Dear Sisters,
The early morning last Thursday started with this text to my family and friends:
"Please pray for me, my bladder is pretty bad today, already contacted my dr. Please pray I don't go into a flare and can calm this down."
I have Interstitial Cystitis, a chronic, painful bladder condition. Nothing is worse than a flare, which is likened to stage four cancer pain. My flares usually last two to three weeks. I was at the beginning of that pay early Thursday morning. My Mom came over to talk to me and I was already having trouble talking. I hadn't had a flare in a year and a half, and as always, I was shocked at it's speed and severity.
I rarely eat out. My diet is limited. I follow the Specific Carbohydrate diet but even that diet is more strict for me as I can't have dairy, honey, most fruit, certain spices, certain nuts, and the nightshades that are allowed on the diet. I bring my food wherever I go. I don't mind. I really love the food the LORD has given me to eat for the past four and a half years. It's my "manna", and I am very thankful for it. It keeps me healthy and able to take care of my husband, my nine year old daughter, and help with my eight grandchildren. (Two more grandchildren are coming, one and day now!)
So how did I get into this oncoming flare? I got cross contaminated. Even to the best of my ability this can sometimes happen...even in my own kitchen. I know I have a small window of opportunity to ward off a flare, so I immediately emailed my doctor, asked family and friends for prayer, started eating all my safe foods and drank copious amounts of fresh ginger tea. Then I set to work on my house. It was 6 am and as I worked I kept thanking God for everything I could think of while praying over my body. Thanking God that school hadn't started yet, so I wasn't homeschooling my daughter that day. Thanking Him I was not on a trip that we planned, which got cancelled. Thanking Him over and over for so many little things and so many big things He has done or is doing.
My Mom used to say "Laine, you can only have room for one thought at a time, make it a thankful thought."
I was thankful my routines were in place. I knew what to do next in my home without even thinking about it. After I made my husband breakfast and saw him off to work, I tidied and dusted the living room, fed the cat and the dogs, headed to the bathroom next and cleaned the counter, mirror, and swished the sink and toilet. I made my bed, put away any clothes, and dusted my room. I had vacuumed the house the day before, so I was happy to forgo that. I checked two other rooms and made sure they were in order, then I headed to the kitchen. I put away any clean dishes, washed our cups from the night before, tidied up anything on our table and desk, then quickly set about to making scrambled eggs, a vegetable soup that always calms my condition (I think I've shared that recipe before) and lentil bread with avocado on top. I needed to eat everything quickly to stave off this oncoming flare. By that time my mom had come over and wanted to help, so she put on a load of laundry for me. I put a roast in the crockpot for dinner in the evening. My little daughter, Lucy, watered all my potted plants and my garden for me and then tidied her room. And my oldest daughter, Abbie, went food shopping for me as we had planned to do that together that day.
Between thanking God over and over and praying over my body as I worked, I also have a manta the the pain intensifies. "Don't think about it, don't think about it, don't think about it!"
"My help comes from the LORD, which made Heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2
The rest of the day I ate a lot of my vegetable soup and ginger tea. My doctor emailed me back that morning, so I immediately started on the protocol she gave. It really helped a lot.
I am so thankful to say, I never went into a full flare. Thanks be to God!
"I was brought low, and he helped me." Psalm 116.6b
Our granddaughter is due and day now. I am so thankful to be able as I will be watching their three children while my son and his wife are in the hospital. I watched all their three kids for two and a half weeks while my son was away and my daughter-in-law was bedridden early on in her pregnancy. I didn't know if my routines would work with four children 8 years and under in the house, while homeschooling two of them, and of course, all the added mayhem of family life. But they stood the test!
And, again, I was so thankful I had my routines in place to keep my home running smoothly. It has taken me years honing them to the point that doing the routines in my home are like going for a walk. I don't think about it, I just walk.
"Don't think about it, don't think about it, don't thinks about it!" Whether in pain, or with a bunch of kids in tow, I just keep waling by His great, great grace.
Love Laine.
Showing posts with label Laine.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laine.. Show all posts
Friday, 24 August 2018
Tuesday, 19 June 2018
Never underestimate the Titus 2 Woman.
I have been thinking a lot about the people who have helped or influenced me a lot in my life so far. It is as if a bigger picture is emerging and I am just starting to understand it!
Apart from my Nannas' and Mum there are women who helped me so much along the way. Enough to have a lasting influence and an impact on my whole life and my children's children!
Some I have never met. Some lived near by and helped me when the girls were little. Some I knew briefly but they had a big impact!
But there is one thing they all have in common. They were all Titus 2 women. They were all older than me and they all, in one way or another, were busy at home and teaching the younger women.
I am noticing a lot that even with Christians there are unpopular Bible verses. Anything about women seems to be socially unpopular. Yet there you go, the women who have had the most powerful impact on my life were Titus 2 women.
I have written before about some of the women that filled this role here. I have been so lucky with the right people at the right time in my life. Just now I am blown away actually at how blessed I am and the quality of the Titus 2 ladies that were there for me. None of these women were particularly highly educated, particularly glamorous, or anything that the world would call outstandingly "successful". They were Mum's who were ahead of me in years as a Mother and strong Christian women. They stood out above all others to me.
If you read my link above there was Dorrie who was my neighbour when Chloe was a baby. She was the next best thing to having my own Mum living over the road. I am starting to wonder if she was an angel.
And there was Phyll who was a Mum and Grandmother. She cooked, gardened and worked so hard. She opened her home once a week for the young women to come for Bible Study. All the kids were welcome! In between times if you needed help or advice she gave it. Everything she spoke was sound. She told you the truth. She was sensible and practical! She spoke with wisdom!
Online I had Laine. She was another who told it as it is. Some women wanted to argue with Laine but she stuck to what the Bible says. If you do not know Laine reading her letters is one of the best investments of your time you will ever find!
You can find her letters here starting with the article I am currently reading Her Income.
I really like women who are willing to tell you the truth. I am noticing a lot that the words of the Bible are very offensive to many people these days. I heard this... that the truth is very offensive to people who hate the truth! Well I guess so! But it takes a good friend to tell you the truth as anyone will lead you along a merry path!
Patsy is one of my friends that just reminds me of Mrs Starkey! Read her article Get a Job.
I am sure that these two women are sisters separated at birth! Yes they give it to you straight! They tell you the truth.
Thanks to the fellowship of this blog I meet a lot of women who are either younger with children or older with Grandchildren. The younger Mums need encouragement that they are doing a good job and have a very important mission.
The world is telling them they are wasting their time and talents raising their children. As older women we need to be letting them know that we know how hard it is! That they are doing a wonderful work and that the time they are in now flies past! Ages I wrote about my time when I was a single Mum and looking after the girls.... That is here... Your Time. You are laying important foundations. What you are doing will influence several generations (at least!)
The other group here are the older women, ladies with grown family and maybe Grandchildren. If you are in this group please read Laine's Letters on being a Grandmother. Calling all Older Women would be a good place to begin. But there is so much more! Probably as an "older woman" you do not realise how important you are and what a huge difference you can make!
Both my Nans worked so hard for their families. were kind and generous to everyone. They helped others, shared food and cooking. Nan L taught the new neighbours English as they knew none when they arrived traumatised in WW2. They became life long friends and like family. She was talented at baking, knitting, spinning and dying her own wool.
Nan B always said "an ounce of help is better than a pound of sympathy" and was one to send a meal. She was a talented florist. Her work appeared in many shows and books.
Someone said to me once it is a shame they didn't "work" and perhaps the world missed out because they were homemakers. Pfft! They cast so much work and influence down the line their legacies are immeasurable.
We just have to live in the season we are in! Happily when we move out of one season we move into another! Each season is beautiful! Just different!
I am just starting to realise how much the Titus 2 women that were there for me helped us. Because they helped me they helped the girls too. I am gradually realising more and more how much my Grandmothers made a difference to my life. I always knew it was enormously but even that doesn't cover it. As I get older I am realising some of what they did.
I was talking with Laine this week. She now is a Grand Mother and a Mum to Lucy who they adopted and homeschool. She helps homeschool the Grand kids as well. And she helps her parents. I saw her go from a young busy Mum to a Titus 2 woman and here I am with grown children and Grand Children too!
I asked her how does she manage so many roles? After all the first thing is to take care of our own households, husbands and children, then Grandchildren then help the other younger women...
Well lets just say life is busy! Sometimes we have to pray about how to manage our time and what our priorities are or we would never manage it all!
Apart from my Nannas' and Mum there are women who helped me so much along the way. Enough to have a lasting influence and an impact on my whole life and my children's children!
