There's one thing I've found with this project - there is personal growth learned from living within your means. Living on a budget I think is something that should happen in more households. One thing that is for certain, and I'm not a big fan of the word certain - because I think life in general is a contradiction - but I am more certainly conscious of where my money is spent. This week I bought two things not needed too often: oil and butter. That was about $8 worth of my food budget for the week. I am facing a dilemma now because I will be working a night shift and over the weekend. I worked last weekend, too.
What I need is coffee. How am I going to get through all this? Really, seriously, I am so glad to be working that I will take whatever hours are offered; I just want to be able to focus on my work with a regular pick me up from my Coffee Comfort Zone, as I like to call it. I habitually, have a cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon after lunch. This habit makes me feel full and alert to get back to work and I like that feeling, in fact I rely on it. I've been having tea, two bags at a time just these past few days. I'm somewhat of a coffee snob, I like to buy the beans. But very often in my life, I've had a jar of instant in my cupboard. So I'm tossing around buying about a cup of beans at a time, say each week, or, should I buy a jar of instant. The instant is easy, and I can take it to work easy.
I suppose, I will have to see what I need to actually buy next week and what I can actually afford.
Trying, but, it takes dilemmas like this to see how you really are and what means something to you. I will definitely not buy coffee over food. But one of the great things about planning and living within your means is that it forces you to think; to think about food and what your true feelings and desires are and looking forward to what you're really going to need. Priceless lessons learned about myself.
New Home Economics Cooking 101! Real cooking is healthy, economical and...Empowering!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Stretching Your Meat Dollars
Sometimes, with something like cooking, you get ideas and see things done in many different ways, which can be very inspiring. I first learned about using meat as more of a flavor from an old cookbook called Jane Brody's Good Food Book. She was a big believer in adding whole grains to her diet to add fiber and nutrition. Fiber fills you up, takes longer to digest - which makes you feel satisfied longer.
My good friend Jeanine was making Meat Sauce for spaghetti once and I watched her add handfuls of carrot pulp from her juicer, and she has one the best sauces I've ever had. She let it cook for at least two hours before ever serving it - if we could wait that long.
This week, I bought 1.05lb of ground beef.
I browned 1/3 of that and added half of my eggplant, cubed; 1/2 an onion, diced; 1 small can of tomatoes; garlic powder and salt and pepper. I'm tossing this with some spaghetti. It's more of a stewy sauce and will still be good in a few days when the flavors have melded together over some rice for my work lunches.
I still have ground beef to use as a filling for a burrito. A couple of burgers, mixed with an egg, some grated carrot and onion and maybe oatmeal to make a very satisfying burgers.
The thing is, is that meat is expensive and many people, including myself are not planning on becoming a vegetarian in order to eat well. I know that adding more vegetables and grains to my meals is healthy - and it can also be delicious and satisfying.
Meat just does not have to take center stage on my plate.
My good friend Jeanine was making Meat Sauce for spaghetti once and I watched her add handfuls of carrot pulp from her juicer, and she has one the best sauces I've ever had. She let it cook for at least two hours before ever serving it - if we could wait that long.
This week, I bought 1.05lb of ground beef.
I browned 1/3 of that and added half of my eggplant, cubed; 1/2 an onion, diced; 1 small can of tomatoes; garlic powder and salt and pepper. I'm tossing this with some spaghetti. It's more of a stewy sauce and will still be good in a few days when the flavors have melded together over some rice for my work lunches.
I still have ground beef to use as a filling for a burrito. A couple of burgers, mixed with an egg, some grated carrot and onion and maybe oatmeal to make a very satisfying burgers.
The thing is, is that meat is expensive and many people, including myself are not planning on becoming a vegetarian in order to eat well. I know that adding more vegetables and grains to my meals is healthy - and it can also be delicious and satisfying.
Meat just does not have to take center stage on my plate.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Chocolate Cake...It's What's For Dinner
I admit, I am chocoholic. No doubt about it. I haven't had chocolate for a while and wasn't really thinking about it. Then all of a sudden today, I about lost it. I just wanted chocolate cake. I was thinking about it at work and not only made a mental note, but a total taste recollection of my homemade chocolate cake, and I was a goner. I've posted this recipe before, it's awesome and super easy. This time I poured the batter in my cast iron skillet - it's in the oven now! I love to bake in my cast iron skillet: cakes, brownies, pound cakes, bread - it bakes amazingly well. I've got some local country music station blasting and my house smells like chocolate! Holy Cow, what's happening here!
I don't have cream cheese, but let me tell you something, Sour Cream with a little sugar mixed in is a wonderful substitution to plop on top!
WHERE THE HECK IS MY FORK!!!!
Chocolate Cake For OneDry Ingredients
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup boiling water
Wet Ingredients
1 egg
1/4 cup whole milk or vanilla yogurt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a small pan with cooking oil (or spray) and dust well with flour.
Mix all dry ingredients with a whisk in a medium sized bowl. Mix wet ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup. Pour the boiling water into the dry ingredients and whisk. Pour in wet ingredients. Whisk for a few minutes. Mixture is very thin. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for approx. 15-20 minutes. Make sure you watch the cake after about 15 minutes, as my oven is a sad story, mine had to bake for 30.
NOTE: If you bake it in cast iron, get the skillet hot in the oven for about 10 minutes. You'll get a nice crust around the edge. If you like that sort of thing :)
I don't have cream cheese, but let me tell you something, Sour Cream with a little sugar mixed in is a wonderful substitution to plop on top!
