On 7/15/2014 10:11 PM, sf wrote:
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 21:26:28 -0400, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> My seasoning mix wouldn't contain a bunch of chemical crap. I see no
>> reason to pay for the "convenience" of something like Hamburger Helper
>> when you still have to cook the noodles, you still have to brown the
>> beef. The *only* shortcut about it is you're opening a packet of dried
>> who knows what rather than creating your own sauce.
>>
>
> Sometimes I prefer the crap, like Sloppy Joe mix. I haven't made it
> in 20 years, but I used to prefer the powdered mix (Manwich, which
> doesn't exist in powdered form anymore) over the recipes I found and
> the form of Manwich that came in a can.
>
> Today, opening an envelope of taco mix is preferred - I just need a
> little and I don't feel like making a home mix just to use a
> teaspoon's worth when no one can tell the difference in the finished
> dish.
>
>
I can understand that. I rarely make tacos but yes, when I do I use an
envelope of taco seasoning. I don't keep a lot of "Mexican" spices on
hand. I don't do that for Sloppy Joes, but if you enjoy it I certainly
don't fault you for it. I only make Sloppy Joes about once a year.

My point about Hamburger Helper is, it's not really that much of a
time-saver.

Jill

On 7/15/2014 10:07 PM, jmcquown wrote:

> Hamburger helper doesn't come in cans.
>
>> for when one doesn't feel like cooking and/or hasn't the
>> time.
>
> How is this a time saver? The same amount of time goes into it than
> making something similar from scratch. You still have to cook the
> noodles. You still have to brown the beef. You're still going to be
> making a simple sauce to simmer and cook the mixture down in. The time
> savings is insignificant. The benefit is the sauce won't consist of a
> chemical-laden artificial ingredients powdered packet.
>
> Jill

Grandson makes it a couple of times a month. Easy to do, no looking for
ingredients, no thinking about anything.

On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 22:26:57 -0400, jmcquown >
wrote:

> My point about Hamburger Helper is, it's not really that much of a
> time-saver.

No idea. That's something my mom probably made. Remembering her love
of convenience foods, I must have eaten it a few times but I've never
made it myself and don't remember what it was like if I've eaten it.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On 7/15/2014 11:00 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 7/15/2014 10:07 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>
>> Hamburger helper doesn't come in cans.
>>
>>> for when one doesn't feel like cooking and/or hasn't the
>>> time.
>>
>> How is this a time saver? The same amount of time goes into it than
>> making something similar from scratch. You still have to cook the
>> noodles. You still have to brown the beef. You're still going to be
>> making a simple sauce to simmer and cook the mixture down in. The time
>> savings is insignificant. The benefit is the sauce won't consist of a
>> chemical-laden artificial ingredients powdered packet.
>>
>> Jill
>
> Grandson makes it a couple of times a month. Easy to do, no looking for
> ingredients, no thinking about anything.

Off with his head! LOL

I inferred from Sheldon's comment Hamburger Helper is a time saver. I
fail to see how given the basic steps are all the same. The only
difference is the seasoning packet. I can understand your grandson may
not care about it, he just wants to eat and it's something he can cook.
I get that.

Adults who are actually interested in cooking probably do care. It
doesn't take more than a few minites longer to make a simple sauce right
there in the skillet. When push comes to shove it's the same simple meal.

Jill

On 7/15/2014 11:25 PM, jmcquown wrote:

>>
>> Grandson makes it a couple of times a month. Easy to do, no looking for
>> ingredients, no thinking about anything.
>
> Off with his head! LOL
>
> I inferred from Sheldon's comment Hamburger Helper is a time saver. I
> fail to see how given the basic steps are all the same. The only
> difference is the seasoning packet. I can understand your grandson may
> not care about it, he just wants to eat and it's something he can cook.
> I get that.
>
> Adults who are actually interested in cooking probably do care. It
> doesn't take more than a few minites longer to make a simple sauce right
> there in the skillet. When push comes to shove it's the same simple meal.
>
> Jill

My first attempts at cooking many years ago was mostly variations of
ground beef mixed with other "stuff" Tomato sauce and cheese were
frequent additions.

On 7/16/2014 12:22 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 7/15/2014 11:25 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>
>>>
>>> Grandson makes it a couple of times a month. Easy to do, no looking for
>>> ingredients, no thinking about anything.
>>
>> Off with his head! LOL
>>
>> I inferred from Sheldon's comment Hamburger Helper is a time saver. I
>> fail to see how given the basic steps are all the same. The only
>> difference is the seasoning packet. I can understand your grandson may
>> not care about it, he just wants to eat and it's something he can cook.
>> I get that.
>>
>> Adults who are actually interested in cooking probably do care. It
>> doesn't take more than a few minites longer to make a simple sauce right
>> there in the skillet. When push comes to shove it's the same simple
>> meal.
>>
>> Jill
>
> My first attempts at cooking many years ago was mostly variations of
> ground beef mixed with other "stuff" Tomato sauce and cheese were
> frequent additions.

LOL So were some of mine, Ed. Pasta is still inexpensive and pretty
versatile to boot.

