wandajune6's Profile
Live Below the Line
These are great ideas!
Where I am, some of the foraging isn't as easy to do. But the shopping suggestions are definitely applicable for me. We're starting to grow our own veggies now but won't likely have anything to eat for months- and the campaign says that we only have to account for the resources put into growing it (basically just seeds since we use rainwater and compost).
In some ways, I think this endeavor would be easier over a longer time period. When I'm just planning for 5 days, I feel like you don't get as many long-term economies of scale. I am feeling much more optimistic on how to do this though!
Live Below the Line
Those are amazing prices- I can't get anywhere near that in my area. However, I do get a discount on store brand merchandise at one of the local chains and have a tendency to buy whole chickens that way. At $3.50 (pulling out all of the discounts/markdowns/etc) it's a great deal but may take up too much of my budget- but workable if I'm teaming up. Great call!
Live Below the Line
What are battery eggs? I've never heard the term but love eggs.
I'm not sure where to buy chicken heads but the feet are always great for soup. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
Live Below the Line
I'm thinking the same thing- CathleenH's approach seems very reasonable to me.
I'm in an urban area and don't feel comfortable taking from local charities- I'm just uncomfortable taking advantage of limited resources when I don't have to. However, I'm still contemplating taking advantage of some of my company's wonderful benefits, namely an unlimited supply of milk, coffee, tea, and fresh fruit.
Live Below the Line
I tend to eat a lot of the same things on a regular basis. I need to switch to dried beans and cut out some of the add-ons though. Thanks for the ideas- and making them so accessible!
Live Below the Line
Hi-
I am interested in the Live Below the Line challenge-- living for 5 days on $1.50/day (i.e. below the poverty level).
https://www.livebelowtheline.com/us-how-does-it-work/
I'm getting pretty good at budget cooking but without thinkings like olive oil, flour, herbs, etc. to grab from my pantry without thought makes this much harder.
So.... how would you live below the line for 5 days? Can you help me with recipes?
Good restaurant for prime rib and Asian market in Cincy?
I'm relatively new to Cincinnati myself. I can't speak to prime rib places but for Asian groceries, I do have an opinion.
If I'm looking to stay closer to the city, CAM is your best bet. Sakura in Florence isn't bad either.
If you're looking for a broader assortment, the trip to Jungle Jim's is worthwhile. It's a bit overwhelming but they carry all products- though occasionally not the brands that you want.
Let us know what else you find- I'd love the recommendations too!
Things you want to try making
There's a long list of things that I want to make...
1. Homemade pasta. It's supposed to be easy and my gramma just gave me her old manual pasta maker- I just need to find a kitchen with enough counter space to borrow.
2. Homemade seafood stock. I occasionally have fish bones and shrimp peels so there's no excuse not to do it. I just haven't gotten to it yet.
3. Homemade bread. I used to make/freeze baguettes but haven't done it in forever.
4. I forget what they're called but those delicious Greek-style lima beans. *Swoon*
5. Stuffed cabbage, using my grandmother's recipe. It takes forever but is so wonderful.
I'll end up with a huge list if I keep monitoring this topic!
Smoked turkey tail- and recommendations for ethnic grocery store
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I went back and bought a couple more tails and will troy them into the split pea soup that I'm planning to make tonight.
Thanks!
Smoked turkey tail- and recommendations for ethnic grocery store
I recently bought a smoked turkey tail with the idea that I would use it in bean soup instead of a ham hock. It was very cheap and I thought it could be an interesting addition. Now that it's home, I'm realizing that I've never used a ham hock much less a turkey tail.
So- any recommendations on how to use it? Be it for soup or any other purpose?
And, while off-topic, I'd like to ask: if you could buy any (low cost) food item, what would it be? I'm going to Jungle Jim's (www.junglejims.com), Cincinnati's foodie mecca- a grocery store that's at least 2x the size of Costco with foods from all over the world. I'm shopping on a budget but love buying fun, random ingredients to work with. My current list includes French lentils, dried black mushrooms, daikon, bulgogi meat, mushroom extract granules, and frozen artichoke bottoms (all of these, of course, assuming that they aren't $$$).
Any suggestions for fun things to try?
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
That sounds wonderful! What kind of pickles do you use? Dill? Sweet? I'm trying to imagine what would be best. I'm also thinking of roasted peppers in it....
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
I'd love a freezer but, for as long as I'm in this apartment, it isn't happening. I'm planning to move this summer and am hoping to get one for the new place.
I used to live in Chicago and loved Stanley's, Pete's and all of those other wonderful produce places. Plus, the meat sales could be amazing. Sadly, I'm in Cincinnati now. Produce isn't anywhere near as cheap as the places I was used to and meats don't get nearly as cheap.
You're making me miss home....
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
I'm hoping to have that effect soon!
Maybe I'll try the lentils in a small quantity with the rice, just to see what happens. My ancient rice cooker died a few months back and I fell in love with the replacement- I'm constantly trying to find new combinations to cook in it!
