HOW TO EAT FOR $10 A WEEK| EXTREME GROCERY BUDGET CHALLENGE

[@ArdentMichelle]

Everything is super cute and affordable! Great quality and prices!!! Click the link to get all items on Temu with an extra 30% off: www.temu.com/k/ff3ceeab Use code "Temu472" to get 30% off with Temu

[@maryellen9503]

Temu is super awesome, I can't stop buying things from them!

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

While these types of videos are toted as "emergency" and not for sustainability, one of the things rarely talked about is how useful they really can be in a long term plan. In the same way Meatless Monday somehow changed the mentality of "eat less meat" to a mentality of "this simple change-up can save you money" so too can these extreme budget meals remind us that not every meal has to be over-the-top. Eating like this (albeit with a bit more vegetation and balance) really can be scattered more frequently into our overall meal planning. Planning being key. These types of videos really can save us so much more than just getting by that one tough week, especially in these panic times of inflation. (And please remember to seek help from your local sources if this type of reliance is the only way you are surviving. Everyone deserves to eat, and there is nothing wrong with a society supporting its individuals in need, or wrong with those individuals accepting help when needed.)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Well said Yvonne 👍

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

@@ArdentMichelle I actually love videos where you make comments like, "this was in my pantry so I used it" or "if you have this item, you can add it" it's making the statement that "just because this is an extreme budget meal, doesn't mean it can't also be elevated to a 'budget-friendly, but missing nothing' meal you can add to your regular rotation." I think this should be said over and over again. When you comment you'll make it again or will add this to your rotation, that's important. That's the message I love best, as learning how to place these simpler meals within our regular rotation can truly help those in need of gaining control of their budget.

[@motherofnerdlings]

Well said !

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@yvonnepalmquist8676 ok got it 👍 Thanks for the feedback Yvonne. It's very helpful.

[@claudiamello7684]

Good points. Michelle really makes inexpensive vegetarian food look fantastic. So grateful for her creativity. Who wouldn't want to eat like this.

[@spicycopper2436]

On the pancakes, I was out of milk. I had a very ripe banana. I mashed it up and added water to make the amount of milk it required. Turned out great.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I've used the mashed banana in the pancakes too. Very good 👍

[@Angel-rq3pi]

Apple sauce is a great alternative. Esp if you are out of milk and or don't drink it. I use it in packaged muffin mix (in place of pretty much any liquid).

[@FairyRosee_]

That's amazing I would have never thought of that!

[@cookingforme4711]

I always enjoy your videos and the care you take in plating your dishes making each meal look like something special. That's half the battle making everything seem like a restaurant meal rather than budget meal. Great job and btw love the red fingernail polish.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁 Glad you like my plating. Trying to keep it festive with the red polish 😂😂 Happy New Year 🎉

[@michelleadams8309]

I appreciate your creativity. I also love how you serve meals on nice plates, using various bowls, side plates, nice cutlery & napkins. We should remember that just because we're being thrifty, that doesn't mean we can't treat ourselves kindly & make meals look appetizing. Great job! One of my favorite vids you've made. Happy 2023! 🌞

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Michelle 😁 Yay! I'm so glad you liked this video! Thanks for letting me know. Happy New Year 🥳

[@seaotter1975]

I have a tortilla recipe I use olive oil in, they are the fluffiest tortillas I've ever made. 3 Cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoons salt 1/3 cup olive oil 1 cup HOT water In a food processor I add flour, salt and baking powder. Pulse a few times to mix. Then while food processor is on low I slowly add olive oil. After the olive oil I slowly (slowly) add the hot water. I do this because not always do you need the whole cup. Mix on high until a dough ball forms. Should not be sticky but should not be dry either. Empty into a bowl and form a ball, cover for 15 to 30 minutes to rest. After rest time divide into equal portion balls (I make large tortillas so I get about 8 from this batch). Let rest another 10 minutes covered and then roll out. I roll mine out all at one time using wax paper to separate them and then cook on medium-high heat until I see a good amount of bubbles before flipping. The secret to having soft tortillas and not hard or dry is to not over cook them on each side. When you have bubbles and light browning on both sides they are done. I normally make 2 batches of tortillas and freeze some and take out what I need when I need them. Same with my biscuits. I make a double batch, roll and cut them out and then put the biscuit dough on a parchment lined cookie sheet and freeze them. Once frozen I put in a zip lock bag and then take out whatever I need and bake them up. Sorry so long!! Love your videos and the ideas you have!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much for sharing this. 😁 I'm definitely going to try this. I'm saving this comment for future reference. I'm glad you are enjoying my videos. Thanks for letting me know.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

This week Price Rite has a 20lb bag of long grain rice by RICO for $6.99 or 6.99/20=35 cents a lb. Chicken quarters should be coming up at $0.48lb in 10lb bags. 20oz can veg $0.66. Feed a family of 4 for $0.72+$0.17+$0.66=$1.55/4= $0.38 per person. If you shop carefully, correct portions and cook at home you can feed a family of 4 for $28-$30 a week.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Wow those are great prices. I've never heard of Price Rite. Where are you? Are you on the east coast?

