Hi. Recently diagnosed T2 and put on 1000mg Metformin a day. I was
told a good rule to live by is 30 carbs to 15 protein per meal.

However, I have 2 toddlers in the house and am on a limited budget. I
get about $75/wk for food, gas, diapers, etc.

I am having an awful time trying to figure out the "best way" to eat -
with the constrained budget.

Any suggestions would be welcome!

"Sarinja" > wrote in message
...
> Hi. Recently diagnosed T2 and put on 1000mg Metformin a day. I was
> told a good rule to live by is 30 carbs to 15 protein per meal.
>
Who told you this and what does it mean? I have never heard such a thing.

> However, I have 2 toddlers in the house and am on a limited budget. I
> get about $75/wk for food, gas, diapers, etc.

That's not very much unless it is cheap where you live. You certainly
couldn't do that here! I spend about $25 a week on gas alone. I have no
clue how much diapers cost these days. But 12 years ago they weren't cheap.
I'd say at least $20 a week with two kids who wear them. That doesn't leave
much for food.
>
> I am having an awful time trying to figure out the "best way" to eat -
> with the constrained budget.

Do you qualify for any assistance? I should think with such a limited
income, you would.
>
> Any suggestions would be welcome!

Eat beans. They contain both carbs and protein.

Unfortunately not, on the assistance question. Long story short, no -
I don't qualify.

As for the 30/15 ratio, I was given a book called: The Insulin
Resistance Diet. Written by Hart & Grossman, M.D.'s. Talks about carbs
and how they affect blood sugar levels and the protein necessity, etc.

I just... get frustrated looking at the recipes people hand out. It's
like, who are all these people that can afford so much of this all the
time? And, who has time to cook like that with toddlers in the house?

Sarinja wrote:
> Unfortunately not, on the assistance question. Long story short, no -
> I don't qualify.
>
> As for the 30/15 ratio, I was given a book called: The Insulin
> Resistance Diet. Written by Hart & Grossman, M.D.'s. Talks about carbs
> and how they affect blood sugar levels and the protein necessity, etc.
>
> I just... get frustrated looking at the recipes people hand out. It's
> like, who are all these people that can afford so much of this all the
> time? And, who has time to cook like that with toddlers in the house?

Here's my suggestion for inexpensive, healthy sources of protein. (This is
what I do.) Buy boneless, skinless chicken breasts in quantity when they are
on sale for $1.99 lb, and freeze them, wrapped separately or in packs of
two. (Every few weeks one or the other of our local supermarkets will run
this sale.) Join a warehouse "club" like BJs and buy light--not
white--tuna, which they always have at the best price, and lean ground beef
and ground turkey in big packages at prices far below the supermarket.
Separate it into patties and freeze them, or make into big batches of
flavorful meatballs and sauce in a style that suits you (Italian, Indian,
Swedish...) and freeze in servings sufficient for future meals. All of those
things are kid-friendly, cheap sources of protein, adaptable to many forms
of cooking, and very good for you.

Also buy eggs and beans, preferably dried. At BJ's, you can buy Barilla's
Plus pasta for far less than in a supermarket--although it is still more
expensive than plain pasta--and it has more protein and more Omega 3s than
other pastas. You can also get by far the best price on skim milk, Greek
yogurt, and cottage cheese: all good low-fat sources of protein and calcium
for you and your kids.