Thanks!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
I should be honest- we're not trying that hard to be healthy. I need to lose some weight but am not hugely focused on it. Unfortunately, my boyfriend has fallen in love with my cooking (nice thing, really) but has started eating for 3 because of it. He's been gaining weight and wants to reverse the trend. I figure that it's for the best for both of us to be more careful.
We probably eat too many carbs simply because they're so easy. A bowl of pasta or rice takes no time or effort and works beautifully with a little bit of this and that on top. I do need to get better about it though.
Thanks!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
I used to buy the organic and/or free range chickens and I'll admit that they taste much better. Sadly, grad school and the subsequent student loans have changed my eating habits quite a bit. I do love roast chicken though and will have to try the J-G method. Thanks!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
I love all of these ideas! I never thought of prosciutto ends either- that sounds wonderful!
I have very mixed feelings about how to buy chicken. Because of my employer (a grocery chain, though I'm not in stores), I can get discounts on private label products. There is usually a very low level private label brand for whole chickens. With my discount they can be incredibly cheap. The downside is that they have lots of juice pumped into them and I worry a bit about hormones. It's a fine line but very tempting. The key for chickens I find is to buy them on Sunday- I never have the time to roast them, etc. during the work week.
This threat (sub thread?) is great for the chicken suggestions. Thank you all!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
How do you like frozen artichokes? I love artichokes but the idea of frozen has always been a bit intimidating. I work for a grocery chain and get a discount so it's not that big of a leap but I hate the idea of wasting money on something that can't be easily repurposed!
I love your ideas on chickpeas. I love them myself but haven't found forms that he likes. Chickpea cakes and the like may be enough to change his mind. Thanks!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
That's a great call, thanks!
I didn't grow up eating a lot of meat so that's a pretty natural approach to me. I'm just trying to get my boyfriend trained on it-- I can't cook a chunk of meat without him trying to eat the whole thing!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
The soba sounds wonderful! All of those ideas sound great!
I wish I could have more freezer space. I'm in a crappy apartment at the moment and, since I know it's a shorter-term situation, I've decided not to invest in things like a freezer. Plus, there's no place to put one.
I love the frittata idea as well. Pondering what I have in the fridge to add to one...
Thanks!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
That sounds wonderful! I've always avoided learning to fry things- I figure that it's a dangerous skill for my waistline. But that might be enough to change my mind.
Thanks!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
It's funny that you mention that- I love the WW fried rice recipe. I've used it as a vehicle for all sorts of leftover meat and veggies. Just one lesson learned: cabbage is awful in it.
Good call on the pizza too- I tend to make homemade pizza when I have a bunch of guys coming over for dinner but never really thought of it as a budget food. Good call! Thanks!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
I love mujadarah! It's funny that you mention it- I made it one night, thinking that we could eat off it for a few days (we were both crazy busy at work and I thought it would be easy for reheating). He loathed it! I don't know what it was but he wouldn't touch it. I ended up eating it for about a week and still have a bunch in the freezer. Admittedly, I made a huge batch but it was out of control.
That might make a wonderful dinner for me tonight...
In the future, do you think I could cook the rice and lentils together in the rice cooker? Maybe if I pre-soaked the lentils?
Thanks!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
Wow! Thank you all for all of the recommendations!
I'm a bit overwhelmed with all of the feedback but have a ton of ideas for eating through my pantry and approaching my next grocery shopping trip.
Thank you all!
Cooking for 2 on a budget?
I cook dinner for my boyfriend and myself every night. We’re on a tighter budget at the moment and I tend to work late most nights. I’m also trying to lose weight and keep him healthier. In terms of food, he’s more traditional (meat and potatoes) kind of guy whereas I’m pretty adventurous (and less thrilled with meat) so finding meals that work for both of us without breaking the bank.
Does anyone have any favorite recipes to offer? I often find myself cooking meals for 4 then eating the leftovers for lunch. I’m not opposed to doing this but I get bored eating the same thing for 4 meals in a row!
A few other notes: I have a smaller fridge so I can’t store a ton of food (i.e. it’s hard to pack up a big pot of soup) but I have all of the tools, pots/pans, herbs/spices, oils and vinegars, etc. that a well-stocked home would have.
Thanks!
Are you a brand slave?
I was recently in a company meeting with Coca Cola of Croatia and heard an explanation of this. In many parts of Europe, only one diet product is available- Coke Zero. In these areas, pop is still considered a novelty or treat and people feel the need to do it "right." Products like Coke Zero are rarely consumed but, when they are, it is ually as an alternative to the original for people who can't drink the original for whatever reason.
There, we also found it very interesting that it was much more expensive to drink pop than beer (or most other alcoholic beverages), it truly is a beverage for kids/teens and plays a very different role in diets.
What are you eating RIGHT NOW?
I'm in class eating my faux Kashi/faux Cheerios and drinking a diet Coke. And clearly not paying enough attention to the lecture on trademark infringement.