[@jschuesler1977]

I love your innovation and variety. I would eat all those meals and they don’t feel like budget meals.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! 😁 Glad you liked my meals. Happy New Year 🎉

[@meg88262]

i love the respect you show the food in your videos. You make these humble and meager ingredients sing every time. i very much enjoy watching..

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for this very nice complement 🥰 It is greatly appreciated. Happy New Year Mary 🥳🎉

[@gccheryl4038]

Yes, couldn't agree more. Thanks for another inspiring budget video AM!!

[@richardbois5696]

You always take a creative approach to cooking, even on a $10 budget,everything is elevated...happy new year

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Richard 😁Happy New Year to you too 🎉🥳

[@allyrooh3628]

I love when I look at people’s food haul & anticipate the meals. I am always surprised with your meals. I wanted to let you know, I sent my grown kids the treat boxes from around the world. They were so surprised & excited! 🎄🎁

[@ArdentMichelle]

That's awesome. 😁 What a great gift. It's so interesting!

[@allyrooh3628]

@@ArdentMichelle I was going to just send them one box for Christmas, but they loved it so much I went back and subscribed for monthly. They like knowing they have something to look forward to. Thanks for putting it out there for us to try

[@Boone22]

Thank you for showing these meals,and meal planning. Praying everyone will have a Happy New Years!

[@ArdentMichelle]

You are so welcome! 😁 Happy New Year 🎉

[@kristahammar5143]

I think you did a really great job! It's so nice of you to show budget meals, and you make them look beautiful and delicious! Thank you for making your videos!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Krista 😁 Thanks so much for letting me know you like my videos. 🥰 Happy New Year 🥳

[@kristahammar5143]

@@ArdentMichelle Happy New Year 😊🥳

[@robinswan5831]

What a great way to start off the year! Thanks for doing these. As always your foods never loook budget at all! They look so fancy and yummy!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Robin 😁 Happy New Year 🥳

[@kippytx]

You are my favorite channel to watch. Thank you

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Lucinda 😁 Yay! That makes me so happy! 🥰 I'm so grateful for your support! Happy New Year 🥳🎉

[@happycook6737]

Adding olive oil to tortilla or chapattis gives it a strong olive oil taste. If you add a bit more olive oil to a tortilla recipe it becomes like crackers which you can cook like a tortilla in a pan. Just cut into desired size before cooking. Add rosemary and garlic powder for an upscale cracker taste.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 I use extra virgin olive oil so it has a very mild flavor. The cracker idea sounds interesting.

[@thegigiollieshow8768]

I just can't get enough of your videos I love them all so much 🖤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! I love hearing this 😁 Glad you like them.

[@nancyculp6968]

Item is used to swirl thin batter of crapes in your pan. Also if someone wants to make an egg to fit an English muffin you can spray the inside of a band that screws on a pint size canning jar, placed on foil lined baking pan sprayed with oil spray. Then bake in oven until cooked to your desired consistency. Then just pop egg out of ring and throw away foil…no cleanup hardly. Just wash the ring or rings. Make up a weeks worth, make the breakfast muffins with your cheese and a slice of ham, bacon or sausage. Wrap each sandwich individually and freeze. Now just pull one out when you want one.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Nancy 😁 Wow this is a really great tip 👍 I should try this on my channel. Love this idea.Thanks so much for sharing!

[@htas6888]

Thank you for a wonderfully informative and inspiring video log. As a vegan, I don't eat dairy products, so use of water to make delicious alternatives work well for me. I love the fact that you put onion in the potatoes as you cooked them, I love the flavor of onion and it is very nutrient rich. I have a turn table next to my stove and I love it. Those heat tempered glasses for hot beverages look great, I will consider getting them. Having free mailing for a first time customer is a great incentive :) All your meals look wonderful, if you did not say this is inexpensive, budget menu, I wouldn't know, I think a person can eat wonderfully well and get enough protein and food value out of this menu.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😀 You're welcome. Thanks so much for letting me know you like this video. I agree, I love the free shipping for new customers from Temu. I'm going to order a few more of those glasses soon. I appreciate the complement. Happy New Year 🥳

[@nancyculp6968]

Also, if you scrape out inside of your potato after you season it way you want it, then use potato skin to make appetizers out of them…like TGIF restaurant. Get double duty out of it. You would need to oil the skin and sprinkle it with little salt and bake it on baking sheet without wrapping it in foil. Save up enough and one night have a “snack” meal. I love when you show how to cook oriental dishes! I think one of the best ways to stretch food. Also, cajun cooking is another way to stretch food…both are very good!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I don't think I've made potato skins on my channel yet. That would be fun!

