Cooking Family Food on a Budget

In this interview we spoke to mum of two Kimberley Saunders about cooking healthy food for a family of four living on a tight budget.



Is it hard to cook good quality meals for our children when you are on a budget?



No, not really because it depends on how well you know the basics of cooking and nutrition. A lot of that's been lost as they didn't teach it in schools in our generation and there are people who think you have to buy things that are cheap on the price label without realising that it's not healthy or that it's actually more expensive than it lookss.



Does cheap meals mean burger and chips?



No it doesn't. You can buy a bag of chips for about a pound and that will only do one or two meals for a family of four, but you still have to have the burgers and there's a lot of fat in that food.



What are the alternatives?



You could still have a meal of hamburger and chips but adapt it. There could be a lean turkey mince homemade meat patty, put under the grill and serve with green beans and sweetcorn. For a family of four that'd be around £2.50. I'm not saying that chips aren't fine for the occasional treat. The green beans you could get fresh, tinned or frozen so it's available to anyone regardless of budget.



What about kids that are picky?



I do understand that some people say their kids won't eat some things. It takes a bit of fortitude and patience to get a child to eat healthily. One of the things that kept me going was saying that there are children in Africa who've never seen a chip in their life. If a child is hungry they're going to eat it.



What tips would you give parents?



Start small, start healthy versions of their favourite food. Chicken nuggets for example. We got chicken breasts and made our own. We did roasted potatoes instead of chips. Fish fingers we turned into tuna patties. It's a bit of tuna fish mixed with a bit of egg, put breadcrumbs over the top and cook.



What about mothers who are pressed for time?



The tuna patties are as simple as opening the tin and popping under the grill. I know a lot of mothers are pressed for time. Why not invest in a slow cooker. You can do roasts, soups, casseroles. You can even do puddings in it.



Should we shop in the supermarkets or smaller shops?



Look at what you're getting and what you have available in your area. If you have a good market by you it's cheaper to go to the market to get your vegetables. If you've got a good local butcher get to know him. If you have some garden space grow your own vegetables. It's important that children know where their food comes from. I know my children wouldn't touch tomatoes until we grew cherry tomatoes in our own garden.



What basics should we have in the cupboard to try and save money?



A good stock cupboard would include tuna, tinned fruit and vegetables with no salt added. I would recommend always having eggs on hand - another quick meal.



What other tips do you have?



A big portion of our budget goes on food. I write meal plans so I know what I am going to cook. I'd go to the supermarket and not even look at the offers. You really can feed a family on a very small budget.

To find more great interviews just like this one, why not visit the My Baby Radio website, at http://www.mybabyradio.com/pregnancy-birth/finance/feeding-family-is-costly/

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Budget Meal Planning - Quick Dinner Recipes for May

If you are pressed for time, there is a place for Budget Meal Planning in your life.  This saves you time, money and your sanity!  
Maximize the best ground beef recipes
If you make up a double batch of a quick easy ground beef recipe, you have the base of a myriad other meals.  You can transform the leftovers into a Shepherd's Pie Recipe, Beef Enchilada Recipe or an Easy Eggplant Recipe whereby eggplant is baked and rolled around the ground beef.
A double batch of a Swedish Meatballs Recipe is equally versatile.  You can make leftovers into Albondigas Soup (Meatball Soup) or top them with a Fresh Tomato Sauce to ring the changes.
Double up on Roast Chickens
If you are going to roast one Oven Baked Roast Chicken, you may as well roast two.  One lot of dirty pans and washing up, but  two to three leftover meals. Leftovers make Cajun Chicken Pasta, Easy Chicken Salad, Chicken Pasta Bake and you could even use the carcasses to make the Best Chicken Soup Recipe.
Make the most of Vegetables
Seasonal vegetables are a cheaper option than meat, chicken or fish.  Use vegetables in abundance in a stir-fry,  and then add a tiny bit of finely sliced steak to  make up a warm Thai Beef Salad.  Make a Vegetable Casserole or a Spinach Quiche Recipe - both easy healthy recipes.  And as the weather warms up, meals get lighter: how about a lighter healthier version of a 7 Layer Salad Recipe?
May Meal Planning is now available and offers a wide variety of quick, easy dinner ideas.

Fiona Lesley has had over 20 years of experience cooking delicious meals for family and friends alike.  A teacher by profession, she brings together her years of time and money-saving tips at www.easy-meal-planning.com

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How To Maintain Your Grocery Budget

The best way to stick to a budget is to prepare a weeks worth of meals ahead of time and only buy what you are going to need for those meals. Make brown bag lunches and avoid juice boxes and soda by replace them with a thermos. It’s better for the environment and it will save a ton of money over time. With the poor state of the economy, there is not much room left in a budget for eating out, so plan meals around family activities and keep snacks such as granola bars, raisins and beverages in your car to avoid fast food when the kids are hungry.