Jill
Jill

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/15/2014 10:11 PM, sf wrote:
>> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 21:26:28 -0400, jmcquown >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> My seasoning mix wouldn't contain a bunch of chemical crap. I see no
>>> reason to pay for the "convenience" of something like Hamburger Helper
>>> when you still have to cook the noodles, you still have to brown the
>>> beef. The *only* shortcut about it is you're opening a packet of dried
>>> who knows what rather than creating your own sauce.
>>>
>>
>> Sometimes I prefer the crap, like Sloppy Joe mix. I haven't made it
>> in 20 years, but I used to prefer the powdered mix (Manwich, which
>> doesn't exist in powdered form anymore) over the recipes I found and
>> the form of Manwich that came in a can.
>>
>> Today, opening an envelope of taco mix is preferred - I just need a
>> little and I don't feel like making a home mix just to use a
>> teaspoon's worth when no one can tell the difference in the finished
>> dish.
>>
>>
> I can understand that. I rarely make tacos but yes, when I do I use an
> envelope of taco seasoning. I don't keep a lot of "Mexican" spices on
> hand. I don't do that for Sloppy Joes, but if you enjoy it I certainly
> don't fault you for it. I only make Sloppy Joes about once a year.
>
> My point about Hamburger Helper is, it's not really that much of a
> time-saver.

My mom loved it because she could make it in her electric skillet.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 22:26:57 -0400, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> My point about Hamburger Helper is, it's not really that much of a
>> time-saver.
>
> No idea. That's something my mom probably made. Remembering her love
> of convenience foods, I must have eaten it a few times but I've never
> made it myself and don't remember what it was like if I've eaten it.

They didn't come out with it until I was in Jr. High. So... Early 70's.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/15/2014 7:16 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> "Gary" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> jmcquown wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I seriously doubt a family of four could survive spending only
>>>> $200/month for groceries and sundries unless all they were eating was
>>>> pre-packaged junk such as like hamburger helper.
>>>
>>> Hamburger Helper is not really junk. It's mostly ground beast that
>>> you use anyway, and some noodles that you would use too. Your only
>>> "junk" argument is with the spice mix and you would make a spice mix
>>> too. What's the problem?
>>>
>>> They have some decent varieties and it's no cop out to use them. Many
>>> people buy them too. It's a quick fix when you are pressed for time.
>>> Taste-wise....probably better than what half the people here make
>>> themselves from scratch. Seriously.
>>
>> I have issues in that I think the pasta is par boiled or something.
>> Just not to my liking. I ate tons of the stuff s a kid. My mom loved
>> it. I do know of people who get it for free and either make it without
>> the meat or save up the noodles and use only those for something else.
>> It is one thing that you can get for free with coupons given the right
>> circumstances.
>
> Yeah, when you buy about 3 boxes of the stuff. That's the problem with
> coupons. Most of the time they are for boxed crap I wouldn't buy and then
> they want me to buy three of them in order to save $1.
>
> Pasta is dirt cheap. It doesn't make sense to buy Hamburger Helper and
> save the noodles from those boxes to use for something else. Those people
> are obviously brainless twits.

They literally get it for free or get paid to take it from the store. Not
brainless twits, but willing to spend far more time on their shopping than I
am.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 21:29:19 -0400, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> On 7/15/2014 7:16 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>> >
>> > "Gary" > wrote in message
>> > ...
>> >> jmcquown wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> I seriously doubt a family of four could survive spending only
>> >>> $200/month for groceries and sundries unless all they were eating was
>> >>> pre-packaged junk such as like hamburger helper.
>> >>
>> >> Hamburger Helper is not really junk. It's mostly ground beast that
>> >> you use anyway, and some noodles that you would use too. Your only
>> >> "junk" argument is with the spice mix and you would make a spice mix
>> >> too. What's the problem?
>> >>
>> >> They have some decent varieties and it's no cop out to use them. Many
>> >> people buy them too. It's a quick fix when you are pressed for time.
>> >> Taste-wise....probably better than what half the people here make
>> >> themselves from scratch. Seriously.
>> >
>> > I have issues in that I think the pasta is par boiled or something.
>> > Just not to my liking. I ate tons of the stuff s a kid. My mom loved
>> > it. I do know of people who get it for free and either make it without
>> > the meat or save up the noodles and use only those for something else.
>> > It is one thing that you can get for free with coupons given the right
>> > circumstances.
>>
>> Yeah, when you buy about 3 boxes of the stuff. That's the problem with
>> coupons. Most of the time they are for boxed crap I wouldn't buy and
>> then they want me to buy three of them in order to save $1.
>>
>> Pasta is dirt cheap. It doesn't make sense to buy Hamburger Helper and
>> save the noodles from those boxes to use for something else. Those
>> people are obviously brainless twits.
>>
> Oh, but Jill.... they saved SO MUCH money when they buy two and get
> one free when they didn't need any. LOL

They didn't have to buy three or even any. They got overage so were paid to
take them from the store.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/15/2014 10:06 PM, sf wrote:
>> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 21:29:19 -0400, jmcquown >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 7/15/2014 7:16 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>>
>>>> it. I do know of people who get it for free and either make it without
>>>> the meat or save up the noodles and use only those for something else.
>>>> It is one thing that you can get for free with coupons given the right
>>>> circumstances.
>>>
>>> Pasta is dirt cheap. It doesn't make sense to buy Hamburger Helper and
>>> save the noodles from those boxes to use for something else. Those
>>> people are obviously brainless twits.
>>>
>> Oh, but Jill.... they saved SO MUCH money when they buy two and get
>> one free when they didn't need any. LOL
>>
> Then they apparently resell the stuff they didn't need. I'm picturing
> some guy with big oversize coat loitering in a parking lot. "Pssst! Wanna
> buy some Pampers?" LOLOL

One lady even sells packages on the couponing website. I don't know if
anyone actually buys from her. She sells assortments of things that she got
for free. She sells them for $9.99 and up including postage. I don't get
it. If I know that you got it for free, I won't be paying you for it.

