On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:56:35 -0800 (PST), maxine in ri
> wrote:

>On Dec 21, 1:33 pm, Sheldon > wrote:
>> On Dec 21, 1:20?pm, sf wrote:
>>
>> > On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:32:01 -0800 (PST), Sheldon >
>> > wrote:
>>
>> > > I'm
>> > >positive that if you lived in the US with US money and US prices you
>> > >would find it very difficult to eat on a $40/wk budget
>>
>> > $40 is doable. ?$50 each is a good average of we spend now.
>>
>> "Doable" (make do) is NOT eating well... doable is subsistance (barely
>> eking by).
>>
>> SHELDON
>
>What do you mean by "eating well"? We may be talking about two
>separate concepts. To me, eating well is eating nutritious, healthy
>meals that taste good and satisfy . Perhaps you consider "eating
>well" to include the finer things that tend to cost more? In that
>case, you're right. It wouldn't cover enough food to suffice for a
>week.

What "eating well" means was slightly debated in the original thread.
A bottle of wine, some fresh mozzarella, and some kalamata olives from
the deli pretty much blows the budget. A few people here have claimed
they can eat the "finer" things for 40 bucks a week, but I think
they're liars who eat ramen.

Lou

On Dec 21, 5:24�pm, Dave Smith > wrote:
> Sheldon wrote:
>
> > > If you live alone (as Chris does) one can buy purely what * you* like to
> > > eat - which can be quite a saving in itself...
>
> > I don't see how living alone makes any difference, �you're still going
> > to eat the same *quantity*... but you're still locked into the
> > budget... if you want to eat up your entire budget in one day then you
> > starve for the rest of the week is all.
>
> In my case, my wife has expensive taste in food. She used a lot of cream,
> butter and cheese. Eggs aren't expensive, but while I eat maybe one per
> week and the odd one in cooking, she eats at least 1 dozen and a half per
> week. �She eats a lot more meat than I do and she likes beef and pork. �If
> I were on my own, I would be using maybe 1/3 as much meat, and it would be
> more likely to be chicken than beef.
>
> > No, not at all. �Because if you're tweaking for each then you still
> > need to apportion within the $40/wk budget... what you're describing
> > is just more laborious but at the end of the week costs no more or
>
> I am spending about $100-120 per week for two of us without scrimping. �I
> could probably do it on $40 if I had to. My breakfasts are keep. I eat a
> bowl of oatmeal with a little bit of milk and a little demererra sugar. �A
> kilo bag of oatmeal costs less than a box of cereal and lasts at least
> three weeks.

Even though your wife's preferences are not the most heathful she's
whose keeping you out of the hospital... left to your own devices
you'd suffer malnutrition... just cutting down on dairy fat and meat
and not replacing those with healthful nutritrious foods is no great
accomplishment... even a horse can't subsist on just oats... not once
do you mention fresh produce.

On Dec 21, 5:44�pm, Lou Decruss > wrote:
> On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:41:18 -0800 (PST), Sheldon >
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> >On Dec 21, 5:31?pm, Lou Decruss > wrote:
> >> On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:22:05 -0800 (PST), Sheldon >
> >> wrote:
>
> >> >That's not true, you're assuming single people don't know how to shop/
> >> >cook... that's very big-oted of you. ?I probably buy in greater
> >> >quantity than most families and my staples pantry happens to be large
> >> >enough to feed a platoon, and I only cook in quantity, whenever I cook
> >> >it's enough in case a military troop transport arrives in my yard.
>
> >> Man, they got you on some good drugs!!! ?
>
> >> Lou
>
> >That's your post... they got you on a frontal lobotomy... you've no IQ
> >whatsoever.
>
> Yup. �I was right. �

You ain't shit, you're dumber.

