Ideas for Not Eating Out

[jwann]

Sorry if this is a repeat - I haven't read through all the posts but I do freezer cooking that I learned from a book called 30day Gourmet. www.30daygourmet.com is the website. I have been doing it for more than 6 years now and we save a TON of $$ on going out and I have a homecooked meal every night. You have an assembly day every month (I usually do it every 6 weeks) where you assemble your meals. Use duplicates of the same meals unlike the Once A Month freezer cooking. Like choose 6 recipes and make 3 of each, etc. The website and book have tons of recipes also you'll learn to adapt our family's favorites for freezer cooking. We LOVE it!

 

[disneymom3]

I went to a community ed class for the 30 Day Gourmet and I have their book. I used to be really good about that, but managing to do the cooking day has just not happened for me the last couple of years. I plan to do it, and then I don't! I seem to handle better the planning each week thing. I did get together with a friend a couple of times and we swapped meals--each made 4 meals. That was awesome, but she moved and I haven't found anyone else to do it with.

I also struggle with lunches. I need to plan them out better than I do. I have found one of my kids favorite lunches is when I take lunch meat (which I buy at Aldi's--either ham or turkey and it is CHEAP--and roll it up and spear it with a couple of toothpicks and then cut between the tootpicks, cubes of cheese, grapes or apples or whatever fruit, carrots with dip and crackers or toast rounds. I did it one day as a desperation meal and they thought it was SO fun and are totally excited whenever we do that. It's sort of like a homemade lunchables. We also do mini pizzas on english muffins--toast them first and then put the sauce, cheese etc on them and put them in the ovenl

 

[NALA 24]

Thanks for the great ideas. We've only eaten out at another Graduation Party. Planning is important. I've been to the grocery store twice this week, but that's OK because they were on my way. Not eating out has actually given us more family time. Next week, the Fourth of July Picnic is at our house and then it is time for our first vaction. Please keep the ideas and support coming.

 

[pjlla]

I think you all have great ideas! We too decided to cut way back on the eating out. We bought a new car and have a monthly car payment for the first time in about 8 years! We sort of figured that by cutting our most of our monthly eating out we could swing the car payment without making any other changes to the budget. But I HATE cooking! I too am in that "stand in front of the fridge at 5pm with nothing defrosted and nothing planned" mentality!

As well as hating cooking, I also have some diet challenges.... DH eats low carb most of the time and DS has some food allergies (as well as being picky).... so lots of pasta dinners don't work for us. I find most of the crockpot meal recipes call for some sort of cream soup. Too much fat for me and too many carbs for DH. Also, DH works late frequently so I need something that the kids and I can eat at 6pm and can reheat at 8pm for DH.

Most of the time my menu consists of some sort of plain meat, as lots of marinades have sugar (DH can't have) or some sort of ingredient that DS is allergic to. I do make my own marinades occasionally, but they aren't too impressive. I always include a starch for the kids and I, most often long cooking brown rice (we like it) or potatoes, occasionally plain pasta. I always include a veggie (most often broccoli or cauliflower). Sometimes a salad. Spaghetti used to be my last minute meal, but DH can't eat the pasta and DD doesn't like the sauce!

Anyhow, as you can see we have some special challenges (not to mention the fact that the nearest grocery store is a 35 minute ride). Any suggestions??...........P

 

[Barbers2005]

Just a suggestion for your crockpot, pjlla:

1. Cut up some potatoes, carrots, onions, or whatever other veggies you like and put them in the bottom of the crockpot

2. Add whatever kind of meat you like (pork, beef, chicken) and sprinkle seasonings over the top

3. Pour broth or water over the top (about a cup or a cup and a half)

4. Cook on low for about 8 hours, or until the meat it done

This is always popular in my family and is very low fat if you choose a lean meat. Also look into making soups or stews in your crockpot. I have Betty Crocker's Slow Cooker Cookbook and it has lots of healthy options. This one for beef and potatoes is my favorite (and only 250 calories per serving):

1 lb med. red potatoes, cut in fourths
1 cup baby carrots
3 lb beef boneless chuck roast
3 T dijon mustard
1 1/2 t dried rosemary, crumbled
1/2 t dried thyme
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 cups beef broth