One thing that really gets me are the blood sugar meters. I don't know how
they are getting them for free because most require a prescription. But...
They get them and then try to sell them. Don't try to tell these people
that doing so is a silly notion because we can all get them for free.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/15/2014 9:04 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On 7/15/2014 7:14 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>>
>>>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> On 7/14/2014 11:57 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>> On 7/14/2014 1:19 PM, rosie wrote:
>>>>>>>> Have been looking at this and am amazed that most of you seem to
>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>> what you all spend on food! There are just the two of us,
>>>>>>>> retired, we
>>>>>>>> put things we need on a list, then everyonce in awhile , one of us
>>>>>>>> will go to HEB , buy the things on the list and what ever else
>>>>>>>> looks
>>>>>>>> good. I do not spend a fortune, but I buy pretty much what I want.
>>>>>>>
>>>>> (snippety)
>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have a rough idea of what I spend. I don't stick strictly to the
>>>>>>> list but then, the list is only for the must-have items. Anything
>>>>>>> else is just gravy.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I seriously doubt a family of four could survive spending only
>>>>>>> $200/month for groceries and sundries unless all they were eating
>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>> pre-packaged junk such as like hamburger helper.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> They probably aren't factoring sundries in there. But if they are
>>>>>> vegetarians and have a garden year round it is very doable.
>>>>>> Especially
>>>>>> if they buy things like rice at Costco.
>>>>>
>>>>> You can't assume they are vegetarians or have a garden... or that they
>>>>> even have a Costco. There's no Costco anywhere near me. Even when I
>>>>> lived just outside of Memphis, Costco was a new thing there. (I kept
>>>>> reading everyone here talking about Costco and had to ask what the
>>>>> heck they were talking about.)
>>>>
>>>> But there are other warehouse stores. Or other places like Winco where
>>>> you can get a 20 pound bag of rice for cheap.
>>>
>>> And again, you cannot assume they are everywhere. I could shop at
>>> Sams Club IF I wanted to drive 60 miles to the outskirts of Savannah.
>>> That's not happening. I have no idea where Winco is but you can bet
>>> there wasn't one in the Memphis area nor anywhere around where I live
>>> now.
>>>
>>>>> This is what is being discussed:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.cafemom.com/group/115189/...s_imp ossible
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The first line of the post in that Mommy forum says:
>>>>>
>>>>> "On average, we spend about $850 a month at the grocery store
>>>>> (includes non-food items like diapers, toiletries, and cleaning
>>>>> products...but honestly, most of that IS food)."
>>>>
>>>> Okay...
>>>>>
>>>>> So they *are* factoring in non-food items/sundries. They want to get
>>>>> it down to $200 a month. I simply don't think it's feasible in this
>>>>> day and age. Neither do many of the people who replied on that forum.
>>>>> Those who said they *could* do it didn't really say how.
>>>>
>>>> Well she is.
>>>
>>> No, she isn't. She said they spend $850/month and *want* to cut it
>>> down to $200. Did you even bother to read it?
>>> (snipped a bunch of crap)
>>
>> I read what she said but had assumed that she was basing this on the
>> woman who is selling her Ebook on how to feed a family of four including
>> sundries and pet food (excluding horse).
>>
>>> I use coupons, sure. I contact the pet food company and they send me
>>> coupons for Persia's r/x food. (Occasionally her vet has coupons,
>>> too, and they check to see if they have a better deal than the one I
>>> have.) I frequently find cat litter coupons; I can't remember the last
>>> time I paid full price for it.
>>>
>>> The problem with the majority of *people* food coupons is they are for
>>> processed/boxed junk. IOW stuff I don't waste my money on anyway so
>>> buying it wouldn't save me anything.
>>
>> And you didn't read what I wrote.
>
> I tried to read what you wrote. I got completely bored right about the
> time you started talking about Tic Tacs.
>
>> In order to do this, you do need to
>> get tons of crap that you won't eat or use. The idea is to create
>> overage to get the stuff that you do want.
>
> That makes absolutely no sense. They're not getting paid; they're buying
> and reselling. Probably illegal; definitely a huge waste of time and
> effort.

You didn't read what I wrote. There is such a thing as overage. Let's say
that you have a 50 cent off coupon and your store doubles to $1.00. But the
item you are buying sells for 70 cents. You get an overage of 30 cents. So
your store is paying you 30 cents to take the item.

Keep in mind that not all stores give overage. In fact most don't. Walmart
does. In the form of a Walmart gift card.

But these people never buy one item. They buy hundreds of the same item.
So if you make 30 cents, 100 times, you've made $30.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 20:59:50 -0400, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>>
>> The problem with the majority of *people* food coupons is they are for
>> processed/boxed junk.
>
> Also they are for larger sizes and most often, in my personal
> experience, for items (food or non-food) that aren't even on the shelf
> and no one in the store knows when it will be stocked. I gave up on
> coupons a long time ago because they simply don't work for me.