[@kathleenarapoglou7724]

Lovely ideas. Thanks. I always have orzo pasta in the pantry. If you have three bites of meat from leftovers, saute in onions, tomato and whatever else you have in the fridge. Serve on a bed of orzo pasta, using it like rice.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Kathleen 😁 I love this idea 👍 Can't wait to try different recipes with it.

[@alanbirkner1958]

Re: bulk buying. I go to Aldi's about once a month. Some of their prices are terrific. My husband likes a cereal that's $8 a box everywhere except Wal-Mart so once a month he goes there for 5 boxes and a few other things. For everything else, I compare the sales prices advertised each week and stock up. We eat meatless meals 2 or 3 times per week. We've been retired for several years. Tina, Al's wife

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Tina 😁 I used to shop at Aldi a lot more. In the past few months my store hasn't had as many great deals....with the exception of meat. I think having meatless meals 2-3 times per week just makes sense for anyone budgeting. Eggs are dramatically increasing too, so there may need to be less of those eaten in my house. 😞

[@beckyw9000]

Nothing says Happy New Year to me like kale in something colorful and warm, and that Chana dal stew looks like the perfect start to a new year. I have to eat less dairy for health reasons, and for someone raised in Texas it is hard to find breakfast food that is dairy lite and this video provided a ton of great ideas. Thanks for including the pancakes! Happy New Year to you and your family!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Becky 😁 I'm trying to cut out more dairy too 😂 Glad you liked my video. Thanks for letting me know and Happy New Year 🥳🥰

[@CathieG]

Wow that’s a lot of food! 👍🏻💕

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you think so 😁

[@michellemybelle22]

You do such a great job. You celebrate the food in front of you by the thoughtful way you approach the meal plans and preparation. Wishing you wonderful things in 2023.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Michelle 😁 Thank you so much and best wishes to you as well for a beautiful 2023 🥰

[@cheriemonami]

Totally awesome! You are so inspiring. Thank you.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@vegemitegirl1971]

I have never seen a crepe spreader in a home before, only in restaurants and on tv cooking shows. Please review it for us.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Lee 😁 Looking forward to it. I'm not promising any kind of skill though. 😂😂

[@m_ellemarga8815]

Mmmm… love a baked potato. I believe you’d like potato tacos. The tacos regularly graced our table during the Lenten season as it’s a meatless dish. As always, you are hands down, the most creative channel when it comes to budget cooking. Your meals may not be intended to be a long term solution to budget constraints, but your meals are pretty on point to how my family eats on a regular basis. Great job!!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 Thanks so much for the nice complement 🥰 My regular budget is about $30 a week, but these extreme budget videos are the most popular. I'm glad you like my content. Thanks for letting me know. Happy New Year

[@magomago7819]

My goal, to feed my family of 6 for $50 a week and it includes work lunches for 2 as well. Some of my main ingredients are potatoes, beans, rice, tofu, chorizo.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 Great job on feeding a family of 6 for $50 a week 👍 thanks for sharing your ingredients with us.

[@danasandlin2435]

Another home run--you keep hitting them out of the park--you are an angel...thanks, dts/usa

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...thanks Dana 🥰 Happy New Year

[@tmdavidson1478]

Hi everyone ! Happy New Year. Thank you for the ideas. I cannot eat wheat and have made pancakes from banana and egg. I add some cinnamon to the batter and eat them like blini. I am so impressed with the amount of nutrition you pack into a small budget.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 I've made them with just banana too and egg too. They are very good 👍 I'm glad you like my videos.

[@moonstoneway2694]

Thank you for your helpful videos showing creative ways to cook and present meals. I love to add some orzo to brothy chicken and vegetable soups about 20 minutes before the end. It adds just enough carbs to satisfy without being heavy.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Love this tip 👍 great idea!

[@ninajohnson6578]

As always great ideas! Thank you

[@ArdentMichelle]

You are so welcome! 😁 Thanks for letting me know you like this video!

