Thank you for doing this to raise awareness. I also serve at a local food pantry. I grew up poor and hungry and now I’m in a position to help others, which is a blessing to me!
When I was young, my dad owned a fruit and vegetable market. A lot we actually grew but we purchased some from the wholesale market. At the end of the day we would make care boxes and put them on the porches of families that needed help. We lived in a very small area, so knowing of people in need wasn't hard.
I watch Frugel Fit Mom. She once did a challenge where she used the food that is regularly given in a food hamper from her local food pantry (she looked at the hamper and then bought the items herself) and showed what can be done with it (she also has a family of 5) and i would love to see your take on this challenge.
The only think I didn’t like about that video, I felt like she spent too much money on the groceries. I watched the video, and I know some of the stuff would have been cheaper using great value items at Walmart. She does have good content videos.
@@zg8878 but she bought what she needed to replicate and shown you what was given... I applaud her for that content! And would love to see Mindy do it with her! Every food pantry across America is different...and shoot the same food pantry is different each month... you never know what you're going to get! Even if ya gave a nod to Christine (Mindy I know you both watch each other 😀)
I like this idea. I used to work for a bunch of food banks and this was part of my job sometimes. Food banks can get very random food, and you often need some things to go with what you're given if you don't find a different way to make it
I appreciate you. And all of your work to post videos . I am a single mom of 3 living in Canada. When i first went through my divorce and started our new path I was lucky enough to get hired at Costco. I ate the free samples at work so my children (all under 2) could eat. I cannot express just how grateful I am towards your empathy and kindness. I am proud to say that 14 years later we are ok. And now in position to help others...and I will never forget the humbling and scary experience we were once in. God bless you and yours 💞🌻
I also feel like these recipes should be put into a book called ‘ eating below the line’ and given out to people whom use food stamps/ charities ect. Some people whom find them selves on or below the line would benefit from these types on recipes on paper.
Every year for the past 10 + years, a friend and I have done a SNAP challenge during the Lenten Season. We feed our families according to SNAP *USDA* guidelines. In my case, a retired couple, we are pegged around $475 (or so) for the 6 weeks. We must eat healthy, no loading up on CoCo Puffs and ramen. We must include quality proteins and try to be as nutrient-dense as possible. Whatever we go over/under at the end must donate at least $100 to the Food Bank * or food pantry of your choice*. Well, we are pretty competitive and have never gone over- we try to outdo each other with our cheap but healthy meals. This year our local food bank (Houston) has been sending out the mobile food pantry to our small town and through sheer will, a growing volunteer base and the Holy Spirit, we have serviced as many as 300- 400 families a week since January, approximately 20,000 pounds a month, I think. This week is our last week and the local HS will pick up the slack in the summer and we will start up again later in the fall. Food insecurity needs to be a top priority especially for the children.
Susan, that is incredible! And I agree, trying to bring awareness to and helping the issue of food insecurity is a big passion for us, especially where children are concerned. One of the reasons I started my channel was to try to show that we can adopt healthy habits and healthy eating habits on a budget. I think sometimes I take for granted that people know how to cook low-cost foods (oatmeal, pasta dishes, veggies in season, beans from dry beans, etc.), so I'm trying to demonstrate that more on my channel.
Not sure my family would notice as we spend half of the snap usda amount and 1/3 of the usda recommended amount. Not because we are struggling financially but because that is sufficient for our family to eat healthy! When I have extra in the grocery budget I tend to throw in those unhealthy extras so I prefer for our health to be more limited. But I love the concept and I think is more challenging for single people than families! We are big supporters of our local food banks especially at times like these.
If you are really using an EBT card, you can only use the amount on the card. There is no such thing as going over. You may spend less, but you can't spend more. If you are able to donate $100 for food for a food bank, you do not need food assistance.
We live far below what a SNAP challenge would provide. We are a family of 5 and budget $300-$350 for our monthly food, and household cost. I am always stretching a dollar! I grew up in a home that suffered from food insecurities. My mom got $60 once in food stamps back in the 80's. She made to much but not enough to provide our home with adequate food once our household expenses and childcare was paid. Our father left my mom with a 3, 4, and 5 year old after 15 years of marriage. It was a survival game that we managed to adapt to until she remarried, she went back to college and her income level nearly trippled! It was definitely God who got us through those years of difficulty, our church would often donate items to our family and it was well received! I choose to live frugal and stay true to my roots. Waste is such a huge thing in our country, if I keep a minimal budget I am not being wasteful but mindful. We also garden during the summer to help sustain our dietary needs. It is a small garden of about 10×12, but it has been a blessing! We are also in no spend December, we try to use our freezer and pantry to feed us so we can pay for car tags, taxes on our home, insurance, and a few holiday gifts. I have been playing around on line to see who has the most affordable produce, I need about $10-$15 in produce to get us through the month ( carrots, onions, potatoes, celery).
As someone who's currently only working part time for minimum wage and struggling to find a new job, videos like this are life savers! Rice really is a great food for extending meals for cheap. That or ramen. I add eggs and frozen veggies to mine to make it a little healthier and a little more filling. Im blessed enough to have family that would offer me a meal in a heartbeat, (although my pride make me hesitate to say anything to them) but i know a lot of people dont even have that, so videos like this really are a gift to so many. Other foods you might want to consider if youre struggling: Beans Canned pork (not the best tasting thing but cheap and filling) Boxed mashed potatoes (i find my local dollar store has big boxes for about $1.25) And tuna is a big one too! (If you dont have mayo to mix in, seasoning and frying it makes a pretty good faux salmon patty)
I love this because I am on a fixed income where after everything is said and done I have around 200.00$ a month( sometimes less) for everything I need like food , gas , pills , etc etc , so this gives me awesome ideas !
I work in pharmacy, I always want others to save on RX if possible. Always check on good and compare costs. Sometimes you find medications free at places like Costco or Sams, you do not have to be a member to use the Pharmacy. Also, check with drug manufacturers because they will give vouchers or fill your RX at no cost for often 12 months and it ships to your door. We do this with my MIL because of her SS, often her medications are less at Kroger and Sams not using her insurance card. Crazy, but I have learned how to cut cost by working in the industry.
@@cindykenney8383 ahhh, yes It is different. Maybe this can help others in the lower 48. I wish you luck, and I am so thankful for frugal tips from our youtube mamas as I call them!
Hey all, this pandemic has made us all frugal. prior to the pandemic I didn't realized how much food I wasted. Now I make enough food for each day, any leftovers food is used for breakfast or lunch. mac and cheese is not too bad with a cup of coffee...lol
as someone who has had to utilize food banks before. when donating actual food please consider variety and ease of cooking. one of the bigger problems i have seen both being poor and being around poor people is that they don't know how to really cook or how to stretch food. they lack knowledge about nutrition and how to cook from scratch to lessen the cost and increase the nutrition. I wish it was still taught in schools. the dollar that you spend on a box of hamburger helper only has 5 oz of macaroni. you can spend the 6 dollars on 5 boxes or get 3 pounds (9×) of macaroni for less than 2 bucks. a pound of cheese for less than 4 and make 2x the meals for the same money and if they know how to cook can change it up in many ways. lack of knowledge is expensive....
