Hi all! I've been busy this week but I'm back at the moment.

BL - that was you that goes to Aldi's right? I got a circular in the mail this week with my others, and they have grapes for .99/lb! And a couple of other things that caught my eye. Guess I'll have to brave it again and stop by this week.

I asked my SO about ethnic stores and his response was not favorable. When he was growing up (he grew up in the city), they often had a van come around with "fresh" veggies and fruits on it. He was told by someone that they had seen this guy (who may have also owned a small local store) go to the regional market and pull stuff from the trash to sell! Yech.

BUT that reminded me of our regional market. You usually have to be there before 5am and there are typically lines, but maybe they are not too bad during the week. I have to see if they are open this time of year.

Did I post in this thread I am doing a 2 week carbohydrate intolerance test? I just finished week one and lost 6.5 lbs! That's a lot for my size but I have gained a lot since fall. It's very interesting as I can eat all I want - as long as it's not carbs. Next weekend I get to start adding them in.

Today I made more soup. The last batch lasted about a week, but this batch looks a little smaller. Not even looking at the recipe anymore lol.

Then I made some "healthy" bars. They have ground almonds in them and I realized another reason I don't like nuts - I can't stand the texture. (I love cookies made with almond paste, can eat the paste raw, so I was hoping I could tolerate the almonds). I can force them down (I only made half a batch) but hopefully SO likes them. Next time I think I will try almond flour, unless I can find more finely crushed almonds at the store. Oh well.

Last week I had a mental image of a pot I had and it reminded me of beans. Today I found it and this is what it is: a West Bend bean pot/slow cooker/crock pot/chili pot etc. It's probably vintage late 50's-60's based on the pix I've found online, and it's a 2 quart model.

I also found a Presto Fry Baby. We don't do much fried food but we have a few times with the little seafood he likes to buy. I had also bought perch a couple of weeks ago which was rather fishy, he fried his up last night (I can't eat fried now).

So..... what can I do with the West Bend unit? I've wanted a crock pot but hate buying things that take space. I already own this (still need to test it) and it's pretty small.

As for the Fry Baby, what are the advantages to it over my cast iron frying pan? If things get out of hand I can put a cover on the frying pan but there isn't anything for the Fry Baby. It takes 2 cups of oil and I'd have to say that was about what we used in the pan. Just wondering if I should donate it and continue using the pans, or if it's worth keeping. It does get good reviews. I can't ever remember using it but I must've - probably had it since my first marriage (which ended in 93!)

While I was in the pantry cleaning the deep recesses of the floor cabinet, I decided to pull out 2 forks from my dinner settings - first marriage - that I've never used. We're always short on forks for some reason and I figured why buy more when I've had these sitting here for 22 years!

Diane, do a small test batch. Can't hurt!

I picked up the seeds I wanted so I can make granola during the day tomorrow; I'll be up early with DH, so I could get it started at 6am, and have it ready for breakfast at 8:30.

I did a HUGE batch of meat pies Friday; we had them Friday night (our six people, and three extra teens), and again tonight (just us), and I still have at least two meals' worth in the freezer. Nice! Four meals from $15 in ingredients!

We picked up our produce basket Saturday, and YUM. I think we may need to do every other week, rather than every week; there's a lot of produce for the $15! Still, I may sign up for a basket this Saturday, too, and share any excess with some of the neighbors; one has just had a new baby, and might be glad of enough for a good dinner salad, etc.

Morning All:

Just an update on the "spend the least on groceries - save for a new frig" front.

Went to Aldi's and spent $28.04 but got mostly fresh items:

Just some good buys:
Bag of Banana - .62
Bag of Oranges - $1.69
Bag of Apples - $2.49
Huge bag of grapes - $2.88
Bag of Romaine Hearts $1.99
Milk $1.99

The bags of fruit will stretch for us and make me eat healthier!

Over the weekend I made pulled bbq beef out of the roast I had and ended up bagging up enough for five meals - yeah!.
Made apple crisp - no cost - had homemade apple pie filling I put up from our trees.
Made banana bread - no cost.
Made ranch chicken, sweet potato casserole and fresh bread - no cost.
All of these items I had in stock and didn't need to buy anything out of Feb. budget to complete. Sweet!

I know as the month goes on it will get harder - but we will see what I come up with. This is also giving me the opportunity to clean my pantry and organize a little better - will be REAL easy when it is empty!

Soooo...so far I have only spent $28.04 for the month - yes, I know it is early, but I could have spent a lot more but really was very selective at the store.

Diane, yes its me who loves Aldi's. I watch sales for all the local stores and shop according to what's the cheapest so don't do any special menu planning.

For instance yesterday at work, it seemed everyone was buying the rotisserie chicken and they smelled great. Got me thinking about taking one home. $4.99, and they are bigger that the local stores have.

came home and had a chicken leg and glass of milk for dinner. Proceeded to strip the chicken tossing skin and bones in stock pot and made a batch of base for soups, etc.

Then chopped onions and celery, and made chicken salad. SO took 2 sandwiches for lunch. I am taking with a bag of lettuce for my lunch and there are 2 more portions for lunch tomorrow and Wed for me(SO only eats it once while I will eat til gone!)

comes out to a dollar a meal and much better than fast food, also have about a gallon of stock that I will portion and freeze for future use.....thinking maybe some clam chowder, chicken pot pie, and other soups.