WHERE THE HECK IS MY FORK!!!!
Chocolate Cake For OneDry Ingredients
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup boiling water
Wet Ingredients
1 egg
1/4 cup whole milk or vanilla yogurt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a small pan with cooking oil (or spray) and dust well with flour.
Mix all dry ingredients with a whisk in a medium sized bowl. Mix wet ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup. Pour the boiling water into the dry ingredients and whisk. Pour in wet ingredients. Whisk for a few minutes. Mixture is very thin. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for approx. 15-20 minutes. Make sure you watch the cake after about 15 minutes, as my oven is a sad story, mine had to bake for 30.
NOTE: If you bake it in cast iron, get the skillet hot in the oven for about 10 minutes. You'll get a nice crust around the edge. If you like that sort of thing :)
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Week 6
Week 6
02/26/12
Milk 1.99
Vegetable oil 3.29
Diced tomatoes, canned .79
Butter 1lb. 3.99
Spaghetti 1lb 1.49
Sweet potaotes 2.87
Brussel sprouts .86
Eggplant 1.29
Lentils 3.53 (Wrong!!)
Sour Cream .99
Oat Bran (bulk) .77
English muffins 1.99
Ground Beef 3.66
Pork loin chops 2.23
Subtotal 29.74
Tax 1.78
Total 31.52
Credit 2.26 (on my lentils)
New Total 29.26
Lesson learned today: Always watch the cashier as they ring up your items!!!! This is the second mistake I've caught since I started this project, which means there must have been plenty in my lifetime. The lentils that I bought - on my receipt says Chia Seeds, which I did not buy. So now I have to remember to take my receipt back and the lentils, because I got them from the bulk section and get my credit.
I did go slightly over my $30 A Week budget, but as I have not been spending my total budget, it did not concern me. I needed oil, so I got the least expensive vegetable oil they had. And butter, which I haven't had for several weeks, will be used sparingly. I would rather have nothing than use margerine.
I did well in the produce department, I love eggplant and brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes.
Everything looks great for lunch and dinner. For breakfast, I have two bran muffins left from last week and oatmeal and raisins, which I like to mix with oatbran for a smoother texture. I still have oranges and a couple of bananas, so I am pretty well set for the week.
My coffee supply is gone, so for now, since I don't want to deal with my coffee situation, I will switch to tea.
PLAN WELL!! If I don't plan well, I wear myself out wondering. If it's done I can go and do other things without thinking about my next meal.
02/26/12
Milk 1.99
Vegetable oil 3.29
Diced tomatoes, canned .79
Butter 1lb. 3.99
Spaghetti 1lb 1.49
Sweet potaotes 2.87
Brussel sprouts .86
Eggplant 1.29
Lentils 3.53 (Wrong!!)
Sour Cream .99
Oat Bran (bulk) .77
English muffins 1.99
Ground Beef 3.66
Pork loin chops 2.23
Subtotal 29.74
Tax 1.78
Total 31.52
Credit 2.26 (on my lentils)
New Total 29.26
Lesson learned today: Always watch the cashier as they ring up your items!!!! This is the second mistake I've caught since I started this project, which means there must have been plenty in my lifetime. The lentils that I bought - on my receipt says Chia Seeds, which I did not buy. So now I have to remember to take my receipt back and the lentils, because I got them from the bulk section and get my credit.
I did go slightly over my $30 A Week budget, but as I have not been spending my total budget, it did not concern me. I needed oil, so I got the least expensive vegetable oil they had. And butter, which I haven't had for several weeks, will be used sparingly. I would rather have nothing than use margerine.
I did well in the produce department, I love eggplant and brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes.
Everything looks great for lunch and dinner. For breakfast, I have two bran muffins left from last week and oatmeal and raisins, which I like to mix with oatbran for a smoother texture. I still have oranges and a couple of bananas, so I am pretty well set for the week.
My coffee supply is gone, so for now, since I don't want to deal with my coffee situation, I will switch to tea.
PLAN WELL!! If I don't plan well, I wear myself out wondering. If it's done I can go and do other things without thinking about my next meal.
Week 5 2nd Trip
Week 5 2nd Trip
Walnuts (bulk) 1.86
Oranges 1.12
Tortillas, flour 2.29
Lettuce, green leaf .99
Ground beef 3.46
Sugar, 1 lb. 1.39
Subtotal 11.11
Tax .67
Total 11.78
Just a few things to be able to add to my lunches. I keep walnuts in my work bag just in case I get hungry - I have something to tide me over. Tortillas are great for filling with anything for lunch, I like to keep them on hand. I was in a salad mood, I will put almost anything on a bed of greens - love it!
Walnuts (bulk) 1.86
Oranges 1.12
Tortillas, flour 2.29
Lettuce, green leaf .99
Ground beef 3.46
Sugar, 1 lb. 1.39
Subtotal 11.11
Tax .67
Total 11.78
Just a few things to be able to add to my lunches. I keep walnuts in my work bag just in case I get hungry - I have something to tide me over. Tortillas are great for filling with anything for lunch, I like to keep them on hand. I was in a salad mood, I will put almost anything on a bed of greens - love it!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Talkin' Food At Work
Luckily, I got back to work. I got my old job back, and although its a temp position, I have my hopes to secure a position with the company. All I can say is We Shall See.
