This week has been mentally exhausting due to our financial situation – every trip to the grocery store is a mathematical exercise, and every day we put our heads together to figure out what we can cook to fill our tummies without exceeding our budget. It’s pretty much impossible, but we have to keep trying. I feel like I spend most of my day cooking and cleaning up the kitchen. "Sorry August, I can't help you with your math right now! I'm making tortillas and have flour all over my hands!"
Because May is one of our busiest months of the year, we usually rely on not having to cook at home a couple of times these weeks – we would order pizza or go out for burgers once or so every week on days that nobody was home before dinner. Since this is out of the question for the moment, we’re trying to get creative at home instead.
What would you cook if you only had around $20 to feed a family of five every day?* (Three meals, snacks [fruit], and keeping nutrition in mind, of course.)
*Actually, “feed” is not correct, since this money has to cover not only food, but everything from diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies and hygiene articles, to clothes and shoes, etc. but lets pretend the money is earmarked for food for now.
We used lentils a lot when we lived in Egypt. They're a good source of protein but are WAY cheaper than meat. We mixed them in with rice and noodles and beans and soup and just about everything.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with figuring out your budget! :)