Can not get a handle on groceries!

**Mamaw** · 09-20-2006, 10:16 AM

Well folks, I realize I am still spending too much on groceries and wasting way too much food. It is just making me sick. I am hoping you all have some hints or motivation that will help me get back in gear!

Basically I grocery shop once a week. I do stockpile and use coupons and shop loss leaders. My freezers, pantry and fridge are chock full of stuff. The problem is I am wasting way too much. There are 4 adults in my house but 2 of them are picky, picky and seldom eat much here. So it is DH and I most of the time. DH is pretty good and will eat just about anything but is diabetic so I try to watch what I make.

right now there is a stuffed cabbage casserole in the fridge that I need to freeze at least half of for another meal. I have a package of chicken thawed that I need to cook and use. There is mushrooms, peppers, strawberries and carrots that need to be used up. DH will NOT be home for dinner today or Thursday. I will leave and not be home Thursday to Sunday. So.....how do I feed this family with crazy schedules healthy low calorie meals and not cook so much that it goes to waste?

Sorry this is a bit rambling. I am thinking this through while I type. I think I sometimes just cook too much food and dont have enough casserole recipes and the like to use up all the leftovers.

Hints ladies?

**Sari** · 09-20-2006, 10:50 AM

Sounds like you might benefit from cooking a big batch at once and freezing it portioned out. OAMC I think is the name of it, although you don't have to cook a month's worth. You could just do a week's worth or so.

**AmyMCGS** · 09-20-2006, 11:24 AM

Yes, like Sari said, you'd probably benefit from using OAMC recipes and taking out only the portions you need for each meal.

When I need to use something up, I go to www.recipezaar.com and search by ingredient. (click on ingredient under the search bar the type in what you have to use up) I always find tons of recipes to try.

Personally, I do better $$-wise if I do not shop every week. I make one big trip a month, the little trips as needed just for milk or other fresh items.

**betharoo0** · 09-20-2006, 11:29 AM

Why don't you just freeze everything?
Cook the chicken, freeze for later use.
chop the veggis for stir fry nuke em for a sec and freeze em
hull the berries and freeze em' for smoothies or shakes
~or~
make chicken stir fry, eat some for lunch and/or dinner freeze the rest.
I HATE waste! I get that from my daddy! So Iam always looking for ways not to waste. hope this helps

**Mamaw** · 09-20-2006, 01:19 PM

Thanks all. I froze the cabbage casserole for another meal and left just a small piece for dinner tonight. I put the cabbage and carrots with ham chunks and a couple potatoes in the crock pot for DH for next couple days. Decided to cook the chicken and freeze for Sundays dinner. Will use it with brocolli and noodles alfredo. DD loves that and will use up the leftovers from it. Am steaming the brocolli and cauliflower and will freeze for soup. I guess I really DO know how to use it up but am just being too lazy to do it most of the time. Need a kick in the butt....thanks ladies!

**lottaLove** · 09-20-2006, 01:52 PM

I think that you need to write a meal plan, and buy only what you need for that plan throughout the week. Get your family to approve the meals before you shop, that way they can't decide they don't like a meal that is on the menu after you've already prepared it. This is what has worked for me (my DH is very picky)

**kabin63** · 09-20-2006, 02:24 PM

i agree with the others above. Good that you froze that cassarole. I have struggled keeping my grocery budget under control. My down fall has been junk food. I do like to make things that have enough to freeze for future meals though. It's nice to just thaw it out and reheat for dinner. Recently I had a lot of tomatoes from my garden and I made spaghetti sauce, enough for three meals, and stewed tomaotes and froze them for use this winter.

**FrugalWitch** · 09-20-2006, 05:15 PM

Well, a good start would be to refuse to cater to any picky eaters. Every meal, 2 choices, take it or leave it. You either eat what's prepared for a meal or do without. (none of this everyone fixing something different even if they fix it themselves)

Another helpful idea is tonight's leftovers are tomorrow's lunch. The goal is to eat up all of what's prepared with no waste.

Worked for my Momma's side of the family for four generations, nobody's died from it yet.

FrugalWitch

**ironmaiden** · 09-20-2006, 09:50 PM

And play Alaskan Pantry - your stuck in the hinderland with feet of snow outside - go through the house and write down what meals you can make from what you already have!

**Daisygirl** · 09-20-2006, 10:29 PM

You have gotten some great suggestions here, and I guess I would only follow up by saying that you must choose a plan and stick to it. Once you decide the way that will work for your family write it down - for me that always makes things more real.

**Braque68** · 09-21-2006, 08:23 PM

what I have also done is keep a list of what is in my freezer on the door and as a reminder that I need to use up what is in there and remind that I have dinners that I can defrost and eat.

**tigo** · 09-22-2006, 10:51 AM

For us one thing that helps (still trying to adjust from shopping and cooking for 8 down to 3) is the small serving containers. Leftovers get packaged up in individual sides so the kids can reheat for after school snack and I can carry to work for lunch. In our house the rule is if you don't like what is for dinner you can make a pb & j sandwich. I am blessed with kids with lively palates who aren't too picky.