Great Article - Save $$ on Meat! #lowcarb

I have been getting Mary Hunt's newsletter, Debt-Proof Living, for years, and have an enormous amount of respect for her, what she's accomplished, and how she is helping others to get out of debt quickly, and fairly. She has some great money-saving ideas in her daily newsletter, and if you click on the title above it should take you to her article on saving money on meats. It makes such perfect sense! This is how I shop (am I paying for bone? added water weight? fat?), doing the math as to whether the edible portions of a $1.29/lb roast make it a real bargain over the $3.59 leaner boneless cut...but having the chart that she links to will really be a great help and probably more accurate. I hope you benefit as much from this article as I plan to do!

Planning or Winging It? #lowcarb

I follow blogs about people who plan their meals in advance and shop accordingly. I guess I've never explicitly mentioned that that's not how I do - although it's probably obvious.

It's like anything else: whatever works for you! For me, I want to eat whatever I'm in the mood for that day. If I plan a taco salad on Thursday but wake up craving a steak, I won't be happy with a taco salad. So I stock up my house with all kinds of lowcarb foods and ingredients to keep my options open.

On the other hand, I can see another point in planning: less emphasis on food. Less giving in to our food desires/craving. Learning control over "living to eat" and rather concentrating on "eating to live" - providing what we need to survive, rather than spending our days craving and drooling and obsessing over that night's fare.

Because, the way I do it, that's what I do. As the day wears on that night's supper is always on my mind. I may be thinking of a lot of other things, but that supper is always there. I think about what time to make it, how to season it, what side dishes I'll have, and how great it will taste. I give it WAY too much power over my thoughts, all day every day. It becomes the focus.

Food is a fuel. An enjoyable fuel to be sure, but when it becomes more than simply a way to keep going and to keep healthy, then it becomes a god. Waaaaaaayy wrong.

I'm not a planner, in any area of my life, and won't become one, but food does have more power over my life than it should. I need to consider this, and decide what to do about. Those who plan are onto something.

Jimmy Moore Goes Cheap! #lowcarb

Clicking on the title of this post will take you to Jimmy's episode of Livin' LaVida Low Carb that deals with budget. He has a few great suggestions that begin to dispute the myth that eating low carb is expensive - which is, of course, the entire purpose of this blog. Along with his and Christine's suggestions in this episode, you can check my actual shopping receipts that I post here each month for other ideas, as well as my Cheap'n'Easy recipes and meals.

Good to see someone of Jimmy's stature in the low carb world helping to get the message out: healthy low carb eating CAN be done easily on a budget.

May 2010 "Big Shopping" #lowcarb

As always, I still have a lot of food from previous months; if I were to live on only what's already in the house, we wouldn't starve for WELL over a month. But we tend to run out of certain things. Plus, of course, I like to take advantage of the sales.

Once again I want to mention that we don't keep carby foods in the house. Doing so is just making cheating all but inevitable for us.

From Glen's (a local chain of supermarkets):
2 boxes of prunes @ $2.59 ea
5 bottles of SF ketchup @ $2.99 ea
1# of vital wheat gluten flour @ $7.99
(And now you see why we don't shop at Glen's - everything is much more expensive than anywhere else. But this month, it was the only place I could get the ketchup and the flour...and I'd forgotten the prunes when I was at Meijer.)
TOTAL - $28.12

From Meijer:
1 package Diabetisweet brown sugar sub @ $6.99
1 container of water chestnuts @ $1.01 (marked down 40%)
3 cans of crabmeat @ $1.59 ea
2 cartons of eggs, 24 eggs each @ $2.13 ea
4 boxes of Dreamfield's @ $2.29 each
ground chuck, on sale for $1.48/lb @ $8.64
chicken leg quarters on sale for $0.79/lb @ $6.73
6 romaine hearts @ $4.69
1 jar SF strawberry preserves $2.69
2 boxes CarbSmart ice cream bars @ $2.99 ea
2 packages of Ideal sweetener @ $4.99 ea
6 cartons SF soy milk (chocolate and cappucino) @ $1.56 ea (on sale, normally $2.09)
1 carton sea salt @ $1.79 (on sale, normally $1.99)
2 cans chicken @ $2.00 ea (on sale, normally $2.59)
1 can salmo @ $2.19 (on sale, normally $2.29)
1 can SF apple pie filling @ $2.42 (on sale, normally $2.69)
4 one-lb bags frozen cooked shrimp @ $3.99 ea (on sale, normally $7.99)
1# raw almonds @ $5.49 (on sale, normally $5.99)
2 one-lb bags frozen tilapia @ $3.50 ea (on sale, normally $5.99)
1 can white kidney beans @ 1.00 (on sale, normally $1.15)
2 bags salad mix @ $1.19 ea (on sale, normally $2.19)
1 package fresh portabello mushrooms @ $1.79 (on sale, normally $2.99)
2 one-lb packages fresh ground pork @ $2.17 ea
TOTAL $138.48

from GFS:
2.5 bag frozen spinach @ $2.49
2.5 bag frozen sliced yellow squash @2.29
(2) 2.5 bags frozen whole green beans @2.99 ea
(2) 36-ct string cheese @ $7.99 ea
5# bag cleaned/cut fresh cauliflower @ $8.99
11.22# smoked ham @ $15.60 (and sliced free!)
4# bag blanched peanuts @ $9.99
1# bag real bacon crumbles @ $6.79
1 box 50 natural sausage links @ $9.79
gallon jar of dill pickle spears $2.99
5# box of frozen brats @ $23.49 (These brats are huge, and worth the high price)
1 two-lb can of decaf coffee @ $9.99
TOTAL - $114.37