I understand, and very good point. We actually usually give money to our local food pantries because they know best how to serve their clients. My husbands parents volunteer 2-3 days a week at their food pantry, and we have learned a lot. :)
Our church has a very active food pantry- we feed 75 families ( from the area, not just our church) per week. It operates purely on donations ( food and money) from our parish families. I feel very fortunate that we are able to donate on a regular basis.
Life changes very suddenly. We can work hard, plan, save and think we have done everything to prepare and then suddenly a curve ball comes out of nowhere. Having videos like you create is very helpful. God bless you and your parents. Thank you for what you all do to help others
Thank you so much for this vid! I am a food pantry volunteer and client, and very passionate about hunger relief. You did a good job. I get a fairly steady supply of beans, lentils, oats, pasta ( I buy my own sauce on sale with coupons as our sauces are awful), rice and tomato products at my client choice food pantry, A pound of dry beans ( equal to about 5 cans for a fraction of the price) with added 🥕, celery and onion will yield 10 meals, same with lentils. I make homemade rolls to eat with when I have flour and yeast. I can stretch this out by adding rice, potatoes and/ or veggies when I can get them. I can make a variety of meals with these items. A large canister of oats is breakfast for a month, oatmeal bread or roll, crust, flour, muffins and cookies! It's a bonus that I actually love these foods. As a long time volunteer, I have secured healthier foods by finding patrons to donate specific items outside our usual donations. We are a small shop and my boss has been resistant to make any changes to food list. I'm happy to say we now have 4-5 varieties of beans, canned and dry, 2 kinds of lentils, whole grain pasta, oats ( old fashioned and quick), and tomatoes (crushed, diced, paste and stewed) all the time now! Next on my wish list: coffee, tea, spices, broth, boullion and baking supplies. I encourage everyone to donate and ask that you think about donation choices. When you are hungry, you need protein, complex carbs and fiber. Not junk and empty calories. My pantry would prefer cash donations. I prefer healthy food donations. I've listened to clients when they have requested certain items. And I give out lots of can openers! I hope to write up simple recipes for the clients. My dream job is having my own food pantry, overflowing with healthy produce and staples. I think you could have had more variety if you could have bought bulk bin items. Pasta one night, lentils one night, a potato, beans one night $1 maybe bulk or even get 2 cans of beans. 2 dinners with veg, 2 breakfasts, beans cornbread, a handful of oats with a banana or the pineapple, 1 onion carmelized then blended with a can of black beans makes fantastic soup for 2 vegan lunches with cornbread. Try it, it's also dessert! Tastes just like chocolate mousse! It freezes beautifully too. I am going to think more about this. It's a great challenge. I'll see how much maximum nutrition I can get and how many ways. Kindness matters. I appreciate yours, as well as your parents.
Thank you Penny! Those are all good ideas, too! I am trying to show more budget meal prep and recipe shares on my channel. I sometimes feel I take for granted that everybody knows how to cook those things. I didn't until I was shown or did a little research, so I hope I can be helpful in that avenue.
This is very educational cause people don't realize that hunger is a big problem in this country and not just in other countries . Thank u for doing this video .
Love this & your channel. I struggle with spending way too much on groceries in order to eat healthy. I am really trying to stick to a budget (I absolutely know I could save hundreds a month), cook plenty of food to fill up my teenagers, be healthy for my husband whose cholesterol gets high if he doesn’t eat right, feed myself with gluten allergies and 10 lbs to lose. Whew! But your channel addresses all those goals!! It’s the only channel I’ve found that does so. Please keep doing what you’re doing, showing real meals that are good for WW. I love seeing you actually cook them and how you use leftovers- super helpful. I like Jordan Page’s approach but yours is even more practical and includes the health aspect. You should have 100k followers at least! Also, I’m in Tulsa. Yay!
Woohoo! Hello, fellow Tulsan! :) My husband also has some cholesterol issues, and that's one of the reasons we've been using less meat. I understand completely having to "check a lot of boxes" with groceries and cooking and also trying to stay within a budget. I plan to keep filming a lot of videos along those lines and I'm working on one right now. :)
I love how you are bringing awareness to food insecurity! Though my family may not struggle with it, it shows me that with all the food we have in our house, sometimes we get bored and just go buy more groceries. But we can do so much more with what we already have! Thank you for the inspiration!
My parish has a freezer program for those who need meals. I try to cook for it as often as I can. I figure if I can afford choices, I want the clients to have choices. We service lots of people every week and more when time are tough. What I love is that our parish embraces this big time as a ministry.
Anyone dependent on food pantries: A simple recipe card(s) placed in the pantry boxes using the current items. Also, teach a class on how to use store ads/coupons to stretch snap benefits.
Every time I watch videos like this I realize how complicated and full of variety my meals are. I have been lucky to not have to truly struggle to put food on the table, but watching challenges like this makes me want to get creative with what I have and almost makes me wish I DID have to struggle so I could appreciate what luxuries I have more. it is a luxury to be able to go to the store once a week and buy whatever I want for my family, and it really shows how spoiled a lot of us are. Love from WI!!
Love that you give the complete picture with the whole meal plan. It’s so helpful to have suggestions on how to put the ingredients together. It’s hard to feed one for cheap and not be wasteful
I am a frugal shopper. $5. isn't alot to buy food on for 1 for 3 days but can be done. You did a God Job with your $5. I keep a variety of Dry Beans, Rice Corn Meal, Oatmeal, Grits, Canned Meats, Fruit and Veggies. I participate in the BOGO offers and 10 for $10. I also shop at Dollar Tree aswell as the bigger stores. Thank You
You should have added a pack or two of honey. Honey corn bread is really good. Also a side note outside of a budget meal adding bell peppers and onions with a little cayenne pepper to corn bread is REALLY good.
I love that you are putting awareness out there. We have a love box in town and I put stuff in it to help people out. You would be surprised just how much a couple of can goods means to someone who is struggling.
Portland Oregon we have a thing here in neighborhoods called free Fridges/ shelves we have people bring meals and various foods to help people who can’t get food
I have been binge watching your meal challenges and love them! I think with everything going on around the world and people not having as much money right now these type of videos are really helping alot of people! And giving them some good advice on saving and making money go further.
Thank you for including the calorie counts. It's a lot more work for you, I'm sure. I enjoy watching budget meal videos on YT because it inspires me to get creative and crunch my budget down but I worry that people aren't eating enough calories on some of the videos I see. This series is also very helpful for me because I am only feeding one person.
More please. Your ideas are really creative and I know it’s helping a ton of people who are finding themselves food insecure for the first time in their lives. Just me, but I would have scrambled up my breakfast eggs with your leftover brown rice (looks like you had 1/3 bag left uncooked) and scrounged your packet trove for hot sauce. Eggs and rice with salsa is one of my favorite breakfasts and so filling.
I used to make Tuna Suprise with rice a roni, tuna and canned green beans. About 2,50 and lasts thru 3-4 meals for one. Also I'd use cheapo corn flakes and dry milk from the pantry. Add bananas. Hard boiled eggs are a quick easy lunch with a toast slice
This was a really neat idea! I would be interested for you to make a video where you allow yourself $10 for three days of meals but incorporate some lean meat and more fresh produce. I can easily spend $10 on just one meal for myself so I think a budget of $5 for 3 days would be very challenging!
