These all looked so beautiful, colorful and FRESH! I’ve never tried chayote squash but I think you’ve convinced me that it’s time. These dishes will be especially refreshing as the summer heats up, our house is brick and it can be like living in a pizza oven!❤️
Hi Susan 😁 Thanks so much for the support 💜 I'm grateful for you! I can't stop thinking about your kitchen and all those doors 😂 The chayote squash is exceptionally crispy with a mild flavor. Glad you like my dishes. I thought it was especially colorful this week too! 👩🍳 Hope you have a great rest of your weekend.
Hi Michelle. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your videos. They have helped me so much with my food budget. Here is a tip: if I am buying set price bagged vegetables, I will weigh several bags and find the one that has a bit more produce in it for the same price. Thanks again for the wonderful videos.💐
If you have a little more to spend those are great for avocado toast. I've also been wanting to try the frozen avocado. Samsclub was out the last time I was there.
@@rebelkat5412 I keep forgetting to try this. I buy the individual, too. I haven't had much luck lately with produce. I think my area is still dealing with logistic issues.
I loved this video for a couple of reasons. First, many low budget menus use so many carbs and possibly throw in one vegetable and maybe one fruit, thank you for flipping the concept. Secondly, I also enjoy watching you change the individual ingredients into different flavor profiles and textures by simply changing a spice, changing how vegetables are cut or cooked. It's also refreshing seeing how you ration out only the amount of an ingredient you need instead of adding all of it at once leaving you without much for the rest of the week. Love your approach, keep it up.
I've been looking for more healthy struggle meals. I know some people have limited access to grocery stores so some people can only do the more processed options but my health can't tolerate that. I've noticed I don't eat as diverse as I used to because the increase in costs but I've started being more conscious about searching out the cheapest vegetables. I tend to be more of a fruit person so I'm trying to get in enough vegetables too. In Kroger I've been shopping off the last sale produce shelf. I noticed the fruit actually tastes better a lot of the time because it's ripe.
Hi Michelle. Another great video. Before I forget i wanted to agree with a subscriber that said she would rather hear your voice than music 🎶. As mentioned before, you have a soothing voice that is so nice to listen to. Back to the food, who says you can't eat well on a budget, you show it certainly can be done. Today's recipes were so colorful and they all looked so delicious. I have almost all these ingredients right now, i will be making that fried egg on bagel today and also that quinoa salad. I too love garbanzo beans so will do that too. Once again, you inspired me.💃💃
Hi Charlotte 😁 Awe...thanks so much! 🥰 I'm so glad you enjoy my voice. I get tired of hearing my own voice 😂 but I'm glad that it's soothing to some of my viewers. Glad this video has inspired you. Thanks for letting me know and Happy Eating! 👩🍳
Another great video with lots of wonderful ideas. I love that you lean towards healthy foods and incorporate veggies in your meals. I can totally see why people say they want your voice during the video. You have such a beautiful, soothing voice!
Another great video! I wanted to comment on the lemon. I used to work for a baker and she would always zest lemons before using the juice. Just wanted to mention because if you do this you can add the zest to your dish for extra lemon flavor at no added cost, or save it to use in a sweets recipe. Sometimes I do this with other citrus (like oranges and limes) as well.
I still watch other budget cooking channels, but these days I go through the comments, and it anyone asks for meals that are diabetic/low carb/vegetarian, I recommend your channel. I can't afford to support your channel financially but I'm hoping I can get you a few extra subs.
Anybody that is interested in that chayote squash, try looking it up on RU-vid. There are tons of videos on how to grow it, and you can start it from the ones you buy in the grocery store. They are supposed to make huge vines, and be easy to grow(at least I know they're supposed to be easy in warm weather areas.) I've currently got a couple sprouting right now. I'm determined that this year is the year I'm finally going to get one planted! Michelle you are one of my very favorite RU-vidrs! I always feel like I learn so much, and I know what you're doing has helped a lot of people. Thank you for all the work I'm sure must go in to making these videos!
Hi Effie 😁 Awe...thanks so much for the kind words 💜 I'm so glad you are enjoying my videos. Growing squash is so rewarding because it grows so easily and produces a lot. I wish I could grow some where I'm at. I could easily turn this into a homestead channel 😂
I love the shopping portion of your video so much as you talk about the items and their usefulness, and I love that I know words like “Chana dal” from watching your videos. Getting educated in world culture and nutrition from your videos! Thank you and have a great week!