Some I have never met. Some lived near by and helped me when the girls were little. Some I knew briefly but they had a big impact!
But there is one thing they all have in common. They were all Titus 2 women. They were all older than me and they all, in one way or another, were busy at home and teaching the younger women.
I am noticing a lot that even with Christians there are unpopular Bible verses. Anything about women seems to be socially unpopular. Yet there you go, the women who have had the most powerful impact on my life were Titus 2 women.
The cooking in this post belongs to Maria who is always cooking for her Grandchildren.
I think these are Miracle Muffins with pineapple, pumpkin seeds and coconut.
I have written before about some of the women that filled this role here. I have been so lucky with the right people at the right time in my life. Just now I am blown away actually at how blessed I am and the quality of the Titus 2 ladies that were there for me. None of these women were particularly highly educated, particularly glamorous, or anything that the world would call outstandingly "successful". They were Mum's who were ahead of me in years as a Mother and strong Christian women. They stood out above all others to me.
If you read my link above there was Dorrie who was my neighbour when Chloe was a baby. She was the next best thing to having my own Mum living over the road. I am starting to wonder if she was an angel.
Choc fudge Cookies.
And there was Phyll who was a Mum and Grandmother. She cooked, gardened and worked so hard. She opened her home once a week for the young women to come for Bible Study. All the kids were welcome! In between times if you needed help or advice she gave it. Everything she spoke was sound. She told you the truth. She was sensible and practical! She spoke with wisdom!
Online I had Laine. She was another who told it as it is. Some women wanted to argue with Laine but she stuck to what the Bible says. If you do not know Laine reading her letters is one of the best investments of your time you will ever find!
You can find her letters here starting with the article I am currently reading Her Income.
I really like women who are willing to tell you the truth. I am noticing a lot that the words of the Bible are very offensive to many people these days. I heard this... that the truth is very offensive to people who hate the truth! Well I guess so! But it takes a good friend to tell you the truth as anyone will lead you along a merry path!
Snickerdoodle Cookies.
Patsy is one of my friends that just reminds me of Mrs Starkey! Read her article Get a Job.
I am sure that these two women are sisters separated at birth! Yes they give it to you straight! They tell you the truth.
Thanks to the fellowship of this blog I meet a lot of women who are either younger with children or older with Grandchildren. The younger Mums need encouragement that they are doing a good job and have a very important mission.
The world is telling them they are wasting their time and talents raising their children. As older women we need to be letting them know that we know how hard it is! That they are doing a wonderful work and that the time they are in now flies past! Ages I wrote about my time when I was a single Mum and looking after the girls.... That is here... Your Time. You are laying important foundations. What you are doing will influence several generations (at least!)
Veggie Quiche.
The other group here are the older women, ladies with grown family and maybe Grandchildren. If you are in this group please read Laine's Letters on being a Grandmother. Calling all Older Women would be a good place to begin. But there is so much more! Probably as an "older woman" you do not realise how important you are and what a huge difference you can make!
Both my Nans worked so hard for their families. were kind and generous to everyone. They helped others, shared food and cooking. Nan L taught the new neighbours English as they knew none when they arrived traumatised in WW2. They became life long friends and like family. She was talented at baking, knitting, spinning and dying her own wool.
Nan B always said "an ounce of help is better than a pound of sympathy" and was one to send a meal. She was a talented florist. Her work appeared in many shows and books.
Someone said to me once it is a shame they didn't "work" and perhaps the world missed out because they were homemakers. Pfft! They cast so much work and influence down the line their legacies are immeasurable.
We just have to live in the season we are in! Happily when we move out of one season we move into another! Each season is beautiful! Just different!
Beer Bread.
I am just starting to realise how much the Titus 2 women that were there for me helped us. Because they helped me they helped the girls too. I am gradually realising more and more how much my Grandmothers made a difference to my life. I always knew it was enormously but even that doesn't cover it. As I get older I am realising some of what they did.
Last winter Maria made her Grand Children Monogrammed crochet blankets.
This year it is personalised scarves for winter. 💗
Kids are smart. When you make them something they see it as love!
Even Harper at three says "Nan Nan Bel MADE it for ME" I can hear Maria's Grand Children saying how their Nana made their scarves for them!
I was talking with Laine this week. She now is a Grand Mother and a Mum to Lucy who they adopted and homeschool. She helps homeschool the Grand kids as well. And she helps her parents. I saw her go from a young busy Mum to a Titus 2 woman and here I am with grown children and Grand Children too!
I asked her how does she manage so many roles? After all the first thing is to take care of our own households, husbands and children, then Grandchildren then help the other younger women...
Well lets just say life is busy! Sometimes we have to pray about how to manage our time and what our priorities are or we would never manage it all!
Softest hankies made by Mimi.
Mimi manages being a Nan and a Mum.
Her daughter at Uni is bring home new uni friends to Mimi's cooking.
And she is making cakes and gorgeous things for little Grand daughters as well!
I am noticing on social media literally thousands of chances a day to be a helpful older woman. I see young Mums asking "how do I menu plan?" and "what can I cook for dinner I have $50 left for the fortnight?" and a million such questions. There is a need everywhere for teachers, mentors, encouragers and friends. You really never know what a difference you will make. A world of difference would be my guess.
I hope your week is going well! xxx
Sunday, 27 August 2017
Pantries and Preparedness. Laines Menu Planning.
First of all thank you to everyone for praying for Kelsey in Texas. Her husband is home, they are all safe and the house is without damage! She said thank you all so much so is so grateful and very tired!
This week I want to get started with a series on menu planning. Laine got me going on this in an earlier post when she was talking about how she is learning from The Fundamental Home how to menu plan.
Now I have kind of menu planned most of my life. I always know what we will be having for dinner and usually a few days ahead at least. When I am organised I have a weeks plan written up. And usually I have a back up plan. But what Laine is talking about is far beyond that. And it opens up a whole new world of savings! We are kind of on this journey together as she is new to it too and ahead of me. This is something that will potentially cut your costs, build your pantry and help you get ahead in many ways.
I began watching The Fundamental Home on you tube and reading as much as I can as well.
This is how Laine introduced the subject to me and it was in reply to asking what new things she might be doing since the days of the original Laine's Letters...
Each letter we have discussed this further... there are tips in here that I want to include....
I have never menu planned in my life, and I thought it wouldn't work for me. But I have nine meals planned ahead right now, and I must say it is pretty awesome. I like your idea of using things up in the fridge. For the past two weeks I have saved almost half on my grocery bill, $20 every two weeks for toiletries, added in an entertainment fund (like Amanda does), and I am still saving $80 a month! (Plus I am still eating organic and healthy. ) I did have to shop 6 stores to realize my savings both weeks, but I look at it as my "savings business" in my home. I had thought I could save more a month, and maybe I will as I get used to this new way, but for now this is where my savings are at. It's really exciting! I am trying to stay one week ahead in my meal planning.
And then here Laine wrote up her tips for us that she has gathered so far...
I was just sharing with Abbie yesterday a few more things I have learned from Amanda. One is to always go shopping even though your pantry is full. You are consistently building your stock. Also if there is a good deal on meat, use some of your toiletries/paper/ cleaning supply budget. I keep watching her and learning. I am having so much fun with this new budget. My husband is thrilled at my savings.
Something I note is that all our brains are wired differently! Sometimes things have to click with us and suddenly we will SEE something we didn't see before. This is how it has been for me.
First of all I made a list of all my meals in the freezer. Some are ready to make and others are things I have all the components for.
Then I went through the fridge to see what meals I have plus what I need to use up.
The first thing I noticed is that I did not need to buy anything for the week except for milk and some fresh veggies. Nothing.
With the help of catalogues or one of my across town shopping trips, Aldi and the various discount places I have found I just buy the most amazing deals. I had to really change my shopping to find the deals. I wasn't seeing them before. Mostly the big deals I find are not in supermarkets. I don't need anything else and I keep reminding myself of that. Being ahead I can be really choosy about the deals I buy.
This for me means things are really different to six months ago. Instead of heading off to the supermarket I am prepared to go to six or more places for the best deals. I will do them in groups depending on where I am and what I am doing so I am not travelling around in circles. I might only get one really good deal in any place, it might be their loss leader that is their one big special to get people through the door!
At home with my buys I write up my current meals. I work out what I can make with the deals I have found plus what I already have on hand. I aim to have at least seven meals for the week written up. On the right hand side I have a list of all the spare meals I have that are in the freezer and pantry.
