I can't thank you enough for doing this series. Fewer content creators are doing these types of series right now. I know they can't be easy to do. I learn so much from them, and learn a ton from you in particular. You're so talented in what you do and it's much appreciated! 🤗
The hamburger helpers can also be made with a can of drained beans if you don’t have meat and you can skip the meat entirely if you can’t afford added protein. It will just be a nice saucy flavored pasta.
Something that I love to my soups and stews is barley. I got some lentils and I’m going to start using those in some dishes they’re so good for you and can really bulk things up. Your meals looked delicious, as usual. Another great budget week you have already been able to have lots of extras. Have a super weekend
I love when you shared your prior mishap with lentils. I think you should put a camera that can be mounted to your head, so you can easily work with 2 hands ...lol. Wouldn't that make your life so much easier? I've never purchased the 4 fruit blend, but separating them is a great idea. WOW, that is a lot of leftover food ! Great job
@kathryndockrey1477 I have a ring light with a little remote. The cord was damaged in the move. It's on the handsome one' list to fix it. I hate to bug him about it. I'll ask again. It would be so much easier. My mishaps make things so much more real! Ha. This week it was the bread and putting the tops of the grilled cheese butter side in. Sigh.
You have really done a fabulous job the meals look tasty and filling although I’m not sure that 1 muffin for breakfast and a smoothie for lunch would be enough for me but it clearly worked for you guys.
@barbarahughes6009 We've never been breakfast eaters (unless we're on vacation Ha) so the muffins are plenty. We often enjoy smoothies for lunch. I find when I eat a big lunch I get really sleepy in the afternoon. Not great for work productivity. So I like a light lunch.
Well done again on the savings Melanie. I was also wondering about making from scratch. In my case, the mufiin mix is high in carbs and sugars and the tuna mix is super high in sodium as well as carbs. Just a thought.
@klharris391 In my regular life, I don't eat tuna helper or hamburger helper. The sodium is too much for me, plus some of the other ingredients. For this first couple tight weeks, I made the executive decision that I could manage. In general, I usually buy separate ingredients and make my own from scratch. I'm not sure about the muffin mix. I honestly could not even tell you the last time I purchased something like that.
I love pizza. One of my favourites. Here is the recipe. When we make a full batch we usually make a pizza and a garlic finger. A half batch is just fine for for a pizza. 7-8 oz water 3/4 tsp salt 2tbsp oil 2 1/2 cups flour 2 tsp sugar 2 tsp yeast
I remember that first lentil attempt. 😂 Been there! I’m curious if, muffin for muffin, making them from scratch ingredients is cheaper? I realize that you don’t have the bandwidth to buy all the ingredients on week 1 or 2 - and many people only have a limited budget and must shop with the current week’s needs in mind, only. But, it would be interesting to know, for those planning on building a long term working pantry, whether scratch ingredients work out cheaper in the long run. The same applies to tuna helper versus egg noodles and the makings for a scratch made bechamel sauce. Good job, Melanie.
@tenthousanddaysofgratitude I'm not sure if muffin for muffin, if the mix is cheaper. The benefit for me is that all the ingredients were together and early on its hard to purchase every individual ingredient needed. As my pantry grows, that will become so much easier for me.
Yum yum. Lots of good looking meals this week! Love homemade pizza! You are getting a great assortment of pantry ingredients. I bet yeast is at top of your list for next week! Lol I had a bread machine exactly like yours for years and sadly it broke I have another second hand but not the same. I ve never liked baking the bread in the machine. Ever! I always bake in my oven and when I had a counter convection I used that. 25 minutes on 350. I use metal pans. Glad you salvaged your bread. It was nerve wracking watching. Lol 😂 Well you inspired me today. I’ve had five muffins in freezer for months that I’m not crazy about. I made them when I didn’t have eggs and I substituted apple sauce. They are a pumpkin choc chip. The chips are expensive as you know so I didn’t want to waste them. But watching your video I said get your crap together and eat one of those for breakfast and get on with it. Lol so I did and after heating in microwave it wasn’t bad at all. Four more to go. Waste not want not . 😊❤️
@CarolPearse-q3w Aww. I'm so glad you are finding helpful ideas in the videos. That makes me so happy. Thank you, Carol, for supporting me right from the beginning! ❤️
Hi Melanie 🤗 Great idea to bulk up the muffins - the low fat Quaker oatmeal muffin mix is really good. We make them before we go camping - they hold up really well and stay together for a good 5 to 6 days. Yes to pizza!!! made some last weekend. NOTHING is better than bubbling cheese 🥰 All your meals looked so good!
