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

[mommiepoppins]

MommieP, do your girls like salad? We love salad bar night. You can have various types of lettuces, spinach, veggies you like cut up, julienne strips of cheeses, julienne strips of ham or turkey or couple cans of tuna, chopped up eggs, cottage cheese, olives, crumbled turkey bacon, peas, beans you all like, nuts, sunflower seeds, croutons or wonton strips, etc! The skies the limit with this. Serve with warm bread and some olive oil dipping sauce.

You can also make a baked potato up with various toppings too (cheeses, beans, meats, etc). Serve a small salad or some soup with this.

My DS is picky but we do not do without what we like because of this. Sometimes it is easy to make a small dish without the item he does not like in it (for example no ricotta or cottage cheese in his lasagna). I have a smaller casserole dish for this. You could have a container with her beans or refried beans in the fridge and do her dish a little different. Meat in yours, beans in hers.

Do you like Red beans and rice? I serve this with low fat smoked sausage but you could do hers without and put cheese on the top instead. Serve with a small salad.

yes we love salad . I like to make some chicken breast to add in it or cheddar cheese . I love a good salad I also send it to school for the kids lunch

how do I make the red beans and rice?? Dh prob would love that

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Sorry yes I was defensive . I guess cause every few days someone comes on this thread and knocks on one of us . Its starts to get fustrating . I will says yes we are on a strict budget and I try to do my best with what we have . I would love more budget minded meals that are 100% healthy .

My kids love hotdogs and usually get it 1 time a week during the summer . During the school yr they get them maybe 1 time a month cause they are only cooked on the grill when cooked for a family meal . My family dose eat 1 box of mac and cheese every 2 weeks usually its on a Sunday when Dh cooks a meal or on a fast night . I only buy 1 box every two weeks so I know thats all they get . hmmm we don't do any other frozen meals except what we get from angel food witch is burrittos every other month it seems . We do eat canned green beans cause dh hates fresh and frozen . We eat frozen veggies the kids like that are not in season . But hey when you find veggies your kids like you stick with them . And our snacks when we are out of fresh fruit and fresh veggies are usually pb crackers , popcorn , nuts , cheese and crackers and then 1 time usually every other month each child gets to pick one snack from the dallor tree . (these are usually Cheese crackers , vannilla waffers , gummie snacks , oreo sticks and frosting , pretzils and cheese dip no not at all healthy but they get these items in small amounts . ) My Dh gets 2 -2 litters of soda every 2 weeks and I make decaf tea for me that the kids do not get . My kids drink milk (witch I hate them drinking !) , juice and water .

Mac and cheese is yummy (but only the blue box). Milk is gross.

But please anyone that wants to offer help with budget friendly options I am all ears !

"creamed" tuna.

For a family of 3 we use 1 to 2 cans of chunk light tuna depending on how hungry we are. 1 c. frozen peas. 1 c. frozen beans. 1 can mushrooms. (you can add whatever you like.

Mix up a white sauce located in a Better Homes and Garden cookbook (made with milk, flour and butter).

Mix the food and the sauce, microwave until hot (about 5 minutes). Serve over whole grain toast.

Something else that is really good is making a green bean casserole (the ones that are popular around thanksgiving) and adding a can or two of tuna.

 

[mommiepoppins]

Wow, this threa is getting kind of crazy! If we don't watch out, it will get as bad as all those AP and non-AP threads (nasty!)

If anyone has any questions, I am a registered dietitian with a couple of degrees in nutrition. I think there are many healthy choices listed in the pages of this thread. And as a now stay at home mom, I understand that sometimes you have to do what you have to do to make ends meet. I cried the first time I had to buy conventional (not all natural) laundry detergent when I quit my job! Its tough.

thanks for joining us. Please do share. I know I do not get enough protien and whole grains, but if I did I would gain 5 lbs. I have a thyroid problem and my parents have dibietes (sp) any suggestions for me??

 

[bookgirl]

I never thought of using hidden valley ranch that would be cheaper then knorr's also. Plus my kids love ranch so they might even like this one better. Thanks

No problem. I love some of the ideas I've seen on the thread and glad to contribute something.