[@barbarawalker3366]

Thank you for all the great budget ideas! I'm looking forward to using orzo to make my lunches too. Happy New Year 🎊🎉

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Barbara 😁 Yes...orzo salad is so so good! Let me know what you think after you try it. Happy New Year 🎉

[@JRo-ld9db]

Another great video! Appreciate how you aim to include healthy options within the constraints of the budget! Thank you 🙏🏽

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure 😁 Thank YOU for letting me know you liked this video!

[@jobellecollie7139]

Thank you for showing I don’t need a corporate sponsor for high end appliances. I just found your channel and will go back and rewatched and get caught up. 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Welcome to my channel 😁 Glad to have you here.

[@rachelhero3413]

Hey Michelle! I can’t tell you how happy I am to have found your videos over the last year. You’ve not only shown me great budget ideas you’ve renewed my love of vegetarian dishes that I hadn’t had in ages. I’ve been so excited to see what you will create in each video and this is no exception. I can’t wait to see what comes this year!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Awe...thanks Rachel 😁 I really appreciate that. I've enjoyed talking with you over this past year too 🥰 Here's to both of us having an awesome 2023 🥳 🎉

[@shettikkawoods3248]

Thank you, I'm doing a cabbage soup, beans,vegetables this week.

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁 That sounds very good. It's raining here in California, definitely soup weather. Sounds yummy

[@danijohnson1038]

I love watching these kinds of videos, they give me ideas for meals and such even when I am not on a budget.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Dani 😁 Glad you like my video. Happy New Year 🎉🥳

[@ekomomaimm]

That wood utensil is used for making "crepe suzettes"! Happy New Year!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yep 👍 now let's see how I do with it 😂😂 Happy New Year 🎉

[@jassim2844]

I enjoy your channel and watch for new additions. I do use a lot of your recipe suggestions. I have ordered from Temu and am pleased with everything I have gotten. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us.

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome. Yay! 😁 I'm so glad you are enjoying my content. Thanks for letting me know. So far, I've loved my stuff from Temu. It's so nice to have another avenue to obtain inexpensive items for my kitchen. Happy New Year! 🥳

[@FairyRosee_]

You make this budget challenge look so indulgent and rich in variety. We have to stretch our food a lot more after Christmas spending so this reminded me we have lentils and rice I can use up!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 and thank you so much. Glad you liked this video. I think we all need to save more money after Christmas 😂

[@happygardener28]

A couple decades ago I had to deal with a tight budget. At the time TVP was available at my local grocery and I would add it to my ground meat letting it soak up the liquids. I was later told that I need to minimize my exposure to soy products, I have a genetic variant that causes my blood to clot very quickly. But the TVP can be very handy and stores for quite a while.

[@mcanultymichelle]

Girl,you rock.l love how you us whole single ingredients.Except for the Margarine (l get it) when you say healthy budget meals, you mean it.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Michelle 😁 Thank you so much. 🥰 yeah...I hated using the margarine...but glad you understand. Happy New Year! 🎉🥳

[@samanthadodd8112]

U make the best budget videos.

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe..thanks so much 🥰

[@southerncaltattooedbiker3643]

I love shopping at Temu everything is good and it works unlike Wish you never knew what you were going to get. And it comes on time I will continue to be a customer ‼️

[@ArdentMichelle]

I've never tried Wish, but I've been happy with TEMU. They are sponsoring my next video as well, so it looks like my viewers have been ordering from them 😂 I love the products I received.

[@MikeN1375]

I wish I had some of your courage in trying new foods. You are very thoughtful in your planning which is a wonderful gift you give to those who are trying to survive during hard times. Have you ever thought of taking one usual ingredient and showing more than one way to use it in a video?

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Brenda 😁 I love using one ingredient in multiple ways. That's pretty much what I do in almost every video. Do you mean to use one ingredient multiple ways in a single video? That would be fun! I'm going to be releasing a spaghetti 10 ways video, but unfortunately I'm not sure how well the video will do.

[@CathieG]

Happy New Year Michelle! 🎆🎈🎉🤩🥳😍🥰

[@ArdentMichelle]

Awe...thanks CG. 😁 Happy New Year friend 🎉🥳

[@francinelee4129]

Good video. I love Team and used your code. I also got free shipping. I got the Wooden cooking utensils, the wooden cooking spoon, the household cleaning brush, 2 suction cups and I could have went on and on... Lol... Thank you for the 30% off and the free shipping was awesome. I got nine things for twenty bucks. You can't beat that.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Francine 😁 That is awesome! I think you will love the wooden spatulas from TEMU. I've been using them for EVERYTHING. Funny how sometimes one new item in the kitchen can make you so happy.

