Comments on: 4 Moms 35 Kids: a baker’s dozen for managing the food budget http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/ the methods and madness of one family of 12 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:10:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Carole http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/#comment-56806 Carole Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:33:54 +0000 http://inashoe.com/?p=6406#comment-56806 This is great! Can you pass along your recipe for whole wheat bread? My ultimate goal is to semi-duplicate the big long loaves at Costco - I even found the long pans! - but my last 2 bread machines haven't worked and I can't find a good recipe. :P This is great! Can you pass along your recipe for whole wheat bread? My ultimate goal is to semi-duplicate the big long loaves at Costco – I even found the long pans! – but my last 2 bread machines haven’t worked and I can’t find a good recipe. :P

]]> By: Candace http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/#comment-28701 Candace Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:32:36 +0000 http://inashoe.com/?p=6406#comment-28701 Just wanted to add a couple of things (perhaps already mentioned on the other sites). We buy 90/10 ground beef at Sams by the case....80 lbs. The price varies from $1.50 ish to $1.90 a lb. Prices change every Wed. If a family doesn't need 80 lbs., they can split it between a couple other families. There are 8 - 10 lb logs per case......so it's easy to split up. My second tip is...at LEAST once a month, HEB sells split chicken breasts for $1 lb. Many people won't buy split breasts because they don't want to deal with the skin and bones. This is what we do: place six split breasts in a crockpot. Season well with salt, pepper, spices and herbs of choice. We also throw in a cut up onion, and sometimes, celery. Then pour 2-3 cups of water over chicken. Cook on high for four hours. When done, the bones will fall off the meat, and then just peel off skin. Not only do have tender, flavorful chicken breasts on hand for whatever, but we also now have homemade chicken stock. Simply strain the stock, let it cool, skim the fat and store in fridge or freezer. Just wanted to add a couple of things (perhaps already mentioned on the other sites).

We buy 90/10 ground beef at Sams by the case….80 lbs. The price varies from $1.50 ish to $1.90 a lb. Prices change every Wed. If a family doesn’t need 80 lbs., they can split it between a couple other families. There are 8 – 10 lb logs per case……so it’s easy to split up.

My second tip is…at LEAST once a month, HEB sells split chicken breasts for $1 lb. Many people won’t buy split breasts because they don’t want to deal with the skin and bones. This is what we do: place six split breasts in a crockpot. Season well with salt, pepper, spices and herbs of choice. We also throw in a cut up onion, and sometimes, celery. Then pour 2-3 cups of water over chicken. Cook on high for four hours. When done, the bones will fall off the meat, and then just peel off skin. Not only do have tender, flavorful chicken breasts on hand for whatever, but we also now have homemade chicken stock. Simply strain the stock, let it cool, skim the fat and store in fridge or freezer.

]]> By: 4 Moms 35 Kids: Cooking for a Crowd | Life In a Shoe http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/#comment-28628 4 Moms 35 Kids: Cooking for a Crowd | Life In a Shoe Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:13:13 +0000 http://inashoe.com/?p=6406#comment-28628 [...] 1 - A baker’s dozen for managing the food budget: budgeting in the kitchen to feed a [...] [...] 1 - A baker’s dozen for managing the food budget: budgeting in the kitchen to feed a [...]

]]> By: Cooking from scratch: 4 Moms 35 Kids | Life In a Shoe http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/#comment-28458 Cooking from scratch: 4 Moms 35 Kids | Life In a Shoe Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:09:58 +0000 http://inashoe.com/?p=6406#comment-28458 [...] I mentioned in an earlier 4 Moms post, cooking from scratch also simplifies my grocery shopping since I just need to keep the staples [...] [...] I mentioned in an earlier 4 Moms post, cooking from scratch also simplifies my grocery shopping since I just need to keep the staples [...]

]]> By: Menu planning: 4 Moms, 35 Kids | Life In a Shoe http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/#comment-28234 Menu planning: 4 Moms, 35 Kids | Life In a Shoe Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:05:41 +0000 http://inashoe.com/?p=6406#comment-28234 [...] 1 - A baker’s dozen for managing the food budget: budgeting in the kitchen to feed a [...] [...] 1 – A baker’s dozen for managing the food budget: budgeting in the kitchen to feed a [...]