On Dec 21, 5:49�pm, Christine Dabney > wrote:
> On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:37:13 -0800 (PST), Sheldon >
> wrote:
>
> >There is nothing healthful/nutritious about that dish, it's mostly
> >starch and fat calories... what little veggies it contains are cooked
> >to death from square one, really only for flavoring... and of course
> >that dish is salty as heck, part of what makes it tasty. �Gumbo is
> >eating gooood, not eating well. �No matter what recipe, gumbo is a
> >poverty dish... that cup of flour stretches a little meat a looooong
> >way.
>
> >If you serve that kind of food as a steady diet your family would all
> >be morbidly obesse.
>
> >SHELDON
>
> I make this about once a year. �

Now you're back pedaling... so why did you even mention gumbo... we're
discussing eating *well* on a $40/wk budget regularly. I didn't
mention eating lobster because it's not a part of my regular diet... I
haven't eaten lobster in maybe 20 years... I didn't mention eating
shrimp either, I very rarely eat shrimp. I'm more of a meat loaf
kind of person. I don't eat exotic foods, I eat very simple basic
foods. From reading about what most of you claim to eat regularly I
don't believe any of you are eating on twice $40/week... I don't think
many of yoose are being honest.

SHELDON

On Dec 21, 6:29�pm, jay > wrote:
> On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:56:22 -0800 (PST), Sheldon wrote:
> > Gumbo is essentially a depression mentality dish anyway... even with
> > little meat make it thick enough with plenty of browned flour and
> > served over plenty cheapo rice it will fill a lot of bellies for very
> > little money... gumbo is essentially highly seasoned starch and fat,
> > filling and tasty but not at all a nutritious dish, definitely
> > subsistance food about as nutritious as subsisting on potato chips
> > only cheaper.
>
> > SHELDON
>
> You are correct about gumbo. �I love gumbo and eat it a few times a year.
> Paul Prudhomme is what you could look like if you eat that way regularly.
> The discussion about 40$ a week is really not of much substance.. anyone
> who lives is the US should know how little you can do with 2 twenty dollar
> bills no matter what you are doing including trying to eat. �If you think
> you are really eating "well" on a pair of 20's a week..even using the word
> "well" loosely you are kidding yourself. �I would be willing to bet that
> the county jail spends way more than that a week to feed just one customer.. �
>
> jay

You are 100pct correct on all counts... these folks are just out and
out lying about eating well.... I couldn't even eat my meat loaf every
day on two twenties.

SHELDON

On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:29:33 -0600, jay > wrote:

>On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:56:22 -0800 (PST), Sheldon wrote:
>
>> Gumbo is essentially a depression mentality dish anyway... even with
>> little meat make it thick enough with plenty of browned flour and
>> served over plenty cheapo rice it will fill a lot of bellies for very
>> little money... gumbo is essentially highly seasoned starch and fat,
>> filling and tasty but not at all a nutritious dish, definitely
>> subsistance food about as nutritious as subsisting on potato chips
>> only cheaper.
>>
>> SHELDON
>
>You are correct about gumbo. I love gumbo and eat it a few times a year.
>Paul Prudhomme is what you could look like if you eat that way regularly.
>The discussion about 40$ a week is really not of much substance.. anyone
>who lives is the US should know how little you can do with 2 twenty dollar
>bills no matter what you are doing including trying to eat. If you think
>you are really eating "well" on a pair of 20's a week..even using the word
>"well" loosely you are kidding yourself. I would be willing to bet that
>the county jail spends way more than that a week to feed just one customer.
>
>jay

The results of the survey are shocking me. It makes me wonder if all
the things I've been reading about the wonderful foods people eat here
is just bullshit.

