Your meals are very different from a lot of the other extreme budget videos I've watched. You are more creative with your food and you don't skimp on vegetables.
I totally agree with this! I love watching budget meal videos, but I can't bring myself to eat like many other videos suggest because I like fresh, unprocessed food with lots of veg. Your videos are so refreshing - everything looks healthy and delicious.
I like that you actually eat what you make in your videos. A lot of people just film the cooking and you really never know if they actually eat it as it was made. I also love that you’re honest when something isn’t as good as you had hoped.
This was a very well put together video. I love that you didn't go the easy route, and say, "Well, for all of my breakfast's I had scrambled eggs and toast." You know what I mean. Nicely done. Thank you! 🌻🌹🌷🌼
Sooo glad you use an old fashioned toaster oven. I got mine 4 years ago at a second hand store for $4.99 . It is useful every day. Toast, pizza, bacon, eggs, pork chops, ribs, chicken legs, thighs, breast, wings, vegetables, pies, fudge, stews, grilled cheese chillies relleno, the whole enchalada! ; -- )
I love my toaster oven too. I have baked cakes and bread in mine. I even used it to make Thanksgiving dinner while living in the barracks while stationed in Korea.
This was incredible! I love eating on a budget but most videos barely has any veggies or fruits. This is the perfect balance of cheap, easy but also healthy foods. Great job , please make more !!!❤️
Exactly! And some people say they can't afford healthy options! It could be done and I watch these videos for entertainment because I know how to feed my family.
Poached eggs--Nailed it! These meals are so yummy. I would never know this was a budget video. I do love the budget videos. I lean to the vegetarian diet due to tummy issues so these are great vids for me
I’m so impressed that you put this much energy into cooking for yourself and you’re eating healthy and enjoying it! No fast food! You are an inspiration 🙏
You have given me so many ideas. Today I made eggs in muffin pans and used fried green beans and onions as I didn’t have spinach and was not going out in the rain to get any. I used onions I had frozen, previously fried bacon and cheeses already in the fridge. It was delicious! Thank you for sharing your gift and talent with creative cooking ideas!❤
What I love about your ideas are: they are easy and simple but not ordinary, inexpensive and affordable but not "cheap," they are thoughtful, creative and can be duplicated by just about anyone. We have tried things we never would have because of you and now we have them regularly. For example, navy beans, with tomatoes, everyone enjoys them so much, we never would have incorporated that into our menus if not for you. I had not used then before. Keep up the great work.
I HIGHLY recommend the honey on the avocado toast like it was suggested on-screen in the video. I don't know what it is about the combo between the everything bagel seasoning, honey and avocado, but it is magical.
Those peppers work great for chili, I just chop them up before adding them. It's a nice "pantry/freezer" item to have on hand when you don't feel like chopping!
Thanks so much for these great ideas. I just moved and am not cooking for my family anymore - just me - so these look so delicious and perfect for a mom that left the nest. lol
These are delicious and filling meals! I like how you took this on - really good recipes! The sad part is that some people actually need to eat like this to survive. But you did a great job!
I love that you have such a variety of things. When I was single, I never thought of using part of a tomato, avocado, etc to stretch it. But you do it in these videos and it looks amazing.
Excellent! I saved this video for my next shopping list. Love the sundried tomato idea! They are so expensive here, I don't ever think about using them. Planting some Roma tomato seeds tomorrow!
I love your videos! But have to admit in late 2022, I am so jealous of the prices back then. There's no way I could possibly find a dozen eggs in Central CA for $1.49 now. :) Please keep the videos coming! Super helpful. :)
Hello there 😊 Prices have definitely gone up. The best deal on eggs here in Orange County is 8 for $1.25 at Dollar Tree. Not sure how much longer they are going to carry them at that price.
Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦 🍁 Ardent save money by making your own everything but the bagel mix seasonings. Buy the individual spice bags or bottles of sesame seeds , poppy seeds , minced garlic ( not power or granules ) minced or flakes of onion ( not powder or granules). I tsp of true kosher salt. ( not regular salt ). Mix in a bowl. Fill your own empty bottles and store. Give some as gifts with a favourite recipe attached. You will save so much by making this mixture yourself. Keeps a long time in a cool pantry or cupboard. I love this budget plan in this video. You had a large variety of vegetables which many other videos don’t always have. Myself I love using shredded carrots in many of my salads and cooked dishes. Keep safe
@@ArdentMichelle Add a bit more salt of you like your everything mix on the salty side. I think I used 1 - 1/2 tsp. I filled up an entire empty container of the Kirkland size cinnamon clear container plus an additional regular spice size bottle with that recipe . Cheers stay warm. 🌸
For a fluffy scrambled egg try adding a bit of mayo & mixing it together really well. A friend told me to try it & I am hooked. Am going to try the sun dried tomato recipe. Sounds delicious.
Two suggestions that I use are to replace the spinach with Arugula now and then and use Enchilada sauce, you know that comes in a can for sauce on tostadas or anything Mexican. You would be surprised at how it adds a lot flavor to the dish without adding a lot of price. I usually use an old salsa jar to hold the Enchilada sauce in the refrigerator and it can last at least a week in the fridge. It makes for better presentation and more flavor. It is good on eggs too.
I ended up having quite a bit left over.You can still save money...just buy more food. Even if a person ate for $4 a day...that's still so much better than what I used to spend weekly on groceries.
Walmart bread is the best. Only a $1 and its freshness really lasts. I can't go to Walmart without grabbing one . I also love that your doing this challenge just for you. Sometimes it never works to try it with every one in the household. I'm excited to replicate these ideas just for me 🙂
I'm happiest when I have a loaf of that bread in the house 😂 There are just so many different ways to use it. I'm glad you are finding my content useful 😁 Thanks so much for watching!
Great recipes. On the Mac & cheese next time add some garlic powder and Parmesan along with the sliced cheese and a pat of butter. It will make a world of difference.
You're right, I should have added garlic powder! Not sure my peeps would let me get away with the butter and parmesan since I didn't purchase it....but sounds yummy. Everything is better with butter!! Thanks for the tip and for watching.
