Meal Planning #3

Is it insane to try to only spend $100 a week on groceries for my and my partner? With food prices the way that are now...I can cook mostly every meal, and want to eat vegetarian because its healthier and cheaper and I prefer that... but my partner is not on board. Help.
 
SavvyScoobie
SavvyScoobie
As a pescatarian I agree, maybe give it a try for one week, trail period?
The hardest thing for me is getting started meal planning. I want to do it, because with a toddler, having meals already ready to go sounds like a fantastic time saver, especially since I go to the gym now lol. Also, I just have no idea what to make when meal prepping XD
 
CrypticMystic said:
The hardest thing for me is getting started meal planning. I want to do it, because with a toddler, having meals already ready to go sounds like a fantastic time saver, especially since I go to the gym now lol. Also, I just have no idea what to make when meal prepping XD
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Yeah and its limited to what you can freeze, so its often more calories and not as healthy as making something each day. I have leaned into the processed stuff, just to make it easier for myself. I used to make most things from scratch but its just too many dishes and too much chopping now!

So I have been using meal bases lately and pre chopped veggies. It is more expensive but its worth it for me. The meal bases I have in my cupboard right now include tuscan meatballs, curried sausages, butter chicken, honey mustard chicken and then there are things like pasta bakes that dont need a meal base, but I have enough for tuna and veg pasta bake or a tomato based pasta bake. All freeze well and I know I will eat them. They will make 4-6 serves each. I tried the chipotle meal base, but I think I can make a better one myself with taco seasoning and tinned tomatoes. I hate cooking, but I hate being hungry more!

I cant get enough broccoli lately! Its just so much easier to have in a bag in the freezer rather than the mess of chopping it up! (and no bunnies to share with anymore either). So with all the processed stuff, like curry puffs, I can just heat up broccoli and potato in the microwave as a side. Last night I got premade BBQ chicken kebabs and just took the skewers out, cooked the chicken and did a side of broccoli and noodles. I was so locked into the cook proper meals every night mindset, that this premade stuff didnt even cross my mind until recently! ITS SO MUCH EASIER!


Joan the Vampire Slayer said:
Is it insane to try to only spend $100 a week on groceries for my and my partner? With food prices the way that are now...I can cook mostly every meal, and want to eat vegetarian because its healthier and cheaper and I prefer that... but my partner is not on board. Help.
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I duno what the conversion rate is now, but I get two deliveries a week, $50 minimum with delivery fee and bags on top (no option for no bags) so my spend is $110-$120 including dog food, personal care and cleaning supplies. Occasionally I will do an aldi top up, but right now I have more food than I need by spending that much. I eat for two most of the time hahah. I am far from vegetation though, so that will be the difference! Goodluck!
 
Joan the Vampire Slayer said:
Is it insane to try to only spend $100 a week on groceries for my and my partner? With food prices the way that are now...I can cook mostly every meal, and want to eat vegetarian because its healthier and cheaper and I prefer that... but my partner is not on board. Help.
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It's insane to be spending that much on food to me, and it's definitely not cheaper if you're spending that much. How often are you cooking for him and how much is he contributing for the food?

I rarely buy fresh vegetables, as that's not worth it to me, frozen means I can just have one portion and I waste less.
 
nightshade said:
I rarely buy fresh vegetables, as that's not worth it to me, frozen means I can just have one portion and I waste less.
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Yes, fresh vegetables, unless bulk cooking something, often means something goes to waste. Especially if you can't buy single loose vegetables; fortunately, Morrisons sell a lot of loose fruit and veg. But not everything.
 
I will use those pre made meatballs again! Much less mess haha. They tasted good too. Meal in under 30 mins with leftovers for me and the neighbour. I hope he puts his in the fridge because its very hot today and I worry he will leave it out to cool and it will never cool! Thats the problem with food sharing, I duno how he will handle it after I give it to him and I dont want to make anyone sick. I gave it to him fresh off the stove so it was very hot.
 
nightshade said:
It's insane to be spending that much on food to me, and it's definitely not cheaper if you're spending that much. How often are you cooking for him and how much is he contributing for the food?

I rarely buy fresh vegetables, as that's not worth it to me, frozen means I can just have one portion and I waste less.
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Groceries are very expensive here in America now! I should clarify I choose to do most of the cooking because I enjoy it and frankly I'm better at it! We both contribute to the cost of the groceries.
 
My parents gave me some duck eggs so I think I’m going to try to make a soufflé, maybe Italian creame cake with the rest.
 
I am spoilt for choice! My freezer has such a variety of meals right now. New dilemma, how to choose!
 
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