Lou

On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:14:04 -0800 (PST), Sheldon >
wrote:

>On Dec 21, 5:44?pm, Lou Decruss > wrote:
>> On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:41:18 -0800 (PST), Sheldon >
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> >On Dec 21, 5:31?pm, Lou Decruss > wrote:
>> >> On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:22:05 -0800 (PST), Sheldon >
>> >> wrote:
>>
>> >> >That's not true, you're assuming single people don't know how to shop/
>> >> >cook... that's very big-oted of you. ?I probably buy in greater
>> >> >quantity than most families and my staples pantry happens to be large
>> >> >enough to feed a platoon, and I only cook in quantity, whenever I cook
>> >> >it's enough in case a military troop transport arrives in my yard.
>>
>> >> Man, they got you on some good drugs!!! ?
>>
>> >> Lou
>>
>> >That's your post... they got you on a frontal lobotomy... you've no IQ
>> >whatsoever.
>>
>> Yup. ?I was right. ?
>
>You ain't shit, you're dumber.

Go figure out how much it costs to feed the cats. You'll be safer
that way.

Lou

Sheldon wrote:
>
> > I am spending about $100-120 per week for two of us without scrimping. �I
> > could probably do it on $40 if I had to. My breakfasts are keep. I eat a
> > bowl of oatmeal with a little bit of milk and a little demererra sugar. �A
> > kilo bag of oatmeal costs less than a box of cereal and lasts at least
> > three weeks.
>
> Even though your wife's preferences are not the most heathful

She is in good health and has no problem with cholesterol or blood
pressure.


> she's whose keeping you out of the hospital... left to your own devices
> you'd suffer malnutrition... just cutting down on dairy fat and meat
> and not replacing those with healthful nutritrious foods is no great
> accomplishment... even a horse can't subsist on just oats... not once
> do you mention fresh produce.

Who said I subsist on just oatmeal? That is what I have for breakfast, and
I was referring to the cost of my oatmeal compared to the cost of cold
cereals and her bacon and eggs. It is cheap, cheap, cheap, and quite
nutritious. A bowl of oatmeal keeps me going all day, though I am retired
and don't get up until around 8:30. It does me until dinner time.

I did not mention fresh produce because I was referring to the relatively
expensive things in her diet, llike the beef and cheese. I do eat fresh
fruits and vegetables, though I have to admit that frozen veggies tend to
be cheaper than fresh. I buy fresh vegetables in season, fewer out of
season but supplement them with frozen... rarely canned. I eat very little
processed food, only the odd soup and canned pasta sauce. Processed food is
the first thing to go when eating on a budget because it is an expensive
way to eat....poorly.

Sheldon wrote:
>

> > If I were on my own I would eat a lot less beef, meat in general, �eggs,
> > bacon, cream and cheese. Since those are among the more expensive things on
> > our shopping list it would cut the bill a lot.
>
> So then you admit you're willing to eat more poorly just to satisfy
> eating on a pauper's budget.

No, I am not saying that. I said that I would eat less meat and less dairy,
both of which are expensive, and both of which are relatively expensive.

On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:19:43 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>Sheldon wrote:
>>
>
>> > If I were on my own I would eat a lot less beef, meat in general, �eggs,
>> > bacon, cream and cheese. Since those are among the more expensive things on
>> > our shopping list it would cut the bill a lot.
>>
>> So then you admit you're willing to eat more poorly just to satisfy
>> eating on a pauper's budget.
>
>No, I am not saying that. I said that I would eat less meat and less dairy,
>both of which are expensive, and both of which are relatively expensive.

He's saying what he needs to say to bolster his own rationale.

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"ChattyCathy" > wrote in message
.. .
> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
> I am going to blame Christine Dabney for this one...

MCINL
I am single, but don't want to try it. I can live on $75, but don't like
the cuts that I have to make.

ChattyCathy wrote:
> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
> I am going to blame Christine Dabney for this one...


Define "well".

gloria p

Puester wrote:
> ChattyCathy wrote:
>> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>>
>> I am going to blame Christine Dabney for this one...
>
>
> Define "well".

This was mentioned in the original thread, (if you had time to read over
550 posts) but of course people's tastes/definitions vary... FWIW, I
consider a roast chicken and veggies 'eating well' - and it's not going
to break the bank. And you get to use the leftover chicken meat for
another meal too - plus you can make stock from the carcass.
Of course if you are the champagne and lobster sort, forgeddaboutit...
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Garlic: the element without which life as we know it would be impossible

ChattyCathy > wrote in
:

> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
> I am going to blame Christine Dabney for this one...