"Janet" > wrote in message
...
> Sarinja wrote:
>> Unfortunately not, on the assistance question. Long story short, no -
>> I don't qualify.
>>
>> As for the 30/15 ratio, I was given a book called: The Insulin
>> Resistance Diet. Written by Hart & Grossman, M.D.'s. Talks about carbs
>> and how they affect blood sugar levels and the protein necessity, etc.
>>
>> I just... get frustrated looking at the recipes people hand out. It's
>> like, who are all these people that can afford so much of this all the
>> time? And, who has time to cook like that with toddlers in the house?
>
> Here's my suggestion for inexpensive, healthy sources of protein. (This is
> what I do.) Buy boneless, skinless chicken breasts in quantity when they
> are on sale for $1.99 lb, and freeze them, wrapped separately or in packs
> of two. (Every few weeks one or the other of our local supermarkets will
> run this sale.) Join a warehouse "club" like BJs and buy light--not
> white--tuna, which they always have at the best price, and lean ground
> beef and ground turkey in big packages at prices far below the
> supermarket. Separate it into patties and freeze them, or make into big
> batches of flavorful meatballs and sauce in a style that suits you
> (Italian, Indian, Swedish...) and freeze in servings sufficient for future
> meals. All of those things are kid-friendly, cheap sources of protein,
> adaptable to many forms of cooking, and very good for you.

Whoa! They are never that price here! Not even at Costco!
>
> Also buy eggs and beans, preferably dried. At BJ's, you can buy Barilla's
> Plus pasta for far less than in a supermarket--although it is still more
> expensive than plain pasta--and it has more protein and more Omega 3s than
> other pastas. You can also get by far the best price on skim milk, Greek
> yogurt, and cottage cheese: all good low-fat sources of protein and
> calcium for you and your kids.

Buying in bulk can be cheaper too. I buy the large tubs of cottage cheese
at Costco and I really save!

the regular price for b/s chicken breast is about $2.25 its whole chickens
that never go on sale, Lee
"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Janet" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Sarinja wrote:
>>> Unfortunately not, on the assistance question. Long story short, no -
>>> I don't qualify.
>>>
>>> As for the 30/15 ratio, I was given a book called: The Insulin
>>> Resistance Diet. Written by Hart & Grossman, M.D.'s. Talks about carbs
>>> and how they affect blood sugar levels and the protein necessity, etc.
>>>
>>> I just... get frustrated looking at the recipes people hand out. It's
>>> like, who are all these people that can afford so much of this all the
>>> time? And, who has time to cook like that with toddlers in the house?
>>
>> Here's my suggestion for inexpensive, healthy sources of protein. (This
>> is what I do.) Buy boneless, skinless chicken breasts in quantity when
>> they are on sale for $1.99 lb, and freeze them, wrapped separately or in
>> packs of two. (Every few weeks one or the other of our local supermarkets
>> will run this sale.) Join a warehouse "club" like BJs and buy light--not
>> white--tuna, which they always have at the best price, and lean ground
>> beef and ground turkey in big packages at prices far below the
>> supermarket. Separate it into patties and freeze them, or make into big
>> batches of flavorful meatballs and sauce in a style that suits you
>> (Italian, Indian, Swedish...) and freeze in servings sufficient for
>> future meals. All of those things are kid-friendly, cheap sources of
>> protein, adaptable to many forms of cooking, and very good for you.
>
> Whoa! They are never that price here! Not even at Costco!
>>
>> Also buy eggs and beans, preferably dried. At BJ's, you can buy Barilla's
>> Plus pasta for far less than in a supermarket--although it is still more
>> expensive than plain pasta--and it has more protein and more Omega 3s
>> than other pastas. You can also get by far the best price on skim milk,
>> Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese: all good low-fat sources of protein and
>> calcium for you and your kids.
>
> Buying in bulk can be cheaper too. I buy the large tubs of cottage cheese
> at Costco and I really save!
>

"Sarinja" > wrote in message
...
> Unfortunately not, on the assistance question. Long story short, no -
> I don't qualify.
>
> As for the 30/15 ratio, I was given a book called: The Insulin
> Resistance Diet. Written by Hart & Grossman, M.D.'s. Talks about carbs
> and how they affect blood sugar levels and the protein necessity, etc.
>
> I just... get frustrated looking at the recipes people hand out. It's
> like, who are all these people that can afford so much of this all the
> time? And, who has time to cook like that with toddlers in the house?

