$30 for a week's worth of food?!
i want to try only spending $30 on food for an entire week!. I was hoping to buy groceries on monday and then make meals from what i buy for the entire week!. does anyone have any ideas on items/recipes!. it would be helpful if the ingredients could if re-used or if leftovers from a recipe could be used as a side dish for another recipe or just reused altogether!. i'm only cooking for myself and breakfast is excluded!. i do want to try to be as healthy as possible so ramen noodles for an entire week is not viable!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
If you have the time, go to your local big grocery store, and search out the best deals!. Here are a few things I get when I'm feeling cheap or low on cash:
Bananas, and some other fresh fruit on sale!. If you are not picky, you can save money!.
Plain bulk low fat yogurt (2 lb tub), 2lb frozen mixed vegetables, some pasta, cheap pasta sauce (or even tomato sauce, and mix in your own spices), brown rice!.
For cheap quesadillas, buy black beans, frozen spinach, a block of cheese if on sale, and cheap tortillas!. Heat and eat!. Use the rest of the cheese in other meals!.
Meat is expensive, possibly beyond your stated budget, but buy some if you like it!. Lean beef is too expensive, so buy chicken!.
For drinks, drink tap water!. It won't hurt you (much)!. Sometimes I buy soymilk if on sale!.
Plan your meals, then buy what you can use in them!. Look for clearance items that are good values!. Let us know how it goes!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Bananas, and some other fresh fruit on sale!. If you are not picky, you can save money!.
Plain bulk low fat yogurt (2 lb tub), 2lb frozen mixed vegetables, some pasta, cheap pasta sauce (or even tomato sauce, and mix in your own spices), brown rice!.
For cheap quesadillas, buy black beans, frozen spinach, a block of cheese if on sale, and cheap tortillas!. Heat and eat!. Use the rest of the cheese in other meals!.
Meat is expensive, possibly beyond your stated budget, but buy some if you like it!. Lean beef is too expensive, so buy chicken!.
For drinks, drink tap water!. It won't hurt you (much)!. Sometimes I buy soymilk if on sale!.
Plan your meals, then buy what you can use in them!. Look for clearance items that are good values!. Let us know how it goes!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Get 1 loaf of bread ($2), 2 packs of cold cuts (which usually make about 4 meals for $5), chicken breast (1!.5 lbs at $3!.50/lb would make 4 dinners at $5!.75), frozen veggies ($3), pasta (~$3 if you get generic for the whole week), bananas ($3 a bunch), 1!.5 lbs of meat to make a burger or meatballs (3 meals at $3/lb would be $4!.50)!.
And buy 2 2-liter bottles of your favorite drink for about $3
That's just about $30!.!.!.!.how does that sound!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
And buy 2 2-liter bottles of your favorite drink for about $3
That's just about $30!.!.!.!.how does that sound!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Italian is cheap to make and good to eat! Just buy some whole grain pasta and a low sodium spaghetti sauce!. Then how about a fruit salad and veggie salad on another night!. Grilled chicken breast is cheap and is extremely high in protein!. Just buy stuff at a local goodie store everyday when you actually need it!. That's what we do!. Good luck! Nyzo!. (:Www@FoodAQ@Com
Stir Fry is really good,and its really healthy,just grab some frozen Vegetables and some chicken and cook it up !(:
also,make some home-made soup,like Clam Chowder,or Beef Stew!.
Home-made sauce taste really good!.
Lots of home-made things are good and healthy!.
Have fun !(:Www@FoodAQ@Com
also,make some home-made soup,like Clam Chowder,or Beef Stew!.
Home-made sauce taste really good!.
Lots of home-made things are good and healthy!.