The biggest thing that clicked for me is that I now do not have to buy anything unless it is a major bargain. I am free from having to buy anything just because I need to think of something and fast! In reality I was already there but I just didn't realise until I saw it all on paper and then the penny dropped!
Last week I found beef, potatoes and tomatoes at great prices. These are really the only things I bought except milk, carrots and broccoli.
I have another spot that I write down any key ingredients I have that are potential meals. This is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle. i.e. I had Haloumi. So when I could I got a small amount of lamb and then I had a complete meal to write into my current meal plan. Lamb, Haloumi, beetroot and salad was our meal. Many times we only need one item or a couple of small things to complete the jigsaw and end up with another meal on our list. I think SNAP! I have a meal!
The next aspect is to consider your week and your plans when writing up your meal plan. While I have a roast to have I will not plan that when I know I will be out most of the day. My meal plan for those days will usually be something that goes into the crockpot in the morning or something super fast and easy. You have to line up your meals with your life so it is realistic. It is ok to swap meals on your list too if something comes up. To be honest if the wheels fall off the day then a toasted cheese sandwich is ok!
It was an effort to get started and know what I have and to get into the swing of it. But now it takes only a few minutes a week.
Of course each thing we can learn to make ourselves is another thing we can remove from the shopping list. So the shopping list goes down and down. One of my latest things is making yoghurt. While the shopping list is reduced the list of new things I can make is increased i.e. tatziti, cheesecake, dips, dressings, toppings, deserts, smoothies...
I hope you have a good week! I know I have a big September ahead as our insurance money finally came and the floors will go ahead. So September will be renovating, spring cleaning, re arranging the kitchen and lounge room and setting up my spice cupboard... and putting in my herb garden. And other stuff no doubt!
Lets finish off August first! xxx
This week I want to get started with a series on menu planning. Laine got me going on this in an earlier post when she was talking about how she is learning from The Fundamental Home how to menu plan.
Now I have kind of menu planned most of my life. I always know what we will be having for dinner and usually a few days ahead at least. When I am organised I have a weeks plan written up. And usually I have a back up plan. But what Laine is talking about is far beyond that. And it opens up a whole new world of savings! We are kind of on this journey together as she is new to it too and ahead of me. This is something that will potentially cut your costs, build your pantry and help you get ahead in many ways.
I began watching The Fundamental Home on you tube and reading as much as I can as well.
This is how Laine introduced the subject to me and it was in reply to asking what new things she might be doing since the days of the original Laine's Letters...
I am still practicing the same things and always trying to learn more. I am trying to implement Amanda at The Fundamental Home's food shopping and menu planning to cut my food bill in half...that is my goal. I am so new at menu planning so this is a new practice for me. Lucy got a big white board for her birthday like the one Amanda uses in her grocery hauls, so we are writing down our savings and menu plan on it like she does. Lucy watches her with me, so she loves that we are doing the same. I can't save as much as Amanda does because I buy mostly all organic vegetables and fruits, grass fed beef, wild caught fish, organic chicken and eggs, etc. But she has sure inspired me! This week I actually cut my grocery bill in half with a menu plan for the week. It was amazing. I went to three stores and the farmers market. My first meal last night for the meal plan was fish chowder which Lucy and Art loved. I am also implementing an entertainment fund like she does, and a budget for toiletries every two weeks like she does. I am so excited to try this. I am speaking in September at our church on growing kids healthy on a budget, so I hope to share what I learn in our town. If it works, I estimate that I can save $140 a month in groceries, have an entertainment fund which we never had before, so a total savings of $1680 a year! I have to get used to the menu planning, which I have never done my whole marriage, but I keep hearing you can save so much this way. I am trying it! It will take me quite a few weeks to learn if this will work for us, but I love saving money while producing healthy meals.
Each letter we have discussed this further... there are tips in here that I want to include....
I have never menu planned in my life, and I thought it wouldn't work for me. But I have nine meals planned ahead right now, and I must say it is pretty awesome. I like your idea of using things up in the fridge. For the past two weeks I have saved almost half on my grocery bill, $20 every two weeks for toiletries, added in an entertainment fund (like Amanda does), and I am still saving $80 a month! (Plus I am still eating organic and healthy. ) I did have to shop 6 stores to realize my savings both weeks, but I look at it as my "savings business" in my home. I had thought I could save more a month, and maybe I will as I get used to this new way, but for now this is where my savings are at. It's really exciting! I am trying to stay one week ahead in my meal planning.
And then here Laine wrote up her tips for us that she has gathered so far...
I have implemented Amanda's saving tactics on my food shopping for 4 weeks now, and I have cut my grocery in half! I am teaching Abbie how to do it as well, and she has gone with me the last two weeks and is saving too! She is pretty excited. My daughter in law called last night and wanted to learn as well. I love menu planning when you get home with your stock, it's so much fun. I also love being a week ahead as I know if I got sick, I have food for the following week. I go to 5 stores to realize this savings, but it is so worth it. I go early in the morning on Monday to get the mark downs on meat, and I am done in about 2 hours. So it doesn't take too much time, and the savings are so good. Here are some of my tips on managing this new system:
1- I keep a notebook with how much I spend at each store and my menu plan. It really makes me feel good to see my savings on paper. It's my little business. 🙂 And I pray to get better and better at it.
2- Once I have four weeks notated in my notebook, I calculate how much each meal cost us per person. This is really exciting, and I feel like a chef/owner running a restaurant. There is no where we could eat this healthy for the price we are paying, and that motivates me even more!
3- I also keep a running list of my expenditures on toiletries, paper products, and cleaning products in the same notebook. This is a separate budget like Amanda does at The Fundamental Home.
4- I check off the meals in my menu plan as I make them. It also helps me to know what we've eaten in the past few weeks so that I can switch things up a bit and add variety to our dining.
5- I try to have fish, turkey, chicken, and beef in one week's rotation. Sometimes lamb too. Last night we had beef stew, tonight we are having chicken oregano, and tomorrow a fish chowder.
6- I shop one week in advance, so it helps me to look at my menu plan to know what meat to pull out of the freezer for that evening's meal, or for several meals ahead.
7- I shop early on Monday morning to look for savings on marked down meat, and I shop about 5 stores, pretty much all in a row. So all my food shopping is done in about 2 hours. If I do not have enough produce, I go to my Farmers Market, which is just down the street from me, on Thursday in my town.
I was just sharing with Abbie yesterday a few more things I have learned from Amanda. One is to always go shopping even though your pantry is full. You are consistently building your stock. Also if there is a good deal on meat, use some of your toiletries/paper/ cleaning supply budget. I keep watching her and learning. I am having so much fun with this new budget. My husband is thrilled at my savings.
Something I note is that all our brains are wired differently! Sometimes things have to click with us and suddenly we will SEE something we didn't see before. This is how it has been for me.
These are the steps I have been through so far and some of the results....
First of all I made a list of all my meals in the freezer. Some are ready to make and others are things I have all the components for.
Then I made a list of all the meals I can make from the pantry with what I currently have.
I have not included emergency type meals... i.e. I could cook up pasta and dream up all kinds of emergency things to get us through. I have just counted what I consider regular meals that I have on hand.
Then I went through the fridge to see what meals I have plus what I need to use up.
The first thing I noticed is that I did not need to buy anything for the week except for milk and some fresh veggies. Nothing.
Seeing my list of meals written up and posted on the fridge I can see what I have. I really need nothing. Somehow I never realised before how much I have and that I really don't NEED anything. So shopping is only to see what really good deals I can find and nothing else.
With the help of catalogues or one of my across town shopping trips, Aldi and the various discount places I have found I just buy the most amazing deals. I had to really change my shopping to find the deals. I wasn't seeing them before. Mostly the big deals I find are not in supermarkets. I don't need anything else and I keep reminding myself of that. Being ahead I can be really choosy about the deals I buy.
This for me means things are really different to six months ago. Instead of heading off to the supermarket I am prepared to go to six or more places for the best deals. I will do them in groups depending on where I am and what I am doing so I am not travelling around in circles. I might only get one really good deal in any place, it might be their loss leader that is their one big special to get people through the door!
At home with my buys I write up my current meals. I work out what I can make with the deals I have found plus what I already have on hand. I aim to have at least seven meals for the week written up. On the right hand side I have a list of all the spare meals I have that are in the freezer and pantry.
The first meals on the list will be using things that need to be used up. And the fresh things I do not want to freeze.
Then the list will go to what I will make next.
If I freeze something I add it to my list on the right. (my spare meals list)
And I have a tally of my meal count as I like to see that go up and currently it is 27.
