tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post7420079526738036586..comments2024-03-17T04:14:05.997-05:00Comments on Sam, Coffee, Money, & Thyme: My Wednesday Pantry - The (not)Dollar Tree $5.00 Meal Challenge 2022SAMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-1497896146081735222022-10-07T08:52:57.398-05:002022-10-07T08:52:57.398-05:00I think my DT challenges have run their course. Ou...I think my DT challenges have run their course. Our farmers market is tiny and very local but I know the one in Minneapolis accepts SNAP. I'm not sure about St Paul's. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-81272564218120733032022-10-07T08:50:35.973-05:002022-10-07T08:50:35.973-05:00I would likely not do it unless there were financi...I would likely not do it unless there were financial need. If memory serves you're working on healthy habits. That said, I do know there are 100s of thousands of people who must live this way.<br /><br />Our Farmers Market initiated a mobile market in 4 sections of town a few years ago. This year they added "buy a bag take a bag" and "need a bag take a bag" in an effort to put wholesome fresh foods on tables. They also initiated acceptance of SNAP at the market. Our local farmers are working hard for our communities. I love them and support them!Ellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06918153566288679035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-78171350497859152162022-10-07T07:11:43.176-05:002022-10-07T07:11:43.176-05:00That's a good idea to bring better produce and...That's a good idea to bring better produce and fresh food to food deserts. It's really challenging as the DT challenges demonstrate, to cook healthy meals with limited ingredients. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-18376557503288448412022-10-07T00:44:54.678-05:002022-10-07T00:44:54.678-05:00I work in a very rough neighborhood with no grocer...I work in a very rough neighborhood with no grocery stores. There’s a family dollar, though the freezers and fridges seldom work. The dollar general is much nicer but about 2 miles away, which is challenging for low income folks with no car. A local produce company began placing small fridges in convenience stores a few years ago, and it’s awesome. The products generally need to be used pretty quick but the prices are fantastic. It’s very cool to be able to get a nice bunch of collard greens for a buck, limes for a quarter etc. I hope this catches on in more cities. VKCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-87548697655737971612022-10-06T11:53:13.704-05:002022-10-06T11:53:13.704-05:00It was a brain teaser. Still a bit too much relian...It was a brain teaser. Still a bit too much reliance on processed foods, sauce, biscuit mix, and sausages. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-45431956804838112452022-10-06T11:52:16.224-05:002022-10-06T11:52:16.224-05:00There are many combinations that could be made wit...There are many combinations that could be made with these ingredients. I could have done just canned tomatoes but the volume was so much less than pasta sauce, and despite the sugar, had other seasonings too. I like your idea of tuna croquettes. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-83828593645878975762022-10-06T10:08:53.822-05:002022-10-06T10:08:53.822-05:00Well done for creating those different dishes with...Well done for creating those different dishes with such limited ingredients. I'm a qualified chef and I think I'd struggle. x<br />Vixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-69688980464638083112022-10-05T21:01:10.815-05:002022-10-05T21:01:10.815-05:00The meals do sound hearty and creative. I would ha...The meals do sound hearty and creative. I would have to buy black-eyed peas and eat that with rice. Luckily, I do eat beans and rice with seasoning. The eggs would be boiled or scrambled. No sausage, maybe a can of tuna. I could make tuna croquettes, using an egg and the biscuit mix. For this $10, I could eat well, more meals or make meals for two. If I ate the things you bought, this would be great. I am not a fan of sausages because I am allergic to some ingredients. Wouldn't an onion be great with this? Limited money and limited choices when shopping certainly limit the meals! <br />Practical Parsimonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08419071209412207674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-68770479444656527402022-10-05T19:03:06.144-05:002022-10-05T19:03:06.144-05:00It would be great if more C stores had fresh veg a...It would be great if more C stores had fresh veg and fruit. I'm sure it would sell. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-88257224897369329312022-10-05T19:02:18.371-05:002022-10-05T19:02:18.371-05:00I appreciate the feedback. I appreciate the feedback. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-63547144901092496082022-10-05T19:01:28.609-05:002022-10-05T19:01:28.609-05:00It is a sad and vicious circle. I think supporting...It is a sad and vicious circle. I think supporting both bricks and mortar and mobile food shelves help tremendously. Also, advocating for SNAP and zoning requirements for grocery access. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-90269488504317764192022-10-05T18:59:56.529-05:002022-10-05T18:59:56.529-05:00I think the brain game side is fun and challenging...I think the brain game side is fun and challenging. I want to get the options healthier. