Grocery advice needed from you helpful ladies!

**KrieBabie** · 05-09-2007, 07:40 PM

Well, I finally found a pitiful little one room apt, but it's better than nothing, I suppose and am grateful that I've found it.

Anyways, I'll be moving in this weekend and have $170 left for groceries. I am starting scratch, there is NOTHING.

I need advice on what I should buy (I'm used to working with a stocked pantry) and recipes. Here are the new "requirements":

1. The fridge is small...not a hotel fridge, but not full size either.
2. The freezer is even smaller. It's pitiful, actually.
3. The only things I have to cook with are a microwave, a crockpot and an electric skillet.
4. Again, I am taking NOTHING with me. Everything it takes for a meal has to be purchased.
5. DS and I don't like tuna or any kind of beans, except green beans.
6. Spicy foods/Mexican foods are also out of the question due to I'm 7-1/2 months pregnant and get heartburn looking at that kind of food.
7. I have 2 grocery stores, and a savalot in my town.

This one might challange even the frugalist of you. I'm used to eating cheap - that's not a problem.

I'll take ALL advice...even down to grilled cheese/mac and cheese/hot dogs, etc.

What would you do?

**claimsgirl66** · 05-09-2007, 08:00 PM

Have you signed up for W.I.C? I know my daughter did for awhile and you can get vouchers for each month for milk, cereal, juice, cheese, peanutbutter. Might save you some $ each month.

Will mull over your new challenge. But best wishes on this new chapter in your life.

**Marie78** · 05-09-2007, 08:06 PM

I am glad you got your own apt. These are some of our meals that help save me money:

Hamburger Mac & Cheese. Make the box mac & cheese using directions on the box and then add browned ground beef.

You could make creamy crock pot chicken. I found that recipe online: I wash the chicken then season with italian seasoning and then put it in the crock pot with cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup over the top on low for several hours (or until chicken is cooked through). I usually serve this over egg noodles, you could put it over rice though too. I cut the boneless/skinless chicken breast up before putting it in the crock pot, I only use 2 chicken breasts at a time for each meal (just me and fiance here).

We eat pasta with meat sauce, I brown the ground beef and add to the sauce.

We have soup and sandwich here once a week.

Breakfast for dinner is always pretty inexpensive and quick too.

I found some crock pot ideas, by typing in crock pot recipes online (that might help give you more ideas of what to cook in the crock pot). I found crock pot mac & cheese by doing this too. I even found a recipe that only involves pasta sauce and chicken. I'll look for those recipes and post the link for you.

I shop at Aldi for most of our food items, very inexpensive and we like the food. I also buy the largest package of ground meat at the grocery store that I can find and divide it into portions before freezing it. You could even brown it and then divide it into portions before freezing it. I don't have a very large freezer either, and this still seems to work for us. I do that with chicken too, I buy the largest package and divide into portions and freeze. I wrap the meat portions in plastic wrap and then I put all the wrapped beef in one freezer bag and all the wrapped chicken in another freezer bag. I find that this saves my having to keep buying freezer bags.

**socalgal** · 05-09-2007, 08:08 PM

Cheap foods that help fill you up:
Rice
Potatoes
Beans (I know you don't like them, but you could try)they are an excellent source of protein for baby
chicken thighs (could be made in skillet)
ground beef or turkey
eggs
hot dogs
dry soups
cereal (pick something high in fiber like shredded wheat)
whole wheat pasta
frozen veggies like spinach

Keep in mind that foods high in fiber are not only good for you, they make you feel fuller and more satisfied. So look for high fiber.

do you have a local farmer's market? I would shop at local grocery for meat and pantry staples and then hit the farmer's market for super cheap and fresh veggies and fruit. Baby needs nutrients so go for colorful stuff (no iceberg lettuce). Go with things that are dark green (good source of iron) and orange (like carrots and sweet potatoes).

I would keep it simple with the meals. Some things I'd be eating on your budget and in your condition:
Red Beans and Rice
Green Salad with cut up chicken
Baked Potatoe (can use microwave) with broccoli or other healthy veggies
mac and cheese with cut up turkey dog
scrambled eggs and whole grain toast
mac and cheese with browned ground beef
split pea soup (health food stores often have it by the scoop and you just add water)
cereal
whole wheat pasta with tomato sauce

also pick up some canned and super cheap meals for backup (like spaghetti O's and Top Ramen). You can't live on them b/c they aren't very nutitious, but they'll fill a belly.

Ginger is soothing to pregnant tummies so I'd pick up some ginger to grate over the sweet potatoes, add some cinnamon and you've got a meal.

Good luck Babe. Stay strong.

**claimsgirl66** · 05-09-2007, 08:16 PM

I forgot to post this...I book marked it from a thread in the forum awhile ago. Play around on the site, she has a section on "Emergency low cost menus" and shopping list. If you go to the "other goodies " page , then down to the "everday bargains" you can print the suggested grocery list as well.Clearly the lentils and beans would not apply to you. Some suggestions may seem a little extreme, but it may get the creative juices flowing so you can come up with ideas. Are you going to have internet access at the new place?