[@Ericaaaaaaaaaa]

As usual, you absolutely crushed this challenge!! I can't believe how many beautiful meals you made for just $10. Thank you for making these videos. I have a weekly grocery budget that is more than $10, but my dollars definitely get me less food in 2023 than a few years ago, so I really appreciate you sharing these money-saving ideas! 🙏

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Erica 😁 I'm glad you are enjoying my videos. Thanks for letting me know. 🥰

[@Lisarovick]

Great job on such a small budget! You nailed it 👏

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you liked it! 😁

[@melcarter6422]

I loved the rice packets to freeze. I’ve been having a hard time finding TVP locally. I’ve used TVP for chili, taco salad, etc. When reconstituting the TVP on its own, one recipe book added that you should use a table spoon of ketchup to help the TVP to better absorb the water. Not sure why. If adding it to a stockpot of ingredients, it’s not an issue.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like the rice packet tip. 😁 Some stores here have the TVP but it's very high, so not worth it. That's interesting about the ketchup tip. Maybe it's because ketchup has vinegar in it. That's the only reason I could think of.

[@glasshalfsunny]

Thank you for this video to kick off my New Year's resolution of saving money on groceries! I was wondering if you would ever consider doing a video on JUST recipes cooked in your toaster oven? I just got one on Craigslist for cheap since I really don't use my full oven too often for just me and my husband. Just a suggestion for future videos! :) Thanks!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Enid 😁 You're welcome 🥰 Glad you liked this one. That's a great idea for a future video. I'll think about how to incorporate it. 🤔

[@captaintreepig993]

Another excellent video! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us.

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁 Thanks for letting me know you like this video!

[@sandrarleal19]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I placed an order with Temu and am looking forward to getting them. Ordered some of the items you got with your awesome reviews. Thanks for your inspiration.

[@ArdentMichelle]

You are so welcome! 😁 That's awesome that you've ordered from TEMU. I haven't even had a chance to use everything yet, but so far I'm LOVING those wooden spatulas. They are so fun! I used them this morning to fry my tortillas shells, and surprisingly they work better than tongs. Also, I need to order more of those glasses for hot drinks. My family loves mine and it's been really fun drinking my coffee out of it. It's funny how just one small change makes a big difference.

[@sandrarleal19]

@Ardent Michelle I agree. The glasses make our drinks look so fancy 😁, if the size is right I plan on ordering some for my daughter's as well.

[@sharonfarnsworth3325]

Michelle, you are pretty amazing in your creativity even without the budget factor!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe....thanks so much 💜 I appreciate the complement.

[@AmiFriendsStudio]

Another fantastic video, Michelle! I appreciate the time and effort put into your content. This was extra, extra challenging with the price of eggs right now. Every meal looked delicious.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁 Sadly, I just noticed that the eggs went up drastically at Walmart since this video. ☹️ I'll be eating less eggs in 2023 😂 Thanks for letting me know that you like this video!🥰

[@taythemay4451]

I never thought of wrapping rice like that. I love your videos!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁

[@francinelee4129]

Oh I got the rolling pin to. Have been looking for one but didn't want to spend a fortune. I also got the wooden spoons you use on your videos for Christmas. I think I might go back and order the swivel.

[@ArdentMichelle]

love the wooden spoons too 👍

[@karendionne1029]

I am expecting my fifth shipment from Temu on the 11th. I love that company . I used to order from Wish but after receiving an item I ordered in February in August , I stopped ordering from them. With Temu , even though it’s shipped from China , I’ve never waited more than 21 days. They also credit you $5 if the order comes late . The package they said would come on the 6th arrived today and Temu notified me that I have a five dollar credit. They sell washcloths for less than $2 for five. I bought 25 of them and use them in place of napkins . Saving $ . A mop was $7.98 . Same as Walmart for $11.99 . Ordered a bunch of crochet items and the quality is excellent. Love Temu . Thanks for this video . Lots of recipes I want to try. With the price of eggs so high I substitute applesauce and mashed bananas in pancakes , waffles and brownies. I have the biscuit cutters, bench scrapers, small rolling pin , pierogi maker and pie mat . The prices are amazing !!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Karen 😁 TEMU has been really happy with this first sponsorship and I believe they want to do some more. I didn't see the pierogi maker, but I just looked it up and now I must have one. 😂 They have such amazing deals. Thanks for sharing your purchases. I'm excited to order from them again.

