*Feed Your Family $10 A Day Challenge*(AT HOME)

[mommiepoppins]

I hope that you are not falmeing me I prepare my food according to the same guidelines that your children get at school lunch or the guideline that your grandmother gets in the nursing home. I write down my daily menues and have an agency come in and check out what I have been making . The menue usually goes as follows

b- choices 2 out of 3
bread, fruit or veggie
snack, bread fruit, veggie or protein
lunch must have one protein,one bread 2 veggies or 2 fruits or one fruit or one veggie. the same goes with dinner and all must be served with milk or if milk is not wanted it still must be a choice

I have a yearly information class that I must attend.
My kids always get some fresh fruit or veggie and they also get some canned. I think you need to give an entire week to flame away. One nights menu is not a reason to complaine

also If I buy my pineapple at aldi for 199 rather than 499 at the local market is that not good?

now earlyer this week I had fresh squash 3x and everyoneloved it. I get plenty of fresh fruit and veggies it all depends on what is on sale.

 

[mommiepoppins]

also one more thing. I do not buy soda or chips (unless it is a bday party or something) I also NEVER do kool aid. I offer Milk, 100% juice and water. I used (6 years ago) only drink soda and eat crap, but then I started to gain weight. I also never eat out at Mc donalds or Bk. I have been clean and sober for 4 years

 

[Anne34]

I can't imagine doing a whole day on less than $10.00. As others have said, I really try to make my dinner less than $10. Just some pork chops or a roast cost about $6.00. I have a family of 5 with a couple teen(preteens) that eat like crazy. We do eat fruits/veggies, but those are side dishes along with the rice or pasta. My husband is another one of those meat/potato guys and I can't imagine making breakfast for dinner....he would be dying in an hour (unless he ate a pound of bacon, eggs, pancakes, etc..... and that wouldn't save any money!)

Good luck to those of you who can do this.

Edited to add: We also go through 6/7 gallons of milk per week, a little soda (not for the kids) and some juice. We have the kids drink lemonade (low sugar) or water between meals.

 

[mtblujeans]

...I have been clean and sober for 4 years

I like that....I'll have to keep that in the back of mind as I grocery shop!

 

[formernyer]

I hope that you are not falmeing me I prepare my food according to the same guidelines that your children get at school lunch or the guideline that your grandmother gets in the nursing home.

Before I say anything, I am NOT flaming you. I think you probably keep a better diet than what is served in my house. Admittedly, we don't eat enough fruits and veggies in my house!

My problem is with the "guidelines" used by schools, etc. School lunches might meet some sort of crazy criteria, but that doesn't make them healthy by any stretch of the imagination! Ketchup qualifies as a fruit/vegetable serving by those guidelines, when it's actually just a bottle of sodium and preservatives with a touch of tomato. School guidlelines also consider "meat" hotdogs and processed chicken nuggets to be a meat. Those same guidlines permit the school to serve (as an ENTREE) two mozzerella cheese filled breadsticks! School lunches (in most districts) are NOT healthy, so I personally wouldn't choose to equate the meals in my home to school lunches. It seems like you are feeding your kids a better diet than the schools to, so you might not want to keep stressing that you stick to school standards. School standards are almost non-existent!

 

[punkin]

Before I say anything, I am NOT flaming you. I think you probably keep a better diet than what is served in my house. Admittedly, we don't eat enough fruits and veggies in my house!

My problem is with the "guidelines" used by schools, etc. School lunches might meet some sort of crazy criteria, but that doesn't make them healthy by any stretch of the imagination! Ketchup qualifies as a fruit/vegetable serving by those guidelines, when it's actually just a bottle of sodium and preservatives with a touch of tomato. School guidlelines also consider "meat" hotdogs and processed chicken nuggets to be a meat. Those same guidlines permit the school to serve (as an ENTREE) two mozzerella cheese filled breadsticks! School lunches (in most districts) are NOT healthy, so I personally wouldn't choose to equate the meals in my home to school lunches. It seems like you are feeding your kids a better diet than the schools to, so you might not want to keep stressing that you stick to school standards. School standards are almost non-existent!

I agree that mommiepoppins' food looks to be a lot better than anything in a school cafeteria.

Nobody on this thread is flaming anyone. I thought the whole thread was remarkably civil.

 

[Reese]

I've just started reading this thread and you have all inspired me. Dh and I recently made the decision for me to only return to work two days every two weeks. This is making a major crunch in our finances. I know we can do it but I really have to put more effort into it. Usually I take a list to the store and not really worry about sales or cost but now I know that I have to stay in a budget to make this work out. I'm loving some of the suggestions I've made it through so far and am going to grab a pen and paper and go through the rest.

 

[jessica52877]

We get our veggies and fruits at the flea market so are super cheap. I don't have to wait for anything to go sale that way. That helps alot with keeping the cost of dinner down.

 

[mommiepoppins]

Before I say anything, I am NOT flaming you. I think you probably keep a better diet than what is served in my house. Admittedly, we don't eat enough fruits and veggies in my house!