I'm sticking to my project, even though they offer lunch on Friday for the employees. I've committed myself to this $30 A Week. It was easier than I thought, all I said was, I'm doing a project and everything I eat has to come from home and be within my budget. Not a problem.
Before I started working here, I had not worked in an office with a group of people, and actual team of people for quite a while, years, in fact. My office jobs were alone or with one other person, and as a bookkeeper, I had my own office separate from the rest of the group. My position now is in customer service with a colorful group of people, lots of banter going on and lots of talk about food. I mean excessive talk about food. Conversations can be very entertaining and I enjoy this part of it a lot - whether listening or participating.
What was for dinner?
What's for lunch?
What was that thing you had? Can you pick me up one of those?
Should I heat up my lunch?
I think I'll go heat up my lunch, now.
Lots of good intelligent conversation about work and customer issues, by the way. But instead of being cooped up into a cubicle - everyone is out in the open. Different and entertaining and I'm glad to be working. I literally laugh out loud all the time and that's a good thing.
I'm sticking to my project, even though they offer lunch on Friday for the employees. I've committed myself to this $30 A Week. It was easier than I thought, all I said was, I'm doing a project and everything I eat has to come from home and be within my budget. Not a problem.
Before I started working here, I had not worked in an office with a group of people, and actual team of people for quite a while, years, in fact. My office jobs were alone or with one other person, and as a bookkeeper, I had my own office separate from the rest of the group. My position now is in customer service with a colorful group of people, lots of banter going on and lots of talk about food. I mean excessive talk about food. Conversations can be very entertaining and I enjoy this part of it a lot - whether listening or participating.
What was for dinner?
What's for lunch?
What was that thing you had? Can you pick me up one of those?
Should I heat up my lunch?
I think I'll go heat up my lunch, now.
Lots of good intelligent conversation about work and customer issues, by the way. But instead of being cooped up into a cubicle - everyone is out in the open. Different and entertaining and I'm glad to be working. I literally laugh out loud all the time and that's a good thing.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Eating On A Budget Is Not A Novelty
Not everything in life is fun or instantaneous and sometimes when you get past the novelty of starting something new, the work and the time you put into it can be as rewarding as the finished product. Time put into something - your time - into work, play and daily living is all about care and effort through actions.
Eating on a budget seems to be something a lot of people want to try, especially the $30 A Week budget - Maybe to see if its possible to not be hungry or have the willpower. But for many people eating on a budget is not a project, its a way of life and the only way a lot of people know that they can eat well and pay their rent.
Like I've said many times before, I've done it on and off for years and even when my job situation is really good, I barely go over $30 a week on groceries, especially now that I only buy whole foods. There's a feeling I've gotten of self-reliance and capability from thinking and planning and taking care of myself. Not jumping at the chance to have potato chips to satisfy a craving - but to turn and not even think about the instant gratification, but to think 'maybe later I'll make some fries'. It's the change in myself I like too: I don't want packages or brands in my cupboards and refrigerator, I just want to see the ingredients I can create with. Simple and sincere foods put together with my hands to feed me.
Once the novelty of budgeting is over and your thoughts come into place, you might find its not only about the food.
Eating on a budget seems to be something a lot of people want to try, especially the $30 A Week budget - Maybe to see if its possible to not be hungry or have the willpower. But for many people eating on a budget is not a project, its a way of life and the only way a lot of people know that they can eat well and pay their rent.
Like I've said many times before, I've done it on and off for years and even when my job situation is really good, I barely go over $30 a week on groceries, especially now that I only buy whole foods. There's a feeling I've gotten of self-reliance and capability from thinking and planning and taking care of myself. Not jumping at the chance to have potato chips to satisfy a craving - but to turn and not even think about the instant gratification, but to think 'maybe later I'll make some fries'. It's the change in myself I like too: I don't want packages or brands in my cupboards and refrigerator, I just want to see the ingredients I can create with. Simple and sincere foods put together with my hands to feed me.
Once the novelty of budgeting is over and your thoughts come into place, you might find its not only about the food.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Week 5
02/19/12
Week 5
Bananas .83
Tomatoes, canned .79
Milk 1.99
Stew meat 3.86
Raisins bulk .81
Cheese 2.99
Potatoes 1.77
Carrots loose .91
Oranges 1.45
Onions .55
Tea 100 bags 3.99
Subtotal 15.95
Tax .96
Total 16.91
Being on this budget I kind of like making a 2nd stop during the week. I make sure I use up or almost use up what I have, especially with things like milk and fruit and vegetables. If the meat situation is getting low, I can pick up something to get me through the rest of the week.
I got stew meat again, as its easy to throw in the crockpot with something else and its a great chili, stew or soup. This week I think I want to make a stew and pour it over some orzo that I got a couple of months ago, still have some left. I have some rice but I think I'm in the mood for orzo.
I love oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon an easy breakfast that's hearty and filling. Lunch has been PB&J lately with fruit, which I love but am getting tired of them, so I have a can of tuna and I can switch to tuna salad for lunch.
I have spices that I've been using, but you'll notice that I've been keeping it pretty simple. Just simple and healthy, which is how I eat most of the time anyway.
I'm a big tea drinker and have switched in the mornings to tea with milk and sugar. One cup and sometimes two. I've been pretty satisfied as far as food goes. It's all sincere and simple food which is filling and healthy. Can't go wrong there!