I always poach my eggs for exactly 3 mins too, it gets the whites firm and the yolks creamy. I don't bother with straining or vinegar though, I don't care what they look like! But yours sure do look pretty
Perfect Poached eggs, small successes equal the biggest rewards! Great job! Loved the vid, loved the meals! I’m mostly a carnivore so I gotta add meat and see how the cost changes. You did great!
New subscriber! I stumbled on your channel and absolutely love your videos. I love how your budget meals don’t feel like budget meals! So glad I found this channel.
Just found you! Loved this budget video! Like others have said I don't see this many veggies typically in a budget eating video, and I would definitely eat like this even normally (my family just wouldn't 😆) can't wait to watch more of your videos!
Everything looked delicious! My husband and I have always enjoyed Nick Stellino’s cooking shows as well. I also love Lidia Bastianich’s cooking shows on PBS. Her cookbook Lidia’s Italian American Kitchen is one of my favorite cookbooks, it’s old school New York Italian-American cooking.
I just couldn’t pass up this video....who doesn’t want to eat delicious food for $2 a day? I’ve seen a ton of videos with “grab you” titles like extreme grocery haul, eat for a whole month for $10......uh, huh. Most of them are calorie-laden junk with almost nothing healthy to eat. Your title “How To Eat Delicious Food for $2 a day” with the picture of a table full of healthy food!??? And your recipes look delicious! I can’t wait to try them. I have a severe lactose allergy and I’m mostly vegan.....eggs are the only animal product I eat, and they come from my own backyard chickens. I can adapt most of these recipes to my diet. I am a new subscriber. Thank-you so much!
I’m meal prepping for the week while watching your budget videos playlist. So relaxing & inspiring. I make egg bites by starting with a base of 1/2 a biscuit & then layer in the rest.they are cooling now, so it’s like I have smell-o-vision for this video!
@@ArdentMichelle bacon egg, & cheese. Peppers if I have them. I also made the best red lentils with carrots, chicken broth, onion, tomatoes & tomato paste. Seasoning: paprika, garlic pepper, salt, & Tuscan seasoning. Then I put it on a tortilla w Romaine lettuce. It was delicious w/o cheese or anything else. So cheap & easy!
these are by far the healthiest best budget meals I have seen on YT ever... well balanced with lots of veg. The lack of meat makes no difference and its good you didn't add a bunch of extra pantry ingredients to enhance them since many eating on such budgets do not have those extras available. Unfortunately, where I live, the cost of your basic ingredients would have cost at least double what you spent
Thanks Moira 😁 I appreciate your comments. I'm glad you like my videos. I just cook what I like to eat, mostly. Although I do try to throw in some meat dishes here and there for my viewers. By planning my menus around what's on sale, or what I find at Aldi, I'm able to cut costs quite a bit. One thing I do that makes some of my items more expensive though, is that I only purchase enough for the week. If I weren't producing TH-cam videos, I would buy 5 pound bags of rice and beans in order to cut the cost per serving down. I hope my videos help you even though food costs are higher in your area. Thanks so much for watching 🥰
Even eating for $4 a day is super cheap. It usually means going to two stores or stocking up on basics, non perishables when on sale. Realistically everything everywhere has shot up in cost everywhere in the last two weeks or so. Big deal. It’s the concept.
I like the varieties in your menus. I really don’t like eating the same every day. If I have to I will but variety makes us happier. I totally understand, working many hours filming and editing...Blessings
Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Agreed...It's so much funner to have delicious food. I'll work hard to keep giving you menus with a lot of variety. Have a great week! :)
I love all of your meals & they look so appetizing! I cannot always replicate them because I have no refrigeration & no stove. I use only canned or non perishable food items. I do have a rice cooker that comes in so handy for so many things! Maybe some day you can do a budget grocery haul for low income seniors like me of foods that do not need to be frozen or chilled to preserve. Thank you & love your content!❤️✅👍
Thanks Alexis 😁 It would be tough to do a weekly video with only non-perishable items, but I'm always up for a good challenge! Maybe I could do one in the next couple months. 😊 Thanks for the continued support!🥰
I went through a time of no refrigerator or stove. I got an electric griddle and since I couldn't afford a refrigerator I bought a cooler. Those things made everything so much better. I now have a refrigerator and that helps me keep my food bill down. Initially I bought a very tiny 1.7 cubic foot mini fridge. That and my cooler filled the gap until I saved enough for a 7.5 cubic foot refrigerator which seems very spacious after what I went through. I will never stop being happy to have hot food and being able to keep perishables without buying ice.
Don't overlook freeze dried stuff. You can get packets of freeze dried vegetables that are already chopped and mix & match to do all kinds of different soups with your rice cooker. I think the freeze dried veggies retain more of the nutrients than canned veggies. Also, start looking at some of the Homesteading channels to learn ways to preserve things so you don't need refrigeration or a freezer. They are great resources for alternative food systems. If you don't have access to a stove where you can have a big pot of boiling water to can food - don't worry - they have other ways they preserve things. Just research it. For instance, did you know that if your eggs have never been refrigerated - you don't have to refrigerate them? You just leave them on the counter until you're ready to eat them. If you have a farmer, or a farmer's market near you, you could get fresh eggs that have not been refrigerated yet. In my state, Washington, people on food stamps can use their food stamps at the farmer's market, where they match the money. For example, I would hand my food stamp card to the nice people in the market manager tent and ask for $20 of tokens to use at the market. They would run my card thru the machine and hand me $20 of tokens to use on any food in the market AND another $20 of "fresh bucks" coupons that are good for any produce. That's doubling my money. I would use the regular tokens to get the farm fresh eggs, and the fresh bucks coupon to get veggies for the week. I also used the fresh bucks to get 2 little plant starts - 1 Rosemary & 1 Thyme, to keep in my kitchen area to put extra flavor in my meals. The food stamps cover vegetable plants and seeds. Check in your area to see if your food stamp program covers these as well.
Cool video! Great challenge! Grocery hauls are the best! I like to shop in a circuit. I hit up multiple stores in one day based on the deals and ads, so I get the shopping done for at least a week at one time. Walmart is always on the list! Keep these videos coming! New subscriber here!
