As the Challenge began, Jeanne found a good deal on a big supply of carrots. So far, her meals have included carrot burgers, carrot salad, carrot-walnut spaghetti (She had also found a good deal on nuts.), and carrot soup.
She says there used to be various "special weeks" when she was raising her children, depending on the good deals.
Is anyone having a "potato week", or other special week?
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Cookie Dilemma
Whoooops! Today's To Do list says I have promised to take treats to church early tomorrow, because there will be a special guest. Weeks ago it was easy to agree to the request. But now I have only my Food Stamp Challenge food for the week.
During last year's Challenge, a similar problem sparked a lively discussion about what to do. (See "Cookie Crisis" Nov.17, 2007, in the Blog Archive. lower right on this website.)
This time, I see the solution in our pile of remaining groceries: saltine crackers, PB, & grape jelly. So, if you see a plate of little cracker sandwiches among the finer refreshments, you'll know what happened.
But for those with food stamps, what choices would they see?:
• Be embarrassed to bring cracker sandwiches; or
• Not bring anything, and hope no one notices; or
• Use food resources that otherwise would have helped feed the family; or
• Simply not sign up to bring treats -the unhappy solution of a 2007 commentator on this website - and not be able to fully participate in the activities of my church.
During last year's Challenge, a similar problem sparked a lively discussion about what to do. (See "Cookie Crisis" Nov.17, 2007, in the Blog Archive. lower right on this website.)
This time, I see the solution in our pile of remaining groceries: saltine crackers, PB, & grape jelly. So, if you see a plate of little cracker sandwiches among the finer refreshments, you'll know what happened.
But for those with food stamps, what choices would they see?:
• Be embarrassed to bring cracker sandwiches; or
• Not bring anything, and hope no one notices; or
• Use food resources that otherwise would have helped feed the family; or
• Simply not sign up to bring treats -the unhappy solution of a 2007 commentator on this website - and not be able to fully participate in the activities of my church.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Cathy L. checks in with a report on her day
The cooked oatmeal for breakfast was good with brown sugar and milk and not necessarily a step down from our usual nut and dried fruit laden granola which I normally make every week. This week will require a daily preparation. I found OJ on sale so we had juice which I can't live without. The whole chicken at $.88 a pound is in the crock pot for dinner and will be part of at least 3 or 4 meal's main dishes. Lunch was those $.88 a pound carrots, bread, milk and a hot dog (maybe not a great health choice, but cheap at $1 a pound). Best wishes to all who are taking the challenge.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Jeanne's Oatmeal Cookies
Challenge taker Jeanne sends this recipe to liven up your Challenge week. - not a bleak week at her house!
Grocery fliers in our local free Shopper newspaper really helped me plan our meals and list. Shopper is delivered on Friday, so I knew which items to buy from this past week's specials and which items to postpone for new specials that start Monday in our town. Lots of good specials are being featured to entice holiday bakers.
Below is a recipe for nutritious and satisfying cookies for folks investing in oatmeal (THE BIG BOX) since it's the cheapest breakfast food. All the ingredients also appear in other meals planned for Challenge Week.
Asterisks* show specials bought Saturday while past week's specials were still in effect. Pound signs # indicate specials that start Monday.
one egg# (99 cents/doz w/coupon)
1/2 cup oil
2/3 cup honey* (3.99 for 32 oz)
1/2 tsp. salt* (50 cents w/coupon)
1T cinnamon# (77 cents)
1 cup chopped walnuts# (3.50 for 10 oz)
1 cup raisins* (1.99 for 18 oz)
3 cups uncooked rolled oats* (1.99 for 42 oz)
2 tsp baking powder* (50 cents w/coupon)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1. Beat egg well along with oil and honey
2. Add salt, cinnamon, walnuts, raisins, and oats.
3. Add baking powder, mixing in well
4. Add flour, mixing in well.
5. Flour hands and shape into balls distributed over 2 cookie sheets. (4 dozen plus)
6. Flatten each ball with bottom of glass dipped in water to prevent sticking.
7. Bake at 325 degrees 15 minutes (or until lightly browned).
8. Cool thoroughly before removing from pans.
TIP: Herbs and spices in nice big sizes are just 77 cents at HyVee this coming week. Otherwise, they are $1.00 at dollar stores. I'm investing $2.31 of my precious food stamp allowance for oregano, cinnamon, and garlic powder (NOT garlic salt) to be used this week and well into the future.
ADVICE: White flour is cheaper than whole wheat; but with some artful budgeting, you can provide the nutritional premium of the whole grain. Nothing but the best for your family!!
Grocery fliers in our local free Shopper newspaper really helped me plan our meals and list. Shopper is delivered on Friday, so I knew which items to buy from this past week's specials and which items to postpone for new specials that start Monday in our town. Lots of good specials are being featured to entice holiday bakers.
Below is a recipe for nutritious and satisfying cookies for folks investing in oatmeal (THE BIG BOX) since it's the cheapest breakfast food. All the ingredients also appear in other meals planned for Challenge Week.
Asterisks* show specials bought Saturday while past week's specials were still in effect. Pound signs # indicate specials that start Monday.
one egg# (99 cents/doz w/coupon)
1/2 cup oil
2/3 cup honey* (3.99 for 32 oz)
1/2 tsp. salt* (50 cents w/coupon)
1T cinnamon# (77 cents)
1 cup chopped walnuts# (3.50 for 10 oz)
1 cup raisins* (1.99 for 18 oz)
3 cups uncooked rolled oats* (1.99 for 42 oz)
2 tsp baking powder* (50 cents w/coupon)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1. Beat egg well along with oil and honey
2. Add salt, cinnamon, walnuts, raisins, and oats.
3. Add baking powder, mixing in well
4. Add flour, mixing in well.
5. Flour hands and shape into balls distributed over 2 cookie sheets. (4 dozen plus)
6. Flatten each ball with bottom of glass dipped in water to prevent sticking.
7. Bake at 325 degrees 15 minutes (or until lightly browned).
8. Cool thoroughly before removing from pans.
TIP: Herbs and spices in nice big sizes are just 77 cents at HyVee this coming week. Otherwise, they are $1.00 at dollar stores. I'm investing $2.31 of my precious food stamp allowance for oregano, cinnamon, and garlic powder (NOT garlic salt) to be used this week and well into the future.
ADVICE: White flour is cheaper than whole wheat; but with some artful budgeting, you can provide the nutritional premium of the whole grain. Nothing but the best for your family!!
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