Lowering Grocery Bills

[HRHDi]

Considering that Dan and I just bought a new car, the fact that I'm looking for ways to trim our grocery budget is kind of odd...but it works in my head.

Anyway, I'm kind of a Susie Homemaker type, but some of the things in my head are a stretch even for me. I've decided to make my own laundry detergent. The recipe I found results in a detergent cost of about $.01 per load vs. $.71 per load of the name brand stuff. Anyway, I just made my first batch and I'll tell you how it works out. I'm researching recipes for glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner and floor cleaner for our wood floors.

I'm also toying with the idea of some canning mania this summer. We have a very prolific peach tree in our yard that usually produces about 100 lbs of peaches - which we'll never use in a million years. Last year, I made peach preserves...this year there will be more. I don't know what I'll do with it. I really don't want to offer it in my online store due to all the food requirements, so maybe I'll just give it as gifts.

I was thinking of expanding to pickles and tomatoes this year. I've done pickled beets and bread & butter pickles for Dan - those are his favorites, but I'm thinking of trying dill and maybe another sweet pickle recipe.

I have a dehydrator for fruit and jerky, but it's kind of expensive to dehydrate fruit. Maybe more peaches.

Since the whole cancer drama this year, I've been thinking that we really need to cut down on processed foods. Not that I think that caused the cancer, but when I was on my low-iodine diet, I read a lot of labels and it's a little scary.

You see, I have all of these grand ideas, but at the moment, I have no idea where I'm going to store this stuff!

So, any suggestions? And what is wrong with me?

[Tina]

Y do you think something is wrong with you? Sounds like you are trying to do better for your family. Wish I had the same drive! I don't have any suggestions, just ! My kids love peaches. . . feel free to send some to Kansas!

[Tina]

Ok, now that I read my last post, that sounded bad. . .it is not that I don't want to do better for my family. I just don't have the drive or time to make these things myself. I read labels before I buy!

[Over_Easy]

Try using newspaper instead of papertowels for cleaning windows, mirrors, countertops, sinks and such. Was told it works great. Me loves some pickled beets and sweet pickles.

Also jerky and dried fruit are better made by cooling using a constant flow of cool air.

Can your homemade detergent be used with a HE (high efficiency) washer?

[HRHDi]

Originally Posted by Over_Easy @ May 13 2008, 9:27 PM

Try using newspaper instead of papertowels for cleaning windows, mirrors, countertops, sinks and such. Â*Was told it works great. Â*Me loves some pickled beets and sweet pickles.

Also jerky and dried fruit are better made by cooling using a constant flow of cool air.

Can your homemade detergent be used with a HE (high efficiency) washer?

I've used newspaper for windows and glass and it does work great. But since we don't normally get the newspaper...I need to find a new source.

I have a great dehydrator that uses cool air flow. I did quite a bit of research before we actually bought one. One day I will make fruit leather. I used to love that as a kid.

I'm pretty sure the detergent can be used with HE washers. They don't have any more suds that name brand...it's just Ivory or Zote soap, laudry soda, borax and water. Since I don't have a HE washer, I didn't check that part but I will

As the canning frenzy begins, I'll keep you all informed. I may need an outlet for some of this.

And Tina, I know we all want the best for our families...but we're all at different points in our lives. Your kids are still kind of young - my baby just turned 15. I have lots more time to goof off on the forums and make detergent.

[Tina]

Let me know how the detergent and other canning turns out. Â*Remember, I live with Omar. Â*I may need an outlet too! Â*

[Jyn]

Making your own detergent is a great idea! Since you are in a pickling mood, I would like to put my order in early. My kids and I love dill pickles and pickled okra! Which brings me to my point.... Since you may have storage issues, I would like to suggest selling your canning wonders. I am sure there would be many interested at meet and greets and Bashes. I love going to summer and fall festival booths and trying new things and buying familiar items as well. Good Luck and keep me posted!

[Over_Easy]

Holy cr@p! I'm the only man on here. I am very domesticated and a great cook to boot.

[Tina]

Originally Posted by Over_Easy @ May 13 2008, 9:59 PM

Holy cr@p! Â*I'm the only man on here. Â*I am very domesticated and a great cook to boot.

You are the only man because you have violated the Ladies' Lair. There are no men allowed in here! Sorry but Back to the other forums you go . . .

[MrsGrumpy]

I think making detergent is an awesome idea...it's over priced in the stores if you ask me.

As for the canning, let me lend some advice..... we had plum trees in our yard before we moved to the house we're in now. We only got plums every other year (not sure why), but one year my mother canned over 50 jars of preserves. Most of it was gifted, but she decided the next batch was going to be sold at like a farmers market or something. Maybe you could check into that in your area. I bet you'd get lots of sales there. Of course that might involve some permits or something. I'm not sure.

Bring some to the fall bash ....I'd love to buy some off ya.

