March 2008 Grocery Challenge

Downsizing__for_sanity

Yes it's kind of similar but you'd have to get really technical to work out the exact amount to make the solution isotonic (in a biochemistry way) and I'm not clever enough for that!

But I do always remember this from First Aid at Guides a long while ago and it still stands, best and cheapest way of treating traveller's diarrhoea. It's more or less what is in the Rehydrate sachets which are good for dehydration on holiday (or really bad hangovers... ) PS I'm not prescribing, see your GP etc if you have health concerns etc etc.....

Downsizing__for_sanity

Yes I think the half price salmon is on offer across the board. It is in Scotland anyhoo. It worked out that I got about £44 worth of salmon for about £15, and a few extra bits I'll use for quiches, pasta etc. The "nice" fishmonger man wasn't on early and the other 2 ladies were a bit "unhelpful" about portioning my fish so I ended up doing it myself at home.

The whole salmon were on offer too but hardly any cheaper considering almost all the work was done for me.
We won't starve, but we might turn into salmon...

Kaz2904

I've spent 0.56 since Wednesday. We had a party earlier so had tea there and DH wanted to go to Asda for more beers (See a theme?) which I told him would be coming out of his money.
The only bargains they had were 2 yoghurts 19p and a chocolate eclair 18p.
I'm sure I could have got more treats from the 56p at home?

I think I'll try to make that cheese of weezl's but I don't have a muslin. My sis uses them for my nephew and they look like tea towels to me -( can you see where I'm going with this?!) Methinks I may have to commandeer one of hers next time she's down at Easter.
I would absolutely love to be able to make a boursin type cheese as it's so expensive to make your own.

Weezl- do you boil the milk with the garlic etc in it to flavour it? I may give this a bash in the morning!
Will update sig now, TTFN!

sandy2_2

Kaz2904 wrote: »

I think I'll try to make that cheese of weezl's ......I would absolutely love to be able to make a boursin type cheese ///
Weezl- do you boil the milk with the garlic etc in it to flavour it?

Does it have to be whole mlk or will semi skimmed be OK....is it the same as cottage cheese

JoJoB

£21 in Tesco yesterday. Gosh, it was a different experience going in without a list, won't do that again - couldn't think straight! Stocked up on the 1p lightbulbs though. And asked a young fella to price check the frozen steamed sprouts in butter as I saw on these boards they had been reduced to 25p. He said "they really are that cheap, look the sticker says £1!" - I had to explain a "friend" said they were even cheaper and i wanted to check. Lo and behold they were 25p so I got 4 packs. I saw him later and he said 3 other people had come to ask him the same - any MSE-ers at Westwood Cross yesterday then?

JayJay14

I had to work yesterday so sent OH to lidl and aldi for the bits I needed from there. I must have finaly got him trained up (married 28yrs) as he just bought the things on the list:j

Anyway the total so far is £138.94 but I haven't got to buy much between now and Easter.

We use uht skimmed milk and have done for years mainly because I'm on a constant diet (it isn't working:rotfl: ) and I find the taste of fresh scimmed to weak. After reading all the posts about diluting fresh whole or semi though I might try that as I do prefer the taste of that.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

MRSMCAWBER

Morning all

Spurred on by Nykmedias post about NSDs I have finally come up with a plan... that will use up the veggies i have -but save me going shopping before friday...giving me 14 NSDs in a row :j .... if only i can keep myself focused... and not got to the supermarket -just because i fancy a walk

1. sun - roast pork, hm stuffing, potatoes, cauli, broccoli, peas
2. Mon -pasta bake -using filled pasta from the freezer and frozen peppers, mushrooms to make the creamy tomato sauce
3. Tue -hm tortillas with turkey meatballs, peppers, mushrooms from freezer and onions n peas-with hm coleslaw
4. Wed-hm sausages with potatoes n onions baked in the oven, cauli, carrots, peas
5. Thur-same as tuesday -requested by hubby
6. fri -prawn pasta salad -using peas, sweetcorn, onions, tomatoes, peppers

I still have €25.67 left of this months €50 budget so.... it means next friday i can replace all the fruit n veg and it will easily see us through until Aprils GC starts :T and i might have a little left for some extra bits n bobs

At 11pm last night i found myself up to my elbows in flour..i only went in for a drink :rotfl: ... made a batch of bread dough made with an egg-with a bit of demerara, some currants, shredded coconut and some mixed spice in..left it in the fridge over night, and now its in its tin proving -ready to go in the oven with the stuffing later...
Don't know what made me concoct that last night..but i will slice and freeze it for when i fancy something slighty sweet ..must get some mixed peel next time i shop
will let you know how it turns out ....fingers crossed
right im off to go through my baking cupboard :eek: wish me luck...i have been threatening to do it all week....
keep up the great work everyone :T

Fi27

Hi there,

Been reading all your posts with much interest over the last few weeks. Totally addictive! I get paid on the 19th of the month and have been doing my own wee challenge over the last month to see how much i would normally spend. Will add it up and post my budget for the following month over the next few days as i am desperate to join in!!

Icandream - Tesco teenage easter eggs 99p each and on offer just now so 5 for £4. Got mine yesterday!

Fi

funkyfunkymonkey

JayJay14 wrote: »

After reading all the posts about diluting fresh whole or semi though I might try that as I do prefer the taste of that.

I tried diluting whole milk for the first time this week because Iceland only had whole milk in stock.

I haven't noticed any difference to semi skimmed and Mr Monkey and the little monkeys haven't said anything (I haven't told anyone yet).

My only concern is that semi skimmed has more calcium per litre and by using whole milk and diluting it I am effectively reducing the little monkeys' calcium intake by more than half.

FFM

trulymadlydeeply_indebt!

betterlatethannever wrote: »

Not sure if this should be here or in the recipes section, but as soups seem to be popular now i thought i'd add it.

Has anyone had lettuce soup? it really is lovely (please believe me..i know it sounds horrid) the best lettuce to use is iceberg.

Fry one onion in butter till soft and add a tablespoonful of flour. Heat slowly
Add approx a pint of chicken stock, one lettuce, chopped, teaspoon of sugar, salt, white pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, half pint of milk (full cream makes it nicer, but semi is better if your watching the calories) and simmer for 5 mins or so.
Leave to cool for a while then add an egg yolk and blitz with a hand blender. re-heat.

Its lovely if you add some cream, but fine without. The above makes enough for about 6+ people and it keeps fairly well if put in fridge.

I've read that lettuce soup induces sleep too. What a winner - low calorie snack in the evening, costs pennies and you get a great night's sleep too. I've got half a lettuce [strike]dying[/strike] sitting in the bottom of the fridge - might just give it a go!