cheese.  I am reasonably sure I have seen Grahams in MrM......  other than that, I would be struggling to advise - oh, I think I may have seen (some) of the range in iceyland too.  I don't know if other MSE'rs could help out - but I shall be honest, I was attracted to this kefir yoghurt because of the price - but of course it was short dated for that 🫤

I hope your hubby is well and that you both have a fantastic 2026.  You're inspiring me to 'shop from my cupboards', as I know that shopping isn't a simple business for you and you have to rely on public transport and everything fitting in your trolley, so I will try not to cave, and just jump in the car 😁👍

*Edit*  I forgot to mention in my previous post that i also put smoked tofu in the Hoppin John - I had a packet that (notionally) was 1 day out of date (tasted fine), and it made a nice smokiness to the dish (used some smoked paprika too).

Greying X

kayannie

GP- thanks for birthday wishes. I just can't  understand the logic in giving everyone an extra 25p a week pension when they reach 80. How much does that cost the DWP to post the letter to everyone? Although I am grateful for anything they send my way, an extra 25p doesn't make much difference!
I do use the car for my main shop, OH usually drives but sits in the car while I do the shopping!  Every couple of weeks or so I'll go on the bus for a more leisurely look round & that's when I take my trolley. I enjoy a few hours on my own sometimes!
OH is well, thanks for asking. He's in the process of upgrading my very tiny kitchen, bit by bit. The straightforward stage was done before Christmas. The messy bits are next! Luckily his job included carpentry.
KA x

teapot2

kayannie said:

Where do you buy the 'Graham' brand from? I've never heard of it until you mentioned it.
KA x

Hi @Kayannie, not sure where you are based?  I'm in Scotland and Gr@ham's dairy products are available widely in most supermarkets here.

beanielou

Was just coming to say I think Graham’s is Scottish. 

themadvix

Shouldn’t think there’d be any issues with tofu a day past it’s use by GP - Mr MV has been eating (and we fed to guests) salami slices that were use by 26/12 on NYE/yesterday/today. Packet wasn’t opened until 31/12, but I’m sure the dates are very cautious. We won’t mention the meringues used on Christmas Eve that were dated 2024! 😮 (at least they were BBE, wouldn’t do that with UB). 

(ETA to note that none of the people we were feeding were immunocompromised - I'd be far more careful if that was the case!)

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Thanks for all the Graham's ❤️ - I'm pretty sure they've managed to export some of their dairy good health goodness out of the motherland 😁 I'm pretty sure you can get some of their products, at least in the 'big 4', hB stocks their products, as does (I think) iceyland - and probably f00d where-ouse too.  I'm less certain about places like MrAl and MrL.  her0n foods and fArm f00ds are more occasional stockists (although I think the cottage cheese is a regular), but of course, they aren't as distributed throughout the UK as places like MrT or MrL or whatever.  I should imagine you could find some of the products in waityflower and bUdg3ns too.

A wash is on.  We're supposed to get a good drying breeze today, although the temperatures are predicted to be low, so how effective it will be......  

I need to have a shuffle around the freezers.  Just to make sure I know what we've got.  We've plenty, and won't starve, but I want to make sure we're eating things up and/or not gobbling all the 'interesting' food and overlooking the 'workhorse' stuff.  All food is valuable, of course, but I want to try to get into the groove of 'mixing it up', so that we don't get bored of eg lentils, or we don't start relying on UPF sausages, burgers and fries for every meal.  

I can't think of anything else MSE-related at the mo, so will shuffle orf.  Ta from popping by.

Greying X

kayannie

Thanks for all the info on Graham's. I'll look in some of the stores mentioned when we next go to our nearest city. Luckily (?) it's where I go for hospital appointments, so no need for a special journey! 
KAx

Sunshine_girl2

All sounding good in the GP household, lovely blue skies here today but we have had a smattering of snow overnight . Just having some fruit and Grahams yoghurt for breakfast , although it feels more like a porridge morning . Have a good day.