My daughter is 12. She doesn't cook much now but as a toddler she always
helped me in the kitchen.

Who gave you the book? And what makes you think you should follow it? I
don't know about ratios so I wouldn't do well with such a diet.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Sarinja" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi. Recently diagnosed T2 and put on 1000mg Metformin a day. I was
>> told a good rule to live by is 30 carbs to 15 protein per meal.
>>
> Who told you this and what does it mean? I have never heard such a thing.
>
>> However, I have 2 toddlers in the house and am on a limited budget. I
>> get about $75/wk for food, gas, diapers, etc.
>
> That's not very much unless it is cheap where you live. You certainly
> couldn't do that here! I spend about $25 a week on gas alone. I have no
> clue how much diapers cost these days. But 12 years ago they weren't
> cheap. I'd say at least $20 a week with two kids who wear them. That
> doesn't leave much for food.
>>

On the topic of diapers, perhaps it would be possible to use cloth diapers?
Whatever they would cost to acquire, I suspect they would be more economical
over time compared to purchasing disposable ones every single week.
Granted it's not a lot of fun preparing them for laundering, but if the
disposable ones are taking over 25% of income, it seems to me this would be
more prudent.


>> I am having an awful time trying to figure out the "best way" to eat -
>> with the constrained budget.
>
> Do you qualify for any assistance? I should think with such a limited
> income, you would.
>>
>> Any suggestions would be welcome!
>
> Eat beans. They contain both carbs and protein.
>
>

"Ellen K." > wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Sarinja" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Hi. Recently diagnosed T2 and put on 1000mg Metformin a day. I was
>>> told a good rule to live by is 30 carbs to 15 protein per meal.
>>>
>> Who told you this and what does it mean? I have never heard such a
>> thing.
>>
>>> However, I have 2 toddlers in the house and am on a limited budget. I
>>> get about $75/wk for food, gas, diapers, etc.
>>
>> That's not very much unless it is cheap where you live. You certainly
>> couldn't do that here! I spend about $25 a week on gas alone. I have no
>> clue how much diapers cost these days. But 12 years ago they weren't
>> cheap. I'd say at least $20 a week with two kids who wear them. That
>> doesn't leave much for food.
>>>
>
> On the topic of diapers, perhaps it would be possible to use cloth
> diapers? Whatever they would cost to acquire, I suspect they would be more
> economical over time compared to purchasing disposable ones every single
> week. Granted it's not a lot of fun preparing them for laundering, but if
> the disposable ones are taking over 25% of income, it seems to me this
> would be more prudent.
>
Cloth diapers are not very cost effective. I did the math when I had Angela
and it just costs too much money to do that much laundry, and even more so
if you are living in an apartment and have to use a pay laundry!

However her kids are ages 2 and 4. I should hope that the 4 year old is
either potty trained or close to being. Angela wasn't really fully trained
until just before her 4th birthday. I was beginning to think she would
never be! And she was a big girl. In those days, diapers were too small
for her and so were Pullups. So she had to wear the more expensive
Overnights. These days they make both diapers and Pullups for older kids.

Eggs are a very good source of protein and very inexpensive. Beans provide
protein, carbs and fiber and are also inexpensive.

"Sarinja" > wrote in message
...
> Hi. Recently diagnosed T2 and put on 1000mg Metformin a day. I was
> told a good rule to live by is 30 carbs to 15 protein per meal.
>
> However, I have 2 toddlers in the house and am on a limited budget. I
> get about $75/wk for food, gas, diapers, etc.
>
> I am having an awful time trying to figure out the "best way" to eat -
> with the constrained budget.
>
> Any suggestions would be welcome!
>

But, isn't there the threat of heart disease with too many eggs?

I am at the point where I'm scared to eat anything and screw up - and
then get hungry and say screw it and eat whatever I want. :-/ Not a
way to live.