1. Arrange carrots and potatoes in crock pot
2. Mix mustard, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper- spread over beef. Place beef in crock pot. Sprinkle onions over beef and pour broth over meat and veggies.
3. Cook on low 8-10 hours
4. Remove meat and potatoes from the crock pot to serve. Serve juices from the crock pot on the side (like gravy)

serves 8

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Just when things are going so good, my DH told me last night how much we spent on groceries last week. He went on one big shopping trip, then returned to picK up the things he forgot. With all of my advanced planning & sale circular scanning, we still spent $242. He did get enough food for 9 or 10 meals, but still needs to get a few things to complete those. We've known since we moved here that we could eat fast food cheaper than buying groceries, but never really thought about how much we were actually spending just to eat at home. Our grocey stores are very expensive compared to most places I've been. When I go to the grocery store in NC where my sisters shop, I feel like I'm stealing the food. We are totally burned out on take out, & we're loving knowing in advance what's for dinner. I've really got to figure out a way to bring the grocery bill down though.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

1. Cut up some potatoes, carrots, onions, or whatever other veggies you like and put them in the bottom of the crockpot

2. Add whatever kind of meat you like (pork, beef, chicken) and sprinkle seasonings over the top

3. Pour broth or water over the top (about a cup or a cup and a half)

4. Cook on low for about 8 hours, or until the meat it done

Thanks for the recipe. I'm adding it to my menu for next week. It looks very good, but most of all very easy. The fewer ingredients the better in my book.

 

[kfeuer]

cookbooks by Miserly Moms/Jonni McCoy and Tawra Jean Kellum - I've known Tawra previously from a simplicity and frugality website and she really knows her stuff.

GL!

was Tawra on the parentsplace/ivillage site? Her name is familiar, but I can't place it where I have seen it before.[/QUOTE]

Yes, she used to be on the frugal living board on Parentsplace! Still might be, I haven't been there in years. I hated it when they changed to the new format 5 or 6 years ago and just stopped going there.

Anyway, I have her Not Just Beans cookbook. I use some of the recipes but not very many, her bottom line is cooking as cheaply as possible and my bottom line is cooking as healthy as possible (and ne'r the twain shall meet, I'm afraid). I just spent $60 at the farmer's market yesterday and still have to go the grocery store this afternoon . Oh well! I have medical conditions that are greatly affected by what I eat, and I'm not willing to sacrifice my health to save a few bucks. I'll scrimp elsewhere.

 

[NALA 24]

Eating healthier is not always cheap and that is a challenge. When I tried a low carb option, my grocery bill went way up, but eating out would have also gone up. I visited an Aldi's which is very close to my house for the first time last week. I just picked up an armful of produce. (I wasn't sure of the cart thing.) When I got home, I was impressed with the quality. I plan to go back this weekend. How are the meats, dairy, frozen items at Aldi's? Do they accept checks, debit or credit cards?

 

[disneymom3]

Re: Aldi's--I stay away from their meats other than the deli style sandwhich meat which is very good. I have had the hamburger go bad on me well before the date twice and one other meat that was iffy too. Don't remember if it was chicken or pork chops. They do have a guarantee but they are too far from my house to go often. I stock up on my staples when I am there--tomato sauce, cereal, crackers, canned fruit for those days we are out of fresh, the deli meats, cheese, yogurt, frozen meatballs, kidney beans, etc. I don't like their brand of Manwhich and their spaghetti sauce is a little thin but I use it as filler for my homemade stuff.

As far as the carts go, you put in a quarter and it pushes out the chain that holds them together and then when you turn your cart in and put the chain back in it, it will push the quarter out so you get one back. Also remember to bring your own bags or you have to buy them.

 

[NALA 24]

Thanks for the Aldi's information. Are the deli meats prepackaged?

Thanks.

 

[jennyh2829]

I have been put on a no eating out budget since we got back from DCL in June. We have a super suppers here ( www.supersuppers.com )and there are just three of us so I can get 12 meals by halving 6 of them. Also I have been hitting the farmer's market and you can get a lot for just a little money. We love having just a meal of veggies and fresh cornbread ( can you tell I'm a southern gal??)

Also I can attest that to not eat out you have to plan ahead,....every day!! I teach school so during the year I come home exhausted and just wait and say lets go out. I've got to plan ahead.

thanks so much for the thread!!

 

[chemteacher03]

My fiance and I will be getting married at Disney August 10th and we are definitely guilty of spending too much on eating out. We have agredd to not eat out until we are down at Disney with the exception of the weekly trip to Coldstone.

 

[psammie1025]

I've been enjoying this thread & wanted to share an easy & affordable dish too!