(The first weeks it was lower and it is gradually growing!)
It becomes kind of a game to find a way to add a meal to the list. Sometimes it is by having left overs or finding a way to stretch a meal into two meals. Some nights Andy has had one thing and I have had another as there is one serve of something left over.
Each week I try to use at least one freezer meal to keep those rotating and I will do that on a busy night or when I am tired.
The biggest thing that clicked for me is that I now do not have to buy anything unless it is a major bargain. I am free from having to buy anything just because I need to think of something and fast! In reality I was already there but I just didn't realise until I saw it all on paper and then the penny dropped!
Last week I found beef, potatoes and tomatoes at great prices. These are really the only things I bought except milk, carrots and broccoli.
The beef added many meals to my list as well as became three meals on the immediate plan for the week. Then from one of these meals (Beef stew) I got three more meals in the form of beef and vegetable pies. This gave me two more meals for my reserve list as they went into the freezer. My list grew again!
I have another spot that I write down any key ingredients I have that are potential meals. This is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle. i.e. I had Haloumi. So when I could I got a small amount of lamb and then I had a complete meal to write into my current meal plan. Lamb, Haloumi, beetroot and salad was our meal. Many times we only need one item or a couple of small things to complete the jigsaw and end up with another meal on our list. I think SNAP! I have a meal!
I move the Haloumi from potential meals into the weeks plan.
It really inspires you to get creative!
The next aspect is to consider your week and your plans when writing up your meal plan. While I have a roast to have I will not plan that when I know I will be out most of the day. My meal plan for those days will usually be something that goes into the crockpot in the morning or something super fast and easy. You have to line up your meals with your life so it is realistic. It is ok to swap meals on your list too if something comes up. To be honest if the wheels fall off the day then a toasted cheese sandwich is ok!
It was an effort to get started and know what I have and to get into the swing of it. But now it takes only a few minutes a week.
Being ahead with meals and only buying the best specials is the most amazing saving. I can just say no to all the ridiculous prices I see and move on! What a better position to be in!
Of course each thing we can learn to make ourselves is another thing we can remove from the shopping list. So the shopping list goes down and down. One of my latest things is making yoghurt. While the shopping list is reduced the list of new things I can make is increased i.e. tatziti, cheesecake, dips, dressings, toppings, deserts, smoothies...
Anything we have available to us can also further reduce the shopping list. I have parsley, lemons, rosemary, bay leaves, thyme, oregano and spinach... (currently) so I google a multitude of things I can possibly make with these and add them to my meal list. Since I have been given so many lemons I have made lemon butter, lemon cake, lemon and yoghurt cake, lemon with chicken and fish.
As Laine said it is like a game and also like running a business. Restaurants do not waste anything. If they did they would not make a profit! So you are aways looking at what you have, what needs using up and thinking of what can you make from it? Everything is used. The days of finding "past it" ingredients in the bottom of the fridge are truly over.
I do not plan breakfasts and lunches but some people do. We always have the same breakfast and lunches are usually left overs of some kind. So I only really need to plan dinners.
This week is like Laine said... I don't really need anything. I still shop as many big specials are weekly and my aim is to keep ahead so I still do not need to ever buy anything at full price. Also this builds up the pantry really well. I am just keeping ahead since I have twenty seven meals on my list now. My time instead is spent finding a few amazing deals and ignoring the rest.
You might already do this and be far ahead than me. Please share any of your tips on this! Most of us are on the look out for ways to save on food, eat healthy and reduce waste. Wherever we live food prices seem to have risen and this is an area of potential great savings that we really need.
Once you are a couple of weeks ahead with meals you can really just laugh at normal food prices and just buy the amazing deals. It is wonderful. And it is fun as you feel like you are winning rather than being forced to buy terrible prices!
To get started list everything you have and try to get ahead one meal at a time. Once you are ahead by a couple of weeks you are set! And if you are sick or something goes wrong with a pay or some other problem you can menu plan and eat from what you already have. What an advantage!
To get started list everything you have and try to get ahead one meal at a time. Once you are ahead by a couple of weeks you are set! And if you are sick or something goes wrong with a pay or some other problem you can menu plan and eat from what you already have. What an advantage!
I hope you have a good week! I know I have a big September ahead as our insurance money finally came and the floors will go ahead. So September will be renovating, spring cleaning, re arranging the kitchen and lounge room and setting up my spice cupboard... and putting in my herb garden. And other stuff no doubt!
Lets finish off August first! xxx
Sunday, 30 July 2017
Pantries and Preparedness. Savings tips from Laine.
The past few weeks we have looked at all kinds of ways to beat rising food costs. If we can't do this we have no hope of keeping our pantries built up. What seems to happen is as the budget is more and more stretched we need to be using everything on hand. This is great for rotating our supplies but I want to be seeing my pantry grow not shrink!
This week we are going to put our heads together for all kinds of small ways to save and they can be in any area since saving in one area can help another! This is one of my favourite ways to save! Originally I started the Christmas Challenge with the idea that if I could save hundreds in the present department I could use some of the savings to stock my cellar. And I did! We got a lot of food and supplies in the after Christmas sales.
Working all year to make my gifts has been a huge saving!
Many times I think of things to just NOT do and use the money instead to build up emergency savings or add to my pantry! We recently saved thousands by declining an overseas wedding. Not that we would spend that kind of money when Andy has been out of work and when work is now intermittent. But there are times when we just need to stay home, spend carefully and get ahead as opposed to the opposite!
Laine has written us a list of little ways she saves in lots of different areas. Over to Laine!
1- Cabbage and onion sautéed together is a lovely, inexpensive side vegetable dish. I love to get them both nicely brown.
2- We have gotten to know some of the vendors at our Farmer's Market, and a few weeks ago I got a free pound of grass fed hamburger from one of the vendors. That was a helpful item for my food budget.
3- My doctor wants me to have 1/4 protein, 1/4 carb, and 1/2 vegetables on each plate for each meal. This advice over five years has helped me to save money and help my health and that of my family.
4- I love making N'Ice Cream, which is basically two chopped frozen bananas and any added frozen fruit we like, such as a couple handfuls of frozen raspberries or cherries. Put all in a food processor and process, scraping down when necessary until smooth. So delicious and nutritious. A scoop of this is a delicious ending to a meal.
5- A lovely quick frozen treat is to peel and thinly slice kiwis on a plate with parchment paper on top, then freeze. A delicious ending to a meal is a couple of slices.
6- We don't eat snacks during the day usually, rather three full meals a day. So I make breakfast, then nothing until lunch, then again nothing until dinner. My husband and daughter might have a piece of fruit, some nuts, or some popcorn in the evening. I really do save a lot by not buying snacks.
7- I love to make my own Popsicles for the kids. There are so many recipes on the Internet. And if my grandkids visit, and they are used to having a snack, I have one ready for them in the freezer. My youngest loves to have one after her lunch.
8- This is one of my favorite soups : I sauté half an onion chopped, 2-3 sticks of celery chopped, 1- 2 zucchini chopped, and a bag of frozen broccoli for 5-10min. Cover with water, and salt to taste with a couple dollops of olive oil, and a teaspoon each of thyme, basil, and oregano. Cover, bring to boil, then lower and simmer for 20 min. Purée with stick blender when done. I love this soup!
9- Birthday parties can be expensive with our large family, but we have found a breakfast birthday party to be good on our budget. (Another way is to have a dessert birthday party. ) What we are doing tonight is having four of the grandkids overnight for our 8 year old's birthday party. My 8 year old made invitations for each of them, hats for each of them, and several games for the event. We got 2 children's shows from the library to watch with popcorn, and I made them some mango gummies. I am also making a stir fry for dinner, a special cake, and then in the morning scrambled eggs, hash browns, and some granola bars. I got colored pencils for .50 a box for prizes to our games. Each child will get a box. We have a small kid pool, very small, but I told them to bring their swimsuits for a fun game I have planned. I can't wait for the festivities to start!
10- Almost once a week instead of shampooing my whole head in the shower, I will put my hair up in a high bun and shampoo my bangs and the side of my head. Often that is the part that gets oily the first. I learned this trick from my friend in high school.
11- I find hand washing dishes to be the best for my budget and our drought here in CA. I handle them once for washing and use a dab of dish detergent on my sponge. We take fast showers as well to save water.
12- I keep a gift drawer. This is an area where I put gifts that I find for a great price, even though I don't need them at that time. Then when I need a gift I look here first. It has helped me time and time again.
13- I cut my hair and my 8 year old's hair. I just followed someone on YouTube, wrote down the directions, and then follow them when needed.