This is kind of bare bones recipie but I don't like onions so I had to find one that I would eat, much less the picky nephews who are still on the fence about this.

I eat it on rice cakes for real diet fill ups, or triscuits if I'm splurging.

 

[dreamergirl78]

I have been reading this thread for a long time. So when I say what I am about to, please know it is not meant as an attack, but more of a suggestion.
Almost everyone I know, including my family, is on a budget. There are so many things that we do to save money here and there. I honestly do not think people are attacking you because you are on a food budget. I can't afford to go hog wild at the stores either. I think the concern is providing food that is healthy for your family, making sure everyone has enough to eat and offering a variety. I see that most of the meals on here do include fruits and veggies. Which is awesome! It's hard getting enough of those into almost all kids. I guess what I can see is that, while being on a budget is good, if grocery shopping is putting a strain on your finances, do you see any other ways to save money and put that money towards different and healther foods? Meaning.... you can get internet access for free or $10.00 a month. Instead of spending $40 for cable internet you could save that $30 and put it towards your gorcery budget. Vacations are awesome. And we ALL need them. But is your budget strained because you have vacations planned? Have you maybe thought about selecting a vacation that is more budget friendly?
Honestly, we all do what we think is best for our kids. I think the confusion comes in when you mention splitting a can of tuna between 4 or 5 people. I can't for the life of me figure that out. Even if you have one or two picky eaters sharing that meal, that still leaves very little tuna for the rest of the family. I make mine stretch for 3 people by adding hard boiled eggs, etc. But even for us one can of tuna for 3 people just isn't an option. My husband alone could eat half the can, if not more, himself.
Anyway, please understand that I think people get upset and "attack" your budgets and menu options because of a general concern and lack of understanding how you make it work. I can feed my son and I for about $10 a day. When my hubby gets home, that will go up. Don't get defensive. Try seeing it from the other side of the coin!
Keep up the sharing of ideas though. I get so bored of making the same things all the time.

 

[mickeyfan2]

IWe have stopped eating meatballs as all commercial breadcrumbs contain sesame. I hope to find a good meatball recipe by this winter (I've tried 6 so far).

We are Italian and we dry out bread, break it into little cubes and make our meatballs out of that. Have you tried this yet?

 

[mom2dea0813]

Mac and cheese is yummy (but only the blue box). Milk is gross.



"creamed" tuna.

For a family of 3 we use 1 to 2 cans of chunk light tuna depending on how hungry we are. 1 c. frozen peas. 1 c. frozen beans. 1 can mushrooms. (you can add whatever you like.

Mix up a white sauce located in a Better Homes and Garden cookbook (made with milk, flour and butter).

Mix the food and the sauce, microwave until hot (about 5 minutes). Serve over whole grain toast.

Something else that is really good is making a green bean casserole (the ones that are popular around thanksgiving) and adding a can or two of tuna.

Ok laugh at me I can not make that green bean casserole . I love it when others make it but I tried it last thanksgiving and I have NO clue what I did wrong but YUCK ...lol So anyone have a fools proof way of making it ...LOL

Oh and anyone that has some yummy Apple recipes can you start posting them ? We are going apple picking on Sunday . I know alreay that I will make 6 jars of jam , 6 jars of butter , 6 jars of chuncky apple sauce , 2 apple pies to freeze for thanksgiving and christmas , and I made 15 dozen diffrent kids of apple muffins last yr to freeze for the yr . Apple crisp to eat now and then of course just eat the apples . But if anyone eles has anything that is yummy and good then do let me know .

Also we will pick pears and grapes at the same time but we have never gone this early in the season befor so we have no clue how much pears and grapes we will get .

I can not wait till Saturday

 

[briannesmom]

Oh and anyone that has some yummy Apple recipes can you start posting them ? We are going apple picking on Sunday . I know alreay that I will make 6 jars of jam , 6 jars of butter , 6 jars of chuncky apple sauce , 2 apple pies to freeze for thanksgiving and christmas , and I made 15 dozen diffrent kids of apple muffins last yr to freeze for the yr . Apple crisp to eat now and then of course just eat the apples . But if anyone eles has anything that is yummy and good then do let me know .

