Ali, I think you are right when you say the basics seem to have really gone up in price e.g butter. I buy the large blocks of cheese too, I grate half of it and freeze it in smaller portions, really useful for cheese sauce, toppings etc. I bulk out meals with lentils, tinned lentils are a really good buy and I add red lentils to tomato dishes such as bolognaise as well as adding them to soups. In my pantry I keep a variety of tinned beans, black beans, kidney beans etc. I really like butter bean mash for a change, and tinned tomatoes are my best friend. I also struggle to buy bigger bags of potatoes, I’m wondering if either people don’t eat as many or are using ready made potato products instead. Take care from one chatty retired teacher to another x
Hi Ali, your videos are really encouraging. I have a young son and have been a stay home/ homeschooling mum (he's 6), and previously was a social worker. My husband's business is doing so badly in this economy that I've had to really hunker down and make things stretch- a lot. However, there are videos like yours which really speak to so many of us who, for whatever reason, have to live well on much less. Thank you! I make meat stretch by adding lentils, chickpeas or walnuts(these are great in a meat loaf). Xo from Canada.
A great way to bring in extra income while homeschooling is to take in a couple of extra kids & offer childcare. That's what I did when mine were little. It's a win-win, the children have play/classmates, & you earn while you're at home anyway! Also a SW here in the UK, there's plenty of work online, here at least. Hope it helps!
I used to buy a big sack of potatoes for £4 from Morrisons to share with our daughter but they haven't had them for a long time. You can possibly still get some from farm shops but we no longer live close enough to warrant spending money on petrol to get there. I'm really looking forward to your next videos, Ali, I always learn something new ! Angie ❤
I am down in Gloucestershire but my old boss was from Glasgow and always talked about doing his messages at lunchtime, so whennyou said that it brought back happy memories😀
Yes! "Going for the messages" was how i grew up and reminds me of my lovely mum. Much better than haul. Except... when my mother said " I'm away a wee message"... you knew it was private and you werent to know where she was going😂. Enjoyed both parts 1 and 2 if your videos Ali, thank you.
@caroldaviddaviejohnson2225 Your message takes me back. My mum was a Scot and not only was going for the messages a thing so was going for a wee message from time to time. Hi from NZ 👋
When I make a spag bol, I always have some meat over. I have now started making a lasagne the next day as it uses less meat and the pasta sheets are not expensive. I usually mix it with a pasta bake creamy sauce (from a jar) and leave out the white sauce. Cover with grated cheese and you have a lovely meal. So one 500g of mince stretches to 2 meals for 5 people.
My husband cooked yesterday so we have left over bolognaise sauce not quite enough for two however I’m going to pad it out with the remaining mushrooms and put some grated cheese on top and we can have with rice , that’s the leftovers used.
Yah for the 'messages'! 😁 I completely agree about the madness of shops running up to Christmas but it's worth making an exception to take advantage of the price wars on vegetables in the week before Christmas. Perfect time to stock up for January for next to nothing! I haven't been able to get bags of unwashed potatoes for ages, shame as they last a lot longer.
Whenever I go out for my 'messages' I usually have to pick up a bottle of wine. I often wonder how much money I could save if I wasn't so fond of plonk. 🍷 Your Nonsecco looks nice 😀
I remember going for the messages with my both my Grannies, one in Aberdeen and the other in Glasgow as well as with my Mum. 😊. Can’t wait to see Foodie Friday video! Have a great weekend.
When I had the children still at home I used to buy 10kg bags of potatoes but I can't see that size any more, the largest bag of potatoes I can buy now is 7.5kg, however, with an empty nest now I only need to buy 2.5kg, (Dublin). The largest chicken I buy is 2100g but more often I can only get 1900g.
