Watch Me Create A Frugal Zero Food Waste Menu Plan

[@doublea6252]

This isn't for everyone, but only meal planning 3 to 4 days at a time has really helped me! I used to plan 7 or more, but found that we wasted more. When I shorted the amount, not only did it seem less overwhelming, but we use things up better based on what is about to go bad and how much leftovers we have still!

[@kornelia635]

Welcome in the club. When I shortened the days, the food waste minimised almost to 0. So yeah, all roads lead to Rome

[@nursen2106]

I think, these whole week or even longer menue plannings and freezer meals ... that became a thing with youtube and such. noone planned meals like that for decades. I am glad, when I have a plan for the weekend plus the following 2 week day and one maybe leftover day to improvise and then plan and buy again a little for the remaining week. It can be helpful just to keep in mind things like, 'this and that is in season now' or 'I should be using up something from the pantry in the next week...' isn't it? also, the individual freezer meal portioning thing. one needs a lot of space in the freezer. and electricity is not cheap. now with the hiph prices. but in europe - space and energy were always more expensice. a bit like in the big cities in the US. you think twice, if freezing everything at home in big quantities is your first choice, when it comes to being prepared. regular food storage, buying in season or getting fresh from the producer and freezing that to save up for later etc and to that add those single freezer meal packs for 6 days or some even more days for several people... that's a lot of space. Not sure, how hope freezes the dishes she made. I assume, she is more concious in that regard and knows, how to handl things. still, I am like you. I prefer to plan 2 a week. and even then, I don't cook everything ready. Only things, that make sense for me. By the way, I really like her method of planning. that grouping things.

[@nancimoore5705]

I don't know if anyone said this yet or not, but when I chop my veggies I save the "extra parts" in a ziplock bag in the freezer. When the bag gets full I boil it all up for a veggie broth/stock. I strain and save in containers in the freezer and take out for soup as needed. You can also can the veggie stock. I also have a container in the freezer for leftover veggies that I use for soup when the bag is full.

[@QuiltingCrow]

We also do this and it's very tasty - and different each time. We use this broth in sauces, risottos, soups and many more.

[@MaryKane-qv5vz]

Another means for veg stock for soups is to blend some frozen veg soup already in the freezer, add some water to it and use for stock.

[@tillykelp9744]

I had to smile when a few left over bits and bobs turned into a weeks worth of dinners and more. You had glued me to the screen from the start wanting to know what you will end up making and you didn't disappoint.

[@paulamoors]

I just finished a spread sheet on what Food I have available in my kitchen. I have a lot of food.! I’m going to not shop for food until I have used up this stuff starting with fresh then moving on to refrigerator. I have basic essentials milk, coffee etc in stock so I bet I can go quite a while without the store shopping. Thanks for the idea, I love it!

[@cynthiabunch5036]

I appreciate this lesson! 74 years later,never thought of removing all and planning ways to use it. Duh!

[@jonnaborosky8836]

I don't do as thorough a job as you do. I open the fridge to see what I've got. Then look in the freezer. I usually know what's in the pantry, so I plan out the weeks menu from all that. As the days go by, I might make adjustments if I have leftovers. I don't grocery shop every week. I can usually go every 3-4 weeks now (I used to wait longer). If it in out of something, I'll adjust and use what I do have. When I've gotten the last carton of milk out of the freezer. I can do without just about anything for a while. If I'm out if fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, eggs and yogurt (except for vegan times of the year), tuna, mayo,flour and beans...well I know it's time to shop. Before I shop or think about meals, I'll look in the sale flyers for the local stores and do some price comparing, and buying things I know I can turn into meals...like salmon on sale or eggs or beans, etc. Then later when I look in the fridge, I know I'm going to find what I need. My tastes and tolerances can change from day to day. That makes it a little hard to plan specific meals for specific days. If it looks like I'm not going to be able to eat something I bought, before it goes bad, I'll freeze it, dehydrate it or see if anyone I know can use it. That takes care of 'most everything. I'm impressed with the meals you came up with, Hope!

[@normawever8930]

I am a very poor cook and have never planned menus. I have been watching your videos and am trying to do a little more of this. Keep up the good work.

[@SherryEllesson]

The way to improve any skill is to practice it.

[@erindixon2877]

There are recipes that only use 5 ingredients that are good for learning basic cooking skills. You can find them by searching for 5 ingredient recipes online.

