Who will win? VOTE NOW!!!

[Michelle My Bell]

 

OK WTM's, Now it is your turn!!! Who will win it all??? Who will win

The More With Less Cookbook!

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177571

original thread

 

 

 

 

Daisy (Post #11)

 

Breakfast -

2 cups of dry oats (5 cups for $1 through my organic veggie co-op) - $.40

3 ounces of dry roasted sliced organic almonds (1/2 ounce per person) - $1

16oz of raw whole milk (4oz each, again organic co-op) - $1.50

We don't like our oatmeal sweet.

 

Lunch -

12 slices of whole wheat bread - $2.00

2 cans of white albacore tuna fish - $3

(I'm assuming I have mayo & relish)

Organic spinach & tomatoes to add to sandwich $1.50 (these items came in my organic veggie co-op box)

 

Snack -

Grapefruit or oranges off our trees (free)

In another couple of weeks we'll have nectarines and apricots so I have free fruit year round.

We also have extra veggies in our co-op box that I cut up for the kids usually.

 

Dinner - Soup

1 quart Trader Joe's chicken broth - $1.99

1 quart water

2 cups dry 8 bean mix (organic co-op, price is $4 for 4lbs) - $1

2 organic carrots (organic co-op) - $.40

1 organic onion (organic co-op) - $.25

1 bunch beet greens (organic co-op) - $.25

2 shredded chicken thighs (Costco bulk bag) - $1.00

(I'm assuming I have spices & dried herbs)

 

That's just over $14 but all the produce, grains, & beans are organic and the dairy is raw. I'm sure if you bought lower quality items for tuna, bread, and dairy you could come in under $10. We drink water at all meals.

 

Lara in Colo (post #12)

 

Breakfast

 

Eggs .99 dozen

sausage 2/5.00-bogo coupon= 1.25 roll

bisquits .50 (all ingredients in pantry--or a store bought roll)

 

Lunch

 

tom soup and grilled cheese

 

soup 1.50

bread .50

cheese 1.00

 

 

Pizza

dough-homemade

cheese 2.00

sauce .66(2 cans tom sauce and garlic)

veggies 2.00

 

 

Pippen (post #22)

 

What a great idea for a thread! The following assumes recently paid sale prices.

 

Breakfast

Lowfat Almond Scones (omit apricots, substitute yogurt for sour cream and use whole wheat flour)

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Zaa...-Scones-135582

Yogurt 60 cents

1/3 cup almonds 50 cents

 

Lunch

Homemade whole wheat bread using staples

Deviled Eggs $1

Carrots or applesauce $1

 

Dinner

Crockpot Chicken with beans and rice

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Cro...heeseyum-89204

$3.34 3 large chicken breasts

$1.00 1/3 less fat cream cheese

50 cents handful frozen corn

$1.00 salsa

74 cents can black beans

50 cents homemade corn tortillas

 

Total = $10.18

 

 

Tutor (#33)

 

Breakfast:

Oatmeal with milk & brown sugar $2

Tea or water $0.50 (if everyone has tea)

 

Lunch:

Chicken salad (chicken, vinegar, mayo, salt, pepper, green onion) $2 - chicken will have been used for three meals

Fry bread $1

 

Sauteed green beans and garlic $0.25 - green beans were free from a neighbor (otherwise it would be an additional $1 for the beans if my garden wasn't in yet and I was out of beans from last season)

 

Lemonade $0.50

 

Snack:

Ants on a log $1.50

 

Supper:

Veggie soup with lentils $1.50 (broth is free made from veggie scraps; $0.50 for 1/2 bag lentils; $1 for bag of mixed veggies)

 

Leftover fry bread $0

 

Lemonade or water $0

If milk for kids $2

 

 

Total without milk at supper: $7.75

Total with milk at supper: $9.75

 

With the extra $, you could add cheese to the soup or add some sliced apples to breakfast. :001_smile:

 

ETA: Oops! I missed the part about pantry staples not being included in the $10. That makes the fry bread free, oatmeal $1, tea $0.25, and I didn't have to separate the totals with milk and without. LOL! Yay! I can put cheese in my soup and add apples or bananas to breakfast. My total with these changes would be about $8.75 or so. Guess I'd better read the instructions next time, huh? :)

__________________

 

 

Quiverof10 (#37)

 

Breakfast: oatmeal, brown sugar & OJ-guessing @ $3 but I buy my oatmeal in bulk so it's pretty cheap. If you bought one can of concentrated OJ it's $1.19 here.