Hi Ali, I really enjoy your videos, thank you. I think it’s great the way you sort out your budget. I really think it’s about mindset as opposed to the amount of money you have so I have found them very enjoyable. I add grated carrot, chopped celery, green lentils and lots of onion to stretch mince, not sure if you have mentioned all them, forgive me if you have. I think that if you budget you can be allow for small treats and enjoy them rather than feeling that you are scrimping and I think that message is very helpful to give. Thanks so much, I look forward to seeing the meals you do from the chicken xxx
Have you also tried pearl barley? Great for stretching mince because it takes on the flavour of whatever sauce you’re using but has a similar sort of “mouth feel” to mince once cooked into it. Cheap, too (although for how long…who knows? 🙄)
The clocks going back have thrown my body clock out as well. I normally get up at around 6:45 to 7am. But for the last 2 weeks it’s more akin to 6am…so have every sympathy for Luna… They talk that inflation is falling. But the grocery basket they base it upon is different to my staple food items…
Cookie is exactly the same since the clocks changed. She thinks I’m a terrible doggy mum for making her wait so long! Basic things have definitely gone up so looking forward to your video on stretching your shop . Xx
I have watched a few of your video's and found them very informative. I live in the UK, in the midlands and the food costs are getting ridiculous. Luckily I previously worked in a kitchen so have quite good cooking skills. I've started to use beans and pulses to stretch meat or just to bulk out soup. By the way basmati rice for rice pudding is delicious, I tried it because I only had basmati rice and was craving rice pudding.
Great videos! I live in Sweden and the same thing with the potatoes. Growing up (I'm 43) we always had a big bag of 10 kg of potatoes at home. Now the largest one can buy at supermarkets are 3 kg. Annoying, I like the security a big bag of potatoes gives me! 😅 as long as you have potatoes, you can always make a comforting meal! Food here is getting so expensive too. I have tried to keep a food budget on 3500 kr (something like 250 pounds) for three people but it's impossible! And we don't eat meat. But I have noticed that when I try to keep a tight budget, we eat a lot better! I plan our meals better and have less ready meals, take outs or like vegetarian products that are prepared. More veggies and fibers. I stopped buying butter when the price was 65 kr (£4.60) for 500 g. We have to do with canola oil from now on! It sounds smart stocking up to not have to go to the supermarket in December. We live really close to a big shopping center and it's horrific going in there in December! Absolute madness. Love your videos! Have a great weekend
Interesting. You can still buy 5kg and 10kg bags in Germany. When they are in season that is, which is now. And then there are the standard 2,5kg bags and occasionally 4kg bags. Speciality potatoes (red or purple, etc.) come in 1kg packages.
@EmmaHope88 I made myself a liar, they day after I wrote this, there was a 5 kg bag in the shop. Haven't seen one for years! 😁 10 kg I haven't seen for a long time. Interesting you can buy bigger bags at harvest! That's awesome 👌
Think you are right re potatoes. Farm shops will be your best bet. We get ours from localvegg delivery person and they have lovely big potatoes suitable for baking.😊
I am enjoying your videos always good to get some frugal ideas.When we were doing the ww2 ration diet I added oats to my husbands minced beef to stretch it and it worked really well, also to sausages to make sausage patties. I do hope you can avoid the supermarkets in December, I am hoping to do the same . Glad that Luna is better, we are doggie people, it's not nice when they are poorly, Chrissie.
Thanks for your shopping haul videos, Ali. I’m going to try frozen broccoli and slicing and freezing my own sweet peppers instead of buying fresh. Love the iced tea idea too! You’re right, it doesn’t look a lot for the money (I always say that when I bring my groceries in) but I’m sure you can make an awful lot of meals from what you bought. X
Ali, The Potato Guys deliver sacks of 12.5 and 25 kg to Falkirk and Stirling on Tuesdays £16 and £23.50 respectively, delivery free. Ive had them in the past and they are fine. If you look online you may find others. I hope this is helpful❤
Fantastic X I'm so looking forward to seeing your meals X I can't have lemsips so I used supermarket own diluting lemon juice and add boiling water with a little honey if I have a cold and I can't tell the difference and saves a fortune x
The other ingredient in lemsip is paracetamol which helps to reduce your temperature if you also have a fever. If you are not allergic to paracetamol you could take that with you lemon drink. That what I do as it is still much cheaper.
I use tinned ratatouille to bulk up cooked mince along with tomatoes. The ratouille also makes a great savoury crumble to have either on its own or with a couple of sausages or a piece of fish. I have to shop online because I'm disabled and although I do use Tescos I've found for a long time many of their basic items like big bags of rice, butter, eggs etc are always out of stock. I do have the uneasy feeling that it's all a ploy on Tescos part to try and make me buy a ( much) more expensive alternative. The Pellegrinos are fab aren't they?