"Sarinja" > wrote in message
...
> But, isn't there the threat of heart disease with too many eggs?

No.
>
> I am at the point where I'm scared to eat anything and screw up - and
> then get hungry and say screw it and eat whatever I want. :-/ Not a
> way to live.

Right.

Every body is different. Many of us here who are T2 have found that
*increasing* the fat in our diet while reducing carbohydrates to much less
than you were advised (personally I eat fewer than 50 gm of carbs per day)
also results in substantial improvement in our lipids profile, contrary to
the commonly believed idea that eating fat causes one's cholesterol to rise.
Recent studies have indicated that eating fat and carbohydrates together is
what causes high cholesterol, not the fat per se.

Here are the results I experienced by changing from the food exchange diet
to a low-carb one, and besides eggs I also eat 3 ounces of full-fat cheese
every day, that's my breakfast together with some raw green pepper. To give
a more complete picture however, I also eat a lot of nuts and a lot of fish,
and use only extra virgin olive oil as an added fat. I am not taking
metformin or any other prescription medication for my diabetes, but I do
take alpha-lipoic acid, a supplement.

7/11/2010 11/4/2010
FBG 168 95
A1c 6.7 5.6

total cholesterol 157 129
triglycerides 149 120
HDL 43 42
LDL 84 63
HDL/LDL 51.2% 66.7%
total chol / HDL 3.7 3.1
triglycerides to HDL 3.47 2.86


"Sarinja" > wrote in message
...
> But, isn't there the threat of heart disease with too many eggs?
>
> I am at the point where I'm scared to eat anything and screw up - and
> then get hungry and say screw it and eat whatever I want. :-/ Not a
> way to live.
>

ok, this is an issue with me that very closely approaches anal retentive/ocd
so just remember as you read this that is where i am coming from. I will
use examples from my area of residence, since you have net acess you will
need to go on line to do the research/look for the ads and types of stores.
-first off, you need to apply for food stamps, WIC and commodties even if
you have already done so, you should do this no less than once a year, and
every six months if possible, and when/if you are rejected you need to know
the why for the rejcetion, dollar amount, assets and so forth, what you do
before the next applicatation is for you to decide.
-Child support, if the father of the children is not contributing
appropriately then you need to make a budget and keep detailed track of how
you spend your money so if you have the oppertunity to ask for an increase
your attorney has sufficent information to make a good case for the
increase.
-Aldi stores; this is a warehouse store that advertises as "the stock up
store", you can go and look at their www to see if they are in your area and
what things they offer. if there isn't one near you there will be a similar
store to fill this part of the market. Specifically at aldi, they have very
inexpensive canned vegetables and dry beans, also their dairy is positively
excellent if you read labels for natural products, they have some of the
best dairy in the cheese department outside of a speciality shop i have ever
eaten and its not near the cost of the regular grocery. They also offer on
a sparatic basis, really good frozen vegetables and olive oil much cheaper
than regular stores.
-THE NET; every week before we shop i go on line and look at the ads and
make my grocery lists from that, this does several things, it allows me to
have a list so i can take advantage of sales and save money, two weeks ago i
got skinless boneless chicken breasts for $1.69 lb. with a list you don't
buy impulse items, and with the lists yo can plan a route that allows you to
use as little gas as possible, and if you are out shopping it allows you to
either get the kids home as quickly as possible or pay less for the sitter.
-USED BY; when you are in a store shopping always look in the clearance
bins/shelves, this week DH got a package of sirlion steaks for $2.18 lb, the
regular was more than twice that and the other clearance packages were
almost $3.00 but as DH scrutinised he realised this package was much larger
and he figured that was why it was discounted, and for meat it was fine.
you don't always find stuff but when you get something from the bin if you
are careful it is a real money saver, my last favorite score was the lamb
breast for $2.99 lb when it runs over $5.00
-make a menu of meals, say three or four weeks, after you have looked at the
sales. I am not saying that you need to stick with the plan, but it helps
you purchase in the right amounts, if you can freeze and get meat on sale
good, but if your storage is small then you might only be able to plan for a
week at a time.
-use left overs, when you have vegetables at the end of a meal save them.
acrew them and have home made soup with some meals, puree the vegetables for
the kids.
-carbs, i am working on reducing carbs, and am transitiong with "better"
carbs, for want of a better term, and i am saying this because what i have
found is that this group of carbs is more filling for me. brown rice is
better than white in the general health dept. but it is still carbs, so when
you do need to have them buy the better ones as you need less to be filled
up.
-your kids; if they are out of the formula stage but still need baby foods,
consider making it yourself instead of the prepackaged stuff, a blender,
food processer or stick blender does wonders, my sister saved huge amounts
of money buy making her own baby food, saving the prepackaged stuff just for
occasions when she was out and need to just open or ad water because of the
day's activities...