Working on pantry and freezer to get things in order and use up older stuff. I am finding that as I reorganize the freezer and other areas, its getting easier for SO to plan and use up. Had his son this weekend and last week I had purchased bacon for 2.50 a pound so stocked up the freezer and left one in fridge for sunday breakfast. SO of course doesn't even look in the meat/cheese drawer and goes out and buys more, tells me Sat nite when I got home what he did....and his son looks at him and states, "why, when its already in the fridge??" He laughed and told us both to leave him alone.What can I say, he's a work in progress.....but the grocery bill is going down !!

elizabeth, can you post a recipe for your meat pies?? I know SO would love them as he loves his comfort food.

BL: with you on Aldi's. I find I can't get everything there, but I try to shop there first. Has truly helped my grocery bill. I slowly tried different items to see if I would like them, but love them for fresh produce, canned items and dairy.

Feb. grocery budget: $150
Already spent (in Jan.) = $15.92
Amount left in Feb. budget = $134.08

I went grocery shopping yesterday.

Store 1: Total spent: $22.72
Bought 2 types of tangerines, grapes, kiwi, apples, papaya, blueberries, tomato, cucumber, beef, pita bread, spicy onion/tomato bread

Store 2: Total spent: $38.75
Bought 1 gal. milk, 2 32-oz. coffee creamers, hummus, hot dogs, buns, bananas, 5 luna bars for DD, ketchup, cookies, 2 frozen dinners, and some soda.

Total spent to date: $15.92 + $22.72 + $38.75 = $77.39

Amount left in Feb. budget: $72.61

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I cooked the beef last night and we had some of it for dinner and packed some of it for today's lunches (with rice, leeks, & cucumber salad); there's enough for 2 more meals.

I also made a chicken stock with roast chicken bones from the freezer, last night. Today, I will add vegetables and pasta to it and we'll have chicken soup for dinner. I think there will be sufficient soup leftover for another couple of meals, which will be good, since I am having some dental work done on Wed. I think I shall also make some jello tonight to have on hand for afterwards.

I just get the feeling the Aldi's in my town is so much smaller than most. Funny as I've ridden my bike by a "headquarters" of sorts, so that's not too far by car, you'd think we'd have some nice ones. From what I remember there is a small perimeter and 2 aisles.

Going to go later this week, I can't eat fruit till the weekend anyway.

I did try my "bean" pot, actually found the manual with recipes in it after I had filled it! Stew meat, carrots and celery. Forgot to season so had to add salt. Not too bad but I'd never leave it alone with me out of the house since it's so old!

Will try a chili next, heavy on the meat and light on the beans.

Scary proclamation here. I have been looking at someof the coupon sites, and in an effort to cut grocery bills further, I am going to try it out. I found one that looks promising and that has even loaded all the sale papers in it to review. Because I am NOT a name brand shopper, I don't know if this will work, but I am willing to give it a try.

Juju, yes I do love Aldi's. Like you, the fresh stuff on sale is definitely the best prices in the area. I have also found that the flavored coffee cream, at $2.39 is also the best price, though Meijer's in my area is starting their own brand lines and trying to compete.....yes competition is good....hopefully it will save us some money.

Had my chicken salad for dinner at work yesterday and will have it today, using the last of it. SO thought it was great.....for the one meal he had. The stock is chilled so when I get home, I can scoop off the fat and portion freeze it for later use, anticipating about 6-8 bags minimum. \\\\\\

We talk at work about our cooking and I am getting teased about all the cooking I am doing and asked why I don't just buy it ready made there.....they just don't know how to plan and not spend!

It's funny with the folks I work with as many of them are younger and have grown up with fast food all around them, working moms & dads, and it has become a way of life. When we talk about the grocery bills, they would rather pay the premium and go to the ready made counter and take it home to reheat it. They could not believe that I would buy a $5 chicken and then have a meal, make 4 other meals out of it and still have enough for about 5 other meals(stock bases). They couldn't imagine how I could come up with that.

So I have decided to help a few of them(who have asked me) with the basics. I don't find Costco to be the most cost effective place to shop, esp for meat, poultry, and lots of the fresh items. By watching the sale papers I can do much better in other areas stores. Unlike Bless, our ethnic markets are much more expensive. But this will be fun.

I shared with one of them my cheap lasagna and she couldn't believe it. I am one of those people who was raised with a nice sized family and have never gotten the hang of cooking for 2. Lasagna is and always been my downfall. The plan to make one pan ends up yielding 3 or 4, so I don't make it often, usually just for get-togethers. Now when I want to make a small batch, I use uncooked ramen noodles without the seasoning pack and layer it between the meats and cheese. And have had lots of compliments on it. She told me she was going to try it this weekend. (and considering I got the noodles at a crazy sale for 9 cents a package.....very cheap eating too!)

Tonight is eating out at the club with SO, his son and his folks. $5 each for burger, fries and a drink....huge meals and I will have leftovers for lunch tomorrow too. And SO said its his treat so we can spend some time together!

You show them, BL!