It is now mid-January, 2022... it is so interesting (and a little eye opening) to compare the prices of the foods Mindy selected with current prices in my area. ie: that $.27 pasta is now $.41 in my local stores here in Central Florida...but then EVERYTHING has gone up! Still an interesting and useful video...lots of good ideas and suggestions. TFS
You did such a fabulous job! I used to be a stay at home mom and we lived on one small income and I had to be really creative with our food budget. (Absolutely worth it to stay home while my kids were little!) I love watching these challenge videos to help the families I work with in my job now. Most have the same ideas but yours was really different. I can tell you put a lot of thought into it!
This was amazing. Thank you for bringing awareness to food insecurities. I am on the board or our local food pantry and it is ashame how many people still don't have food in this country.
Here mid Oct 2022. I've been watching your latest videos about inflation/inflation and its interesting to see how bad prices have changed from this video to now. I am so grateful you have this channel amd stay active with the rising costs and still showing us how to be frugal and eat well on a budget. Thank you for all your hard work to help us all out in current times ❤️
I chuckled at your shoe organizer with all of the condiment packets in them, because I usually just throw them away. I will start saving them and using my shoe organizer for those condiments. When you started off the video, I was thinking in my mind how you're going to use all of those for three days, three meals a day! Love your creativity and seeing what you're going to make! So enjoying your content :) You're inspiring me to do some vlogging of my own WW journey :)
18 months ago I started storing rice and different beans and lentils. It's the go to in every corner of that world. Lentils and rice are actually exactly paired nutritionally to be a complete nutrition. I found a TH-cam video on the chemistry of it.
I think it really shows how better off so many people are and how much they don't realize it. You noticed some of it and I always really appreciate your videos and how kind you are and aware you are/become of your situation. You are one of the few that is actually helpful to me and doesn't make me feel bad or piss me off. I'm sitting over here, feeding myself and my fiance for a month on $60. A lot of people who do these challenges are still taking so many liberties when they make their little rules for it. Like no. My fiance and I eat once-count it, once- a day. And it's not a big meal. I feel bad if I try to go to a food pantry because I know there are people who don't always eat once a day that could use it more than I could. Food insecurity is a major problem and thank you thank you thank you for bringing awareness to it and trying to help in so many ways!!!
Thanks for sharing this, particularly your insights. I had to cut my only extreme budget challenge after 4days due to extreme boredom and frustration. It is not easy and food shortage breaks your soul
So sad but we must realize that this is real for many families. My husband also volunteers 1-2 times week at community Center. . We are grateful to be in a position to help others in need with donated clothes.!!
This was Awesome! Extremely appreciate your concern for your fellow people and their possible unfortunate situations. Alot of people don't know about food pantries or how to access them locally. Also some people don't want to ask for that type of help, when they really could benefit from it. At some point in life we've all been in a time of need. Whether it's food insecurities, reliable transportation, mental health help or possibly a combination of all of these. Also appreciate your willingness to actually do this challenge as a woman, not to mention a fellow mom of multiplies! Thanks for sharing, in every way that you do! 😁
Fed is better than starved! You have ways done a pretty decent job with what you do mindy!!! Love your stuff! Gives me great ideas on how to stretch my pantry! In ways I never thought!
Great informative video. We all take for granted the simple luxury of walking into the kitchen and eating whatever we want. Your challenge put that into perspective. I think you put a lot of effort and thought into trying to make the challenge well balanced.
I would have added a can of great northern beans (.55 at my Aldi) and a full dozen eggs instead of the cottage cheese and yogurt. You could stir the beans into the pasta for some protein. I would hard boil 3 eggs for snacks, use one for the muffins and add 2 to the stir fry. That leaves .17 and I would add an onion or another banana. I appreciate you doing this challenge! And we have recently made a donation to a local food bank. Thank you for bringing awareness to this issue.
I agree about the full dozen eggs...I would have bought a pack of tortillas or a loaf of bread.. Pasta instead of rice.. I love pasta and I can eat it for every meal til it's gone...
your corn muffins would be great with the honey packages in your shoe organizer. For the future if you go through any drive-throughs or when picking up or dining in keep an eye out for take home Jelly & Jam packs, butter & margarine. Sesame seed oil is great on Chinese food like Fried Rice
On the fried rice, I use some beef broth (no oil or butter) to the pan then add the already cooked rice. It keeps it moist and boosts the flavor. It’s very tasty.
I really appreciate that you do these sorts of videos. Have you ever thought about putting together a cookbook/pamphlet that details your journey? You could possibly sell it and use the funds raised to further support your local foodbank.
Ive lost 15 lbs counting calories but since i started watching your channel about a month ago, I decided two days ago to switch over to WW blue. I like it so far!
Only because I don't have a door to hang the shoe organizer, but I keep the condiments in jars on the counter the same way. Picked it up from my current so back in the day. Always ask for them when I order out. Use them when needed at work or home.
This was very interesting to watch, thank you for doing this challenge and doing it in the way you did so that we could see the meals you created, definitely appreciated that! I have done a challenge that started here in Australia but is now known all over, called Live Below The Line, and have done it for many years except this year as it got cancelled due to Covid. So when you mentioned that it is definitely harder to do the challenge as one person I could definitely relate to that! Some people make a group and pool their money together and this would definitely give you a lot more flexibility as to what you could purchase and the meals you could create. We have $10 to spend for 5 days so not a lot either, however the rules don't allow for you to use condiments, oil, salt, pepper, you're only allowed to use what you buy and that's it, so that makes it much harder! As a side note I thought the meals you came up with were great, wish we could get cornbread mix like that and so cheaply as well! I would have added some of the pineapple cut up very tiny to the cornbread mix and then some of it to your fried rice, think that would have taken both of these up a notch! Well done! :)
While getting things ready for work I accidentally bumped the egg carton and one felt out breaking onto the floor was tof the fridge and kitchen floor. Not upset to hVe to clean it up but my first thought was THAT IS $.06 ! :)
I was saying to the screen “Mindy, put the ketchup packet on the eggs!” I have a 3 egg spinach onion omelette with ketchup every morning. My roommate thinks ketchup on eggs (let alone ketchup on a veggie omelette) is crazy but we grew up having ketchup on scrambled eggs and hot sauce on boiled eggs😄
I ate a cold fried egg sandwich with ketchup every Friday when I was in high school. Mother bought lunch meat to feed four girls and she ran out for Friday. I hated peanut butter, so I got an egg sandwich. I haven't thought of that in years.
As a single mum I have not really had the money to donate but have always grown my own food. So I donate my excess to charities to give to people or to use to feed people. I hope this helps a little too.
My analytical scientist brain (who has had to live many times with food insecurity and money shortages as a student) appreciated the thoroughness of this. Thanks for the how you were feeling and keeping a real schedule. It's hard when you don't have enough food to be physically active and do all the things you have to do. I am currently at 6th job and it's the first place that offers coffee at work. Is this something that is normal at most workplaces? Because I assumed this was an exception.