14- If I want a bit of greenery in the house, I go outside and clip a bush or a plant and pop it in a vase. I loved one of my daughter's green plants, so she gave me some clippings to start my own plant.
15- I love buying things at garage sales or thrift shops for fun surprises. I found a brand new dress with a $46 price tag on it for my daughter-in-law last week. It cost $3. She loved it! I found a beautiful clock for $1 at a garage sale for my other daughter-in-law. She put it up on the wall right away. I found a Farm To Table sign for $1.50 for my oldest daughter, she loves to garden so that was a fun surprise.
16- When I am working around the house in the summer I have on the most comfortable clothes I can wear. But before I leave to go shopping or run errands, I quickly put on a dress and a pair of sandals. I love to buy dresses at the thrift shop or garage sales for $3 and under, and keep them lined up ready to go.
If I think of any others I will jot them down.
Love to you,
Laine
It is amazing to me to have Laine contribute to my blog!
Thank you so much!
Keeping baking basics on hand saves so much.
Another saving for me is I have never spent much money on food storage. I have saved jars most of my life and also tins.
Lets get our heads together and share our savings tips. Some things we routinely do are not known by others! Sometimes one tip that we can use saves us so much!
Making cards and gift tags must have saved me many hundreds over recent years.
Over a year ago I read a tip on The Cheapskates Club which was to forget your usual chemist and get prescriptions from a discount chemist. For some reason in my mind discount chemists were where you go cheap perfumes but I had no idea prescriptions were a fraction of the cost. So I investigated and wrote down the prices of each of Andy's prescriptions. He has a stainless steel heart valve so he is on medication forever... I went into a nearby discount chemist and gave them my list and asked what are their prices? The chemist was so nice about it. He looked up each price and wrote down their prices next to what I was currently paying. I took this home and most of his prices were less than half price. On some this was $15 saving per item. Then I did the maths.... this would amount to over $660 a year in savings.
Since then that chemist has continued to save us. Antibiotics, over the counter medicines, toothpaste, cleaning products.... all massive savings. That was ONE good tip!
Filling lunch boxes and baking... this has been a huge saving.
Another one was to get prescription glasses online. This one saves HUNDREDS. I have an eye test today! I will be getting the prescription and bring it home to order online. Last time I did this it saved me around $300.
So there can be a lot of power in one tip that we can use! Last week I started making yoghurt. I am only just realising how much this is going to save me since with plenty of yoghurt I can make so many things. And as a sour cream substitute I can make so many other things! I am going to do a post on this as it is incredible what you can make!
Making cleaning products isn't on a saver but also there are no nasty chemicals in your house!
I will keep adding savings tips in the comments as I think of them!
Do you have a tip that could help others? Sometimes it is a small thing... it may seem insignificant until you work out the yearly savings. This is how people get into trouble too... two cups of coffee at work a day might not sound like much.... but this could be costing over $2000 a year. Well, savings work the same way! Over a year they really add up!
I hope we all have a really good week! I am off to have my eye test and run some errands. Before that I have soup to put on! xxx
Do you have a tip that could help others? Sometimes it is a small thing... it may seem insignificant until you work out the yearly savings. This is how people get into trouble too... two cups of coffee at work a day might not sound like much.... but this could be costing over $2000 a year. Well, savings work the same way! Over a year they really add up!
I hope we all have a really good week! I am off to have my eye test and run some errands. Before that I have soup to put on! xxx
Sunday, 25 June 2017
Pantries and Preparedness. Learning with Laine.
Last week I headed off in search of cheaper fruit and vegetables and it worked! This week I am doing the same only heading a bit further south. I can incorporate this with seeing my friend Hilde and a couple of good op shops. Hilde and I are trading Bay Leaves (me) for Lemons as well.
I told her about my search for much better prices and she became the next person to say to me how much things have gone up. Everyone I talk to is saying this! And this includes the US, UK and NZ Bluebirds as well as the Aussie ones!
Since several of you commented on our prices here this week I am going to take some photos to show you the prices in our stores!
Lately I have signed up for emails from the wholesale butchers, joined Facebook stockpilers pages, studied catalogues, viewed catalogues we don't have delivered online and everything I can think of.
Then I have been asking around where people shop? Where do they find the best?
I have learned to make a lot more thing myself from scratch. Overall I have learned a lot in the last couple of years! A lot of things are thanks to you all!
Finally over the weekend I thought to see what Laine's Letters say about food shopping and budgeting. While a few years have passed and prices have changed her ways were based on scripture and prayer. These things never change. So like with other subjects I could delve back into her advice just as I did years ago.
I have spoken about Laine many times before. Her letters were the first "blog" I followed and had a huge impact on me. These days her blog is no longer there but it can be read on a web archive. Now I have to hope the links work!
When the girls were little Laine helped me with being a good Mother, knowing my mission, running the home.... now I am reading she is helping me with being a good Grandmother and this current issue of grocery shopping! There is a whole Laine subject in my index on the right hand side.
Many of you know Laine and are readers already. For anyone who is new to Laine then reading her letters will do you more good than I ever can. There is something on every subject and they can be found here: Laine's Letters.
While prices and stores have changed the way Laine went about things has not changed. As so many things have gone up the quick and easy grocery shop is over!
I am going to start with Laine's Letter Fearless Food Shopping. Australia does not have coupons, but we can apply everything else!
I feel I am taking a study. I am taking notes. How can I apply these things?
Laine treats stretching her husbands wage as a job. She shops at a lot of different places. There is a lot about stretching meals and using up left overs.
We all probably need a review/revision now and then. We get into habits! Then suddenly our habits no longer serve us so well or no longer work at all! Last week I did much better and it took changing almost everything! So this week will be interesting!
We also need to keep up with what is going on around us. Things change. We can become blind to choices and opportunities. This was demonstrated to me by a friend who's town was hit by a massive cyclone. (For the Aust. ladies this was Mackay) Josh told me how after several days there were food shortages. He walked into town and got bread and a few things from the local bakery. On his way home he passed a supermarket and there was a queue outside. Several ladies ran towards him asking him where did he get the bread!? He told them the bakery. They replied that there is no bakery in Mackay. They were so stuck on their routine of one supermarket they didn't even KNOW there were alternatives let alone what they were or where they were located. Now can you see how we should keep up with what is around!?
So this week I hope to check out some more alternatives, find new places to try and see what I can discover.
Could some of Laine's food shopping tips help keep the budget under control?
Do food prices vary wildly from suburb to suburb and town to town where you live?
We have to consider time and fuel costs of course. That is another thing to work in. But how far the food budget goes affects everything from our health, our menu, our pantry, every other area of the budget and our happiness as well! This one area has a huge impact. If we are a little bit ahead then we also get ahead with meals in the freezer, things to store for the future and with lots of food in the house you don't think about take out either.
I told her about my search for much better prices and she became the next person to say to me how much things have gone up. Everyone I talk to is saying this! And this includes the US, UK and NZ Bluebirds as well as the Aussie ones!
Since several of you commented on our prices here this week I am going to take some photos to show you the prices in our stores!
My photos are some recent ones from you all!
This is from Rachel. She made little pies from berries she gathered.
Lately I have signed up for emails from the wholesale butchers, joined Facebook stockpilers pages, studied catalogues, viewed catalogues we don't have delivered online and everything I can think of.
Then I have been asking around where people shop? Where do they find the best?
I have learned to make a lot more thing myself from scratch. Overall I have learned a lot in the last couple of years! A lot of things are thanks to you all!
Finally over the weekend I thought to see what Laine's Letters say about food shopping and budgeting. While a few years have passed and prices have changed her ways were based on scripture and prayer. These things never change. So like with other subjects I could delve back into her advice just as I did years ago.
I have spoken about Laine many times before. Her letters were the first "blog" I followed and had a huge impact on me. These days her blog is no longer there but it can be read on a web archive. Now I have to hope the links work!
When the girls were little Laine helped me with being a good Mother, knowing my mission, running the home.... now I am reading she is helping me with being a good Grandmother and this current issue of grocery shopping! There is a whole Laine subject in my index on the right hand side.
Many of you know Laine and are readers already. For anyone who is new to Laine then reading her letters will do you more good than I ever can. There is something on every subject and they can be found here: Laine's Letters.
Two of Chloe's rescue hens. They are gradually fattening up and looking better!
While prices and stores have changed the way Laine went about things has not changed. As so many things have gone up the quick and easy grocery shop is over!
I am going to start with Laine's Letter Fearless Food Shopping. Australia does not have coupons, but we can apply everything else!
