Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

Tonight I am enjoying my first attempt at a lentil curry.

Two cups of lentils cooked with turmeric, cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, cloves and bay, then some onion, garlic, ginger, tomato and green chilies added in, then served with rice, a swirl of whole milk yogurt, and hot mango relish.

I am quite sated for less than a buck for my serving.

Anyone else making a try at cooking and eating lower on the food chain? I plan to order one more book on Indian cooking and one on Persian/Iranian. I figure I need to learn a lot more on what to do with lentils, chickpeas, and other pulses.

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

You'll be hungry again in an hour.

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

I'll get back to you in an hour. I'll warn you that I'm feeling pretty darned stuffed right now.

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

Had some deer meat from the 8-point I shot earlier in the week, also some eggs from my chickens. Food chain working fine here.

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

Do you have to leave the lights on for your hens? All my mature hens are four years old now, and they stopped laying last month. This week we put a light on a timer to come on in the wee hours to try to get some eggs this winter.

I'm trying to encourage DH to go get us some deer. It bugs me that they come into my yard and browse my beans, cucumber plants and perennials and I can't eat them back. Even though we have 11 acres it's zoned city so no discharging of firearms. :s15:

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

Actually this is the first year for my hens, they slowed down in laying when the days got shorter than 12 of light. The guy in the feed mill said I should leave a low watt bulb, 25w, burn all day and night, as in 24-7. I did want to fake them out a little and still give them some time off so, I wired in a timer and have it come on at 4 AM. That way it gets dark naturally at night and they get some sleep, 10-11 hours. OTT, we are getting more eggs than we use, so must find a home for the extra.

As for deer, we fenced here that did keep the deer out, but somehow the raccoon found a way past the electric wire. Raccoon, the other dark meat! I've limited land myself, 13 acres, hunting is tough since we are surrounded by homes on most angles. The deer came from a friends land down in the hills of southern Ohio. First year I've gotten a deer in several years. Getting old for tramping the woods, but managed to drag it out (up hill) by myself.

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

"Eat them back" :111:

I shop by the $1 rule: if it's over a $1/lb, I don't buy it, with rare exceptions. Here's a breakdown of my shopping:

Vegetables: One heavy staple is potatoes, which I buy in 10# bags from Kroger from $4-$5 (it's currently $3.99), I always have 5-20lbs on hand. They are the cornerstone of nutrition, fill you up, reduce risk to colon cancer, and are comparatively cheap. Other staples are carrots in 5# bags for $3.49/lb and green cabbage from 39-69c/lb (currently 39; I'm about to buy three heads), onions at 20-49c/lb, and less regularly rutabagas for 49c-69c/lb (they store well). I buy closeouts (usually half off) when they pop up (I've eaten almost 2lbs of mushrooms over the past week for $1.05/lb and have 8oz left). I've bought rice and beans (both canned and dried) in various sizes (including a 25lb bag) for something like 25% of normal price/lb but I don't remember prices.

Bread: I just bought two heavy loafs of Kroger bakery rye bread for 99c each that were closeouts, they're both in the freezer. I'm finishing up the last of three loafs of Nature's Own wheat bread that I bought for $1.19 each that were near expiry and frozen. Have bought (heavy) raisin bread for 89c. Bought 33oz pack of small corn tortillas for under 3c/oz.

Pasta: The cheapest dry pasta (at Kroger) is normally 7c/oz but I got it once for 2.9c/oz at Big Lots (with the 20% off coupon posted here!) and bought a 6+ month supply. I make sauce with canned tomatoes (much cheaper than fresh IME and usually premade, but sometimes there are really good deals on canned sauce, or even bottled name brands like Prego at Big Lots).

Meats/cheeses/milk: I generally go with chicken quarters which I stocked up on (froze) at 39c/lb. I've also bought whole chickens at 59c/lb and hams at ~$1/lb; I collect stock and bones for soup. I can buy a dozen eggs right now for $1.09 though I paid $2.08 for the last two batches of 18. I bought a 5lb tube of 80% ground beef for $1.80/lb (almost half price from a few months ago) but am regretting it. In any case, meat is expensive so I eat it sparingly. I don't buy any "lunch" meats or cheeses. I've got about 5lbs of Kroger brand cheese in the fridge that I bought for 9c/oz. Once this summer I was able to buy gallons of milk near expiry for $1.09; seeing as the regular price is $3.39, I bought 4. I polished off one myself, gave another to coworkers (who slowly paid me back in expensive milk), and froze (most of) the other two for shakes/cooking (one of which I've used up). Some weeks I consume half of a 16oz carton of reduced fat sour cream that I buy for $1 each. That said, I may not be getting enough calcium on weeks I don't get get milk or kale and don't normally take a supplement.

Fruit: my staple is bananas, which I buy from 39c-59c/lb, usually one bunch per week (two at 39c/lb, 0 if above 59c/lb). Any that are too old get frozen and (eventually) go into banana bread. I bought several 64oz bottles of Kroger applesauce (opted for the no sugar added kind) for 3c/oz which has been a secondary staple. All other fruit purchases are random; I'm buying lemons this week for 39c/lb. I bought many peaches this summer (I'm in GA) for 29c/lb and made one purchase at 19c (If I'm still here next year I might can at that price).

When I eat out (~once/wk), I generally don't eat anything else that day. Half the time it's a buffet where I pig out on meat, vegetables I don't normally buy (no longer eat any iceburg, even if its the only lettuce offered), and dessert, otherwise mostly at a mexican joint where they serve large portions and keep the chips and salsa coming. I cook meals in large batches for daily convenience but I also regularly skip meals due to work. I don't purchase premade foods, chips, or candy, or desserts (those that I do have are at the buffet or brought in by coworkers, although I've made a couple from scratch the past 6 months). No alcohol, soda, or cigarettes, with a few exceptions on the first two each year. TONS of water (I think I average ~2gal/day) with an occassional jug of juice (<$1.50/gal). I have grown basil, oregano, and thyme but haven't had time these last six months.