I think the reason people want to hear you talk is because you have a very calming voice. I literally watch your videos every night because your voice helps me unwind. Thank you for the great content.
Schar Plain Bagels are not a cheap way to go but they are the best gluten-free, diary-free bagel. I mash a little avocado on my bagel and sprinkle 'everything bagel seasoning' with some paprika or cayenne. If I want some protein I add some raw pumpkin seeds or walnuts.
Love your videos! I get so happy when I see you uploaded a new one because I get so many ideas. I was wondering if you considered making some shorts with a sauce idea. The sauce can sometimes make all the difference. I feel like I'm a better cook because of you.😊
Hi Patricia 😁 I'm so glad my videos have been helpful. Thanks so much for letting me know! 🥰 I plan to start doing shorts in the next week or two. I think the RU-vid algorithm has been punishing me because I haven't been participating 😂 They are really pushing shorts!
Amazing you can eat for a week for so little. Even though you got plenty of protein with eggs and garbanzo beans, I’d miss having meat. Also I need to be drinking tea all day - hot with milk and sugar in the morning and iced sweet tea in the afternoon and evening. Budget videos rarely include beverages and basic black tea is fairly cheap but would add to the budget. I do like watching your videos as they are very creative with ingredients. I do understand with $20 it would be hard to add in beverages and meat.
I'm with you on the beverages. I can't use caffeine, but I drink decaf tea all day long, hot and cold. It's always the first thing on my grocery list. Try as I might to drink water I don't seem to get enough liquids in me without the tea. I'd also miss the meat, but the ideas help me keep the budget down.
I don't eat a lot of meat, but I do some videos where I feature meat to help out my families that want to eat meat on a budget. I'm planning one now for next Sunday. I don't add drinks in because I figure viewers can do that on their own. I mostly drink coffee and water these days, but I LOVE SWEET TEA 💜
I feel like the style of the video seems like a "cooking diary " the narration just feels that way. It's actually really cute. Like your reading us daily food entry. Feels intimate 😊
Another great video. Thank you! I'm with the people that prefer to hear your voice for most of the video. I do like the music too, but there's something so soothing about your voice! I often play your videos in the background when I want to rest my eyes, but want to have something to listen to because your voice is so soothing!
Hi Vicky 😁 Your preferences are duly noted. I've been trying to use the music more as background and filler. Glad my voice is soothing to you and some of my other viewers 🥰
Yay! 😁 I'm so glad you like this video! This is how I like to eat, so I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for letting me know and I hope the rest of your week is more peaceful 😎
Hi - your recipe ideas and grocery shopping hauls are so welcome! I'm getting divorced, separated now, so the money coming in has dropped in half. These budget meals look so good and I am making some of them. We don't have a Walmart close by, but we do have a great Dollar Tree, plus a couple other major chain grocery stores. Even if I spend $30 a week, I'll be ahead! Thank so much.
I know this vid is several months old, but it auto played and I just wanted to pop in to say that the cheese in the microwave grabbed my attention. 🤩🤩I'm a creative cook and I never would have thought to do this. Will be trying that later today. Not the first time I learned and tried something totally new to me. :) I am always inspired! As for voice vs music, your voice is simply calming and pleasant. Like a salve. I imagine that sounds silly, but it really adds to the overall vibe of the channel. As soomeone with sensory issues, i am very sensitive to things that sound off or jarring. As for videos in general, music overlay can be distracting. It breaks up the experience. Usually natural voice (in video, or overlay) and/or natural environment sounds provide a more unified experience over sudden switch to music overlay. I see that sort of comment a lot in videos, and I also feel same.
I'm glad you like this video! I'm always thinking about my viewers that are diabetic and trying to find options for them. I think that's how the cheese thing came about. Thanks for the feedback on my videos! 😁💜
It's so easy to grow cilantro with seed in your window or a patio then you have it when you want it. I grow it in stages so when it goes to seed I have another ready to go, and it makes a nice plant.
Hi Connie 😁 Agreed, it's definitely worth it to grow your own herbs. I was successful with a grow light, but not when I tried to use the window. I live in a cave 😂
As usual, awesome! Looking forward to you you will use yellow split peas. I bought some at our 99 cent store and don't quite know what to do with them now.