I feel I am taking a study. I am taking notes. How can I apply these things?
Laine treats stretching her husbands wage as a job. She shops at a lot of different places. There is a lot about stretching meals and using up left overs.
We all probably need a review/revision now and then. We get into habits! Then suddenly our habits no longer serve us so well or no longer work at all! Last week I did much better and it took changing almost everything! So this week will be interesting!
We also need to keep up with what is going on around us. Things change. We can become blind to choices and opportunities. This was demonstrated to me by a friend who's town was hit by a massive cyclone. (For the Aust. ladies this was Mackay) Josh told me how after several days there were food shortages. He walked into town and got bread and a few things from the local bakery. On his way home he passed a supermarket and there was a queue outside. Several ladies ran towards him asking him where did he get the bread!? He told them the bakery. They replied that there is no bakery in Mackay. They were so stuck on their routine of one supermarket they didn't even KNOW there were alternatives let alone what they were or where they were located. Now can you see how we should keep up with what is around!?
So this week I hope to check out some more alternatives, find new places to try and see what I can discover.
Could some of Laine's food shopping tips help keep the budget under control?
Do food prices vary wildly from suburb to suburb and town to town where you live?
We have to consider time and fuel costs of course. That is another thing to work in. But how far the food budget goes affects everything from our health, our menu, our pantry, every other area of the budget and our happiness as well! This one area has a huge impact. If we are a little bit ahead then we also get ahead with meals in the freezer, things to store for the future and with lots of food in the house you don't think about take out either.
Some of Mum's Bay Leaf tree as I was picking them to bring home!
Have a very good new week! Today I am making fruit cakes. I had dried fruit soaking in juices all night so it is ready to go!
If you want homework then study "Fearless Food Shopping" and be inspired!
xxx
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Pantries and Preparedness with Laine. Part 2.
Last week I shared Laine's Letter about her pantry. This was a good foundation for me and still motivates me!
Today I am going to share Fearless Food Shopping. Now, do remember in regard to prices these letters are getting pretty old now! But the content is as wonderful as ever!
There are some gems in this that are very important...
Fearless Food Shopping.
My food budget for the month is $260. This is for a family of six with three eating as men. (My teenagers eat the same amount as my husband.) And also my dad, who lives next door, stopping in at dinner time for a chat and a bite to eat. ~Smile~ I will be sharing with you many ways that I save money on food. I think it was meant to be quite a bit of work to save money as revealed in this verse:
"She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar." Proverbs 31:14
Notice, it is ships in plural. Not just one merchant ship, but many merchant ships. There is a lot of work going on here. A lot of learning and growing as well. I think these next verses that follow also show the wisdom of a frugal cook in the family:
"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house." Psalm 128:3a
"House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD." Proverbs 19:14
You can't find a wife like this without the LORD, and you can't be one like this without Him either.
"There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up. Proverbs 21:20
This verse comes right under the verse where it is better to live in a desert than with a contentious and vexing woman! I think a man can have precious treasure and oil in his house with a wise and frugal wife by his side. I have learned so much from such women of God.
It is a privilege for me to stretch my husband's paycheck as much as is possible. One of the ways I can do that is by my strength in the kitchen. The stronger that I get in that room, the more that I can save us. Not only that, but the better we eat and the tastier it is as well. It is blessing upon blessing upon blessing. With this in mind, I share with you how I save money on food up to this day:
1~ I do not spend a certain amount of money each week. Some weeks I might only need a couple of items at the market like milk or fresh vegetables. I do a major food shopping once a month. I pray when I go, while I shop, and at the check out. Everything in the store is set up to get me to spend more than I need to; so I never want to go shopping without the LORD Who has "eyes to see". At this time I buy most of what I will need all month. So far this month I have spent $190 on our food shopping. If I could not go shopping for over a month or more, I would still have enough food to feed my family. I have learned the value of keeping a well stocked pantry (as I shared before) and continue to learn how to do this better and better each year. I don't like to spend all my budget at once because there are usually some store specials that will come up during the month that I like to buy. So each week I check the ads that come in my mail to see what is on special. Sometimes there is nothing, and sometimes, like this week, there are pears for 20 cents a pound.
2~ I buy many things in bulk. It saves us money and time. I don't buy everything in bulk in one month, but rather stretch it out over the year. In that way my food budget is not overly stretched any particular month. I like to have dried as well as fresh on hand. So if I need it, I have dried milk available.
3~ I cost items out. This helps me to avoid buying items that I can make much more inexpensively. Take french bread, for example. I can make two loaves for 50 cents. ( This recipe was shared in a past letter.) So I am not tempted to buy it at the store no matter how good that hot loaf smells in the bakery. I can make a large pizza for under $3. So, again, I am not tempted to buy it. (This recipe was also shared in a past letter.)
4~ We have some meatless meals. I love to make a meatless meal that everyone likes. My husband was raised on meat almost every night. So it has been a slow process to change our dietary habits. I had to do it primarily for financial reasons, but I now realize that it is healthier for us. I also make meals from many different countries. Many other countries, such as China, use far less meat with lots of fresh vegetables for an abundance of flavor and good health.
5~ Our markets mark down their meat early in the morning, so once or twice a month I will go to the market at that time to see what I can find. It is a challenge for me to see if I can make a piece of meat work for two or three meals. Oftentimes I can do this by using a recipe from another country. As I shared before, I love to check out cookbooks from my local library, especially cookbooks from other parts of the world.
6~ I shop many different fruit stands and stores. I keep my eyes open for good specials. The wise woman in Proverbs 31 was likened to merchant ships, so there is no question that she was a keen shopper looking for the best in quality at the best possible price for her family. It is not uncommon for me to stop at seven or more stores when I do my first big shopping of the month. I run in to get what is on special or what is found at that store at a good price, and then I'm back out again. I find this easier to do in the early morning when there isn't too much foot traffic. It did take some getting used to, and I am pretty tired when I come home, but I only do this once a month, so it is a good workout for me. ~Smile~ Plus I save us hundreds of dollars in a year's time by this method. Yes, I have taken my children shopping with me since they were infants. Sometimes my husband and my children both are with me. Sometimes I shop alone or with my mother. It always varies.
7~ I keep my coupons with me at all times. I am not a big coupon shopper, and if coupons were stopped in this country, I would still be able to save money for my family by other methods. But since they are offered in our country, I take advantage of them when it is profitable. Take this month. I noticed that six dented boxes of Wheaties were marked down in one of the supermarkets. (I love to check the marked down section of each store when I shop.) I was able to buy all the boxes they had for 29 cents a box. I don't buy cereal often unless I can get it under a dollar a box, so this was right in my price range. (I don't buy the sugary stuff even if I can get it for free.) Where I save predominantly in this area is by making my own granola and such. So if I could never buy cereal with coupons, it would be okay, as I would make granola and other kinds of cereal for my family. I also found Ivory soap (packaging ripped) marked down in the same aisle, so I was able to get all twelve bars for pennies with my coupons.
8~ I try to buy "real" whenever possible. So I use butter, not margarine. I use bread flour or freshly ground wheat flour, not all purpose flour. I use olive oil, not all purpose oil. I am moving more and more into whole grains and such as we get more for our money and our health.
9~ My food budget does include paper products, cleansers, and such. The only thing that it does not include is our dog food. I have that budgeted separately. When toilet paper goes on sale, I buy a lot. I store it under my son's bed. Sometimes I do not buy toilet paper for months at a time. I do not use paper towels much anymore, rather a rag. Instead of paper napkins, I have switched to cloth napkins. As I shared with you before, I make many of my own cleansers which is much cheaper and healthier. I also use half the required amount of detergent when washing my clothes and just let it agitate longer.
10~ If it is profitable for me to send in a refund, I will do so. This past shopping trip I will get a free pair of rubber gloves for buying a rust stain remover. So I mailed that off the next day.
11~ I love to do things with leftovers. So often little pieces of meat and potatoes will be chopped up the next day and find their way into a burrito for lunch. Or some squash or leftover oatmeal will find its way into a batch of muffins. Or some mashed potatoes will find their way into a loaf of bread. I love to learn and I find that when you love to learn, you do! So I am learning monthly how to do more with what I've got in my kitchen. Many times I will buy a piece of meat that has been marked down and not know what I will do with it. This month a turkey leg was one such piece of meat. I bought it for a little over a dollar. I cooked it on low all day in the crock pot with vegetable and seasonings, then took the meat off the bone and chopped it up. I made some Chinese noodles. I took some of the noodles, put them in a bowl for each person with some of the turkey and broth on top, added a few dashes of soy sauce, and served it with a piece of homemade bread. It was a hit!