Yay! Thanks so much. Yes if you are trying to get by with only $10-$15 per week you almost have to go to multiple stores. I'm so distraught that they are closing the Walmart that is right next to my Dollar Tree and Aldi. It was so convenient. Thanks for watching!
I know I've said it before but I love revisiting your EGB videos because you are SO creative and really do a fantastic job incorporating fresh foods. None of it looks budget at all!
Yes...try!! It was ridiculously easy. Mine were always a little stringy before. Not at all the look I was going for. Let me know if it works out as well for you. Plus I like the fail proof 3 minute rule for perfect yokes.
Since you like cilantro, the stems actually have the most flavor. Some chefs even use them exclusively and skip the leaves. I mince mine up and freeze them in a little jar then add them a spoonful at a time at the end of soups or chilis
Hello 😁 Yes I so agree with you on the cilantro. I have since discovered how flavorful stems are. I'm not sure why I was ever hesitant to use them. Thanks for the freezer tip 👍
Egg salad sandwich with tomatoes and onion is nice Cheese and tomato sandwich too One of my favorite rice bowls is diced chicken some onion and garlic pan cooked add rinsed black beans squeeze lemon or lime over it a drizzle of honey salt and pepper and put over rice and top with cilantro I know you are eatting on a budget but when you arent it is really good. Tuna macaroni salad is nice too.
Really nice video! Little hint--if you have a stick blender you can stick it straight down into the middle of yur simmering water (CAREFULLY) to get it going in a really nice whirlpool-spin before you slip the egg in for poaching. Your eggs on toast looked really good! I love Mexican food too--even make my own Chorizo.
I used to make breakfast for me and my roommate. Basically all ingredients will get you through a few days. Get a pack of mason jars. Finally chop ingredients...you can use an onion, bell pepper, block of cheese, leftover ham (cubed), leftover Pico....whatever you like. You can make several different flavors or themes...steak and cheese, ham and cheese, veggie, whatever. Just split your ingredients between the 6 jars. The only other thing to buy is eggs. So put the lids on jars and put in the fridge. I recommend writing the date on the lid with a dry erase marker. In the morning grab a jar and 1-2 eggs. Crack your eggs in the jar and scramble with other ingredients. Microwave in 30 sec intervals, scrambling with a fork each time until eggs are cooked. All salt and pepper and you're done! I used to eat these sitting in traffic on my way to work. Prep is pretty minimal and it's easy to stretch ingredients when on a budget. It can also be adapted for any diet. I make these now for my daughter and its the perfect thing to grab on the way to the bus. I also like that I can wash and reuse jars. If you don't want the jars, you can do the same thing by putting veggies in snack baggies and just using a bowl instead of a jar. It's a quick, hot breakfast and more healthy than stuff that's processed. It's also super cheap! Makes it easy to use leftovers also.
I love this idea so much 👍 I have to try this! Thanks for the tip and the detailed description. We need more of these grab and go ideas. It makes life so much easier. I have some of the little jars from Dollar Tree that will be perfect for this 😁
@@ArdentMichelle I was also going to add that you don't have to use just traditional breakfast like eggs. I've done oatmeal jars with oats that you can soak overnight. Add in fruit and in the morning just top with whipped cream. It works perfect for something quick. If you try it let me know how it works for you! I have a ton of this type of stuff in my repertoire if you ever need any ideas.
I’ve also done 2 soft boiled eggs smashed on a slice of bread for breakfast with seasoning too and it is really filling and delicious. So definitely second and highly recommend. If you’re feeling froggy you can add a bit of lite Mayo and it’s really yummy.
So nice to see a video cooking for one and using a toaster oven. That is how I live. I too love the walmart French Bread. The italian loaf is good too. Thank you!
OMG! Samantha! Thanks so much for inspiring me to try those. I loved them in our eggs. I liked them so much that I did a taste test on another night, and everyone's favorite was the peppers and onions with eggs. Hmm...going to have to try them with pasta next. I was also thinking about a rice and brown gravy mixture of some sort. Keep those suggestions coming. :)
You could add some garlic powder or onion powder and a small squeeze of mustard to the Mac n cheese if you've got it. You could sprinkle some of the bread toasted, olive oiled, garlic powder, cubed on it. Thank you! Great ideas!!
Another good Dollar Tree find is the frozen blueberries, berry mix, and peaches. I toss them in a bowl and then pour my hot oatmeal over them for breakfast. I also buy the crisp tostada shells and flour tortillas there.
You make a lot of good meals for budget challenges. Please keep making more. For the blah macaroni and cheese dish adding some powdered spices like garlic, tumeric and mustard. They are a good substitute when the cheese is rather blah.
Wonderful video, just when so many people need these delicious, yet frugal ideas! If served any of these dishes, I would send my compliments to the chef!
This really shows that being on a budget works great for vegetarians or vegans. I make inexpensive millk with oats and to replace eggs (they make me sick), I use also inexpensive chickpea flour. Saute some veggies (onions, peppers and leftover potatoes, tomatoes work here too) then mix chickpea flour with Mexican spices, hot sauce and some water. Another favorite is green lentils, double your water, add veggie bouillon, add very small chopped potatoes and then add a little pasta. It makes this stew/ soup, delicious. We also make curry with chickpeas, just needs onions, spices, chickpeas, cheap can of crushed tomatoes, can of coconut milk and voila, a shit load of curry. You can later add veggie broth (water and bouillon) cooked rice, leftover veggies and curry for a soup. Side note, if your city has an Indian grocery store, you can get really inexpensive food. Budget and gluten free? (Story of my life), gf oats can become anything. Breakfasts, milk, cookies, bars, flour. Chickpea (whole, not canned), can be eated whole, as hummus, as flour to make "scramble eggs"(I either add Mexican spices or Indian spices), can become a flat bread, pizza dough and much more. Lentils are amazing meat replacer, you can sprout them too. At Indian stores you can find gf millets too. They have many great beans too and super affordable spices.
Thanks so much for all this great info! 👍You've inspired me to find an Indian market. I'm going to cut and paste your comments into my notes for future reference. I love making curries but usually do a red Thai curry paste. There are so many different types of curry. Are you using a powdered curry?