I’ve seen the helpers used in many different ways on the “See Mindy Mom” channel - might be a place for some more budget ideas. Love the ideas you’ve been sharing
@kathim5720 I used to LOVE Hamburger Helper and all the Helpers. I steered away from them because of the high sodium and often make casserole or one pot meals from scratch. It was just such a good price I couldn't turn it down this early in the challenge.
Hi, Melanie! What would you do differently with the shopping and meals if you could not consume the carbs? So, no flour or grains of any kind, no starchy vegetables, and no sugar. It seems to me that a person with special dietary needs would find it very hard to eat on a low, low budget. What do you think?
@HumbleVoyager Special diets are very limiting. Breakfast would probably be fruit or smoothies in very limited quantities until you could stock that pantry. Soup for lunches. Cheap chicken and veggies for supper. Chili's would work. Stir fry. Salad. I would not buy a single "specialty" product to begin. No specialty gluten free bread or pasta. I simply would focus on other items. It would be lean eating until the pantry was a little more robust. Lean but clean.
It’s for sure harder with special diets! (I’m working on changing my diet and find it tough) For me, I would focus on protein and vegetable fibre in the morning, with canned tuna or sardines (yes, I eat fish for breakfast) or high protein and low sugar yoghurts. As time goes on, I would probably save up to buy a protein powder. I either have fish, yoghurt or protein smoothies for breakfast. I don’t know if frozen edamame (high fibre plus good protein) would work for someone cutting carbs but I like to pair it with canned fish and wasabi mayonnaise sometimes and if I have it, some seaweed, for a deconstructed sushi flavour for breakfast. Another option is tofu scramble or eggs. All my suggestions are way more expensive than muffins. Low carb, high protein breakfast is a make or break for me, personally. If I achieve it, my day is set up right. Growing a garden also saves my budget. I bulk up all meals with fresh or preserved veg from my garden.
@tenthousanddaysofgratitude Eggs and yogurt would absolutely be ideal. Tofu as well. Agreed about the protein powder. I'd set aside a bit weekly until I could make that happen. Or head to the bulk barn to purchase a smaller quantity
Sorry was there a meal video?? I was too enthralled with the Baby Yoda in a Christmas Basket to notice. (You did a great job but I really had to tear myself away from BY). Sorry editing to add when you travel in addition to the microwave is there a mini fridge in the room or do you need to bring a cooler and ice packs?
I had access to a fridge. I didn't realize there was actually a bunch of small appliances at the work kitchenette. I could have made all kinds of things! The shirt is from Old Navy (last year). I love it!!
@adventuresingroceryland I just love ur videos. I'm retiring in a couple years and will be on a budget. U give me hope that I can keep my groceries cost low.
That chili and pizza looked really good.. Those egg cups are a good idea, I'm gonna have to try it some time.. Your Tshirt -- I know you like saving money, Melanie, but putting baby yoda in a cooking pot is going too far..
I can't thank you enough for doing this series. Fewer content creators are doing these types of series right now. I know they can't be easy to do. I learn so much from them, and learn a ton from you in particular. You're so talented in what you do and it's much appreciated! 🤗
Those are very kind things to say. Thank you so much. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos and especially this series.
You have a very soothing voice, pleasant to listen to.
@@colinkaak9874 Aww, thanks.
Totally amazing ❤
Aww. Thanks, Ruth. Happy New Year.
The hamburger helpers can also be made with a can of drained beans if you don’t have meat and you can skip the meat entirely if you can’t afford added protein. It will just be a nice saucy flavored pasta.
OK. Interesting!
Everything looked soooo good. Outstanding week 😊
@@irenetimm2107 Thanks, Irene. It was a good week.
Another good week of eating 😊 And Wow you have so much leftover . Excellent planing Melanie
@@NattyHomeMaker It's starting to look like a small pantry already!
@@adventuresingroceryland Defenitly is 😁
It’s so cute how you say breakfasts like breakfastes 😅 but great ideas! ❤
HA. (Insert chuckles)
Great meals. I loved the muffins for grab and go breakfasts 😊😊😊
@@cindydaniel6125 Grab and go definitely worked better for us. Perfect, actually.
@adventuresingroceryland the add ins was a great idea..and I'm sure you could make different ones every week.
@cindydaniel6125 I've been contemplating getting another bang for weeks 4/5. It really worked well for us!