12~ Cooking from scratch is so important in my method of food savings. When I first began to learn to cook, I started in the "soup corner." Once I learned how to make soups, I progressed on to bread. And so on and so on. I am still learning. It is such fun! So I do not "menu plan" or cook ahead for my freezer too much (only a small one above the fridge) or count on the garden (still learning there, but hope to add more savings in the future). Rather I take out one of my pieces of meat or vegetables in the morning, then sit down with my cookbooks to see what I can make with it. I always ask the LORD to show me the way. It is never boring because I am always trying something new.
13~ This year I did a bit of canning because it was profitable to do so. Each can of peaches cost us under 40 cents. I have also been dehydrating. I am so excited to learn how to do this. I have started bags of mushrooms, chilies, bell peppers, peaches, pears, apples, carrots, celery, spinach, and tomatoes. Some are fuller than others. It is so nice to know that if I need a certain item and I do not have it fresh, I just might have it dried. It is like having a mini fruit/vegetable stand in my pantry.
14~ I love to collect recipes. I love to collect unusual recipes. Recipes that do not have eggs or oil or butter. The reason for this is there might come a time when I will be so glad that I have these kinds of recipes. Some of these ingredients might be hard to come by if we fell upon hard times, so I see the value in recipes like these. That is why I will make a cookie recipe with oil. I like to make different kinds of recipes so that I'll know a good one when I need it. Many times I will see something marked down at the store and a certain recipe will pop into my head as soon as I see it.
15~ I enjoy learning how to make things and stretching myself in the kitchen. Such as cheese. I have made ricotta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese. But I want to learn how to make cheese using rennet. I hope to do this soon. I remember how much fun it was to learn how to make sour cream and buttermilk (recipes shared in past letters as well). I make those without thinking now. So I hope to do the same with cheese soon. It is so helpful to know how to make things from simple ingredients. Then I do not need to go to the store, rather to my pantry. Take noodles, for example. If I don't have noodles on hand, it is very good to know how to make them. I might be out of noodles, but not out of the ingredients to make them. Within 40 minutes, I can have noodles ready for the boiling water and my recipe.
16~ There are a couple of stores that I go to every three or four months. They are an hour away, but worth the trip when I do make it. I always look forward to these trips. This is the time that I will buy some items in bulk.
17~Bakery cakes have never been in my budget. I remember when I was asked to be in my friend's wedding. One of the girls, who was also in the wedding, threw her a bridal shower. She asked me to buy the cake. I knew that I couldn't afford a big cake. So I told her that I'd make it. She looked worried and asked me if I had ever made a large cake before. I had to admit that I hadn't. But I told her that if it didn't work, I'd buy one. Well, I practiced and practiced. My family loved eating my efforts. ~Smile~ The day of the shower I brought a cake that looked like two wedding rings entwined with a cream cheese/whipped cream frosting and fresh strawberries. Everyone loved it. I saved us some money, plus learned a lot in the process about cake decorating which I have used time and time again.
18~ I am about a year ahead on my toiletries. What I mean by this is if I did not buy tooth paste, deodorant, shampoos, and such for a year, I would have ample supply. I have been buying them with coupons when they were on sale and free or near free, so I have stocked up quite a bit. They don't go bad as with food. And if I need to use something for a gift or a food basket, I have it there and ready.
19~ I buy most of my spices in bulk. Much more inexpensive this way.
20~ I have been training myself to do my cooking early in the morning. I find that I do a better job and feel so much more accomplished when my meal is well on its way early in the day. (As taught in Proverbs 31.) It is pure pleasure to pull out a meal that was made earlier in the day to share with my family in the evening. I am usually pretty tired by then, and so very, very glad that my meal is ready.
I hope these tips have been a help to you. I am still learning how to save money on my food shopping, and I am sure many of you could share so much more than I've shared here. May the LORD bless you as you serve Him in your kitchen.
Love,
Laine
One of the biggest things in our whole budget is food. How we manage that is so important to the whole budget and our health. But also to how much we can build up our pantries. If we never have enough or extra we can't really get ahead with the pantry. So getting ahead with food and supplies is a really important thing. The only way to do that is being pretty clever with cooking from scratch and making the most of bargains and what we can find. Saving in one area to build up another can work miracles. I would rather make a pizza than buy one. I would rather spend the difference on the pantry.
The other gem was pointed out to me by a reader. Laine said she studies old cook books and also thinks of alternatives to ingredients. She says in tough times certain ingredients might not be available and we need to know what we could do then. This is a very good idea. Do we know how to cook decent meals out of absolute basics? Without any fancy ingredients or pre prepared things?
These are skills worth learning and increasing. Knowing how to cook stock, soups from just about anything, basic bread and simple filling things is very important. Also knowing how to go to plan B when plan A just isn't possible.
The same with your pantry and storage. Can you make meals from what you have? In a crisis or shortage very basic cooking is fine. Actually very basic cooking is usually very good! But those basics are really important skills to have.
The photos in this post are Teri's Pantry. Teri sent me these pictures earlier in the year and I am still in awe of them! I have had so much help and friendship from so many ladies this year. Thank you Teri.xxx
There are some gems in this that are very important...
Fearless Food Shopping.
My food budget for the month is $260. This is for a family of six with three eating as men. (My teenagers eat the same amount as my husband.) And also my dad, who lives next door, stopping in at dinner time for a chat and a bite to eat. ~Smile~ I will be sharing with you many ways that I save money on food. I think it was meant to be quite a bit of work to save money as revealed in this verse:
"She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar." Proverbs 31:14
Notice, it is ships in plural. Not just one merchant ship, but many merchant ships. There is a lot of work going on here. A lot of learning and growing as well. I think these next verses that follow also show the wisdom of a frugal cook in the family:
"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house." Psalm 128:3a
"House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD." Proverbs 19:14
You can't find a wife like this without the LORD, and you can't be one like this without Him either.
"There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up. Proverbs 21:20
This verse comes right under the verse where it is better to live in a desert than with a contentious and vexing woman! I think a man can have precious treasure and oil in his house with a wise and frugal wife by his side. I have learned so much from such women of God.
It is a privilege for me to stretch my husband's paycheck as much as is possible. One of the ways I can do that is by my strength in the kitchen. The stronger that I get in that room, the more that I can save us. Not only that, but the better we eat and the tastier it is as well. It is blessing upon blessing upon blessing. With this in mind, I share with you how I save money on food up to this day:
1~ I do not spend a certain amount of money each week. Some weeks I might only need a couple of items at the market like milk or fresh vegetables. I do a major food shopping once a month. I pray when I go, while I shop, and at the check out. Everything in the store is set up to get me to spend more than I need to; so I never want to go shopping without the LORD Who has "eyes to see". At this time I buy most of what I will need all month. So far this month I have spent $190 on our food shopping. If I could not go shopping for over a month or more, I would still have enough food to feed my family. I have learned the value of keeping a well stocked pantry (as I shared before) and continue to learn how to do this better and better each year. I don't like to spend all my budget at once because there are usually some store specials that will come up during the month that I like to buy. So each week I check the ads that come in my mail to see what is on special. Sometimes there is nothing, and sometimes, like this week, there are pears for 20 cents a pound.
2~ I buy many things in bulk. It saves us money and time. I don't buy everything in bulk in one month, but rather stretch it out over the year. In that way my food budget is not overly stretched any particular month. I like to have dried as well as fresh on hand. So if I need it, I have dried milk available.
3~ I cost items out. This helps me to avoid buying items that I can make much more inexpensively. Take french bread, for example. I can make two loaves for 50 cents. ( This recipe was shared in a past letter.) So I am not tempted to buy it at the store no matter how good that hot loaf smells in the bakery. I can make a large pizza for under $3. So, again, I am not tempted to buy it. (This recipe was also shared in a past letter.)
4~ We have some meatless meals. I love to make a meatless meal that everyone likes. My husband was raised on meat almost every night. So it has been a slow process to change our dietary habits. I had to do it primarily for financial reasons, but I now realize that it is healthier for us. I also make meals from many different countries. Many other countries, such as China, use far less meat with lots of fresh vegetables for an abundance of flavor and good health.
5~ Our markets mark down their meat early in the morning, so once or twice a month I will go to the market at that time to see what I can find. It is a challenge for me to see if I can make a piece of meat work for two or three meals. Oftentimes I can do this by using a recipe from another country. As I shared before, I love to check out cookbooks from my local library, especially cookbooks from other parts of the world.