Very true. Can't tell you how many times that by the time my coupon
expired, the item would hit the shelves perhaps a week or two later. I
think they do it on purpose to get you looking for the new item. By then
they think you'll want it so much you'll pay no matter the price.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 18:04:09 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > wrote:
>
>> And you didn't read what I wrote. In order to do this, you do need to
>> get
>> tons of crap that you won't eat or use. The idea is to create overage to
>> get the stuff that you do want.
>
> I have no idea what overage means, but where is the savings when you
> have to buy stuff you don't want?

*sigh* Overage means that you are being paid to take it from the store.
Here is the example I gave to Jill. You have a coupon for 50 cents off.
Your store doubles it to $1.00 off. The item is on sale for 70 cents.
Therefore you get 30 cents back to put in your pocket. The store just paid
you 30 cents to take that item from the store. Doesn't matter what this
item is or if you will ever use it. Do this 100 times and you've made $30.

Keep in mind that while Walmart gives overage, most stores do not. Most
also do not double your coupon values. But when I lived on Cape Cod, all
stores doubled them. And on Tues. Stop and Shop tripled them on Tues. but I
think they had a limit of 10 coupons.

The people who get away with this stuff have all sorts of tricks up their
sleeves and have all sorts of ways of bending the rules to get what they
want. Some also use bogus coupons. That Extreme Couponing show showed
several of them using the bogus high value toilet paper coupons. They were
making money hand over fist. But in some cases, the store demanded that
they get paid back.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/15/2014 9:58 PM, sf wrote:
>> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 18:04:09 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> And you didn't read what I wrote. In order to do this, you do need to
>>> get
>>> tons of crap that you won't eat or use. The idea is to create overage
>>> to
>>> get the stuff that you do want.
>>
>> I have no idea what overage means, but where is the savings when you
>> have to buy stuff you don't want?
>>
> It sounds to me like these coupon fanatics buy all sorts of stuff they
> don't want or need, then resell it. Sorry, I have better things to do.
>
> Nothing of the kind was suggested in the original link posted by leona:
>
> http://www.cafemom.com/group/115189/...s_imp ossible
>
> It wasn't suggested in any of the comments from the people who replied on
> that forum, either. Coupons and sales were mentioned, but nothing like
> Julie's talking about. (Not really surprising.)

But that *is* what people do. I guess you never saw Extreme Couponing?

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/15/2014 4:24 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>> Gary wrote:
>>>
>>> Hamburger Helper is not really junk. It's mostly ground beast that
>>> you use anyway, and some noodles that you would use too. Your only
>>> "junk" argument is with the spice mix and you would make a spice mix
>>> too. What's the problem?
>>>
>>> They have some decent varieties and it's no cop out to use them. Many
>>> people buy them too. It's a quick fix when you are pressed for time.
>>> Taste-wise....probably better than what half the people here make
>>> themselves from scratch. Seriously.
>>
>> Hamburger helper and the like are very expensive when you factor in
>> how little you get aqt that inflated price... you pay for that small
>> can and all the profits made by all the middlemen... it's far less
>> expensive to prepare a big batch from scratch and freeze portions. And
>> what one prepares themself will probably be a far better product, at
>> least they'll know what/who is in it. Hamburger Helper and other
>> products of that ilk are much more a convenience, good to have a
>> couple cans
>
> Hamburger helper doesn't come in cans.
>
>> for when one doesn't feel like cooking and/or hasn't the
>> time.
>
> How is this a time saver? The same amount of time goes into it than
> making something similar from scratch. You still have to cook the
> noodles. You still have to brown the beef. You're still going to be
> making a simple sauce to simmer and cook the mixture down in. The time
> savings is insignificant. The benefit is the sauce won't consist of a
> chemical-laden artificial ingredients powdered packet.

The noodles are par boiled and you just pretty much add them to your sauce
and meat then stir. Done very quickly after that.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/15/2014 11:00 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> On 7/15/2014 10:07 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>
>>> Hamburger helper doesn't come in cans.
>>>
>>>> for when one doesn't feel like cooking and/or hasn't the
>>>> time.
>>>
>>> How is this a time saver? The same amount of time goes into it than
>>> making something similar from scratch. You still have to cook the
>>> noodles. You still have to brown the beef. You're still going to be
>>> making a simple sauce to simmer and cook the mixture down in. The time
>>> savings is insignificant. The benefit is the sauce won't consist of a
>>> chemical-laden artificial ingredients powdered packet.
>>>
>>> Jill
>>
>> Grandson makes it a couple of times a month. Easy to do, no looking for
>> ingredients, no thinking about anything.
>
> Off with his head! LOL
>
> I inferred from Sheldon's comment Hamburger Helper is a time saver. I
> fail to see how given the basic steps are all the same. The only
> difference is the seasoning packet. I can understand your grandson may
> not care about it, he just wants to eat and it's something he can cook. I
> get that.
>
> Adults who are actually interested in cooking probably do care. It
> doesn't take more than a few minites longer to make a simple sauce right
> there in the skillet. When push comes to shove it's the same simple meal.

The steps are not all the same. I made a lot of it because my mom loved it.
20-30 minutes from start to finish. Brown your beef, add the sauce and some
water, stir in the noodles and boom! There is no thickening of the sauce
because the noodles or rice do that as they soften.