My favorite way to cook my bacon is on a bacon rack in the Microwave and I save the bacon grease and the bacon grease would be better for flavor to cook the Fried Rice
These videos are helpful especially right now with good bills going through the roof. I’m just 1 person and I’m shocked at how much I’m spending even without buying cleaning products or cat food. I’ve tried to compensate by eating less meat. Instead I eat lentils, cabbage, and lots of broccoli 🥦!! I love ice cream so I watch the weekly flyer for when it’s on special and I stock up then. I do that with lots of items that I might not need that week but will use. If you would please say how you reheated your leftovers that would be helpful . Thanks! 👍🏻
Grew up dirt poor, sometimes dinner was strips of pie crust, and desert was pie crust with powder sugar and water frosting. Us kids thought those were special treat dinners.
That was great and we are so blessed we always have an ample pantry full of options. In the KC metro we have Harvesters that feeds the hungry. Thanks for your time! 🙋🏼♀️🙏🏼👏❤️☕️🇺🇸
Hi Mindy This literally made me cry, to think about how many families are struggling to put food on the table. So many people have been furloughed or laid off indefinitely from their jobs or the company they worked at has been forced out of business. With the schools closed, so many kids aren't getting the one most nutritious meal of their day that they depend on. Thank you for doing this. I sincerely hope this opened alot of people's eyes who have been fortunate enough to have jobs that allow them to work remotely from home and don't have to worry about pinching pennies to feed their families. I so admire you for actually showing how to buy food on a budget, prepare the food and eating it for 3 days yourself. Undoubtedly you helped many families that are struggling and hopefully brought awareness of what others , who are more fortunate can do to help. You are such an amazing, kind hearted Soul. The world needs more kindness and awareness right now. You are a shining example of both. I hope you do more vlogs like this. Thank you Mindy, for using your social media platform to provide a service for those in desperate need and to offer suggestions to those who have the means to help people who are struggling. Bless you Mindy for your kindness and thoughtfulness ❤🙏
@@noelles3595 That's awesome Noelle ❤ Bless you for your kindness and thoughtfulness . I'm doing the same. Also looking for ways to help get food and supplies to the Elderly. If each person does one thing to help, even if it's donating a can of food , if you cant afford anything else, imagine the impact we can make if we all did one kind thing for our community. It feels good to pay Blessings forward. 🤗❤🙏
Susan, thank you so much for your kind comment and your encouragement. Exercises like this one are a good reminder for me as well, and teach me a lot. I plan to do more videos along this line, and also just trying to share ways we can prepare healthy food for ourselves on a tight budget.
Very interesting video. I think it would be nice to have home ec back in the classrooms and classes at the food pantry on preparation and how to plan meals. Just my humble opinion.
I believe Rhoda Stone started the challenge. We, I and some others, picked up the challenge. You are right, it is easier to do for 2 people or even do it for a month at a time. It gives you a better choice.Next time you buy cornmeal mix, look at the back. Some require only water for the same price. Same with packets of pancake mix. Just a tip. .I am glad you took it even further by showing what you cooked for 3 days. Good video. !!! I will add you to the playlist on my channel Finally someone who doesn't like mayo.!!!! I can't stand the smell of it I keep a basket in my fridge with sample packets. Those packets come in handy in a pinch
Thank you so much! I will add her channel and your playlist to the description box, and I’ll be sure to give you guys a shout out the next time I do this. I always try to give credit where it’s due, I just a hard time tracking down where this one originated. Pancake mix is definitely on my radar. I plan to do a video next month where I feed my whole family of 5 for $50 for the week, and pancake mix is on the list because I can also make biscuits with it!
@@SeeMindyMom I am the same way. I give credit to the ones I get ideas from, it's only fair. I do " What If " videos. I read Starving in the Shadow of Plenty by Loretta Schwartz Nobel about 12 years ago. She raised my awareness of hunger in the U. S As a result, I reached out to her. I started my What If videos to show even with a little you can eat for the day. I would love if you would watch the videos then make one, as a few have, to help me show people how to stretch their food. Let me know
@@SeeMindyMom there is a pancake mix muffins recipe vid on utube. We had leftover mix from a church event. I bagged it up with that recipe and pancake directions( lucky it was water mix not egg and milk) to give food pantry clients. The muffins were pretty good but had to dip them in syrup! I love pancakes for a treat. A friend gives me Maple syrup for my bday each year. My dollar store often has Kutzen(?) Mix and my market has good generic mix. I has a little vanilla to the mix too.
could take that pineapple and some rice sugar for a dessert. cherry pie filling sweet sticky rice is something that we used to have in our school lunchroom
Man, can we appreciate she ate on five dollars while she fed her family normal meals. That is really nice to help her viewers get ideas on a budget!
Lisa Juarez I’ve seen her do video to feed her and her family
👍👍❤
Plus while been on weight watchers. 😁
Lol!!!
I thought this was very interesting and showed how spoiled we are. And to be thankful for what we have.
Yes!
Thank you for doing this to raise awareness. I also serve at a local food pantry. I grew up poor and hungry and now I’m in a position to help others, which is a blessing to me!
Sheila, thank you for your work! It’s important and appreciated. 😊
When I was young, my dad owned a fruit and vegetable market. A lot we actually grew but we purchased some from the wholesale market. At the end of the day we would make care boxes and put them on the porches of families that needed help. We lived in a very small area, so knowing of people in need wasn't hard.
Cleo, what a heart warming story! Thank you and your family for your important work and for sharing this with us. God bless you.
God bless you and your family 👪stay safe
I watch Frugel Fit Mom. She once did a challenge where she used the food that is regularly given in a food hamper from her local food pantry (she looked at the hamper and then bought the items herself) and showed what can be done with it (she also has a family of 5) and i would love to see your take on this challenge.
I have followed FFM for a long time, and I remember that video!
The only think I didn’t like about that video, I felt like she spent too much money on the groceries. I watched the video, and I know some of the stuff would have been cheaper using great value items at Walmart. She does have good content videos.
@@zg8878 but she bought what she needed to replicate and shown you what was given... I applaud her for that content! And would love to see Mindy do it with her! Every food pantry across America is different...and shoot the same food pantry is different each month... you never know what you're going to get! Even if ya gave a nod to Christine (Mindy I know you both watch each other 😀)
I like this idea. I used to work for a bunch of food banks and this was part of my job sometimes. Food banks can get very random food, and you often need some things to go with what you're given if you don't find a different way to make it
I appreciate you. And all of your work to post videos .
I am a single mom of 3 living in Canada. When i first went through my divorce and started our new path I was lucky enough to get hired at Costco. I ate the free samples at work so my children (all under 2) could eat.
I cannot express just how grateful I am towards your empathy and kindness.
I am proud to say that 14 years later we are ok. And now in position to help others...and I will never forget the humbling and scary experience we were once in. God bless you and yours 💞🌻
❤️
I also feel like these recipes should be put into a book called ‘ eating below the line’ and given out to people whom use food stamps/ charities ect.
Some people whom find them selves on or below the line would benefit from these types on recipes on paper.
Awesome idea, Dusty! 🤗
Every year for the past 10 + years, a friend and I have done a SNAP challenge during the Lenten Season. We feed our families according to SNAP *USDA* guidelines. In my case, a retired couple, we are pegged around $475 (or so) for the 6 weeks. We must eat healthy, no loading up on CoCo Puffs and ramen. We must include quality proteins and try to be as nutrient-dense as possible. Whatever we go over/under at the end must donate at least $100 to the Food Bank * or food pantry of your choice*. Well, we are pretty competitive and have never gone over- we try to outdo each other with our cheap but healthy meals. This year our local food bank (Houston) has been sending out the mobile food pantry to our small town and through sheer will, a growing volunteer base and the Holy Spirit, we have serviced as many as 300- 400 families a week since January, approximately 20,000 pounds a month, I think. This week is our last week and the local HS will pick up the slack in the summer and we will start up again later in the fall. Food insecurity needs to be a top priority especially for the children.
