Hey, friends! I'm super excited about this video! It's not your typical beans and rice budget meal plan. I think I put together a creative meal plan with lots of veggies and whole grains, and it only cost me about $10! These meals fed my husband and me healthy breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for 3 days!
It's so refreshing to see budget meal preps using fresh produce and healthy food. Most preps are processed and unhealthy and they use the reason that fresh is too expensive. I get the ramen...but our family loves soba noodles, never giving up that. Thanks for the great ideas!!
If you can find a local Asian market, Asian pantry staples are SUPER cheap there. I can get 1-2 months of Japanese staples for < $100 at my fave Japanese market. It’s insane how much cheaper products are at Asian markets compared to western grocery stores.
I think you can call 211 for food (and other) resources that are in your area. And my own tip for someone that is all the sudden struggling with food insecurity, is get the food box first. Then plan around it with your own budget, and just get some fill in items if possible.
Absolutely, I have always said this. So many wait to get the box until their resourses are deplinished and then they don't know what to do with the box.
The real help here was Winco and the ability to buy just what was needed. So many are forced to plan more meals and have less variety because they had to buy bigger packaging and have a larger budget to start. Without the ability to purchase from "bulk bins" this type of meal is more feasible with a week plan or even a two week plan v. a few days plan. Take advantage of those bulk bins when you can people!
I am so happy you did a healthy challenge for two people! My husband and I just got married and we’re about to go down to one income while I finish school so our budget will be tight and your videos have helped me so much! Also we’re fellow Tulsans too! 😊
That orzo salad looks so good! Gonna have to try that one! The chili stew came out good too! You could get a can of tomato paste, they are usually very cheap and the tomato paste will go a long way in adding some flavor! For the fried noodles, for Japanese style yakisoba, cabbage is a common ingredient. Plus cabbage is often pretty cheap. You can cut the carrots and cabbage into julienne size pieces/strips and instead of boiling, you can stir fry them in some light oil. The veggies will cook quickly no problem. You can add some strips of onion too if you like. Cook your noodles separately (you can even cook them in the microwave). Once the noodles are done you drain the noodles well and add them to the fry pan with your veggies. Add your sauce, whatever you like (tho usual yakisoba flavor is different but it’s not a huge deal what you use). And mix to combine it all together. You can add some thinly sliced meat too if you wanna add some protein as well. Or you can pan fry an egg (either over easy or over hard) and serve the fried egg on top the noodles!
I started watching your channel on accident and I’m obsessed! Your so good at this! You can help so many people eat good without having to spend! God bless
Great ideas as usual! So creative and useful of items in more ways than one. The apple/walnut/broccoli salad looked so good! And I applaud you for encouraging people to seek help with food if needed. Nothing wrong with needing help at all!
I love ramen and especially the way you prepared it hear. I can see myself adding refrigerator leftovers to it, other veggies, cocked chicken, etc. also liked the idea of the veggie chili/soup! Thanks for the inspiration.
I love love seeing these meal ideas that lean more plant based. As a vegan myself I sometimes gotta skip through meaty parts of videos that make me a bit sad but I enjoyed Every second of this one! These were such creative ideas and you’ve inspired me to dabble in a little orzo salad this week. 😊
Oh and a tip for a cheaper version of a “feta” is to marinate tofu! There’s a bunch of recipes online making a feta style tofu crumble for salads and such. (Of course it wouldn’t melt) a block of tofu is like two bucks. And you could use half for a feta and half for a whole other meal.
That orzo salad looks amazing. A little feta on top would be good on that. When people complain that eating at home is expensive, I always recommend channels like yours. My wife and I used to go to winco but we are a family of three(we are caregivers to my mom) and it seemed like it’s more for bulk cooking. We might have to check it out again. We go to Aldi now and save about $50 a week in groceries. Thanks for the great ideas!
One of the reasons I find you so appealing, is that you make everything seem doable. But also, especially, that you speak to food insecurity. I work for a disability organization, and so many of our folks can't afford much. Food insecurity is such a big issue and you make it so clear that it's not shameful to ask for help - you really are such an inspiration. These videos especially speak to me as I'm getting close to retirement and will not be able to eat "high" - I'm hoping to have fun with trying to keep my menus easy, and inexpensive. The idea you had in one to challenge yourself to use your pantry to feed you for a week and save your grocery money is something I'd really never thought of! Genius. Thank you so much, Mindy. I love your channel.
Adding more liquid to the chili, and cooking the rice with it would have greatly stretched it with soup for people who need a larger meal, or more days,
These meals look fantastic! For salad dressings I sometimes mix pickle juice with olive oil and a little lemon juice. The pickle juice is already flavored with vinegar, salt, garlic and dill, so I don't need to add those things. When I buy a jar of pickles I save the juice and freeze it in an ice cube tray; then just thaw what I need. The flavors are great for any kind of greek salad (or even in a marinade).
