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Post by leeann on Dec 29, 2010 19:32:45 GMT -5
Have any of you ever gone on a food challenge such as the grocery challenge or the food stamp challenge? The All You challenge gives you $25 per person per week for groceries. I need to do something to keep this expense down in 2011. Trouble is, I'm not a good cook and to do this you need to either be a champion couponer or cook from scratch. How 'bout you guys? What are your words of wisdom?
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Dec 29, 2010 20:34:20 GMT -5
Leeann, I am sure the posters here can help you. First, some questions:
1. How many people are you cooking/shopping for? 2. Does anyone have food allergies/health restrictions worth noting? 3. Do you have a crockpot? 4. Any foods you simply detest? 5. What's a typical breakfast, lunch and dinner look like for you ... right now?
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Dec 29, 2010 21:53:54 GMT -5
I'm not really sure what it takes to be a "good cook" maybe just more practice starting with really easy recipes? I've been told I'm a good cook, but I just "play with food" and experiment. One website I really recommend for great recipes is tasteofhome.com--I get their magazine. Some recipes are pretty long and detailed, some are very quick and easy (many of those will come from one of their other magazines, Simple and Delicious, or something like that). One thing I try to do to keep from picking up something on the way home is to have ground beef already cooked and stored in the freezer. I can make a lot of quick dishes out of it, which is good since I leave at 5 in the morning and don't get home until after 6. By then I'm "too tired to cook" but can make something anyway. Crockpots, like Molly mentioned, are also great for making all kinds of stuff. I've never done a food challenge, just haven't felt the need to, I have a couple freezers so I stock up when things are cheap and then use it up when they're full and I'm not finding things on sale. If you have the room for it, a good freezer is a great investment for saving money on food! I haven't bought beef in forever (I got a quarter cow from my brother last year and still trying to use it up--nothing like home-grown beef).
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Dec 30, 2010 8:06:56 GMT -5
leeann $25/week or less is what I spend for my single person household. That includes all houshold stuff like TP, cleaning supplies, cat food & litter, personal care stuff.
If you want help on trying to achieve this level of spending come join us in the Women in Red Grocery Challenge thread. These ladies are experts from all over the country.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Dec 30, 2010 8:10:25 GMT -5
Leeann, I am sure the posters here can help you. First, some questions: 1. How many people are you cooking/shopping for? 2. Does anyone have food allergies/health restrictions worth noting? 3. Do you have a crockpot? 4. Any foods you simply detest? 5. What's a typical breakfast, lunch and dinner look like for you ... right now? great questions, molly. I'd add one more, since the issue always seems to come up when people start threads like this. 6. does anyone absolutely refuse to take leftovers for the next day's lunch?
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daisylu
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Post by daisylu on Dec 30, 2010 8:39:02 GMT -5
leeann - The internet can be your best friend when it comes to cooking! There are a TON of quick and easy meal sites out there that can turn you into a pro.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Dec 31, 2010 8:53:57 GMT -5
6. does anyone absolutely refuse to take leftovers for the next day's lunch?
Leftovers are a MAJOR friend. Lunches & reworked dinners. I HATE to have to cook everyday.
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