How do you make your apple butter? DH loves it. We won't be picking apples here until probably the end of September beginning of October but I am want to plan in advance. I love homemade applesauce but I never thought of canning it.

 

[Crankyshank]

Another great idea is to make a bean soup with some red beans, veggie broth, tofu, tomatoes, and zucchini. It's really easy to make, pretty inexpensive, filling with some bread, and pretty low sodium/low fat while providing protein.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I think the confusion comes in when you mention splitting a can of tuna between 4 or 5 people. I can't for the life of me figure that out. Even if you have one or two picky eaters sharing that meal, that still leaves very little tuna for the rest of the family. I make mine stretch for 3 people by adding hard boiled eggs, etc. But even for us one can of tuna for 3 people just isn't an option. My husband alone could eat half the can, if not more, himself.
Anyway, please understand that I think people get upset and "attack" your budgets and menu options because of a general concern and lack of understanding how you make it work. I can feed my son and I for about $10 a day. When my hubby gets home, that will go up. Don't get defensive. Try seeing it from the other side of the coin!
Keep up the sharing of ideas though. I get so bored of making the same things all the time.

I agree. I know I have said it before, but even using the tuna spread as "mayo" does nothing but add calories. You aren't really getting enough tuna - it's mostly just mayo - which is not great.

I don't think anyone is trying to be mean - more trying to really be helpful and act as a resource for peole who maybe want to think about some of thier food choices.

It's a discussion - which is great! Sometimes people looking in can see things we miss in our own lives!

 

[punkin]

We are Italian and we dry out bread, break it into little cubes and make our meatballs out of that. Have you tried this yet?

We do this too since I haven't found any commercial bread crumbs without hydrogenated oils. I think soaked bread makes a fluffier meatball that crumbs anyway. If you like finer crumbs for breading, just stir them in a blender.

 

[mom2dea0813]

How do you make your apple butter? DH loves it. We won't be picking apples here until probably the end of September beginning of October but I am want to plan in advance. I love homemade applesauce but I never thought of canning it.

A friend of mine gave me this recipe I put mine in the Crockpot I did not even do the stove top I just sliced/chopped the apples and threw everything int he Crockpot . About 6 hours or so in I took a potato masher and mashed the apples and then let it keep cooking . Mine did take about 24 hours to cook in the crock pot . This yr I am going to try the stove top and masher and then Crockpot . I do not have a food processor so thats why I don't do it that way . also this website has tons of canning ideas as well
http://www.recipeza ar.com/recipes. php?q=apple&categ=canning


5lb apples (approx. 5 3" apples)
1c apple juice or water
1/2c packed brown sugar
1 - 1 1/2c sugar
1T cinnamon
1/2t cloves
1/4t allspice

Peel, quarter and core apples. In 6-8qt pan, combine apples and juice/water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until apples are soft when pressed, 20-30 min. In blender or food processor, puree, a portion at a time. Pour into a 12x17 roasting pan. Stir in sugar and spices. Bake, uncovered in 325 oven, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to mound when spooned onto a plate, 30-45 min.

You can adjust the spices and white sugar to taste. Instead of cooking it in the oven, you can put it in a crockpot on low. It will probably take at least 12 hours. You know it's done when a spoonful mounds up on a plate, instead of flattening out into a puddle. Also, a spoonful on a chilled plate will have very little liquid around the edges.

I imagine you can freeze this, but I've always water bath processed mine. You can do this even if you don't have a special water bath canning pan! You just need a pot large enough for your canning jars to be submerged with at least 1" of water over the tops of the jars. Here are the steps involved...

Wash your jars and rings.

Place the jars in the pot of water, put the lid on and turn it on. Boil the jars for 10 min to sterilize them.

Put the flat lids into a small saucepan with enough water to cover and keep them on low heat. You want to keep the water warm, but it doesn't need to be boiling.

When your apple butter (or whatever you're canning) is ready, use tongs to take a hot jar out of the pan (you can turn it off so it's not boiling for now), ladle the hot apple butter into the jar, leaving 1/4" space (headroom) at the top. If necessary, run a spatula around the inside edge of the jar to remove any air bubbles. Wipe top edge clean, place a flat lid on the jar and secure with a ring. You only need to screw the lids down lightly, they don't need to be super tight!