Susan, that is incredible! And I agree, trying to bring awareness to and helping the issue of food insecurity is a big passion for us, especially where children are concerned. One of the reasons I started my channel was to try to show that we can adopt healthy habits and healthy eating habits on a budget. I think sometimes I take for granted that people know how to cook low-cost foods (oatmeal, pasta dishes, veggies in season, beans from dry beans, etc.), so I'm trying to demonstrate that more on my channel.
Not sure my family would notice as we spend half of the snap usda amount and 1/3 of the usda recommended amount. Not because we are struggling financially but because that is sufficient for our family to eat healthy! When I have extra in the grocery budget I tend to throw in those unhealthy extras so I prefer for our health to be more limited.
But I love the concept and I think is more challenging for single people than families!
We are big supporters of our local food banks especially at times like these.
If you are really using an EBT card, you can only use the amount on the card. There is no such thing as going over. You may spend less, but you can't spend more. If you are able to donate $100 for food for a food bank, you do not need food assistance.
We live far below what a SNAP challenge would provide. We are a family of 5 and budget $300-$350 for our monthly food, and household cost. I am always stretching a dollar! I grew up in a home that suffered from food insecurities. My mom got $60 once in food stamps back in the 80's. She made to much but not enough to provide our home with adequate food once our household expenses and childcare was paid. Our father left my mom with a 3, 4, and 5 year old after 15 years of marriage. It was a survival game that we managed to adapt to until she remarried, she went back to college and her income level nearly trippled! It was definitely God who got us through those years of difficulty, our church would often donate items to our family and it was well received! I choose to live frugal and stay true to my roots. Waste is such a huge thing in our country, if I keep a minimal budget I am not being wasteful but mindful. We also garden during the summer to help sustain our dietary needs. It is a small garden of about 10×12, but it has been a blessing! We are also in no spend December, we try to use our freezer and pantry to feed us so we can pay for car tags, taxes on our home, insurance, and a few holiday gifts. I have been playing around on line to see who has the most affordable produce, I need about $10-$15 in produce to get us through the month ( carrots, onions, potatoes, celery).
@@ginacarr1067 online too, not to
As someone who's currently only working part time for minimum wage and struggling to find a new job, videos like this are life savers! Rice really is a great food for extending meals for cheap. That or ramen. I add eggs and frozen veggies to mine to make it a little healthier and a little more filling.
Im blessed enough to have family that would offer me a meal in a heartbeat, (although my pride make me hesitate to say anything to them) but i know a lot of people dont even have that, so videos like this really are a gift to so many.
Other foods you might want to consider if youre struggling:
Beans
Canned pork (not the best tasting thing but cheap and filling)
Boxed mashed potatoes (i find my local dollar store has big boxes for about $1.25)
And tuna is a big one too! (If you dont have mayo to mix in, seasoning and frying it makes a pretty good faux salmon patty)
I love this because I am on a fixed income where after everything is said and done I have around 200.00$ a month( sometimes less) for everything I need like food , gas , pills , etc etc , so this gives me awesome ideas !
Cindy, I’m sure that is such a challenge! Blessings to you!
I work in pharmacy, I always want others to save on RX if possible. Always check on good and compare costs. Sometimes you find medications free at places like Costco or Sams, you do not have to be a member to use the Pharmacy. Also, check with drug manufacturers because they will give vouchers or fill your RX at no cost for often 12 months and it ships to your door. We do this with my MIL because of her SS, often her medications are less at Kroger and Sams not using her insurance card. Crazy, but I have learned how to cut cost by working in the industry.
@@ginacarr1067 I live in Canada and it is different here
@@cindykenney8383 ahhh, yes It is different. Maybe this can help others in the lower 48. I wish you luck, and I am so thankful for frugal tips from our youtube mamas as I call them!
You should visit a food pantry, we all pay taxes so that those who are struggling can eat. There should be zero shame in getting the help you need! 💚
Hey all, this pandemic has made us all frugal. prior to the pandemic I didn't realized how much food I wasted. Now I make enough food for each day, any leftovers food is used for breakfast or lunch. mac and cheese is not too bad with a cup of coffee...lol
Larry, I have never been one for "traditional" breakfast foods. One of my favorite "breakfasts on the go" is a turkey sandwich! LOL!
Lol. No! Not mac with coffee 😲
Breakfasts really vary all over the world!
Meals by Maria video used Mac n cheese in a muffin pan, it looked really good too!
as someone who has had to utilize food banks before. when donating actual food please consider variety and ease of cooking. one of the bigger problems i have seen both being poor and being around poor people is that they don't know how to really cook or how to stretch food. they lack knowledge about nutrition and how to cook from scratch to lessen the cost and increase the nutrition. I wish it was still taught in schools. the dollar that you spend on a box of hamburger helper only has 5 oz of macaroni. you can spend the 6 dollars on 5 boxes or get 3 pounds (9×) of macaroni for less than 2 bucks. a pound of cheese for less than 4 and make 2x the meals for the same money and if they know how to cook can change it up in many ways. lack of knowledge is expensive....
I understand, and very good point. We actually usually give money to our local food pantries because they know best how to serve their clients. My husbands parents volunteer 2-3 days a week at their food pantry, and we have learned a lot. :)
Our church has a very active food pantry- we feed 75 families ( from the area, not just our church) per week. It operates purely on donations ( food and money) from our parish families. I feel very fortunate that we are able to donate on a regular basis.
I volunteer at mine. Thanks for donating. Do you have a food list? Are they a client choice pantry?
Life changes very suddenly. We can work hard, plan, save and think we have done everything to prepare and then suddenly a curve ball comes out of nowhere. Having videos like you create is very helpful. God bless you and your parents. Thank you for what you all do to help others
These videos remind me of the times I lived with food insecurity and didn’t have these resources or knowledge. Thanks for a shot of gratitude!
There is a channel on you tube called struggle meals, and he has an amazing "packet drawer" that is a huge part of his strategy. 😃
Love that channel! I have Roku, so I watch that on Tubi now 😊 - Lisa
Thank you so much for this vid! I am a food pantry volunteer and client, and very passionate about hunger relief. You did a good job.
I get a fairly steady supply of beans, lentils, oats, pasta ( I buy my own sauce on sale with coupons as our sauces are awful), rice and tomato products at my client choice food pantry, A pound of dry beans ( equal to about 5 cans for a fraction of the price) with added 🥕, celery and onion will yield 10 meals, same with lentils. I make homemade rolls to eat with when I have flour and yeast. I can stretch this out by adding rice, potatoes and/ or veggies when I can get them. I can make a variety of meals with these items. A large canister of oats is breakfast for a month, oatmeal bread or roll, crust, flour, muffins and cookies! It's a bonus that I actually love these foods.
