It's been a busy week even though we didn't have to work but one day. I made split pea soup yesterday before I went to work. The split peas never got soft. I guess that I should use them up sooner next time. I think they must be old. I doesn't realize that split peas could get old.
I got the new woman's day magazine on my reader. There are week night dinners that are supposed to be thrifty. Some are, and they appear that they will taste good too. I got the split pea soup recipe from the article. If the peas had softened, ot would be a good hearty soup.
One of the recipes is a artichoke stuffed chicken breast. The cost os listed at 1.25 per serving. I asked woman's day how , when boneless, skinless chicken breast is 3.50 a pound, and 9 ounces of artichoke hearts is over three dollars, it could cost 1.25 a serving. Theor answer is that the price is a average of the cost in different parts of the country,. I would really love to know how much artichoke hearts and boneless, skinless chicken breast costs in other parts of the country. ( not the Pacific Northwest). I'm thinking if you found chicken for a dollar a pound and boned the breast yourself and bought the artichoke hearts at Costco it might come in at 1.25. It would be a recipe that would be on the higher end of the budget, but could be balanced with an breakfast for dinner night. I would serve it with rice and a green vegetable like green beans or asparagus would be wonderful if it was on season, or a mixed vegetable stir fry ( like broccoli, carrots and cauliflower. ) you can still get those for a buck a pound.
I write thos blog from the perspective , food price wise, of my experiences in the Seattle area. I know that prices vary from state to state and the shopping matrix is different depending on the city people live in. We are lucky,enough to have four chain stores and a Costco within a reasonable distance from the house. Other people, I hear don't have as many stores in their comfort zone. The principles of 1/2 price shopping still work, they are just different 1/2 prices. If there is no large store near you, then I would consider car pooling with a friend or neigh our or getting the ad mailed to you or look it up on the Internet of stores on a neighbourhood town that os a little larger. Wait till there os a good sale to make ot worth your while and make a trip to stock up. Buy the specials and the perishables on a weekly basis at the smaller stores near you, you are still supporting your local stores, but supplementing with sale chain store prices. Our local IGA sometimes has good buys and they make sandwiches to die for, far better than the chain store deli!
The bottom line is always the same. You will be better off if you don't just buy what you want regardless of the price. know your prices of the things that you buy on a regular basis. For most of us, that list is small. if something is too high of a price, substitute it for something at a lower proce. When I can't find yogurt at a reasonable proce with a coupon, I buy cottage cheese. Add a little fruit and I still have calcium rich breakfast.
If you can't remember prices in your head, keep a little notebook or file,card on your purse or glove box to refer to. A little prep before you shop can result in a huge savings at the checkouts. I average at least 46 percent on the sales slip. That doesn't reflect the true savings over the average persons bill.
I have a goal to save the property taxes out of our budget this year. No small feat, but without a goal, nothing happens with me. I have to make myself a list of thongs to do each day, or I puts and things get done, but they are so random, you can't really see what was done. LOL
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Jane
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