Week 5
Bananas .83
Tomatoes, canned .79
Milk 1.99
Stew meat 3.86
Raisins bulk .81
Cheese 2.99
Potatoes 1.77
Carrots loose .91
Oranges 1.45
Onions .55
Tea 100 bags 3.99
Subtotal 15.95
Tax .96
Total 16.91
Being on this budget I kind of like making a 2nd stop during the week. I make sure I use up or almost use up what I have, especially with things like milk and fruit and vegetables. If the meat situation is getting low, I can pick up something to get me through the rest of the week.
I got stew meat again, as its easy to throw in the crockpot with something else and its a great chili, stew or soup. This week I think I want to make a stew and pour it over some orzo that I got a couple of months ago, still have some left. I have some rice but I think I'm in the mood for orzo.
I love oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon an easy breakfast that's hearty and filling. Lunch has been PB&J lately with fruit, which I love but am getting tired of them, so I have a can of tuna and I can switch to tuna salad for lunch.
I have spices that I've been using, but you'll notice that I've been keeping it pretty simple. Just simple and healthy, which is how I eat most of the time anyway.
I'm a big tea drinker and have switched in the mornings to tea with milk and sugar. One cup and sometimes two. I've been pretty satisfied as far as food goes. It's all sincere and simple food which is filling and healthy. Can't go wrong there!
Week 4 2nd trip
Week 4 2nd Trip
Milk 1.99
Bananas 1.05
Sugar 1lb. 1.39
Evaporated milk 1.29
Tomatoes 1.13
Subtotal 6.85
Tax .41
Total 7.26
Just a few miscellaneous items to get me through.
Milk 1.99
Bananas 1.05
Sugar 1lb. 1.39
Evaporated milk 1.29
Tomatoes 1.13
Subtotal 6.85
Tax .41
Total 7.26
Just a few miscellaneous items to get me through.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Everyone Must Cook!
Everyone needs food. Everyone must eat. Everyone must cook.
In some way or another everyone should contribute to the meal. From a young age, too. Just part of the process of life. Participation is something we've lost touch with. To make a generalized statement that cooking is only for certain people in a household, makes me wonder just how that household survives and grows - or is there room for growth? Cooking is a human thing. Republican, democrat, liberal, man, woman and child - whatever your job or station in life - it must be made a priority and the time must be taken to cook. And don't ever let some weirdo with an insignificant opinion look down upon the "job" of cooking; that person will be the one missing out. There is nothing weird about a man cooking dinner for himself, his friends or his family.
In some way or another everyone should contribute to the meal. From a young age, too. Just part of the process of life. Participation is something we've lost touch with. To make a generalized statement that cooking is only for certain people in a household, makes me wonder just how that household survives and grows - or is there room for growth? Cooking is a human thing. Republican, democrat, liberal, man, woman and child - whatever your job or station in life - it must be made a priority and the time must be taken to cook. And don't ever let some weirdo with an insignificant opinion look down upon the "job" of cooking; that person will be the one missing out. There is nothing weird about a man cooking dinner for himself, his friends or his family.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Distracted?
When we're close to the things that mean something to us, we are connected to them.
Distractions, loss of focus of what matters make us disconnect and get us off track very easily.
Our homes, our relationships with family and friends and the food we eat all keep us grounded and give us a direct connection to what is close to us in our life. When we disconnect with these things we miss an important experiences.
Sometimes we refuse to connect because of a wall of fear we put up or an ignorance to what could be important if we gave it a chance.
Sometimes we even forget the reasons why we work - the reasons that drive us to do what we do, not the latest television show or video game to come home to - but really break it down and think about what we do and why we do it. These connections to the things that make us who we are and give us life and make us feel alive, though simple as they may be are a part of us and make us who we really are as human beings. To be connected with simple pleasures and take an interest in what surrounds us and who surrounds us is life - our life.
Valentines day is everyday because its about love - only love; not chocolate and roses kind of love but real connecting love.
Distractions, loss of focus of what matters make us disconnect and get us off track very easily.
Our homes, our relationships with family and friends and the food we eat all keep us grounded and give us a direct connection to what is close to us in our life. When we disconnect with these things we miss an important experiences.
Sometimes we refuse to connect because of a wall of fear we put up or an ignorance to what could be important if we gave it a chance.
Sometimes we even forget the reasons why we work - the reasons that drive us to do what we do, not the latest television show or video game to come home to - but really break it down and think about what we do and why we do it. These connections to the things that make us who we are and give us life and make us feel alive, though simple as they may be are a part of us and make us who we really are as human beings. To be connected with simple pleasures and take an interest in what surrounds us and who surrounds us is life - our life.
Valentines day is everyday because its about love - only love; not chocolate and roses kind of love but real connecting love.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Week 4
02/12/12 WEEK 4
Walnuts (bulk) 2.46
Peanut butter 2.98
Stew meat 3.57
Wheat bread 2.50
Mozzarella cheese 2.79
Subtotal 14.30
Tax .86
Total 15.16
And why did I buy a loaf of bread? Yes, I do usually bake my own and love to bake, but not this week - I had a lot to do and was not up to it. My theory is that I will be eating a few PB&J's this week, and I love them - never knock a good PB&J, those things really hit the spot. And the bread was a good one on sale.
I am going to put some beans in the crockpot overnight and add the meat tomorrow - for some good homemade chili. That will last for a while, I always say I'm going to freeze some whenever I make it and then I eat it all. I have an onion, some carrots that I'll add. Maybe I'll make some cornbread tomorrow to go with it.
