Archive for the ‘Shopping’ category

« Older Entries

Food Stamps Cooking Club: Curly Dock is Frugal Food?

April 26th, 2010

This bright delight soaked in the kitchen sink til Mother Connie cut the spines away and cut it into ribbons...

Oh, what fun it is to go to  “market” in your own back yard!

Since we use no pesticides  and we’re sure our neighbors don’t as well, we have the luxury of “shopping” for fresh produce right outside our door!

This bright bounty of tender, sweet and nutrition-packed Curly Dock hung out in our sink, soaking up the pure water and letting the dregs left by lawn mowing fall away.   Each leaf was folded to cut away the tough spine and the rest of the leaves were clipped into ribbons of fresh, green deliciousness.  The spines will be chopped and sauteed for another meal.

The ribbons were divided into salad bowls, sprinkled with a dash of Parmesan cheese and dressed with a bit of mayo, pickle juice and spot of sugar.

The remainder of this green goodness will be sauteed with a bit of onion and combined with a wonderful white sauce.  This will make a “comfort food” side dish for our ground beef patties that will grace our dinner table.

We're excited to finish off this lovely, leafy crop with our dinner!

If you are users of SNAP or WIC; if you are devotees of Angel Food Ministries or Farmers Market Coupons; if you just like to save money-and, have you noticed how close we are to the end of the month?-THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOR YOU!  If you have food commodities or food pantry food in your cupboard and you make the opportunity to dress up your supper table with FRESH goodies from nature’s bounty, you may feel like a lottery winner!

Food is comfort.  Food is life.  Food should be FUN!  And yes, even if the Food Police are standing in your kitchen, you may play with your food!

Please share YOUR food ideas: foodstampscookingclub@gmail.com     Thanks, kids!

Connie Baum

The FTC wants you to know there are links in this post.  Should those links be clicked and sales result, your humble blogger would be fairly compensated.  Please do your due diligence when conducting affairs online or offline.  Do business only with those you trust implicitly.

 

3 comments »

Posted in Recipes, Shopping

Tags:

Food Stamps Cooking Club: Spice Things Up 4 Flavor?

February 19th, 2010

 

A snowy February day makes us all long for spring and gardening season!

WE PREFACE THE MESSAGE ON THIS BLOG TO BRING YOU  CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOOD INFORMATION:

 

“For everyone who wants to keep up on how they slip aspartame into our foods, drugs, vaccines (yes, vaccines), OTC meds (especially child products), aspartame has a new name of AminoSweet. Since aspartame has gotten such a bad name (as it should), Ajinomoto has renamed this toxic chemical sweetener.   Start double checking your labels.“

Thanks and kudos go out to Rachel Kincaid, who gave us the heads up.  Thanks, also to Business Week  and Shaun Weston from FoodBev.com for providing great information to help us consumers protect ourselves.

Now we return to the blog’s main message:

You Food Stamps Cooking Club members are to be commended for your quick response to any post that hits you like a brick.

There was a delightful message from Max and here is what Max offered us:

“Just a couple of my own tips, learned from experience, to help stretch food dollars even more when it comes to dried spices and herbs.  I have found that the baking aisle is an excellent start to shopping for these products, but you can often find them additionally in the ethnic foods areas of many supermarkets, and other less-thought-of resources.

For many varieties of spices and herbs, those little red-capped bottles are kind of non-budget price, but if you go to a different aisle, you may find it more within your budget if you look under a different brand name, and sometimes in different packaging such as a cellophane packet.

I buy spices at the dollar store.  I find some things such as dried dill weed, at Ikea, if you live near one, in a very large paper/foil packet (look in the marketplace among the kitchenwares).  There is a large Asian supermarket near my home, I recently bought a large bottle of ground coriander for $1.69 there.  They also have many other varieties as well, paprika, cumin, ginger, even lemongrass powder.  Hispanic markets are another great source, as are Middle Eastern shops for even more variety.
One last thing: I have read that spices and herbs are past their prime when they no longer have a fragrance, but I find that if you can rub it in your hands and still have fragrance, it is still going to flavor your foods well.