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-10672304320569166922022-10-05T18:59:09.912-05:002022-10-05T18:59:09.912-05:00I grew up with a dish that essentially was just el...I grew up with a dish that essentially was just elbow macaroni in a white sauce. We'd squirt ketchup or any other condiments that might have been around. I didn't realize until I was a teenager that it was made when there was nothing much else.SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-53533874537067418862022-10-05T18:56:51.693-05:002022-10-05T18:56:51.693-05:00I'd love to read it. There are so many basics ...I'd love to read it. There are so many basics I take for granted. I live 6 blocks from a major grocery store, and within 12 mil are an additional six, not counting convenience stores, some with full grocery items. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-75831537696144090172022-10-05T18:54:12.574-05:002022-10-05T18:54:12.574-05:00They were just my ideas, and maybe next time I'...They were just my ideas, and maybe next time I'll implement. If nothing else, it stretches creative thinking. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-68834968763622123892022-10-05T18:51:04.051-05:002022-10-05T18:51:04.051-05:00The idea came from the first Tightwad Gazette and ...The idea came from the first Tightwad Gazette and use for leftover rice. I use it frequently.SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-87962277322777398882022-10-05T18:46:12.577-05:002022-10-05T18:46:12.577-05:00While the town I work in has a grocery store, the ...While the town I work in has a grocery store, the town I live in during the week ( not the University town where I am on weekends) only has a Dollar General and Family Dollar. They have a large selection of frozen foods but no fresh fruit or vegetables. I think you did very well in your challenge. there have been times when I have had to do several Dollar General meals in my life. Also, gas stations here sell home cooked meals such as bacon and eggs, fried catfish and hush puppies. The food is good and home cooked but it is full of calories. Cindy in the South Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-73178659801110029192022-10-05T18:02:14.352-05:002022-10-05T18:02:14.352-05:00I enjoy these posts/challenges. Keep doing them!I enjoy these posts/challenges. Keep doing them!Bobinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-91154971589088636802022-10-05T18:01:14.256-05:002022-10-05T18:01:14.256-05:00Was it "On The Clock" by Emily Guendelsb...Was it "On The Clock" by Emily Guendelsberger? I read it too! Bobinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-10294393142856837702022-10-05T13:20:08.023-05:002022-10-05T13:20:08.023-05:00My heart breaks for people that do not have the mo...My heart breaks for people that do not have the money or the access to fresh food. Quality food leads to better health which is why the same people without this access are most often times some of the sickest. It's a vicious cycle. I've racked my brain on ways that I could help with this but have never been able to come up with a solid plan. Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10808093713899800649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-65482287408690549862022-10-05T11:20:04.132-05:002022-10-05T11:20:04.132-05:00I'd say, as long as it's teaching you some...I'd say, as long as it's teaching you something & you are enjoying it, go for it! We can all learn new money saving tips along the way.Hawaii Plannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760426766801381563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-12283303295277128522022-10-05T11:14:22.665-05:002022-10-05T11:14:22.665-05:00This reminds me of a dirty rice my mom used to mak...This reminds me of a dirty rice my mom used to make. It was kind of a mix of beans and rice with the pepper onion blend with a red sauce with sliced kielbasa. You ingredients made me think of it. I think it was an invention made with what ever we had in the house.<br />During her divorce from my dad she did 2 things that extended our grocery budget. One she only shopped once a month. She also always had a garden. My brother worked for a dairy farmer and we got milk from them. But to her then that we had 2 stores both really expensive and have a very small selection. So at the end of the month the selection at home was also really slim. Taking 10 to one of them might have looked like your picture.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06946608761373714442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-3743090515423995642022-10-05T11:02:05.812-05:002022-10-05T11:02:05.812-05:00I can't remember the title of it right now but...I can't remember the title of it right now but a few years ago I read a book by an American journalist who spent three lots of four months in different US states trying to live on the then minimum wage. It was an interesting read and she said that the biggest challenge preventing her from "improving her lot" was lack of cooking facilities where she rented and living in a food desert! Good luck to you in your challenge!Treadershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613671137557939083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-41974873330726346192022-10-05T10:42:41.579-05:002022-10-05T10:42:41.579-05:00I would give you an A plus. I think you did a grea...I would give you an A plus. I think you did a great job considering the limitations at the Dollar Tree. I’ve watched a lady who does these videos on YouTube and she gets very creative. Belindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17486895127003368291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-39313037901708512282022-10-05T09:10:21.547-05:002022-10-05T09:10:21.547-05:00I like the sound of the rice pie crust. I could u...I like the sound of the rice pie crust. I could use that in a dozen ways and am bookmarking it for future use.Cheriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01049568808770731003noreply@blogger.com