I am pretty sure I will be making another trip for milk and fresh fruit/veg. Not a big deal to me because I don't like it to go bad. Also, the newspaper comes out with the weekly specials on Wednesday so its nice to see what's on sale. Got to pay attention to the weekly sales!!
Shop what's on sale. Shop the perimeter of the store for most of your food- just go in a giant U-shape from when you start to when you finish in front: Produce, meats, dairy and bulk items are usually around the walls of the store. Frozen fruit and vegetables are acceptable and healthy. And canned items can be very inexpensive - if you have to go there, it is not the end of the world. Your budget has to work for you, if you're used to a certain food frozen or canned, buy it if you can afford to. But please do not buy frozen burritos or pizza or frozen meals or even dehydrated potatoes. DO NOT BUY PROCESSED FOODS!!!Whatever you do and however you make your budget work for you is up to you. But, you have to have a budget and it has to feed you well.
Walnuts (bulk) 2.46
Peanut butter 2.98
Stew meat 3.57
Wheat bread 2.50
Mozzarella cheese 2.79
Subtotal 14.30
Tax .86
Total 15.16
And why did I buy a loaf of bread? Yes, I do usually bake my own and love to bake, but not this week - I had a lot to do and was not up to it. My theory is that I will be eating a few PB&J's this week, and I love them - never knock a good PB&J, those things really hit the spot. And the bread was a good one on sale.
I am going to put some beans in the crockpot overnight and add the meat tomorrow - for some good homemade chili. That will last for a while, I always say I'm going to freeze some whenever I make it and then I eat it all. I have an onion, some carrots that I'll add. Maybe I'll make some cornbread tomorrow to go with it.
I am pretty sure I will be making another trip for milk and fresh fruit/veg. Not a big deal to me because I don't like it to go bad. Also, the newspaper comes out with the weekly specials on Wednesday so its nice to see what's on sale. Got to pay attention to the weekly sales!!
Shop what's on sale. Shop the perimeter of the store for most of your food- just go in a giant U-shape from when you start to when you finish in front: Produce, meats, dairy and bulk items are usually around the walls of the store. Frozen fruit and vegetables are acceptable and healthy. And canned items can be very inexpensive - if you have to go there, it is not the end of the world. Your budget has to work for you, if you're used to a certain food frozen or canned, buy it if you can afford to. But please do not buy frozen burritos or pizza or frozen meals or even dehydrated potatoes. DO NOT BUY PROCESSED FOODS!!!Whatever you do and however you make your budget work for you is up to you. But, you have to have a budget and it has to feed you well.
Week 3 - 2nd Trip
Week 3 - 2nd Trip
I stopped a couple extra times last week, just because I am now feeling I need more. Is still have stayed easily within my budget. But as my staples dwindled, of course, I needed to spend more.
02/09/12 (Week 3)
Tangerines 1.28
Chocolate raisins (bulk) 1.63
Bananas .95
Nut mix (bulk)4.06
Flax cereal (bulk) 5.07
Subtotal 12.99
Tax .78
Total 13.77
02/11/12
Kale 2.29
Bananas .95
Sour cream 1.09
Pork chops 3.54
Subtotal 7.87
Tax .47
Total 8.34
Budgeting, eating and cooking - they all obviously take time. I do not mind taking the time since the food I cook and my meals are really important to me, not just in the sense of being frugal - but of making the effort to eat whole foods. Being with a very low food budget is not something new to me - I was a single mom and I had to make what I earned work for us. I don't bother with coupons anymore since that's mostly only processed foods - I used to cut coupons and I saved a ton. However, now I can see what that was all about with getting people to buy processed foods - people get a taste of something and they want to continue to buy that product - it's a marketing strategy, something I no longer want to buy into. Seriously, just whole foods is the way to go - I've been doing this for almost two years now, so taking the time to document this for people who are interested and on a budget can see and realize it is not a deprivation to eat well on a budget.
I stopped a couple extra times last week, just because I am now feeling I need more. Is still have stayed easily within my budget. But as my staples dwindled, of course, I needed to spend more.
02/09/12 (Week 3)
Tangerines 1.28
Chocolate raisins (bulk) 1.63
Bananas .95
Nut mix (bulk)4.06
Flax cereal (bulk) 5.07
Subtotal 12.99
Tax .78
Total 13.77
02/11/12
Kale 2.29
Bananas .95
Sour cream 1.09
Pork chops 3.54
Subtotal 7.87
Tax .47
Total 8.34
Budgeting, eating and cooking - they all obviously take time. I do not mind taking the time since the food I cook and my meals are really important to me, not just in the sense of being frugal - but of making the effort to eat whole foods. Being with a very low food budget is not something new to me - I was a single mom and I had to make what I earned work for us. I don't bother with coupons anymore since that's mostly only processed foods - I used to cut coupons and I saved a ton. However, now I can see what that was all about with getting people to buy processed foods - people get a taste of something and they want to continue to buy that product - it's a marketing strategy, something I no longer want to buy into. Seriously, just whole foods is the way to go - I've been doing this for almost two years now, so taking the time to document this for people who are interested and on a budget can see and realize it is not a deprivation to eat well on a budget.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
A Brief Interlude
I didn't mean to take a break this week from writing my blog; it just happened. It was a habit/inspiration thing. An inner struggle actually. I looked at habit and habit said to me 'Where's inspiration?'
And, although, I know good and well, from habit comes inspiration, I knew I needed to think about and focus on different things; catch up on different things; write different things.