6~ I shop many different fruit stands and stores. I keep my eyes open for good specials. The wise woman in Proverbs 31 was likened to merchant ships, so there is no question that she was a keen shopper looking for the best in quality at the best possible price for her family. It is not uncommon for me to stop at seven or more stores when I do my first big shopping of the month. I run in to get what is on special or what is found at that store at a good price, and then I'm back out again. I find this easier to do in the early morning when there isn't too much foot traffic. It did take some getting used to, and I am pretty tired when I come home, but I only do this once a month, so it is a good workout for me. ~Smile~ Plus I save us hundreds of dollars in a year's time by this method. Yes, I have taken my children shopping with me since they were infants. Sometimes my husband and my children both are with me. Sometimes I shop alone or with my mother. It always varies.
7~ I keep my coupons with me at all times. I am not a big coupon shopper, and if coupons were stopped in this country, I would still be able to save money for my family by other methods. But since they are offered in our country, I take advantage of them when it is profitable. Take this month. I noticed that six dented boxes of Wheaties were marked down in one of the supermarkets. (I love to check the marked down section of each store when I shop.) I was able to buy all the boxes they had for 29 cents a box. I don't buy cereal often unless I can get it under a dollar a box, so this was right in my price range. (I don't buy the sugary stuff even if I can get it for free.) Where I save predominantly in this area is by making my own granola and such. So if I could never buy cereal with coupons, it would be okay, as I would make granola and other kinds of cereal for my family. I also found Ivory soap (packaging ripped) marked down in the same aisle, so I was able to get all twelve bars for pennies with my coupons.
8~ I try to buy "real" whenever possible. So I use butter, not margarine. I use bread flour or freshly ground wheat flour, not all purpose flour. I use olive oil, not all purpose oil. I am moving more and more into whole grains and such as we get more for our money and our health.
9~ My food budget does include paper products, cleansers, and such. The only thing that it does not include is our dog food. I have that budgeted separately. When toilet paper goes on sale, I buy a lot. I store it under my son's bed. Sometimes I do not buy toilet paper for months at a time. I do not use paper towels much anymore, rather a rag. Instead of paper napkins, I have switched to cloth napkins. As I shared with you before, I make many of my own cleansers which is much cheaper and healthier. I also use half the required amount of detergent when washing my clothes and just let it agitate longer.
10~ If it is profitable for me to send in a refund, I will do so. This past shopping trip I will get a free pair of rubber gloves for buying a rust stain remover. So I mailed that off the next day.
11~ I love to do things with leftovers. So often little pieces of meat and potatoes will be chopped up the next day and find their way into a burrito for lunch. Or some squash or leftover oatmeal will find its way into a batch of muffins. Or some mashed potatoes will find their way into a loaf of bread. I love to learn and I find that when you love to learn, you do! So I am learning monthly how to do more with what I've got in my kitchen. Many times I will buy a piece of meat that has been marked down and not know what I will do with it. This month a turkey leg was one such piece of meat. I bought it for a little over a dollar. I cooked it on low all day in the crock pot with vegetable and seasonings, then took the meat off the bone and chopped it up. I made some Chinese noodles. I took some of the noodles, put them in a bowl for each person with some of the turkey and broth on top, added a few dashes of soy sauce, and served it with a piece of homemade bread. It was a hit!
12~ Cooking from scratch is so important in my method of food savings. When I first began to learn to cook, I started in the "soup corner." Once I learned how to make soups, I progressed on to bread. And so on and so on. I am still learning. It is such fun! So I do not "menu plan" or cook ahead for my freezer too much (only a small one above the fridge) or count on the garden (still learning there, but hope to add more savings in the future). Rather I take out one of my pieces of meat or vegetables in the morning, then sit down with my cookbooks to see what I can make with it. I always ask the LORD to show me the way. It is never boring because I am always trying something new.
13~ This year I did a bit of canning because it was profitable to do so. Each can of peaches cost us under 40 cents. I have also been dehydrating. I am so excited to learn how to do this. I have started bags of mushrooms, chilies, bell peppers, peaches, pears, apples, carrots, celery, spinach, and tomatoes. Some are fuller than others. It is so nice to know that if I need a certain item and I do not have it fresh, I just might have it dried. It is like having a mini fruit/vegetable stand in my pantry.
14~ I love to collect recipes. I love to collect unusual recipes. Recipes that do not have eggs or oil or butter. The reason for this is there might come a time when I will be so glad that I have these kinds of recipes. Some of these ingredients might be hard to come by if we fell upon hard times, so I see the value in recipes like these. That is why I will make a cookie recipe with oil. I like to make different kinds of recipes so that I'll know a good one when I need it. Many times I will see something marked down at the store and a certain recipe will pop into my head as soon as I see it.
15~ I enjoy learning how to make things and stretching myself in the kitchen. Such as cheese. I have made ricotta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese. But I want to learn how to make cheese using rennet. I hope to do this soon. I remember how much fun it was to learn how to make sour cream and buttermilk (recipes shared in past letters as well). I make those without thinking now. So I hope to do the same with cheese soon. It is so helpful to know how to make things from simple ingredients. Then I do not need to go to the store, rather to my pantry. Take noodles, for example. If I don't have noodles on hand, it is very good to know how to make them. I might be out of noodles, but not out of the ingredients to make them. Within 40 minutes, I can have noodles ready for the boiling water and my recipe.
16~ There are a couple of stores that I go to every three or four months. They are an hour away, but worth the trip when I do make it. I always look forward to these trips. This is the time that I will buy some items in bulk.
17~Bakery cakes have never been in my budget. I remember when I was asked to be in my friend's wedding. One of the girls, who was also in the wedding, threw her a bridal shower. She asked me to buy the cake. I knew that I couldn't afford a big cake. So I told her that I'd make it. She looked worried and asked me if I had ever made a large cake before. I had to admit that I hadn't. But I told her that if it didn't work, I'd buy one. Well, I practiced and practiced. My family loved eating my efforts. ~Smile~ The day of the shower I brought a cake that looked like two wedding rings entwined with a cream cheese/whipped cream frosting and fresh strawberries. Everyone loved it. I saved us some money, plus learned a lot in the process about cake decorating which I have used time and time again.
18~ I am about a year ahead on my toiletries. What I mean by this is if I did not buy tooth paste, deodorant, shampoos, and such for a year, I would have ample supply. I have been buying them with coupons when they were on sale and free or near free, so I have stocked up quite a bit. They don't go bad as with food. And if I need to use something for a gift or a food basket, I have it there and ready.
19~ I buy most of my spices in bulk. Much more inexpensive this way.
20~ I have been training myself to do my cooking early in the morning. I find that I do a better job and feel so much more accomplished when my meal is well on its way early in the day. (As taught in Proverbs 31.) It is pure pleasure to pull out a meal that was made earlier in the day to share with my family in the evening. I am usually pretty tired by then, and so very, very glad that my meal is ready.
I hope these tips have been a help to you. I am still learning how to save money on my food shopping, and I am sure many of you could share so much more than I've shared here. May the LORD bless you as you serve Him in your kitchen.
Love,
Laine
One of the biggest things in our whole budget is food. How we manage that is so important to the whole budget and our health. But also to how much we can build up our pantries. If we never have enough or extra we can't really get ahead with the pantry. So getting ahead with food and supplies is a really important thing. The only way to do that is being pretty clever with cooking from scratch and making the most of bargains and what we can find. Saving in one area to build up another can work miracles. I would rather make a pizza than buy one. I would rather spend the difference on the pantry.
The other gem was pointed out to me by a reader. Laine said she studies old cook books and also thinks of alternatives to ingredients. She says in tough times certain ingredients might not be available and we need to know what we could do then. This is a very good idea. Do we know how to cook decent meals out of absolute basics? Without any fancy ingredients or pre prepared things?
These are skills worth learning and increasing. Knowing how to cook stock, soups from just about anything, basic bread and simple filling things is very important. Also knowing how to go to plan B when plan A just isn't possible.
The same with your pantry and storage. Can you make meals from what you have? In a crisis or shortage very basic cooking is fine. Actually very basic cooking is usually very good! But those basics are really important skills to have.
Someone commented to me recently that in a crisis is no time to learn skills! Learn them now and as you can so you have the skills you need when you need them.
This series has been a big learning curve for me. You can take an empty space and turn it into a pantry in a year or less is one thing I learned! Thank you to all the ladies who helped me via comments, emails, letters, photos and guest posts.
I still have a couple of Pantries and Preparedness posts for the year. Then we will see what the new year brings! xxx
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