Have fun !(:Www@FoodAQ@Com
Ramen, beans (the uncooked kind in a bag), rice and whatever you can muster up to add as an additional flare to the above!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
thats my daily food intake -_-, i think when the scientist collide the atoms it made a black hole!.!.!.!.in my stomachWww@FoodAQ@Com
Dark green salad greens (usually bags of those are on sale or 2 for 1); invest in a good bottle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil and buy w/e veggies are on sale wherever you shop (i!.e!. tomatoes, cucumbers, sliced mushrooms etc)!. a roast is very good and easy to cook and economical: you'll just have to invest in some spices
http://southernfood!.about!.com/cs/porkroa!.!.!.
our grocery store always has some nice cut pork loin on sale and we'd buy that!. buy a california pizza kitchen pizza (they're delicious and sometimes on sale and not nasty and greasy) try their margherita one or the garlic chicken!. some bread for sandwiches!. peanut butter and jelly!. some of these things ive listed will last thru just a week!. u can add bananas to the sandwich if ur into that, im not!. chicken fajitas
http://metropolitan-market!.com/food/reci!.!.!.
then get something u like to add to water for variety so u dont get bored with just drinking water!. if you like tea buying a big thing of liptons is good or jasmine tea u could go to an asian market for a big thing of it!. dont buy soft drinks and chips and crap like that!.
being able to pick key healthy ingredients and reusing them to make other recipes out of them is a key!.
i hope that helped some!. i was brainstorming and typing at same time and didnt reform this, its kind of messy!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
http://southernfood!.about!.com/cs/porkroa!.!.!.
our grocery store always has some nice cut pork loin on sale and we'd buy that!. buy a california pizza kitchen pizza (they're delicious and sometimes on sale and not nasty and greasy) try their margherita one or the garlic chicken!. some bread for sandwiches!. peanut butter and jelly!. some of these things ive listed will last thru just a week!. u can add bananas to the sandwich if ur into that, im not!. chicken fajitas
http://metropolitan-market!.com/food/reci!.!.!.
then get something u like to add to water for variety so u dont get bored with just drinking water!. if you like tea buying a big thing of liptons is good or jasmine tea u could go to an asian market for a big thing of it!. dont buy soft drinks and chips and crap like that!.
being able to pick key healthy ingredients and reusing them to make other recipes out of them is a key!.
i hope that helped some!. i was brainstorming and typing at same time and didnt reform this, its kind of messy!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Just yourself could eat easily on $30!. ! Remember it is cheaper to buy the big packages unless you catch a real good sale! do the math before you buy it!. Large pk of chicken breast is $6 you can make 6 grilled chicken breast meals!. Or other chicken meals!. Minute rice is about $3 you can get 5 or 6 servings from that to go with chicken!. 3 lbs of ground chuck will make a burger night and the rest taco meat!. Buy 1 pk of Taco Bell Taco seasoning !1!. Shells $2 makes 12 tacos thats 2 meals!. Left over taco meat make taco soup or a casserole with potaotes!. That's only about $15 bucks so far!. With some of the chicken boil it and make chicken salad and use the broth for soup!. You need miracle whip dozen eggs about $6!. Get some lettuce, green onions, dressing, thats about $6!. You have a salad with chicken breast in it!. Now thats $27!. thats about it counting tax!. If you have mor you need some cheddar cheese about $2!. Next week you will already have dressing, miracle whip and probably potatoes left!.!.
Buy bulk burger and bulk chicken!. A tube of ground chuck is about $12 bucks and a bag oc chicken legs and thighs are bout $6!. A bag of potatoes are about $6!. Now go to the dollar store, buy rice $1!.50(1lb), beans(lb) $1!.50,Www@FoodAQ@Com
Buy bulk burger and bulk chicken!. A tube of ground chuck is about $12 bucks and a bag oc chicken legs and thighs are bout $6!. A bag of potatoes are about $6!. Now go to the dollar store, buy rice $1!.50(1lb), beans(lb) $1!.50,Www@FoodAQ@Com
First I wish you the best in keeping the cost down these days it's very hard to do it but maybe with some tricks of the trade you can find some great buys at produce stands and grocery stores!.
lets get started!.!.!.go to the produce stand and see if they have a reduced section of veggies that might not look so great but are still in good condition to cook and eat!.
I was thinking now that it's fall you could make some great "Vegetable soup " with or without meat and have cheese and peanut butter on hand to have with the soup plus bread and crackers for other uses too!.
