Don't shop!
Don't shop as a hobby.
Don't swap shopping on the high street for charity shop spending.
Don't rush to the supermarket if you run out of something, how many times have you popped into a shop for a pint of milk and spent £20?
Keep longlife milk and part baked rolls in your cupboard.
Think about the things you run out of most and then build up a store cupboard of alternatives.
Find an alternative to things when you have run out.
I have cooked roast potatoes in lard, oil, butter and margarine.
I've added weetabix to stuffing mix that was too runny because I didn't have enough.
I can make stuffing from scratch or from a packet mix.
I use instant mash to thicken would and stews.
Yesterday I had half a chicken breast and wanted to do our usual Sunday roast, I cooked a couple of sausages and made stuffing, and Yorkshire puddings. Our plates were full with peas, cauliflower cheese, broccoli, sprouts and roast potatoes. Even Steve didn't realised how little meat was on his plate.
10 comments:
Couldn't agree more.
I love your blog, its like talking to a sister over tea. This one hits the spot with me since I decided to "not spend" in 2021. Last year the "shelter in place" got to me and I ended up spending online. I'm a 74 yr old grandma who lives alone in a senior apartment complex of 64 others and I've now been sheltering in place since last Feb - only going out to sit in the sun and getting my hair cut, have lunch with my daughter and granddaughter (about 5 times). I get laundry picked up & done then delivered to my porch, I get groceries delivered or I make a pick-up order which my daughter picks it up at Super Walmart and leaves on my porch. Since Feb no one has come into my apt. BUT I get boxes and boxes of my over spending left on my porch by the delivery people. So far this year, I've only ordered necessities like food, some items of clothing that I need. I feel good about it Last Monday I got the COVID vaccine and in Feb I'll get the follow up dose and will begin to feel a bit safer. Still have to mask, distance and wash hands - I have the biggest mask collection (LOL) which was one of my purchases last year. My next goal is to begin examining what I have stored in the pantry and freezer and begin to use it up rather than buy more now.
This is so true!
This month - even though it's a long month with 5 weekends, I gave myself half my usual grocery budget - and I will make it! Long life milk and some bread in the freezer, plus a decent pantry has made it relatively easy. I'm going to try and do the same in February.
Like you,I love the fun of creating things by thinking outside the box. We throw no food away. I scrub potatoes and we eat them with the skins on, even mashed.
Very good list! I'd add: don't cook twice for one meal. Meaning: boil potatoes for the first meal, then fry or mash for the second meal; so, don't do 2 cooking steps for 1 meal.
Absolutely loved your last sentence! My husband refuses to eat most vegetables.....will make a hot dog or toast instead...
W
For some odd reason the stores here in the US don’t sell long life milk. No idea why. Nor the orange and apple juices in the boxes...
Hope you’re doing ok...hanging in there in the US...
I've learned the fine art of cooking small. My daughter left a small crockpot behind. I found it when I was going through the attic. I brought it downstairs, and put my big crock pot away. I cook small meals. No waste. I get a huge satisfaction from taking a look a what I have in the fridge or my cupboards and trying to figure out what to make from it.
Porridge oats are good for thickening stews. I always keep us well stocked, here. When you get everything delivered once a week you need to think ahead.
Love your blog. In awe of how you cope in a small space. I add pasta to my slow cooker, it is a small one and half half one day with a dumpling popped in and the rest on another day over a jacket potato. I try not to throw food away, don't care what it looks like as long as it tastes good!!
In the U.S. I use Carnation powdered milk which I order online. It seems expensive but it lasts a very long time and there is no waste. I make it up 1/2 cup at a time. We used to throw away a lot of milk.
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