My $25.00 Per Week Food Budget- How Did I Do It?

Well, the end of another food budget week in under my belt (literally!) I did really well this week and, in fact, broke even spending a total of $24.00 and change. Andy's beef stew became big pot of Vegetable Beef Soup and I will have to freeze half of it. We have eaten this soup for several meals and it is very good, but we are growing tired of it.

Another meal with multi-leftovers was oven fried chicken and dressing. I served it with salad and peas. Not exactly diet-ish, but it was really yummy. That lasted two dinners and one lunch. Tonight I fixed Vegetable Frittata Squares (with broccoli, onion, mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, spinach, red bell pepper, peas, chives, sour cream and, of course, eggs) to go with pork chops (from the freezer) and fruit for dessert.

 "Vegetable Frittata Squares" was a recipe I found in the latest issue of All You Magazine. Now, I am going to give a short advertisement for All You. This is such a great magazine! The recipes are always good. This month in addition to the frittata there were Chocolate Panini and Mocha Truffle Cake recipes! Either would be delish for Valentine's Day dinner. There were many, many more recipes this month.

All You features articles on how to save money. One that caught my eye was called "Yes, you can eat that." For example broccoli stems, shred them and make broccoli slaw. Beet greens can be chopped, blanched and mixed with roasted beets and goat cheese for a salad. It tells how to crisp up wilted carrots and what the heck to do with softened fruit.

There is fashion and medical advice in All You Magazine and it is geared to saving money. And, I can't forget the coupons. There are $50-$80-$100 or more coupons waiting to be cut out. In this economy, we can all use some money saving help. Can you tell, I love All You? Pick one up at the grocery store. The Vegetable Frittata is worth the price of the magazine.

Sunday begins another "cheap eats" $25.00 spent on food for a week. But, it really will be easy. You see, I still have ham, turkey (from Christmas) and chicken and fish in the freezer. All I am buying are staples (milk, bread, coffee etc.) and special ingredients. It feels good to economize and use up what I have, carefully listing only what is needed. I think we are eating healthier too. Tune in for next weeks "game" results.