Anyone want to join me on my $100 per week food challenge

[obbie]

sound good keiramax,

I am about to do a menu plan for the week.

[fundj&e]

Amy, want to join us

H

I would love to Hally. I have been following this thread with great interest and admiration for you innovative ladies
BUT since this thread has been up and running I have paid more attention to our food bill, and am very scared by how much we spend and how we would cut it down. I'm afraid I would fail at this challenge

amy its hard for a newbie to stay within budget,my food bill was way way up for the 1st 6 months, i am right ladies 

[Bubbles]

amy its hard for a newbie to stay within budget,my food bill was way way up for the 1st 6 months, i am right ladies  

do you think that's because you are slowly collecting the basics when you first start out? (I think thats what I'm finding anyway-lots of stuff I don't have in the pantry to begin with)

[judydawn]

Yes that's probably right Bubbles, because we are generally all making things we never used to (our own sauces, bread, etc) and I found when a new recipe book came out eg the Indian one, I had to go out and buy all those different spices, things I never ever had in my pantry before.  For a while there I was trying some recipes off Quirky Jo's blog which meant I had to shop in a health food store and boy was I spending a lot of money then.  I soon decided I didn't need to do this as I have no allergies - her blog is great for those who do but we can eat anything here. I think we all tend to go mad to start with too, so many recipes to try and we want to do them all so completely overlook our budgets.  Things settle down over time and we start living within our budget once again but are eating healthier than ever.

[deedub]

Yes I think so bubbles - I know I spent more in the beginning stocking the pantry, but I'm under control now. I've just made granola without having to buy anything - already had it on hand. I love the fact that I'm using up pantry ingredients, nothing is left moldering away like in the old pre-TMX days!

[gertbysea]

That is so true JD. The health food store is a killer to the budget. Now after emptying my fridge the pantry is full of STUFF I have no idea about. 3 types of quinoa! Three types of lentils, chia seeds, about a kilo,of flax seeds what to do?

Gert

[judydawn]

Tenina has a few quinoa recipes in her books or websites Gert - maybe you have been looking at them?  Have a read of this on Chelsea's blog about chia seeds - you can add them to anything but best to soak them first as she describes here. Flaxseeds (linseeds?) can be added to bread, do you make your own bread? It is one of the ingredients in the milo recipe too but I somehow can't see you drinking milo or smoothies in general   This might be useful information for your flaxseeds.

[judydawn]

Menu plan for my 2nd week of the challenge.  It's my shopping day tomorrow but I don't need anything urgently yet so will manage now until after our public holiday on Monday I'm sure.

Leftovers (tomato soup and frittata)
Healthy roast chicken & vegies
The Tart's Tart and leftover chicken
Chicken laksa carried over from last weeks menu
Ricotta gnocchi with nap sauce (sauce in freezer)

[gertbysea]

Very good suggestions JD.i will look up some recipes. Yes I like to make rye and linseed bread. So that is on the menu this week. Just need to get motivated  again.  Hard when it is just the two of us and DH doesn't have much of an interest.  I found about a litre of buttermilk in the freezer. I was going  to toss it  but  thought better of it. Might make some scones with it .

Absolutely  no spending this week  except for some fruit I hope.

Gert

[Halex]

I remember when I first bought the TM, I could not believe the amount of flour, sugar, eggs, butter I bought. Never made cakes or biscuits, in a blue moon a packet cake

Also I thought my spices were pretty good as I cooked thai, indan & balineese food but now I have double to what I used to have.

This weeks menu, I have 4 to feed at the weekend

Sunday Nigellas nuggets, atlantic salmon for the boys, matchstick chips or roast pots &  salad
Monday Roast Lamb, wraps & salad
Tuesday Beef Dianne, pasta & veg
Wednesday left overs, soup or freezer food
Thursday Roast tarragon chicken with pari mash & greens, ds making this with my help new recipe from masterchef kidds cookbook series 2
Friday Pizza.
Saturday Chilli cheese pasta, new recipe

Extras lemon pudding, apple crumble, semolina
Bread, cakes & bscuits & soup & quiche or fritatta

This might change a litte as I have lots  of new cookbooks, but wont change just because we fancy something that isnt in the house.

H

[achookwoman]

Well,  I am totally inspired by the motivation of you creative cooks.
I have come in just under the $100 and feel very good about this.  I resisted buying some stuff at Woolies and didn't go to the Farmers market as I am Pi...d off with them at the moment. Another story.
We are going away for 2 weeks holiday in 10 days so will try not to shop between now and then.  Might need milk.

Beef and red wine Cass, rice,  Lemon tart.
Visitors,  roast chicken and roast veggies and frozen veggies, Queen of Pud.
Make chicken soup out of bones and add left over chicken and veggies, no fuss rolls, Baked apples.
Grilled fish and veggies, waffles from freezer
Grilled Pork Chops, Golden Syrup pud.
Spaghetti and Bol sauce.Leftover Golden syrup pud.
Salmon Ravioli from freezer with left over Awesome cheese sauce. Waffles

Bread rolls as necessary.  Used the flat ones,  (cooked with oven tray on top) cut in 1/2,  as mini Pizza bases.
Cook 3 different lots of Biscuits,
Soup for lunches as well as leftovers.

[dede]

I think I'm going to go over budget with buying panadol, tissues, soothers etc. oh I hate being sick

[Halex]

Dede, medical & non food items dont count

Chookie is your golden syrup pudding on here?

H

[dede]

Bonus Halex as I have been through 2 boxes of tissues already

[Katiej]

Sorry to hear that you're sick Mandi.  My OH & I have both just gotten over a cold/flu thing.  Being sick is such a waste of time 

I hope you feel better soon