tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post7431823180906784754..comments2024-03-28T18:58:47.880-07:00Comments on creative savv: 28 things that I do to stretch our groceriesLilihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-86140713036821809422017-11-08T09:43:49.150-08:002017-11-08T09:43:49.150-08:00I wish I could give a thumbs up for your reply, Li...I wish I could give a thumbs up for your reply, Lili. "Well-kept secret" is indeed the appropriate word. So often we start our car meal denigrating ourselves saying so and so would never eat like this, but we always end the meal saying, they don't know what they are missing!<br /><br />YHFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-12306975814709986322017-11-07T13:13:04.742-08:002017-11-07T13:13:04.742-08:00For those folks who think a car picnic is beneath ...For those folks who think a car picnic is beneath them, they're missing out. This is like a well-kept secret. You get a peaceful meal, with a nice view, and at a fraction of the price. It's silly to think that there is only one "right" way to eat out, especially with all of the choices that we have these days. Grocery store deli's carry a decent selection of prepared foods that can be taken to eat, as is. I hear Costco has a decent and cheap hot dog meal. IKEA has a lunch counter. There are so many ways to eat out without eating in a restaurant. And for you and your husband, it's a way to give him a break from cooking. The wonderful thing about life is that we all get to choose how we spend or don't spend our own money.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-36516102968258247662017-11-07T12:43:14.236-08:002017-11-07T12:43:14.236-08:00Thank you Sara and Lili, for your vote of confiden...Thank you Sara and Lili, for your vote of confidence about eating in the car. We have our favorite spot, a very shady parking stall at the far end of Walmart with some view, then after lunch we do some shopping. Makes sense, feels just fine, but I know it is beneath a lot of folks. <br /><br />Have a great day too!<br /><br />YHFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-71240804268878859022017-11-07T12:11:41.930-08:002017-11-07T12:11:41.930-08:00Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great day!Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great day!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-76347272814894378742017-11-07T12:09:13.014-08:002017-11-07T12:09:13.014-08:00Definitely, live and learn. Not wasting really str...Definitely, live and learn. Not wasting really stretches our groceries. I only partially understand not having a spatula, as when I was single, I didn't have one (I didn't own much of anything when I first moved out). I would use a spoon to scrape as much as possible out of a bowl or container. I did an okay job, but a spatula would have been quicker, as well as cleaner. But once you have a household, a spatula saves money and time.<br />Have a great day, live and learn!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-49011738310838680272017-11-07T12:05:42.321-08:002017-11-07T12:05:42.321-08:00Hi YHF,
I've been known to pull out a baggie o...Hi YHF,<br />I've been known to pull out a baggie of carrot sticks to go with burgers and fries at fast food restaurants. I love that you and your husband car-picnic. There are so many places where you can get a spectacular view, for free, to dine by, that would cost you your first-born to have, if dining in a restaurant.<br /><br />What a great deal on the coconut pies, and smart of you to pre-slice them all. Have a great day, YHF!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-91991113684493382832017-11-07T08:03:25.350-08:002017-11-07T08:03:25.350-08:00YHF, my hubby and I have always liked to picnic in...YHF, my hubby and I have always liked to picnic in the car much more than sitting down in a restaurant. Cheaper and more social and more relaxing. :) <br /><br />Great way to maximize on your pie purchase, too. You have to be careful with extreme sale purchases, because they're often short-dated. <br /><br />And Melissa, if you're reading this far down, one of our sons has become a champion spatula-economist. I'm very thrifty, and he can still get another teaspoon of PB or whatever it is out, after I've given up. I love to see that! :)<br /><br />Have a great day, everybody! SaraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-51955660108148443162017-11-07T06:51:55.229-08:002017-11-07T06:51:55.229-08:00Hi Shara,
Oh yes, the soup pot! I haven't done...Hi Shara,<br />Oh yes, the soup pot! I haven't done one of those in a couple of years. I should start a new one this winter. You're right, it doesn't take much of any one item to make a great pot of soup. I can understand how your food allergies complicates cooking and saving leftovers. That's a bummer. But it sounds like you manage very well, in spite of the allergies. Have a great day, Shara.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-27817354266244486612017-11-07T06:48:12.632-08:002017-11-07T06:48:12.632-08:00Hi Kris,
A semi-empty fridge can annoy family memb...Hi Kris,<br />A semi-empty fridge can annoy family members, as they can't easily spot something they want. It means that whoever is doing the food prep has to actually do work, to find something to eat. That's the drawback. But it does keep us from wasting a lot of food. And it saves time with the chore of cleaning out the fridge.<br />Have a great day, Kris!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-5467907978531353392017-11-07T06:44:42.635-08:002017-11-07T06:44:42.635-08:00Hi Melissa,
I agree with you, about managing the s...Hi Melissa,<br />I agree with you, about managing the supplies taking up a fair amount of time. It's one of those invisible jobs, and a part time job, in itself. But as a job, it does reward financially. so definitely worth it. <br />Have a great day, Melissa.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-43727572851959439092017-11-07T06:40:07.021-08:002017-11-07T06:40:07.021-08:00Hi Carol,