You could have used the Chana Dal (split chickpeas for those unfamiliar) for your fritters: lentils, fava beans/broad beans, & chickpeas are often recommended substitutes for yellow split peas
We got a couple of chayotes in a budget box a couple of weeks ago, we really liked them and we had never tried them before. I totally hear you when you say making meals from whatever is on sale, we do the same thing with our budget boxes.
Hi Angela 😁 I just tried them myself for the first time last year. I had no idea what those little things were when I first saw them 😂 I'm still looking forward to obtaining a food box from the food pantry to do a video on. I need to call them and try to arrange it.
The weather today is perfect here in Missouri. We're going to BBQ and I will be making that beautiful quinoa cold salad. I don't think I've ever seen that squash at my store, but I'm going to look harder next time I shop. Also, Toasted chickpeas make a good mock crouton for salad too! Have a great week!
Tabbuolah salad would be good with the quinoa. Occasionally i"ve purchased sourdough at the Dollar Tree. Definitely more budget friendly .I have starter too if i feel like making it.
About Aldi's g.f. breads- these are super hi carb, and basically just starch, not to mention expensive. BUT- I love their German pumpernickel varieties ( DEUTSCHE KUCHE brand), @ $2.50 for 7 large slices. And I love aldi's sourdough loaves, the 3 dollar-ish ones. The pumpernickel has 9 grams of fiber and 4 grams protein. Win- win.
Hi Becky 😁 I know right!?!?! Who would have thought the microwaved cheese would make such a great snack. Yay! Glad you like it. 👩🍳 Thanks for letting me know 🥰
Smoked Paprika with some salt and pepper are also good on Chickpeas - one of my favorite snacks too. The way you cooked the pasta is how I make pilaf - toast the pasta, then add rice and bulgar and chicken bouillon. I wish I could get cilantro for 33 cents - never seen it lower than 50 cents, but that is rare now! The last bunch I bought was 99 cents.
Hello 😁 yes, I agree on the smoked paprika. So good 👍 yeah I get GREAT deals on produce at ethnic markets. My main market is a Persian market, but I've seen super cheap produce at the Hispanic and Korean markets also.
You may have tried this before, but you can make a yummy vegetarian "tuna" salad by using smashed chickpeas instead of tuna! Just mix with relish, mayo, celery (if you have it) or whatever you usually put in tuna or chicken salad. Thanks for giving us lots of recipes that don't require heating up the oven!
I've been meaning to try that quinoa salad for a while now, but with brown rice instead, since I'm not really a quinoa fan. If anyone has tried it with brown rice instead let me know in a reply. Thank you.
Hi Yvonne 😁 It seems like it would be fine with brown rice. Maybe even better, because it would be a little chewy. 🤔 This has me curious now too! Let me know if you try it.
@@ArdentMichelle we use it both ways. It is definitely better toasted but good enough to give us our fix. I am down 35 pounds since January, eating low carb so I will continue to acccept that alternative. By the way, the keto tortillas are not bad at all. You can barely taste any difference.
Hi again. Don't be scared of carbs. Lol yes we want to hear u talk bc you do a good job and your voice is lovely! Salads look great. I like a pasta salad. Glad your sons like them! Healthiest food u can eat!
Hi Penny 😁 I eat lower carb because I feel better when I do, but I'll definitely have other videos with higher carbs for those who like to eat more. Glad you like my voice. Thanks so much for letting me know 🥰
I make a quinoa salad similar to yours. It has quinoa , black beans, cilantro, mango, avocado and a red wine vinaigrette. I liked ot eat it with tortilla chips, almost like a dip. SO good though!
The Keto bread was not a hit in my family…ended up tossing it. I just bought the chayote blindly and I love it! It’s like Jicama when raw. I think I’ll use some in the quinoa salad you suggested and will be adding feta. I love watching your videos because we live in the same area and I know if you can do it on that budget I can too. And your dishes are so sophisticated compared to many budget videos. Thank you!
Hi J 😁 Thanks for the feedback on the Keto bread and hello neighbor! We are fortunate to live in a place with so many varieties of stores. 😁 Thanks for the nice complement. It is greatly appreciated. 🥰
Hi Penny 😁 Yes!! I love that buttery burger blend on stir fried veggies too! It smells AMAZING! I love that you can buy the smaller spice blends to try at Walmart before investing more than a few bucks on the bigger jars.