Something that I love to my soups and stews is barley. I got some lentils and I’m going to start using those in some dishes they’re so good for you and can really bulk things up. Your meals looked delicious, as usual. Another great budget week you have already been able to have lots of extras. Have a super weekend
@darleneprice6467 Thanks, Darlene. I enjoy barley as well and often use it in a beef based soup.
Great week for meals and you've got a considerable amount left.
@@delledonne1 It was a really good week. Thanks for watching!
Those muffins look awesome!!
@@Layla-ir3sl The muffins were really good. I was incredibly happy with them.
Use leftover chili as a topping for baked potatoes.
@@colinkaak9874 Clever!
Love a good chilli, it’s so great for using up bits of things as well. You are making this look easy!
Chili is so good!
I love when you shared your prior mishap with lentils. I think you should put a camera that can be mounted to your head, so you can easily work with 2 hands ...lol. Wouldn't that make your life so much easier? I've never purchased the 4 fruit blend, but separating them is a great idea. WOW, that is a lot of leftover food ! Great job
@kathryndockrey1477 I have a ring light with a little remote. The cord was damaged in the move. It's on the handsome one' list to fix it. I hate to bug him about it. I'll ask again. It would be so much easier. My mishaps make things so much more real! Ha. This week it was the bread and putting the tops of the grilled cheese butter side in. Sigh.
You have really done a fabulous job the meals look tasty and filling although I’m not sure that 1 muffin for breakfast and a smoothie for lunch would be enough for me but it clearly worked for you guys.
@barbarahughes6009 We've never been breakfast eaters (unless we're on vacation Ha) so the muffins are plenty. We often enjoy smoothies for lunch. I find when I eat a big lunch I get really sleepy in the afternoon. Not great for work productivity. So I like a light lunch.
Well done again on the savings Melanie. I was also wondering about making from scratch. In my case, the mufiin mix is high in carbs and sugars and the tuna mix is super high in sodium as well as carbs. Just a thought.
@klharris391 In my regular life, I don't eat tuna helper or hamburger helper. The sodium is too much for me, plus some of the other ingredients. For this first couple tight weeks, I made the executive decision that I could manage. In general, I usually buy separate ingredients and make my own from scratch. I'm not sure about the muffin mix. I honestly could not even tell you the last time I purchased something like that.
Awesome meals. I will be planting those haskepth ( spelt wrong of course) next spring and am looking forward to harvesting in a couple of years.
Wow. I'm excited you're planting haskaps. I hope they flourish for you and are very plentiful.
I think my favorite thing you made this week was the pizza. Can you share your dough recipe?
I love pizza. One of my favourites.
Here is the recipe. When we make a full batch we usually make a pizza and a garlic finger. A half batch is just fine for for a pizza.
7-8 oz water
3/4 tsp salt
2tbsp oil
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp yeast
I remember that first lentil attempt. 😂 Been there!
I’m curious if, muffin for muffin, making them from scratch ingredients is cheaper? I realize that you don’t have the bandwidth to buy all the ingredients on week 1 or 2 - and many people only have a limited budget and must shop with the current week’s needs in mind, only. But, it would be interesting to know, for those planning on building a long term working pantry, whether scratch ingredients work out cheaper in the long run. The same applies to tuna helper versus egg noodles and the makings for a scratch made bechamel sauce.
Good job, Melanie.
@tenthousanddaysofgratitude I'm not sure if muffin for muffin, if the mix is cheaper. The benefit for me is that all the ingredients were together and early on its hard to purchase every individual ingredient needed. As my pantry grows, that will become so much easier for me.
Yum yum. Lots of good looking meals this week! Love homemade pizza! You are getting a great assortment of pantry ingredients. I bet yeast is at top of your list for next week! Lol I had a bread machine exactly like yours for years and sadly it broke I have another second hand but not the same. I ve never liked baking the bread in the machine. Ever! I always bake in my oven and when I had a counter convection I used that. 25 minutes on 350. I use metal pans. Glad you salvaged your bread. It was nerve wracking watching. Lol 😂
Well you inspired me today. I’ve had five muffins in freezer for months that I’m not crazy about. I made them when I didn’t have eggs and I substituted apple sauce. They are a pumpkin choc chip. The chips are expensive as you know so I didn’t want to waste them. But watching your video I said get your crap together and eat one of those for breakfast and get on with it. Lol so I did and after heating in microwave it wasn’t bad at all. Four more to go. Waste not want not . 😊❤️
@deedream10 100% yeast is on my list. I need at a minimum 2 tsp. If I can swing more, that will be awesome.