Marie78 has a lot of good ideas, I think you can do a lot with canned soup, inexpensive cuts of meat, and the crockpot.

http://spam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typed.com/index.htm

**warramra** · 05-09-2007, 08:16 PM

If you could find a glass baking dish that will fit in the microwave at a thrift shop or yard sale there are many dishes that could be cooked in there. The crockpot is also very versatile. One dish I have that cooks in the microwave, but there might be a similar crockpot recipe;
Chicken & Rice:
use an inexpensive cut of chicken, like bone-in thighs
minute rice (generic is fairly inexpensive)
one can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
milk

~ 2 cups of minute rice, mix in cream of ?? soup, fill the empty can about 3/4 full with milk and add to rice. Stir to combine. Layer chicken on top. cover with plastic wrap and cook about 15 minutes on high depending on the wattage of microwave.

This makes enough to eat for several meals. You can add spices as you like, although salt is about the only thing it needs. I enjoyed this meal when pregnant for its blandness and my kids like it for the same reason.

**Radish4ever** · 05-09-2007, 08:20 PM

Oooh goody! Something to think on!

First of all, find out what is on sale at your local grocery stores! Most of my stores have their weekly ads online, so you might check for that.

Find out what the loss leaders are!

I've found that I *have* to have a good variety of fresh fruit for my DD to snack on and I *have* to have some kind of cheese for her (lately it's sliced bc it's so cheap from Sam's compared to any other form anywhere else!)...... Beyond that, you have tons of options! lol

I'd make sure you have the basics:
oatmeal, milk, eggs, some kind of meats (ANY meat is good - chicken is often on sale as a loss leader and is PERFECT in the crockpot - that's the only place I will cook anything with bones!), cheese, fruits and veggies (sav a lot usually has canned for cheap too!), salt, pepper, and a few other spices. We almost always have potatoes and carrots on hand because they go with pretty much ANYTHING in the crockpot and are cheap and filling!

Boxes of mac n cheese and ramen are cheap too - and with both, you can throw in any leftover veggies and meat if you'd like. Also, crockpot soups are filling and yummy! Pancakes and cornbread are cheap to make. Checkout the spam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typed Housewife website for some good ideas, too!

**Radish4ever** · 05-09-2007, 08:23 PM

Oh! and www.recipezaar.com is my FAVORITE site to find AWESOME recipes! Check it out

You can search by ingredient, etc and many recipes are rated and have pictures

**Radish4ever** · 05-09-2007, 08:34 PM

I found a great thread for you to read!

http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=148324

**Marie78** · 05-09-2007, 08:57 PM

Here's the mac & cheese crock pot recipe, this site has lots of crock pot recipes.

http://www.cookingcache.com/crockpot...ndcheese.shtml

**McD** · 05-09-2007, 11:50 PM

{Well, I finally found a pitiful little one room apt, but it's better than nothing, I suppose and am grateful that I've found it.} It's go to be better than where you are at. Think of the freedom your son will have...he won't have to hide his toys...no one will say hateful things to him....it's going to make your apt. seem like a palace!

At this point, I would look into getting WIC. They'll help provide you with the basics that you need to keep yourself, son, and baby healthy. It'll save you a ton of money. There is NO shame in using the program if you need it. That's what it is there for.

Have you checked to see if there is a local angel food ministries where you live? You can get quite a bit of food for 25$.

I don't have many recipes to offer you and I'm sorry for that.

But, I think you are a brave woman and I am praying for you, your son, and your littlest one. You are doing a remarkable thing. I know it's scary, but I think you made the right choice, for what it's worth.

**jamie79** · 05-10-2007, 08:12 AM

I agree. I am glad you got your own place. Try to get WIC, rent assistance whatever you can.
As far as recipes I have a quick one for you.

Piece of chicken cooked and cut up
box mac and cheese
can of peas.
Cook mac and cheese up then add the chicken and peas ( drained) . Heat thru

**Sari** · 05-10-2007, 09:26 AM

I'd recommend getting a rice cooker if you can. Rice is cheap and easy to store, and with the rice cooker you just add rice and water and plug it in. Plus you can steam things in it, and I've even made a package of beans and rice in it. They're about $15-20 new at Walmart or check out Asian stores, or you might find out at a thrift shop.

**Hollyhandi** · 05-10-2007, 09:54 AM

Crock pot is great for making soups ( veggies in beef broth with some
ground beef cooked and put in ) very healthy for you all
Buy flour and make pancakes in your skillet. Add a can of drained whole corn to the batter or put a couple tablespoons of applesause in for apple pancakes.
When I was young I lived about 6 months with a crockpot, toaster oven and a electric skillet.
You can get very creative .
Fry potatoes with seaonings onions and peppers ( dollar stores have them sometimes 2/$1.00 )and some ground beef
Good Luck Hon and yes check into churches and wic for help.

**annymoll** · 05-10-2007, 10:42 AM

So happy that you found a little place of your own!!! I echo the other ladies- go for WIC immediately.Check for any food pantry in your area. Use rice, potatoes, oats, eggs, cheese, etc. I am wishing you the best.