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/15/2014 11:25 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>

> My first attempts at cooking many years ago was mostly variations of
> ground beef mixed with other "stuff" Tomato sauce and cheese were frequent
> additions.

Same here. My mom made that stuff so it's one thing I knew how to do.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 21:29:19 -0400, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> On 7/15/2014 7:16 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>> >
>> > "Gary" > wrote in message
>> > ...
>> >> jmcquown wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> I seriously doubt a family of four could survive spending only
>> >>> $200/month for groceries and sundries unless all they were eating was
>> >>> pre-packaged junk such as like hamburger helper.
>> >>
>> >> Hamburger Helper is not really junk. It's mostly ground beast that
>> >> you use anyway, and some noodles that you would use too. Your only
>> >> "junk" argument is with the spice mix and you would make a spice mix
>> >> too. What's the problem?
>> >>
>> >> They have some decent varieties and it's no cop out to use them. Many
>> >> people buy them too. It's a quick fix when you are pressed for time.
>> >> Taste-wise....probably better than what half the people here make
>> >> themselves from scratch. Seriously.
>> >
>> > I have issues in that I think the pasta is par boiled or something.
>> > Just not to my liking. I ate tons of the stuff s a kid. My mom loved
>> > it. I do know of people who get it for free and either make it without
>> > the meat or save up the noodles and use only those for something else.
>> > It is one thing that you can get for free with coupons given the right
>> > circumstances.
>>
>> Yeah, when you buy about 3 boxes of the stuff. That's the problem with
>> coupons. Most of the time they are for boxed crap I wouldn't buy and
>> then they want me to buy three of them in order to save $1.
>>
>> Pasta is dirt cheap. It doesn't make sense to buy Hamburger Helper and
>> save the noodles from those boxes to use for something else. Those
>> people are obviously brainless twits.
>>
> Oh, but Jill.... they saved SO MUCH money when they buy two and get
> one free when they didn't need any. LOL

I am sure someone told me once what 'hamburger helper' is but if they did it
escapes me. If it contains noodles, is it a 'side' dish? Would someone be
so kind as to tell me what it is, please? I always thought it was some kind
of filler, to bulk out the meat.


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

On 7/16/2014 8:02 AM, Ophelia wrote:
> I am sure someone told me once what 'hamburger helper' is but if they
> did it
> escapes me. If it contains noodles, is it a 'side' dish? Would someone
> be so kind as to tell me what it is, please? I always thought it was
> some kind of filler, to bulk out the meat.

It is a main dish meal cooked in a skillet on the stovetop. Brown the
minced beef, add water and a packet (the taste varies depending which
one you bought) to make the sauce. Cover, simmer.

Jill

On 7/16/2014 3:05 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> Adults who are actually interested in cooking probably do care. It
>> doesn't take more than a few minites longer to make a simple sauce
>> right there in the skillet. When push comes to shove it's the same
>> simple meal.
>
> The steps are not all the same. I made a lot of it because my mom loved
> it. 20-30 minutes from start to finish. Brown your beef, add the sauce
> and some water, stir in the noodles and boom! There is no thickening of
> the sauce because the noodles or rice do that as they soften.

While you're browning the beef you could also be cooking the noodles.
Might as well make it from scratch. I don't like eating chemical-laden
crap.

Jill

On 7/16/2014 3:03 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> Nothing of the kind was suggested in the original link posted by leona:
>>
>> http://www.cafemom.com/group/115189/...s_imp ossible
>>
>>
>> It wasn't suggested in any of the comments from the people who replied
>> on that forum, either. Coupons and sales were mentioned, but nothing
>> like Julie's talking about. (Not really surprising.)
>
> But that *is* what people do. I guess you never saw Extreme Couponing?

Sounds like some sort of stupid reality show. If so, the answer is a
resounding NO.

Jill

On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 23:50:04 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

> They didn't have to buy three or even any. They got overage so were paid to
> take them from the store.

That store seems to be Walmart. The one whose owners are some of the
richest people in the world, but won't give their employees full time
work because they don't want to pay a living wage or benefits. Yet
people like you and Sheldon worship at their alter.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On Wed, 16 Jul 2014 13:02:44 +0100, "Ophelia"
> wrote:

> I am sure someone told me once what 'hamburger helper' is but if they did it
> escapes me. If it contains noodles, is it a 'side' dish? Would someone be
> so kind as to tell me what it is, please? I always thought it was some kind
> of filler, to bulk out the meat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburger_Helper It's the commercial
version of what people do when they make macaroni & cheese into the
entire meal. Personally, I never add vegetables or meat to mine so I
guess that's why Hamburger Helper has never appealed to me.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 23:48:01 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 22:26:57 -0400, jmcquown >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> My point about Hamburger Helper is, it's not really that much of a
> >> time-saver.
> >
> > No idea. That's something my mom probably made. Remembering her love
> > of convenience foods, I must have eaten it a few times but I've never
> > made it myself and don't remember what it was like if I've eaten it.
>
> They didn't come out with it until I was in Jr. High. So... Early 70's.

