Old Style vs the USDA head-to-head challenge...

boredofbeingathome

weezl74 wrote: »

Good morning all! What a lot to catch up on! I was only gone for a day!

So.... With sadness the challenge ends.

We have rolled over the 19p! to the new next challenge.:T :money:

I'm going to start a post later. But thought I should first summarise how it's been.

3 months, 2 adults, healthily, for £40 a month. And we did it!!!!!!!:beer:

Mr Weezl has lost some weight, but he feels good in himself, and I'm working on increasing his cake intake;) . He averages 3500 calories a day, so I'm not sure what to boost it to!?

I'm about the same as I was. Possibly an extra grey hair with all the plotting, planning and batch freezing!

If we were on a programme like 'supersizers' we would perhaps go and have a full medical, so you could see how we are at all levels, but this is the budget version, so you'll have to take our word for it, and ISOM can report whether we've started to look a bit manky!!

I've learnt a huge amount.

Nutritionally of course, but also practically, the huge differences in budget that shopping around, batch cooking, foraging, freeganism, bulk buys etc can all make.:j

I've learnt some things about me too, and about the world.

When I was at school, the part of me that we've jokingly referred to as the 'geeky' part, was understandably not such fun for my classmates, and rather than not have pals, I suppressed it quite a lot.:eek:

I guess I never really expected to find friends who wouldn't just laugh fondly at my inner geek, tolerating it while enjoying other parts. But no! I genuinely feel like people have actively befriended the inner geek! How delightful!:T

I also thought from reading around old threads that people might join in to say 'this can't be healthy!' or it can't be done on this budget. But in fact, I have had nothing but warmth and support.:A

we have been a varied bunch, but it has not stopped a lovely community forming. I have grown accustomed to your ways- no really I have!

so it feels sad to end this thread and begin another. In a way I wish I didn't have to, but I think it'll give an opportunity to give it a more accessible title!

I love bigmummas 'whittling ways...' and will have it as a subtitle, but I thought a rather more straightforward 'eat for 50p a day- healthily? Weezl's next adventure...' Might entice a few more readers!!!

Bails!!!!!! Welcome back hon, I missed you;)

Yategirl, please do let me know details of the Bristol forage, Me and Mr W would love to come.

Love to you all,

Weezl x

Snivel, good luck with the next adventure:beer:
I am relying on your inner geek to help me along the way:T
A big Thankyou to you, as you have really opened my eyes over what can be done with a little forethought and planning:T :A

germish_se

Weezl,
I love your speech, makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.
DH has been following parts of your adventure from the sideline and apart from saying well done he'd like me to point out that as an adult you are no longer a geek but rather an eccentric.

You say tomato, I say ketchup...., but he wanted me to pass that on. So I did.

Now waiting in suspense for a link to the new thread and the blog!

Good luck!

Ready, set....

Germ

BigMummaF

Who said falafel & then left? Don't you know by now, that a statement like

...have you considered falafels or even the humble lentil or bean burger? Not unlike making lentil pate but even thicker. Form into patties, chill and fry.

& then just disappear

I am a complete novice at most things unless bog-standard tradition British, so need all the help I can get. Please take pity on a lentil virgin & give me a clue:D

Ellidee

:j :beer: :j Whoo hoo Weezl has won post of the month :T . Just read it it on that thread. Well done hunny you deserve it:T . XX

Plum_Pie

BigMummaF wrote: »

Who said falafel & then left? Please take pity on a lentil virgin & give me a clue:D

Oops, that was me!

Falafel I've never made from scratch. I imagine it's similar, although I think you need more oil!

Basically make very thick lentil or bean stew (loads of recipes on O/S!) and allow all the stock to cook out til it's thick (almost like mashed potato). Then you can form it into patties (i.e. burger shapes), leave them in the fridge to firm up, then fry them.

OK, here is a very easy method:

1. Fry some garlic with chilli powder (could also use garlic puree)
2. Rinse 1 tin of kidney beans well in hot water. (This softens the skin and heats them up, reducing the frying time.)
3. Mix beans in a bowl with garlic, chilli and 2 tsp tomato tomato paste and then mash the lot with a potato masher.
4. Form into patties and fry for a few minutes each side. (No need to refridgerate as the beans are quite sticky naturally.)

Makes 4 burgers - enough for 2 adult servings.

A good lentil to start with would be the large greenish-brown lentil, as they too are naturally 'floury' and make burgers less likely to fall to bits in the pan. I have had limited success with yellow lentils - they need some grated cheese in the mix before they stick well.

If they been in the fridge, they'll need longer in the pan on a lower heat.

Even if they fall to bits they till taste great - the mix of crispy outside and soft inside is lovely!

shaz_mum_of__2

Well done Weezl
:T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T
Are you there?

Do you know?

Have you known before now?:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:


OMG:eek: :eek: :eek: Has Martin :money: been lurking??????

Will you add the money to your budget are splash out with out?( i think i already know the answer to that one)

Shaz

so pleased for you

remember us when your famous
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

In_Search_Of_Me

Quote from POTM thread..."Hi everyone

As usual all nominations were worthy but only one can be picked. This month it's weezl's Old Style Vs USDA Challenge.

Weezl, could you send me a private message?

Thanks!

Andrea

PS. I've posted a little note in the Boots thread"

I dont think our Weezl knows (Unless she does know & is dancig round i excitement!!) so have tried to ring her but no answer...ooo very frustrating when its SOOOOO exciting and such wonderful news!!
I am SOOOOO chufffed Weezl!! Well done you!! For me its worthy recognition of the vast amounts of work that this has taken, youve done it and I know I'm not the only one who is proud of you and all you have achieved. £50!! wheee!! (Will you now go blow the 19p?!!)
Love the comment from your OH Germ....I know I'm a bit eccentric but I would hate to be "normal".....
PS just realised that our Weezl does know cos shes been thanking people!!

weezl74

Awwww thank you! Erm, no shaz, I didn't know til you just told me!:j

POTM eh! Well I never. ;)

A round of applause for you all in making it happen, and for the support:

:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T

Avocet, loving the maths, of how long we'll make the prize last, that's a little statistic that's worthy off my geeky brain!

Plum pie, great ideas and recipes, I think they need to go in our index!

thankyou bunny200 and ellidee and marrbett! I really hope you will come out and play on the next challenge...:T

chips eh ceridwen? dunno if I'll find those in a dumpster!;)

Well so long dear little challenge.

I shall just go off to compose a worthy starter to the new one...

BYE BYE! and thank you,:A

Love Weezl x

ceridwen

Indeed our Weezl - congratulations! Well merited.

There ya' go - Martin does love ya gal...he cant be unaware personally of you by now (and one or two things you worried might give him grey hairs) - so there ya' goes!!!!:D

Now....will everyone forgive me while I go off and have a little smile to myself at the fact that I'm getting better at indulging in a favourite little "hobby-ette" of mine - known as "backing a winner" (no - I dont mean horseracing:eek: - perish the thought chez ceridwen;) ). I just know a good thing - or a good person - when I see them;)

Smirk....smirk....smirk...:T

ceridwen
(who is feeling positively smug! - but will try and calm down again now...)

In_Search_Of_Me

I'd suggest a glass of wine to celebrate C!! May have a (counted!) G&T myself...seems fitting!