[@hobocamp1072]

I can get my head around pantry inventory, but I always have a hard time with inventory in the fridge- I homeschool and my 3 kids eat things- like you mentioned in one of your other videos and it seems like an endless battle. I am going to try and implement some of the designated shelves like you mentioned in another video. This video and reading all the viewer's tips is priceless! Thank you folks! xo

[@rachelwickart275]

Talk about flexible! I've found it easy in theory, but difficult in actuality, to change things when I've had a particular meal in mind, and something goes haywire with ingredients or cooking! You show grace under pressure, Hope! 😀

[@Sheila-ru1iu]

Back in the day when I had practically NO grocery money, I would make bread dough and turn it into "calzones" stuffed with sautéed cabbage. They were good! Thanks for reminding me of that - I'm going to make them again! ☺

[@UndertheMedian]

Sheila! I just made cabbage filled calzones a few weeks ago for Easter dinner. A viewer sent me a great ethnic recipe from Russia for it. They were wonderful!

[@tacos_are_life]

I’ve never had cabbage calzones. That sounds yummy! Maybe you could share a recipe?

[@Sheila-ru1iu]

@@tacos_are_life I just saute the cabbage in some veggie broth in a very hot skillet - with some onion if I have it. Add whatever seasoning are around - nutritional yeast is good. Cool the mixture. Roll out dough balls, add cabbage mixture, fold and seal with a fork. Bake at 350 till done and browned on top.

[@tacos_are_life]

@@Sheila-ru1iu Thank you! I will have to try that! 😊

[@UndertheMedian]

@@tacos_are_life , I couldn't find the recipe I used, but this one is very, very similar: veganrawrecipes.com/cabbage-stuffed-piroshki-delicious-easy-to-prepare-my-men-loved-it

[@maryd7896]

Excited for this one! I've been doing my best with minimum food waste lately and my budget has been thankful!!

[@UndertheMedian]

Yay! I can't wait for you to see the video. I give lots of tips.

[@dempseykful]

I have very little food waste. I use it up. I love all of the homemade bread in your meal plan.

[@jacquelinehenry3211]

You are blessed...and dear Hope, you are a blessing! Thank you so much for your wisdom. I made a week or fantastik meals from...well...nothing. for a whole week. Best wishes from Québec. Xox

[@ivanahanus5101]

For the left over food to cook with, I call it the hunter's stew/soup. You hunt in the kitchen and cook what you find. I also meal plan for 3 or 4 days at a time.

[@reginagosse417]

I always use the end of the week leftover foods in my fridge. It’s been a house rule since I was little. We actually loved the different meals mom would make, it was like a surprise every time . I raised my kids that way and Don and do the same! He’ always about a challenge and boy oh boy she has come up with some pretty sweet meals. We are not vegan by no means but by weeks end it is very close. What does my so good-is that he doesn’t have to think anymore. My house rule here is no groceries unless were on a low suppy.

[@deannahaapala3356]

Trying to use everything part of the veggies. I save the small leftover pieces for veggie stock. But now I have hardly anything for the compost or the deer that like to feed on it. Heh heh. Oh well.

[@QuiltingCrow]

I always plan from Wednesday to Tuesday, but each Tuesday is a Use-What-You-Have-Day where we use up what's there. So for one seventh of the year we don't buy extra food! Sometimes we eat leftovers, most times we have some carrots, onions, a single pepper and something like this left, and we have managed to ALWAYS make something new and tasty out of it. We have literally no food waste at all and I'm very proud of us.

[@senseiTere]

Great ideas! I love the bloopers and am always trying to get a peek at your shelf 😅

[@victorialg1270]

At the end of the week everything there could either end up in a quiche, cream of everything casserole, or if still fresh on top of a salad. When you get towards the end of the week check what can be dehydrated and then powdered for meatloaf or bread or home made pasta because nutrient dense is the best for your health.

[@UndertheMedian]

I love the "cream of everything casserole". I do that, too. Or we just cream the vegetables and throw them on top of rice or baked potatoes. Your dehydrating and then powdering the veggies is brilliant! Definitely a great tip.

[@maryhumphrey1470]

Great ideas

[@sharenp3839]

I make a lot of quiche’s too. I also dehydrate garden leaves such as pumpkin, squash etc and also turn to powder and add to casseroles etc. there are actually more vitamins and nutrients in the leaves than the food itself.

[@paulamoors]

Happy Father’s Day Larry!