In that case, I have no personal experience with it.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/16/2014 8:02 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>> I am sure someone told me once what 'hamburger helper' is but if they
>> did it
>> escapes me. If it contains noodles, is it a 'side' dish? Would someone
>> be so kind as to tell me what it is, please? I always thought it was
>> some kind of filler, to bulk out the meat.
>
> It is a main dish meal cooked in a skillet on the stovetop. Brown the
> minced beef, add water and a packet (the taste varies depending which one
> you bought) to make the sauce. Cover, simmer.
>

Thanks but of what is the packet comprised?? I read something about noodle.

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 16 Jul 2014 13:02:44 +0100, "Ophelia"
> > wrote:
>
>> I am sure someone told me once what 'hamburger helper' is but if they did
>> it
>> escapes me. If it contains noodles, is it a 'side' dish? Would someone
>> be
>> so kind as to tell me what it is, please? I always thought it was some
>> kind
>> of filler, to bulk out the meat.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburger_Helper It's the commercial
> version of what people do when they make macaroni & cheese into the
> entire meal. Personally, I never add vegetables or meat to mine so I
> guess that's why Hamburger Helper has never appealed to me.

Thanks Got it now)
--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 21:29:19 -0400, jmcquown >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 7/15/2014 7:16 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>> >
>>> > "Gary" > wrote in message
>>> > ...
>>> >> jmcquown wrote:
>>> >>>
>>> >>> I seriously doubt a family of four could survive spending only
>>> >>> $200/month for groceries and sundries unless all they were eating
>>> >>> was
>>> >>> pre-packaged junk such as like hamburger helper.
>>> >>
>>> >> Hamburger Helper is not really junk. It's mostly ground beast that
>>> >> you use anyway, and some noodles that you would use too. Your only
>>> >> "junk" argument is with the spice mix and you would make a spice mix
>>> >> too. What's the problem?
>>> >>
>>> >> They have some decent varieties and it's no cop out to use them.
>>> >> Many
>>> >> people buy them too. It's a quick fix when you are pressed for time.
>>> >> Taste-wise....probably better than what half the people here make
>>> >> themselves from scratch. Seriously.
>>> >
>>> > I have issues in that I think the pasta is par boiled or something.
>>> > Just not to my liking. I ate tons of the stuff s a kid. My mom loved
>>> > it. I do know of people who get it for free and either make it
>>> > without
>>> > the meat or save up the noodles and use only those for something else.
>>> > It is one thing that you can get for free with coupons given the right
>>> > circumstances.
>>>
>>> Yeah, when you buy about 3 boxes of the stuff. That's the problem with
>>> coupons. Most of the time they are for boxed crap I wouldn't buy and
>>> then they want me to buy three of them in order to save $1.
>>>
>>> Pasta is dirt cheap. It doesn't make sense to buy Hamburger Helper and
>>> save the noodles from those boxes to use for something else. Those
>>> people are obviously brainless twits.
>>>
>> Oh, but Jill.... they saved SO MUCH money when they buy two and get
>> one free when they didn't need any. LOL
>
> I am sure someone told me once what 'hamburger helper' is but if they did
> it
> escapes me. If it contains noodles, is it a 'side' dish? Would someone
> be so kind as to tell me what it is, please? I always thought it was some
> kind of filler, to bulk out the meat.

It's an all in one meal. Contains a starch such as potatoes, rice or pasta.
All of these things are precooked and dried. You brown your own ground
beef, then add the dried sauce packet, some water and your starch. Cook for
a few more minutes and it's done.

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 7/16/2014 8:02 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>>> I am sure someone told me once what 'hamburger helper' is but if they
>>> did it
>>> escapes me. If it contains noodles, is it a 'side' dish? Would someone
>>> be so kind as to tell me what it is, please? I always thought it was
>>> some kind of filler, to bulk out the meat.
>>
>> It is a main dish meal cooked in a skillet on the stovetop. Brown the
>> minced beef, add water and a packet (the taste varies depending which one
>> you bought) to make the sauce. Cover, simmer.
>>
>
> Thanks but of what is the packet comprised?? I read something about
> noodle.

This is what they currently make. Note that you can get chicken or tuna as
well. Click each link to see what is in it.

http://www.generalmills.com/Home/Bra...%20List%20Page

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/16/2014 3:05 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> Adults who are actually interested in cooking probably do care. It
>>> doesn't take more than a few minites longer to make a simple sauce
>>> right there in the skillet. When push comes to shove it's the same
>>> simple meal.
>>
>> The steps are not all the same. I made a lot of it because my mom loved
>> it. 20-30 minutes from start to finish. Brown your beef, add the sauce
>> and some water, stir in the noodles and boom! There is no thickening of
>> the sauce because the noodles or rice do that as they soften.
>
> While you're browning the beef you could also be cooking the noodles.
> Might as well make it from scratch. I don't like eating chemical-laden
> crap.

Yes and that is what I do. I don't buy hamburger helper. The point is
though that you only need one pan for it. Apparently for some people that
is a big deal. My mom just loved the stuff. She also loved Rice A Roni and
Noodle Roni.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/16/2014 3:03 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> Nothing of the kind was suggested in the original link posted by leona:
>>>
>>> http://www.cafemom.com/group/115189/...s_imp ossible
>>>
>>>
>>> It wasn't suggested in any of the comments from the people who replied
>>> on that forum, either. Coupons and sales were mentioned, but nothing
>>> like Julie's talking about. (Not really surprising.)
>>
>> But that *is* what people do. I guess you never saw Extreme Couponing?
>
> Sounds like some sort of stupid reality show. If so, the answer is a
> resounding NO.