Sav-a-Lot:
1 can chicken chow mein dinner @ $2.99
(4) 24 oz. packages of deli meat @ $0.99 ea
2 one-lb bags frozen stir-fry vegetables @ $1.39 ea
TOTAL $9.73

GRAND TOTAL $290.70

This food, along with what I already have, will feed Pete and I (full time) and my adult daughter and her toddler son (several days/week) for this month, and some will definitely carry over into next month. In addition, we usually spend about $100 more for odds and ends (fresh produce, dairy) through the month. I like keeping our bill to $75/week but I bought more convenience foods than I typically do. If I hadn't, I would have spent less. But I'm not able to stand for long periods in the kitchen, preparing and cooking meals, like usual. So I need simple right now in addition to cheap'n'easy :).

Hangin' In! & Shopping Receipts

I don't have a huge appetite these days, so haven't been eating as much. More like a few snacks each day. As an example, yesterday I had some baked fish for breakfast, snacked on some veggie straws in the afternoon, and ate half of a grilled steak for supper.

Sometimes I have some Dreamfield's pasta with melted italian blend cheese and olive oil, and then a hamburger patty later.

And I have some receipts from this month. Here it is the 20th and I haven't entered any receipts yet! Here's what I bought so far, so you can keep up with the "cheap" part of "cheap'n'easy" low carb eating :).

1# Bob's Red Mill Low Carb Baking Mix @ $6.49
(this will probably last a year, I only use a spoonful at a time!)
3 boxes Angus Steakburgers (15 per box) @ $15.99 each
($1.06 per burger)
5# shredded cabbage @ $3.99
120 slices American cheese @ $9.99
(8c per slice)
4# brats @ $11.49
2.5# frozen whole green beans @ $2.99
(2) SF Chocolate Syrup @ $1.19 ea
(This stuff is gross, I don't know how I'll use it up!)
1/2 gal SF vanilla ice cream @ $2.29
(A different brand than usual, also gross, we threw it away!)
(1) eggplant @ $1.95
(2) quarts half'n'half @ $1.99 each
(6) Dreamfield's spaghetti @ 2.29 each
(2) daikons @ $7.95 total
(4) quarts SF Edy's SF ice cream, on sale for 4/$10.00
2# frozen shrimp @ $7.99 ea.
5# Koegel franks @ $11.49

And then I got a bunch of chuck roasts (which we slice into "steaks" and grill as such) and chicken leg quarters. The leg quarters were on sale for 79c/lb and the chuck roasts were $2.29/lb. The total for all of these was $46.38.

TOTAL - $179.39

We've done a couple of quick trips since; when I locate those receipts I'll add them. But this is the lion's share of this month's shopping. We still have a bunch of frozen veggies in our chest freezer in the garage, so we're not buying a whole bunch of those, and still have eggs and butter and olive oil.

That's it for today! :)

A Couple of Quick Shopping Stops #lowcarb

At Walmart:
8 quarts Half'n'Half @ $1.50 each
4 quarts of heavy cream @ $2.98 each
3 pkg. 8 oz Italian blend shredded cheese @ $2.12 each
2 store brand "Crystal Light wanna be" cannisters @ $1.98 each
1 package beef jerky @ $3.50 (hubby's splurge)
TOTAL = $34.76

At Sav-a-Lot:
3 cream cheese, 8 oz. @ $.99 each
18 eggs @ $2.23
2 frozen pizzas @ $2.99 each (I eat 1/3 for 35gN carbs)
1 23 oz. can of coffee @ $3.00
1 bottle ketchup @ $.99 (for daughter who doesn't eat lowcarb)
2 ham ends & pieces, 16 oz. @ $1.39 each
1 yellow onions, 3# (6 onions) @ $1.99
TOTAL = $19.94

Spent for groceries so far this month: about $285 (rounding in my head). I don't anticipate the need for any more grocieries this month, given that I have lots of meats and frozen veggies, and plenty of dairy - it's a given in my head that we'll need about 4 quarts of half'n'half a week so I'll probably have to get more of that...but this should be a typical $300ish month for us. ("Us" includes hubby and I, plus adult daughter who eats with us about half the time, and sharing our food/preparing meals for the 1YO grandson as well as my veggie-loving parrots - lol.)