I do think you should have specified whether you were talking about dill seed or dill weed; it’s the dill seeds that are used in pickling.  But it’s the dried or fresh dill weed that “makes” the dishes you mentioned.  I also sprinkle dried dill on the top of creamy tomato soup, and it goes into the pot when I make homemade chicken soup.

Can you tell I use lots of spices and herbs lol?  I hate boring food.  I have gourmet tastes on a food-stamp budget.  Also, I simply do not have the budget to allow me to dine out as often as I’d like, so I try to recreate different tastes at home.”
See?  Now THAT’S the kind of neighbor you wish you had if you do not live next door to Max!  Can you just imagine the wonderful aromas that waft from that kitchen?  Mmmmm…

For people who utilize SNAP or WIC funds; people who depend on food pantries and/or food commodities; for people who use Farmers Market Coupons and Angel Food Ministries; and for those who simply pinch pennies wherever possible to stretch their food budgets this is helpful information.

We are so happy and grateful to have the Maxes and the Sandras and the Rainys who are so faithful to share their kitchens and cooking ideas!  KEEP them coming, kids! Here’s where to direct them: foodstampscookingclub@gmail.com.

Are you something of a health nut?  You might like to visit

Do you need more income in your household?  These sites have ideas to help you with that, if you are inclined:  Rapid Cash Marketing and Work At Home Freelancing.

Our intention is to be helpful.  We are far more effective in that endeavor because of YOU, dear Club Members!  THANK YOU.

The FTC wants you to know there are links in this post.  When these links are clicked, resulting in sales, your humble blogger would be fairly compensated.  Please do your due diligence when conducting affairs online.  Do business only with those you trust implicitly.

4 comments »

Posted in Food News, Shopping, Tips

Tags:

Food Stamps Cooking Club: Eating With Heart?

February 8th, 2010

Can you PRETEND these are the cookies Delilah baked but we could not get the photos to come out so well as these?

OK, kids.  Here’s the sad, sad story:  I went to Delilah’s and took MANY, GREAT photos of the spread of Valentine cookies she had laid out all over her dining room table…

Problem is-those pictures were cranky and obstreperous.  THEY WOULD NOT SHOW UP FOR US TO SEE.  So just imagine with me:  heart shaped sugar cookies, frosted to the edge, centered with little hearts that said “TOO COOL”  “KISS ME” and other cute sayings…I am heartbroken not to SHOW them to you.

Delilah, like many of you, bakes treats and other comfort foods much to the delight of her family.  These cookies were made especially for the grandchildren and their school chums.  I’d have to say that Delilah cooks with heart for those she loves.  She, much like many of you, has traditions around food.

We eat to live but eating with heart and eating for the health of our hearts is primo.

Dr. Ben Kim sent out a message recently touting various oils that support our good health and increase our health if it is lagging.  Food is much more cost effective than prescriptions are so  I found it interesting; I could be guilty of standing in a rut of my own creation.  I tend to stick with olive oil cuz it’s familiar and has a high smoke point.  The good Canadian doctor reminds me of other oils worthy of my consideration.

He likes coconut oil and here is his list of benefits:

1.   Improves your energy

2.   Reduces your risk of developing heart disease

3.   Reduces your risk of developing cancer

4.  Improves your ability to digest foods and absorb nutrients

5.   Promotes weight loss and maintenance of your ideal weight

6.   Helps prevent bacterial, yeast, fungal, and viral infections

7.   Supports and enhance your immune system

8.  Helps regulate your blood sugar and prevent or control diabetes

9.  Helps prevent osteoporosis

10. Helps prevent premature aging and wrinkling of your skin

11.   Helps keep your skin smooth and soft

10.   Help sprotect you against skin cancer and blemishes

So, maybe olive oil ISN’T the only game in town?  Hm…who knew?

Coconut oil can be something purchased with SNAP funds.  If you are into saving money by using Angel Food Ministries food you would easily be able to get coconut oil with your savings.  Some of you depend on food pantries and food commodities.  I know there are those who come to this blog who use Farmers Market coupons, too.  And there are a few frugal foodies who come here to learn new and better ways of saving money on their food budgets!