My name is Wendy Crittenden and I have 12 plus years experience in the medical field. I have held positions in disease management, quality assurance and social work. I have a degree from SUNY Learning Network in New York and my goal is to help people lose weight and have a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition. I also own a website http://www.goodfoodandfitness.com, which has many articles related to fitness, diabetes, childhood immunization charts, weightlifting workouts, healthy recipes and more.

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Proper Meat Storage is Important as it Represents a Large Part of Your Food Budget

Whether you are buying for a family or just one person, proper meat storage is important. One rule of thumb is never wash meat before storing. The added moisture will allow bacteria to grow, increasing the risk of spoilage. Every year there are more cases of food poisoning reported. Many of these could be avoided if certain guidelines are followed.

If you are planning on using the meat within two days, it may be kept in the refrigerator. Put it in the part that is the coldest (which is usually the top rear). If you are going to freeze it re-wrap in freezer safe wrap and make sure your freezer is not overloaded. Frozen meat storage is best if some air can circulate around the packages. A good air and moisture proof wrap is a must. Deep freezers are best for storing meats for longer periods of time.

Meat Casseroles

Canned meat can be kept on the shelf for basically the use by date. They have a fairly long shelf life. Never freeze canned meats. If your freezer stays between -10 degrees to 0 the life of the meat will be longer. That is why most refrigerator freezers are not a really good choice for meat storage. They are opened too often for the freezer to maintain the temperature required for optimum storage.

Usually it is not a good idea to refreeze meats. Frozen meat storage is meant for fresh meats, frozen for the first time because they retain their flavor and natural juices. Natural flavors and juices can be lost if you were to refreeze the meat. While some meats are ok if frozen for several months, some are not. Pork should only be kept for a maximum of 60 days. If you are not planning on using it within this specified time, you should not keep it. Beef can be frozen for up to a year if wrapped properly and your freezer maintains the temperature mentioned previously.

When wrapping for meats for storage make sure the meat is sealed properly so no air remains in the package. Large amounts of meat should be separated and frozen so they will thaw easier and risk of packages tearing and exposing the meat is lessened. Freezer burn can occur should packages are not sealed properly. Placing freezer paper between steaks, burgers, or pork chops helps you to be able to separate them while they are still frozen.

Frozen meat storage in bulk can be easier on your budget if you separate the big packages for more than one meal. Most stores have a lower price per pound on larger packages. That way that huge package of ground beef can be put in three or four packages which aids in freezing faster and thawing time is less. These days meat is expensive and if you can get a bargain, all the better.

The only problem with buying this way is making sure the food is stored, frozen, and organized. We know you're probably wondering what organized has to do with it, well have you ever found that select cut of meat in the back of the freezer but it's too late as there is so much freezer burn it's ridiculous.

The best way is to use the First In / First Out basically newly purchased items to the rear of the freezer and older items upfront. You should keep the temperature at 0 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Use moisture-proof, freezer weight wrap. Freezer bags and freezer paper are good, we normally stay away from foil as it sticks to the meat.

Just use common sense and reviewing manufacturers recommendations before storing meats either refrigerated or frozen and you will rest assured your meat will be fresh and ready to prepare your favorite family recipe.

Proper Meat Storage is Important as it Represents a Large Part of Your Food Budget

Carl Copeland is motivated to bringing information and resources to others regarding Food Storage, Food Safety, and Food Preparation and its benefits for everyday life. Save money by having your food last longer.

More Info at http://www.Food-Storage-Info.com/

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Canned Meat - Finding Protein on a Budget

Our income has drastically decreased over the last 2 years as I am sure most Americans' income has. Along with the decrease in income has come the increase in food prices. Although my husband is not a huge meat he still eats meat for the protein. We also have 2 growing boys who dislike eating vegetables and fruits so any type of protein we can get down them is a blessing.

In our American culture we have been led to believe that we need high amounts of protein daily to survive. We now know this to be false and we can even benefit from 3 - 4 meatless meals (or more) per week. Portion size is also unbalanced as we tend to eat more than half our meals in protein while vegetables, fruits and grains only account for a small percentage.

Meat Casseroles

Upon researching canned meat products online I found some pretty interesting variations. We do not eat pork products but I included them here for those who do.

Types of Canned Meat Products:

1. Tuna

This comes in oil or water, white or dark meat. We tend to eat more tuna than any other canned meat product on the market. We especially enjoy this heated in a frying pan with seasoning and then placed inside our rice balls. Tuna is also very common in sandwiches and salads.

2. Chicken

Canned chicken is used similar to tuna. You can also use it as a simple addition to casseroles. Our family will eat chicken but it is not a preferred product.

3. Ham

The most popular canned ham is Spam(r). In America most people will eat this straight out the can but if you are from Hawaii or Japan this is almost always fried. Around our holidays, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas canned Ham becomes very popular and widely available in the local grocery stores.

4. Liver Wurst

Although my family has yet to eat this as it is mostly a pork product (some versions use beef) I do recall eating it when I was a little girl. I really do not remember enjoying it but I know it made enough of an impact on me that I gladly stay clear. This is European product most common in Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Slovenia, Serbia and Hungary.