My #Lowcarb Shopping Trip

As I've mentioned, I usually do a big "stock up" shopping once a month or so - I try to do it in the middle of the month but sometimes I just have to go when I have the time, and a ride (since I can't see well enough to drive). So this month I was a little early but I also didn't buy as much as I usually do because there weren't a whole lot of sales going on for some reason, nor did I find many specials. So I got what I needed to get, at the best prices I could find, and that was that. Also remember that I often have a lot of stuff from the previous month left in my big freezer in the garage or in the cupboard or whatever...

First I went to GFS. Here is what I bought there:
5# b/s chicken breasts @ $8.99
* frozen broccoli florets @ $3.29
* frozen chopped spinach @ $2.49
* frozen yellow squash slices @ $2.29
* frozen cut green beans @ $1.99
(2) * frozen cauliflower @ $5.58
(2) * frozen brussels sprouts @ $5.98
(2) 36-count string cheese @ $14.98
10# frozen crunchy cod @ $32.99 (15gN carbs per piece)
(4) bags Veggie Straw snacks
(1) 32 oz. EVOO @ $14.99
(1) 16 oz. jar granulated onion @ $7.99
(2) frozen Angus Steakburgers, 15 per box, @ $27.58

* = Their bags of frozen vegetables are 2-2½# each; what counts to me is how many servings per bag, rather than how much each bag weighs. And I typically get 4 servings out of each bag.

TOTAL $149.10

Then to Meijer:
2.58# rutabagas @ $2.04
1.35# turnips @ $1.74
0.49# cute little tiny eggplants @ $0.73
(1) celery root @ $1.99
(1) qt. SF chocolate soy milk @ $2.49 (NOTE: I usually buy this at Walmart, cheaper, but knew I wouldn't be going to Walmart for several days so just bought 1.)
0.48# daikon radish @$1.20
(1) package of 6 portabella caps @$2.99
(2) pks of chicken leg quarters @ $7.90 (on sale for 79¢/lb)
2# catfish fillets @ $4.49
10.6 oz package (= 2# sugar) of Ideal granulated sweetener @ $4.99 (on sale)
1# raw almonds @ $5.99
(4) 1# frozen shrimp @ $19.95 (on sale)
10 boxes Dreamfield's pasta (variety) @ $22.90
TOTAL $79.01

We will still do some shopping at Sav-a-Lot and Walmart for a few things here and there this month...but the bulk of our shopping is done, for about $220.00 for low-carb food for the 3 adults in the house...once again, much less than what I spent before I starting low carb shopping, even though that was nearly 6 years ago and prices were cheaper. I spent a MINIMUM of $100/week, and that was just for food.

So there you have it, more of the "cheap" part of "cheap and easy" :).

What I 8... #lowcarb

Sunday was some lovely chuck steak that was on its sell by date, and was $2.00 off the package. We had salad with it (the pre-mixed greens that I'd bought for 2/$1.00). Just one meal.

Monday was chicken, mushrooms, chinese vegetables (cabbage, sprouts), and some sugar-free chocolate ice cream as a snack.

Tuesday/today was another one-meal day, consisting of pork chops marinated, with butternut squash medallions, and salad. Also had some veggie straws as a snack.

I'm not feeling much better these days, still having the same issues I wrote about a few days ago, and the constant pain and difficulty getting around affects my appetite; I don't get hungry, or I don't want to deal with the pain caused by going to the kitchen and preparing food.

Recipes - for the marinade: dijon mustard, a few shakes of sesame oil, a few shakes of soy sauce, and a few shakes of liquid smoke, plus onion and garlic powder, ginger, sea salt, cinnamon, and diabetisweet brown sugar sub; marinated for 3 hours at room temp, then roasted on a rack @ 375 for 25 minutes. For the squash medallions, I peeled and sliced a butternut squash, then tossed the slices with olive oil, sea salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of diabetisweet brown sugar sub. Layed the slices on a large sheet pan and roasted them at 425F for 20 minutes, then 375F for 25 minutes after I put the pork in the oven. I turned the medallions once, also at the time I put the pork in the oven.

Pork was $1.29/lb; our package was $2.37 and fed 4 adults with some left over. The squash was 69c/lb and cost under $1.00 (don't remember exactly how much); also fed 4 adults with some left over. Used a 50c bag of mixed greens. Add the salad dressing and seasonings for another $1 - a VERY liberal guesstimate, I'm sure it wasn't nearly that much - and all 4 of us had a great meal for about $5.00 total.

(Have I dispelled the "low carb is so expensive!" myth yet? :).)

A More Expensive - But Very Easy! - Day

Lunch was cheap: 2 slices of lowcarb bread ($1.99 for the loaf of 20 slices), a slice of american cheese, and some butter for my grilled cheese sandwich.

Supper was expensive. I was starving, and ate half a head of lettuce (65¢) with half a pound of shrimp ($2.50) and probably 15¢ worth of buttermilk ranch dressing. 

Still, under $5 for the day...

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