We eat curried everything - meat, chicken, fish, eggs, veg, beans and lentils, pasta... It's a good idea when you get tired of chili or Italian flavours.
These were some of the best budget meals I’ve seen made on YT!! Thanks for the ideas:)
Wow! Thanks Ali. I really appreciate that. Food inspires me..and it's so nice to have viewers that appreciate your content. Have a great week!
Instablaster...
Always salt eggs AFTER they cook. That's what Ramsay says anyway 🤷♀️
Thanks for the ideas.
I love how you prepare your food!
So delicate and different, without any waste. 💕 Jan. 29, 2022
👍🏽 job 😍
Your meals are very different from a lot of the other extreme budget videos I've watched. You are more creative with your food and you don't skimp on vegetables.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you saying that. I'm passionate about the food, so it's important to me to have food that tastes good.
That’s what I noticed too. Lots of produce. Other videos I’ve watched really skimp on the produce to buy other things.
I totally agree with this! I love watching budget meal videos, but I can't bring myself to eat like many other videos suggest because I like fresh, unprocessed food with lots of veg. Your videos are so refreshing - everything looks healthy and delicious.
Apparently Turkish eggs poach in shallow pans. So I'm sure your pan was fine
I like that you actually eat what you make in your videos. A lot of people just film the cooking and you really never know if they actually eat it as it was made. I also love that you’re honest when something isn’t as good as you had hoped.
Thanks so much for the comment. I appreciate the positive feedback. 😊
This was a very well put together video. I love that you didn't go the easy route, and say, "Well, for all of my breakfast's I had scrambled eggs and toast." You know what I mean. Nicely done. Thank you! 🌻🌹🌷🌼
I do know what you mean. Haha! Nobody want's to eat that way. Thanks so much for the nice complement, and for watching!
Sooo glad you use an old fashioned toaster oven. I got mine 4 years ago at a second hand store for $4.99 . It is useful every day. Toast, pizza, bacon, eggs, pork chops, ribs, chicken legs, thighs, breast, wings, vegetables, pies, fudge, stews, grilled cheese chillies relleno, the whole enchalada!
; -- )
I wish I would have purchased it 10 years ago. It's awesome. 👍 👩🍳
Yes !! I LOVE my toaster oven, ... especially since I live alone now.
I love my toaster oven too. I have baked cakes and bread in mine. I even used it to make Thanksgiving dinner while living in the barracks while stationed in Korea.
Way to go.
I'm going to get me one, hope they still sell them
This was incredible! I love eating on a budget but most videos barely has any veggies or fruits. This is the perfect balance of cheap, easy but also healthy foods. Great job , please make more !!!❤️
Thanks so much! I really appreciate that!
Exactly! And some people say they can't afford healthy options! It could be done and I watch these videos for entertainment because I know how to feed my family.
Poached eggs--Nailed it! These meals are so yummy. I would never know this was a budget video. I do love the budget videos. I lean to the vegetarian diet due to tummy issues so these are great vids for me
I'm glad you like them. I try to throw in some meat recipes now and then but I prefer to eat mostly vegetarian. 😁
Poached eggs are my fav. Those were perfect
Yours is just the best and most relatable ideas for eating delicious food at inexpensive prices. Good eating can be this simple!🍃🌻🙋
Thanks so much! 😊 I'm glad you like my videos and the food that I like to eat. 😁🥰
I’m so impressed that you put this much energy into cooking for yourself and you’re eating healthy and enjoying it! No fast food! You are an inspiration 🙏
Thank you 😁🥰 I like this kind of food....and I especially like saving money 💲💰💵. Thank YOU for watching my video 😁
And she works full time to boot!! 👏👏👏
It was so nice to see meals for one. While I enjoy seeing your delicious & creative family meals this was great. So many interesting ideas. Thank you.
Thank you so much! These are my favorite kinds of videos to make :)
You have given me so many ideas. Today I made eggs in muffin pans and used fried green beans and onions as I didn’t have spinach and was not going out in the rain to get any. I used onions I had frozen, previously fried bacon and cheeses already in the fridge. It was delicious! Thank you for sharing your gift and talent with creative cooking ideas!❤
Hi Martha 😁 You're welcome. I'm so glad my channel has been inspiring to you. I love hearing what my viewers are making. Thanks for sharing. 🥰
What I love about your ideas are: they are easy and simple but not ordinary, inexpensive and affordable but not "cheap," they are thoughtful, creative and can be duplicated by just about anyone. We have tried things we never would have because of you and now we have them regularly. For example, navy beans, with tomatoes, everyone enjoys them so much, we never would have incorporated that into our menus if not for you. I had not used then before.
Keep up the great work.
Thank you Lyla 🥰
I HIGHLY recommend the honey on the avocado toast like it was suggested on-screen in the video. I don't know what it is about the combo between the everything bagel seasoning, honey and avocado, but it is magical.
I never tire of this breakfast.
Thank you for all the vegetarian options 💕
Glad you like them! I love to eat this way!
I second that because usually everything is meat meat meat on other channels. It's nice to see these veggie options for budget meal planning. Ty :)
Those peppers work great for chili, I just chop them up before adding them. It's a nice "pantry/freezer" item to have on hand when you don't feel like chopping!
I'll have to try them in my chili. Yes I like the idea of having them in the freezer as a staple for meals. So handy. Thanks for watching! :)
Love these ideas! I am a vegetarian and these are perfect 👌🏻
Thank you! I'm so glad you liked the dishes!
Yes!
First time watching you. And your meals looked so delish
Welcome!! Glad to have you here. Thanks for the complement. Hope you stick around! :)
When I was paying off debt my grocery budget was $30 every two weeks and it worked sooo well for me for a year!
Yeah it does help when you have a goal that you are accomplishing. I set savings goals for myself and it helps me to stay on track.
Thanks so much for these great ideas. I just moved and am not cooking for my family anymore - just me - so these look so delicious and perfect for a mom that left the nest. lol
You're welcome. Hope you enjoy and congrats on this phase of your life!
These are delicious and filling meals! I like how you took this on - really good recipes! The sad part is that some people actually need to eat like this to survive. But you did a great job!