Gently place the jar back in the water bath and go on to the next one.

When all your jars are full, put the lid on the pan and return the water to a boil. Boil the jars for 10 minutes (this is called processing). Time it from when the water reaches a full boil.

Gently remove the jars to a towel on the counter. You'll probably hear them "pop" which means the jar is sealing. When they've cooled enough to handle, remove the rings and check to make sure the flat lids are stuck to the jars (try and lift it off with your fingers). Any jars that aren't sealed should be reprocessed.

That's it! You're done.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We do this too since I haven't found any commercial bread crumbs without hydrogenated oils. I think soaked bread makes a fluffier meatball that crumbs anyway. If you like finer crumbs for breading, just stir them in a blender.

They are fluffier this way.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Another really helpful tip I have learned from my Vegan son is Flaxseed.

It is loaded with Omega 3 oil which is greatly beneficial to everybody, but especially those with young children in the critical years of neurological development -- under 5 or 6 years old. For us "older" women who are starting to lose some of our brain cells to age, it doesn't hurt there either.

It is really great for people that don't like or don't eat fish and might be missing this from their diets. It is also extremely affordable, pennies a day to add it to your diet.

It can be sprinkled into or on almost anything -- it has a slight nutty flavor but it pretty much disappears in most food.

 

[mom2dea0813]

Do either of you mine sharing your recipe for the meatballs ? The only time I get yummy meatballs is When my Italian step grandma comes to visit and she makes me tons to freeze and they are great but she will NOT give me the recipe

 

[Crankyshank]

Oh flaxseed is pretty good. I put it on oatmeal or mix it in yogurt

 

[mommiepoppins]

I agree. I know I have said it before, but even using the tuna spread as "mayo" does nothing but add calories. You aren't really getting enough tuna - it's mostly just mayo - which is not great.

I don't think anyone is trying to be mean - more trying to really be helpful and act as a resource for peole who maybe want to think about some of thier food choices.

It's a discussion - which is great! Sometimes people looking in can see things we miss in our own lives!

well I do load it with mayo to drown out the tuna taste The girls hardly ever eat a whole sandwhich except for the oldest. I am also adding veggies for them to eat. I am not giving them a sandwhich and calling it lunch. I do not eat tuna ever. So my tuna lunch was for 3 children dd 10 dose not eat it it . We (dd 10) had lots of veggies as did the others...

I honestly never try to make it under 10$ . I tried to at first , but now I just use this thread as a written log. Now when dh comes home during the week we will have to see the numbers

 

[mom2dea0813]

Another really helpful tip I have learned from my Vegan son is Flaxseed.

It is loaded with Omega 3 oil which is greatly beneficial to everybody, but especially those with young children in the critical years of neurological development -- under 5 or 6 years old. For us "older" women who are starting to lose some of our brain cells to age, it doesn't hurt there either.

It is really great for people that don't like or don't eat fish and might be missing this from their diets. It is also extremely affordable, pennies a day to add it to your diet.

It can be sprinkled into or on almost anything -- it has a slight nutty flavor but it pretty much disappears in most food.

We put grounded flaxseed on cereal , oatmeal , in soups , on spreads but I don't count the flaxseed in with my food budget its in my medical budget . Same goes with the vitimines and proabiotics we are on .

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

We are Italian and we dry out bread, break it into little cubes and make our meatballs out of that. Have you tried this yet?

Yep used to do that as well-----it's really an allergy problem that I'm dealing with. Dd12 is allergic to soy and sesame. A baker friend told me on Sunday not to trust any commercial bread anymore, even if there is no sesame in the particular product. Those dang sesame seeds fly all over the place in the factory! Dd12 had a reaction last week to a new type of bread we tried

I don't bake our own bread in the summer. It's just too hot and humid to do so! I'll be back to bread-baking probably in October. I'll make some italian bread then for breadcrumbs. So you people of Italian descent, PLEASE PLEASE post your meatball recipes!!! I've tried recipes out of cookbooks---I have quite a collection---what I want is a meatball like someone's Nonna used to make

 

[themarquis]

oops for some reason it did a double post