 

Lunch: home made whole wheat bread, pnbt & jelly, carrot sticks, milk -I am terrible at this lol $3?? ( using the same bag of carots for the dinner recipe)

 

Dinner: Pea soup http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/12...-pea-soup.html I have most of these Ingredients on hand so I don't know how much it cost but I am going to guess @ $4. One bag of dried peas is under $1 here, spices I'd have on hand. The potatoes, carrots(above) & celery would add maybe $3?

 

 

 

 

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

 

 

Edited May 15, 2010 by Michelle My Bell

[Michelle My Bell]

transientChris (#41)

Okay, low carb meals

 

Breakfast

eggs w/ ham and mushrooms (2.54)

frozen oj (80c)

 

Lunch

2 cans tuna (1.5) sliced cucumbers w/vinegar/oil dressing (1)

lemonade to drink (10c)

 

Snack

carrots w/vinegar/oil (75c)

 

DInner

milk (1.00)

Ground beef(1.5)/mixed vegetables(.75)/barley(,75) stew with canned tomatoes and paste (.95)

 

total for day 10.84 (but I did count staple prices for everything except spices)

 

LarlaB (#42)

Low carb?

 

B: 12 Eggs ($1.25) Bananas ($1)

 

L: Ham & Cheese roll ups $3.00

Tuna Salad $1.50

Chick Pea Salad (Can Garbonzo Beans w/ onions, garlic, oil & balsamic vinegar) $1.50

 

D: Mini Meatloaves (1.5lbs ground beef @ $1.99lb) $3

Spinach Salad ($2) w/ Strawberries ($1.50)

 

erek'smom (#58)

 

The OP said that foods on hand are: flour, sugar, spices, butter, and milk.

 

My grocery list would include:

1 dozen eggs -- $1.00 at Save-a-lot or Kroger

1 pkg. carrots -- $1.00 at Save-a-Lot or Kroger

1 pkg. flour tortillas -- $1.00 at Save-a-Lot

1 jar pizza sauce -- $1.00 at Save-a-Lot

1 pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese -- $2.00 at Kroger

2 lbs. chicken -- $2.00 at Kroger ($.99/lb. on sale)

3 lb. bag of apples -- $2.00 at Save-a-Lot or Kroger

 

Breakfast

homemade waffles*

homemade syrup*

scrambled eggs

milk

 

Lunch

pizza quesadillas*

apples slices

water or milk

 

Supper

Easy Chicken Pie*

stewed apples or homemade applesauce*

water or milk

 

* Recipes

 

Homemade Waffles

2 eggs

2 cups self-rising flour

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon sugar

Beat eggs, then beat in remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour batter onto hot waffle iron and bake according to manufacturer's directions. Makes 6 medium-sized waffles.

 

Homemade Syrup

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 tsp. maple flavoring (or any other flavoring/extract you have on hand)

Combine ingredients and bring to boil on medium heat. Allow mixture to continue to boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Serve warm. Leftover syrup may be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks.

 

Pizza Quesadillas

flour tortillas

pizza sauce

mozzarella cheese

butter or margarine

For each quesadilla: spread one side of a tortilla very lightly with softened butter. Place on heated griddle (medium-low heat). Spread pizza sauce as desired on the tortilla as it heats. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on one half of the tortilla. Fold the other half of the tortilla over onto the cheese and press lightly. Toast on each side until cheese is melted.

 

Stewed Apples or Homemade Applesauce

1 to 2 lbs. of apples

butter

sugar

For stewed apples:

Wash, peel, core, and dice apples. Put diced apples into a saucepan and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle apples lightly with sugar. Add a couple of pats of butter. Bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer for about 30 minutes. Simmer longer if you want the apples to be softer, adding very small amounts of water as needed. If desired, you can add more sugar and/or butter while simmering. Serve warm.

For applesauce:

Simmer until apples are very soft. Use a potato masher to mash the apples to the desired consistency.

 

Easy Chicken Pie

Preheat oven to 350º.

Cook 2 lbs. chicken in salted water. Save the broth and debone and dice the chicken.

~ ~ ~

Mix together and pour into greased 9x13x2 casserole dish:

diced chicken

3 cups of homemade cream of chicken soup (recipe below)

1½ cups chicken broth (use more if you prefer thinner “gravyâ€, or less if you prefer it thicker)

1½ to 2 cups steamed or boiled carrots

~ ~ ~

For the crust:

1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine or butter, melted

1 to 1½ cups self-rising flour

3/4 to 1 cup milk

Mix melted margarine, flour, and milk in a separate bowl and pour evenly over chicken mixture. DO NOT STIR!

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown crust forms. Serve hot.