I don't buy only cheap stuff, because I have plenty of disposable income (although I am trying to save up for my parents retirement and leaner times in general). I splurge on garlic, spices (buy the big containers that cost ~$5), olive oil (first cold press), adobo sauce, peppercorns and all sorts of random things. If I actually tried I could probably stay very healthy on $1/day and if I had more free time I'd probably be closer to that anyway (and certainly would cut out eating out). If I were cooking for others as well, I would stock up even more on the really special deals and likely buy a chest freezer (they're more efficient anyway).

According to the health fair we had at work last month, my health stats are great; likely the best in the office (of 15 people). I know I don't get enough (vigorous) exercise however and while I'm losing ~1lb per month I still have some unhealthy bellyfat sticking around.

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

Is it time for me to get hungry again? 'Cause I'm starting to feel like those exploding pigeons after the wedding party departs. Honestly--I cooked those lentils and rice first! Now I'll have no room for dessert! :)

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

Meliorist,

You are the god (or goddess) of frugal food shopping. I'm printing your post to go into my grocery shopping planner.

Loads of material for further thought and conserving money there.

:36_1_32v:

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

We only have seven old hens, so they're probably slowing down anyway. Next year we plan to process the ones that aren't good mommies into dog food. The good moms are very valuable to us--they will accept, tend and protect whatever brood of chicks that we give to them, relieving the humans of the inconvenience of trying to raise a bunch of chicks. One of the hens we named "Big Momma," she wears a special leg tag and she will live to a ripe old age with as many comforts as we can figure out how to provide for her.

Her latest brood was a bunch of pullets ordered in August--they will not start to lay eggs until spring. At that point we will be rolling in eggs, too! :)

You 'da man. That's a lot of meat. It boggles my mind when I'm driving down the road and see deer carcasses lying next the roadway. Don't people think? I heard a fresh deer-car accident over the radio and almost called the police to ask for first dibs. I wonder if there's a list.

What configuration do you use on your electric fence to defeat deer?

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

Aww, I'm glad you found it useful. I'm obsessed with optimizing things (I'm a computer engineer) so frugal grocery shopping comes natural. I'm relatively new to this and haven't bothered with coupons yet (I don't get the paper) but they're mostly for boxed and frozen items anyway (I don't even go down those aisles).

Anyway, I think if you make it into a game you might find it enjoyable as I do. And IMO, a good cook isn't someone who is able to follow a recipe properly, it's someone who is good at working with what they have available (both in terms of ingredients and tools) to produce meals.

As for your deer, why not trap them and slaughter by hand?

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

Maybe it comes with the territory. I started off as an electrical/computer engineer in college and switched to computer science in '90 (programming was becoming the hot field). I am similarly obsessed with optimizing and organizing, though since I had a child four years ago my attempts at organizing usually result in flailing.

We might end up trying some more creative problem-solving with the deer. We've been trying to abide by the rules, but the city does not seem to be enforcing rules for flagrant rule-breakers around here, and if it persists we will act accordingly.

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

Women! Veggies just never do it for me as a main course. Got to have that good old fashioned saturated fat.

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

Quote:

I'm trying to encourage DH to go get us some deer. It bugs me that they come into my yard and browse my beans, cucumber plants and perennials and I can't eat them back. Even though we have 11 acres it's zoned city so no discharging of firearms.

Some Municipalities allow archery/bow hunting if they don't allow firearms discharge. Alot quieter anyway! But they do run up to 100 yards even with a shot through the heart and/or double lung. If your nieghbors are cool with it that is the thing because it might end up in their backyard!!

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

I doubt that there is a state in the Union in which that would be legal. The trapping of game animals is generally a no-no.


Non-game animals and fur bearing are a different story.

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

And that's why I always throw sausage in the lentils. Actually, I don't cook lentils, but my husband, who is a rice and bean lover who will spend weeks perfecting his lentil recipes or his black beans and rice recipes, does. He always throws some meat in for me, though. I'm like my Wisconsin farmboy dad: If it's not meat, it's not a meal.

Re: Eating lower on the food (and money) chain
 

If the deer are a problem....and in my opinion city deer are a problem....I see them getting hit inside the city all the time. These deer need to be killed...for the sake of human safety. If you do not have a problem breaking the law.....just shoot them. You have 11 acres...so it should be safe - just make sure what is beyond the shot is safe.

If noise is a problem, try to shoot them from inside your home through a slightly open window....while you are back in the room a bit. From a garage service door/window would be perfect. Also, if you have a 2 story home...perhaps from the second floor as to put your shot down towards the ground. It does not take much - you can even kill them with a .22 LR with a scope for a perfect head shot. A 22LR is pretty quiet from inside a building.

If you are going to poach....do it in season to minimize risk. Use your head and be safe about it.

I am not a fan of poaching at all...but if they are city deer....and if they are eating your stuff up....better in your freezer than your windshield. I'm also pratical....sometimes the law is not.

Otherwise - take them with a bow - if that is allowed in your city.....probably not....the intention is to not have someone hunting in downtown.....but you are on 11 acres.

I plan on killing a mess of rabbits in the yard this winter and eating them....they destroyed a lot of our landscaping last winter....ate all the bark off the base of the burning bushes and the bushs died. I will do this with a 22 Short of a 22 CB Cap....very quiet.

I've recovered the back straps from 3 road kill deer this season....I keep a kit in the car for this purpose. Let the coyotes have the rest.....one deer I had to take home as it was right in town....the other two, I cut up in the ditch...and dragged the rest up into the field/woods.