Tag Archives: groceries

Going Back To Basics

We survived our 4-day impromptu processed food diet. Just.

Time to go back to basics.

This is an experiment I’ve had planned for a while. Looking for the ideal week to try it out, this week seemed as good as any. Better in fact, as we had just emptied a fridge of ready-meals.

Having recently reduced the weekly grocery spend by 50%, I’ve been very impressed with the quality and price of products at the supermarket I’ve been using.

But, there’s been a nagging doubt in the back of my mind. I’d like to eat more local produce whilst supporting local farmers.

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No Waste Tastes Great / Convenience Foods – Dream or Nightmare?

It’s Friday Guys – time for No Waste Tastes Great

Click here to find out more about my Friday routine

Simply Being Mum’s Friday Fridge

Except it isn’t Friday’s Fridge – it’s Thursday evening’s after dinner.

Why did I take the shot early this week?

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The Good, The Bad & The Could Do Better

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a photo of my grocery shop.

Exciting stuff eh? ;-)

The reason? To illustrate what I believe is the good, the bad and the could do better. As much for me, as for you. Accountability. Put it all out there for the world to see, and you see it differently yourself also. Blogging enables objectivity. It also generates feedback. I believe it’s healthy to have our actions questioned, it reduces complacency.

Last year I reduced my grocery spend by 50%. I also started shopping at Aldi, after a little hesitation. I’m still pleased with both of my actions.

There are of course good aspects to my grocery shop, some I’m not so happy with, and those that really… I should know better.

Can you guess what falls into each of those categories?

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No Waste Tastes Great / Use What You Have

It’s Friday Guys – time for No Waste Tastes Great

Click here to find out more about my Friday routine

Simply Being Mum’s Friday Fridge

Okay, so I’ve stepped it up a gear this week. All there is to use up are the grapes, and they’ll be eaten over the weekend. In fact supplies are so low that I have just enough milk left for another coffee this morning before I do my grocery shop.

How did this happen?

Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about food waste this week. It all started when I commented on this post over at The Frugal Girl. I explained about my minimalistic approach toward storing food. I was then inspired to give my cupboards and freezer a once over, and found that I had accumulated slightly more ‘emergency’ supplies than I normally carry. Possibly minimal in comparison to many households? But still, once I get to this point I like to start thinking about using freezer and store-cupboard items up.

So last night instead of the planned Spag Bol, I conjured up a sausage, pasta, tomato and parmesan dish.

This means that next week I have the following frozen items to use up:

3 haddock fillets, 2 salmon fillets and 450g/1lb of lean beef mince. I’ve already planned my meals around my freezer supplies:

This means I have a very basic shop to do today. Only the bare essentials.

I love having a ‘use it up week’ as it can drastically reduce my already 50% reduced grocery budget. And we won’t go hungry, it’s amazing what you can rustle up from basic items.

So what’s the plan for dinner tonight? If the Friday fridge is bare we have license to partake in a takeaway. But I’m on a ‘use it up’ vibe. Scouting through my jars and tins, I discovered these.

Plus 2 sweet potatoes that I had planned to roast this week, but didn’t.

I’m going to try slow-cooking a Thai red curry with chick-peas and sweet potato. I’ve never tried this before, but hey, that’s the fun bit!

Anything goes at Chez Wright on a Friday!
How’s your Fridge looking this Friday? Anything to declare? Or is it nice and bare? Please share…

No Waste Tastes Great is bought to you (as always) with thanks to The Frugal Girl for the original inspiration.

FoodWasteFriday

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