It is. There are also countless couponing websites. I didn't make this up.
This is a lifestyle for many people.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 23:50:04 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > wrote:
>
>> They didn't have to buy three or even any. They got overage so were paid
>> to
>> take them from the store.
>
> That store seems to be Walmart. The one whose owners are some of the
> richest people in the world, but won't give their employees full time
> work because they don't want to pay a living wage or benefits. Yet
> people like you and Sheldon worship at their alter.

What? When did I say that I worshiped Walmart? Hardly. Remember? I
worked for K Mart for 17 years. I am well aware of how hard it is for
anyone to get full time employment in retail. It isn't just Walmart. I was
one of the lucky ones.

On 2014-07-16 7:02 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>

> What? When did I say that I worshiped Walmart? Hardly. Remember? I
> worked for K Mart for 17 years.

It's up to 17 years now?


> I am well aware of how hard it is for
> anyone to get full time employment in retail. It isn't just Walmart. I
> was one of the lucky ones.

Yep. You sure are. After only 17 years at Kmart you were able to ....
retire .

On 7/16/2014 12:08 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 7/16/2014 8:02 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>>> I am sure someone told me once what 'hamburger helper' is but if they
>>> did it
>>> escapes me. If it contains noodles, is it a 'side' dish? Would someone
>>> be so kind as to tell me what it is, please? I always thought it was
>>> some kind of filler, to bulk out the meat.
>>
>> It is a main dish meal cooked in a skillet on the stovetop. Brown the
>> minced beef, add water and a packet (the taste varies depending which one
>> you bought) to make the sauce. Cover, simmer.
>>
>
> Thanks but of what is the packet comprised?? I read something about
> noodle.
>
Sorry. You brown and drain the beef, add the noodles which come in the
box, then add water and the seasoning packet. The seasoning varies
depending on which one you bought. God only knows what's in that packet
of powdered seasoning but you can bet it's mostly chemical:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/helper

Jill

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/16/2014 12:08 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>>
>>
>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On 7/16/2014 8:02 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>>>> I am sure someone told me once what 'hamburger helper' is but if they
>>>> did it
>>>> escapes me. If it contains noodles, is it a 'side' dish? Would
>>>> someone
>>>> be so kind as to tell me what it is, please? I always thought it was
>>>> some kind of filler, to bulk out the meat.
>>>
>>> It is a main dish meal cooked in a skillet on the stovetop. Brown the
>>> minced beef, add water and a packet (the taste varies depending which
>>> one
>>> you bought) to make the sauce. Cover, simmer.
>>>
>>
>> Thanks but of what is the packet comprised?? I read something about
>> noodle.
>>
> Sorry. You brown and drain the beef, add the noodles which come in the
> box, then add water and the seasoning packet. The seasoning varies
> depending on which one you bought. God only knows what's in that packet
> of powdered seasoning but you can bet it's mostly chemical:
>
> http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/helper
>
> Jill

You really have chemical issues! Here are the ingredients in the
Stroganoff:

Enriched Pasta (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate,
riboflavin, folic acid), Corn Starch, Salt, Enriched Flour (wheat flour,
niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Modified Whey,
Monosodium Glutamate, Cream, Tomato*, Potassium Chloride, Sugar, Artificial
Color, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (corn, wheat, soy), Lactic Acid, Yeast
Extract, Natural Flavor, Calcium Lactate, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean
Oil, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Onion*, Parsley*, Spice, Beef Stock,
Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Mushroom*, Corn Syrup*, Soy Lecithin,
Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Beef Fat, Soy Sauce* (wheat,
soybeans, salt), Garlic*.*Dried


Now this is not something that you could ever pay me to eat because I
despise Stroganoff. But it doesn't really seem to have ingredients that
other convenience foods do not. Such as some canned chili or soups.

This is the Cheeseburger Mac which is what I ate a lot of as a teen because
I didn't have a lot of choice. It was dinner, I had to make it but at least
I got to choose the kind of Hamburger Helper that we ate. Sometimes I just
put my foot down and insisted that I was making something else. From
scratch. But my mom who actually claimed to be into health food and made
her own seemingly random rules for things could not see the sense in cooking
from scratch when you could just buy stuff like this. She was also big in
the Chun King Chinese products. She has tasted the Chinese food that I make
from scratch and has tasted what I order in Chinese restaurants. What I
make is every bit as good as theirs. She does not care for that food and
instead will order the typical whatever number it is that comes with the
soup BBQed pork. That was the only Chinese food we ever had growing up and
I was led to believe that I hated Chinese food. Only after I ate the real
stuff in the International district did I realize that I actually did like
some of it. Only some. But I digress. On with the ingredients:

Enriched Macaroni (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin
mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Corn Starch, Salt, Enriched Flour
(wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid),
Sugar, Ricotta Cheese* (whey, milkfat, lactic acid, salt), Tomato*,
Monosodium Glutamate, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Partially Hydrogenated
Soybean Oil, Modified Corn Starch, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Paprika,
Spice, Color (yellow lakes 5 & 6, yellows 5 & 6), Mono and Diglycerides,
Cheddar Cheese* (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Yeast Extract,
Enzyme Modified Blue Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Cream,
Whey, Enzyme Modified Cheddar Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes),
Butter Oil, Nonfat Milk, Blue Cheese* (milk, salt, cheese cultures,
enzymes), Sodium Caseinate, Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Sodium
Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Caseinate, Enzymes.*Dried

And here are the ingredients in Kraft Mac and Cheese:

Ingredients: ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE
[IRON], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC
ACID); CHEESE SAUCE MIX (WHEY, MILKFAT, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SALT,
SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF CITRIC ACID, LACTIC ACID,
SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, YELLOW 5, YELLOW

To me, you can get similar but cheaper results from just making any boxed
mac and cheese and adding ground beef to it. But I see that there is tomato
in the HH so perhaps you could just add a squirt of ketchup or tomato sauce.