if you are still reading, I sure hope i helped a little. meals totally with
the minuim carbs is not an area i can speak to but susan and mary l who both
post here can help with plannig and substitutes a great deal.

Lee
"Sarinja" > wrote in message
...
> Hi. Recently diagnosed T2 and put on 1000mg Metformin a day. I was
> told a good rule to live by is 30 carbs to 15 protein per meal.
>
> However, I have 2 toddlers in the house and am on a limited budget. I
> get about $75/wk for food, gas, diapers, etc.
>
> I am having an awful time trying to figure out the "best way" to eat -
> with the constrained budget.
>
> Any suggestions would be welcome!

Hi. Thank you for all the replies! Let me clarify a little bit. I have
a 4 year old and a 2.5 year old. The husband left a year back. He does
pay some child support; however, with the medical bills piling up (and
yes, he does help), my budget is about $75/week. It's rough but we've
already lost our house and don't want to lose anything else, so trying
very hard to get medical bills paid so we can breathe, again. Even
though we're separated, we are still working together for the medical
bills/care of children. And, because of his income/mine, we don't
qualify for any assistance at all. Medical bills don't count with the
state.

My biggest stress is *at* the store and *at* dinner time, trying to
get together something healthy that I will enjoy (I don't have a lot
of don't likes) and that the boys will eat. It has always been easy to
make what they like and will eat instead of worrying too much about
other things. Yes, I know teaching them young helps; however, at that
age, it's difficult. Get them to eat, then introduce new things. That
was my way of thinking. The 4 year old doesn't like hardly any meat at
all. He has been this way since he started solid foods. Getting him to
finally eat a chicken nugget (bagged or McD's brand) or even half of a
cheeseburger from McDs was an awesome day! The 4 year old now will eat
celery with peanut butter (and someone mentioned adding raisins to
that) and actually told me to get him a cucumber, the last time we
were at the store.

I stress easily. When I am faced with a lot of it at once, I typically
say, screw it and do whatever I want. Bad. Bad. I know. However, I
went looking around last night for some people to talk to that
understand that stress and can help. Small things. A few meals a week
that are "perfect" and build from that - until it becomes habit.

I do belong to Sam's Club (bulk store). I have found, however, when I
buy bulk, it tends to go bad because I don't cook it like I should,
when I should. I have a slow cooker and have tried doing things like
chicken with mushroom soup in it. The boys won't eat it.

I have copied/pasted quite a few things of what y'all said to a file
called "notes," and am not saying y'all weren't helpful! You were! I
am just clarifying a little bit more than my original post.

