Please share your CHEAPEST EVER menus

[marylouise]

Sandy thank you so much for the info. Yes I know about insulin and B/S! I ant kidding when I say it is the worst thing a fat induced diabetic can do!! My doc. warned me. I was very hard headed!

Thanks for the links too. :-)
I have a little dog too. The dress is so cute!

[marylouise]

It is hard for me to understand the reasons why docs give it out like candy. It's WRONG!!
I too was on Metformin. It stopped working....
I wanted to keep eatng. I was very foolish. :-(

[whipper75229]

I have finally started on the last frontier for me - exercise! I fought it tooth and nail. Now I'm into yoga and I love it! The diebetes scared me straight, so to speak, and my A1C is 5.6 - it may be lower now - I haven't gotten the results from my last test last Friday. I work hard at eating right! Good luck to ya!

[marylouise]

I have been just sitting here lookiing at the tv and your post.
You are the second person to give me the very SAME link I think the first was about a week and a half ago.

strange ant it.
I wonder what the odds are 4 this to happen????
LCFs is a huge web site!
With people all over the globe, I think.

[whipper75229]

LCF is the BEST website. It has so much information and such wonderful people. - it looks like you have been on the site for a while and your weight loss is amazing! - just do searches, ask questions, start new topics and you should find answers. Just remember what works for some may not work for others and follow your meter!

[pcaltman]

February 20 - February 26

Monday = Taco's & Taco salad (being lazy tonight using store bought stuff)
1.5lbs ground beef $3.36
homemade seasoning $0.05
1 bag flour tortillas $1.50
2 cans refried beans $1.94
1 cups cheese (8oz) $1.36
lettuce (1/6), onions $0.75
sour cream $0.08
Total = $9.04

Tuesday = Baked Teriyaki Chicken
Roaster chicken w/homemade teriyaki sauce $4.00
Rice 2 cups uncooked $0.45
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
Jello $0.34
Total = $5.59

Wednesday = Spaghetti
1 can Hunt's spaghetti sauce $1.00
1 box spaghetti noodles $0.82
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
Homemade Italian bread $0.50
Left overs $-
Total = $3.12

Thursday = Garlic Roasted chicken (crockpot)
Roaster chicken w/ garlic $4.02
Rice 2 cups uncooked $0.45
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
1 can fruit $0.84
Total = $6.11

Friday = Pizza & Deep dish pizza
Homemade dough (makes 2 thick crust) $0.50
Homemade sauce $0.31
Cheese (16oz) $2.52
pepperoni $1.00
Soda (2-2liters) $1.38
onion & peppers (1/2 each) $0.54
2 egg, 4 oz cream cheese & parm cheese $0.80
Total = $7.05

Saturday = Bacon & cheese quiche
Bacon $2.92
1 dozen eggs $1.20
2 cups of milk/cream $0.16
2 cup cheese $2.52
Homemade pie crust (for 2) $1.47
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
Diced fried potatoes $0.75
Total = $9.82

Sunday = Rosemary Roasted Chicken
Roaster chicken $3.65
Roasted veggies $1.00
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
Homemade maple bread $0.65
Total = $6.10

[pcaltman]

February 27 - March 4

Good morning everybody. I am sure everybody has noticed prices of foods are going up Trying to use some things up from the frig and use some of my chicken I got at a great price. I will try starting next week to get lower on the food budget. Just a personal goal of mine. Trying not to waste things and put anything extra to debt. Have a great week.


Monday = Sloppy Joe's
1.5lbs ground beef $3.36
homemade seasoning & sour cream $0.25
homemade season fries (free potatoes from Grandma) $-
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
1 cups cheese (8oz) $1.36
1 can of fruit $0.98
Homemade dinner rolls (12) $0.50
Total = $7.25

Tuesday = Roaster chicken
Roaster chicken & gravys $3.75
Rice 1 cup uncooked, plus leftover rice from frig $0.23
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
Baked cauliflower & onions $0.95
Total = $5.73

Wednesday = Spinache lasagna & Spaghetti
1/2 can Hunt's spaghetti sauce leftover $-
1.5lbs ground beef $3.36
8 oz cream cheese, 1 egg, 2 tbsp parm, 4 oz mozz, spinach $2.00
1 box spaghetti noodles $0.82
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
Homemade Italian bread $0.50
Total = $7.48

Thursday = Chicken Alfredo
Roaster chicken $3.50
1 box noodles $0.82
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
Sauce $0.40
Total = $5.52