I’ve noticed too the amount you get for your money is crazy I’m trying to budget there’s just me and my husband but it’s hard I’m retired early due to arthritis and my hubbie has heart rhythm issues so he’s retired. I like Tesco as their pretty good with choice
tip for stretching mince:- pasties (using turnip potatoes onion any veg and 1/2 a chicken stock cube)! if you look up Lord Woolton Pie and change it to add either a LITTLE mince or some kind of pulse that also stretches what you have - good luck
S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G is something I don't do as much as I could (because I'm a greedy pig, basically). That must be my challenge for next week - make things go further!
I sometimes substitute lentils for mince to make a shepherd’s pie - I think it’s referred to as a shepherdess pie. Very tasty, cheap and warming on a cold day.
Green lentils make a lovely shepherdess pie, I think - I just managed to get some dried ones from Lidl for 99p, though I generally buy them tinned. Home Bargains also do packets of “beluga” lentils (whatever they are), they’re ready cooked and really good.
Hello Ali! I agree that frozen vegetables are a better value for money, especially broccoli as you don't have to pay for so much stalk. Potatoes have suffered from drought all over. Never thought I'd get excited about $4.99 for five pounds. The most outrageous cost of things you can't even eat Have a blessed weekend. See you and Miss Luna on Monday.
Yes, I was thinking that too, but meat is such an ingrained part of most people’s diet in the UK that they find it hard to imagine meals without meat. But the suggestions for stretching out the meat dishes with lentils, beans etc are very useful for those who do eat meat.
I have always eaten meat, but my daughter and grandson are vegetarians, so I cook things for them, and find I,m enjoying more vegetable based meals, I,m really not buying much meat any more, and I,ve found some lovely recipes on tube.
I’ve seen sacks of potatoes available in Morrisons - not sure of variety or cost as we don’t eat them that often so wouldn’t buy one - but sure you can still get them.
Oatmeal or lentils are great for padding out meals Awhhh Luna 🐾🐾🐾 my two terriers are also struggling with the clocks changing 🙈🙈🙈 they very confused with the time difference!
I add a lot of kidney and lima beans to meat or chicken dishes to stretch meat. I also do a lot of vegetarian dishes. I also substitute a large can of tuna for the meat to do a bolognaise ragout. I actually prefer my tuna version to the meat one. Plus I add carrots, zuccini/corgette, broccoli, green beans and capsicum to a lot of meat based casseroles and other dishes. I love my vegetables, so it only improves these traditional meat based dishes, in my opinion.
Will definitely be trying the nonsecco! Did you say what you bought at Waitrose, Ali? Interested because I have received a voucher and have never been to a Waitrose store before. Thanks. I am still enjoying my 2lb tin fruit loaf.
If you have a Waitrose card and buy an item regularly, you may find you can get a 50p voucher off that item. Need to log in to your account to check and add it to your card.
Are there no independent greengrocers where you live? I have one just round the corner and you can get sacks of potatoes from him - and he delivers too!
@aliliveswellonless I can't remember if it was white or rose (menapause brain ) but I do drink alcohol and thought it was really nice i also gave a glass to a neighbour and she thought it was lovely.
I’ve noticed too the amount you get for your money is crazy I’m trying to budget there’s just me and my husband but it’s hard I’m retired early due to arthritis and my hubbie has heart rhythm issues so he’s retired.
Do you ever go to markets to shop instead of the large supermarket chain stores? They may be cheaper, fresher and don’ t use the unsustainable plastic bags that the produce is packed in.
I just put 2 teabags in a teapot with cold water and leave to brew for a few hours. I pour it into my fridge jug and add some of the Hi Juice to taste. It really is that simple!
I've kind of got out of the habit of calling the shopping 'the messages', but my husband and sons thought it was pretty funny - why do we call it that? Looking forward to your cooking video! We haven't had meatloaf in ages, putting it on my list of comfort meals for the autumn/winter.