[@tenlamps6183]

Good job! You came up with some really good meals on $10

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you!! 😊

[@gloriat8427]

Outstanding!! You did an amazing job as usual!! Thank you so much!! ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁

[@balentay]

Ooh a new video by you is always a treat. And I'm loving that you're getting sponsors! I think it would be interesting to see you try to recreate your favorite or go-to weekly meals on a smaller budget btw. Where often extreme budgets like this means sacrificing quality or even ingredient types (margarine for butter for example) that doesn't mean that it's impossible to still eat things you like!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Balentay 😁 Glad you have been enjoying my videos. In the past I've incorporated my favorite meals into these challenges but it has become much harder with the increase in prices. I alternate between higher budgets and lower ones though, so I'll keep this in mind. Thanks for the feedback. 🥰

[@midlifeandnailingit6342]

I haven’t been able to get rice in weeks in my area. I can’t imagine how frustrating that is for people on extreme budgets. It is unacceptable that people are having a hard time getting their hands on economical food if they need to. 😞

[@ArdentMichelle]

that's terrible ☹️ I just googled and it said they are predicting a rice shortage this year 😳 I should mention this in my next video. It's time to stock the pantry. Thanks for the heads up. It's getting rough. 😫

[@stanwolenski9541]

What you see in the stores, for the most part, is the previous years crop production. With higher production costs this year expect shortages next year.

[@arlenenipp5651]

Amazing job and everything is plated so well

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@Layla-ir3sl]

I made tortillas with olive oil. It works fantastic and it tastes really good!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Layla 😁 Thanks for letting me know. I'm gonna try them with the olive oil next time.

[@Stacey_Minter0623]

Great ideas thanks for sharing happy new year ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you! 🥰 Happy New Year 🎉

[@widowswatch6610]

Love your videos and cheap digs ! Thanks.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like them! 😁

[@karenayochim9137]

Great video a usual! So many ideas to try.Thankyou

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you liked this video. 😁 Thanks for letting me know.

[@jeannereddig5080]

Love your videos. You are so creative. Thank you for all the delicious recipes and ideas. Happy New Year🎉❤💥

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Jeanne 😁 Happy New Year 🥳 Yay for 2023! 🎉

[@jeannereddig5080]

@@ArdentMichelle ❤️

[@Swimdown24]

This is one of my fav videos- Thank you for all you do🤩

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! I'm so glad you liked it. 😁 Thanks for letting me know. Happy New Years 🥳

[@ginagoldman3632]

Thanks! I enjoy your creativity 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Gina 😁 Thank you so much for the donation. I'm honored to have your support 🥰

[@heathermoses6183]

Wow! You ate really well for the week, great job!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@sharu8758]

I suggest families and anyone to utilize there local food pantry, i use ours weekly even if i only get a few items to fill in what i need to make a complete meal. We are allowed to go every week no matter of your income it certainly helps a lot.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I agree 👍 For those that need it, the food bank can be a great resource.

[@sallygordin2869]

I love these types of videos. I try to make some with items I already have. Happy New Year!!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Sally 😁 Glad you like this video. Happy New Year! 🥳

[@debbieyarsevich9486]

Thank you Michelle, I’ve been following you for a while and am always surprised with your creativity in preparation and using/trying uncommon ingredients. Love that you say we learn together! Although you don’t share personal stuff (like your beautiful face) you did mention a job transition. I can see your why your following may grow, you’re informative and fun! I’ll hang around for it!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Debbie 😁 Awe...thanks so much for this nice comment. Reading it put a smile on my face. 🥰 I'm glad you are enjoying my content. I'm hoping to be able to do this full time and I think that now that I've started to work with sponsors it will be much easier. Glad to know I have your support! Happy New Year 🥳

[@jackieskitchen2020]

I would love to see a low carb budget video if you would be interested in doing one! I love your budget videos!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I did one low carb video. Not hugely popular, even though it was just everyday regular food that just happens to be low carb. It seems like when I label something like that, then it decreases views. 😞

[@stanwolenski9541]

When I was an Army cook, my boss, SFC Rex Saul, insisted the food be presented properly. If the food looks good it will taste good. I like the way simple foods are presented in these videos. I see the recipes are primarily plant based, for as long as I can remember my wife and I have purchased meats that have met their sell by date and are half the regular price. Nothing is wrong with the product, many folks don’t use it for a few days after purchase. I cut the meats, season some, on the day of purchase into what we will be using it for before bagging it for the fridge or vacuum packing for the freezer. Some is dehydrated.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Stan 😁 Glad you like my videos. Purchasing discounted meat is a great idea. 👍

[@stanwolenski9541]