Many years ago I had a source for really...Hi Carol,<br />Many years ago I had a source for really inexpensive TVP. We used that a lot, not to stretch meat, but in place of meat. I loved it as there was no residual fat to clean up, and it was quick to use. My twins were babies at the time, so my meal prep time was practically nothing. One of my favorite-to-make-meals was TVP, canned tomato sauce, some herbs, and pasta. It was as fast as making boxed macaroni and cheese, but with the serving of fruit/veg in the tomato sauce. I'll look into TVP again this winter. It's handy stuff for days when there is no meat thawed, or otherwise available. And it adds a nice texture to bean burritos.<br />I think it really helps to inventory your perishables every day. I leave my menu planning loose enough that I can choose what vegetables I want, fairly last minute, and use up produce as needed.<br />Thanks for your additions, Carol. Have a great day.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-5588379334945332372017-11-07T06:32:33.046-08:002017-11-07T06:32:33.046-08:00Thanks, Belinda.Thanks, Belinda.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-90236669428709672082017-11-07T06:32:16.835-08:002017-11-07T06:32:16.835-08:00Good solutions, Sara! I also like that a bag takes...Good solutions, Sara! I also like that a bag takes up so much less space in the freezer than plastic containers.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-19737328078512739082017-11-07T06:31:03.147-08:002017-11-07T06:31:03.147-08:00Hi Theresa,
I could never get the hang of using a ...Hi Theresa,<br />I could never get the hang of using a paring knife to peel. I'll have to try again sometime. That's great that you can use that skill, still. <br />Have a great day!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-7390325365693734762017-11-07T04:30:57.526-08:002017-11-07T04:30:57.526-08:00We have gotten into a routine of going out for lun...We have gotten into a routine of going out for lunch several times a week. But the way we do it, is not a splurge by no means. Since I have not been cooking at all lately, this is our way of giving the cook, my husband, a much deserved break. My only kitchen duty has been to clean around the kitchen, wash the dishes after meals, and clean our garden vegetables and other prepping duties. <br /><br />To not lose control of our food budget, we find creative ways of stretching takeout food. Already the cheapest way to eat out, we take it another mile. I pack our garden vegetable side dishes, so we can stretch whatever we buy. A pound of entree on sale bought at the deli counter from the market seems to be the cheapest take out. Last week, we bought a pound of orange chicken, which was on sale for $2.99, that was eaten hot for lunch, then taken home for dinner, then lunch and dinner the next day for two people. Of course, we usually also serve lots of vegetable side dishes at every meal. We pack our jug of ice water and always keep disposable plates and utensils in the car. We like to eat picnic style anyway. Much cheaper than a fast food meal, and only a fraction of what it costs to eat at a restaurant. Mainly, the point is to give my husband a break from cooking, so it doesn't matter so much where and how we eat.<br /><br />Also while at the deli counter, we look for any other deli clearances to bring home. These will usually be frozen for future meals. This week, we bought three coconut custard pies for a dollar each. I cut the pie in 8 pieces, then popped the pie in the freezer. This way we can thaw only the portion we want to eat immediately, and not have leftovers since the goods are short dated. The idea is to not have a whole pie sitting in our fridge for longer than a day.<br /><br />YHF<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-84650393999511724222017-11-06T16:01:28.301-08:002017-11-06T16:01:28.301-08:00I too do most of these things but it is fun to be ...I too do most of these things but it is fun to be reminded!Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-88060816665534115972017-11-06T15:39:40.057-08:002017-11-06T15:39:40.057-08:00I think you could summarize your list by saying, &...I think you could summarize your list by saying, "Don't wastes." Around here, we don't have many leftovers to save for later. We eat the crumbs of cereal with our regular bowl, use spoons to get the last out of a bag of chips, etc. <br /><br />And I don't know how one lives without a spatula. I would like to think their use is high also.Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-51660100607693418442017-11-06T14:46:39.006-08:002017-11-06T14:46:39.006-08:00Oh Lili funny you should mention this, I find a pa...Oh Lili funny you should mention this, I find a paring knife generally works better for me.<br />I remember as a child learning how to use one from my mother with veggies over newspaper to catch the peelings. No plastic bags back then��<br />When I married my husband he had no knowledge of using a paring knife but had seen his mother use a vegetable peeler.<br />We purchased one for him. I started using it and then my children subsequently. <br />Recently I’ve found that field cucumbers and some yams are not easily peeled with a peeler. I went back to using a knife.<br />It was like riding a bike. Didn’t forget the skill. I actually did better with it and all these happy memories of my mother came back.TGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-44415043162028383112017-11-06T14:35:16.252-08:002017-11-06T14:35:16.252-08:00I’m a big spatula user. I think we have done a lo...I’m a big spatula user. I think we have done a lot of the things on your list.<br /><br />It became a little bit harder when I developed food allergies because I have to be careful about mixing some things, but we still keep bits and pieces to use in dishes.