When you have special occasions to celebrate with those you love best, you can stay within your food budget, enjoy comfort foods AND contribute to your good health!

I’ll drink to that!  I’ll go get a glass of veggie juice and toast to you  all right now!

Please share YOUR favorites with us: foodstampscookingclub@gmail.com

Connie Baum

The FTC wants you to know there are links in this post.  Should they be clicked, resulting in sales, your humble blogger would be fairly compensated.  Please use your due diligence when conducting affairs online or offline.  Do business only with those you trust implicitly.


No comments »

Posted in Cooking, Shopping

Tags:

Food Stamps Cooking Club: Sprouting Seeds?

January 29th, 2010

 

 

When it comes to fueling our bodies, Nature's Goodness cannot be improved on!

I had a pleasant phone chat today with a woman who GETS it about eating well and wisely.  Our conversation reminded me that here at the Clubhouse, we have not really looked into growing live food during the cold winter months.

How is that possible?  It is not only possible but pragmatic.  We all want the best for our children; we all yearn to have more energy.  We can do that easily by growing sprout seeds in a jar on a sun drenched window sill!

Radish sprout seeds make such great snacks and piling some onto a sandwich is divine!  They will be ready to consume in about three days or so.  They just need to be rinsed and placed into a jar with a loosely fitted lid.  Cheesecloth held in place with a jar ring is PERFECT for this little project.

I particularly enjoy eating mung bean sprouts, as well as alfalfa sprouts.  These beauties make great garnishes to present your family with pretty plates full of food, too.  Check with a good health food store to find a good selection to please the palates of your gang.

It is so much  fun to eat well and wisely to save high medical bills.  It makes much more sense to do that, as opposed to shelling out the big bucks for medical care.

The body is wise enough to heal itself, you know.  But it needs certain elements to be as well as can be.  The components of fresh, raw goodies like fresh vegetables and fruits, sprouts, seeds and such amp up the body’s ability to defend itself.  When the body is not busy defending itself, it can generate more energy for all the things you need to do to keep body and soul together.

If you use WIC or SNAP; if you have food commodities or food pantry food, this is an ideal way to supplement those foods with antioxidants, phytonutrients and nourishment that is not available from cans or boxes.  As a matter of fact, this is a great plan for users of Angel Foods and Farmers Markets and people on fixed incomes and penny pinchers to eat!

We sincerely hope our ideas help you stretch those food dollars and keep your family healthy as possible.  You are welcome to send us your feedback by leaving your thoughts in a comment or mailing us: foodstampscookingclub@gmail.com .   THANKS!

If you enjoy this blog, the chances are good you will like The Healthy and Wealthy You or Mother Connie Sez. Check them out.  We beg for comments THERE, too!  grin

If you have a mind to wash your mouth out with soap for good results, you’ll like this: ToothSoap.com.   Sprouts help you with vibrant good health, saving you money on medical costs; ToothSoap will help you chomp down on dental care!

Connie Baum

The FTC wants you to know there are links in this post.  Should these links be clicked, resulting in sales, your humble blogger would be fairly compensated.  Always do your due diligence when conducting affairs online or offline.  Do business only with those you trust implicitly.


2 comments »

Posted in Shopping

Tags:

Food Stamps Cooking Club: Excitement Reigns?

December 4th, 2009

There is no way to measure our joy!

There is no way to measure our joy!

It’s been a busy day in the Clubhouse!  We’ve had no time to COOK, even!  Now THAT is busy!

The deadline for ordering food from Angel Food Ministries is December 8 so another club member came by and we both placed our order today.  It was a great opportunity to drink hot chocolate and celebrate the Event!

We have had the opportunity to speak with the people in our area-SouthEast Nebraska-who handle the orders, the payments and the food pickup.  We even chatted with the Powers that Be from the headquarters in Georgia.  WOW.  They are real people who listen, answer questions and UNDERSTAND how to help people of every stripe.