Love you’re videos once again, you have great ideas, I use several of them, can’t wait for the next, I’ve been watching since the beginning 🎉
@CarolPearse-q3w Aww. I'm so glad you are finding helpful ideas in the videos. That makes me so happy. Thank you, Carol, for supporting me right from the beginning! ❤️
Looks delicious 😊
Thanks,@@FlowerNana7
Hi Melanie 🤗 Great idea to bulk up the muffins - the low fat Quaker oatmeal muffin mix is really good. We make them before we go camping - they hold up really well and stay together for a good 5 to 6 days. Yes to pizza!!! made some last weekend. NOTHING is better than bubbling cheese 🥰 All your meals looked so good!
The muffins really worked great for us. I'm contemplating getting another bag for week 4/5. Gotta love that bubbling cheese. 🧀
Again another great week of meals.
Thanks, Shannon.
Hello from BC. Enjoy your videos.❤
Hello BC. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos.
I’ve seen the helpers used in many different ways on the “See Mindy Mom” channel - might be a place for some more budget ideas. Love the ideas you’ve been sharing
@kathim5720 I used to LOVE Hamburger Helper and all the Helpers. I steered away from them because of the high sodium and often make casserole or one pot meals from scratch. It was just such a good price I couldn't turn it down this early in the challenge.
@ I totally understand. Unfortunately I can’t use the helpers anymore - my body just doesn’t like them. Good luck with the rest of your challenge
😊😋💛
Hi, Melanie! What would you do differently with the shopping and meals if you could not consume the carbs? So, no flour or grains of any kind, no starchy vegetables, and no sugar. It seems to me that a person with special dietary needs would find it very hard to eat on a low, low budget. What do you think?
@HumbleVoyager Special diets are very limiting. Breakfast would probably be fruit or smoothies in very limited quantities until you could stock that pantry. Soup for lunches. Cheap chicken and veggies for supper. Chili's would work. Stir fry. Salad. I would not buy a single "specialty" product to begin. No specialty gluten free bread or pasta. I simply would focus on other items. It would be lean eating until the pantry was a little more robust. Lean but clean.
It’s for sure harder with special diets! (I’m working on changing my diet and find it tough) For me, I would focus on protein and vegetable fibre in the morning, with canned tuna or sardines (yes, I eat fish for breakfast) or high protein and low sugar yoghurts. As time goes on, I would probably save up to buy a protein powder. I either have fish, yoghurt or protein smoothies for breakfast. I don’t know if frozen edamame (high fibre plus good protein) would work for someone cutting carbs but I like to pair it with canned fish and wasabi mayonnaise sometimes and if I have it, some seaweed, for a deconstructed sushi flavour for breakfast. Another option is tofu scramble or eggs. All my suggestions are way more expensive than muffins. Low carb, high protein breakfast is a make or break for me, personally. If I achieve it, my day is set up right. Growing a garden also saves my budget. I bulk up all meals with fresh or preserved veg from my garden.
@tenthousanddaysofgratitude Eggs and yogurt would absolutely be ideal. Tofu as well. Agreed about the protein powder. I'd set aside a bit weekly until I could make that happen. Or head to the bulk barn to purchase a smaller quantity
Sorry was there a meal video?? I was too enthralled with the Baby Yoda in a Christmas Basket to notice. (You did a great job but I really had to tear myself away from BY). Sorry editing to add when you travel in addition to the microwave is there a mini fridge in the room or do you need to bring a cooler and ice packs?
I had access to a fridge. I didn't realize there was actually a bunch of small appliances at the work kitchenette. I could have made all kinds of things! The shirt is from Old Navy (last year). I love it!!
Omg where’d you get that shirt
@@bananahannahjay Old Navy!
@ love it 😍
Wow u have so much left.
@@samanthadodd8112 Samantha, I feel good about the pantry already.
@adventuresingroceryland
I just love ur videos. I'm retiring in a couple years and will be on a budget. U give me hope that I can keep my groceries cost low.
@samanthadodd8112 Awesome. Sure it's a bit of work, but my stomach thanks me every time I eat a great meal!
That chili and pizza looked really good.. Those egg cups are a good idea, I'm gonna have to try it some time.. Your Tshirt -- I know you like saving money, Melanie, but putting baby yoda in a cooking pot is going too far..
@@dsc1970 LOL.