Yes!

On Dec 21, 5:22 pm, Sheldon > wrote:
> maxine in ri wrote:
> > Sheldon wrote:
> > > ChattyCathy wrote:
> > > >http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>
> > > > I am going to blame Christine Dabney for this one...
>
> > > Why ask if it's eating for one, two, or a dozen?!?!?
>
> > > Cooking for more than one saves energy/time... but each person eats
> > > their own food... if it's two, what, you each eat half portions?
>
> > > No wonder so many think they eat well on $40/week... they eat half
> > > portions... they feed their entire family by adding more water to the
> > > stew.
>
> > If I buy a single portion of food, it costs more than if I purchase
> > larger sizes or in quantity. �The difference between one and two isn't
> > that great, but when you add a family, it does make a difference in
> > purchasing.
>
> That's not true, you're assuming single people don't know how to shop/
> cook... that's very big-oted of you. I probably buy in greater
> quantity than most families and my staples pantry happens to be large
> enough to feed a platoon, and I only cook in quantity, whenever I cook
> it's enough in case a military troop transport arrives in my yard. I
> shop in quantity all the time, just this week I stopped into Sam's
> Club, dropped close to $300 on all sorts of party foods, large
> cheeses, whole salamis, hams, all kinds of chips, and of course a few
> 36 can packs of Fancy Feast, cases of evap, plus more items. So what
> you're saying is you feed your family for less than it costs me to
> open three can's of Fancy Feast. You're silly.
>
> I'm positive that I cook in larger amounts all the time than 99pct of
> all rfc'ers... that's what freezers are for, cooked foods.
>
> SHELDON

Shelly, you're the exception to most rules<G>. While there are any
number of singles who do as you and buy and cook in large quantity,
the majority of singles don't cook much.

It was after I had been on my own for a while, eating those frozen
dinners, that I looked at them and said "I can do that" and started
cooking for half a dozen a couple times a week, and freezing the
majority of it so I could enjoy home cooked meals to my taste
regularly.

I talk to the singles at work fairly often, and they either eat out,
eat take out, or cook for one. They look horrified if I suggest
making enough even to have leftovers for the next night or lunch the
next day. They also look horrified at my sandwich, fruit and drink
that I pack from home most days, commenting on "how much time" it
takes to do that.

These are the same folks who always complain about being broke, having
no money, can't save a penny, but drive a leased new car every year,
and have a taste for high-fashion clothes and "clubbing" a couple
nights a week.

I could be broke too, if I lived like them.

maxine in ri

On Dec 21, 6:57 pm, Lou Decruss > wrote:

> The results of the survey are shocking me. It makes me wonder if all
> the things I've been reading about the wonderful foods people eat here
> is just bullshit.
>
> Lou

If they eat them all the time, yeah, no way we could ever suffice on
$40/person/week.
You want my daily menu?

Oatmeal with dried fruit and yogurt
tea with milk
fruit
sandwich (hummus, pb&honey, leftovers from dinner)
pretzels (1 ounce from a big container)
fruit
drink
Dinner is where the variety comes in. A chicken will make 2 solid
meals for the three of us, 3 meals if I can keep my husband from using
a whole breast for his sandwich<g>, tofu (I know a lot of folks don't
like it, but it works for us), vegetable stew, fish, tuna or salmon
loaf, things like that.
salad
cooked veggie
starch (potato, rice, noodles)
drink
dessert

DH has eggs and bagel with cheese every morning with his coffee, a
fluffernutter and a sardine sandwich (his preference) for lunch, and
dinner with the rest of us.

Kidlet eats crap and stays thin. She has breakfast at school (won't
eat anything before she leaves), brings a sandwich for lunch and buys
chips and soda from her own money, and eats fruit and noodle soup for
snack when she gets home.

