Dropping Food Budget? There are Ways!

 Hello to all.  Hope you are well and safe.  It is a breezy 50*(F) this morning, going to 60*.  I think it may stay cloudy, but at least it is a decent temp.  We have sure had some beautiful sunrises and sunsets the past few days.  God is so good.

We have come to a time that many people are having their food budgets lowered and may be struggling.  With some thinking and careful use, you can survive and survive well.  I do hope that most of you have been adding the basics over time to your pantries, in with your weekly and monthly allotments.  Basics can work in so many ways.

You know my mantra - be creative and think outside the box.

Now I am not saying this should be a daily or normal way of eating (it can be), but today there will be ideas how to get through the rough times and eat and fill your families' bellies and not do without.

• We always talk about dry beans.  They are super cheap, they are healthy and good protein, and they can be cooked in a crockpot during the day while you are at work.  You can add rice, potatoes, bread etc. and have a very filling meal.
• Along those lines there are split peas - Mmmmm split pea soup.  Lentils are a great addition to soups and they can take the place of meat in many meals.  Lentil tacos can be made, add to chili, so many uses.  Both of these are cheap sources of protein as well.
• Soups - so easy to make.  Throw in whatever you have - can be canned, frozen or leftovers and make a hearty veggie soup.  Cream of soups are super easy to make and can add variety as well.  Think potato, broccoli, cauliflower - whatever you have.   Tomato soup and GRILLED CHEESE are a standard!
• PASTA - so versatile.  Spaghetti is everyone's first thought.  Yum - you know you can add veggies and not meat and still have a yummy spaghetti dinner.  Lasagna - again, you can go plant based instead of meat.  You don't even need lasagna noodles; use a layer of whatever pasta you have.  I one time added a random can of Ravioli as a layer to lasagna - tasty.  It still tastes the same.  Pasta can be added to any soup to extend it.  You can pour many things over pasta.
• RICE - again cheap and versatile. It too is a great extender of soups and casseroles, served under gravy or soups, fried rice (add in all leftovers), add to eggs for an extended scramble.
• Chili is always a winter favorite.  Add lots of beans and less meat.  You can serve over pasta or rice or add pasta to it.
• Breakfast for dinner - think pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy - all are super cheap to make and they all use basic pantry items.  Nothing fancy needed.  I love a dinner of biscuits and gravy - great comfort food!
• Pizza - a yummy and filling food.  It doesn't have to be just a pizza made on pizza crust.  You can use bread (I have used stale for this), buns, Naan, tortillas, bagels, English muffins, Italian bread (my favorite pizza), etc.  It is a great way to stretch bread products.  ADD any topping you have - leftovers included.  Chop leftover meat, make a veggie pizza, add mac & cheese, any sauce you have, you get the idea.  You can top with anything and have a hearty and filling pizza
• Leftovers - ALWAYS use in some way.  Soup, on pizza, Shepherd's pie, pot pies.  Recreate leftovers and fool those who say they don't like them!  Make stir fry - no limit to what you can use.
• Jello - add fruit (canned is fine).  Makes a nice treat.  Top with yogurt if you have some.
• Smoothies - add fruit to milk and ice or yogurt.  You can add greens or oats whatever you want to add bulk.  A smoothie can be a meal.
• Canned, fresh or frozen fruit can be a dessert.  Mix together some oats, a little flour, butter and brown sugar - to top the fruit and bake until golden.  You have cobbler.  Add fruit to muffins or sweet bread - they can make a nice breakfast.
• Oatmeal - can be topped with anything.  It can be served sweet or hearty.  Make baked oatmeal (only way I will eat it).  Baked is so good, add fruit, nuts, chips, anything you have.
• Peanut butter - NEVER forget this!!!!!  Peanut butter sandwiches are filling and a good protein.  You can add a slice of fruit and grill - oh nummy.  Add to stir fry and make an oriental flavored meal.  Add to oatmeal.
• Wraps or rollups.  These are great for leftover veggies, meat, cheese - even fruit.  They are fun and easy to eat.  Make a great quick breakfast or lunch.  You can also grill them and make a warm meal.  Don't forget EGG ROLL wrappers.  Make any kind of egg roll you can.  Again, add leftovers, fruit, shredded cabbage and soy sauce, etc.  I make them in my air fryer - 350* for about 15 minutes (turn once).
• Baked potatoes - super cheap and filling.  Top with anything you have around
• Cabbage is very versatile.  Fried, steamed, in soup, egg rolls, slaw, salads, cabbage rolls, etc.
• Never underestimate a pot of mac & cheese with a can of tuna added or a couple hotdogs cut up in it.  You can actually add any leftover meat you have.  Add a salad and/or some crusty bread and you have a meal.  Same with baked beans - add some cut up hotdogs and have beanie wienies. 
  

Just a few ideas to help stretch the food budget.  Nothing glamorous, but it will fill a belly.  THAT is what it is all about!!!  Not saying you have to eat like this always, although there is not a thing wrong with it, but it will stretch what you have, and it will help save money.

IF you are need, please remember there are food pantries in almost every community - GO!  There is no shame to feed your family.  I know many of the smaller ones around here, say they can't give away all the fresh items each week, and they give it to the volunteers.  So go and take what they give you.  Use it or trade it with someone.  Barter is still alive.

Remember you can have meatless nights - there are so many other proteins available.

Check out sites that give ideas on how to use what you have.  There are many out there.  My favorite has always been MyFridgeFood - there are others.

Many thrift stores offer bread products for free - check around.

While the stores have holiday foods on sale - take advantage of those.  Many items are much cheaper like potatoes, sweet potatoes, turkey, etc.  A super cheap turkey is a deal - you can't buy lunchmeat for the price you can buy a turkey.  It is healthier too.

Pasta, rice, beans, potatoes are all great extenders to just about any food.  They can make a 'couple servings' into 3 or 4.  Do what you need to do to feed your family.

I hope others add some of the ideas they have used to stretch their food.

YOU CAN DO THIS.  DO NOT PANIC!

I wish you all a lovely day.

PS - Gentle Reminder - NO POLITICS at all - just useful tips.