As a long time volunteer, I have secured healthier foods by finding patrons to donate specific items outside our usual donations. We are a small shop and my boss has been resistant to make any changes to food list. I'm happy to say we now have 4-5 varieties of beans, canned and dry, 2 kinds of lentils, whole grain pasta, oats ( old fashioned and quick), and tomatoes (crushed, diced, paste and stewed) all the time now! Next on my wish list: coffee, tea, spices, broth, boullion and baking supplies.
I encourage everyone to donate and ask that you think about donation choices. When you are hungry, you need protein, complex carbs and fiber. Not junk and empty calories. My pantry would prefer cash donations. I prefer healthy food donations. I've listened to clients when they have requested certain items. And I give out lots of can openers!
I hope to write up simple recipes for the clients. My dream job is having my own food pantry, overflowing with healthy produce and staples.
I think you could have had more variety if you could have bought bulk bin items. Pasta one night, lentils one night, a potato, beans one night $1 maybe bulk or even get 2 cans of beans. 2 dinners with veg, 2 breakfasts, beans cornbread, a handful of oats with a banana or the pineapple, 1 onion carmelized then blended with a can of black beans makes fantastic soup for 2 vegan lunches with cornbread. Try it, it's also dessert! Tastes just like chocolate mousse! It freezes beautifully too.
I am going to think more about this. It's a great challenge. I'll see how much maximum nutrition I can get and how many ways.
Kindness matters. I appreciate yours, as well as your parents.
Thank you Penny! Those are all good ideas, too! I am trying to show more budget meal prep and recipe shares on my channel. I sometimes feel I take for granted that everybody knows how to cook those things. I didn't until I was shown or did a little research, so I hope I can be helpful in that avenue.
Mayo is great for cakes and banana bread, too. I was super skeptical when i first read that. But mayo is basically just eggs and oil.
drain the whey off your cottage cheese for the milk.
SMART
Such a good idea, I never would have considered that!
This is very educational cause people don't realize that hunger is a big problem in this country and not just in other countries . Thank u for doing this video .
I’m am glad you are doing this, lots of families are struggling to feed their families
Love this & your channel. I struggle with spending way too much on groceries in order to eat healthy. I am really trying to stick to a budget (I absolutely know I could save hundreds a month), cook plenty of food to fill up my teenagers, be healthy for my husband whose cholesterol gets high if he doesn’t eat right, feed myself with gluten allergies and 10 lbs to lose. Whew!
But your channel addresses all those goals!! It’s the only channel I’ve found that does so. Please keep doing what you’re doing, showing real meals that are good for WW. I love seeing you actually cook them and how you use leftovers- super helpful. I like Jordan Page’s approach but yours is even more practical and includes the health aspect. You should have 100k followers at least!
Also, I’m in Tulsa. Yay!
Woohoo! Hello, fellow Tulsan! :) My husband also has some cholesterol issues, and that's one of the reasons we've been using less meat. I understand completely having to "check a lot of boxes" with groceries and cooking and also trying to stay within a budget. I plan to keep filming a lot of videos along those lines and I'm working on one right now. :)
I love how you are bringing awareness to food insecurity! Though my family may not struggle with it, it shows me that with all the food we have in our house, sometimes we get bored and just go buy more groceries. But we can do so much more with what we already have! Thank you for the inspiration!
Thanks for watching! I appreciate that.
My parish has a freezer program for those who need meals. I try to cook for it as often as I can. I figure if I can afford choices, I want the clients to have choices. We service lots of people every week and more when time are tough. What I love is that our parish embraces this big time as a ministry.
Thank you
Great job bringing awareness to a very real problem in our country. Thanks for your hard work on this video.
Anyone dependent on food pantries: A simple recipe card(s) placed in the pantry boxes using the current items. Also, teach a class on how to use store ads/coupons to stretch snap benefits.
Every time I watch videos like this I realize how complicated and full of variety my meals are. I have been lucky to not have to truly struggle to put food on the table, but watching challenges like this makes me want to get creative with what I have and almost makes me wish I DID have to struggle so I could appreciate what luxuries I have more. it is a luxury to be able to go to the store once a week and buy whatever I want for my family, and it really shows how spoiled a lot of us are. Love from WI!!
Love that you give the complete picture with the whole meal plan. It’s so helpful to have suggestions on how to put the ingredients together. It’s hard to feed one for cheap and not be wasteful
I am a frugal shopper. $5. isn't alot to buy food on for 1 for 3 days but can be done.
You did a God Job with your $5.
I keep a variety of Dry Beans, Rice Corn Meal, Oatmeal, Grits, Canned Meats, Fruit and Veggies. I participate in the BOGO offers and 10 for $10. I also shop at Dollar Tree aswell as the bigger stores.
Thank You
OK girlfriend, you are now the official queen 👑 of frugal meals. Well done.
I applaud you! It breaks my heart that our country deals with food insecurity. Very eye opening 👍
You should have added a pack or two of honey. Honey corn bread is really good. Also a side note outside of a budget meal adding bell peppers and onions with a little cayenne pepper to corn bread is REALLY good.
I love that you are putting awareness out there. We have a love box in town and I put stuff in it to help people out. You would be surprised just how much a couple of can goods means to someone who is struggling.
Portland Oregon we have a thing here in neighborhoods called free Fridges/ shelves we have people bring meals and various foods to help people who can’t get food
I have been binge watching your meal challenges and love them! I think with everything going on around the world and people not having as much money right now these type of videos are really helping alot of people! And giving them some good advice on saving and making money go further.
Thank you so much!
Thank you for including the calorie counts. It's a lot more work for you, I'm sure. I enjoy watching budget meal videos on YT because it inspires me to get creative and crunch my budget down but I worry that people aren't eating enough calories on some of the videos I see. This series is also very helpful for me because I am only feeding one person.
I thank you for donating to the food pantries .
I love the coffee rationalization 🤣
More please. Your ideas are really creative and I know it’s helping a ton of people who are finding themselves food insecure for the first time in their lives.
Just me, but I would have scrambled up my breakfast eggs with your leftover brown rice (looks like you had 1/3 bag left uncooked) and scrounged your packet trove for hot sauce. Eggs and rice with salsa is one of my favorite breakfasts and so filling.
That's a great idea! I'm filming another one of these videos this week to post next week.
I used to make Tuna Suprise with rice a roni, tuna and canned green beans. About 2,50 and lasts thru 3-4 meals for one. Also I'd use cheapo corn flakes and dry milk from the pantry. Add bananas. Hard boiled eggs are a quick easy lunch with a toast slice
This was a really neat idea! I would be interested for you to make a video where you allow yourself $10 for three days of meals but incorporate some lean meat and more fresh produce. I can easily spend $10 on just one meal for myself so I think a budget of $5 for 3 days would be very challenging!
It is now mid-January, 2022... it is so interesting (and a little eye opening) to compare the prices of the foods Mindy selected with current prices in my area. ie: that $.27 pasta is now $.41 in my local stores here in Central Florida...but then EVERYTHING has gone up! Still an interesting and useful video...lots of good ideas and suggestions. TFS
You did such a fabulous job! I used to be a stay at home mom and we lived on one small income and I had to be really creative with our food budget. (Absolutely worth it to stay home while my kids were little!) I love watching these challenge videos to help the families I work with in my job now. Most have the same ideas but yours was really different. I can tell you put a lot of thought into it!
Thank you so much, Becky! I appreciate that!
