Two Questions about Cutting Our Grocery Bill - Page 2

[crunchy_mommy]

We use a ton of beans around here, so I have a hard time keeping up with the soaking/cooking/etc. Instead, we do about 50/50 canned vs. dry -- with the goal of someday being able to do 100% dry... We're still saving some money but I have the convenience of cans when I need them. We don't do frozen/prepared dinners and very little convenience foods, so sometimes (OK, often!) I really need something I can make in 5 minutes or less without any forethought, so that's why we keep the canned beans around. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, just buy a few bags of dry beans next grocery trip and try using them when you have the time!

As far as snacks... what about hummus with veggies? That's our go-to snack around here, and you can make your own hummus very cheaply. Also, homemade yogurt (I've been trying to make crockpot coconut milk yogurt, though I haven't had great results yet, maybe dairy milk works better but we don't do dairy...) You could also try sunflower seed butter (on bread or crackers) -- not cheap but probably still cheaper than granola bars... Or make homemade granola bars, maybe they will be less boring if your kids can pick the ingredients...

[goinggreengirl]

You've gotten lots of great snack ideas! Another one is to make a black bean dip with chips. (Using dried beans!) I cook black beans, puree (or mash) them with salsa and it makes a yummy dip.

I just wanted to throw in another shout for dried beans. Saves SO much money and is so easy. Just try it!

[habitat]

At our house, we just got a new pressure cooker, and I ADORE IT!!  It makes cooking dried beans to perfection for 10 people an absolute breeze, so we can stay away from canned beans and preservatives for cheap! From dry to perfectly cooked in 30 minutes or less, no soaking required  (though we sometimes soak if we want it done quicker, or if we buy conventional instead of organic). 

[sugarlumpkin]

Totally forgot to include the link for the crackers, sorry! (Thanks matey!) http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/olive-oil-crackers-recipe.html I made another batch yesterday--so super tasty.

[Chicky2]

Originally Posted by habitat 

 From dry to perfectly cooked in 30 minutes or less, no soaking required  (though we sometimes soak if we want it done quicker, or if we buy conventional instead of organic). 

Just curious how conventional vs. organic makes a difference in soaking?
 

[asraidevin]

Oh thank you for this link. I'm dying for something crunchy and salty. But I'm in the middle of a month of trying to be Garbage Free so I can't buy chips. This is perfect.

Originally Posted by sugarlumpkin 

Totally forgot to include the link for the crackers, sorry! (Thanks matey!) http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/olive-oil-crackers-recipe.html I made another batch yesterday--so super tasty.

[sugarlumpkin]

Garbage Free? That sounds like a challenge! I am impressed! The crackers are a money saver, they are delcious, and I enjoy making them together with my son. I made another batch on Monday and put dried rosemary in the dough. I prefer the rosemary topped with grated parmesan just before baking (the cheese holds the rosemary on the cracker) but in the dough is pretty good too.
 

Originally Posted by asraidevin 

Oh thank you for this link. I'm dying for something crunchy and salty. But I'm in the middle of a month of trying to be Garbage Free so I can't buy chips. This is perfect.

 

[asraidevin]

I'm nearly out of flour and i need it for bread making. No crackers today.

The garbage free is a challenge put on by a guy I know. It started with him challenging himself, but has grown. I was in the paper and on the radio about it so I have to be pretty accountable.

[MsBirdie]

Air popped popcorn is the best and cheapest. 

I second cheese cubes or crckers on sale. 

Also fresh cut apple perhaps. 

I also sometimes do muffins made with whole wheat and bananas or other fruit that is too ripe to eat fresh anymore. 

[habitat]

Originally Posted by Chicky2 

Just curious how conventional vs. organic makes a difference in soaking?
 

Chicky2, soaking the beans is supposed to reduce the amount of pesticides you ingest. With organic, we sometimes just do a quick rinse (we're aware that "certified organic" does not = no pesticides) or soak for a few minutes, but we do find ourselves soaking conventional beans longer, even overnight. 

[Chicky2]

Ok, see I've always read that soaking is for helping to break down the phytic acids in beans to make them more easily digestable.  I would soak them no matter if they were organic or not, but thanks for answering!
 

Originally Posted by habitat 

Chicky2, soaking the beans is supposed to reduce the amount of pesticides you ingest. With organic, we sometimes just do a quick rinse (we're aware that "certified organic" does not = no pesticides) or soak for a few minutes, but we do find ourselves soaking conventional beans longer, even overnight. 

[umsami]

We cook our beans in a pressure cooker.   After an overnight soak, takes maybe 20 minutes max (worst case scenario).

As for snacks for school, I've been making muffins for my kids to take.  Much healthier than store bought stuff... and I know exactly what's in them.  A lot more affordable as well.  Usually I bake a dozen of two different kinds on Sunday, and then pop them in the freezer.  Put a muffin in their backpacks in the a.m.   I'm also planning on granola bars (homemade), but haven't done it yet.  My kids also love fruit... carrots and hummus (can make from your own beans)... half a sandwich... hard boiled eggs.... cheese & crackers... popcorn... etc.  Sometimes we'll make "trail mix"...with cheerios, nuts, dried fruit, a few chocolate chips, etc.

[beebalmmama]

I put my beans in a pressure cooker too. Although I generally don't plan meals ahead and therefore cook them as I need them. Typically if I start the beans before the rest of the meal they are ready when I need to add them to what I'm making 20-30 depending on the beans. I never heard about soaking beans to removed pesticides though....hmm something to think about. I'm horrible at thinking about soaking beans which is why I loved my pressure cooker.

We do a lot of crackers and pretzel type snacks for school.

[Tidbitz]

Dry beans are best for me, I tend to have both though for convenience.  

As for snacks, have you tried making batches of homemade granola or oatmeal cookies?  You can make them a zillion different ways.  Even making a treat like chocolate drizzled pretzels to change it up? Mix them with regular pretzels or if you want No sugars have you tried homemade soft pretzels or salad? Like little cups of carrot sticks, celery lettuce and cherry tomatoes with a ranch dip?  My 2 1/2 year old loves this. She also loves black olives and wants celery often.   So maybe we are unusual?