apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

We're definitely doing this (at least I am, my husband might not have noticed yet). I'm using a few more coupons and buying what's advertised in the circular. But rather than doing the "cheap meat" route, we've been eating more tofu (which is generally about $2/lb).

Also, I'm trying very hard not to throw any food away, so I've been making a lot more fridge clearing soups and I went through and made a list of what's in my pantry and freezer, using up older items. Organizing the freezer really helped me to see what I have and make it accessable

I've been doing a lot more cooking/baking by feel, basing soups, stews, even cakes(!) on what I already have in the fridge and cupboards. For example, I've been making what I call compost cakes. I figured out a while ago that baking does NOT need to be nearly as fussy as everyone says it does. I don't even use measuring cups or spoons for these compost cakes!!! If I have a bunch of overripe bananas, a bag full of walnuts languishing in the freezer, a jar of cardamom I haven't used in years, some ground-up flaxseeds (great egg substitute), whatever sweetener is around (agave syrup, brown sugar, whatever), then I'll dump all that in a bowl with flour and baking soda and a bit of vinegar and some canola oil, pour it in a pan, pop it in the oven at 350 for 30 min or so, and voila--a rather tasty breakfast cake. I made a carrot version the other day in order to use up some old carrots, and added tangerine juice. Yes, it was very good. I challenge everyone to try baking without a recipe! It's incredibly liberating!!!!

I am doing this, but I always kind of have. One thing that I have always done is find out when the local grocery store marks the meat down for "quick sale", then I am there bright and early. I just stock up on whatever they have. This has saved me tons of money, and I think it has made me a more "creative" cook.

I'm not sure this approach would save me much money. If I saw a bunch of nice things on sale, I'd likely grab them all up. Whereas if I'm following a recipe, I'll just buy what's called for in the recipe.

I guess I'm not disciplined enough, and the recipe gives me some discipline.

I've always shopped that way. shopping strictly by recipes is a sure way to end up with a lot of products of which you'll only use a little bit. plus, it forces creativity and encourages you to try new things. if I see an in season vegetable that's on sale, I'll buy it, go home, and figure out a way to incorporate it. I've tried many new veggies that way. sometimes I look up a recipe, but I rarely follow them exactly. it makes the cooking process more relaxed and fun for me.

Quark: How much flax seed do you use to sub for an egg? Thanks!

twosavie, I always just eyeball it, but here's something I found on another website:

"1 Tbsp. ground flax seeds 3 Tbsp water (or other liquid) = 1 egg"

I never cook/bake with eggs because they just gross me out too much, so this flax seed thing is great. Ground flax mixed with water turns gluey and viscous just like egg white--except with bits of crushed seed in it, of course, so it's best for baked goods that already have whole grains or nuts in them.

I always cook by feel and I always make a shopping list before I go to the store. Of course, we only shop every 2 weeks or so, so we usually buy more than someone who would shop every day or once a week.
I never shop with a recipe in mind unless it's a baking recipe and I know I don't have everything on hand.

I've been making more of my own bread instead of buying the nice multigrain loaves at the store. $5 for a loaf of bread is too much for me!
We also buy things that we know we can put in anything. Chicken thighs, ground turkey, pork loin chops, and some kind of steak.
We buy meat in bulk at Costco and then freeze it in portions for the 2 of us. This saves us in meat waste and also allows us to make enough for lunches the next day.

I've definitely made more bread this year. And I'm more conscious of trying to use up leftovers.

I've learned that shopping with a list always leads to saving more money than shopping without and going to deals. The reason is you end up buying more and more things you don't need if you don't have a list.

I also have have a list of staples that store well that I will buy extra of if they are on sale but only things on that list things like canned tomatos, frozen peas and corn, big bulk packages of drumsticks or ground beef (divide those up and freeze them in meal sized portions), potatoes, onions, garlic . Pasta, rice, dried beans, etc that can store almost indefinitely I buy in bulk, at least 10lbs worth at a time.

Since I can save so much on the stuff I can store for months I have a little more to spend on the stuff I can't like eggs, milk, fresh fruits and veggies.

Thanks, Quark!