August 2018 Grocery Challenge

Highland_Fling wrote: »

Good morning everyone. well such a change in the weather here. It has been raining for the last few days and the garden is loving it. I have beautiful chives in the garden does anyone know if I they freeze well. Last two days NSDs so everyday is a bonus.:)

Yes, you can freeze them. Wash the chives and dry them (wrap in a clean dishtowel and pat gently). Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and open freeze for about 1-2 hours. Transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer safe container or a bag. They should keep for 6 months; after that the taste will be OK but the texture might not be as good.

Week 1 spends came to a total of £41.87/£175 and 4/35 NSDs. Somewhat more than I had planned on spending but it did include some good ys bargains as well as top-up of stores, a small gammon joint and fresh F&V from the market.

The only thing I'll need to buy this week is a pint of fresh milk and I'll be using up the contents of the fridge before we go on holiday on Sunday. I've already chopped and frozen 2 red peppers that I know I won't be using and am planning on making up sandwiches for the journey. DH thinks it's a bit of a faff but I prefer to do that rather than pay service station prices for "not a lot".

Main shop done today, coming in at £67.29
The lady that had been behind me at the checkout stopped me outside and asked did I mind telling her how much my shopping came to, she was astounded when I gave the total
(& I said that was 2 weeks for me 2 large men (sons) and 2 puddies..) She has just started shopping at good ole Mr Lidel.. As I said to her, it's saved me a few quid this year.:j
A small purchase yesterday to add too, off to total up..

£6.12 spent since yesterday.

1,130g sweet potatoes, 5 peppers (4 orange 1 red), 2 iceberg lettuces (reduced), 2 packs tomatoes (reduced), 500g red grapes (reduced), and 400g blueberries (reduced).

£108.74/£155.
£46.26 left.

I try to reduce the amount of plastic but reduced items are something I still buy despite the plastic. I know I basically justify it as to me it would be plastic with produce in causing more problems if not bought. Waste of plastic and waste of produce which is something I hate too. Does anyone else feel this way?

I feel quite disorientated - day 7 of August, and 5 of those have been NSDs! That's not deliberate - wish it was - but I've been too busy to run to the shops. And we haven't yet become desperate for anything, though the bananas are running dangerously low... I've done another dash down to Mum's new home, to unpack the last few boxes before she did herself a mischief trying to squeeze her walker past them, and we're replacing our dilapidated 15 year old hillbilly-style chicken shed & run, so the garden is strewn with poles, weld-mesh, splintered wood and ecstatic chickens, who aren't normally allowed "out" until half an hour before dusk. The slugs are running for cover and the kittens are baffled by birds that take a dim view of their attempts to play with them, and chase them back!