@@ArdentMichelle I also like that you focus on the food and preparation, keeping only your hands and forearms in the frame, it indicates to me you are passionate about the cooking not, “Hey look at what I can do”. Since recently coming on the video, inadvertently, I’ve become intrigued, subscribed and will go back and look at previous videos. My wife and I currently have an estimated 3 months of food in our pantry, seeing what you have done I see we can extend it at least another 45 days by following your recipes. One question though. Do you have any idea of the carb, protein or calorie value of any of the meals? Not suggesting you include them in your videos, I can figure it out my lazy self. We recently caught a sale on Raman noodles at $0.12 per pack, we find it to be a great base. We will use a vegetable peeler to cut a small carrot paper thin, thin slice a mushroom so thin it has only one side, a piece of celery the same was a few spinach leaves and any other vegetable suitable for soup. A few thin strips of left over meat, if any, an egg if desired and of course soy sauce. To my serving I sometimes add vinegar and hot sauce to make hot and sour soup. The one thing folks need to look at if they want meat protein is a whole chicken probably the most versatile meat available. One chicken can provide a meat protein source for a week, depending on how it is prepared it won’t be boring. Sorry for being long winded I just find naming and eating good eats on the economical side intriguing.

[@noahvale2627]

I enjoy your videos even though I'm not vegetarian. I get lots of ideas for vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Your delivery is easy to follow.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for the nice complement Noah 😁 I'm glad you are enjoying my videos. Thanks for letting me know. Happy New Year 🥳

[@tanyapazdera5660]

love love love your videos

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Tanya 🥰 I'm glad you are enjoying my content.

[@Amanda-hc3rf]

Thank you for what you do. Happy New year to you and yours

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁 Thank YOU for watching! Happy New Years 🥳

[@richardschmidt2430]

So glad you tried the TVP in your chili...good job! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Dawn 😁 Happy New Years 🎉🥳

[@barbarabruce7648]

Michelle, try making pancakes without an egg. I make the fluffiest pancakes with self rising flour a little sugar and soy milk. If out of soy milk I have even whizzed up oats in water for an oatmilk. No egg necessary. Great meals. Better nutrition than most people eat in a week I think. And if vegan you could replace the eggs with a block of tofu for a fried tofu/egg. Thanks for this video. I think if people follow some of your suggestions they would eat better and save a lot of money for other necessities. You are really awesome.

[@JosephSchmidtfan]

Do they have self raising flour in America? I think it’s an Aussie thing.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Barbara 😁 Thank you for the nice complement 🥰 I'm glad you are enjoying my content. Thanks also for sharing your recipe for the pancakes. I'll give that a try without egg. Considering how expensive eggs have gotten, I'm happy to omit them. 😳 Have a great rest of your week.

[@ArdentMichelle]

yes we do 😊

[@Lala7777belle]

Wonderful video as always, Michelle! I am on the East Coast - you seem to get great deals on vegetables, but I think eggs are more expensive for you - thanks so much for the tasty recipes 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you liked this video 😁 speaking of eggs....I just noticed a huge price increase in Walmarts eggs from 2 weeks ago 😒

[@tracieschrock9519]

i could eat like this long term. it all looks so tasty 😋 😍

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay 😁 Glad you liked my meals. Thanks for letting me know. 🥰

[@debbies.3109]

Hi, Michelle. :) Those pancakes! I’ve got to make them. Thanks for talking about Temu. I wondered if their products were good or not and whether to buy them. I’d give them a try now. Happy New Year to you and the family! I wish you all the best of everything.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Debbie 😁 Glad you liked my pancakes. Thanks so much for the well wishes. Happy New Years 🥳

[@hello-vs4me]

Thanks for your videos thanks ❤️ 😊 happy new years

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁 Thanks so much for watching! Happy New Years 🥳

[@nancyculp6968]

You could also have used half of the amount of pasta, Kale, Carrots and added some chopped onion and chicken bouillon and water and made some soup. The white gravy is best when you have little milk to add body and creamy texture. If you make it with bacon drippings it taste a lot better too. You can always save little bit of cooked ground sausage to add to soups and white gravy. I cook up one large package of sausage from Sam’s( 2lbs) and get 6-8 meals out of it that serves 2-4 people depending on the dish I cook. I would have taken the potato, diced it, added to pot with kale and tiny bit of cooked ground sausage and touch of cream and chicken broth( I always use bouillon with water). Look up copy cat recipe for Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana. Could have gotten loaf of discounted bread ( French) to have eaten with soup and made a bread pudding that would last a week with bananas and brown sugar called Banana Foster Bread pudding. You can also make Banana Foster Rice pudding for dessert or breakfast. There is also a lentil soup that is made with sausage, chard and garlic. Carrot tops( green leafy tops) can be turned into pesto with a small amount of nuts( I use pecans unless my son is eating it , then use pepitas.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Nancy 😁 Thanks for sharing these great ideas

[@rmlhardage4952]

These days emergency budget meals are a necessary fact. I am whole plant based so my grocery’s budget does stay pretty low and I am one person.😊