[TurboSN95]

Peapod actually saves us some money if you do it right (selecting cheaper delivery times and finding coupons). And you save on gas from not having to drive out to the stores.

[HRHDi]

I used to have an online grocery delivery here and absolutely loved it. I hate going to the grocery stores. But they went out of business - which I don't get since they didn't have an acutal store so fewer employees, utilities and hopefully, no shoplifting.

I've thought about selling it, but I don't know about regulations for selling food products in my area, so I need to look into that.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

The detergent "gelled" up over night and is exactly the same consistency as the stuff you buy in the store. I'll let you know how that goes as well.

[TurboSN95]

Oh, and the produce with Peapod is BETTER than what you get in the stores, I think because its in the warehouse and they pick the best stuff.

[HRHDi]

Originally Posted by TurboSN95 @ May 14 2008, 7:55 AM

Oh, and the produce with Peapod is BETTER than what you get in the stores, I think because its in the warehouse and they pick the best stuff.

that's what I found with GroceryWorks. They had to pick the best stuff since the customers weren't selecting for themselves. I just double checked and no Peapod delivery in my area.

[mrsBusawhipped]

Yea, I am not alone. Â* Â*Definitly interested in the detergent too. Â*
I planted a bunch of Roma tomato seeds this past winter and hope I have a few plants for the garden. Â*I wanted to make my own spaghetti sauce and salsa and can it. Â*Peaches will freeze well too if you have the room for them in the freezer. Â*I also have a dehydrater, but I think I misused it cause the blueberries that I tried to dry, ended up getting moldy in the plastic baggy I was storing them in. Â*I guess I put too many in or just didn't give them enough time to dry. Â*I want to try again with strawberrys. Â*Speaking of strawberries, I came across this while looking up stuff for making my own shampoo. Â*I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds wonderful.

http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=754

This same sight has lots of great ideas. Â*I really like the things that you can make ahead and store rather than the perishable stuff. Â*But I will try it anyway.

Nothing wrong with wanting to do the best for your family. Â*

[HRHDi]

I just order 1 lb of handmade shea butter soap and organic dog treats. My dogs absolutely love the treats from this woman, and the soap is to die for.

Maybe Dan's right and I am becoming a hippie...oh well, I guess I'm good with it.

[Busa Jules]

any suggestions for blueberries? or figs? I am about to have both of them coming out of my ears in the next month or two.... the blueberry bushes are LOADED and the fig tree makes 2 batches each summer (barring no hurricanes)

[LadyHawk]

Plant some Dill and you have your own dill for canning. Very easy to grow.

During Strawberry season here, a friend and I made strawberry jelly. She handed them out as easter gifts. We were talking about canning salsa when the tomatoes are in season. My mom used to can A LOT. Of course she had her own garden, when we lived in the mid-west. I can't seem to grow anything here in he-l-l.

I find that produce at roadside stands, and at the flea markets is MUCH tastier than the store stuff. And a lot cheaper too.

I've been thinking of getting those butcher packs of meat from a butcher shop. You know, $65 gets you so many pounds of this and that.

Also, for cleaning windows (outside).. I use hot water with a litle bit of dish soap. Use a rag dipped in the water to clean, take a small hand squeegee and squeegee the window, wiping the blade after each swish. Takes me about 10 mins to do a big picture window, 1 bedroom window and 3 sliding glass doors. AND no streaks Newspapers are best for cleaning inside. Or those microfiber clothes. Then you can just wash them for next time.

AND... I just found this sight this morning, lots of "green" ideas. http://www.thedailygreen.com/

[HRHDi]

Originally Posted by Busa Jules @ May 14 2008, 1:53 PM

any suggestions for blueberries? or figs? I am about to have both of them coming out of my ears in the next month or two.... the blueberry bushes are LOADED and the fig tree makes 2 batches each summer (barring no hurricanes)

I made some killer blueberry jam last fall - blueberries are Dan's favorite. I'll try to find the recipe and send it to you. Figs can be preserved to taste almost exactly like strawberries.

Jams, jellies and preserves are very easy to can in a water bath. No pressure cooker needed, just a pot big enough to hold the jars and water, a rack of some sort so the jars aren't resting on the bottom and the jars and lids.

Dallas has a great Farmers' Market that I like to go to as often as possible. It's amazing how much better FM tomatoes taste.

Okay, we definitely need to get together at one of the Meet & Greets or a Bash. We'll have tons to talk about, even more than before.

I hope we make it to Eureka Springs next month and I'll have peach products with me...I promise.

[MrsGrumpy]

Originally Posted by Busa Jules @ May 14 2008, 2:53 PM

any suggestions for blueberries? or figs? I am about to have both of them coming out of my ears in the next month or two.... the blueberry bushes are LOADED and the fig tree makes 2 batches each summer (barring no hurricanes)

blueberries frozen in small quantities are great for those of us on diets! I thaw them and use on top of yogurt....kinda like the McDonalds parfait.