Another project simmering on the front burner is the little  gift we have been working on for the Club members.  You will need to send your name and email address in order to receive this token of our esteem for you, so please visit the box in the upper right hand corner of this very page and enter your information if you have not done so already.  Or you may choose go to Food Stamps Cooking Club and put your name and email address on that page.  Your  gift will arrive in your inbox as soon as we dress it up a bit.

We sent out a message today to all our members about a thrifty way to launder clothes!  When you are pinching pennies and using SNAP or WIC or Angel Food Ministries; if you use food commodities or get supplies from a food pantry it’s important to manage your funds to include cleaning and laundry products.  One of the club members generously shared her formula for a laundry powder that is incredibly economical!  Thanks, Kim!

That’s the news from the Club House!  Hope YOUR day was equally exciting and filled with immeasurable joy!

Connie Baum

*Please be advised that this link leads to an affiliate program for which your humble blogger would receive compensation from any sales made.  Use your due diligence when shopping online and do internet commerce only with those you trust; this applies to offline business, as well.


1 comment »

Posted in Food News, Shopping

Tags:

Angel Food Ministries?

November 24th, 2009
Katrina Weber, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

Katrina Weber, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications for Angel Food Ministries

This beautiful young woman has graciously consented to offer a Guest Blog Post for all of us to read!

This did not happen in a vacuum; there were emails and phone calls; questions and answers before her dear message arrived in the Food Stamps’ Inbox!  It’s been a banner day for us!

To realize that there are people in Georgia who are doing everything humanly possible in a grass roots effort to help people in need all over this country is just heart warming to me and renews my faith in human nature.

Here is what Ms. Weber had to say in her message:

“When people fall on hard times they often find feeding their family to be one of the most difficult responsibilities. They want to buy good food and maintain proper nutrition and quality, but finances often dictate otherwise. With AFM people can obtain the protein items that they may ordinarily stay away from in exchange for fillers and unhealthy options. Additionally with our ability to accept food stamps we are in a position to help people stretch their monthly benefit to essentially almost double what they could normally buy in a grocery store. At the same time AFM’s process helps raise money for local community organizations without asking for donations and creates an environment where community and family can grow together.”

There you have it, people. We now understand that the unemployment rate is actually 17% and climbing.  People need tangible assistance, regardless of their dependence on food pantries, food commodities; SNAP or WIC…or their neighbor’s generosity.  Angel Food Ministries has recognized that need and found a way to fill it.

This information arrives as we prepare to give thanks on this Thanksgiving holiday.  We now have one more reason why we can ‘drink from our saucer.’  SIDEBAR:  This is a reference to yesterday’s post.  END SIDEBAR.

Please make a point to visit the Angel Food Ministries’ website, won’t you?  Locate the nearest outlet near you and join with your neighbors to make the very best use of your food dollars.

If you would be so gracious as to leave your comment on this page, we will make sure the good people at Angel Food Ministries get the word!  You can also send a message to us at foodstampscookingclub@gmail.com !

Connie Baum


9 comments »

Posted in Guest Blog, Shopping

Tags:

Leftovers? Cook Once; Eat Twice!

October 5th, 2009

Are you a ginormous fan of leftovers?  Most likely your answer is no, but if you are watching your food budget closely, you have probably learned how to morph things left from one meal into tasty offerings for another!

Your offerings may not look as fresh and dewy as these oranges but I have some ideas that will help you save time and money.  Who would not vote for THAT?

See whether these ideas hit your hot button:

  1. Surely you have a container of cooked noodles in the fridge.  Why not combine them with some green veggies to make a totally new dish?  I’d like to suggest using kale or broccoli or spinach.  Picky eaters will see those noodles and not be put off by the vegetables.
  2. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over those warm, buttery noodles and you have yourself a winner!
  3. Let’s say you have green beans left from another meal but not enough for your whole gang.  How about adding a can of corn to make a succotash?  Fresh or frozen will do, as well.  To really jazz it up, you could add bits of red pepper for color.
  4. One of the ways we use those dibs and dabs at our house is to put some water into a large skillet and use custard cups to hold the bits of food. I cover the skillet with a lid.   Everything heats evenly as the water simmers and there is a choice for the people at the table.  As things warm, I can throw together a salad.  It’s a quick, simple meal that is also cost effective.
  5. Another way to heat those odds and ends is to fill muffin pans and slide them into the oven to heat.  I cover the pan with another baking pan so things do not dry out.  I could use foil but I’m concerned about cost.
  6. Using leftovers with tomato juice, tomato paste, or tomato sauce can create a wonderful new menu item.  Adding cooked rice or pasta will stretch the food-and your food dollars-even farther.  Amp up the flavors with powdered onion, powdered garlic or your family’s favorite spices to reinvent foods.

