No More Grocery Store

**Preston** · 05-05-2010, 01:40 PM

When we get back from vacation, in two weeks, we will see how long we can go without grocery shopping. We will deal with farmers markets and local vendors only, and steer clear of big box stores, or any place in general that involves pushing a shopping cart.

**imagine** · 05-05-2010, 01:48 PM

Cool!

Are you going to do this just for food or other essentials also?

I look forward to hearing about your journey.

**Libby** · 05-05-2010, 01:53 PM

Good for you! Support the local farmers.

Quick question - what are going to do for dairy? Buy milk at the market or local farmer as well or do you not drink it or use powdered format? And will you be buying your HBA items at the local pharmacy?

**nodmicks** · 05-05-2010, 02:07 PM

Sounds fun! I can't wait to hear how you do!

**Preston** · 05-05-2010, 02:14 PM

There are local vendors for soaps and shampoos that we will have available to us. I have already used them in the past, and actually like what they have to offer.

There is also a cheese vendor at our local market. I'll get more indetail when we get back from our trip (in two weeks.) We don't use much dairy beyond that -- we do drink soymilk from time to time, though.

**Libby** · 05-05-2010, 03:12 PM

OOh Preston, that sounds wonderful. Enjoy your vacation and don't forget to update this thread. We're all eagerly waiting to see how this goes

**Imarachne** · 05-05-2010, 03:37 PM

Hey, let us know how you do with this idea. Summer will be the best time, I guess.

**Dancing Lotus** · 05-05-2010, 07:11 PM

I took notice today of how different my shopping habits are now.
At one point I was spending 100 a week at the grocery store. Now it's more like 20. The farmers market gets the rest

**Palooka** · 05-05-2010, 09:18 PM

Keep us posted and enjoy your vacation!

**frugalwarrior2** · 05-05-2010, 10:10 PM

I can't wait until we have produce available again. We have a local dairy too. I hope they have the Amish cheese again.
Good luck on your journey.

**falan** · 05-05-2010, 10:19 PM

Looking forward to hearing about it!

**dean** · 05-05-2010, 10:26 PM

Sounds like a great idea. good luck!
We have cut our grocery bills to the bone (by necessity), but when I have the money again, I will be spending alot less in the grocery stores. We plant potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, beans, corn, onions, strawberries, peas, cucumbers, etc. and we put them all up for the winter. I bake my own bread, make my own pasta, make my own detergent, cleaning supplies, etc. DIL makes our soap. We buy a side of beef and split it with family.
We buy from farmers markets, and the Amish. We have 37 hens for our egg use and sell some eggs for a little extra cash.
Still there is alot I have to buy, but only on sale and with coupons. I make most of my gifts too and greeting cards.
It's not saving the world, but it's making us happy.

**leighcat** · 05-06-2010, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by dean

Sounds like a great idea. good luck!
We have cut our grocery bills to the bone (by necessity), but when I have the money again, I will be spending alot less in the grocery stores. We plant potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, beans, corn, onions, strawberries, peas, cucumbers, etc. and we put them all up for the winter. I bake my own bread, make my own pasta, make my own detergent, cleaning supplies, etc. DIL makes our soap. We buy a side of beef and split it with family.
We buy from farmers markets, and the Amish. We have 37 hens for our egg use and sell some eggs for a little extra cash.
Still there is alot I have to buy, but only on sale and with coupons. I make most of my gifts too and greeting cards.
It's not saving the world, but it's making us happy.

How do you make your pasta? I am wanting to have whole wheat elbow noodles when I make mac and cheese instead of the regular semolina, but whole wheat noodles are expensive!!

**ressa** · 05-09-2010, 06:53 PM

We are working on it a little at a time. We have chickens and goats for milk and hopefully meat some day. Lots of fresh milk for the grandkids, buttermilk and cream cheese for me. Learning to make hard cheese. Goat milk soap made and raw goat milk to rub on grandaughter's exzema/rash. We have a few things planted and want to go into that more next year after my husband retires.
We use cloth napkins and cloth toilet paper. Wow, that alone saves a small fortune cause I hate cheap toilet paper. thought my daughter would move out because of it but no such luck yet.
Trying to cut out little by little the processed foods I buy. Oh, and like the previous poster, make my own laundry detergent and cleaning supplies. (Found a recipe for the laundry soap bars and plan to try that too!)
I'm not nearly there yet but it is amazing the number of aisles I do pass up when I have to go to the grocery store. Needs are becoming small and basic.

**dean** · 05-09-2010, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by leighcat

How do you make your pasta? I am wanting to have whole wheat elbow noodles when I make mac and cheese instead of the regular semolina, but whole wheat noodles are expensive!!

1 8 oz. sour cream
2 eggs
3 cups flour
salt to taste
(Can double or triple)
Roll out on floured surface and cut into strips as wide as you desire. (I use my dining room table)
Let dry on one side then turn and dry on the other side. I roll them up in wax paper and put in freezer bag and store until needed in freezer. Drop into boiling water, bring back to a boil, and cook for 8 minutes. Stir occasionally.