July 2012 Grocery Challenge

Afternoon everyone

Budgets noted to here and I'll update the front page later

Just come back from MrT and bought Basmati Rice - £6.99 for 4Kg and BOGOF so 8kg for £6.99 :]] Unfortunately thats not all I bought lol

Off to update my spending diary now - gulp

Helen x

PS - hope none of you are badly affected by the floods

Would echo JJ's and others comment re: tips from Suffolk Lass on freezing. Went to MrM last night and got 3 chickens for £10. Also 2kg of turkey mince.

Chickens already jointed and in bags in the freezer. The turkey mince will be made into a chilli as per British Turkey recipe with one or two oriental adjustments (lime juice-soaked lemon grass, galangal and kafir lime leaves instead of bay leaves etc). Key question is storage - several different suggestions, but I do have an almost empty ice cream box and have bought a few Lock and Lock boxes. So will try both to see which work best in a stand up freezer.

Going to buy a rosemary nursery plant tomorrow and transfer it to a pot in the yard in the sun. I suppose it is one of the more robust herbs to grow and the one I use most .

A pound saved is a pound plus tax and NIC earned.

All the best,

happy_chick wrote: »

quick question about coconut milk - I cut a block in half to use in a recipe. How long do you think the other half will last for in the fridge? I've stored it in an airtight container but it's been there at least 6 weeks. It's not the type of food you can taste and see!

Do you mean coconut butter?
If so, it will be fine. Sometimes we can go 4-5 months in between a HM Korma and our half used blocks are always fine. It's pretty much pure fat so will last many, many months in the fridge. :T

Hi can I join in please? Just to keep an eye on the spends really.

I would like to set £25 per week please on all supermarket/food spends including toiletries and cleaning products for 2 adults and 2 young children.

JumbleJack that cordial looks gorgeous! I think I will give that a try as we have elderflowers nearby and roses in the garden. Had only planned to use the roses for jelly. I think with some fizzy water that will be a nice drink for preggy-me when OH treats himself to his occasional cider.

Need a rant please, I before I spit hard enough to
give my dentures a flying lesson.

I have just received IMO the most appauling customer service I have ever experienced.

I did on shopping on Wednesday, couldnt do it yesterday due to Mums funeral. I bought a chicken for today, as have my DGS and its his favourite meal. Use by date 2nd July. Put the oven on and took chicken out of fridge, just cut into the packaging and the smell almost knocked me over.

As I had promised DGS his chicken I took it back to Asda. CS service agreed it was off and returned my money, no apology offerred. I asked about my busfare, it was 1.20 there and 1.20 back.

I was firstly told I hadnt made a special journey as I had come to do my shopping. I did as I had no shopping to get.

I was then asked quite rudely, dont you have a bus pass, explained I do but its out of date and i have to wait for a new one.

Very grudgingly I was given two Smiley vouchers with the comment well I will give them you but its not what they are for.

Trundled off to get another chicken and presented my Smileys at the till
they are worth 25p each, so I am out 1.90, been humiliated for asking.
Edit no actually I am not I am out 2.40 because I asked for the vouchers back
intending to send them to head office.

I couldnt go back to CS due to having to get back for DGS, and to be honest didnt feel in control enough to be sure I could keep my calm and dignity.
I do know I am emotionally up in the air at the moment, but I dont think I am being unreasonable i wanting my busfare. I trust you lovely people
to tell me if you think I am.