So true! Glad you liked my video 😁
There are many who only eat 'when they have'. These would have been feasts to them.
I love that you have such a variety of things. When I was single, I never thought of using part of a tomato, avocado, etc to stretch it. But you do it in these videos and it looks amazing.
Thank you so much 😁 I'm glad you are enjoying my videos!
Quite possibly the best budget menu, lots of veggies, lots of variety, excellent, thank you x
My pleasure 😊 Thanks so much for watching my video
I love it that you cook the products not only show them. Great week.
Thank you!😁 Sorry for the late reply. Hope you are having a great holiday weekend 😁👩🍳
Excellent! I saved this video for my next shopping list. Love the sundried tomato idea! They are so expensive here, I don't ever think about using them. Planting some Roma tomato seeds tomorrow!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching!
I love your videos! But have to admit in late 2022, I am so jealous of the prices back then. There's no way I could possibly find a dozen eggs in Central CA for $1.49 now. :) Please keep the videos coming! Super helpful. :)
Hello there 😊 Prices have definitely gone up. The best deal on eggs here in Orange County is 8 for $1.25 at Dollar Tree. Not sure how much longer they are going to carry them at that price.
Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦 🍁
Ardent save money by making your own everything but the bagel mix seasonings.
Buy the individual spice bags or bottles of sesame seeds , poppy seeds , minced garlic ( not power or granules ) minced or flakes of onion ( not powder or granules). I tsp of true kosher salt. ( not regular salt ). Mix in a bowl. Fill your own empty bottles and store. Give some as gifts with a favourite recipe attached. You will save so much by making this mixture yourself. Keeps a long time in a cool pantry or cupboard.
I love this budget plan in this video. You had a large variety of vegetables which many other videos don’t always have. Myself I love using shredded carrots in many of my salads and cooked dishes. Keep safe
Love this! I'm definitely going to try it. Thanks for the tip Helen! Hope you and yours stay safe and healthy also.
@@ArdentMichelle
Add a bit more salt of you like your everything mix on the salty side.
I think I used 1 - 1/2 tsp.
I filled up an entire empty container of the Kirkland size cinnamon clear container plus an additional regular spice size bottle with that recipe .
Cheers stay warm. 🌸
Haha! Sounds like you love it as much as I do!! Have a good week! :)
For a fluffy scrambled egg try adding a bit of mayo & mixing it together really well. A friend told me to try it & I am hooked.
Am going to try the sun dried tomato recipe. Sounds delicious.
I'll try the mayo. I use sour cream sometimes.
@@samanthadodd8112 I will have to try sour cream. Thanks for the tip.
Let me know what you think of it Pat. I'm going to try the mayo this week! Thanks for the tip!
That sounds good too!
Two suggestions that I use are to replace the spinach with Arugula now and then and use Enchilada sauce, you know that comes in a can for sauce on tostadas or anything Mexican. You would be surprised at how it adds a lot flavor to the dish without adding a lot of price. I usually use an old salsa jar to hold the Enchilada sauce in the refrigerator and it can last at least a week in the fridge. It makes for better presentation and more flavor. It is good on eggs too.
Interesting 🤔 I've never tried the enchilada sauce that way. Thanks for the tip 👍
These recipes look so good. You’re the queen of delicious food on a budget! 👑💕
Thank you so much!!
Looks like great food. Delicious and healthy. I can never eat that cheaply because I need about twice that much per meal!
I ended up having quite a bit left over.You can still save money...just buy more food. Even if a person ate for $4 a day...that's still so much better than what I used to spend weekly on groceries.
@@ArdentMichelle yes good point, thanks.
Walmart bread is the best. Only a $1 and its freshness really lasts. I can't go to Walmart without grabbing one . I also love that your doing this challenge just for you. Sometimes it never works to try it with every one in the household. I'm excited to replicate these ideas just for me 🙂
I'm happiest when I have a loaf of that bread in the house 😂 There are just so many different ways to use it. I'm glad you are finding my content useful 😁 Thanks so much for watching!
We use cabbage (which is cheap and goes a long way) for all our Mexican dishes instead of lettuce, so good
Iactually really like cabbage in my tacos and plus it doesn't go stale as fast. I should try it on my other items. Good idea!
Love avocado on toast! these meals look delicious as always! Great job!
Thank you 😋
These meals look so delicious
Awe thank you. I love making these videos for people like you! Thanks so much for watching!
Great recipes. On the Mac & cheese next time add some garlic powder and Parmesan along with the sliced cheese and a pat of butter. It will make a world of difference.
You're right, I should have added garlic powder! Not sure my peeps would let me get away with the butter and parmesan since I didn't purchase it....but sounds yummy. Everything is better with butter!! Thanks for the tip and for watching.
I loved this! 15$ wouldn't even get us two packs of Ramen here but I still watched this twice😁😁😁
Awe thanks for watching 😁🥰
You’re a genius! I love that while on a budget the stuff is DELICIOUS, and pretty 😍
Thank you! 😊
I always poach my eggs for exactly 3 mins too, it gets the whites firm and the yolks creamy. I don't bother with straining or vinegar though, I don't care what they look like! But yours sure do look pretty
Thank you. Yeah mine were always so stringy before...Do you do the whirl? Lol.
some great ideas here, thank you
You are so welcome! 😁
My favorite thing is how you take the few ingredients you have and separate them out to make it stretch and add variety ❤
Glad you are enjoying my content. 😁
Its nice to see some budget meals that actually look delicious!
Thank you so much! I only cook what I like to eat! 😊
Perfect Poached eggs, small successes equal the biggest rewards! Great job! Loved the vid, loved the meals! I’m mostly a carnivore so I gotta add meat and see how the cost changes. You did great!
Thanks so much for the comment! Adding meat to the meals should be fairly easy. Thanks for watching 😊
Yes I will try egg muffins with bacon added to. Looks yummy!
Love your videos & amazed at your meals. Your presentation makes everything look delicious!
Thank you so much 🤗
New subscriber! I stumbled on your channel and absolutely love your videos. I love how your budget meals don’t feel like budget meals! So glad I found this channel.
Yay! Thanks so much for the sub and welcome to my channel! 😁👩🍳 So glad you are here.