[@larryware1]

Thanks, Paula!

[@sueancell7655]

I batch cook and freeze in individual portions- so no waste.....,.any fresh vegetables...I put in a soup, like you. Wilted lettuce I fry with peas and a little stock.. I rarely throw away spoiled food as I use all I can. Love you guys xx

[@UndertheMedian]

Oh, I like your idea for wilted lettuce! Thanks!

[@rocknrobin62]

I can't wait to see you. I miss everybody in Illinois

[@jaynesteffel3259]

Wonderful video I use alot of unused veggies for salads fruits chopped up in plain Greek yogurt

[@UndertheMedian]

Great way to use it up.

[@SherryEllesson]

Hope, your name suits you. You give hope to those who've never thought about organizing their food storage/cooking/utilization. Kudos, and a hearty thank you!

[@UndertheMedian]

Thank you, Sherry! You've been such a faithful viewer for a long time.

[@deeannagood2380]

I menu plan but this was so helpful! Since I've started only shopping once every two weeks, and menu planning. My grocery budget is about cut in half!!! Thank you so much for all your help can't wait to be as frugal as you

[@UndertheMedian]

DeeAnna, your experience was identical to mine. When I began menu planning , my grocery budget dropped by a very similar percentage. I was shocked!

[@karenleamon5299]

I am working towards the zero waste goal and this sure is helpful. My husband changes the menu sometimes mid week when he wants to cook . But our main problem is when we go to the grocery store we end up like kids in a candy store. I think I did so much better going by myself. If I don't plan well then we spend way too much for two people, I think we could live for a month or two off of freezer food, but no fruit right now in there. thank you so much , both of you for the time and effort you give to help all of us with this.

[@UndertheMedian]

Thanks for watching, Karen. I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@teresateresa8933]

Hi, would you consider posting recipes on how to incorporate more beans into the diet. I’ve never been much of a bean person but would like to know how best to use them, making bean patties as well as any other recipes. Perhaps you could do a video just on bean recipes, that would be so great. Love this zero food waste video you made today.

[@SherryEllesson]

You may want to look at a channel called Well Your World.

[@tanyaparker6296]

Look at "running on plants "too, or any vegan channel

[@rosewilson7891]

My sister substitutes beans for meat in most of her recipes. And when we make soup. Use way less meat. And add more beans. And vegis .. My sister in law uses like 1/4 amount of meat and when she adds the beans but she purees the beans. And it makes the soups taste really rich and satisfying

[@monabiehl6213]

I don't drive so I order food once a month. Then I only have to pay one delivery charge instead of 4. The beginning of the month I have fresh food. At the end of the month, I have canned and frozen food. I use canned food more than I'd like but I don't have room to in my freezers. I want to have a year's supply of food and home supplies. Vegetables I don't use are prepared for freezing, blanched if required, chopped up and frozen or have been made into a dish and into the freezers. Monday and Thursday are vegetarian days. Tuesday and Friday are seafood days. The other three days are carnivore days so I eat chicken or beef. I try to keep my beef and pig meat to one day a week--usually Sunday. I'm a soup person so I freeze a lot of soup. Sunday I might have bacon or ham. I rarely buy packaged meats. Once in awhile I might buy some salami and use it in a salad. Lunch and breakfast are usually vegetarian. My question is, I didn't see you buy any soap or detergent or food for your cat or dog. I buy paper towels, but they are for cooking. That is covering food so it doesn't go all over the microwave. Cleaning, I use cleaning cloths and I can wash them. I have a mop and I use pads on it. The pads can be washed.

[@MyBlazingLife]

I don’t spend money on things like clothes, toiletries, shoes, etc., but my money goes to food/preps. I spend entirely too much money on food. I spend anywhere from 800-1000 per month and we’re a family of 4. Slight food hoarding problem, maybe. Lol! Got it from my dad. May he R.I.P. I have our refrigerator full of food. We have another fridge and an upright freezer in the garage full of food. Wish I would’ve watched this before going to Costco this morning. So, my goal from here on out is to use up everything in both refrigerators and the upright freezer and things from my pantry. I’ll have to look for a recipe for kidney bean burgers. I have lots of kidney beans to use up. Thank you for this video! 🙂

[@UndertheMedian]

You are very welcome. We'd love to hear about your progress.

[@TheMrsReevesEdit]

Love your videos, legit watch you guys to pump me up for frugality WITH joy! Also, love these meal videos! Keep it up, guys!

