MPmomof3Put Your Food Budget On A Diet
February 22nd 2010 01:26
I have mentioned in previous posts some tips for how to save money on groceries and meat, but I would like to tackle another big supermarket budget-buster here - convenience food.
Convenience food is like comfort food. Most of us think that we can't live without it. A long day at work or just a hectic schedule shuttling the kids back and forth to soccer practice, etc. can leave us feeling drained. it seems like our energy level is so depleted that we would just give up and get a pizza if the line wasn't so long. Sound familiar? Well, there is hope. Read on...
First, after you've taken a well-deserved power nap, think about the types of food that you normally buy from the frozen food or snack food section of your grocery store. If you have some in your home, take some time to examine the ingredients and read the labels. if you still have your store receipt, take a look at how much you paid for your favorite convenience food. Your rested perspective can shed new light on the reason why the grocery store charges top-dollar for those pre-packaged sodium-laden meals....They know you're tired.
Now, the next time you are ready to prepare a meal that you cook from scratch, think about the types of meals you would find in the freezer case. Cook one of your favorites, but make a double batch. Set aside half and freeze it. That shouldn't take much more time.
If you don't find the options in your grocer's freezer case appealing or you are looking for some fresh ideas, simple do a google search for "freeze ahead meals" or "prepare ahead meals" or "make ahead meals." You might be surprised by what you find.
It is also possible to prepare one ingredient (like chicken) and use it for multiple meals (provided the ingredient stays fresh). Here is an example....one night, have grilled chicken salad. Grill a double batch of chicken and set half aside. Next, cut up or shred the chicken, add mayonnaise, some chopped celery and a few cut-up grapes, mix and spread on bread for a delicious chicken salad sandwich. Leftover meats also make great pizza toppings, quesadilla fillers, or soup ingredients.
Convenience food is like comfort food. Most of us think that we can't live without it. A long day at work or just a hectic schedule shuttling the kids back and forth to soccer practice, etc. can leave us feeling drained. it seems like our energy level is so depleted that we would just give up and get a pizza if the line wasn't so long. Sound familiar? Well, there is hope. Read on...
First, after you've taken a well-deserved power nap, think about the types of food that you normally buy from the frozen food or snack food section of your grocery store. If you have some in your home, take some time to examine the ingredients and read the labels. if you still have your store receipt, take a look at how much you paid for your favorite convenience food. Your rested perspective can shed new light on the reason why the grocery store charges top-dollar for those pre-packaged sodium-laden meals....They know you're tired.
Now, the next time you are ready to prepare a meal that you cook from scratch, think about the types of meals you would find in the freezer case. Cook one of your favorites, but make a double batch. Set aside half and freeze it. That shouldn't take much more time.
If you don't find the options in your grocer's freezer case appealing or you are looking for some fresh ideas, simple do a google search for "freeze ahead meals" or "prepare ahead meals" or "make ahead meals." You might be surprised by what you find.
It is also possible to prepare one ingredient (like chicken) and use it for multiple meals (provided the ingredient stays fresh). Here is an example....one night, have grilled chicken salad. Grill a double batch of chicken and set half aside. Next, cut up or shred the chicken, add mayonnaise, some chopped celery and a few cut-up grapes, mix and spread on bread for a delicious chicken salad sandwich. Leftover meats also make great pizza toppings, quesadilla fillers, or soup ingredients.
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