Here is a list of ingredients I put in the soup that is simple and tasty!.
Water and V8 juice 2 quarts combined or all water
if you use water you can add a bullion cube to the soup any flavor chicken or beef
potatoes peeled and cubed
carrots peeled and sliced into rounds
onions and fresh garlic
parsley chopped
corn whole kernel frozen or canned
celery washed and chopped
if you like beans they can be a meat substitute
beans type kidney or any kind you prefer 1 15 ounce can
canned diced or stewed tomatoes or V8 juice
salt, pepper and chile powder
olive oil or other cooking oils like canola
1 bay leaf optional not necessary but gives a nice taste
In a large pot place pour enough oil to cover the bottom of the pot lightly!. Chop the onions, garlic and celery cook in the oil until then start to sweat then add the other ingredients
Bring to a boil and turn down and simmer for an hour or so until the soup has a sweet vegetable aroma it should be done then!.
You can price the frozen bags of vegetables made for making soup it might be a better buy!. But check the reduced veggies too if you can!. That is a big savings!.
A couple weeks ago I bought a bag of apples reduced and made two apple pies!.!.!.they were so good and helped my wallet too!.
We have a store called Save a lot that sells canned foods for less compared to other stores I go there about once a month and I save that way!. Being Italian I use canned tomatoes like crazy so I buy a lot from this store!.
Tonight I made meatballs in a sauce you can have it on buns or on pasta!. Here is a recipe for it if you want to give it a try!. Check the store for their grocery ads when they have ground beef on sale!. Then the meatballs would really taste better knowing they were made with the sale meat!
In a large bowl place the ground beef I use ground chuck it's not too dry!.You need a little fat in the ground beef!. Then add 1 egg and a handful of onions chopped!. Some dry breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, any Italian spices like oregano or basil or some of both and minced garlic, salt, pepper, some parmesan cheese grated!. Mix these ingredients together and if too stiff add ice water so you can stir it easily with your fork then put your hands in it and make some meatballs about the size of a golf ball!. Place them on a oiled cookie sheet and bake them for about 30 minutes or until nice and brown but not over done!. Buy a tall can or jar of your favorite pasta sauce and you have a cheap meal that can be used again not just one time!.
Good luck,
If I can help you more I'm happy to do it!.
Mama Jazzy Geri
italmama6060@yahoo!.com Www@FoodAQ@Com
lets get started!.!.!.go to the produce stand and see if they have a reduced section of veggies that might not look so great but are still in good condition to cook and eat!.
I was thinking now that it's fall you could make some great "Vegetable soup " with or without meat and have cheese and peanut butter on hand to have with the soup plus bread and crackers for other uses too!.
Here is a list of ingredients I put in the soup that is simple and tasty!.
Water and V8 juice 2 quarts combined or all water
if you use water you can add a bullion cube to the soup any flavor chicken or beef
potatoes peeled and cubed
carrots peeled and sliced into rounds
onions and fresh garlic
parsley chopped
corn whole kernel frozen or canned
celery washed and chopped
if you like beans they can be a meat substitute
beans type kidney or any kind you prefer 1 15 ounce can
canned diced or stewed tomatoes or V8 juice
salt, pepper and chile powder
olive oil or other cooking oils like canola
1 bay leaf optional not necessary but gives a nice taste
In a large pot place pour enough oil to cover the bottom of the pot lightly!. Chop the onions, garlic and celery cook in the oil until then start to sweat then add the other ingredients
Bring to a boil and turn down and simmer for an hour or so until the soup has a sweet vegetable aroma it should be done then!.
You can price the frozen bags of vegetables made for making soup it might be a better buy!. But check the reduced veggies too if you can!. That is a big savings!.
A couple weeks ago I bought a bag of apples reduced and made two apple pies!.!.!.they were so good and helped my wallet too!.
We have a store called Save a lot that sells canned foods for less compared to other stores I go there about once a month and I save that way!. Being Italian I use canned tomatoes like crazy so I buy a lot from this store!.
