This cooking thing is for the birds

Ok - so, I spent 30 minutes last night chopping herbs and vegetables (cause the preprepared stuff is too expensive!).  Then today after work I spent 2 hours preparing and cooking dinner.  It was HEALTHY dinner - got recipes from discoveryhealth.com - saw them on a show called Healthy Decadence with Devin Alexander.

Well anyway - I cooked healthy meatloaf and healthy mashed potatoes gratin.  My problem is...while trying to be good...I spent $32 at the grocery store and made enough for 4 servings.  It's $8 a pop.  Well, the recommended servings are smaller (although I ate just a serving of each) and the most expensive part was the herbs, etc.  - and I also spent around 3 hours for one meal.

I'm tired.  I don't think I can do this once a week - let alone 4 or 5 times a week!  I just can't do the healthy cooking....it's FOR THE BIRDS.  I'm not giving up on losing weight, I'm just going to have to figure out more convenient ways of eating while still remaining healthy.

Guess there really isn't a question here, just my dinner experience today and a small rant.  Thanks for listening...

That sounds a tad expensive for meatloaf, jeez.

How many people are you cooking for?  I usually make a big batch of whatever it is I'm making and then have leftovers for lunch/dinner the next day or two.  Makes the effort a little more worth it.

You can go the frozen food route (a la Trader Joes) but then you're going to be taking in A LOT of sodium.  Maybe try halving recipes so you have less to buy and do, make soups (you can always freeze extras), omlettes (egg whites especially good) w/ fresh or frozen veggies are quick and super nutritious. 

I hear you. Back when I used to cook for guests I wound up spending considerably more than if I had just taken them out to eat, and add to that a half a day in the kitchen before even starting the clean up.

But bear in mind that there are simpler recipes out there. They may not be glamorous, but they are satisfying and taste pretty good.

Last night I made a nice beef and vegetable stew. I spent $3.50 on stewing beef (organic, grass fed blah blah). I spent $8 on celery, carrots, potatoes, yams, onions, garlic and a Fresno chili. I may be lucky in that there's a great produce market near my place with amazingly low prices on most locally grown produce.

It took me about 30 minutes to cut everything up (because I stopped to weigh everything). Then just heated everything in a pot (starting with the onions, garlic and meat) with some sesame oil until the meat was starting to cook through and added water to cover it all. Then some salt, pepper and bay leaves. Let everything simmer for 30 minutes while I did other stuff. And now I have enough stew to last for a few days.

My point is that there are other healthy recipes that don't require so much time and expense. I've learned to make simple foods, like roasted chicken and a simple salad with figs. Most of the ingredients aren't too expensive, and when you are just roasting or stewing meats, you don't really have to invest too much time in the preparation.

I'm sure you just wanted to rant and get it off your chest without someone giving you advice or feedback. I feel the same way sometimes, but just rest assured that I can relate the craziness of spending more on food I make myself than it would cost to eat out.

Think about cooking ahead and using a crockpot to make one dish meals.  You can throw the ingredients for a simple chili into the crockpot in the morning and have a healthy, cheap meal waiting for you when you get home. 

You can make soups and freeze portions.  You can buy chicken breast on sale and bake the entire batch, then freeze them individiually.  Same for Salmon fillets and turkey cutlets. 

You can buy frozen "steamer bag" vegetables when they are on sale and have a side dish in minutes. 

You can cook a batch of brown rice and freeze that in portions too.

You can have salad ingredients ready to mix.

You'll get the hang of this. 

$32 for ground meat and potatoes - Im not doubting you but Im assuming there were many ingredients.  Granted I wouldnt even attempt a recipe except with only the fewest ingredients but last thanksgiving I made mashed potatoes - serious recipe and every additional ingredient which didnt seem to make more of it still bumped up my bill. 

Meatloaf unfortunately isn't one of the healthiest meals.  Even with fresh herbs, you still have ground beef or turkey which tends to be one of the fattiest grades of meat.

You can do a lot with foil pouches, grilling, stir frys, a crock pot, a rice cooker.  If you really want the fresh herbs, consider starting a kitchen herb pot.  For a little more than you pay to buy one bunch of fresh herbs you can grow your own.

the more you cook, the faster and easier it will get. you already have some good suggestions here. Try making a super large batch of something and then either eat it all week or freeze it to keep it even longer. Or start making simpler meals with fewer ingredients.

Also, you can't really count the herbs into the total cost... most herbs and spices are a few bucks each but they last for many meals!

are you trying to buy organic stuff? Don't. It's a waste of money.

Look into frozen vegetables... they can sometimes be cheaper as well as pre-cut.

Start eating more beans (dirt cheap) and less meat. To cook dried beans (the cheapest form you can get them in) soak them in water overnight beforehand.

there's nothing wrong with meatloaf.

dried herbs are super cheap in bulk and have more flavour for the volume.  it sounds like you don't even have the staples in your kitchen.  once you get a stock of staple ingredients, it won't cost anywhere near that much.

you'll also get more efficient in terms of time.