I will be back tomorrow with my Week 4 post. :)
And, although, I know good and well, from habit comes inspiration, I knew I needed to think about and focus on different things; catch up on different things; write different things.
I will be back tomorrow with my Week 4 post. :)
Monday, February 6, 2012
The Packaged Soul?
I came across an interesting book, The Hidden Persuaders, by Vance Packard, circa 1957. On the cover there is a tag line that reads, THIS BOOK GIVES THE STARTLING ANSWERS to hundreds of questions and facts that show how today's advertising men are using our hidden urges and frustrations to sell everything from gasoline to politicians.
This is a highly interesting book about how advertisers persuade us by nudging us with bold and sometimes imaginative efforts.
It asks, How can you know what to believe? What is the morality of the practice of encouraging housewives to be non rational and impulsive in buying the family food? What is the morality of playing upon hidden weaknesses and frailties? Building a dread of nonconformity and anxieties over not having something, that something being their product. What are the ethics of businesses that shape campaigns designed to thrive on our weaknesses that they themselves have diagnosed? What is the morality in manipulating small children?
The world of fast food and processed food is a world of manipulative advertisers and it is very disrespectful to all of us as intelligent beings. There are no ethical codes to advertising, in fact, if yesterday is any indication, some advertising is entertainment. The marketing of brands and products has formed the society we live in today. Enriching our lives, giving pleasure, the desire for comfort, for luxury and for prestige??? In the book, this is all referred to as a trend; unfortunately it has become a way of life. This abundance of products infringes on our quality of life, there is no doubt about it - it is overwhelming, and I very much hate to use the word, but we have become a slave to the world of consumerism - advertising is channeling our behaviors for its own goal, making us believe that it is our goal to feel how their product will make us feel.
The book was published in 1957, the author could already see that product manipulation was a problem and would only get worse. There was never any effort to reverse this type of advertising.
But certainly our expanding economy can manage to thrive without the necessity of psycho-testing children or mind-molding men or playing upon the anxieties we strive to keep to ourselves. America is too great a nation-and Americans too fine a people- to have to tolerate such corrosive practices.
The most serious offense...is that they try to invade the privacy of our minds. It is this right to privacy in our minds...that I believe we must strive to protect.
It's up to us to find in ourselves our true desires - distinguish them within the world of production and try our best to find what we truly want without the brand - and be firm in our decision without influence. It's 2012, is this possible? Is it possible to be a conscious consumer with a firm decision to overlook brands and packaging. Like everything else, it is totally and completely up to us.
This is a highly interesting book about how advertisers persuade us by nudging us with bold and sometimes imaginative efforts.
It asks, How can you know what to believe? What is the morality of the practice of encouraging housewives to be non rational and impulsive in buying the family food? What is the morality of playing upon hidden weaknesses and frailties? Building a dread of nonconformity and anxieties over not having something, that something being their product. What are the ethics of businesses that shape campaigns designed to thrive on our weaknesses that they themselves have diagnosed? What is the morality in manipulating small children?
The world of fast food and processed food is a world of manipulative advertisers and it is very disrespectful to all of us as intelligent beings. There are no ethical codes to advertising, in fact, if yesterday is any indication, some advertising is entertainment. The marketing of brands and products has formed the society we live in today. Enriching our lives, giving pleasure, the desire for comfort, for luxury and for prestige??? In the book, this is all referred to as a trend; unfortunately it has become a way of life. This abundance of products infringes on our quality of life, there is no doubt about it - it is overwhelming, and I very much hate to use the word, but we have become a slave to the world of consumerism - advertising is channeling our behaviors for its own goal, making us believe that it is our goal to feel how their product will make us feel.
The book was published in 1957, the author could already see that product manipulation was a problem and would only get worse. There was never any effort to reverse this type of advertising.
But certainly our expanding economy can manage to thrive without the necessity of psycho-testing children or mind-molding men or playing upon the anxieties we strive to keep to ourselves. America is too great a nation-and Americans too fine a people- to have to tolerate such corrosive practices.
The most serious offense...is that they try to invade the privacy of our minds. It is this right to privacy in our minds...that I believe we must strive to protect.
It's up to us to find in ourselves our true desires - distinguish them within the world of production and try our best to find what we truly want without the brand - and be firm in our decision without influence. It's 2012, is this possible? Is it possible to be a conscious consumer with a firm decision to overlook brands and packaging. Like everything else, it is totally and completely up to us.
Week 3
02/06/2012 WEEK 3
Still doing well!! Here's this weeks list:
Tuna, canned in water .99
Chocolate Chips (bulk) 2.11
Milk 1/2 gal 1.29
Half & Half 1.29
Tortillas (8) 1.69
Tomatoes, diced canned 1.39
Eggs 1.89
Lean ground beef 2.30
Snow Peas 2.59
Potatoes 1.12
Subtotal 16.66
Tax 1.14
Total 17.80
I like going to this particular market because they have a mark down section, where my milk and half and half came from. Also, the snow peas were there, but I got over charged, they were marked at 1.29, so I'll have to go back with my package and get credit. This market also has a great bulk section which has chocolate chips that are good quality, so I got a cup - I have a sweet tooth.
This week I can make pasta, with meat sauce. I have eggs and potatoes. I have tuna. I have stuff for quesadillas (I have some cheese left). In my pantry I have some rice, lentils and beans for fill ins and additional ingredients. I have plenty of oatmeal and some bran muffins - I had to make a 2nd batch - 12 this time. I have some carrots, broccoli and peas, also.