[@larryware1]

Thank you, Legally Brunettte! So glad to have you with us!

[@UndertheMedian]

Thanks so much. We appreciate you watching.

[@kerryjames4026]

I batch cook and divide portions for one in sandwich bags then I hear up what I beed

[@nursen2106]

although I don't cook or plan once a week, I really enjoyed this video. because I learned something here. that part, where you group things. I try to do that mentally. but, when it is done like you did, taking things in your hand and make the groups visual, it can be helpful not to miss out things. and, it can help you to remember, how and why you prioritized you plan for the next days. maybe some items are sensitive and need to be used up.... I liked that part. as a vegan I am glad of seeing that done with your menus. because I would say, there are not so many frugal menues like that, with a lot of legumes etc, like you do it. I like that. I may not use onion powder or liquid smoke. but I still can make that all work for me with substitutes. and that is great. I don't know, why this one has so little views. I hope, you would do something like that regularly. Or maybe, cust showing, what did I cook this week, as a form of inspiration. even, if not all the details are listed. I know, that can take a lot of time. I would be grateful for inspirations anytime

[@kakelinga]

I love the fact that you show the end product so the proof is in the pudding. We seriously need to do a much better job of not wasting food. I don't really like cooking but I can cook. To meal prep and cook large batches seems like an impossible dream to me. You are so organized that you have it down to a science. I have noticed that I am not buying food out for lunch as much anymore. I would much rather save my money to pay off our last debt. Your videos are so inspiring and I learn so much from them. I am learning more about a vegan diet and have bought the forks over knives cook book. I love your channel.

[@traceydufault297]

Lots of great ideas and tips thank you hope yes I plan

[@DebbyRushìng]

Very helpful video. Thank you Hope.

[@sues6763]

Those calzones look delicious!!!

[@rochellethundercloud346]

Just had burgers on our old,beat up george forman.i place a lipped baking sheet under to catch grease,and line the george with heavy duty foil.makes cleanup.much easier. Also,cook on low .

[@UndertheMedian]

Heavy duty foil is definitely a good friend in the kitchen.

[@rocknrobin62]

I need to do inventory every week like you do

[@alifeintransition9782]

Wonderful video!

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

I couldn't survive without a menu plan. I do 4 home & 3 work meals a week. I do meat & veggie meals for home, then use the leftover parts of those meals for pressure canned & freezer meals for work. I just did 12 meals of stew from a freezer beef roast & root cellar (and garden) veggies. I do the same with any leftover meat.

[@bex438]

Great video Hope👍 I'm planning on going as plant based as I can at some point soon I found all these ideas really interesting, at the moment I struggle with how to plan a completely plant based meal 🤔

[@donnamalpass5202]

Brilliant video Hope ! I really appreciate all the effort you both put in and the old photos ! Thankyou so much for sharing . I was wondering does being vegan save on your food budget ? Xxxx

[@SherryEllesson]

Yes, it does. The most expensive part of most people's food expenditures are the animal proteins: meat, eggs, dairy. The one hardly anyone talks about are the expenses of heart disease, hypertension, etc. Look up Dr Michael Gregor for more on that!

[@rocknrobin62]

I'm making carrot dogs this week:)

[@UndertheMedian]

They are on our menu this week, too.

[@warrior5203]

You guys are evangelists in life skill in Christian living. Thank God!

[@barbarawilliams979]

You are very organized Hope and a real inspiration.

[@staceyjones3261]

Would you give directions to a link or recipe for the cream sauce? I also wondered what you use for cheese in your pizza? Thank you.

[@UndertheMedian]

I do a basic white sauce. Saute onions and garlic. Add a little flour. Add veggie stock and some plant-based milk. Add the frozen veggies. Cook on low heat until thickened. In answer to the question about cheese, if I have some vegan cheese on hand, I add a little. Otherwise, I skip cheese completely.