Maybe you use food commodities or have things from a food pantry.  You might have food from Angel Food Ministries or WIC or SNAP.  Maybe you just like the idea of keeping your food budget under control.  If any of these is your main push, you might like to consider these ideas with regard to shopping:

  • Think ahead.  Money often runs out before the month so if you have things on your shelf that will help ease that situation, you will feel more secure.  Items such as canned evaporated milk and powdered milk can be a real help in this case.
  • Use cooked cereals instead of cold cereal.  The nutrition in cooked cereal far exceeds the nourishment of cold, boxed cereal.  Use apples, raisins, peaches and cinnamon to change the flavor from day to day when serving oatmeal, for example.  When using farina, a dash of nutmeg will make it prettier and tastier.  Besides, farina will make ground meat last much, much longer.
  • Wise shoppers pick up things like poultry seasoning, cumin and other seasonings when they feel flush so they can stretch the food-and the food dollars-when their supply runs low.
  • If you have eggs and milk and some type of cereal; if you have beans of any kind on hand, you can feed your family well.  Keep those in good supply for healthy, cost effective meals.

We love hearing YOUR ideas and YOUR comments.  Please leave your message for us on this very page or send them to foodstampscookingclub@gmail.com and we will be delighted!

You have been visiting Food Stamps Cooking Club and The Healthy and Wealthy You and we appreciate that, too!  Our list of names to send occasional messages is growing and we hope we are helpful in that regard.  Thanks so much for referring your family members and associates to those sites.

Our partners have enjoyed your stopping by, as well.

Now “ORANGE” you glad you clicked into this page, too? grin

Connie Baum

No comments »

Posted in Cooking, Shopping, Tips

Tags:

Food Commodities in YOUR Cupboard?

July 13th, 2009

Each day when the first wave of emails hits my computer I am always eager to see what’s cooking!  I am blessed to receive a number of messages from recipe sites.  Today I found something suitable for these hot muggy days but it was way to ‘chi chi poo poo’ for us commoners!  So I thought I would trot out one of my mother’s old standby favorites for a cold dish on a hot day:  Salmon Salad.

As you know, we are landlocked here in Nebraska and the closest we come to having anything seaworthy is the Nebraska Navy.  We don’t have access to fresh seafood on a tight budget-many of us are using food commodities, food pantries, the SNAP program and maybe even Angel Food Ministries.  Even the coupons for the Farmers Markets do not gain access to salmon, for crying out loud!  My mother always used canned salmon but she also made this dish with tuna.  She even used ground beef.  She also subscribed to the theory you can cook once and eat twice.  Cold ground or roast beef in a salad is quite tasty.

Here’s how Mom made her SALMON SALAD:

1 package of pasta.  Mom was partial to shell macaroni.  Use what YOU like: Bow ties? Elbows? Rotini?  Cook it according to package directions, rinse with cold water and drain.

1 medium cucumber, washed and rough chopped-the goodness is just under the peeling.  This time of year people are BEGGING folks to help them use up their zucchini squashes from the gardens!  Great substitute!  Or, use both.

1 can salmon, drained and mashed with a fork-Mom always removed the bones

1 tomato, roughly chopped

1 rib of celery, finely chopped

*Optional: 2 or 3 rings of red onion-white or yellow will work, if you have some on hand

1 pepper, rough chopped-red is pretty but green are cheaper and plentiful in the garden these days

Salt and pepper to taste

I can still see Mom assembling this mixture into the big yellow mixing bowl and tossing it ever so lovingly.  She dressed it with mayonnaise but your family’s favorite will work just fine.  She used to put lettuce leaves or cabbage leaves on the “good dishes” to make lunch or supper feel like a special occasion!  When she made this dish for guests, she added just a sprinkle of celery seed.  Sometimes she would arrange hard cooked eggs on the top of the serving bowl and pass the dish at the table. She often served lemonade with this salad because of the balance of flavors between the salmon and the lemon.