My only real issues with the ingredients might be the partially hydrogenated
soybean oil. There's no excuse for that. The vegetable protein and perhaps
the MSG. From what I've read about MSG it is only a problem for some
people. But it may well be why some people like this stuff. It makes food
taste better.

After my friend and I found some MSG in our cupboard, we began doing
experiments with it. We added it to snacks and meals served to our families
and they really did like the food better when the MSG was added. Now why my
mom had it? Dunno.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> "sf" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 21:29:19 -0400, jmcquown >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 7/15/2014 7:16 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>> >
>>>> > "Gary" > wrote in message
>>>> > ...
>>>> >> jmcquown wrote:
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> I seriously doubt a family of four could survive spending only
>>>> >>> $200/month for groceries and sundries unless all they were eating
>>>> >>> was
>>>> >>> pre-packaged junk such as like hamburger helper.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Hamburger Helper is not really junk. It's mostly ground beast that
>>>> >> you use anyway, and some noodles that you would use too. Your only
>>>> >> "junk" argument is with the spice mix and you would make a spice mix
>>>> >> too. What's the problem?
>>>> >>
>>>> >> They have some decent varieties and it's no cop out to use them.
>>>> >> Many
>>>> >> people buy them too. It's a quick fix when you are pressed for time.
>>>> >> Taste-wise....probably better than what half the people here make
>>>> >> themselves from scratch. Seriously.
>>>> >
>>>> > I have issues in that I think the pasta is par boiled or something.
>>>> > Just not to my liking. I ate tons of the stuff s a kid. My mom
>>>> > loved
>>>> > it. I do know of people who get it for free and either make it
>>>> > without
>>>> > the meat or save up the noodles and use only those for something
>>>> > else.
>>>> > It is one thing that you can get for free with coupons given the
>>>> > right
>>>> > circumstances.
>>>>
>>>> Yeah, when you buy about 3 boxes of the stuff. That's the problem with
>>>> coupons. Most of the time they are for boxed crap I wouldn't buy and
>>>> then they want me to buy three of them in order to save $1.
>>>>
>>>> Pasta is dirt cheap. It doesn't make sense to buy Hamburger Helper and
>>>> save the noodles from those boxes to use for something else. Those
>>>> people are obviously brainless twits.
>>>>
>>> Oh, but Jill.... they saved SO MUCH money when they buy two and get
>>> one free when they didn't need any. LOL
>>
>> I am sure someone told me once what 'hamburger helper' is but if they did
>> it
>> escapes me. If it contains noodles, is it a 'side' dish? Would someone
>> be so kind as to tell me what it is, please? I always thought it was
>> some kind of filler, to bulk out the meat.
>
> It's an all in one meal. Contains a starch such as potatoes, rice or
> pasta. All of these things are precooked and dried. You brown your own
> ground beef, then add the dried sauce packet, some water and your starch.
> Cook for a few more minutes and it's done.

It sounds dreadful!

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

When did Hamburger Helper start coming in cans? The last time I noticed it on a shelf, it was a box
package with some pasta and a seasoning/sauce packet.

N.

On 7/17/2014 9:12 AM, Nancy2 wrote:
> When did Hamburger Helper start coming in cans? The last time I noticed it on a shelf, it was a box
> package with some pasta and a seasoning/sauce packet.
>
> N.
>
It doesn't come in cans. Sheldon either doesn't know what it is or he's
thinking of Manwich or something similar for sloppy joes.

Jill

On 7/17/2014 7:15 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> It's an all in one meal. Contains a starch such as potatoes, rice or
>> pasta. All of these things are precooked and dried. You brown your
>> own ground beef, then add the dried sauce packet, some water and your
>> starch. Cook for a few more minutes and it's done.
>
> It sounds dreadful!
>
It is pretty dreadful. Especially since it's so easy to make something
very similar from scratch with your own good ingredients.

Jill

On Thu, 17 Jul 2014 09:18:06 -0400, jmcquown >
wrote:

> On 7/17/2014 7:15 AM, Ophelia wrote:
> >
> >
> > "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >>
> >> It's an all in one meal. Contains a starch such as potatoes, rice or
> >> pasta. All of these things are precooked and dried. You brown your
> >> own ground beef, then add the dried sauce packet, some water and your
> >> starch. Cook for a few more minutes and it's done.
> >
> > It sounds dreadful!
> >
> It is pretty dreadful. Especially since it's so easy to make something
> very similar from scratch with your own good ingredients.
>
> Jill

Emulating anything Hamburger Helperish doesn't sound very good either.
I think the only people who would use the product or make something
similar at home must make a lot of noodle laden casseroles.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.