As always, AM, I really enjoyed this video. Such colorful concoctions! I especially appreciate that you showed us how you slice just one slice of an avocado. I could never do that without decimating the entire avo! BTW, how do you cover and store an already-cut avocado so that it doesn't oxidize? ~ I wasn't aware that you'd landed another job. Congrats! Are you in the same field? ~ Have a good week.
Hi Linda 😁 Glad you like this video. I didn't get another job. I'm just doing RU-vid now. Although that might change in a few months. 😞 I cover the avocado with cling wrap and it stays perfect in the fridge.
Thank you. Music and you soothing voice are both wonderful and balanced. Great ideas. I will be putting quinoa and chick peas on my list. The Ezekiel bread reminded me of my favorite sprouted grain bread that I treat myself to from the health food store. It comes from California. Has a kitty 🐈⬛ on the bag. I often use hummus instead of vegan mayo. I really liked how you used avocado 🥑. There’s more I liked. The gizmo for shredding carrots. Looking forward to next week 💚 I made mushrooms onion carrots summer squash and black beans. Served over rice and topped with salsa.
Once again Michelle I learn so much from watching your videos. I don’t remember the chayote squash from before (I’ll go look for it😊)but now I have to find some and try it. I love how you inspire us to make one of two servings of something and not miss out. I don’t do bagels anymore because of my blood sugars but I think I’ll try a two ingredient “bagel” recipe and cut it with a lower carb flour. I went to Trader Joe’s this week and got several items (especially spices) after watching your videos so good!!!!
Hi Penny 😁 Yay! I'm so glad you find my videos useful. I tried the chayote squash in my $5 food adventure video. Here is the link ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wXEI5e_YsI8.html Oh I love the idea of making your own bagels to lower the carbs. I was also thinking about using English muffins (only use half of one) because it would be lower carb too. I'm so glad you are trying the spices. They definitely make meals more exciting. I need to go back and get another one of the bottles of sriracha seasoning. I've tried a couple other spicy ones but haven't liked them as well as that one.
I really enjoy your videos and they help me think of meals using ingredients outside of my box. Chayote squash fritters would probably be good. You could use an egg and some onion and shredded squash and whatever spices you like.😊
Hi Karmella 😁 I hadn't thought of using the chayote like that. Great idea 👍 I just bought some Italian breadcrumbs at the store the other day. I bet that would be delicious!
Great Video. I have to use more chickpeas and quinoa in my recipes again, now that i can eat what i want, instead of my meal plan from my doctor. When i think on chickpeas i go to falafel's (Falafel are crisp and delicious deep-fried little balls made with beans either chickpeas or fava beans, spices, onions, and herbs). I just love them and i can cook them in different ways like deep fry, pan fry or bake in the oven. You should try them, they are healthy and really good. For me i either do them on burger buns instead of the burger patty or in a pita with vegetables and some sauce.
Hi Nasija 😁 I just made gateau piments last night, which is just like falafel but made with yellow split peas instead of chickpeas. I made them similar to you and then tried them on a sandwich. Look for this video on Tuesday.
It all looked so delicious. When you were cooking the quinoa I wondered if you ever created with amaranth? If so, I would love to see how you prepare it. Thank you for all the great ideas, Michelle!
Hi Margee 😁 Glad you like my video! 🥰I haven't tried amaranth yet, but it looks like I should because it has a great nutritional profile. Just added to the bucket list. Thanks for the inspiration.
This was your best video by far because it seemed to be the healthiest. Yes you have a great voice but the song you chose I really like and it’s nice to have music during times when you might not have something to say. I also wanted to recommend two really yummy sandwiches, one is just using chickpeas smashed in place of chicken in a chicken salad and the next is using a large Portabella mushroom in place of a burger pan seared and season to taste(I use onion and garlic powder) and then sauté onions put it in the little divot of the mushroom covered with chao cheese(found at Walmart or target) melt it on top to hold the onions in topped with spinach between two pan fried buns-it’s delicious. One more salad that is very similar to what you made is just tomatoes cucumbers avocados chickpeas with Aldi’s Greek salad dressing topped with sunflower seeds, it’s Quick easy and yummy. Thanks again for another great video😊
Yay! I'm so glad you like this video 😁 This is my favorite way to eat, but I also include other types of food for my viewers. I love your recipe ideas. That chickpea salad sandwich has been on my bucket list. Saving this comment to make these. Thanks for sharing! 👩🍳
Groceries in Australia at Aldi are seriously double to triple the price of your groceries...and yes, I am allowing for pound to kilogram adjustment. Your farmers are being seriously squeezed, or Supermarkets here are really really ripping us all off. Great videos and ideas.