Thank you!

i am not sure in which state you live but assistance in IL does consider
medical bills, nand if you and DH are legally sepearated, your bills would
be covered by our state medicaide card... now i kinow lots of states are
different, and if you have a hope of repairing things, then that may not be
the way to go, but i do know also that other things like commodities and wic
aren't as dollar qualifiying as food stamps, Lee
"Sarinja" > wrote in message
...
> Hi. Thank you for all the replies! Let me clarify a little bit. I have
> a 4 year old and a 2.5 year old. The husband left a year back. He does
> pay some child support; however, with the medical bills piling up (and
> yes, he does help), my budget is about $75/week. It's rough but we've
> already lost our house and don't want to lose anything else, so trying
> very hard to get medical bills paid so we can breathe, again. Even
> though we're separated, we are still working together for the medical
> bills/care of children. And, because of his income/mine, we don't
> qualify for any assistance at all. Medical bills don't count with the
> state.
>
> My biggest stress is *at* the store and *at* dinner time, trying to
> get together something healthy that I will enjoy (I don't have a lot
> of don't likes) and that the boys will eat. It has always been easy to
> make what they like and will eat instead of worrying too much about
> other things. Yes, I know teaching them young helps; however, at that
> age, it's difficult. Get them to eat, then introduce new things. That
> was my way of thinking. The 4 year old doesn't like hardly any meat at
> all. He has been this way since he started solid foods. Getting him to
> finally eat a chicken nugget (bagged or McD's brand) or even half of a
> cheeseburger from McDs was an awesome day! The 4 year old now will eat
> celery with peanut butter (and someone mentioned adding raisins to
> that) and actually told me to get him a cucumber, the last time we
> were at the store.
>
> I stress easily. When I am faced with a lot of it at once, I typically
> say, screw it and do whatever I want. Bad. Bad. I know. However, I
> went looking around last night for some people to talk to that
> understand that stress and can help. Small things. A few meals a week
> that are "perfect" and build from that - until it becomes habit.
>
> I do belong to Sam's Club (bulk store). I have found, however, when I
> buy bulk, it tends to go bad because I don't cook it like I should,
> when I should. I have a slow cooker and have tried doing things like
> chicken with mushroom soup in it. The boys won't eat it.
>
> I have copied/pasted quite a few things of what y'all said to a file
> called "notes," and am not saying y'all weren't helpful! You were! I
> am just clarifying a little bit more than my original post.
>
> Thank you!

"Sarinja" > wrote in message
...
> Hi. Thank you for all the replies! Let me clarify a little bit. I have
> a 4 year old and a 2.5 year old. The husband left a year back. He does
> pay some child support; however, with the medical bills piling up (and
> yes, he does help), my budget is about $75/week. It's rough but we've
> already lost our house and don't want to lose anything else, so trying
> very hard to get medical bills paid so we can breathe, again. Even
> though we're separated, we are still working together for the medical
> bills/care of children. And, because of his income/mine, we don't
> qualify for any assistance at all. Medical bills don't count with the
> state.
>
> My biggest stress is *at* the store and *at* dinner time, trying to
> get together something healthy that I will enjoy (I don't have a lot
> of don't likes) and that the boys will eat. It has always been easy to
> make what they like and will eat instead of worrying too much about
> other things. Yes, I know teaching them young helps; however, at that
> age, it's difficult. Get them to eat, then introduce new things. That
> was my way of thinking. The 4 year old doesn't like hardly any meat at
> all. He has been this way since he started solid foods. Getting him to
> finally eat a chicken nugget (bagged or McD's brand) or even half of a
> cheeseburger from McDs was an awesome day! The 4 year old now will eat
> celery with peanut butter (and someone mentioned adding raisins to
> that) and actually told me to get him a cucumber, the last time we
> were at the store.
>
> I stress easily. When I am faced with a lot of it at once, I typically
> say, screw it and do whatever I want. Bad. Bad. I know. However, I
> went looking around last night for some people to talk to that
> understand that stress and can help. Small things. A few meals a week
> that are "perfect" and build from that - until it becomes habit.
>
> I do belong to Sam's Club (bulk store). I have found, however, when I
> buy bulk, it tends to go bad because I don't cook it like I should,
> when I should. I have a slow cooker and have tried doing things like
> chicken with mushroom soup in it. The boys won't eat it.
>
> I have copied/pasted quite a few things of what y'all said to a file
> called "notes," and am not saying y'all weren't helpful! You were! I
> am just clarifying a little bit more than my original post.
>
> Thank you!