Friday = Pizza & Pizza toppings
Homemade dough (makes 2 thick crust) $0.50
Homemade sauce $0.31
Cheese (16oz) $2.52
pepperoni $1.00
Soda (2-2liters) $1.68
onion & peppers (1/2 each) $0.54
Total = $6.55

Saturday = Cheeseburgers
11 patties (1/4lbs) (costco) $7.79
Homemade buns (12 buns) $0.50
Baked potato wedges (5 potatoes) $0.76
Lettuce, oinion & 11 slices cheese $1.30
Total = $10.35

Sunday = Son's 18th Birthday

[dewdrop_mealine]

Originally Posted by whipper75229

Marylouise, I take Metformin only. I am trying to take such good care of myself that I NEVER have to be on insulin. There are some threads on LCF that talk about stalling and what different folks have tried to break the stall. EVERYBODY stalls! believe me. And there is no magic bullet because what might work for one, doesn't work for another. The most important is keeping the diabetes under control. There are so many things that can happen if you don't - but I'm sure you know that.
Don't worry - there are so many of us on this road and we are all here to help each other!

Dr. Richard K. Bernstein invented the glucometer. (That machine we test our sugar with.) He has written a book on diabetes and a cookbook. He is 80+ and a Type 1. He addresses Type 2 also. Fascinating reading. I was on insulin twice. I have gotten myself off insulin and take no medication. I am diet controlled. Yes, he's all for a LC diet. If you search for him on this forum you'll find many posts about him.

[saltnpepper]

Monring all, I have not read this whole thread. But do you all post recipes?

pcaltman you have Baked cauliflower & onions $0.95 on Tuesday menu.

How do you fix them? Sounds so good, and cauliflower was 1.00 over the wk-end where I am.


TIA

Anna

[pcaltman]

Hi saltnpepper - This is my husbands favorate recipe. It's very basic. I usually buy 1 -2 heads and cut them in half for 2-4 sides to a meal. I can post recipes if you need them. most are just basics, but I do use Linda Sue's a lot.

Cauliflower (I have 1/2 head in frig)
1/2 red onion or white diced in big chunks
Sprinkle with olive oil
Salk & pepper
a little rosemary (1 tbsp or so) You can leave this out, but it's really yummy with the raosemeary.

That's it, bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and tender.

[saltnpepper]

pcaltman thank you so much!!

I used a different recipe last pm, called for 450 degrees --- to hot.

This sounds great. I love rosemary. I will try it soon.

Also, I wanted to say I have seen you post several places, and you never give up. What an inspiration you are to me. I'm much older than you, 50ish and I really have to watch the carbs, and I'm thinking the calories too.

What we do have in common is 4 kids, stay at home wife, and budget budget budget.

Thanks again,

Anna

[pooticus]

Originally Posted by saltnpepper

pcaltman thank you so much!!

I used a different recipe last pm, called for 450 degrees --- to hot.

This sounds great. I love rosemary. I will try it soon.

Also, I wanted to say I have seen you post several places, and you never give up. What an inspiration you are to me. I'm much older than you, 50ish and I really have to watch the carbs, and I'm thinking the calories too.

What we do have in common is 4 kids, stay at home wife, and budget budget budget.

Thanks again,

Anna

Wow oven's must be so different! I do mine at 450*. I check it at 17 minutes and turn everything over with a spatula. Then put it back in about another 15 minutes and take it out. It's done and gorgeous then!!

[saltnpepper]

from pooticus

Wow oven's must be so different! I do mine at 450*. I check it at 17 minutes and turn everything over with a spatula. Then put it back in about another 15 minutes and take it out. It's done and gorgeous then!!
02-28-2012 11:42 AM

Yes, my oven is doing it's own thing right now, so that is probably the problem. Also, not sure I used enough oil. So I'll remake it, and check it more often, plus for my oven turn the heat down.

How small do you make the pieces?

Thanks pooticus

[pcaltman]

Hey, I like bigger chunks. I am also lazy and cook most things at 350* I do check often to make sure it ends up how I want or I up the temp.

Thanks Anna. 4 kids, one going to college in the fall, disabled parents, stay at home mom, budget, budget, budget. I try every day to stay on budget and on plan with eating. It's very hard, but I figured if I don't I would be really fat and have a lot more medical issue then I do. Need to take these last 15-25 lbs off to help with the pressure on my spine, but my thyroid doesn't seem to be cooperating. Such is life, but I keep trying........

[cookwithme65]

Originally Posted by pcaltman

February 27 - March 4

Good morning everybody. I am sure everybody has noticed prices of foods are going up Trying to use some things up from the frig and use some of my chicken I got at a great price. I will try starting next week to get lower on the food budget. Just a personal goal of mine. Trying not to waste things and put anything extra to debt. Have a great week.