-0-

No doubt YOU have family favorites that were simple and budget friendly.  We would love to have you share those.  Just drop us an email at foodstampscookingclub@gmail.com;  it will make our day!

You are always welcome to post your comment on this blog, too.  We remind you that comments must be moderated so they do not always appear instantly!  If you are shy, you may remain anonymous.

All of you have been generous to share the Food Stamps Cooking Club website with your networks and we so appreciate it because when folks visit that site and enter their name and email address they are able to receive the little messages we send to our people.  We never mean to impose but when we find something worth sharing we can give our people a shout out!

Our partners are very pleased that you have paid some mind to them, too.  Thank you so much, everybody.

Plans are in the works for the event sponsored by SENCA later this month here in Southeast Nebraska, as well as our second round of  Cooking Classes!  Watch for that date to be announced!

Connie Baum


No comments »

Posted in Cooking, Farmers' Markets, Guest Post, Recipes, Shopping

Tags:

Food Costs Eating You Up?

July 6th, 2009

People are likely to go food shopping when their wallets are the fattest.  This can be the day their SNAP funds fall into place or it could be the date their Social Security checks arrive.  It might be payday, if you are still lucky enough to have a job!

The figures from the government indicate that American families feed 4 on approximately $8,000.00 a year.  That works out to close to $700.00 per month.

There are 2 of us here.  We do have a great many guests who share meals with us.  I can tell you that we do NOT spend anywhere near $350.00 a month on food.  Furthermore, I spend ZERO dollars on medical care!  That’s because we eat well and wisely.

Are you eating well?  Honestly, are you eating wisely?

Here are some of my top reasons why we are able to eat for so little money:  We eat simply and we grow much of our own food.  The Normanator has cultivated a garden spot that has produced spinach, radishes, onions, beets and potatoes so far this season.  We will soon have beans, peas, corn and squash.  The sweet potatoes hold promise, too.

Another factor is that when we buy products from our local grocery store we use the store brands.  It always costs less money and in most cases the quality is equal to or better than brand name products.  We do NOT buy junky food.  We do not spend money for canned soups, flavor mixes or flavor packets.  We use organic wherever we can and we do not buy processed foods such as cold cereal, cookies, puddings, salad dressings and such like. We don’t pick up the “convenience” packs of salad greens; it is more economical to buy individual ingredients and prepare salads from them.

If convenience is a factor in the purchase of ready-to-eat things from the grocer’s aisles, I’d like to propose that you designate one of your days off work-devote that day to preparing foods that can be frozen.  Make up a double batch of goulash, for example.  Serve one fresh and freeze the second.  Use your leftover foods to make individual freezer meals that can be heated in your oven for one or two people on days when schedules are crazy.

Whether you are shopping in a food pantry or using food commodities; even if you just want to slash your food bills because it’s a priority, you could take a page from the Food Stamps Cooking Club and eat well without busting the food budget.

I found a cost effective recipe I want to share with you.  It appeared on the AOL Food website!  Thanks to EatingWell for providing it!

PINTO BEAN SALAD

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)

1 clove garlic

1/2 cup molasses

2 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon dry mustard

Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, rinsed

1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced

1 small red onion, diced

Cooking Method:

1. Place tomatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain and place in a blender with garlic, molasses, vinegar, oil, mustard and chipotle, if using. Puree until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides once or twice. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Combine beans, bell pepper and onion in a large bowl. Toss with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

*

I think you’ll find this bean dish a favorite for potluck meals or picnics.  It should create a rave wave!