Just found you! Loved this budget video! Like others have said I don't see this many veggies typically in a budget eating video, and I would definitely eat like this even normally (my family just wouldn't 😆) can't wait to watch more of your videos!
Yay! Thank you! I can't go without veggies. Welcome. I'm glad you're here.
And the variety makes this so watchable. Lots of good ideas too.
Glad you enjoyed it 😁 Thanks so much for watching!
Everything looked delicious! My husband and I have always enjoyed Nick Stellino’s cooking shows as well. I also love Lidia Bastianich’s cooking shows on PBS. Her cookbook Lidia’s Italian American Kitchen is one of my favorite cookbooks, it’s old school New York Italian-American cooking.
Isn't he the greatest? Haha. Love him! I will be googling Lidia later this evening. I love discovering new chefs!! Thanks for watching!
You brought back memories for me, here in NYC because I love these shows.
Fabulous, nutritious meals on a budget...awesome video! Thank you!
Glad you liked it!! Thanks so much for watching
I usually don't budget my food but seeing yout video I feel excited to try this. Simply because your food looks delicuous!
Thank you 😁🥰 I appreciate your comment so much!
Sounds weird but I bet lime or lemon juice would be delicious on that rice and bean bowl you made!!
Actually I think you are right. It would add a nice balance. I'll give that a try! Thanks for the tip!
Great meals! Shows you can eat healthy on a budget.
True. 👍 Thanks for watching 😁
I just couldn’t pass up this video....who doesn’t want to eat delicious food for $2 a day? I’ve seen a ton of videos with “grab you” titles like extreme grocery haul, eat for a whole month for $10......uh, huh. Most of them are calorie-laden junk with almost nothing healthy to eat. Your title “How To Eat Delicious Food for $2 a day” with the picture of a table full of healthy food!??? And your recipes look delicious! I can’t wait to try them. I have a severe lactose allergy and I’m mostly vegan.....eggs are the only animal product I eat, and they come from my own backyard chickens. I can adapt most of these recipes to my diet. I am a new subscriber. Thank-you so much!
I'm smiling reading your post 😁 I'm so glad you like my food. Welcome to my channel and thanks so much for subscribing! 🥰
I’m meal prepping for the week while watching your budget videos playlist. So relaxing & inspiring. I make egg bites by starting with a base of 1/2 a biscuit & then layer in the rest.they are cooling now, so it’s like I have smell-o-vision for this video!
😂 that's funny. I too am about to start meal prepping for the week. I love this idea. What else are you putting in them?
@@ArdentMichelle bacon egg, & cheese. Peppers if I have them. I also made the best red lentils with carrots, chicken broth, onion, tomatoes & tomato paste. Seasoning: paprika, garlic pepper, salt, & Tuscan seasoning. Then I put it on a tortilla w Romaine lettuce. It was delicious w/o cheese or anything else. So cheap & easy!
these are by far the healthiest best budget meals I have seen on YT ever... well balanced with lots of veg. The lack of meat makes no difference and its good you didn't add a bunch of extra pantry ingredients to enhance them since many eating on such budgets do not have those extras available. Unfortunately, where I live, the cost of your basic ingredients would have cost at least double what you spent
Thanks Moira 😁 I appreciate your comments. I'm glad you like my videos. I just cook what I like to eat, mostly. Although I do try to throw in some meat dishes here and there for my viewers. By planning my menus around what's on sale, or what I find at Aldi, I'm able to cut costs quite a bit. One thing I do that makes some of my items more expensive though, is that I only purchase enough for the week. If I weren't producing TH-cam videos, I would buy 5 pound bags of rice and beans in order to cut the cost per serving down. I hope my videos help you even though food costs are higher in your area. Thanks so much for watching 🥰
Even eating for $4 a day is super cheap. It usually means going to two stores or stocking up on basics, non perishables when on sale. Realistically everything everywhere has shot up in cost everywhere in the last two weeks or so. Big deal. It’s the concept.
Finally! Recipes I can eat. Many of the frugal meal plans, I cannot sustain more than a week. Thanks for sharing
You are so welcome! 😁 I'm glad you liked my meals.
It's also great for college students who are learning to plan meals and cook. I am horrified at some budget diets that don't include veg and fruit.
I like the varieties in your menus. I really don’t like eating the same every day. If I have to I will but variety makes us happier. I totally understand, working many hours filming and editing...Blessings
Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Agreed...It's so much funner to have delicious food. I'll work hard to keep giving you menus with a lot of variety. Have a great week! :)
You could make some awesome Eggs Benedict with those poached eggs! Everything looks so yummy!
I've been wanting to make Eggs Benedict 👍 I even purchased a small silver bowl to beat the eggs with 😂. Stay tuned.....
I love all of your meals & they look so appetizing! I cannot always replicate them because I have no refrigeration & no stove. I use only canned or non perishable food items. I do have a rice cooker that comes in so handy for so many things! Maybe some day you can do a budget grocery haul for low income seniors like me of foods that do not need to be frozen or chilled to preserve. Thank you & love your content!❤️✅👍
Thanks Alexis 😁 It would be tough to do a weekly video with only non-perishable items, but I'm always up for a good challenge! Maybe I could do one in the next couple months. 😊 Thanks for the continued support!🥰
I went through a time of no refrigerator or stove. I got an electric griddle and since I couldn't afford a refrigerator I bought a cooler. Those things made everything so much better. I now have a refrigerator and that helps me keep my food bill down. Initially I bought a very tiny 1.7 cubic foot mini fridge. That and my cooler filled the gap until I saved enough for a 7.5 cubic foot refrigerator which seems very spacious after what I went through. I will never stop being happy to have hot food and being able to keep perishables without buying ice.
Don't overlook freeze dried stuff. You can get packets of freeze dried vegetables that are already chopped and mix & match to do all kinds of different soups with your rice cooker.
I think the freeze dried veggies retain more of the nutrients than canned veggies.
Also, start looking at some of the Homesteading channels to learn ways to preserve things so you don't need refrigeration or a freezer. They are great resources for alternative food systems.
If you don't have access to a stove where you can have a big pot of boiling water to can food - don't worry - they have other ways they preserve things. Just research it.