We are heading into summer here in aus, these recipes look so appealing and fresh, and we have so much fresh produce to choose from, can't wait to try some of these recipes ❤
You absolutely might adore the quinoa pizza. Soak the raw quinoa in water overnight and cleanse well. Mix it in a smoothie mixer with water, olive oil and water until the consistency is creamy. Pour it into a suitable form lined with lightly oiled baking paper, about 0,8 cm I would guess and bake at 200°C until solid (but not finished). Now you can quickly turn it around and bake for another 10-15 minutes before putting on your preferred toppings for the last 10 minutes. I LOVE sour cream, feta, sage, honey and walnuts ... but there are no limits. You need to eyeball the amount of quinoa depending on your baking dish but the dough isn't complicated, it just needs a slightly creamy consistency and works every single time.
it's strange that I'm thinking no way I'd put shredded carrots on my open face sandwich but I've eaten the same thing but with baby carrots on the side LOL! nd it works so...
Cholula Chipotle hot sauce is our absolute favorite. I've never seen the Tobasco brand or I would try it. Walmart sells chipotle chili pepper in the spice section and I can't make Mexican food without it now. I keep a jar of chipotle peppers in my pantry, too.
Hello 😁 Oh I would love to try the Cholulua Chipotle sauce. We use our chipotle spice in a lot of foods. Love it 👍 I have those chipotle peppers in the pantry too 😂 I think you and I like the same kind of food! 😋
Hey Michelle. Haven't commented in a while. Loving all your content. And over 31k subs! WOOT. Invest in a good bread maker. Mine can make 2 loaves at a time. So I can make a sweet and savory and have option to make "stuffed" bread (fruit filling, cheese filling, etc.). It's been amazing! No more wasted uneaten bread. And so many choices for flavours. And considerably cheaper than pre-made bread. Mine also makes naan, etc. Keep up the awesome content!!!
Hi Angel 😁 Thanks so much. Glad you are enjoying my content. I will definitely be looking into getting a bread maker in the future when I have more space and money. 😂 I would love to play around with that. You had me at cheese filling. 😂
Hi Gina 😁 Glad you like this. Yes, I just posted the original recipes for the asian sauce and also just enough for a bowl. Let me know if you need anything else.
Hi Erin 😁 I haven't talked to you in awhile. Nice to see you again. 😁I remember you telling me about this. I was so shocked that part of the country had already discovered this little gem. Glad you like this video!
@@ArdentMichelle in Louisiana they’ve been a ‘staple’ since brought from Caribbean in 1804 & grown in backyards here along fences ever since;I imagine people see in stores & just don’t know how to use. Your videos bring to light possibilities with foods unfamiliar to others, Thank You!
@@ArdentMichelle tomorrow I'll be making that chicken noodle soup with the potato and carrot that was my $1 meal. You could make the same thing with a 'not chicken' stock cube and some of those small noodles and any other vegetables. We also have a french onion soup mix for 45¢ too, a french onion soup is good but it's better home made, takes a long time tho! I think I've seen you make barley soup in a challenge, that could be good for me to make, cheap too.
If you don't have to eat gluten free for health reasons then I would say skip gluten free bread all together. It is not good at all unless you make it yourself. My son and I were both diagnosed with celiac a couple a years ago and bread, and crackers, have been the 2 items that we've never been able to find a truly delicious replacement for, and we've tried everything we've come across. It's all just bad. :)
All of the gluten free bread I've tried just isn't the same as fresh baked yeasty bread (Aldi included). It is more edible and actually tasty when used for an alternative for things like french toast, grilled cheese sandwiches, or making croutons to top a salad. It's just missing a little something all on its own. Thanks for a week of new ideas!