All You’s Grocery Challenge has hit the halfway point, with two more weeks to go. More than 7,000 people are spending less than $25 a person each week on food. The winner, who not only goes under budget but displays healthy and creative menu choices, could win $1,000, a year’s supply of Knorr side dishes and the chance to appear in All You!

Over on our Grocery Challenge blog, the discussion is revolving around cooking. With such a limited budget, participants are getting creative with new recipes and ways to stockpile on sale-priced items at the grocery store. Looking to spice up your menu without spending more cash? Check out a few of these great tips.

From Rhonda Lynne:

I sat down several months ago and wrote down every possible meal that my family of seven will eat and enjoy. To plan meals, I first take stock and make a written list of edibles in my freezer, fridge and pantry. Then I’ll sit down and put together meals from what I have, then I’ll make up meals from what I have plus what’s on sale that week, then I have a list of less expensive meals to fill in my meal plan. Using Meals Matter’s menu-planning tools, I’ll print out what I’ve decided on for the week or weeks that I’ve planned, then keep that posted on the fridge. It really helps me to see what meals are coming up so that I can be prepared.

From Adie:

Frozen bananas, without the peel on them, can be used for smoothies or banana bread, or banana muffins, or banana pancakes. In just about any recipe for a baked item that calls for a fruit, you can substitute bananas. Freeze your over-ripe, brown ones that nobody wants to eat. Peel them first, because they are really hard to peel when they are frozen (I know, I tried!). For baking, you should thaw before using. For smoothies, just toss into the blender still frozen. It makes the smoothie thicker.

From Nora Cash:

To save even more money on a stew, I keep a storage container in my refrigerator that I put all of the leftover veggies in that we don’t eat at a meal- that couple of tablespoons of corn that no one wanted, or the excess carrot sticks that are starting to dry out- anything that isn’t enough to keep to make a side dish for a meal of by itself. If I have any meals that have gravy with them I will also dump that in there (which helps to keep it all from drying out). Then at the end of the week I throw whatever is in that storage container into the crock-pot with whatever cheap cut of meat I have on hand and add in enough additional veggies, broth, and sometimes a whole grain pasta to make a stew that my family loves. It’s one of the best ways I’ve found to eliminate a lot of the waste and save some extra money. Sometimes in the summer I’ll freeze the contents of the storage containers- that way when fall comes around, and we’re in more of a stew mood I have all the ingredients close at hand.

Want more tips? Even if you’re not competing, join the discussion at our Grocery Challenge blog.

SEE ALSO:
The Grocery Challenge is on!
The Grocery Challenge is in full swing!
Make it easy to save on groceries

Posted by Megan Friedman, All You intern

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