I wouldn't worry at all about kids not eating meat. Most likely meat is the
most expensive thing that you would be eating. Yes, I know there are things
like truffles, but realistically you're not going to be eating fancy stuff
like that.

Young children tend to eat the same thing day after day and then might
totally go off of that food and eat something else. My daughter is 12 now.
But I can remember a time when I used to feed her and her friends dinner.
Night after night they happily ate the same thing. Kraft (or a store brand)
macaroni and cheese, beef sausages, canned green beans, baby carrots and
black olives. Sometimes I would sub out the mac and cheese for frozen
pierogies. They liked those too. They also liked apple slices, applesauce
and cheese cubes.

I am lucky that Angela loved canned green beans. They were cheap when I was
living in CA. I could sometimes get them for 25 cents a can. She would eat
those any time of the day or night. Mostly I tried not to buy any junk food
for her. I know most kids like Goldfish crackers and Cheerios. She did get
those when she just learning to eat. But after that? Not often. Maybe for
a road trip. But more likely we would stop at a farm stand for fruit or
veggies and then wash them off with bottled water that we had in the car.

BTW, I also suggest joining your local freecycle group. It is amazing what
you can get there.

On Dec 8, 10:29*am, "Janet" > wrote:
> BTW, *I also suggest joining your local freecycle group. It is amazing what
> you can get there.

Freecyle?

"Sarinja" > wrote in message
...
> On Dec 8, 10:29 am, "Janet" > wrote:
>> BTW, I also suggest joining your local freecycle group. It is
>> amazing what
>> you can get there.
>
> Freecyle?

They are online groups that serve different areas, more than likely you
have one in your area. You give away things to prevent them becoming
landfill. I gave away 3/4 of my furniture from a very large home to move
interstate. 8 seater dining seat, 2 lounge suites, an almost new BBQ and
deep freezer, beds, room sized rugs etc. Clothes, linen, outdoor
setting, tv's and entertainment units. Large foosball table. Excess
plastic ware etc. When I settled in to my new house I received lots of
stuff to help furnish a small house. One person who gives away stuff in
my local group consistently gives away bread, bread rolls and other
baked goods once a week. Also canned food, trays of yoghurt, baby food
etc. Truly amazing what people give away. We received an electric organ
once. We also have food barns relatively close to me that sell packages
(pantry, freezer, fridge, fruit & veg) of foods for about 1/3 what you
would pay in the shops.

My grandkids (2 and 3) are at that stage of not wanting to eat much and
have become very picky. They will eat scrambled eggs and they often have
2 minute noodles (without all the seasonings) which we cook with a
little chicken broth sometimes, other times water. We put peas and corn
and chopped chicken in it. We do similar with rice. They have discovered
they like hard boiled eggs (cold) after picking at my snacks We buy
yoghurt in a large tub and spoon small amounts into little cups - we
found they were wasting half of the kiddy sized tubs. We make jellies
ourselves and they like apple slices and carrot sticks which are both
relatively cheap. They like slices of frozen orange as a treat. As for
me I eat for the most part plain proteins, i.e. chicken, meat eggs etc
with no sauces plus veggies. Cutting starchy stuff out was easy for me.

"Janet" > wrote in message
...
> BTW, I also suggest joining your local freecycle group. It is amazing
> what you can get there.

When I belonged to a CSA, it really saved me a lot of money. But... I
don't know if it would be feasible for a family with two small children.
That might be too much food for them. I had to quit when my husband moved
to CA. It would be just too much food for Angela and I.

It also required more work on my part. I was often dealing with vegetables
that I wasn't familiar with. So that meant a lot of searching for new
recipes. But it did get us eating healthy meals!