[@maryhumphrey1470]

You guys do such a good job. I am going to give you a few tips. They will cost a bit of money in the beginning but long run it will provide fresh salad for pennins. I recoment that everyone garden. Now I am talking about the kratky method hydroponics. Do not be afraid people. It is so easy. After the initial cost it is then pennies. Check out growing micro greens. Study and seek. You are smart people. I agree this not for everyone but it works for me. Here is a nugget for you. When you clean up your canning jars do not just put them away. I will fill them with nonclorinated water and can them. So what does this give me. Well you will store your jars but they are full. The water can be drank but better yet the water is now sterile. You can use it on wounds. I will do you one better. Take those cheap white washrags Wash and bleach them. Use unscented soap. Now line dry these in the sun. Put several rags on top of each other, roll them up and put in quart jars. Now fill them up with good water then pressure can. Not only do you have sterile water but sterile rags. Yes we need to be frugal, very frugal considering what's coming, just do not forget your medical. Study study study. I have a great grand son. He is the apple of his oompa and granny's eye. I never want him to say granny I am hungry because there is no food. I study all the time so not only will he survive but thrive. Larry you and Hope are great and providing such a needed service. Thank you. Even this crusty old bird has learned a thing or 2. Blessings

[@bmedve3427]

I may be a bit late to this but am binge-watching Hope and Larry's shows at present. A canner has been ordered, so I am still totally new to that. But this is the very first time EVER I hear about your method of putting water and cloths into storage in a sterile way! I am thrilled. I also wonder if you need new gaskets all the time or keep re-using them and if this has an influence on taste and/or smell? But keeping water stored this way makes sense to me right now. Thank you!

[@christinepeters7110]

Happy Father's Day Larry Enjoy your Day!

[@UndertheMedian]

Thank you, Christine. Hopefully we're having lunch on the back patio with all the boys. But, right now, it looks like rain. So, I'm seeing our chances of an outdoor event being very questionable.

[@DebCrawford]

Wow! Lots of content here! Love the forms and linked recipes. Can you point me to the creamy veg over rice recipe, please?

[@UndertheMedian]

I created a vegan version of this recipe: www.yummly.com/recipe/Creamy-Vegetable-Rice-1223347#directions

[@christinepeters7110]

Hi Hope do you put your onions in a bag in a dark place? or do you put the onions in the refrigerator?

[@UndertheMedian]

I don't put them in the fridge unless they are freshly dug onions (not hardened off) or green onions. Other onions go in a cool, dry place. If I know I'm going to use them in a short period of time I leave them in a bowl on the counter.

[@blitzsmom3331]

Thanks for this great video. I do meal prep for 1 week ahead, too. I have not been able to find good bread buns recipes. Would you mind sharing the one, that you used for the buns you made for the bean patties? Thank you.

[@christinepeters7110]

HI Hope I ordered your ebook called menu planning made easy and i have the pantry inventory sheet should I just fill that in on what I have in my pantry? or do I make it out so I can make sure I am grabbing food from the pantry and writing it down?

[@UndertheMedian]

Fill it in with what you have in the pantry. I use it as a master list for my pantry supplies.

[@martineo9638]

I was wondering if you could do an episode about how to do this when single....I live alone, am vegan whole food plant based so nothing processed if I can help it. I live around the povertyline in a tiny village in the EU. I dont want to eat the same thing all week but buying cheap means buying bulk. For instance 4 pounds of leek or onion are cheaper than the single ones so I buy bulk but buying that way and wanting to have some variety it is soooo hard to not waste anything. I do tend to throw all that is left after a week into a soup but once I have 30 portions of that I have to stop that for a while as well. I rarely use stock so I dont use it for that....

[@jimmiepatrum]

I also live alone and would appreciate ideas on how to cook vegan for single folks. Diane in NC

[@michelleraney3577]

Hope, I think you are a genius! Thanks for all your valuable information!!

[@bridgetmcgrath3964]

What a powerhouse Love your own bread 👍

[@christinepeters7110]

HI Hope on the pantry inventory do I make a list of all the food that is in my pantry? or do i just write down the ingredients i need to make my recipes with?

[@UndertheMedian]

I suggest you begin with a running list of what you have in the pantry. I have a couple of free resources that you may find helpful: 1) pantry meal-planning forms and ideas. underthemedian.com/pantry-meals/ and 2) A pantry checklist. underthemedian.com/pantry-stock-up/

[@christinepeters7110]

Hi hope I have the pantry list that comes with the ebook i bought should i fill it in?

[@UndertheMedian]

@@christinepeters7110 , yes. If you bought the Menu Planning Made Easy eBook, you have all the forms that I use.

[@christinepeters7110]

HI Hope I want to do a weekly planner instead of a topical menu planner could you do a video on that?