To stretch meat, I make meat and veg pies, add meat to pasta sauce to serve with pasta. I've been skipping meat and making Indian meatless dishes which are full of flavor and spice like Rajma and Baigan Bartha. Tonight is a meatless quinoa Mexican casserole to fill flour tortillas for burritos.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
Ali, I think you are right when you say the basics seem to have really gone up in price e.g butter. I buy the large blocks of cheese too, I grate half of it and freeze it in smaller portions, really useful for cheese sauce, toppings etc. I bulk out meals with lentils, tinned lentils are a really good buy and I add red lentils to tomato dishes such as bolognaise as well as adding them to soups. In my pantry I keep a variety of tinned beans, black beans, kidney beans etc. I really like butter bean mash for a change, and tinned tomatoes are my best friend. I also struggle to buy bigger bags of potatoes, I’m wondering if either people don’t eat as many or are using ready made potato products instead. Take care from one chatty retired teacher to another x
Hi Ali, your videos are really encouraging. I have a young son and have been a stay home/ homeschooling mum (he's 6), and previously was a social worker. My husband's business is doing so badly in this economy that I've had to really hunker down and make things stretch- a lot. However, there are videos like yours which really speak to so many of us who, for whatever reason, have to live well on much less. Thank you! I make meat stretch by adding lentils, chickpeas or walnuts(these are great in a meat loaf). Xo from Canada.
A great way to bring in extra income while homeschooling is to take in a couple of extra kids & offer childcare. That's what I did when mine were little. It's a win-win, the children have play/classmates, & you earn while you're at home anyway! Also a SW here in the UK, there's plenty of work online, here at least. Hope it helps!
I used to buy a big sack of potatoes for £4 from Morrisons to share with our daughter but they haven't had them for a long time. You can possibly still get some from farm shops but we no longer live close enough to warrant spending money on petrol to get there.
I'm really looking forward to your next videos, Ali, I always learn something new !
Angie ❤
I am down in Gloucestershire but my old boss was from Glasgow and always talked about doing his messages at lunchtime, so whennyou said that it brought back happy memories😀
Hi Ali, dont forget to save the seeds from.the peppers. I did and grew several peppers from.each plant and cut them up.and froze them.
Ooh did you!? Wow, I'm gonna try that this year!
Yes! "Going for the messages" was how i grew up and reminds me of my lovely mum. Much better than haul. Except... when my mother said " I'm away a wee message"... you knew it was private and you werent to know where she was going😂. Enjoyed both parts 1 and 2 if your videos Ali, thank you.
@caroldaviddaviejohnson2225
Your message takes me back. My mum was a Scot and not only was going for the messages a thing so was going for a wee message from time to time.
Hi from NZ 👋
@cathymacnee1051 Hi Cathy! Sending you my best wishes in beautiful NZ.
When I make a spag bol, I always have some meat over. I have now started making a lasagne the next day as it uses less meat and the pasta sheets are not expensive. I usually mix it with a pasta bake creamy sauce (from a jar) and leave out the white sauce. Cover with grated cheese and you have a lovely meal. So one 500g of mince stretches to 2 meals for 5 people.
My husband cooked yesterday so we have left over bolognaise sauce not quite enough for two however I’m going to pad it out with the remaining mushrooms and put some grated cheese on top and we can have with rice , that’s the leftovers used.
Yah for the 'messages'! 😁
I completely agree about the madness of shops running up to Christmas but it's worth making an exception to take advantage of the price wars on vegetables in the week before Christmas. Perfect time to stock up for January for next to nothing!
I haven't been able to get bags of unwashed potatoes for ages, shame as they last a lot longer.
Yes I'll make an exception for the cheap veggies!!
Whenever I go out for my 'messages' I usually have to pick up a bottle of wine. I often wonder how much money I could save if I wasn't so fond of plonk. 🍷 Your Nonsecco looks nice 😀
I remember going for the messages with my both my Grannies, one in Aberdeen and the other in Glasgow as well as with my Mum. 😊. Can’t wait to see Foodie Friday video! Have a great weekend.
When I had the children still at home I used to buy 10kg bags of potatoes but I can't see that size any more, the largest bag of potatoes I can buy now is 7.5kg, however, with an empty nest now I only need to buy 2.5kg, (Dublin). The largest chicken I buy is 2100g but more often I can only get 1900g.