This was amazing. Thank you for bringing awareness to food insecurities. I am on the board or our local food pantry and it is ashame how many people still don't have food in this country.
Here mid Oct 2022. I've been watching your latest videos about inflation/inflation and its interesting to see how bad prices have changed from this video to now. I am so grateful you have this channel amd stay active with the rising costs and still showing us how to be frugal and eat well on a budget. Thank you for all your hard work to help us all out in current times ❤️
Good ideas. A little tip could use a small plain yogurt for your milk for the cornbread mix.
I chuckled at your shoe organizer with all of the condiment packets in them, because I usually just throw them away. I will start saving them and using my shoe organizer for those condiments. When you started off the video, I was thinking in my mind how you're going to use all of those for three days, three meals a day! Love your creativity and seeing what you're going to make! So enjoying your content :) You're inspiring me to do some vlogging of my own WW journey :)
Thanks, Darcy! I'm not a professional by any stretch of the imagination, so if I can do this, I know you can!
My 'packet drawer' is absolutely essential! Good call.
I had no idea that only 12 states charge taxes on food. I live in ga and it's 6% tax on food and 7% on everything else.
I live in Alabama and pay the same max tax on all food. It really adds up!
Some counties in GA have very high food tax.
18 months ago I started storing rice and different beans and lentils. It's the go to in every corner of that world. Lentils and rice are actually exactly paired nutritionally to be a complete nutrition. I found a TH-cam video on the chemistry of it.
Pulses also reduce the amount of meat people have to eat. A win-win on so many levels.
thank you so much with these videos. TThis is how I have to live these days and your helping me so so much.
Thanks for so much help I'm alone now and need ideas. You make it appear so easy and inexpensive
I think it really shows how better off so many people are and how much they don't realize it. You noticed some of it and I always really appreciate your videos and how kind you are and aware you are/become of your situation. You are one of the few that is actually helpful to me and doesn't make me feel bad or piss me off.
I'm sitting over here, feeding myself and my fiance for a month on $60. A lot of people who do these challenges are still taking so many liberties when they make their little rules for it.
Like no. My fiance and I eat once-count it, once- a day. And it's not a big meal. I feel bad if I try to go to a food pantry because I know there are people who don't always eat once a day that could use it more than I could. Food insecurity is a major problem and thank you thank you thank you for bringing awareness to it and trying to help in so many ways!!!
Thanks for sharing this, particularly your insights. I had to cut my only extreme budget challenge after 4days due to extreme boredom and frustration. It is not easy and food shortage breaks your soul
thank you for bringing awareness to food insecurity. Liked and subscribed. Great vid, keep it up!
So sad but we must realize that this is real for many families. My husband also volunteers 1-2 times week at community Center. . We are grateful to be in a position to help others in need with donated clothes.!!
This was Awesome! Extremely appreciate your concern for your fellow people and their possible unfortunate situations. Alot of people don't know about food pantries or how to access them locally. Also some people don't want to ask for that type of help, when they really could benefit from it. At some point in life we've all been in a time of need. Whether it's food insecurities, reliable transportation, mental health help or possibly a combination of all of these. Also appreciate your willingness to actually do this challenge as a woman, not to mention a fellow mom of multiplies! Thanks for sharing, in every way that you do! 😁
Re-watching ALL of these challenges that I can find. Yes, coffee is a must! Thank you so much for sharing, you have some great ideas.☺️ Lisa
We Never run out of coffee or tea around here! 😅 I would skip a meal first
Agreed
Same!!!! ☕️☕️
Fed is better than starved! You have ways done a pretty decent job with what you do mindy!!! Love your stuff! Gives me great ideas on how to stretch my pantry! In ways I never thought!
Great informative video. We all take for granted the simple luxury of walking into the kitchen and eating whatever we want. Your challenge put that into perspective. I think you put a lot of effort and thought into trying to make the challenge well balanced.
My goodness good is bloody cheap where you are!
55c for 6 eggs.
The same 1/2 dozen eggs in Australia is $3 minimum.
I would have added a can of great northern beans (.55 at my Aldi) and a full dozen eggs instead of the cottage cheese and yogurt. You could stir the beans into the pasta for some protein. I would hard boil 3 eggs for snacks, use one for the muffins and add 2 to the stir fry. That leaves .17 and I would add an onion or another banana.
I appreciate you doing this challenge! And we have recently made a donation to a local food bank. Thank you for bringing awareness to this issue.
Those are great ideas! I’m gonna do this again soon.
Are you adding a hard boiled eggs to a muffin mix?
I agree about the full dozen eggs...I would have bought a pack of tortillas or a loaf of bread.. Pasta instead of rice..
I love pasta and I can eat it for every meal til it's gone...
Watching this 2 years later, just to see exactly how much prices have gone up. - These are some excellent ideas, too!
your corn muffins would be great with the honey packages in your shoe organizer. For the future if you go through any drive-throughs or when picking up or dining in keep an eye out for take home Jelly & Jam packs, butter & margarine. Sesame seed oil is great on Chinese food like Fried Rice
On the fried rice, I use some beef broth (no oil or butter) to the pan then add the already cooked rice. It keeps it moist and boosts the flavor. It’s very tasty.
I really appreciate that you do these sorts of videos. Have you ever thought about putting together a cookbook/pamphlet that details your journey? You could possibly sell it and use the funds raised to further support your local foodbank.
Ive lost 15 lbs counting calories but since i started watching your channel about a month ago, I decided two days ago to switch over to WW blue. I like it so far!
Glad you like it, Amanda! Counting calories can be a great tool also. It's all about finding what works for you in a way you can sustain. :)
Really love your channel, this is my 2nd vlog in a row and I love how down to Earth you are! Subscribed
Hi, Paula! Thank you so much! Glad you found me!
One egg, one cup of oil, and a dash of Dijon mustard will also get you some delish Mayo! So easy to make Mayo!
Coffee is a must!
Only because I don't have a door to hang the shoe organizer, but I keep the condiments in jars on the counter the same way. Picked it up from my current so back in the day. Always ask for them when I order out. Use them when needed at work or home.
This was very interesting to watch, thank you for doing this challenge and doing it in the way you did so that we could see the meals you created, definitely appreciated that!
I have done a challenge that started here in Australia but is now known all over, called Live Below The Line, and have done it for many years except this year as it got cancelled due to Covid.
So when you mentioned that it is definitely harder to do the challenge as one person I could definitely relate to that! Some people make a group and pool their money together and this would definitely give you a lot more flexibility as to what you could purchase and the meals you could create.
We have $10 to spend for 5 days so not a lot either, however the rules don't allow for you to use condiments, oil, salt, pepper, you're only allowed to use what you buy and that's it, so that makes it much harder!
As a side note I thought the meals you came up with were great, wish we could get cornbread mix like that and so cheaply as well! I would have added some of the pineapple cut up very tiny to the cornbread mix and then some of it to your fried rice, think that would have taken both of these up a notch! Well done! :)
While getting things ready for work I accidentally bumped the egg carton and one felt out breaking onto the floor was tof the fridge and kitchen floor. Not upset to hVe to clean it up but my first thought was THAT IS $.06 ! :)
That's so funny!!