]]> By: Margaret http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/#comment-28075 Margaret Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:30:31 +0000 http://inashoe.com/?p=6406#comment-28075 Great post. It's encouraging to me that you can do this with so many children. I gave up long ago obsessive couponing and deal hunting. Maybe it's personality but it did *not* work for me, led to more days out shoppoing, and ultimately as much or more money spent. Great post. It’s encouraging to me that you can do this with so many children. I gave up long ago obsessive couponing and deal hunting. Maybe it’s personality but it did *not* work for me, led to more days out shoppoing, and ultimately as much or more money spent.

]]> By: Jennifer http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/#comment-28038 Jennifer Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:15:52 +0000 http://inashoe.com/?p=6406#comment-28038 Bethany, don't remind them about the book, they keep not posting things because they "want to get the books done". I want to hear more blog-worthy stories! XD Bethany, don’t remind them about the book, they keep not posting things because they “want to get the books done”. I want to hear more blog-worthy stories! XD

]]> By: Bethany W http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/#comment-28029 Bethany W Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:36:35 +0000 http://inashoe.com/?p=6406#comment-28029 Kim C, Thanks for all the great advice. You all could write a book. *winks* I am loving this new 4 moms series! Thank you for taking a little bit of time from all your activities to educate your readers on the how-tos of big families. This is VERY useful, very helpful, very practical. This has been a blessing. I want to add that if you live in the Midwest (particularly MO, IN, or OH) you can probably find an Amish bulk foods store. I buy almost everything from the nearby store. Just, steer clear of the baked breads and cookies, as they mark those up terribly! I do not have my own mill, so I buy flour for $15/50 pounds. I can also get 50 pounds of rolled oats for $14. Of course, these are MO prices, and everything is cheaper in MO. Another way to buy bulk is to join a co-op. They often have organic stuff too... for those who can actually afford it ; ) Now - when are you going to post the puppy pictures?! Bethany W in mid-MO Kim C,
Thanks for all the great advice. You all could write a book. *winks* I am loving this new 4 moms series! Thank you for taking a little bit of time from all your activities to educate your readers on the how-tos of big families. This is VERY useful, very helpful, very practical. This has been a blessing.

I want to add that if you live in the Midwest (particularly MO, IN, or OH) you can probably find an Amish bulk foods store. I buy almost everything from the nearby store. Just, steer clear of the baked breads and cookies, as they mark those up terribly! I do not have my own mill, so I buy flour for $15/50 pounds. I can also get 50 pounds of rolled oats for $14. Of course, these are MO prices, and everything is cheaper in MO.

Another way to buy bulk is to join a co-op. They often have organic stuff too… for those who can actually afford it ; )

Now – when are you going to post the puppy pictures?!

Bethany W in mid-MO

]]> By: kimc http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/#comment-28028 kimc Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:06:47 +0000 http://inashoe.com/?p=6406#comment-28028 Sam, Thanks for the idea. I'll be sure to share our recipe, which we learned from my sister-in-law. Sam,
Thanks for the idea. I’ll be sure to share our recipe, which we learned from my sister-in-law.

]]> By: Feeding Your Family on a Budget: 4 Moms, 35 Kids | Raising Olives http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/#comment-28027 Feeding Your Family on a Budget: 4 Moms, 35 Kids | Raising Olives Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:50:29 +0000 http://inashoe.com/?p=6406#comment-28027 [...] There are also 3 other moms who are going to be tackling the topic of budgeting to feed a crowd, so be sure to see what they have to say.Connie at Smockity Frocks The Deputy Headmistress at The Common Room KimC at Life in a Shoe [...] [...] There are also 3 other moms who are going to be tackling the topic of budgeting to feed a crowd, so be sure to see what they have to say.Connie at Smockity Frocks The Deputy Headmistress at The Common Room KimC at Life in a Shoe [...]

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