Working Poor

F4lconF16

(3,747 posts) Thu Oct 8, 2015, 06:40 PM Oct 2015

Resources for food preparation? [View all]

Last edited Thu Oct 8, 2015, 07:25 PM - Edit history (1)

Healthy menus, tips and tricks, cheap utensils/cookware (like crockpots)?

I'm always on the lookout for more healthy ideas to stretch my food dollar. As a 6ft+ 20 year old man who's constantly active, I am literally never not hungry. I've been able to cut my expenses back, but I still eat around $250 a month in food. It's hard to spend less, even prepping and planning ahead. I also need to eat fairly healthy-ish, or I feel like crap and get unfocused/demotivated in my day to day life.

Any ideas?

Edit: wow, what a response! Thanks everyone--I'll be looking through the links!

69 replies

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Resources for food preparation? [View all] F4lconF16 Oct 2015 OP

crock pot and chest freezer would be my two main 'tool' suggestions. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #1

second the crock pot and freezer when it's cheap (the few times) w0nderer Oct 2015 #12

I really wish I could grow onions, but I have the worst luck with them. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #15

from your post i'm assuming you got some land w0nderer Oct 2015 #16

The keyhole ones look really neat, but like quite a bit of work. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #18

the keyhole is more work, the square yard is less w0nderer Oct 2015 #22

No, I'm in an older house, I don't dare garden near the house itself. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #23

i read you 5b5 w0nderer Oct 2015 #26

Oh the tooth doesn't hurt. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #30

glad it doesn't hurt w0nderer Oct 2015 #31

You know, I never even thought to ask. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #33

doesn't hurt to ask,and if it works share! n/t w0nderer Oct 2015 #35

Zenni Optical out of CA $20-40 glasses and nice ones . If you paid a lot this time make sure you Person 2713 Oct 2015 #47

that's once one has prescriptions right? w0nderer Oct 2015 #48

You need your numbers from a prescription to fill out form but do not need to send one in Person 2713 Oct 2015 #51

could be a great idea! w0nderer Oct 2015 #52

You can stick the roots in dirt and they make more green onions. dixiegrrrrl Oct 2015 #25

flavors the wok oil n/t w0nderer Oct 2015 #27

Have you tried 'walking onions' or multiplier onions? AnotherDreamWeaver Oct 2015 #57

Not yet. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #65

Do you live where it doesn't freeze the ground? AnotherDreamWeaver Oct 2015 #66

We sometimes get to negative temps. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #67

Yikes, I wouldn't want to leave the house. Happy to live in Calif. AnotherDreamWeaver Oct 2015 #68

On the dates on cans jeff47 Oct 2015 #38

The only ones I ended up tossing out were some canned peaches. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #39

Yep, fruits are acidic and will eventually eat the can. (nt) jeff47 Oct 2015 #46

on the other hand fruits (even canned) w0nderer Oct 2015 #53

There is a free pdf book download for a free book.. SummerSnow Oct 2015 #2

Sorry tazkcmo Oct 2015 #3

That doesn't even sound like enough calories, unless you're tiny. nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #7

It isn't tazkcmo Oct 2015 #10

:( That sounds even worse... Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #11

:-(( w0nderer Oct 2015 #28

I think you mean this as a response to taz, but it wound up nested under mine. nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #40

my bad w0nderer Oct 2015 #42

is there anyway to get to a balcony/porch 4x4 foot area of land? w0nderer Oct 2015 #43

I love beans. 840high Oct 2015 #55

Here are some good links: ColesCountyDem Oct 2015 #4

Put yourself up for adoption? NV Whino Oct 2015 #5

much as i hate to suggest it w0nderer Oct 2015 #19

When I was in college, somebody did that to me. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #21

ouch, meant more legally n/t w0nderer Oct 2015 #29

I prefer a rice cooker/multipot to a crockpot/slow cooker. PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #6

Dried beans and rice are the best deal, IMO. LoveIsNow Oct 2015 #8

They do get boring fast w0nderer Oct 2015 #13

Make friends with the humble bean Warpy Oct 2015 #9

Oh my, there are so many dishes that come to mind. Frustratedlady Oct 2015 #14

reading this w0nderer Oct 2015 #17

I had trouble forever with really dried out meat in my crock pot Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #20

trick stolen and added to food trick list (n/t) w0nderer Oct 2015 #24

So that's what I was doing wrong.... daleanime Oct 2015 #32

You too, eh? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #34

bingo super thanks w0nderer Oct 2015 #37

so a steamer rack kinda thing in the crockpot solves it? w0nderer Oct 2015 #49

I put the veggies on the bottom irisblue Oct 2015 #60

I've never noticed it affecting the veggies that way either. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #64

I guess so. I was just cutting potatoes in half and putting them under the meat. nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2015 #63

reading this w0nderer Oct 2015 #44

There's a SNAP cookbook ... Scuba Oct 2015 #36

Posted and Pinned already, thank you n/t w0nderer Oct 2015 #41

For meat, see if you can find a real butcher jeff47 Oct 2015 #45

i usually ask for them "strange cuts" w0nderer Oct 2015 #50

A Food Saver would be a good addition GP6971 Oct 2015 #54

price of unit vs savings? n/t w0nderer Oct 2015 #56

I bought a Food Saver at a thrift store for $3. ladyVet Oct 2015 #61

I think I paid $149 at Costco GP6971 Oct 2015 #69

a site I have gotten recipes from irisblue Oct 2015 #58

Pressure Cooker! missingthebigdog Oct 2015 #59

It's nice to have things like pressure cookers, crock pots and the like. ladyVet Oct 2015 #62