I need to make a loaf of bread and I will be set for the week!
Still doing well!! Here's this weeks list:
Tuna, canned in water .99
Chocolate Chips (bulk) 2.11
Milk 1/2 gal 1.29
Half & Half 1.29
Tortillas (8) 1.69
Tomatoes, diced canned 1.39
Eggs 1.89
Lean ground beef 2.30
Snow Peas 2.59
Potatoes 1.12
Subtotal 16.66
Tax 1.14
Total 17.80
I like going to this particular market because they have a mark down section, where my milk and half and half came from. Also, the snow peas were there, but I got over charged, they were marked at 1.29, so I'll have to go back with my package and get credit. This market also has a great bulk section which has chocolate chips that are good quality, so I got a cup - I have a sweet tooth.
This week I can make pasta, with meat sauce. I have eggs and potatoes. I have tuna. I have stuff for quesadillas (I have some cheese left). In my pantry I have some rice, lentils and beans for fill ins and additional ingredients. I have plenty of oatmeal and some bran muffins - I had to make a 2nd batch - 12 this time. I have some carrots, broccoli and peas, also.
I need to make a loaf of bread and I will be set for the week!
Friday, February 3, 2012
What's Cookin'?
Last night I made a hearty White Bean and Kale Soup. It was delicious last night and even better the next day. I made it in the crockpot, adding ingredients throughout the afternoon - it was ready at about 7 last night. White beans, chopped onions, carrots, broth, a few handfuls of chopped kale and some spike seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes to give it a little zip. Mmmmm.
Today, I stopped by the Barkin' Basement, my favorite place for retail therapy around here. Found Caribbean Cookery by Winifred Grey. I'm always on the lookout for good old cookbooks, a few months ago, I found one by Amy Vanderbilt with illustrations by Andrew Warhol...Andy Warhol. I never know what I'm going to find. This cookbook by Winifred Grey is of my grandmother's era; there's a recipe for Pastelles and Callaloo that are similar to what she made. I found a plain old recipe for Standard Muffins with a Bran Muffin variation listed at the end. I've been in the mood for bran muffins - good moist ones for a while and these are the ones. This is the recipe from Caribbean Cookery, and I have only added the addition of molasses. They are delicious!
1 1/4 cups flour
2/3 cup wheat bran
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/8 cup molasses
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup milk or water
Makes 12 muffins
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl. Beat the eggs and add the molasses, oil and water. Add liquid to dry ingredients. Stir with a spoon until dry ingredients are completely moistened. Fill greased muffin tins or paper cups 2/3 full. Bake about 15 minutes or until they spring slightly when touched. You can add 3/4 cup raisins for raisin bran muffins. Mmmmm!
Today, I stopped by the Barkin' Basement, my favorite place for retail therapy around here. Found Caribbean Cookery by Winifred Grey. I'm always on the lookout for good old cookbooks, a few months ago, I found one by Amy Vanderbilt with illustrations by Andrew Warhol...Andy Warhol. I never know what I'm going to find. This cookbook by Winifred Grey is of my grandmother's era; there's a recipe for Pastelles and Callaloo that are similar to what she made. I found a plain old recipe for Standard Muffins with a Bran Muffin variation listed at the end. I've been in the mood for bran muffins - good moist ones for a while and these are the ones. This is the recipe from Caribbean Cookery, and I have only added the addition of molasses. They are delicious!
1 1/4 cups flour
2/3 cup wheat bran
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/8 cup molasses
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup milk or water
Makes 12 muffins
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl. Beat the eggs and add the molasses, oil and water. Add liquid to dry ingredients. Stir with a spoon until dry ingredients are completely moistened. Fill greased muffin tins or paper cups 2/3 full. Bake about 15 minutes or until they spring slightly when touched. You can add 3/4 cup raisins for raisin bran muffins. Mmmmm!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Being Real
First of all, I think everyone should have a budget to know what their spending habits are, to be able to better save where and when necessary. A budget is a positive thing: it pulls us in in certain areas of our life where there is needless spending, and in areas where we could spend more - we are able to move those dollars over. We should all know what it takes to run our homes and car and care for ourselves. No matter what job or how high or how low the income, we must know what goes out.
Being hit with a low income job or unemployment after years of living a certain way with a regular salary, it's emotionally disheartening and incredibly stressful, there is no doubt in my mind.
To have to reassess what you spend and how you do things, is a life changing event. Social activities become next to nothing. It is a major life event, a change that either makes you sink or swim.
Over the last several months, there have been people taking this food stamp challenge, to see what its like to eat on $30 a week or the bare minimum allotted for one person in their state. It is always some sort of negative outcome. Someone feels starved sitting at lunch with friends; someone sees a person eating a candy bar in the street and feels deprived; someone else misses their daily coffee habit. Poor babies, I feel sorry for you all. Because, instead of coming back and reporting a positive experience of self-reliance and resilience - they're all coming back saying how bad it feels and how awful it was and how they feel sorry for people that have to have SNAP benefits.
And what I have to say to all of this crap and superficial experience, it was a highly unrealistic approach. Reality t.v. at its worst.
Why? Because it is not approached from a realistic place. They are just taking the $30 a week and using only that amount, they do not touch what they already have in their cupboards. How is this being real?