My problem is with the "guidelines" used by schools, etc. School lunches might meet some sort of crazy criteria, but that doesn't make them healthy by any stretch of the imagination! Ketchup qualifies as a fruit/vegetable serving by those guidelines, when it's actually just a bottle of sodium and preservatives with a touch of tomato. School guidlelines also consider "meat" hotdogs and processed chicken nuggets to be a meat. Those same guidlines permit the school to serve (as an ENTREE) two mozzerella cheese filled breadsticks! School lunches (in most districts) are NOT healthy, so I personally wouldn't choose to equate the meals in my home to school lunches. It seems like you are feeding your kids a better diet than the schools to, so you might not want to keep stressing that you stick to school standards. School standards are almost non-existent!

I could not feed the children chicken nuggest from a bag. I would have to bread them my self. Also hot dogs must be beef. I personally think I am over feeding them. That is alot of food . I personally feal it is a waste. If I feed them a can of fruit cocktail it only counts as one serving of fruit. I would need to give them and additional fruit or veggie. Also I could not serve mac and cheese out of a box ,as a protein. It would count as a bread but I would need to use my own cheddar cheese with it.

back in the 80's ketchup was considerd a veggie according to the food program

 

[50 years Too!]

The amount spent on groceries has less to do with how nutritious your meals are
but more on how organized you are and time spent.
A few years ago we were in a money crunch and I decided to make it a "game".
I tried to spend the least amount possible without really changing our eating habits.
I joined the grocery game, couponed like crazy, and really planned all our meals around the sales, what was in season, and just didn't have the same old, same old tried and true meals.
I was truly amazed at what I could save. I also had more food in my cupboards and frig than I do right now!
I have two teenagers who complain that there is nothing to eat (not true), than when I spent 30% of what I now spend at the grocery store.
I think I'll get back in the "game" this summer.

 

[Reese]

Although I haven't found a decent recipe for homemade whole wheat bread that we like...it always is too dry or too crumby. Anyone have a good recipe for whole wheat bread??

If you add a little gluten powder it helps fluff it up. You can pick it up at bulk food stores. When I don't have that I use one cup of white flour for every three cups of whole wheat.

I make a vegetarian meal atleast twice a week. Dh was a big meat and potatow man so I generally sneak it in . I make shephards pie for under $2.50 for a big tray. I also find that I shop once a week at the farmers market for fresh produce and once that runs out we use the frozen kind.

 

[mommiepoppins]

I do not think I am being flamed . i think we all have great ideas . Also for the mozzerella sticks. They are fried in oil . That is a great way to rack up more pounds. I could give the kids string chees but not fried mozerella. . Everyone has great ideas, and I would love to see a complete week. Like I said for us weekends are off, esply in the summer.

 

[DawnM]

We stopped soda about a year ago.

I stopped buying chips too, but I see that DH is buying them and "hiding" them in the cupboard above the stove. I really don't mind too much. I am the one with the weight problem, he isn't~!

We shop for veggies and fruit at the stands during the summer but at Costco during the year. We always make sure to have bananas, apples and whatever is in season plus at Costco we buy the frozen strawberries and mixed fruit with no sugar to make our own smoothies at home. We love them!

Dawn

also one more thing. I do not buy soda or chips (unless it is a bday party or something) I also NEVER do kool aid. I offer Milk, 100% juice and water. I used (6 years ago) only drink soda and eat crap, but then I started to gain weight. I also never eat out at Mc donalds or Bk. I have been clean and sober for 4 years

 

[hsmamato2]

It is entirely possible to eat a healthy diet inexpensively! There are so many dishes which are cheap, yet high in protein and vitamins.
You could feed a family of 4 on $10 a day and it could be very healthy. For example:
~ eggs for breakfast
~ various combinations of beans and veggies (supplemented with rice and small amounts of chicken, ham, beef, etc.) for lunch and dinner
~ inexpensive, healthy snacks

Cheap, easy, healthy...it CAN be done without processed foods.

I agree.... rice and beans,beans and rice...one of our favorites-it has corn,either fresh roasted or frozen, tomatoes,green peppers,and with a dollop of our sour cream....
I did well, this a.m.- last night we had leftover potatos/onions roasted on the grill,and an ear of roasted(in husk) corn- I chopped it,and this a.m.
tossed it in some VERY hot oil,added an egg and scrambled- it made 4 tortilla breakfast wraps for us!
I don't think eating meat daily is a healthy thing anyway- so I mix up burger nights with veg. spaghetti or rice and beans-
produce must be bought carefully or it busts the budget- I tend to buy the sales,all at once,once a week- if we run out, my kids LOVE frozen veg. added to any meal!
I think the biggest differences are in locale- some places it's just cheaper to shop!

 

[hsmamato2]

oooh,talk about junk food a couple of years ago we got an ice crusher/sno cone maker as a gift- we haven't bought popsicles since!

 

[TNKBELL]

If you add a little gluten powder it helps fluff it up. You can pick it up at bulk food stores. When I don't have that I use one cup of white flour for every three cups of whole wheat.