Hi Ali, I really enjoy your videos, thank you. I think it’s great the way you sort out your budget. I really think it’s about mindset as opposed to the amount of money you have so I have found them very enjoyable. I add grated carrot, chopped celery, green lentils and lots of onion to stretch mince, not sure if you have mentioned all them, forgive me if you have. I think that if you budget you can be allow for small treats and enjoy them rather than feeling that you are scrimping and I think that message is very helpful to give. Thanks so much, I look forward to seeing the meals you do from the chicken xxx
I add the same things to mine too. 🎉
Have you also tried pearl barley? Great for stretching mince because it takes on the flavour of whatever sauce you’re using but has a similar sort of “mouth feel” to mince once cooked into it. Cheap, too (although for how long…who knows? 🙄)
The clocks going back have thrown my body clock out as well. I normally get up at around 6:45 to 7am. But for the last 2 weeks it’s more akin to 6am…so have every sympathy for Luna…
They talk that inflation is falling. But the grocery basket they base it upon is different to my staple food items…
Cookie is exactly the same since the clocks changed. She thinks I’m a terrible doggy mum for making her wait so long!
Basic things have definitely gone up so looking forward to your video on stretching your shop . Xx
I have watched a few of your video's and found them very informative. I live in the UK, in the midlands and the food costs are getting ridiculous. Luckily I previously worked in a kitchen so have quite good cooking skills. I've started to use beans and pulses to stretch meat or just to bulk out soup. By the way basmati rice for rice pudding is delicious, I tried it because I only had basmati rice and was craving rice pudding.
Thanks for the tip, I'll def try it now :-)
I think the potato harvest has been poor this year due to the wet weather so probably why they are being put in smaller bags?
Asian shops have big bags of potatoes. Basmati rice is great for pudding we use it for kheer
Great videos! I live in Sweden and the same thing with the potatoes. Growing up (I'm 43) we always had a big bag of 10 kg of potatoes at home. Now the largest one can buy at supermarkets are 3 kg. Annoying, I like the security a big bag of potatoes gives me! 😅 as long as you have potatoes, you can always make a comforting meal! Food here is getting so expensive too. I have tried to keep a food budget on 3500 kr (something like 250 pounds) for three people but it's impossible! And we don't eat meat. But I have noticed that when I try to keep a tight budget, we eat a lot better! I plan our meals better and have less ready meals, take outs or like vegetarian products that are prepared. More veggies and fibers. I stopped buying butter when the price was 65 kr (£4.60) for 500 g. We have to do with canola oil from now on! It sounds smart stocking up to not have to go to the supermarket in December. We live really close to a big shopping center and it's horrific going in there in December! Absolute madness. Love your videos! Have a great weekend
Interesting. You can still buy 5kg and 10kg bags in Germany. When they are in season that is, which is now. And then there are the standard 2,5kg bags and occasionally 4kg bags. Speciality potatoes (red or purple, etc.) come in 1kg packages.
@EmmaHope88 I made myself a liar, they day after I wrote this, there was a 5 kg bag in the shop. Haven't seen one for years! 😁 10 kg I haven't seen for a long time. Interesting you can buy bigger bags at harvest! That's awesome 👌
Completely with you on the Tesco double sized loo roll. I live on my own and one pack lasts me ages. 😂😂
Think you are right re potatoes. Farm shops will be your best bet. We get ours from localvegg delivery person and they have lovely big potatoes suitable for baking.😊
I am enjoying your videos always good to get some frugal ideas.When we were doing the ww2 ration diet I added oats to my husbands minced beef to stretch it and it worked really well, also to sausages to make sausage patties. I do hope you can avoid the supermarkets in December, I am hoping to do the same . Glad that Luna is better, we are doggie people, it's not nice when they are poorly, Chrissie.
Thanks for your shopping haul videos, Ali. I’m going to try frozen broccoli and slicing and freezing my own sweet peppers instead of buying fresh. Love the iced tea idea too! You’re right, it doesn’t look a lot for the money (I always say that when I bring my groceries in) but I’m sure you can make an awful lot of meals from what you bought. X
Ali, The Potato Guys deliver sacks of 12.5 and 25 kg to Falkirk and Stirling on Tuesdays £16 and £23.50 respectively, delivery free. Ive had them in the past and they are fine. If you look online you may find others. I hope this is helpful❤
Ooo thanks for the tip!!