Monday = Sloppy Joe's
1.5lbs ground beef $3.36
homemade seasoning & sour cream $0.25
homemade season fries (free potatoes from Grandma) $-
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
1 cups cheese (8oz) $1.36
1 can of fruit $0.98
Homemade dinner rolls (12) $0.50
Total = $7.25

Tuesday = Roaster chicken
Roaster chicken & gravys $3.75
Rice 1 cup uncooked, plus leftover rice from frig $0.23
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
Baked cauliflower & onions $0.95
Total = $5.73

Wednesday = Spinache lasagna & Spaghetti
1/2 can Hunt's spaghetti sauce leftover $-
1.5lbs ground beef $3.36
8 oz cream cheese, 1 egg, 2 tbsp parm, 4 oz mozz, spinach $2.00
1 box spaghetti noodles $0.82
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
Homemade Italian bread $0.50
Total = $7.48

Thursday = Chicken Alfredo
Roaster chicken $3.50
1 box noodles $0.82
Salad (1/6) & homemade dressing $0.80
Sauce $0.40
Total = $5.52

Friday = Pizza & Pizza toppings
Homemade dough (makes 2 thick crust) $0.50
Homemade sauce $0.31
Cheese (16oz) $2.52
pepperoni $1.00
Soda (2-2liters) $1.68
onion & peppers (1/2 each) $0.54
Total = $6.55

Saturday = Cheeseburgers
11 patties (1/4lbs) (costco) $7.79
Homemade buns (12 buns) $0.50
Baked potato wedges (5 potatoes) $0.76
Lettuce, oinion & 11 slices cheese $1.30
Total = $10.35

Sunday = Son's 18th Birthday

Loving your menu's. I'm on a tight budget this winter. Thank goodness my freezer is fairly well stocked. Mostly chicken though. Thanks for all the great ideas. - Kristan

[pcaltman]

Thank you. I am going to be a little crazy this month and really stick to my low tight food budget. We will see if I can do it. You might have a lower budget then I have. I have 6 people and 3 are teen boys so we go through some food in this house. I have been spending way to much over the last 6 months on food and really need to get the budget back down. Basically it will be like this:

$100 weekly
$15 Global food (veggies & fruit only)
$15 Walmart
$50 Costco
$20 misc stores for extras

[dewdrop_mealine]

Originally Posted by [B

pcaltman[/B];15465299]Thank you. I am going to be a little crazy this month and really stick to my low tight food budget. We will see if I can do it. You might have a lower budget then I have. I have 6 people and 3 are teen boys so we go through some food in this house. I have been spending way to much over the last 6 months on food and really need to get the budget back down. Basically it will be like this:

$100 weekly
$15 Global food (veggies & fruit only)
$15 Walmart
$50 Costco
$20 misc stores for extras

If you can feed 2 teen boys on $100 a week you are working miracles woman! I raised a son and have 2 teen grandsons. It's amazing what young men can put away and still be hungry.

Do you buy most of your proteins at Costco?

I am an old woman alone so I have the opposite problem. I have to be careful not to buy too much perishable food or it spoils. ~dew

[pcaltman]

I do buy a lot at costco, but probably half the time the stores around here have great deals on the meats. Like the chicken's I picked up for $.47lbs. Costco can't beat that Anyway it's a challenge to feed these guys. I sware they are never not hungry, especially my second son who does MMA......

[pcaltman]

Good Morning Everybody

New week and using up more things in my pantry and freezers. I plan to only go to the store for more eggs, butter and 5lbs bag of potatoes this week. Wish me luck

March 5 - March 11

Monday - Zesty Chicken
Roaster chicken $4.03
Seasoning $0.05
Leftover rice (leftover from son's birthday) $-
Salad (1/2 head iceburg) & homemade dressing $0.80
Cake (leftover from son's birthday) $-
Total = $4.88

Tuesday - Chicken pot pie
Roaster chicken $3.57
Leftover veggies from freezer $-
Homemade pie crust $1.47
Pumpkin pie (pumpkin was free, cooked a pureed by me) $1.25
Total = $6.29

Wednesday - Spaghetti & Meatballs, Mom's night out
1/2 can Hunt's spaghetti sauce leftover $-
Meatballs (free from Grandma,she bought at costco,too many carbs,kids wont mind) $-
Baked cinnamon apples(1/2 bag) $0.95
1 box spaghetti noodles $0.82
Total = $1.77 Gotto love this

Thursday - Tarragon Chicken
Roaster chicken $3.83
Rice 2 cups $0.44
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Canned Peaches $0.98
Total = $6.05