5. Spam

As mentioned previously Spam is probably the most common canned ham in the United States and very popular in Hawaii. Spam was introduced in the later part of the thirties as a meat product for those fighting overseas during World War Two. Spam also comes in Turkey, Spicy, as well as Lite and low salt varieties.

6. Turkey

Canned turkey is usually available at camping stores or pantry supply stores. It is usually comes in chunks. You can use this in soups and casseroles. I tried this for the first time in Missouri when I ate with a Mennonite family. Before 1993 I did not know turkey came in a can.

7. Bacon

This is by far the oddest thing for my brain. Canned Bacon. Well I guess canadian bacon is canned but then technically it is just sliced ham. (American) It comes fully cooked and as other canned meat products has a shelf life of up to 10 years.

8. Sardines

Sardines are not my family's favorite form of canned meat. I have only tried once and that was on a camping trip. I think the thought of eating little fishes was more gross than the actual fish. These come in oil or water but olive oil tends to make the fish taste better. They also have varieties that include tomato sauce or mustard.

9. Sausage

My eldest son can eat those turkey Vienna sausages all day if we let him. At camping and survival stores they have canned sausage that crumbles when you cook it so would be perfect for those who enjoy sausage and biscuits or sausage pizza.

10. Beef

Canned beef comes in chunks as well as hamburger. You can purchase it already made into corned beef hash or beef stews which makes it easier when cooking is limited.

Is that enough Meat for you? I know I never knew so much about canned meats in all my life. It is good to know when preparing your food storage pantry. Most canned meat can last a good 10 years and if you have a regular rotation schedule you will be able to eat protein on a regular basis within your budget.

Canned Meat - Finding Protein on a Budget

Sara enjoys spending time with her family, crocheting, and writing her snailmail friends. She shares snippets of her life, craft, and interests by blogging at http://momwithahook.blogspot.com and http://snailmailpals.net.

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Canned meat - Search for protein on a budget

Our earnings in the last two years and I am sure that most Americans' income has declined. With the decrease of income, food prices has come. Although my husband is not a huge meat, eat meat still on the protein. We also eat two boys, growing vegetables and fruit, as can any type of protein that you can get a blessing.

In our American culture, we are led to believe that we need large amounts of protein per dayto survive. Now we know they are wrong and we can also benefit from 3-4 meals without meat (or more) per week. portion size is also unbalanced because you eat more than half of our meal protein, while vegetables, fruit and cereal for a small percentage slope.

Explore online canned meat, I found some pretty interesting changes. Eat products containing pork, but I'm here for them.

Types of canned meatProducts:

First Tuna

It comes in oil or water, or dark or white meat. We tend to eat more tuna on the market than any other meat product. We especially enjoy the heated in a pot with spices, then put it in our balls of rice. Tuna is also popular in sandwiches and salads.

According chicken

Canned chicken is used as tuna. You can also use it as a simple addition to pots. Our family will eat chicken, but nota preferred product.

3rd Stage

Canned ham is the most popular anti-spam (r). In America, most people eat them straight from the box, but if you're in Hawaii or Japan, it is almost always flat. Around the Easter holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas canned ham is very popular and widely used in local grocery stores.

liver pate quarter

Even if my family do not eat it as it is usually a product of pork (in some versions of the beef) I remember when I eat whitegirl. I do not remember to enjoy, but I know it has done enough to influence me, as I like to stay away. This is more common for European products in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Slovenia, Serbia and Hungary.

Fifth Spam

As mentioned earlier, spam is probably the most common canned ham in the U.S. and very popular in Hawaii. Spam was introduced two, the last part of the thirties as a product of meat to fight overseas during World War II. As spamTurkey is hot, and Lite, and variety of low salt content.

Sixth Turkey

Canned Turkey is generally available in stores or camping supply stores pantry. It is usually cut into pieces. Can be used in soups and stews. I tried this for the first time in Missouri, where I ate in a Mennonite family. Before 1993 I did not know Turkey was in a box.

Seventh Bacon

This is by far the strangest thing in my brain. Canned Bacon. Well, I think Canadian Bacon is in boxes, butthen it is technically and sliced ham. (American), is fully cooked and canned meat, like the others, lasts up to 10 years.

Sardines eighth

Sardines are not the favorite of my family, like canned meat. I've never tried and was a camping trip. I think the idea of eating fish was more than the actual raw fish. This trend in oil or water, but the olive oil to taste the fish is better left. They also have varieties that are Tomato sauce or mustard.

Ninth Sausage

My son can eat sausages all day if Turkey allows it. In camping and survival saves sausage when cooking, it would be for those who love sausage and biscuits or pizza sausage crumbles are perfect maintained.

Beef tenth

canned beef comes from blocks and hamburgers. You can buy already cut salt pork or beef stew, it is easier limited, if the kitchen is.

And 'enough> Meat for you? So meat, I really do not canned in my life. It 's good to know when preparing your pantry for food storage. Most canned meat can last 10 years and if you have a rotation regular budget, you can schedule a regular basis to eat protein to your base.

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