Fantastic X I'm so looking forward to seeing your meals X I can't have lemsips so I used supermarket own diluting lemon juice and add boiling water with a little honey if I have a cold and I can't tell the difference and saves a fortune x
The other ingredient in lemsip is paracetamol which helps to reduce your temperature if you also have a fever. If you are not allergic to paracetamol you could take that with you lemon drink. That what I do as it is still much cheaper.
@patmartin9727 yes I just take 2 for temp X it's a lot cheeper this way X I'm on blood thinners so I have to avoid lemsips Dr said x
Loved the vlog Ali you have spent a lot of money this week but looks like you have plenty of meals for the money and some good stockpiles.❤️❤️😅
I use tinned ratatouille to bulk up cooked mince along with tomatoes. The ratouille also makes a great savoury crumble to have either on its own or with a couple of sausages or a piece of fish.
I have to shop online because I'm disabled and although I do use Tescos I've found for a long time many of their basic items like big bags of rice, butter, eggs etc are always out of stock. I do have the uneasy feeling that it's all a ploy on Tescos part to try and make me buy a ( much) more expensive alternative. The Pellegrinos are fab aren't they?
Its Great to have more video's from you. ❤
I’ve noticed too the amount you get for your money is crazy I’m trying to budget there’s just me and my husband but it’s hard I’m retired early due to arthritis and my hubbie has heart rhythm issues so he’s retired. I like Tesco as their pretty good with choice
My dog hasn’t adjusted to the time changes either . Poor things .
Agree Ali, the size of bags of potatoes are just too small now even just for 3 of us 🤷♀️. Love your content.
Thank you for sharing Ali😊
Hi, Ali ❤ aldi do a really good duplicate for the lemon cans of pop it's called limonata and cost £2:99
tip for stretching mince:- pasties (using turnip potatoes onion any veg and 1/2 a chicken stock cube)! if you look up Lord Woolton Pie and change it to add either a LITTLE mince or some kind of pulse that also stretches what you have - good luck
hello we stay in fife and we call our food shop messages! Love it!x
S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G is something I don't do as much as I could (because I'm a greedy pig, basically).
That must be my challenge for next week - make things go further!
I'm the same. Full of good intentions, but them my mouth gets the better of me. I can resist everything except temptation. 😂
I sometimes substitute lentils for mince to make a shepherd’s pie - I think it’s referred to as a shepherdess pie. Very tasty, cheap and warming on a cold day.
Green lentils make a lovely shepherdess pie, I think - I just managed to get some dried ones from Lidl for 99p, though I generally buy them tinned. Home Bargains also do packets of “beluga” lentils (whatever they are), they’re ready cooked and really good.
I do that too, my son has been asking for it for weeks, I have to make that soon😀!
I really enjoy your videos
Thank you so much
Heart ideas for making those fruit teas Ali, thank you.
i buy Frozen veg too ❤living alone too its much better i got cabbage , brockley, 🥰 ect not got a big freezer so got to go carefull on space
Hello Ali! I agree that frozen vegetables are a better value for money, especially broccoli as you don't have to pay for so much stalk. Potatoes have suffered from drought all over. Never thought I'd get excited about $4.99 for five pounds. The most outrageous cost of things you can't even eat Have a blessed weekend. See you and Miss Luna on Monday.
PS tip for stretching meat. Vegetarianism!!! It’s worth giving it a go!
Yes, I was thinking that too, but meat is such an ingrained part of most people’s diet in the UK that they find it hard to imagine meals without meat. But the suggestions for stretching out the meat dishes with lentils, beans etc are very useful for those who do eat meat.
I have always eaten meat, but my daughter and grandson are vegetarians, so I cook things for them, and find I,m enjoying more vegetable based meals, I,m really not buying much meat any more, and I,ve found some lovely recipes on tube.
Enjoyed the haul!
I’ve seen sacks of potatoes available in Morrisons - not sure of variety or cost as we don’t eat them that often so wouldn’t buy one - but sure you can still get them.
Thanks Ali.
Oatmeal or lentils are great for padding out meals
Awhhh Luna 🐾🐾🐾 my two terriers are also struggling with the clocks changing 🙈🙈🙈 they very confused with the time difference!
