FOOD True Economy Cooking from Scratch

[Nuthatch]

Check out these guys at Cook For Good: http://www.cookforgood.com/

An excerpt:

Using the new spring menu, you can eat well on an average of $1.20 a meal for the regular plan and only $1.80 for the "green" plan. The cart cost for the organic ingredients comes out to just $1.99 a meal, matching the food-stamp allowance in North Carolina, which was raised on April 1st. The cart cost shows how much you'd actually have to spend at the grocery store buying everything on the shopping lists, even though you will have some ingredients left over, such as part of a bottle of oil.

 

[cvk]

This is an interesting site but I have to wonder about people. It seems that everyone that talks about cutting costs immediately starts eating nothing but carbs. Carbs these days are just as expensive if not more expensive than protein. I look at her breakfasts of bread, peanut butter and tea and want to gag. There is no doubt in my mind that I could have eggs and a glass of milk plus fruit for the same money. Once a person gets prepped and stocked up so that they can wait for sales it is possible to eat meat, poultry or fish just as cheaply as all of those bean dishes. Personally we could not eat the meals that this person eats. It would be unhealthy for us as we need low carb. Our meals seldom run over $1 per person and they aren't full of carbs.

 

[Sligo]

What an excellent site. I'm only cooking for 2 and really need low-cost right now. I can't do wheat, but some of those recipes, especially the beans and veggies looked great. I can't wait to try some. Thanks!

 

[Nuthatch]

They are vegetarian.

 

[cvk]

Ahhhh, that makes sense. I went to the menu and it didn't excite me. LOL They do eat milk and cheese which helps them get the protein they need. Those of us that have diabetics in the family can't eat that way.

 

[Nuthatch]

Yep, cvk, I hear you. I use sites like these to be reminded of my similar values as opposed to following their menu exactly. You have to make adjustments for your area of the country, food preferences, etc.

But it did spur me to go soak some pinto beans for chili later today. Yes, heresay, I use beans in my chili! LOL.

 

[Abdon]

If I'm ever starving to death with only a five dollar bill in my hand, this is the site I'd want access too.

Until then, I'll spend that "fin" on hamburger, a bag 'o beans, tortillas, peppers and other greens

 

[China Connection]

I'm in China but I have to save at the moment. If I go high carb I put on weight quickly. I find two or three small farm eggs for lunch with some greens including beans and peas is cheap and good. I also have low carb vegetables of an evening. I snack on nuts. For vitamins I juice carrots and now cabbage.

I take calcium / magnesium supplements as I find I need to.

I eat out about once a week with friends.

 

[Fred]

If you have the space and live in an agricultural area (or on property with no restrictions), you can raise your own meat almost for free. The secret? Invest in more than you need, and sell the excess.

 

[cvk]

Her recipe for Lemon Balm pesto was interesting to me. I need to remember that a person can put something on pasta besides tomatoes. Last fall I froze parsley, cilantro and basil pestos. I did leave out the cheese to add when eating. All of these sites teach us and we can learn something new.

 

[nomifyle]

I don't do so well on too many carbs, makes me fat. However, there are some interesting suggestions if things are really tight meat wise. I decided to buy the ebook and print it out for future needs. And I do like beans a lot.

Judy

 

[Sligo]

The diet is very heavy on wheat, and for a Celiac Disease patient, it is deadly. I think some of the recipes can be substituted with other flours or grains, but they would have to be experimented with first, before stocking up for prep. I can do some experimentation. I have no problem with no meat. I don't eat beef or pork now, just poultry and fish, so no big deal. But all that wheat will bring me to an early grave.

 

[lisa]

Where's the beef..or pork...or chicken?!

 

[Nuthatch]

Lisa--they are vegetarian.