Tonight I made meatballs in a sauce you can have it on buns or on pasta!. Here is a recipe for it if you want to give it a try!. Check the store for their grocery ads when they have ground beef on sale!. Then the meatballs would really taste better knowing they were made with the sale meat!
In a large bowl place the ground beef I use ground chuck it's not too dry!.You need a little fat in the ground beef!. Then add 1 egg and a handful of onions chopped!. Some dry breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, any Italian spices like oregano or basil or some of both and minced garlic, salt, pepper, some parmesan cheese grated!. Mix these ingredients together and if too stiff add ice water so you can stir it easily with your fork then put your hands in it and make some meatballs about the size of a golf ball!. Place them on a oiled cookie sheet and bake them for about 30 minutes or until nice and brown but not over done!. Buy a tall can or jar of your favorite pasta sauce and you have a cheap meal that can be used again not just one time!.
Good luck,
If I can help you more I'm happy to do it!.
Mama Jazzy Geri
italmama6060@yahoo!.com Www@FoodAQ@Com
If Top Ramen is out of the picture and most likely you don't find
Mac and Cheese a healthy substitute!.!.!. then I don't see how
you will be able to feed yourself for a whole week with just a
$30 budget!. (At least not if you are from CA!.!.!.)
Basic Staples you should have:
One 5lb!. bag of potatoes - there is a million things you can do with taters!.!.!. - probably around $3 to $4 if your are lucky
1 Bag of Rice - $2
1 Bag of any kind of noodles you like - $2
One loaf of Bread!.!.!. if you can get another one cheap put it in the freezer, better yet!.!.!. put both loafes into freezer and only take out
how many slices of bread you need a day in the morning!.
Stick the slices of bread in a plastic ziploc bag and leave on kitchen
counter!. They will thaw in no time and be just as fresh as when you bought them!. ($1!.99 to $3!.99)
1 Gallon of Milk - CA average price $5
1 dozen Eggs - CA average price 1!.99 to 2!.50
1 or 2 small onions - 50 cents to a Dollar
Vegetable Oil for cooking (cheap and small bottle $4
and Mayo for your Sandwiches ($3
Sandwich meats - Once again, freeze what you don't need
past 3 days!. (Prepackaged cheap crap - 1!.99 if you are very lucky
to 5!.99/lb!. average for sliced deli ham)
Peanut Butter, Jelly!.!.!. $3/$3
Already at $35!.!.!.!. minimum!.!.!.
By now your $30 is long gone!.!.!. Oops!.!.!. maybe not if you live
in a "cheap" grocery state!.!.!.
And you haven't even got any meat or veggies yet!.!.!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Mac and Cheese a healthy substitute!.!.!. then I don't see how
you will be able to feed yourself for a whole week with just a
$30 budget!. (At least not if you are from CA!.!.!.)
Basic Staples you should have:
One 5lb!. bag of potatoes - there is a million things you can do with taters!.!.!. - probably around $3 to $4 if your are lucky
1 Bag of Rice - $2
1 Bag of any kind of noodles you like - $2
One loaf of Bread!.!.!. if you can get another one cheap put it in the freezer, better yet!.!.!. put both loafes into freezer and only take out
how many slices of bread you need a day in the morning!.
Stick the slices of bread in a plastic ziploc bag and leave on kitchen
counter!. They will thaw in no time and be just as fresh as when you bought them!. ($1!.99 to $3!.99)
1 Gallon of Milk - CA average price $5
1 dozen Eggs - CA average price 1!.99 to 2!.50
1 or 2 small onions - 50 cents to a Dollar
Vegetable Oil for cooking (cheap and small bottle $4
and Mayo for your Sandwiches ($3
Sandwich meats - Once again, freeze what you don't need
past 3 days!. (Prepackaged cheap crap - 1!.99 if you are very lucky
to 5!.99/lb!. average for sliced deli ham)
Peanut Butter, Jelly!.!.!. $3/$3
Already at $35!.!.!.!. minimum!.!.!.
By now your $30 is long gone!.!.!. Oops!.!.!. maybe not if you live
in a "cheap" grocery state!.!.!.
And you haven't even got any meat or veggies yet!.!.!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com