For instance, did you know that if your eggs have never been refrigerated - you don't have to refrigerate them? You just leave them on the counter until you're ready to eat them. If you have a farmer, or a farmer's market near you, you could get fresh eggs that have not been refrigerated yet.
In my state, Washington, people on food stamps can use their food stamps at the farmer's market, where they match the money.
For example, I would hand my food stamp card to the nice people in the market manager tent and ask for $20 of tokens to use at the market. They would run my card thru the machine and hand me $20 of tokens to use on any food in the market AND another $20 of "fresh bucks" coupons that are good for any produce. That's doubling my money.
I would use the regular tokens to get the farm fresh eggs, and the fresh bucks coupon to get veggies for the week.
I also used the fresh bucks to get 2 little plant starts - 1 Rosemary & 1 Thyme, to keep in my kitchen area to put extra flavor in my meals. The food stamps cover vegetable plants and seeds. Check in your area to see if your food stamp program covers these as well.
Cool video! Great challenge! Grocery hauls are the best! I like to shop in a circuit. I hit up multiple stores in one day based on the deals and ads, so I get the shopping done for at least a week at one time. Walmart is always on the list! Keep these videos coming! New subscriber here!
Yay! Thanks so much. Yes if you are trying to get by with only $10-$15 per week you almost have to go to multiple stores. I'm so distraught that they are closing the Walmart that is right next to my Dollar Tree and Aldi. It was so convenient. Thanks for watching!
@@ArdentMichelle Looking forward to following your channel!
That's how I poach my eggs too! Vinegar and stirring the water. They always come out perfect!
So beautiful and easy to do 🥚 😁
I watched this yesterday, a bought the bread today...$1.00 at Wal-Mart.... Love it!!!
I'm so glad you tried it. It's such a bargain. I just picked up a loaf yesterday also 😊 Thanks for watching.
So glad I found your channel! You enjoy the same flavors that I do and it’s so nice to find “cook for one” ideas.
Welcome! I'm happy to have you here. Thanks for taking the time to comment 😊
Really great ideas thanks for so many ideas of which sometimes I go black for new ideas
Thank you so much 😁Yeah...we can all get in a rut at times. I'm so glad you liked my video 😁👩🍳
Great job again! Glad to see your channel growing.
Thank you so much. I'm glad you liked it. I loved making this video!
Impressive!! I want to try poached eggs as well and I think I may have the confidence now after watching your video! Thank you for sharing! 👌
You can do it! 😊. Let me know how it goes. You got this! 👍
I know I've said it before but I love revisiting your EGB videos because you are SO creative and really do a fantastic job incorporating fresh foods. None of it looks budget at all!
Glad you think so. 😁Working on another extreme budget challenge now. Hope you like it. Dropping it this weekend.
Beautiful poached eggs! 👏👏 Congratulations. Mine never turn out that nice. Will definitely try your method.
Yes...try!! It was ridiculously easy. Mine were always a little stringy before. Not at all the look I was going for. Let me know if it works out as well for you. Plus I like the fail proof 3 minute rule for perfect yokes.
Since you like cilantro, the stems actually have the most flavor. Some chefs even use them exclusively and skip the leaves. I mince mine up and freeze them in a little jar then add them a spoonful at a time at the end of soups or chilis
Hello 😁 Yes I so agree with you on the cilantro. I have since discovered how flavorful stems are. I'm not sure why I was ever hesitant to use them. Thanks for the freezer tip 👍
Egg salad sandwich with tomatoes and onion is nice
Cheese and tomato sandwich too
One of my favorite rice bowls is diced chicken some onion and garlic pan cooked add rinsed black beans squeeze lemon or lime over it a drizzle of honey salt and pepper and put over rice and top with cilantro
I know you are eatting on a budget but when you arent it is really good.
Tuna macaroni salad is nice too.
Sounds yummy with the black beans.
@@ArdentMichelle I hoped you wouldn't mind me giving you ideas, even though you probably might know already. Just trying to be helpful. 😊
@@abrokenandacontriteheart1308 love it
Really nice video! Little hint--if you have a stick blender you can stick it straight down into the middle of yur simmering water (CAREFULLY) to get it going in a really nice whirlpool-spin before you slip the egg in for poaching.
Your eggs on toast looked really good! I love Mexican food too--even make my own Chorizo.
Great tip 👍 I need to get one of those
You are brilliant. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us on YT. Many blessings to you. I hope YT had been good to you 🤗
awe...thanks so much 💜 TH-cam is a great hobby for me. It hasn't been able to support me, but I love doing it 😂
This was an excellent video. I'm inspired!
Awesome! Glad you liked it! 😁
You really stretched out you groceries into very tasty meals. Great video!
Thanks so much for the positive feedback 😊
I used to make breakfast for me and my roommate. Basically all ingredients will get you through a few days. Get a pack of mason jars. Finally chop ingredients...you can use an onion, bell pepper, block of cheese, leftover ham (cubed), leftover Pico....whatever you like. You can make several different flavors or themes...steak and cheese, ham and cheese, veggie, whatever. Just split your ingredients between the 6 jars. The only other thing to buy is eggs. So put the lids on jars and put in the fridge. I recommend writing the date on the lid with a dry erase marker. In the morning grab a jar and 1-2 eggs. Crack your eggs in the jar and scramble with other ingredients. Microwave in 30 sec intervals, scrambling with a fork each time until eggs are cooked. All salt and pepper and you're done! I used to eat these sitting in traffic on my way to work. Prep is pretty minimal and it's easy to stretch ingredients when on a budget. It can also be adapted for any diet. I make these now for my daughter and its the perfect thing to grab on the way to the bus. I also like that I can wash and reuse jars. If you don't want the jars, you can do the same thing by putting veggies in snack baggies and just using a bowl instead of a jar. It's a quick, hot breakfast and more healthy than stuff that's processed. It's also super cheap! Makes it easy to use leftovers also.