If something happens to me and I am immediately cautious of where my money is being spent, I use what I have first. Does that ring a bell? I spend only the absolute minimum necessary. Just like turning down the heat and putting on another sweater.
Let me show you how it is to be a strong, resilient and self-reliant human being. Let me show you how it can work. And let me not ever feel sorry for myself or have a pity party over what I cannot afford at that time.
Being hit with a low income job or unemployment after years of living a certain way with a regular salary, it's emotionally disheartening and incredibly stressful, there is no doubt in my mind.
To have to reassess what you spend and how you do things, is a life changing event. Social activities become next to nothing. It is a major life event, a change that either makes you sink or swim.
Over the last several months, there have been people taking this food stamp challenge, to see what its like to eat on $30 a week or the bare minimum allotted for one person in their state. It is always some sort of negative outcome. Someone feels starved sitting at lunch with friends; someone sees a person eating a candy bar in the street and feels deprived; someone else misses their daily coffee habit. Poor babies, I feel sorry for you all. Because, instead of coming back and reporting a positive experience of self-reliance and resilience - they're all coming back saying how bad it feels and how awful it was and how they feel sorry for people that have to have SNAP benefits.
And what I have to say to all of this crap and superficial experience, it was a highly unrealistic approach. Reality t.v. at its worst.
Why? Because it is not approached from a realistic place. They are just taking the $30 a week and using only that amount, they do not touch what they already have in their cupboards. How is this being real?
If something happens to me and I am immediately cautious of where my money is being spent, I use what I have first. Does that ring a bell? I spend only the absolute minimum necessary. Just like turning down the heat and putting on another sweater.
Let me show you how it is to be a strong, resilient and self-reliant human being. Let me show you how it can work. And let me not ever feel sorry for myself or have a pity party over what I cannot afford at that time.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The Idaho Factor
I guess it's time to fully explain my situation and try and explain exactly what I'm doing here in Idaho. I had another blog going, No Bull in Idaho, that I sort of let slip, but the two really do go hand in hand. As I have found, more and more everyday, cooking is just a part of life - and sometimes there is a lot of life going on. And then some days I look out and see snow and feel the cold and wonder where life is.
I am a native Angelino, born in Santa Monica, raised mostly there and lived there most of my life. My son, Chris, is going to school now in Oregon, and I raised him there in Marina del Rey and Culver City. I love Southern California, I left because something was calling me, and not because of a bad relationship or an I'm sick and tired of the traffic attitude, although, I don't miss the traffic. I left solely on a gut feeling that this was going to be good for me and it was something I needed to do for myself.
Idaho, was where my ex-husband, Chris' father and I came to get away from L.A. in 1986. My father and step-mom live in Caldwell, so we lived in Boise for about six months. One day we took a drive to the mountains and I said if I'm going to live anywhere outside of California, this is where I'm going to live. So we moved to Ketchum. I hated Boise, sorry about that. Ketchum is just so pretty. To make a very long story short, I got pregnant, we got married - and right after my son turned one, we got a divorce and I moved back to California. Phewww.
The thing is, is that I always had it in the back of my mind that I'd go back. I had wanted to raise my son there, but things did not work out. And happily for his sake, he wants to be on the water, so the best thing I could have done for him was stay there so he could enjoy that kind of life, now he's going to school studying maritime science and is a captain. It all worked out.
In coming up here, it took me a while. First, I had a dream in January of 2007 that I just saw the mountain range looking north of Ketchum. I was really happy when I woke up and it started digging at me. How could I do it? How could I get there? It was on this belief, that I could find the happiness that I was looking for, that I made it on August 16, 2009.
I remind myself now: Good things take time, just like good food does.
There is a lot more to Inspired Home Cooking than meets the eye. It's a labor of love, a journey an adventure and discovering adversity is just a really good lesson, with something better to come.
TBC...to be continued.
I am a native Angelino, born in Santa Monica, raised mostly there and lived there most of my life. My son, Chris, is going to school now in Oregon, and I raised him there in Marina del Rey and Culver City. I love Southern California, I left because something was calling me, and not because of a bad relationship or an I'm sick and tired of the traffic attitude, although, I don't miss the traffic. I left solely on a gut feeling that this was going to be good for me and it was something I needed to do for myself.
Idaho, was where my ex-husband, Chris' father and I came to get away from L.A. in 1986. My father and step-mom live in Caldwell, so we lived in Boise for about six months. One day we took a drive to the mountains and I said if I'm going to live anywhere outside of California, this is where I'm going to live. So we moved to Ketchum. I hated Boise, sorry about that. Ketchum is just so pretty. To make a very long story short, I got pregnant, we got married - and right after my son turned one, we got a divorce and I moved back to California. Phewww.
The thing is, is that I always had it in the back of my mind that I'd go back. I had wanted to raise my son there, but things did not work out. And happily for his sake, he wants to be on the water, so the best thing I could have done for him was stay there so he could enjoy that kind of life, now he's going to school studying maritime science and is a captain. It all worked out.
In coming up here, it took me a while. First, I had a dream in January of 2007 that I just saw the mountain range looking north of Ketchum. I was really happy when I woke up and it started digging at me. How could I do it? How could I get there? It was on this belief, that I could find the happiness that I was looking for, that I made it on August 16, 2009.
I remind myself now: Good things take time, just like good food does.
There is a lot more to Inspired Home Cooking than meets the eye. It's a labor of love, a journey an adventure and discovering adversity is just a really good lesson, with something better to come.
TBC...to be continued.
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