[@UndertheMedian]

I haven't done a video on it. But, It would pretty much be the same. If a recipe will last for two meals, then it would appear on two days in the weekly planner. I've done it both ways. With the weekly version, it does give you more of a concrete idea of how long each recipe should last for your family. If you have any problems, let me know and I'll send you some instructions, personally.

[@natashaleebooks]

Would you consider doing a vegan cookbook or ebook on all your vegan recipes. My family is transitioning and I’m very interested in your meal planning and recipes.

[@alycer.8158]

I freaken love you!!! 🙆‍♀️ u make me want to eat my veggies 🥒🥕🥦🧅🌽🧄 In a clean-yummy- comfortable sort of way 😊 9/23 timeless 🕰

[@CentsibleLivingWithMoneyMom]

Yum, I would eat everything

[@SherryEllesson]

Would you cook all of it, though? I worry for you that you resort to packaged things and mostly sweets.

[@valdamarielegault1907]

Love this video! Would enjoy all!.the recipes!

[@chrisl418]

Hope! Thank you!!!!!

[@joycegonzales4994]

Amazing video. You really work hard for us.

[@UndertheMedian]

My pleasure, Joyce.

[@judithbuchanan9566]

Thank you for this lesson Hope. I literally steamed some broccoli today & I cut off all the stem and threw it in the garbage 😩😩😩😩. What a waste, NO MORE!!!!!

[@UndertheMedian]

I cut off the stem for many years, until a friend told me that I could use it. It had never occurred to me. Sometimes the outer edge needs to be cut off if the stem if large. But, the middle of the stems is very tender.

[@alisatjaden3906]

My hens Love my left over scraps! Nothing goes to waste. I get unbelievably Fresh eggs in return.

[@wendymolony1152]

How do you reheat everything so it doesn’t taste reheated on the night of eating?

[@UndertheMedian]

If it's something that needs to be crisp or fresh, you can divide it into two pans and cook one pan the first night and the other pan the second night. That way, they are both crisp. Overall, we don't find this to be a problem for us.

[@twilajones7141]

Thank you

[@UndertheMedian]

You are very welcome.

[@RaceySpacey]

Omg yes it's up

[@Bast16711]

Can you make more videos like this

[@melissachochard4242]

"Scary Larry" bahaha....just kidding...at the end...He looks the same...

[@UndertheMedian]

LOL! Well, his hair was longer. But it was the 70's. everyone had longer hair (and more of it.)

[@larryware1]

Thanks, Melissa. I loved the 70s and looked like a hippie for a short time.

[@RaceySpacey]

i'm a repetitive eater haha. I tend to bulk cook a dinner and make 7 serves and eat it for the whole week. Also do the same with lunches. This week i'm having Spaghetti Bolognese for lunch and pumpkin soup with bread and butter (all vegan) for dinner. Breakfast is always the same, never changes hahaha. I'm lazy lol

[@UndertheMedian]

That makes perfect sense to me. I don't really mind eating the same thing for days on end. So, I would do it the same way that you are.

[@RaceySpacey]

@@UndertheMedian riiight, my husband eats meat and likes variety so his a bit more high maintenance lol

[@reginagosse417]

Hi guys!!! I’ve missed you! I’m late but I’m going to enjoy this video.

[@UndertheMedian]

Hi, Regina. Good to see you! Larry watched this one live with the group. I was at our co-op high school graduation tonight serving on the kitchen crew.

[@larryware1]

Hi, good friend in Canada! At least you can watch the replays!

[@tangerinetango6696]

Thank you for your videos. Do you use radish leaves or stems for anything?

[@UndertheMedian]

I do. I cut he leaves up finely for soup or I make radish leaf pesto. Here's my recipe: underthemedian.com/easy-no-oil-radish-leaf-pesto/

[@christinepeters7110]

Hi hope can i subsitute quinoa instead of rice?

[@UndertheMedian]

Yes, you can. If something calls for rice, I often substitute cooked quinoa or millet, depending on what I have on hand at the time.

[@gypsylife7822]

Plan in advance and be sure to use all fresh ingredients- homemade minestrone with pesto topping with zucchini, pantry white beans, fresh garden basil, chili with beans, steamed veggies (for side dishes) are on the plan to make today!

[@christinepeters7110]

HI Hope I always have a lot of food in my refrigerator I know i need to plan menus so I don't have to throw food out, I hate to throw food out, is there a video that you did that you can google with alll of the food that is in the refrigerator that is just sitting there?