Friday - Pizza & Pizza toppings
Homemade dough (makes 2 thick crust) $0.50
Homemade sauce $0.31
Cheese (16oz) $2.52
Soda (2-2liters) $1.68
Total = $5.01

Saturday - Ham
1/2 Ham $4.35
Diced Parmesan potatoes (1/2 5lbs bag $2.29) & 1/4 cup parmesan $1.40
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $6.55

Sunday - Turkey
1/3 Roasted Turkey $6.25
Homemade gravy $-
Mashed potatoes (1/2 5lbs bag) $1.15
Black eye peas $0.50
Green beans & bacon (green beans free from freezer) $0.60
Total = $8.50

[pcaltman]

Some Recipes

Zesty Chicken:
4 tsp salt
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Thyme (I have used none or something else as well)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2-1 sliced onion
1 whole roaster chicken

Put onions at bottom of crock pot. Put chicken on top of onions. Mix all seasonings together and sprinkle over chicken. Cook high 4-5 hours or low 6-7 hours or until done.

Homemade Pizza: (I use my bread make on dough setting for this, 1 1/2 hours until done)
1 2/3 cups warm water
4 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp oil
2 tsp yeast
1 tbsp italian seasoning (optional but yummy)

Sauce:
1 can tomato sauce
1/2 tsp basil
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp oil

Heat over lower for a few minutes and spread on pizza crust. (this makes 2 large and extra for Linda's deep dish pizza)

Tarragon Chicken: from rosaphile on LCF's thanks
1 cut up broiler-fryer
2T butter
1t salt
Pepper
2T dried tarragon
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2c dry white wine [I use a $3 a bottle Sauvignon Blanc from Trader Joe's]

1. Melt the butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, and brown the chicken, turning it once or twice, until it’s golden all over.

2. Pour off most of the fat, and sprinkle the chicken with the salt and just a dash of pepper. Scatter the tarragon over the chicken, crushing it a little between your fingers to release the flavor, then add the garlic and the wine.

3. Cover the skillet, turn the burner to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, turning the chicken at least once. Spoon a little of the pan liquid over each piece of chicken when serving.

Yield: 4 servings, each with 2g of carb, a trace of fiber, and 44g protein.

[SunnySmile]

pcaltman, do you bake daily? Do you find it hard to have homemade bread around a lot? Great menus!

[pcaltman]

Hi Sunnysmile,

Well I don't bake breads or muffins daily. Only because the kids don't seem to eat them as much lately so why waste food. I do cook everything everyday so my oven, stove or crock pot is hard at work for me I love the smells in the house. So homey Thank you about the menu's. I try very hard. I don't always stick to things 100%, but pretty close. Most of the time lately I haven't been make the breads. I have also switch the Tarragron chicken and Ham nights this week. Just worked out better for me that way.

[brooks1392]

[pcaltman]

Good morning all. It's St. Patties week Luck of the Irish

Monday - Brunswick Stew
Roaster chicken $3.56
All Veggies from garden (freezer leftover cooking) $-
Homemade bread $0.50
Total = $4.06

Tuesday -Bbq Chicken thighs
Chicken thighs $5.64
Bbq sauce 1/2 bottle $0.63
Diced potatoes (1/2 5lbs bag) $1.00
Canned peaches $1.50
Total = $8.77

Wednesday - Chili
Ground beef $8.15
all fixings from garden $-
white cheddar cheese 1/2 block $0.63
Total = $8.78

Thursday Ham & cheese croisants
Homemade croissant dough $0.75
Ham & cheese $3.50
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Potato wedges $1.00
Total = $6.05

Friday - Pizza & Deep dish pizza
Homemade dough (makes 2 thick crust) $0.50
Homemade sauce $0.31
Cheese (16oz) $2.52
Sausage $2.00
Soda (2-2liters) $1.38
Green onions (free re-growing in pot) & peppers (leftover in freezer) $-
2 egg, 4 oz cream cheese & parm cheese $0.80
Total - $7.51

Saturday - Pork Chops
1/2 pork loin sliced $8.00
Butter noodles $0.82
Baked cinnamon apples $0.95
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $10.57

Sunday - Chicken Divan
Roaster chicken $3.90
Broccoli $0.72
Cream chicken soup & 1 cup milk $0.95
Cheeder cheese $1.25
2 cups rice $0.44
Homemade bread $0.50
Total = $7.76

[pcaltman]

Week March 19 - March 25

Monday - Beef & gravy
ground beef 1.23lbs $3.68
2 cups rice $0.44
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $4.92