(although i can't imagine how you spent $32 on four servings of meatloaf, potatoes, and veggies.

I like meatloaf, but ground meat does have a higher fat content than most of the cuts and is usually not a lot cheaper than a london broil.

Dried herbs are great, you can also find mini ice cube trays of frozen herbs at some stores.

A lb of free range beef $10, A lb of sausage $5, Cilantro, Parsley, Oregano, Rosemary $2 per bunch, Bread, $3 for the loaf, Sea salt $2, celery $2, garlic $2, it all adds up $1-$5 at a time.  Baby potatoes $4...I can easily see $32.

Original Post by smwhipple:

A lb of free range beef $10, A lb of sausage $5, Cilantro, Parsley, Oregano, Rosemary $2 per bunch, Bread, $3 for the loaf, Sea salt $2, celery $2, garlic $2, it all adds up $1-$5 at a time.  Baby potatoes $4...I can easily see $32.

 sure, but for four servings?  do you eat half a pound of meatloaf in a sitting?

**blushes**

I used to!  This may explain why I got to CC, but it's more that I was completely ignorant of calories and food, I just ate whatever I felt like that was available.

Original Post by smwhipple:

A lb of free range beef $10, A lb of sausage $5, Cilantro, Parsley, Oregano, Rosemary $2 per bunch, Bread, $3 for the loaf, Sea salt $2, celery $2, garlic $2, it all adds up $1-$5 at a time.  Baby potatoes $4...I can easily see $32.

 Not quibbling with the meat prices, but that $2 salt is going to last a *long* time; the recipe itself can't use more than a penny's worth of salt.  Where I live, a head of garlic costs about 25 cents and I doubt you're using the whole thing.  Fresh herbs at the grocery store are ridiculously expensive.  Either grow your own (can be done in pots indoors or in a garden outside) and, for the rest, use dried.  At $4 for a jar that'll last a year, it's a good investment.  Also, you don't want to use baby potatoes for mashed; save the pricy potatoes for when you're serving them roast or boiled;  the cheap potatoes mash best.  Cooking really isn't that expensive once you have a pantry stocked with the staples and a little experience.  I'll agree that the initial stocking of the pantry isn't cheap - but the cost per meal is.

My point was that for someone who doesn't have all the supplies and is starting to accumulate them it's expensive, especially going the organic/all natural/free range route.  Many will get reused, but that's my estimate of how meatloaf gets to be $32.

I'd love a head of garlic for 25 cents.

I've found that my grocery bills are relatively cheap because I eat healthily and cook my own meals.   But I use cheaper ingredients such as beans, lentils, home-grown (as opposed to imported) produce, rice, potatoes & pasta.  Meat is relegated to two or three times a week.  Vegetarian cooking is very economical.

It is expensive to initially buy things like a bottle of olive oil, for example.  But that's going to last a long time.  Similarly, condiments, dried herbs and spices.  Once you've got them, you can pep up very ordinary, cheap ingredients and turn them into something very flavoursome and interesting.  Fresh herbs, unless you grown them yourself, are quite expensive but they can be frozen for convenience

I think km2getfit's problem was that the recipe came from a show called 'Healthy Decadence'....  decadent not exactly being synonymous with 'thrifty'!  Do have another go.  You've cooked a gourmet meal and paid gourmet prices this time.   http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/family/tasty+idea s/feed_family_for_a_fiver/meal_ideas/meal_ide as.htm This link takes you to a UK supermarket that's running an idea 'feed your family for a fiver ($8)'.  There are some very simple, healthy recipe ideas (Turkey Bolognaise, Chicken and Lentil Hotpot) that you might find inspiring.

Maybe this article will help you get started

Stocking a Low Fat Kitchen

It lists the staples you need to have on hand.  The initial expense is there, but you don't have to buy it all at once.  Each week add another useful ingredient.

A cookbook that might help - Meals in Minutes by the American Heart Association.  Avoid complicated recipes at first. 

Your healthy meatloaf meal could have been so much faster to fix just as good.  An example - 

First, scrub 4 small baking potatoes and put them into the oven at 375 F.  It will take about 30 to 40 minutes for them to be done, but baking produces a much nicer potato than microwaving. 

While they are cooking, put some bagged salad greens into a bowl and add other salad ingredients.  

When the potatoes are nearly done, Season (may be done in advance and stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag) and grill 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  if you use a George Foreman grill it takes 8 minutes.   Or, you could put them into a baking dish with a splash of chicken broth and bake them along with the potatoes. 

At the same time, put a steamer bag of frozen vegetables into the microwave.

Your meal is ready for the table! Dress the salad or pass bottled dressing.  Pass fat free sour cream and salsa to go on the potatoes, and some grated parmesan cheese to sprinkle on the vegetables. 

See?  no chopping, no complicated recipe to follow, just good, plain food.