[@alishajennings2013]

I've been practicing zero food waste for a couple of years now. I meal plan for monday to saturday and every sunday is a leftover day. We clean out the fridge on sunday to make room for the new groceries for the next week. I spend sunday meal prepping so by having everyone eat the leftovers I dont have to cook for that day on top of the meal prep. So it makes meal prep day easier. But it also helps the budget too. That's 1 day each week that I essentially eat for free bc I dont buy for sundays and eat what's left. That's 52 days a year or almost 2 full months that I'm not spending money on groceries for. It really adds up. We are a family of 8 soon to be 9. I spend between 400 and 500 dollars a month for groceries. My kids are young though and dont eat a ton yet. But I do have 4 boys so once they are teens they will probably eat a lot more.

[@sandrayarnell9498]

Thank you for the video. I watched it 2 times and found it very helpful. I have never menu planned. I will try it now because of you. I have bulk cooked before, and I also make soups from left overs. Your food looks very delicious. I hope that you will consider making a cookbook some day for us to buy.

[@vincentagosta3197]

I love your videos on spending/debt & I am working on them. I want to save $ on my food budget, but as a single 65 year old guy living alone who does not know how to cook, knows zero recipes and have no appliances like slow cooker, etc (I have a frying pan, medium & small sauce pots, and a baking tray) I don't know where to start. I always buy packaged food (like Bob Evans mashed potatoes) and have given up on fresh foods (like spinach) since they go bad before I finish them. Any suggestions for a clueless man on how to start saving $ on food?

[@UndertheMedian]

Vincent, we've had similar questions from those who live alone. Our advice is to find 7 or 8 simple dishes that you can do well and then mix and match them. You can also focus on ingredients which can be used in multiple ways. For instance, if you cook a pound of pasta, you can add pasta sauce to half of it and eat it for two meals. Then, you can add a 10 oz. package of thawed, frozen vegetables and some Italian dressing to the other half of the pasta to make a cold pasta salad for later in the week. If you buy smaller amounts of fresh foods, it won't go bad. Also, focus on fresh foods that can be frozen, like strawberries.

[@vincentagosta3197]

@@UndertheMedian Thanks - great ideas. I will put pasta and a strainer on my next Walmart grocery order. I never thought about freezing stuff - I will start frrezing strawberries, bananas, kiwi, peppers, etc.

[@MaryKane-qv5vz]

Wish I had known Hope and Larry years and years ago. However, better late than never, I suppose.

[@natashaleebooks]

Will you do a viDeo on your bread recipes?

[@elizabethrose6853]

I try to meal plan but sometimes it doesn’t turn out the way I planned it!

[@wandabigelow9692]

Seven meal plans never works for me. 3 to 4 meals works better for me. I tend to do bulk cooking, and when I don't feel like cooking I go to the freezer. We're retired and we tend to eat less than when we were younger.

[@diannerenn4726]

The broccoli stems are actually higher in some nutrients than the flowers.

[@vzimmer1951]

I often throw out too much.

[@paulamoors]

I have an awful time with food waste. Mainly trying recipes and tossing them.

[@erindixon2877]

Try using a reliable cookbook or commercial website for your recipes. I find that recipes on Pinterest are very hit or miss. Or create your own recipes based on what you like.

[@paulamoors]

@@erindixon2877 thank you.

[@victorwadsworth821]

All those green leaves & stalk from broccoli & cauliflower I cut up small & cook with the fruit of the plant, does not reduce flavor.

[@RaceySpacey]

Oh yes pleeeease

[@vegemitegirl1971]

No, I do not menu plan. It actually costs me more money that way. Why? I am fortunate to have a year round vegetable garden and orchard, even now during winter. I shop for pantry staples, at no more than half of full price. I then look at what's in my garden, and ready for harvest that day, and then cook according to what is harvested that day. I also have a good supply of leftovers in single serve containers in the freezer. Shopping this way I keep my grocery budget under AUD$80, approx USD$60, for 4 adults, each week. Dietary considerations are allergies to dairy, gluten and peanuts.

[@UndertheMedian]

You are blessed, indeed, to have a year-round garden. How wonderful.

[@maryann7619]

2+2+1=5 Where does she get 7 main dishes?

[@UndertheMedian]

The recipes I made lasted us for seven nights. Thanks for asking.

[@jodeanhearn6964]

'Side Dises' ???? Oops.