[@susanharclerode1647]

That tool made of sticks is a Crepe spreader, I'll be interested to see how well it works

[@ArdentMichelle]

Me too 👍 I'm excited to play with it. 😂

[@susanharclerode1647]

@@ArdentMichelle 😁

[@Isabella66Gracen]

These were great! IM A LOW BROTH CHILI GIRL SO It'll be just right.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! Glad you liked this video. 😁

[@Isabella66Gracen]

@@ArdentMichelle ❤

[@michelle10261]

The meal you made all Look delishes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you

[@sparklemotion8377]

12:00 I absolutely agree here. The best lentils I ever heard were my mother's, and she didn't use barely any spices. You can look up Mediterranean recipes for beans like Spanish and Moroccan. You get some spices but it's no overkill. Here on KZbin, SPAIN ON A FORK and COOKING WITH ALIA. There is this recipe for chickpeas that is eaten like an afterschool snack where they just boil them in salted water and sprinkle some fresh ground cumin on top. It's a myth that only white people don't use spices, and you have to overkill to make food tasty. Morocco is known for Ras al Hanout, but there are traditional recipes where they use only salt and cumin. If my meat doesn't taste good just with salt and fresh ground pepper, I don't add spices, I change butcher. Sometimes, you have to let a flavour go solo to appreciate it 😆 Happy New Year

[@JosephSchmidtfan]

So glad you suggested Spain On A Fork. He does great recipes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'll have to look into Moroccan cuisine. I'm not too familiar with it, but sounds interesting 👍 Happy New Year 🎉

[@sparklemotion8377]

@@ArdentMichelle When you know there is a lot of overlap with the Spanish and Mexican cuisine it doesn't sound so daunting. Just look up different ways to cook what you already do, like vegetables and legumes.

[@jacki6301]

Happy New Year!

[@ArdentMichelle]

🎉 Happy New Year Jacki 🥳

[@sevasweets7856]

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure 😁 Thanks for letting me know that you liked my video! Happy New Year 🥳

[@dana7340]

These recipe ideas are fantastic! Could you possibly try to do a low carb budget challenge? I have family members that need to eat low carb due to health reasons and are also really struggling financially. Thank you for everything you do! 🤗

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Dana 😁 You're welcome. 🥰 hmm....🤔 how low carb? Please define for me what you had in mind.

[@susans9491]

Beautiful, delicious looking 😅and tempting meals as always! I’m going to check out TEMU and see what I’ve been missing. At our house we call turntables ‘spinners’ - being named Susan, I don’t like the name Lazy Susan. I’m so jealous over your produce prices, but I know your cost of living is much higher in other respects, so I suppose it all evens out!❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

I will never use that term again. Thank you for pointing this out to me. 😊 I apologize for using lousy language. I was working on a video today and using frozen vegetables in one of the meals- and I was thinking of you. I thought you would probably appreciate it if I use more frozen foods. 😂 I remembered what it was like to not live near a store. 😳 I hope you do check TEMU out. I really enjoyed ordering my items from them and am so grateful to have them as my first sponsor. Happy New Year to you and your family 🥳

[@susans9491]

@@ArdentMichelle thank you for calling my attention to TEMU! Absolutely no offense taken on the lazy Susan thing, it’s just kind of a joke in our family and I thought you might find it amusing. I do what I can to use fresh produce, but I’m finding that the quality and freshness in our stores has really declined lately. So on that note, a video using frozen will be a fun change! Thanks so much for all you do, and wishing you and your family a fabulous new year.❤️

[@tamaraluceolsen8556]

Love your ideas! Have you done a cost comparison on pancakes from a mix vs scratch? Pancake mix includes eggs and fat, both of which have become very expensive. Pancake mix on sale or purchased in bulk can be cheaper. Also fool proof, quick and delicious!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁 You make a good point. It might be cheaper now. I have a huge bag of pancake mix in my pantry that I bought a long time ago at Winco on a deep discount. I thought- wow I could have fun making "non-pancake" foods out of this in a video, but I never got around to it. 🤔 You are right. Bet it's less.

[@naty1012]

The rice&dhal recipe is similar to what we make in the Caribbean

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Naty 😁 I want to explore with more Caribbean food sometime. I'm very unfamiliar with the foods.

[@naty1012]

@@ArdentMichelle look up the channel Trini cooking with Natasha here on YT

[@jobellecollie7139]

Can you do a video on seasonings? Some are new to me. This past year I bought all types of spices, to make same basics into great! China Doll soup?

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Joelle 😁 I'm definitely no seasoning expert but I'll see what I can do. 👩‍🍳