I was saying to the screen “Mindy, put the ketchup packet on the eggs!” I have a 3 egg spinach onion omelette with ketchup every morning. My roommate thinks ketchup on eggs (let alone ketchup on a veggie omelette) is crazy but we grew up having ketchup on scrambled eggs and hot sauce on boiled eggs😄
YAAAAASSS!!! Ketchup and eggs :) My dad swears by that!!
I ate a cold fried egg sandwich with ketchup every Friday when I was in high school. Mother bought lunch meat to feed four girls and she ran out for Friday. I hated peanut butter, so I got an egg sandwich. I haven't thought of that in years.
Lisa, my dad used to send crackers and cream cheese in my lunch as a child because I didn't like sandwiches! Good memories.
Zoe, it crossed my mind!
Zoe-Elizabeth McCray, I used to add salsa to my eggs.
I think this was a very helpful video. If we would research how people ate during the Depression we would learn a lot.
As a single mum I have not really had the money to donate but have always grown my own food. So I donate my excess to charities to give to people or to use to feed people. I hope this helps a little too.
You can call 211 for information on food pantries!
My analytical scientist brain (who has had to live many times with food insecurity and money shortages as a student) appreciated the thoroughness of this. Thanks for the how you were feeling and keeping a real schedule. It's hard when you don't have enough food to be physically active and do all the things you have to do. I am currently at 6th job and it's the first place that offers coffee at work. Is this something that is normal at most workplaces? Because I assumed this was an exception.
Thank you so much for your video. It was eye opening and humbling.
My favorite way to cook my bacon is on a bacon rack in the Microwave and I save the bacon grease and the bacon grease would be better for flavor to cook the Fried Rice
These videos are helpful especially right now with good bills going through the roof. I’m just 1 person and I’m shocked at how much I’m spending even without buying cleaning products or cat food. I’ve tried to compensate by eating less meat. Instead I eat lentils, cabbage, and lots of broccoli 🥦!! I love ice cream so I watch the weekly flyer for when it’s on special and I stock up then. I do that with lots of items that I might not need that week but will use. If you would please say how you reheated your leftovers that would be helpful . Thanks! 👍🏻
I agree, if I don’t have my coffee, it always goes poorly for everyone involved. 😁
If youre on blue or purple plan you can make the cornbread with the mix and 1 can of creamed corn ♥️
Grew up dirt poor, sometimes dinner was strips of pie crust, and desert was pie crust with powder sugar and water frosting. Us kids thought those were special treat dinners.
Sadly some people take ketchup from a fast food restaurant and make soup with boiling water.
Seen that on an old episode of "That Girl"
That was great and we are so blessed we always have an ample pantry full of options. In the KC metro we have Harvesters that feeds the hungry. Thanks for your time!
🙋🏼♀️🙏🏼👏❤️☕️🇺🇸
Thanks, Miss Joyce
I do really enjoy your content. Thank you for such great ideas.
Rice can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Thank you immensely for sharing this!! Love being able to save and stretch on the budget as much as possible!!
Very thought provoking video! We do forget how blessed we truly are sometimes! Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
Hi Mindy This literally made me cry, to think about how many families are struggling to put food on the table. So many people have been furloughed or laid off indefinitely from their jobs or the company they worked at has been forced out of business. With the schools closed, so many kids aren't getting the one most nutritious meal of their day that they depend on. Thank you for doing this. I sincerely hope this opened alot of people's eyes who have been fortunate enough to have jobs that allow them to work remotely from home and don't have to worry about pinching pennies to feed their families. I so admire you for actually showing how to buy food on a budget, prepare the food and eating it for 3 days yourself. Undoubtedly you helped many families that are struggling and hopefully brought awareness of what others , who are more fortunate can do to help. You are such an amazing, kind hearted Soul. The world needs more kindness and awareness right now. You are a shining example of both. I hope you do more vlogs like this. Thank you Mindy, for using your social media platform to provide a service for those in desperate need and to offer suggestions to those who have the means to help people who are struggling. Bless you Mindy for your kindness and thoughtfulness ❤🙏
I was brought to tears over this too, Susan. I will be donating to a food bank in my area. All I want to do is help.
@@noelles3595 That's awesome Noelle ❤ Bless you for your kindness and thoughtfulness . I'm doing the same. Also looking for ways to help get food and supplies to the Elderly. If each person does one thing to help, even if it's donating a can of food , if you cant afford anything else, imagine the impact we can make if we all did one kind thing for our community. It feels good to pay Blessings forward. 🤗❤🙏
@@noelles3595 thank you both for donating.
Susan, thank you so much for your kind comment and your encouragement. Exercises like this one are a good reminder for me as well, and teach me a lot. I plan to do more videos along this line, and also just trying to share ways we can prepare healthy food for ourselves on a tight budget.
Very interesting video. I think it would be nice to have home ec back in the classrooms and classes at the food pantry on preparation and how to plan meals. Just my humble opinion.
add canned corn and cream corn to corn bread. it's yummy!
I believe Rhoda Stone started the challenge. We, I and some others, picked up the challenge. You are right, it is easier to do for 2 people or even do it for a month at a time. It gives you a better choice.Next time you buy cornmeal mix, look at the back. Some require only water for the same price. Same with packets of pancake mix. Just a tip. .I am glad you took it even further by showing what you cooked for 3 days. Good video. !!! I will add you to the playlist on my channel
Finally someone who doesn't like mayo.!!!! I can't stand the smell of it
I keep a basket in my fridge with sample packets. Those packets come in handy in a pinch
Thank you so much! I will add her channel and your playlist to the description box, and I’ll be sure to give you guys a shout out the next time I do this. I always try to give credit where it’s due, I just a hard time tracking down where this one originated.
Pancake mix is definitely on my radar. I plan to do a video next month where I feed my whole family of 5 for $50 for the week, and pancake mix is on the list because I can also make biscuits with it!
@@SeeMindyMom I am the same way. I give credit to the ones I get ideas from, it's only fair.
I do " What If " videos. I read Starving in the Shadow of Plenty by Loretta Schwartz Nobel about 12 years ago. She raised my awareness of hunger in the U. S
As a result, I reached out to her. I started my What If videos to show even with a little you can eat for the day. I would love if you would watch the videos then make one, as a few have, to help me show people how to stretch their food. Let me know
@@morningswithgranny7789 hi gran. How's the garden coming along?
@@SeeMindyMom there is a pancake mix muffins recipe vid on utube. We had leftover mix from a church event. I bagged it up with that recipe and pancake directions( lucky it was water mix not egg and milk) to give food pantry clients. The muffins were pretty good but had to dip them in syrup! I love pancakes for a treat. A friend gives me Maple syrup for my bday each year. My dollar store often has Kutzen(?) Mix and my market has good generic mix. I has a little vanilla to the mix too.
could take that pineapple and some rice sugar for a dessert. cherry pie filling sweet sticky rice is something that we used to have in our school lunchroom
Tracie, I would never have thought of that! How interesting, I will definitely keep that in mind! :)
I love videos like this! Especially with food prices getting so crazy
Enjoyed watching you again. I’m home from the hospital and slowly recuperating
I didn't know you were in the hospital, Patricia! Glad you are home and hope you are on the road to recovery!
I like that you cooked the pasta in the tomato paste sauce. I would have used a bunch of the Pizza Hut cheese packages to the pasta
You did a great job!