I add a lot of kidney and lima beans to meat or chicken dishes to stretch meat. I also do a lot of vegetarian dishes. I also substitute a large can of tuna for the meat to do a bolognaise ragout. I actually prefer my tuna version to the meat one. Plus I add carrots, zuccini/corgette, broccoli, green beans and capsicum to a lot of meat based casseroles and other dishes. I love my vegetables, so it only improves these traditional meat based dishes, in my opinion.
And it's a great way to sneak veggies and pulses into fussy eaters! ;-)
Will definitely be trying the nonsecco! Did you say what you bought at Waitrose, Ali? Interested because I have received a voucher and have never been to a Waitrose store before. Thanks. I am still enjoying my 2lb tin fruit loaf.
Totally forgot to say I got some organic flour at Waitrose. They do 1.5kg bags for £2 atm. The other supermarkets only do 1kg bags
@aliliveswellonless thank you so much! You had mentioned the flour on Part 1, so I should have remembered it!
If you have a Waitrose card and buy an item regularly, you may find you can get a 50p voucher off that item. Need to log in to your account to check and add it to your card.
@@carolyncarolyncarolyn Yep I've got a 50p voucher for my flour so I'll buy another bag next week for £1.50 🙂
They had very large sacks of potatoes in home bargains the other day the problem Is because they are washed how long will they last
Thanks for the tip! I'll have a look in there some time :-)
Little Duck toilet roll is fantastic and a bit cheaper than theTesco brand (pack of 24).
Are there no independent greengrocers where you live? I have one just round the corner and you can get sacks of potatoes from him - and he delivers too!
Yes, we call it messages too! 😄
Aldi do a deally good zero alcohol processco think it was 2.99 last time i bought it.
I'll check it out thanks!
@aliliveswellonless I can't remember if it was white or rose (menapause brain ) but I do drink alcohol and thought it was really nice i also gave a glass to a neighbour and she thought it was lovely.
Love the tip for making your own iced tea I'm going to try that. How long does it keep for in the fridge and what quantity do you make please?
I make about a litre at a time and it keeps for a couple of days in the fridge :-)
@aliliveswellonless thank you
I’ve noticed too the amount you get for your money is crazy I’m trying to budget there’s just me and my husband but it’s hard I’m retired early due to arthritis and my hubbie has heart rhythm issues so he’s retired.
Same in belfast we call it messages xx
😀😀
I don’t especially like the word “haul” either but it’s ubiquitous now. I guess we’re stuck with it!
Ali, i think Morrisons sell a big bag of potatoes.
How much was the large chicken, compared to the Aldi large chicken? Please 😊
That 1.64kg chicken was £5.25. The large size should be between 1.5kg and 1.9kg but I never see any bigger than 1.7 ish!
Lol my dog is the same im having to feed her an hour earlier now lol x
Hi Ali is the chicken free range/ethically farmed?
💜⭐️💜
Do you ever go to markets to shop instead of the large supermarket chain stores? They may be cheaper, fresher and don’ t use the unsustainable plastic bags that the produce is packed in.
Sadly there isn't a market near me. Once a month there's a farmer's market in the city centre but it's very artisan and expensive
Can you show how to make ice tea . Please
I just put 2 teabags in a teapot with cold water and leave to brew for a few hours. I pour it into my fridge jug and add some of the Hi Juice to taste. It really is that simple!
@aliliveswellonless definitely going to try it
Yes the 2.5kg bags of potatoes have shrunk to 2kg drive me mad 😂
mornig all
We can get a sack of potatoes in Lidl
I've not seen any in mine. I'll keep my eye out next time!
Looking forward to your meatloaf recipe! Thanks 😊
I've just put it on the blog :-)
@@aliliveswellonlessthanks 😊
I've kind of got out of the habit of calling the shopping 'the messages', but my husband and sons thought it was pretty funny - why do we call it that?
Looking forward to your cooking video! We haven't had meatloaf in ages, putting it on my list of comfort meals for the autumn/winter.
To stretch meat, I make meat and veg pies, add meat to pasta sauce to serve with pasta. I've been skipping meat and making Indian meatless dishes which are full of flavor and spice like Rajma and Baigan Bartha. Tonight is a meatless quinoa Mexican casserole to fill flour tortillas for burritos.
Yum!! I probably only eat meat 3 or 4 times a week, other nights are veggie. I really like a good veggie biryani but not made one for aaaages!