Hello!  You're not alone.  I've been on the same road, and I also have some suggestions.  1) I cook many things on Sunday (or Saturday if Sun is not possible) for the week and/or freeze some for later as with soups and stews (I also just bought a vacuum seal), 2)try farmer's markets at the end of their day when you can sometimes get more for less (although at any time, you will receive good, local quality and as much or little as you need), 3) I've started using my wok more often (oil, garlic, onions; then meat or tofu, remove and add veggies and steam/stir fry, add the meat or tofu back or any sauces you want - done!); 4)I buy frozen shrimp at Trader joe's and use as little or lot as I need - could do the same with fish (but would have to use it all and not refreeze), 5) make some soups or hearty stews in a crock pot - and freeze what you don't need (esp this time of year!) and serve with whole grain bread and salad, 6) buy herbs in pots!  I always regretted having to toss herbs I didn't finish using.  Now I grow herbs in pots, and not only do they smell good, I have a good supply - you can dry them or use them fresh.  You give the plant care, it gives you health and flavor - not a bad deal!  Good luck!

• If you have a crockpot you can make all kinds of stuff try this recipe it only has 174 calories per serving... you can also have a lean piece of chicken breast with it. Its really good! You can even prepare it the night before, and it will be done for the next day.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Vege table-Chili/Detail.aspx

I know that cooking every night can be tiresome and time consuming and after a long day at the office and the commute home most of us only have the desire to pull a box from the freezer and put it in the microwave or grab something on the way home. I usually have a salad for dinner with Salmon, Tuna or Diced Chicken breast, or pull something from the freezer, as that is all I really have the energy for after my "L" ride and walk from the train. Once a month or so I take a whole weekend and cook. I will marinate and bake chicken breasts, which I then dice and freeze for my salads. I also portion out other larger pieces of chicken and put them in Ziploc/Glad-ware containers with frozen veggies and pop them right into the freezer. I usually make about 5 to 7 dishes: a soup or black bean chili, vegetable lasagna, another casserole type dish and then a beef or pork item. After everything has cooled, I portion out all of the meals into individual containers and freeze them. For me it is much easier to do it this way and then I have lunches for work and dinner when I get home that have the same conveince as a frozen dinner, but are healthier, cheaper, and taste so much better than anything from a box! My coworkers are always teasing me about my gourmet lunches. When I do the cooking weekend my grocery bill runs between $120 - $140 dollars but I then have a month's worth of lunch and dinner which works out to $2-$2.50 a meal. Throw on your favorite tunes, get your kitchen area prepped (counters cleared and clean, sink empty and clean and utensils handy), and then start prepping your ingredients. If you review all of the recipes that you are going to make for the day and make up a list of what you need you can save a lot of time by chopping all of the onions, garlic, etc. at once (create a mise en place). You may have a few more bowls to wash in the end but it is really worth it. Also look for sales on protein, etc.  Last week Jewel had several buy one get one offers on pork loin, chicken breasts, ground turkey and several cuts of beef. It was not one of my cooking weekends, but I stocked up on the meat and put it all in the freezer.  I probably saved $30 on meat costs, now I just have to thaw everything next Friday before I begin cooking. After a few times you will start thinking of ways to save yourself time and effort. Good luck and remember cooking should be enjoyable, don't look at it as a chore, but something nice you do for yourself/family.

I would look at weight watchers cook books.  They have some for quick meals, they taste great, and are low calorie.  Also, I usually will spend my Sunday mornings cooking up lunches for the week.  Kick on what ever music it is that relaxes you and cook up 2 or 3 dishes, portion them out and freeze them.  Then you are only having to cook once a week, and you have 3 different choices for lunch!! It's helped with my time, and trust me it's a LOT cheaper in the end!! A salad that you can make at home w/ ham, eggs, and cheese would be $12 at a restaurant, when it'll only cost you like $6-8 at home for the same size, and you really don't even need on that size!  You can do it!

Thanks for the post! These are some terrific ideas!

I've been planning, shopping and cooking once a week, but I like the "once a month" even better. It's taken me some time to figure it all out, but it's definitely worth it to change my lifestyle and become healthier. Plus I enjoy cooking and trying new things.

PS: anything with "decadent" in the title is going to be expensive and troublesome...enjoy!

I learnt to cook when I was very young and have loved cooking ever since.  Meatloaf and the potato dish you choose to cook, can be made very healthy but it is also a time consuming menu, especially for someone relatively new to cooking!  Please don't give up.  It is wonderful that you are trying to better your lifestyle.  I suggest that in future if you want to do meatloaf, you pick a day when you have plenty of time and make a batch cook of two or three (where you can freeze a couple for future use).  The person who said that it would get cheaper when you built up your stock cupboard was quite correct!  Look at maybe doing something easier at first ......If you like salmon, use a rub on top of it or a slice of lemon and poach it (an average portion should take a max of 15 minutes at 425).  You can also make a very healthy meal out of a low fat pork chop with vegetables.  I know that many of the so-called diet meals are just not built for men.  I cook healthy versions of "men meals" for my partner who regularly weight lifts and being military has to keep his weight down too.