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Posts from the ‘Self Help’ Category

Budget Food Shoppers Do the Math – Calculate Food Cost Per Item

The supermarket flier lingo, it is a-changin’! There were  hints last fall, but since the first of the year  it’s more evident each week. Oh, there are still plenty of the 2 for  X-amount offers  there, but the X-amount is rising in all categories.  Read more

Things you Should Know When Planning a Superbowl Party – Before and After

As I was preparing for this party, I realized that charting my steps, both before and after the event, would be a good way to illustrate what I call “Amortizing “ an occasion, as well as the ways leftovers can be used.  At the very least, the method will spare you the “register shock” usually experienced when buying everything at once.

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Freezing More Than Just Entrees Like Deserts, Sauces, Soups

There’s a reason entrees are usually thought of first. They are the most expensive and time consuming item on the menu. Other dishes are called “first courses” “sides” “desserts” or , collectively, “accompaniments” because they are chosen to compliment the entree.  Read more

What you Need to Know about Freezing Entrees and Casseroles

Just one word about choosing containers. If using foil, be sure to get the ones with tops. If you can’t, cover them with foil wrap and seal it by running a DAMP cloth around the edges. I take the extra precaution  of putting the package in a plastic bag and sealing it with a twist tie. Read more

Busting Food Freezing Myths and Providing Freezing Basics

I know I promised information on freezing entrees, but realized I should cover the basics first.

I’m sure all of you obey the First Rule of Freezing; Never Refreeze. If the food was raw when frozen, it can be cooked then frozen again. If it was cooked, consume it or discard it. If when buying, there is any question that something might have been frozen to transport it to market, ask the butcher or fish monger. Read more

Prepare for Unexpected Parties by Amortizing Occasions

Anyone who’s read my Plan, knows that the first step is to take inventory and find if there’s an area showing a tendency to over stock. In any surplus, some items linger past their expiration date, and that’s money wasted. Then the Plan’s guiding principle is to draw-up a weekly menu, use it to compile a complete shopping list and not deviate in the market–no impulse buying. Of course, I offer directions and outline incentives to make the Plan work.  Sill, the question might be asked if the concept of provisioning for events in advance isn’t a contradiction. My answer is that it’s actually an extension, only a slightly different application of the same rules.

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Tips and Tricks to Cope With Rising Food Prices

Well, Here we are in the New Year!

I don’t know about you, but no matter how much I buy into the holiday spirit of greeting a fresh new year, on January 2nd  my mood is always more Monday morning reality check on the work week, than Friday afternoon anticipation of the weekend. This year I felt justified because January 2nd WAS a Monday.

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