Love the fresh veggies included and appreciate the vegan options. Check out Dan Buettner’s book The Blue Zones Kitchen for great simple inexpensive dishes that the longest lived people eat.(They’re 105 years old and active!) Yes some ingredients are from the cultures local area, but he gives easy substitutions like use sweet potato instead of chayote. The main theme from the book is the simple cheaper meals are healthier for you! Check out the book from your local library:)
Community centers are good for food resources also. The lady i talked to at the power company i use gave me a list of places to help with my power bill when i lost my job. I love that you said speak up bc most of the time when you yell someone whats going on they will atleast help you find a place that will help you. Please dont be embarrassed to ask.
I love that you did this with mostly fresh, whole ingredients. It looks so appealing and delicious. So often when i see these, because of the nature of budget meals, they often look really bland and mushy and not very pretty. I'm sure they taste just fine, but these actually look very appealing. I would love to try to make these.
What awesome dishes you made in this video I love it!! I have been binge watching your videos for the last 2 days and have learned so much. You have such great ideas. Also, I must say I love love your brown marble countertop!!!! It is gorgeous. 😎😁
We love ramen noodle stir fry! Very good meal to stretch and use veggies that agree with us. Many different variations can be made. Ramen noodles,chopped zucchini,shreded carrot,spinach,red bell pepper&frozen peas. Soy sauce,olive oil,garlic&onion powder,salt&pepper,or no salt seasoning in placeof salt&pepper.Toss all together! Makes a delightful meal
Really loved this video. I try to find meals cheap and easy to make life simple. Life is busy with two kids in virtual schooling so I love simple. I do crock pot and airfrying so was looking for a little different. Found this and love it. Thanks!
I really enjoy watching your channel. And, I can tell that you're a very kind and humble person. Now with that being said, I wanted to share something very upsetting to me. In the past I was very adamant about giving to my local food bank, but after seeing some of my personal friends standing in line, it made me think of just how many people out there that are taking advantage of the system. One of my friends is a nurse ( no kids, no husband ). She said she wasn't going to spend her money on food, when she can get it for free. She, also, likes to eat at our local hot foods ministry, because she doesn't feel like cooking. She has two rental homes, a brand new car ( paid in full ) and a boat load, of designer hand bags! My other friend has a terrible gambling habit, and usually drops around $2000 a month into the slot machines! I wish they would've stayed closed. She also, loves to stand in line for food. Sometimes, I don't want to speak to them, because it makes my stomach turn. I'm sorry for ranting, but felt I just had to say something to anyone who would listen.
Hi, Gloria. I know it is hard to see and hear about people who might take advantage. But I try to remember that it doesn't change the fact that people still need these services, and most who use them are doing so in an honest way. I don't ever see the entire picture or know a person's whole story, so I continue to give as I feel called to various outreach.
In the UK you need to be referred to a food bank by a professional, doctor, health visitor,social worker or similar .So the food goes to people who really need it
Yikes! Taking advantage like this takes away from those in true need. I live in Ontario Canada and in my community we have a different system....if you go to a food bank you must “register” and are assigned a number that is entered into the shared computer system that all our food banks share. You then can’t go double dipping. In my area volunteer “assess” the app,icants and you can access the resources if you have $200 or less after billet the end of the month.
I know this is a year old, but it appeared as a recommendation. I really enjoy your videos and don't know how I missed it! A suggestion for more flavor is to toast the walnuts in the oven or air fryer. Just keep a close eye on them so they don't burn!
This is a really healthy haul and some great meal ideas too, I was about to go to bed but when I saw this video I had to watch. :) Love that you managed to incorporate so much fruit and veg too. I think Miranda's great from Running on Plants so am really happy to see this was almost a vegan meal plan, look forward to trying out the salads especially and I'm not that much of a salad person but they look really tasty! Thanks :)
@@SeeMindyMom Actually excited to try these out, just finished writing it all down for reference. I was hoping to find out also what spices are in the Spanish rice mix packet please? I live in Australia so we don't have a Winco here to purchase the box, so I thought if I could find out what spices are in the seasoning packet from the box I can recreate the same here. Thanks :)
Everything looked delicious as always. It just amazes me the red you come up with with very little money. They always look delicious & filling. I've just recently found Miranda & her videos. There are very few grocery hauls I watch & both of y'alls I look forward to. They are always on a budget & with great ideas on what to make with them. I have very little money to spend on groceries so the videos show me that I don't have to spend a lot to make good healthy meals. I've always wanted to eat healthier but had thought it was too expensive. Thank you for showing me it doesn't have to be.
Loved all your ideas. You truly can feed your family inexpensive, healthy meals. It sure is nice to have the ideas thrown out there for you though so thanks!