***

Here’s hoping the Food Stamps Cooking Club has served you well and wisely today.  Please send YOUR ideas for ways to save on food costs to foodstampscookingclub@gmail.com and  continue to send the people in your circle of influence to Food Stamps Cooking Club so they can receive our tips.  As always you are welcome to add YOUR 2 cents’ worth to our page by putting a comment into the comment box.  We welcome every comment!

As always, we thank you for visiting our partners!

Connie Baum


3 comments »

Posted in Cooking, Guest Post, Recipes, Shopping

Tags:

General Mills vs the FDA?

May 13th, 2009

The Food and Drug Administration has “busted” General Mills for the so-called claims made about cholesterol lowering results by eating their breakfast fave “Cheerios.”

I am so old I remember when the label said “CHEERY Os” and there was a cute jingle to accompany their radio commercial.  Aren’t you relieved you don’t have to hear me sing that jingle on audio? 

Here’s the thing, kids:  If people get Cheerios from a food pantry, that’s one thing.  People who are given food can’t very well look a gift horse in the mouth.  But if you have food stamps from the SNAP program and you use those to buy Cheerios or any other packaged cereal, you are seriously not buying real nutrition.  You are BUYING and PAYING FOR processed food products.

YOU WILL DO FAR BETTER IF YOU INVEST THOSE FOOD STAMPS OR YOUR FOOD DOLLARS IN GETTING WHOLE GRAINS THAT YOU PREPARE YOURSELF.  IF ORGANIC WHOLE GRAINS ARE AVAILABLE, SO MUCH THE BETTER.

Okay.  I have climbed down from my soapbox now and I will speak in more moderate tones.  The beef the FDA has with General Mills has much less to do with your cholesterol count and your well being than it does with A/Control and B/Big Medicine.  They may carry the name FOOD and Drug Administration but there is much more profit in the drug end of things.  But that is a rant, uh, I mean POST for another day.

The reason this blog was created is to help educate and elucidate those folks who take their food stamps or their hard earned cash and coupons to the store to garner all the bargains possible.  Admirable, to be sure, but I promise you that the “foods” available are not always edible nor are they good for you.

You have heard me carry on, railing against artificial sweeteners, msg, and all the toxic soup the food pocessors hide in the food items they want you to buy.  They want very much for you to be addicted to food so you will eat more of it, driving their profits up there with Jack and his Beanstalk!

The fact of the matter is that organic whole grains give you all the nutrition possible with no negative side effects.  You’ll get the whole complex of B vitamins, good fiber to satisfy your appetite and a breakfast that serves the brain and body well until lunchtime.

The body KNOWS the difference between processed food products, regular food, and organic selections.  You can test the strength of your muscle groups by placing a small amount of any whole grain under your tongue and having someone test your grip.  Then you can place a tiny amount of any boxed cereal under your tongue and test your strength again.  You will always test stronger for a whole grain-unless you happen to be allergic to it.

Many people have never even tasted some whole grains. Quinoa (pronounced KEEN wah) is a good example of that. Well, I can understand why.  The last time I priced a pound of it the price tag read, “$7.38″   Is it any wonder people are not using that?

So, my next choices would be barley, which is about as tasty as yesterday’s chewing gum.  BUT when whole barley is added to soups or stews it becomes a food stretcher as it cooks and adds fiber to the concoction.

Another good choice is whole oat groats.  Now THAT is one of the best cholesterol reducers in the bunch.  You can put a potful of oat groats into the oven overnight in a bath of apple juice, add in a few raisins and your breakfast will be ready to eat as you start your day.  Incidentally, I use 1 cup of oats, 2 cups of water and 1 cup of apple juice.  I put in a pinch of sea salt and a handful of raisins.  Play with this and see how you might like to change that ratio to suit the tastes of your family.

So.  That’s what I have to say about THAT.  What have YOU to say?  Please let us know by posting your comments on this very page and sending us mail at foodstampscookingclub@gmail.com 

Our partners have lots of good things to say to you, too.  We hope you stop by their banners and check them out.  They can help you with food planning and prep.  They can help you earn money for groceries, too.  I know this from my own experience with Rapid Cash Marketing .

Connie Baum

No comments »

Posted in Cooking, Food News, Shopping

Tags: