Food & Snacks - Tips & Ideas

Hello and happy October!  It just amazes me how quickly this year is going by.  We ended September with a bit of sunshine late in the day yesterday - something we haven't seen in days!  Our temperatures are a bit above normal for this time of the year - the week looks nice here.

Thinking of all of those folks in the midst of the weather events and flooding from the weekend.  Still praying for everyone's safety.

Today is just a few foody tips and ideas that may help you stretch your dollars.   It is something everyone needs, but those with big families and just starting the frugal journey may need an idea or two.

SNACKS

Having something handy and inexpensive on hand is important when those kiddos come in from school and need a bite.  Heck, even when one gets home from a day's work at the office or homestead.  I stay home, but like a little snack late in the afternoon, since I eat fairly early in the day.

Instead of buying all those expensive things that cost a small fortune and aren't good for you, there are many simple things one can do at home.

Cut up fresh veggies or fruit

Homemade cookies, muffins or breads

Popcorn

Jell-O with fruit in it

Homemade popsicles (fruit juice or pudding)

Hard boiled eggs

PBJ sandwich (can be a slice of bread made into a sandwich)

Crackers and cheese

Yogurt with some fruit on top

A small milkshake (with fruit)

A cup of soup

Toast w/cinnamon/sugar or jelly

Warm biscuit

There are so many things one can have as a hold-over snack that only costs pennies.

SHRED your own veggies and cheeses.  Don't buy them already shredded, unless you physically can't do it yourself.  There are extra additives added to those things that are already shredded to keep them 'fresh'.

They are not things we need in our bodies, nor would we normally eat.  If you have a food processor - great.  That makes shredding things very easy - if not - use your hand grater.  These can be purchased at thrift stores or yard sales for pennies, and they aren't very pricey new.

I have had one of these all my adult life (the same one I believe), but I also have a food processor.  I use the grater often - easy clean-up, and it is always handy under the sink.  Great for doing small batches.

I even have a very tiny one (about 2" tall) that is great for nutmeg or cinnamon or other hard spices or herbs!

PLAN OVERS - we most always have some foods left and we can make them into new meals of some sort.  You can even disguise them for those who say they won't eat leftovers.  Make soups or casseroles, serve on baked potatoes, add extra ingredients and make something new.  Great for lunches!

Here is one - leftover RICE.

You can use in fried rice by adding veggies, meats and seasoning.

OR Make a crust for a quiche!

Use about 1 1/2 C rice, 1 egg, and about 1/4 - 1/2 C grated cheese.  Spread in a greased pie pan and top with your quiche filling and bake.

You can do the same things with grated potato (hash browns)!!!!

Sure is yummy and no need for making pie crust and you get rid of the leftovers and extends the dish a bit!

I was asked again about freezing EGGS.

Easy-peasy.  You use a muffin tin - crack and place one egg per muffin section and place pan in freezer and freeze.  I them place in a sink with warm water for a moment or two to loosen the bottom.  Pop out and place in a freezer bag.  Get out what you need and let them thaw in the frig - use for baking or cooking as you would fresh.

If you can find eggs cheaply this is a great way to save for later.  It is also a good way to have on hand for 'just in case'!

Some people use ice cube trays to freeze - but I never had good luck with those.  It always seemed the 'cube' spot was too small for my eggs.  Silicone pans would probably work well too.  Use what you have - you can figure out a way, I know it!

GROUND MEATS - are a great way to stretch meats.  It can be beef, pork, chicken, turkey - whatever.  You can use in soups and casseroles and use less of it, because you have so many other ingredients.  You can control the size of patties you make - even adding breadcrumbs, lentils or crushed crackers to extend the meat.  You can make meatballs (I like to make baby ones) - which can be used in sauces, soups or sandwiches.  Just think outside the box a little and get creative.

There are lots of ways to save a penny or two in the kitchen.  I will continue to give more ideas, as we all need to stretch our food dollars.  That is kind of the only place we can 'control' our budgets.  We can decide what to buy and what to not buy.  We can make things ourselves and we can stretch things.

Creativity can be fun, and it can be tasty.

We will be working on more ideas and tips and some meal ideas as well.  Hoping to help everyone a little bit as the weather turns and utilities will start going up as well as other things.

Hope this gives you an idea or two or three!

Have a lovely day and stay well.