Don't Stress - Eating on the Cheap! (it can be done)

 Hello all - hope you are all well and safe!  

It is a cool morning here!  Haven't said that in a while.  58*F right now.  I have had the AC off since Sunday and yesterday, the house never even got to the temp that the AC would have been!  Amazing, how a couple days can make such a difference.  Loving this.  Hope you are cooling a bit too.

Today just a few ideas for those times when you are broke, or just tired, or need to stretch the budget and the pantry a little further for whatever reason.  I know many of the regular that comment, are doing just fine, but there are many who read and don't comment and they may need some help or ideas.

We are here to help out.

Whether snacks, breakfast, lunches, or a quick and easy and inexpensive dinner - here are a few ideas.  Just remember (especially for yourself) you don't have to have a lot of things at one meal.  I eat simple, and most often have one good meal a day - and I am healthy, have energy and feel good.

If you have garden produce, you have several things that you make and eat.  It doesn't have to be traditional; you don't have to have 'breakfast' foods at breakfast anymore!

Core the insides of a tomato (saving the insides for salad) - and stuff with tuna salad or some other type of salad or cottage cheese.  Super healthy and tasty.  Can stuff peppers or banana peppers as well.  Scoop seeds from a cucumber and place some tune salad in that cored out spot.  YUM

Rice is a good meal idea - yes meal!  G used to love rice for breakfast or lunch served hot with butter and sugar on top - or a drizzle of honey.

Cottage cheese served with fruit or tomato - he loved that too.  You could add Jello to cottage cheese as well - super inexpensive and easy.

Melts are easy and cheap.  Add cheese, or meat or both and whatever else you want.  Fold over and grill on each side for a hot treat!  I have done this for dinner many times and add a little salad or a veggie on the side.

An open face sandwich with anything you have on top!  You toast the bread, then add some cream cheese (if you have) or peanut butter and top with any variety of goodies.  Hearty and healthy.

Of course there are the old standbys of oatmeal, or your basic beans and rice and potatoes.  Never overlook the old-time healthy eats!  All are inexpensive to make.  Top the oatmeal with whatever you like or have on hand.

GRAVY - white gravy or country gravy as many call it - is about as easy and cheap as you can get for a tasty meal!!!!  You can use it over biscuits, toast, bagels, whatever you got.  You can toast old buns or any kind of bread.  You can add chipped beef, sausage or even ground beef if desired.  Add whatever meat you have (leftover) - and you have a very cheap and hearty and filling meal!!!!!

Polenta or mush as many call it - is so easy.  I know the sound of 'mush' isn't appetizing to many.  I like it fried!!!  It is MUCH better that way.  This recipe is sooooooo easy and can easily be halved.  I make it up and place in a loaf pan and refrigerate until firm - then slice and fry in butter or bacon grease until golden on each side and it really is tasty!  Pretty darn cheap.

Here you go Mary.  You can have the taste of restaurant at home, make your own!!!!  So easy.

Fried eggs and potatoes together - add a side or toast if you choose.  This was dinner one day for me - very good and healthy!

Leftover mashed potatoes?  Make potato cakes the next day.  Super easy and very tasty.  I have them in a dinner, but they would be great for breakfast or lunch.  Add in other things if you desire.  No leftover mashed potatoes - you can even use made up instant potatoes (got a little packet laying around?).  Super easy and inexpensive and a use it up idea.

(click on recipe to enlarge for easy reading)

I made some yesterday and added about a half a can of drained corn to it - YUM!

Cowboy casserole is very easy and uses things you may have on hand.  You can use less meat if you choose or even sausage or venison.  This is a hearty meal.  Maybe add a side of garlic toast or a salad and you are set.  Great for a busy day.  I have made this many, many times.

Always think about soups!  Throw together any veggies you have and any meats (or not) in a pot or crockpot and make a great meal.  Add tomatoes or sauce or leftover gravies or bouillon to season and flavor the broth.  Soup is always an inexpensive dish to make.  There are absolutely NO limits to what you can make.  Veggie, potato, cream of anything soups, split peas, beans, etc.

SNACKS - we all need a snack now and again.  No bake cookies are easy and use up oatmeal you may have on hand.  Easy peanut butter cookies (posted recipe last week) are also easy and use what you have.

Come fall this is always around my house for a sweet bite.  I mix together salted peanuts and candy corn in a bowl - it tastes like a Pay Day candy bar.  I am not a fan of candy corn alone - but sure do love it this way!

Make a pie!  This is great - mock pecan pie!  No nuts needed - just oatmeal and let me tell you it is good!  I am a pecan pie nut, and this is very good!

No reason not to have good food to eat.  You can use many of the items you have in your own pantry (no shopping necessary) and make something new and tasty.  Meals need to be filling and you want to stretch things as far as you can when you are in need.  Not all meals have to have meat (I know, many don't agree) - but they really don't.  Use whatever protein you have on hand.  Don't stress - feed you family on the cheap.

I never recommend things that I have not done myself.  I have had rough days in the past when food needed to be stretched to the max - and here I am!  

YOU GOT THIS!!!

Have a wonderful day and enjoy all the blessings God has given!