I love this idea so much 👍 I have to try this! Thanks for the tip and the detailed description. We need more of these grab and go ideas. It makes life so much easier. I have some of the little jars from Dollar Tree that will be perfect for this 😁
@@ArdentMichelle I was also going to add that you don't have to use just traditional breakfast like eggs. I've done oatmeal jars with oats that you can soak overnight. Add in fruit and in the morning just top with whipped cream. It works perfect for something quick. If you try it let me know how it works for you! I have a ton of this type of stuff in my repertoire if you ever need any ideas.
I’ve also done 2 soft boiled eggs smashed on a slice of bread for breakfast with seasoning too and it is really filling and delicious. So definitely second and highly recommend. If you’re feeling froggy you can add a bit of lite Mayo and it’s really yummy.
Never thought of smashing soft boiled eggs. I bet that IS yummy! I'll try it. Thanks for the tip 👍
This was such a fun challenge to see what you came up with! Very creative.
Thank you so much! 😁
So nice to see a video cooking for one and using a toaster oven. That is how I live. I too love the walmart French Bread. The italian loaf is good too. Thank you!
Yes that bread is the best. 👍 Thanks for watching!
Super, many ideas. Thankyou. A triumph! London
Thank you 😁
Glad u were able to use the pepper mix. I love those. I put it in most of my pasta too.
OMG! Samantha! Thanks so much for inspiring me to try those. I loved them in our eggs. I liked them so much that I did a taste test on another night, and everyone's favorite was the peppers and onions with eggs. Hmm...going to have to try them with pasta next. I was also thinking about a rice and brown gravy mixture of some sort. Keep those suggestions coming. :)
@@ArdentMichelle
You are welcome.
You could add some garlic powder or onion powder and a small squeeze of mustard to the Mac n cheese if you've got it. You could sprinkle some of the bread toasted, olive oiled, garlic powder, cubed on it. Thank you! Great ideas!!
Great ideas! I love mustard...and everything else 😂that probably would have done it.... 😋 Yum
Cut out both sides of a tuna can and poach your eggs in them. Will keep your eggs shaped well.
That sounds like an interesting way to do it.
@@ArdentMichelle My friend asked a chef and that's what he said.
I loved this video. It's actually food and recipes I would eat in a budget!!
Glad you liked it!! Thanks for watching!
I add lime juice and garlic salt to the avocado when i make avocado toast.
AWESOME JOB ON THE POACHED EGGS! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)
Glad you liked those 👍 I was very happy with them. 😂
Eating avocado definitely feels luxurious! I especially like soft scrambled or over east eggs on top of avocado toast. So decadent.
True. 👍 Doesn't feel like budgeting when you can eat avocados. 😁
Another good Dollar Tree find is the frozen blueberries, berry mix, and peaches. I toss them in a bowl and then pour my hot oatmeal over them for breakfast. I also buy the crisp tostada shells and flour tortillas there.
I like that idea. I often put fruit in my oatmeal but haven't thought to try the frozen items from Dollar Tree. Great tip!
I need to look for the crisp tostada shells.....I've tried the corn but not any flour tortillas yet.
Your so good at these challenge videos. I love watching them, everything always looks so delicious. I like how you cut an avocado, genius!!
Yay! Thank you! Glad you enjoyed.
And thanks for watching!
Excellent work! I do some of this already, but you've encouraged me to branch out.
Glad you are finding my video useful. Thanks for watching and for commenting 😁🥰
Love your channel you had a lot of great ideas on here I can use definitely subscribing
Welcome to my channel 😊 Glad you are enjoying my content.
and thanks for subbing 😁
Yep sure do 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Voice of an angel.
Awe....Thank you 😀🥰
You make a lot of good meals for budget challenges. Please keep making more. For the blah macaroni and cheese dish adding some powdered spices like garlic, tumeric and mustard. They are a good substitute when the cheese is rather blah.
Love this idea, and I definitely should be cooking more with turmeric. Thanks for the tip. 😊
The pepper onion mixture chops well while still frozen if you want smaller pieces.
Poached egg on toast yum!
Good job, delicious and frugal ideas! Looked great.
Glad you liked it!!
Awesome video with great idea. Thank you for sharing
You are so welcome! 😊 Thank YOU for watching 🥰
Wonderful video, just when so many people need these delicious, yet frugal ideas! If served any of these dishes, I would send my compliments to the chef!
Thank you so much!
Oh my goodness thank you for the amazing video.. This came in at the right time for me. You are amazing person ❤
You are so welcome 😁 I'm glad this video was helpful. Hope you like my other videos also. Thanks for watching 🥰
This really shows that being on a budget works great for vegetarians or vegans. I make inexpensive millk with oats and to replace eggs (they make me sick), I use also inexpensive chickpea flour. Saute some veggies (onions, peppers and leftover potatoes, tomatoes work here too) then mix chickpea flour with Mexican spices, hot sauce and some water.
Another favorite is green lentils, double your water, add veggie bouillon, add very small chopped potatoes and then add a little pasta. It makes this stew/ soup, delicious.
We also make curry with chickpeas, just needs onions, spices, chickpeas, cheap can of crushed tomatoes, can of coconut milk and voila, a shit load of curry. You can later add veggie broth (water and bouillon) cooked rice, leftover veggies and curry for a soup.
Side note, if your city has an Indian grocery store, you can get really inexpensive food.
Budget and gluten free? (Story of my life), gf oats can become anything. Breakfasts, milk, cookies, bars, flour. Chickpea (whole, not canned), can be eated whole, as hummus, as flour to make "scramble eggs"(I either add Mexican spices or Indian spices), can become a flat bread, pizza dough and much more. Lentils are amazing meat replacer, you can sprout them too. At Indian stores you can find gf millets too. They have many great beans too and super affordable spices.
Thanks so much for all this great info! 👍You've inspired me to find an Indian market. I'm going to cut and paste your comments into my notes for future reference. I love making curries but usually do a red Thai curry paste. There are so many different types of curry. Are you using a powdered curry?
We eat curried everything - meat, chicken, fish, eggs, veg, beans and lentils, pasta... It's a good idea when you get tired of chili or Italian flavours.
I can't eat alot of beans. I still make them for family 👪 love your videos thanks ❤️ 😊
Excelent video, excelent food combinations, thank you for the list of what you bought and where and what you cook with.
Glad you enjoyed it! 😁