<br /><br />I still keep a soup container to put bits and pieces in from the leftovers. It doesn’t take much of any one item to make a good soup and it is a great way to use up a spoon of this and a spoon of that.Sharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692049927299389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-83663370952954466362017-11-06T13:17:23.971-08:002017-11-06T13:17:23.971-08:00I also use many of the same tactics. Glad to hear...I also use many of the same tactics. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who finds a full fridge to be overwhelming and likely to encourage waste. If I possibly can freeze a leftover that won't be eaten in the next day or two, I do! Otherwise it turns into a different life form in the refrigerator. :)Krisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-5305736864489780442017-11-06T12:26:18.876-08:002017-11-06T12:26:18.876-08:00I love spatulas! We use them constantly around he...I love spatulas! We use them constantly around here. My favorites are ones I picked up at the restaurant supply store. My kids know to use a spatula to get the last of the PB out of the jar. We also use this method for yogurt, mayo, etc. While we don't have much food waste around here (I employ many of the methods you do, Lili), I find that keeping on top of food stores takes up a pretty fair amount of time. I rotate food forward & plan my meals around what needs to be used first. And of course, making sure I'm aware of what we're running low on & getting those things on my shopping list to be bought during the next sale. Melissa Matt Macduff Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11043554569369923416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-58504838272232786272017-11-06T10:30:54.311-08:002017-11-06T10:30:54.311-08:00Lili, I also do alot of the things you listed as w...Lili, I also do alot of the things you listed as well as:<br />-dry out the heels of bread on the counter. Once I have enough, I'll run them thru the food processor for crumbs<br />-I decant the "cereal dust" from the bottom of the empty cereal bag into my bread crumbs jar<br />-I recuse plastic food packaging for wrapping sandwiches, reducing my need to purchase baggies<br />-I save tea bags. Once I have 2 of the same flavor,I will make a second cup, using those 2 bags<br />-I make up plastic tubs of "tv dinners" using bits of this n that until full enough for a meal. I store it in the freezer, it may sometimes take a week to create this meal<br />-I menu plan to avoid food waste<br />-I inventory the perishables daily<br />-we eat seasonally<br />-I buy surplus produce in season, then home preserve<br />-I make most of my home cleaning supplies, source ingredients/supplies at the Dollar Tree<br />-I mix beef bouillon infused TVP with ground beef/beans and use this in lieu of ground beef<br />-I make serve soup twice a week for dinner, leftovers carried over to lunch<br />-when I cook a turkey, I immediately cut off one side of the breast, wrap and freeze for future sandwich fillings<br />-I reduce the amount of meat used in recipes. Where many would use 1 full LB, I use 1/4-1/2<br />-I serve a vegetarian meal once week, at least<br /><br />CTMOMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04825780992878036362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-57064770851567197432017-11-06T07:59:30.328-08:002017-11-06T07:59:30.328-08:00This is a great list, Lili. :)This is a great list, Lili. :)Belindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17486895127003368291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-72830466194317433962017-11-06T07:44:26.405-08:002017-11-06T07:44:26.405-08:00Lili--
We had a rather sudden change in our cooki...Lili--<br /><br />We had a rather sudden change in our cooking style around here, and I still have a couple of mega-packs of chicken undivided in the freezer. The last one I used, I made into a big batch of white chili, because it was the only way I could think of to cook/use so many at one time. Both freshness and waste become concerns if I don't plan ahead. <br /><br />As for single-serving containers, it does seem to work for many things to cut/portion out the servings, and either pre-freeze them on cookie sheets or separate them carefully in a ziplock bag or plastic storage container. That way they can be stored in one container, but the individual portions can be removed as many as are needed at one time. <br /><br />We've also found that, for "freeform" or loose foods, it works to put individual servings in cheap fold-over sandwich bags within a freezer-proof container. I do wash and re-use freezer bags, but it took a lot to hold all the individual servings, and I'm not storing a quart or gallon, anyway (that's the whole point.) The sandwich bags seem to physically hold up fine in the freezing temps, and the bigger container keeps them neat and easy to find, as well as safe from the freezer burn. (You do definitely need to be more organized if you have single-serving things, because it's easy to lose them for months in a full freezer when you're digging about.) I also was lucky to get some stackable 1 1/2 cup containers for Christmas one year. They're neat and tidy, and easy to label with a little piece of scotch tape and a sharpie pen. <br /><br />We got some sale pork steaks the other day, and I broke the six-pack into three quart bags and froze them with each steak squeezed off into it's own corner. The other day, I just popped one out, baked it with some liquid and herbs straight from the freezer, and it was delicious, and perfect for two small meals for me. <br /><br />Take care! SaraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-84449926657406654002017-11-06T07:22:42.504-08:002017-11-06T07:22:42.504-08:00Hi Sara,
That's a really great suggestion, and...Hi Sara,<br />That's a really great suggestion, and very applicable for my stage in life. When I buy the valu-packs of chicken pieces I now wrap them individually before freezing. That way I can cook just one breast if that's all we need. I need to scrounge up some single serving size freezer containers for leftovers.<br />Have a great day, Sara!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.com