I make a vegetarian meal atleast twice a week. Dh was a big meat and potatow man so I generally sneak it in . I make shephards pie for under $2.50 for a big tray. I also find that I shop once a week at the farmers market for fresh produce and once that runs out we use the frozen kind.

Thanks I'll try that!!

 

[TNKBELL]

When we make tacos or spaghetti( I only use 1/2 lb. and add extra veggies to the sauce), I use ground turkey instead of beef, it is cheaper and much healthier. I admit that I can't stand the taste!! But Dh and the Dks don't mind one bit! We gave up pop(except for special occasions) but I do let the Dks have koolaid(only use 2/3 c sugar) about 1-2 times per week.


I have to tell you that I have been battling high cholesterol for several years and the Dr. always advocated eating low fat high fiber and so I changed my diet and that still did not work, but 2 weeks ago, I had my Cholesterol checked and for the 1st time ever...it was excellent!!! Everything in normal ranges and my good cholesterol went up!! I attribute this to the weight loss program I have been using and it is very simple...only eat when hungry and portion control, that's it, you can eat whatever you want. I am living proof that it works. So my theory is that even if you eat things that are considered "unhealthy" as long as it is when you are hungry and you control the portion it won't hurt you....WITHIN REASON!!!! Obviously you can't live on snickers and ding dongs!

 

[Nicolepa]

The amount spent on groceries has less to do with how nutritious your meals are
but more on how organized you are and time spent.

This is it exactly. I spend about $400 a month but that includes ALL my paper, cleaning, shampoo and any impluse items from Costco. I spend about $50 a week at the grocery store and $150-$200 at Costco. My kids will eat Mac & Cheese occasionally, but I would never try to feed it to my Dh.

At the end of April a friend & I got together and cooked a month of meals. Which has actually turned into almost 2 month of meals. Total cost was $120 (each). I will get 6 weeks out of that. That is $2.85 a day. Add in some veggies and I'm still under $3.50 for dinner. Our menu this month was, homemade spaghetti sauce which I serve w/whole wheat pasta, Pinwheel Flank Steak, Cherry Pork chops, chicken curry, meatballs, meatloaf, manicotti, chicken provencial. I add a veggie and rice or potatoes w/each meal.

For breakfast we will have cereal ($1.50 a box, bought on sale w/coupon), milk, muffins (homemade) or pancakes (huge bag from Costco for $10 lasts us 2-3 months) & maple syrup. Lunch will be soup or pbj, yogurt, grilled cheese, fruit.

Oh and I go to Costco every couple of weeks and get fruit which my kids love. Yesterday I got Bananas ($1.30), Strawberries ($6.99), Grapes ($7.49). That will last 2 weeks in our house and was only $15. I still have green & red apples from last trip and that is another $15. So probably $50 in fruit for the month. I get broccoli & potatoes from Costco because they are cheap, otherwise I get whatever is on sale for $1/pound at the grocery store. Produce is not expensive if you shop the sales.

I don't have the patience to figure out my daily amount but I can tell you we spent $385 last month. So that is $12/day and that includes any cleaning supplies, or paper supplies I may have gotten from Costco.

My husband won't eat what he calls "budget" meals (caseroles etc). If he did I could get my grocery budget down another 25-50%. But he makes the money, and he is happy w/what I spend and loves my cooking, so I'm not going to complain.

Oh and we go out maybe once a month to a sit down resturant and maybe 2-3x a month for fast food. So no, we aren't padding our budget by eating out.

 

[pweyl36]

We get our veggies and fruits at the flea market so are super cheap. I don't have to wait for anything to go sale that way. That helps alot with keeping the cost of dinner down.

Thats what I do,to me it seems to be cheaper for veggies and fruit in the summer time. So I dont understand all the fruit and veggies are alot. We live
about 45mins to and hour from lancaster, pa where the amish live and let me tell you how cheap there produce and bake goods are.My weak spot is the amish lady who makes homemade dounuts and these hugh cinnaminn twist. Her price for a dz donuts $2.50.I know not healthy but thats probably once a month. Also,there is a huge store in lancaster called shaddy maple were all the meats and lunch meat are super cheap.Was there today they had a special on baged salad 5bags for a $1 all tomatos are were .69lb onions .69lb gala apples .99lb seedless cukes hughe for $1.49ea etc. all you have to do is check out the famers markets and road side stands.

 

[punkin]

Thats what I do,to me it seems to be cheaper for veggies and fruit in the summer time. So I dont understand all the fruit and veggies are alot. We live
about 45mins to and hour from lancaster, pa where the amish live and let me tell you how cheap there produce and bake goods are.My weak spot is the amish lady who makes homemade dounuts and these hugh cinnaminn twist. Her price for a dz donuts $2.50.I know not healthy but thats probably once a month. Also,there is a huge store in lancaster called shaddy maple were all the meats and lunch meat are super cheap.Was there today they had a special on baged salad 5bags for a $1 all tomatos are were .69lb onions .69lb gala apples .99lb seedless cukes hughe for $1.49ea etc. all you have to do is check out the famers markets and road side stands.

Maybe I should start shopping in PA. The cheapest tomatoes around here (on massive sale) are $1.99. I haven't seen apples that cheap in three years.