I bake bread 2-3 times a week, make yogurt from the gallon of milk we
go through a week, bake cookies and bars for snacks (so I can portion
them) and noone in our house is starving.

We're happy with the above (except for Kidlet, who would be happy if
we ate out every night of the week), and with the collection of
seasonings and staples in the cupboards, noone gets bored with the
menu.

This time of year, even the baked gifts don't stretch the budget so
much, since with all the parties and dinners, I'm not spending the
half of my food budget that covers dinners. (15, last count).

Tonight we're going to a potluck, and I'm bringing a gallon of veggie
bean soup, which these folks have had before and insisted I bring
again.

Grandma soup
devise by my Mom
serves: 12

1 cup mixed beans (split peas, barley, limas, dried beans)
3 quarts water
1 large onion, diced
1 large carrot, sliced
2 ribs celery, sliced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, diced
teaspoon rosemary
teaspoon Mrs Dash original
4 teaspoons mushroom soup powder
14 oz can diced tomatoes

Rinse and sort beans. add to cold water and bring to a boil. Boil
for 10 minutes, skimming scum as it forms.
Add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, shallot, rosemary mrs dash, return
to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer on low for about 1 hour.
Check that beans are soft,t hen add soup powder and tomatoes.

Salt and pepper to taste.
Sometimes, I'll add diced potatoes, rice, or noodles. before serving.

maxine in ri

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:19:26 -0800 (PST), maxine in ri
> wrote:

>4 teaspoons mushroom soup powder

What brand do you use?

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On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:21:15 +0200, ChattyCathy
> wrote:

>Puester wrote:
>> ChattyCathy wrote:
>>> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/
>>>
>>> I am going to blame Christine Dabney for this one...
>>
>>
>> Define "well".
>
>This was mentioned in the original thread, (if you had time to read over
>550 posts) but of course people's tastes/definitions vary... FWIW, I
>consider a roast chicken and veggies 'eating well' - and it's not going
>to break the bank. And you get to use the leftover chicken meat for
>another meal too - plus you can make stock from the carcass.
>Of course if you are the champagne and lobster sort, forgeddaboutit...

A nice steak dinner with a bottle of good wine and the budget is out
the window.

Lou

Lou Decruss wrote:
>
> A nice steak dinner with a bottle of good wine and the budget is out
> the window.

Well, no - not where I live. Our beef seems to be a lot cheaper here
(RSA) than in the USA, as is our 'good wine'.
I can get a kilogram (2.2lbs) of beef tenderloin for about ZAR80.00...
Thats US$11.39 at the current exchange rate - which is about US$5.50 per
pound. That's enough to feed 4 people - 'well' IMHO... As for the
wine... dirt cheap here too. We eat tenderloin about once a week. Knew
there was a reason I lived here
--
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Chatty Cathy

Garlic: the element without which life as we know it would be impossible

On Dec 22, 2:40 pm, sf wrote:
> On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:19:26 -0800 (PST), maxine in ri
>
> > wrote:
> >4 teaspoons mushroom soup powder
>
> What brand do you use?

Carmel.

maxine in ri

On Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:15:01 -0800 (PST), maxine in ri
> wrote:

>On Dec 22, 2:40 pm, sf wrote:
>> On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:19:26 -0800 (PST), maxine in ri
>>
>> > wrote:
>> >4 teaspoons mushroom soup powder
>>
>> What brand do you use?
>
>Carmel.
>
Do you have a link? I'm not finding it. There is only one low sodium
brand available here that I know of, but it's becoming hard to find.
http://www.mayacamasfinefoods.com/index.html

I picked up some powdered porcini last week. It's pure mushroom
powder, no additives. I can hardly wait to use it!