Tuesday - Zesty Chicken
Roaster chicken $3.89
Bacon & green beans $4.00
Cinnamon muffins $0.50
Rolls (1/2 of the bag of the spaghetti dinner) $-
Total = $8.39

Wednesday - Chicken enchiladas
Roaster chicken $3.90
Corn torillas $1.49
Sauce $1.89
Cheese $1.26
Left over refried beens $-
Total = $8.54

Thursday - Spaghetti & meatballs & spinach lasagna
Meatballs, sauce, noodles, rolls (this was a deal meal special our grocery store was running) $4.99
Sausage & cheese $3.25
Spinache & noodles $1.25
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $9.49

Friday - Pizza & Leftover lasagna
Homemade dough (makes 2 thick crust) $0.50
Homemade sauce $0.31
Cheese (16oz) $2.52
Soda (2-2liters) $1.38
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $5.51

Saturday - Asain Pork (Linds's Sue recipe)
1/2 pork loin sliced $6.14
Noodles $0.82
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $7.76

Sunday - Chicken Divan (didn't get to make this last week)
Roaster chicken $3.90
Broccoli $0.72
Cream chicken soup & 1 cup milk $0.95
Cheeder cheese $1.25
2 cups rice $0.44
Homemade bread $0.50
Total = $7.76

[pcaltman]

Week March 26 - April 1

Monday - Ham & cheese croissants
Ham $1.67
Cheese 4oz $0.56
Croissants 2 packages $3.00
Pasta 1/2 box $0.45
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Melon $1.00
Total = $7.48

Tuesday - BBQ pulled pork
Pork $5.34
2 Cups rice $0.44
Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins $1.96
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $8.54

Wednesday - Buffalo chicken
Roaster chicken & franks hot sauce/butter $3.98
Diced parmesan potatoes $0.10
Homemade blue cheese dressing $0.50
Melon 1/2 $1.00
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $6.38

Thursday - Turkey
Turkey (free from grandma) $-
Homemade gravy $-
Rice $0.44
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Apple cinnamon muffins $0.50
Total = $1.74

Friday - Pizza & Deep dish pizza
Homemade dough (makes 2 thick crust) $0.50
Homemade sauce $0.31
Cheese (16oz) $2.52
pepperoni $1.00
Soda (2-2liters) $1.38
onion(1/2) $0.25
2 egg, 4 oz cream cheese & parm cheese $0.80
Total = $6.80

Saturday - Tacos & Tacos salads
Ground beef $4.03
Homemade seasoning $0.05
Homemade flour tortillas $0.18
2 cups cheese (16oz) $1.12
lettuce (1/6) $0.67
Homemade refried beans $0.50
Diced onions $0.25
Total = $6.80

Sunday - Cheeseburgers
11 patties (1/4lbs) (costco) $7.26
Homemade buns (12 buns) $0.50
Baked potato wedges (4 potatoes free from grandma) $-
Lettuce, oinion & 11 slices cheese $1.30
Total = $9.06

[themama3]

I was reading through this post, and wanted to share that if you are in an area where they have Bountiful Baskets, that can save you quite a bit of money on fresh produce. Their website is bountifulbaskets.org and it is a co-op. Maybe something that helps with cost. It has cut my grocery bills by 70% recently.

[whipper75229]

wow, thanks for the recipes, pcaltman! Super!

[pcaltman]

Your welcome

[pcaltman]

Week April 2 -April 8

Monday - Bacon mac & cheese, Bacon cheeseburgers
Bacon $2.97
Velvetta Cheese 1/4block $1.37
1 box noodles $1.08
4 burgers $2.88
Cinnamon muffins $0.80
Total = $9.10

Tuesday - Rosemary pork roast
Pork $5.34
1 Box noodles $0.82
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $6.96

Wednesday - Chicken pot pie
Left over chicken pot pie from freezer $-
Homemade pie crust $1.47
Chicken (Dh & me) $2.00
Melon 1/2 $1.00
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $5.27

Thursday - Bacon cheddar Quiche
Bacon $2.99
Eggs & cream,milk $1.93
Crust $2.00
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $7.72

Friday - Pizza
Homemade dough (makes 2 thick crust) $0.50
Homemade sauce $0.31
Cheese (16oz) $2.52
pepperoni $1.00
Soda (2-2liters) $1.38
onion(1/2) $0.25
2 egg, 4 oz cream cheese & parm cheese $0.80
Total = $6.76

Saturday - Turkey
Turkey (free from Grandma) $-
Rice $0.44
Homemade gravy $-
Salad (1/2 head) & homemade dressing $0.80
Total = $1.24

Sunday - EASTER
Ham