Posted in Austerity Program 2008

Man, can you believe the cost of food?  It's all over the news that prices have gone up.  Duh.  I've been noticing for a while, as I am sure you have too!  I went to the commissary with my mom today and while I did find some nice buys, I didn't find as many as usual.  WAH!  My grocery budget is non-existent right now.  I did find some chicken for cheap (pick-of-the-chick and bone-in breasts).  And I got a pack of pork chops.  I cannot remember the last time we had pork chops.  They were $5 for 8 of them (I don't remember the lbs) and I figured that's okay for a dinner.  We are also having corn on the cob (30 cents/piece) (I bought 8), and asparagus (free from my mom).  So all in all, a rather expensive dinner for our family, but cheap enough.  We about never have a slab of meat on the plate; usually it is mixed into a casserole or stir-fried with vegs or in a soup.  But I must be craving meat or something.  MMMMMM  (Sorry vegetarians)

I am not a very inspiring cheapskate today am I?  Hmmmm  Well my best advice today is to remember to eat with the seasons!  Asparagus is super cheap right now.  I promise that you will like it.  Do not buy the crap in a can!  Get some fresh asparagus, break the stems off (they will naturally break at the right spot), toss them with some olive oil and sprinkle on some garlic, salt and pepper.  Roast in the oven (350 is always good....) for, say, 15-20 minutes?  You want to eat it when it's just tender.  Oh so good.  Even the kids will like it.  Be brave.

And, it is lettuce time.  We all know how delicious a good head of lettuce can be!  See previous post for strawberry salad recipe.  The lettuce can be the star of a very thrifty dinner!  Maybe you only have 2 chicken breasts but a family of 6....  Grill the chicken, cube it, put it on the salad with a bunch of other veggies, seeds or nuts and some cheese.  They will be happy there's meat but only you will know just how little meat you put on it!  Extra cheap if you grow your own lettuce--it's so easy!

That's it for today!