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<sf> wrote in message ...
> On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:19:43 -0500, Dave Smith
> > wrote:
>
>>Sheldon wrote:
>>>
>>
>>> > If I were on my own I would eat a lot less beef, meat in general,
>>> > �eggs,
>>> > bacon, cream and cheese. Since those are among the more expensive
>>> > things on
>>> > our shopping list it would cut the bill a lot.
>>>
>>> So then you admit you're willing to eat more poorly just to satisfy
>>> eating on a pauper's budget.
>>
>>No, I am not saying that. I said that I would eat less meat and less
>>dairy,
>>both of which are expensive, and both of which are relatively expensive.
>
> He's saying what he needs to say to bolster his own rationale.
>
Sheldon are you Jerry Sauk's Brother?

<sf> ha scritto nel messaggio
...
> On Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:15:01 -0800 (PST), maxine in ri
> > wrote:
>
>>On Dec 22, 2:40 pm, sf wrote:
>>> On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:19:26 -0800 (PST), maxine in ri
>>>
>>> > wrote:
>>> >4 teaspoons mushroom soup powder
>>>
>>> What brand do you use?
>>
>>Carmel.
> I picked up some powdered porcini last week. It's pure mushroom
> powder, no additives. I can hardly wait to use it!

It's very useful stuff. It adds a depth, a shot of umami to many dishes. I
especially like to use it when doing Byzantine spiced dishes.--
http://www.judithgreenwood.com

On Dec 23, 9:41 pm, sf wrote:
> On Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:15:01 -0800 (PST), maxine in ri
>
> > wrote:
> >On Dec 22, 2:40 pm, sf wrote:
> >> On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:19:26 -0800 (PST), maxine in ri
>
> >> > wrote:
> >> >4 teaspoons mushroom soup powder
>
> >> What brand do you use?
>
> >Carmel.
>
> Do you have a link? I'm not finding it. There is only one low sodium
> brand available here that I know of, but it's becoming hard to find.http://www.mayacamasfinefoods.com/index.html

It's not low sodium. 690mg per teaspoon

> I picked up some powdered porcini last week. It's pure mushroom
> powder, no additives. I can hardly wait to use it!

That sounds worth it. I have plenty of dried mushrooms, but I'm
assuming the powdered ones don't have to be reconstituted and strained
to get the growing medium out of them!

maxine in ri

On Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:54:33 -0800 (PST), maxine in ri
> wrote:

>That sounds worth it. I have plenty of dried mushrooms, but I'm
>assuming the powdered ones don't have to be reconstituted and strained
>to get the growing medium out of them!

Just scoop and use. You can flavor pasta dough, gnocchi, soups....
anything you can think of. I think I'll add a little to my beef gravy
tonight for starters. I'm assuming a little will go a long way.

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On Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:14:04 +0200, ChattyCathy
> wrote:

>Lou Decruss wrote:
>>
>> A nice steak dinner with a bottle of good wine and the budget is out
>> the window.
>
>Well, no - not where I live. Our beef seems to be a lot cheaper here
>(RSA) than in the USA, as is our 'good wine'.
>I can get a kilogram (2.2lbs) of beef tenderloin for about ZAR80.00...
>Thats US$11.39 at the current exchange rate - which is about US$5.50 per
>pound. That's enough to feed 4 people - 'well' IMHO... As for the
>wine... dirt cheap here too. We eat tenderloin about once a week. Knew
>there was a reason I lived here

and here all this time i thought it was the biltong.

your pal,
blake

blake murphy wrote:
> On Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:14:04 +0200, ChattyCathy
> > wrote:
>
>> Lou Decruss wrote:
>>> A nice steak dinner with a bottle of good wine and the budget is out
>>> the window.
>> Well, no - not where I live. Our beef seems to be a lot cheaper here
>> (RSA) than in the USA, as is our 'good wine'.
>> I can get a kilogram (2.2lbs) of beef tenderloin for about ZAR80.00...
>> Thats US$11.39 at the current exchange rate - which is about US$5.50 per
>> pound. That's enough to feed 4 people - 'well' IMHO... As for the
>> wine... dirt cheap here too. We eat tenderloin about once a week. Knew
>> there was a reason I lived here
>
> and here all this time i thought it was the biltong.

That too...

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Garlic: the element without which life as we know it would be impossible