Makes about 6 servings

---- ---- ---- ----

* Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

3/4 cup flour

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1½ cups chicken broth

1½ cups milk

salt (optional)

~ ~ ~

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.

Add flour and stir until the butter and flour are well combined.

Slowly add milk & broth, stirring constantly as it thickens.

Add salt if desired.

 

 

ETA: Since the OP specified that only the above-mentioned items were on hand, I assumed that I would have to go out and buy new packages of the items that were not on the list. Because of this, I calculated my grocery costs on a per-package basis rather than a per-serving basis.

__________________

[Michelle My Bell]

Let us know what made you choose your favorite!

[Pink Fairy]

I went with Erik's Mom due to the sheer amount of information provided. I imagine it took a while to put it all together.

[Daisy]

Ahhh, skip me. I went over $10.

[Michelle My Bell]

Ahhh, skip me. I went over $10.

 

Yes, but like you said, you used high quality ingredients. You could do this for less, maybe.

[BeckyFL]

Ahhh, skip me. I went over $10.

(Besides my own easter candy menu), I liked yours, Daisy. I do try to buy organic and even though you were a little over, it's nice to see healthy can be done inexpensively.

[Daisy]

Ha, well, I'll take your Easter candy menu any day over my oats. Hee hee.

[clarkacademy]

I chose Ereks mom cause it wasn't just the same old oats and soups and beans. I chose a menu my kids would actually eat and possibly like. I know people have different tastes but oats, soups and beans my kids would just waste so there would be no point to making them.

[Michelle My Bell]

Here is something I found by a fellow homeschool mom...

 

http://www.amazon.com/Feed-Your-Family-12-00-Day/dp/0806523557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273889751&sr=8-1

[dsmith]

I chose Erek'smom because it sounded yummy, and recipes were provided. Recipes are always a plus!!

[Michelle My Bell]

Here is another one...

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Meals-Feed-People-Wealthy-Healthy/dp/0974622990/ref=pd_sim_b_12

[vonfirmath]

Erek's mom because she has actually done this.

[Brindee]

 

I chose Ereks mom cause it wasn't just the same old oats and soups and beans. I chose a menu my kids would actually eat and possibly like. I know people have different tastes but oats, soups and beans my kids would just waste so there would be no point to making them.

I thought they were all neat, but I picked Pippen for this same reason. We LIKE what's on her menu! :001_smile:

[Jean in Newcastle]

I thought they were all neat, but I picked Pippen for this same reason. We LIKE what's on her menu! :001_smile:

 

:iagree:

[LibraryLover]

Pippen's meun was the one closest for us, and every meal had a protein. I can do this, where I won't do ham, sauages and such.

[i.love.lucy]

I picked Lara's because my kids will eat what she shared. Pippen's would be a close second. Unfortunately my family isn't big on oats and beans and soups. I wish I could fix that!!

[Spy Car]

I'm going with Daisy, because her menu best represents the way we like to eat, budget issues or not.

 

The one thing I'd nix (saving $2 right off the top) would be the chicken broth. If I had $10 to spend all my stock would come from boiling the carcasses left over from chicken and other bones.

 

And, I'd like to add brown rice for dinner. Beet greens can be had for the asking at framers markets here. Huge bags, free. So there is another $.25.

 

And the two cans of albacore whole become one large can of Trader Joes large size wild-caught canned salmon. Healthy.

 

Bill

[Michelle My Bell]

Poll will be closing this evening.

[Daisy]

 

The one thing I'd nix (saving $2 right off the top) would be the chicken broth. If I had $10 to spend all my stock would come from boiling the carcasses left over from chicken and other bones.

 

Bill

 

Hah, same here, but I wasn't sure if I'd have to count the entire chicken if I used some of the meat and some of the broth for the soup. LOL. But yeah, usually we are making soup because I have a carcass that needs dealing with.

 

I've never had TJ's canned salmon. I'll have to give it a try.

 

And yes, my menu would easily be a real day's meals for us, though not EVERY day looks that way.

 

This was fun.

[PineFarmMom]

I would have to rank this as one of my top favorite threads of all times!!! Very helpful.

[sheryl]

All of the "contestants" LOL have great menus. The menus from Daisy and Erek's Mom stand out for me a tad bit. Daisy, I LOVE your ideas and the fact that you try to buy/use organic when you can. That's me too. Additionally you have a "variety" of food groups presented which I thought was good.

 

Same to ya Ererk's Mom.....a wonderful variety....yummy looking.

 

They ALL looked good, but the above stand out a bit.

 

Bon Apetite!!!

[Michelle My Bell]

We have a winner! PM me your address Erek's Mom and I'll send your book out to you!

 

Michelle