1lb ground beef
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup catsup
3/4 tsp salt
1 box jiffy cornbread mix
1/2 cup shredded cheese

In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onion & garlic until beef is brown. Drain off fat. Add catsup & salt & set aside.
In a bowl mix the cornbread according to the package directions. Spread 1/2 of the batter in a greased 8x8 inch pan. Dpoon the beef mixture over the batter in the pan. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover with remaining batter, smoothing to the corners of the pan.
Bake at 350 degrees until the cornbread is done on top, about 30-35 minutes.
Cool 5 minutes & cut into squares & serve.

 

[psammie1025]

I bought the Old El Paso brand fajita kit a few weeks ago when they were buy 1-get 1 free. Add 1 lb of boneless chicken, an onion & a green pepper & you have en easy main dish! I used the cook in the oven option & they turned out great & very tasty! I added a lipton rice & bean dish & we had a great meal!

 

[jlb]

One thing that we do, and it has really caught on is Taco Tuesday...it has replaced order out Friday. It is so funny everybody I mention it too is like what a great idea, and has done that. Just vary the toppings every week, and change the meat around and you are set. I think my family was not really into ordering out so much, as they were looking for something different then what we usually have. The only problem we have is our school district does Tacvo Tuesday too, so I have to remeber no buying lunch that day.

 

[sk!mom]

I wonder how many people who are eating out too much are the same people who post that they can feed a family of four for $200 per month ( or some other super low figure).

I find that my family is happy to eat at home if we have great meals planned. This weeks menu:
Roast chicken, fresh green beans, baked sweet potatoes
Grilled burgers, strawberries and watermelon
Chicken pot pie from leftover roast chicken
Blueberry pancakes- fresh blueberries (Sat. morning)
Beef fajita salad
Stuffed bell peppers
Taco salad and Quesidillas

Most all fruits and vegetables are from the Farmer's Market. We normally only eat out for Sunday lunch.

We actually prefer to eat a quiet meal at home with a great wine. Eating well isn't cheap but less expensive than eating out.

We would not be happy to eat at home if it was Hamburger Helper or something similar. We also like lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

 

[mjbaby]

I'm off to the market now to gear up for the week's meals (we had a terrible weekend, eating out-wise). In addition to planning for dinners, I want to make sure that there's not too much leftover after Friday afternoon, when we leave for two weeks. PLUS, I want to pick up a couple things to keep us going on our trip for the first couple days. The plan as it stands so far is:

- Tonight: chicken and broccoli bake, mashed potatoes, green beans, wilted lettuce salad
- Monday: Nachos (yep, a complete meal with lots of tomatoes and black beans!)
- Tuesday: Italian sausage, sauteed onions and peppers, tortellini
- Wednesday: hamburgers, french fries, zucchini and carrot salad (with homemade ginger dressing = YUM!)
- Thursday: Grilled garlic and herb chicken, zucchini (can you tell what my garden is producing? LOL), onion and tomato gratin, herbed orzo
- Friday: pita sandwiches and fruit in the car, drivin' like the wind

Oh my, it feels good to have things under control food-wise. In addition to getting ready for the trip, I've got a big work deadline and lots of personal stuff I want to accomplish. On a busy week, I just love have a plan from which to work easily and quickly.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Where we live, the prices are so outrageous, that there are numerous places where we can eat out for about the same amount as eating in. I can easily spend three times as much at the organic market as I can getting burritos. In the past few years lots of good quality quick eat places have cropped up. Not all of them are created equally, and usually the most nutritious meal is still a home cooked one, but for us, a big part of lowering our eating out costs was just changing where we eat out, but it took some discovery to find these places.

Chicken alone is often $5/lb in the grocery store...we can split quality bbq for about $5/pp. (with veggie, corn bread), and not have to cook (running the oven costs money too, k'now.)

Cooking in takes a good amount of time. That's a factor for us. One idea to make cooking in easier is to cook in bulk. WE eat lots of chicken - so I cook up big batches of it (family size pack is cheaper), and add different sauces/sides over the week to change it up.

Potato salad is MUCH cheaper if you make it from scratch, and pretty easy too. It also doesn't have those nasty chemicals. I think this can be said for lots of other food items too - you're much better off buying whole, raw ingredients than frozen dinners and the like.

What I don't get is why anybody would buy frozen pizzas...You can get a much better one from a pizza place for about the same price. Better yet, you can make pizza from scratch (or buy premade dough) and make a great pizza for even less.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I spend so much money at the store and eating out. It's always so easy to run through drive thru after work then to come home and cook. I think this idea is great no eating out to save money for disney..