Miller County Newsletters
Haley's Comment
Slashing the Food Budget Doesn't Mean Sacrificing Flavor
April 18, 2007
If tax time has you looking for ways to stretch your hard-earned dollars, put
the skids on waste by trying these money saving tips.
Use Coupons
Using coupons is still a great way to stretch your food dollars. You may
think it takes too much time to clip coupons, but utilize the time you already
spend waiting on others at school, doctor’s office visits, and sports practice.
Don’t forget store and internet coupons. It’s perfectly legal to use a store
coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon at the same time.
Abandon Brand Loyalty
Just because you have always bought brand XYZ doesn’t mean you shouldn’t
branch out and leave brand loyalty at the door. You’ll net better savings with
store brands or sale items. One exception would be to buy name brands when
they’re on sale for less than store brands.
Shop Local Farmers’ Markets
Don’t forget to shop local farmers markets and roadside stands to buy fruits
and veggies. Not only does local produce taste better, but it’s usually much
cheaper than items shipped from other parts of the world.
Make a List, Check it Twice
Always make out a shopping list and stick with it. Before you enter the
checkout lane, take inventory of your cart and remove any times not on your
list. It’s easy to pick up items you want (but don’t really need) as you wander
store aisles.
Pay Attention
Pay attention to the prices of items you routinely buy. Keep a mental tab (or
write it down) so you’ll know the best price.
Plan Meals Around Sales
Review supermarket sale circulars before shopping. Plan out menus based on
specials and in-season produce. Some store will match competitor sale prices.
Shopping at these stores often allows you to do all your shopping in one store
and still get all the best prices.
Go Global
Make it an adventure for your family to try new cuisines. Try ethnic foods.
For example, adopt an Asian mindset toward meals. Fill plates with vegetables
and complex carbohydrates like brown rice and noodles. Let expensive meats and
seafood, if you use them at all, act as flavorful condiments. Don’t be afraid to
experiment with spices. Indian cooks add ingredients like coriander, cumin and
turmeric to build depth in dishes that contain large amounts of vegetables or
lentils. Before you purchase large quantities of spices from a supermarket,
search for spice shops which sell in bulk and you can purchase smaller amounts
to see which spices you will use again.
Less Meat, More Filling
Most people consider meat to be the foundation of a meal. But the biggest way
to reduce food bills is to eat fewer meats and more meatless meals. Meat,
poultry, and fish account for the largest share of most grocery bills. If you
must have meat, shop for less expensive cuts and use them in stews or soups. You
don't need to give them up altogether, just cut back. Include a wide assortment
of vegetables and other sides—aim to fill two thirds of the plate with side
dishes and just one-third with meat. You can also stretch meat by adding grains
and vegetables to dishes. Add pasta noodles or bulgur to chicken salad. Mix
ground beef and beans to fill tacos rather than using meat alone.
Go Meatless
Try going meatless one meal each week. Start with simple, well-loved items
like macaroni and cheese or serve breakfast for dinner. Omelets, pancakes and
French toast are also inexpensive entrees.
Local bread stores are great places to get fresh bread for half the price of
supermarkets. Try this inexpensive and easy recipe for Oven French Toast.
Oven French Toast
4 slices bread
3 eggs
½ cup milk
salt & pepper, dash each
cinnamon, dash (optional)
vanilla, one fourth tsp. (optional)
Lightly spray a 9x9x2 inch pan. Cube bread, if desired, and place into the
casserole dish. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt, pepper, cinnamon and
vanilla.. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees then bake uncovered for one hour until set. Serves
four
Variation: For a more filling dish, spread ½ pound ground sausage, browned
and drained, or 2 ounces shredded cheese over the bread before adding the egg
mixture.
For more information on ways to slash your food budget without sacrificing
flavor, contact Carla Haley at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
Service in Miller County. Reach us at the courthouse 400 Laurel, Suite 215
Texarkana, 870-779-3609 chaley@uaex.edu,
www.uaex.edu/miller.
Related Links:
We appreciate your feedback!
|
Back to Miller County
News and Newsletters
|