I love your channel!! Everyone deserves to be fed!! Yes yes yes. The only thing i wish is that you wrote it down too in a blog post (maybe you do idk...??) But i wish i had this to easily screenshot :)
First time watching your videos and I am so impressed. This video was so helpful. My husband and I have been struggling to spend less on groceries and all of these meals looked amazing. Thank you for putting this content out and helping others.
I'm catching up on your channel as past videos pop into my feed. Your hubby is such a good sport to ride along on this video/budget food journey! Love the theme for this one, and so wish we had a Winco here in south FL, especially now that I'm suddenly an empty nester.
That’s what I needed bc I’m always struggling to decide do I choose meat 🥩 or 🍗 in 🥗 and you made a delicious hearty huge 🥦 salad, and 🥒 🥗 with a nice unique dressing and now I’ve got cheaper lunch ideas! then you used up beans creatively so I’m going to try that bc last time I made fresh kidney beans they weren’t soft enough after soaking and cooking, so I’m going to do canned for a quick 🍲 soup
The sweetest thing that you say is you deserve to be fed that is one thing people don't know another thing people don't know is their local food pantries and things that are out there to help these people in need a lot of people don't know about is that food ends up going in the garbage which is sad because there's so many people out there that need it and are ashamed to ask for the help.
Something for folks who are in college to consider is that a lot of colleges will have food banks or other resources, especially community colleges. Mine has a stocked fridge in the break room with fresh veggies, a fruit bowl to take from, foods in the freezer, and bags of non perishables to take home.
I'm so glad that you say that about food insecurity because like when I was in college and stuff people used to send me cash in the mail cuz I'm from a small town and they knew I wouldn't take it for food cuz I had it allSchool paid for because I was on scholarship for tennis and I worked but still just paying for rent and all that I never had any money left so if I didn't have those people in my life and I didn't know about food banks and stuff back then and we didn't have that where I lived I would have gone hungry a lot more than I did. Because to this day irritates me I had three illnesses and didn't make much and I still didn't qualify for food stamps or medical. They told me to go get pregnant and come back. To this day that makes me so mad that they encourage that
I love your meal plans. Unfortunately, I have celiac disease and wouldn’t be able to eat some of it. But, this elder lady got some great ideas! Thank you.
I'm a new subscriber to your channel and I love these cheap meals that you can do with things you probably already have at home or things that will cost only a bit at the store. It gives people some idea of how to stretch the dollar before they run out of food. All the things that you purchased are things that I usually buy in bulk so I can get it cheaper than buying it from the bulk bins for getting a little bit of them but the bulk bins is a great idea for when you only need a little bit or you only have a little bit of money to spend. For example I get 4 kg of beans usually for about $5, and I get 10 kg of rice when they're on sale for about $8. Lots of love from fellow RU-vidr Jenn in Kanata from Kanata Ontario
I always love your budget meals posts!!! Your hubs is a sweetheart and so supportive to go on a 'budget meal diet' for three days! These meals seemed a bit low on protein, but you did really well on variety and satiety! For just another $2, a lot of chicken could easily be added to the pasta dishes. Maybe you can do a future vid where you use a portion of a large packet of chicken quarters, and only count the $ from that portion. Those ginormous bags of chicken quarters (at $5-6 for 10#) are such a blessing when on a tight budget. It would be fun to watch you do meals for a week using a bag, assuming all spices/condiments in your pantry are 'free'/included.
The smaller garlic bulbs pack way more flavour than the big ones, so you’re not at any loss if you end up with a smaller bulb the same price as a bigger one x
The only thing you need to make that broccoli salad a full meal is some cooked chickpeas! And honestly, that made me really hungry from broccoli salad. I think I will go ahead and put it on the menu for next week. Thanks for the idea!
My Mother was on Weight Watchers in all of the 70's. She blames me for gaining weight of her pregnancy. 😶 She bought this WW International cookbook. It had great recipes in it I discovered in the 80's when I started cooking for the Fam. 🚦My point..Carrots grated into soups become a natural thickener. Of course, a bit of a sweetner as well! I suppose of it being a root vegetable! Darn it! I keep forgetting to go to our Winco!! Their bottles of 57 sauce are cheap!
confuses me that america doesnt seem to have random fruit growing all around for people to just pick and eatif they are hungry , everywhere iv been in the world has that but i always wonder if its there aswell as alot of people sem to be starving
Thank you for using your voice to highlight food insecurity. Other resources are 211 (call or online), facebook often has church/non profit events listed for food distribution, facebook groups have been created where people share locations of food distribution. Please consider applying for SNAP (food stamps), most states have waived work rules and have changed income parameters to reach more people. If you qualify for free/reduced lunch (or school has free for lunch everyone), you can pick up meals at your local school, typically for any age child - even if not enrolled at that district. Some offer family and adult meals as well. If the budget is squeaky tight, acquire the free food to have more funds for your other bills.
