On days where I have not had a chance to gather and assemble dinner, we'll order a pizza or some other form of take-out, or we'll eat out (generally at a diner). Regardless of which we choose, it is rarely a healthy meal. That's why I decided to buy a few "cheat" meals that I can make in a pinch.
This week, Tops had DaVinci pasta on sale for a buck. I bought it while I was there so I would have fettuccine noodles. While I normally by Colavita for that price at Price Rite, I was in Tops. This store had the Prego Artisanal Three Cheese Alfredo jars on clearance for $1.39 a piece. I figure I'd be better off spending $2.39 on an unhealthy meal rather than spending $20-$30 on take out or a restaurant meal. I could also take a pack and a jar to camp very easily.
My thought is that these will come to camp with us. I'll probably bring both packages. We like to grill our dinner and these will be an easy dinner on a Saturday night.
I do try to eat healthy and frugally, but there are times we just end up cheating. If that is the case, I am willing to go cheap!
Lloyd's ribs are good, too! You got a great bargain.
ReplyDeleteI am never sure because Tops often marks up the regular price before a sale so the BOGO isn't always a deal. The coupons tipped the scale. Even better that you say they taste good too!
DeleteI try always to have a delissio thin crust pizza in the freezer for our cheat meal - add peppers, onions, extra mushrooms and cheese and it tastes pretty good and ready in 20 minutes! As they regularly go on sale for $3 a good deal. The rib deal was great!
ReplyDeleteIf I had more room in the freezer, I'd do pizza as an emergency meal. Sometimes I do look for them on sale on Saturdays for a quick lunch. It does help to put your extra toppings on!
DeleteI heartily agree. At one point eons ago, I was really convinced that I had to be super frugal and healthy all the time - which meant cooking everything from scratch. Problem was, I was still working full time (and then some) at the music school, and by the time I got home from work it was nearly 11pm and I was both exhausted and starving. After a few months I realized that all I was doing was beating a path to the local Chinese takeout joint - which was the only edible food still available at that hour. That was the point when I realized that I'd be so much better off if I'd just make a few compromises at the grocery store. Never let the perfect be the enemy of the good!
ReplyDeleteI used to drive myself crazy that way when I worked full time but have found that even part time can be tough. I do love to cook and know I've taken on that roll, but sometimes I need a break! Compromise really is the key.
DeleteSometimes we all need a break. Cooking from scratch is great but there are days that you will not feel like it. I like your sheet dinners in the oven and made some of my own. It is difficult in the summer due to heat though.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a while since I did a cookie sheet meal and was thinking about that last night! I do also sometimes use the alfredo for a pizza. But over pasta is the easiest. I think I'll do a cookie sheet meal next week!
DeleteWe pack lots of convenience food when we're trading at festivals - there's very little space for loads of fresh veg and bugger all time to prepare it! xxx
ReplyDeleteI agree... and that's why I've come up with the phrase "Camp Don't Count" -- which even allows us to eat raw cookie dough. Talk about a space-saving treat (at least we have a tiny fridge). I have to do better about packing less food because once you unpack, it can take over all the space.
DeleteSince it is just me here, I never make homemade spaghetti anymore. One thing I do is buy one of the little $2.98 salads from the produce aisle. If I have meat, that makes a meal. If I don't have meat here and cooked, I open a can of tuna or have a boiled egg along with it. When exbf is here, I have gotten a salad and we have eaten half with whatever else I have.
ReplyDeleteAs for something that can sit here until I need it, I used to buy the cans of Hormel beef chunks in gravy. A potato diced and microwaved is not very good, but gravy over it makes it delicious. Now, I do not buy beef.
I agree that if it is not going to be healthy, I might as well go cheap.
I started off and did not complete the thought. I buy a jar of spaghetti and cook spaghetti and use Kraft parmesan. Alternately, I just heat a bowl of spaghetti sauce and put cheese on it, way too much cheese, and eat it like soup. I try to have a piece of fruit with this and maybe a bit of green. But, I don't push the healthy agenda...lol.
DeleteI love that kind of spaghetti when I am by myself. It is sort of my answer to Spaghetti-O's. I will put a lot of butter in it too.
DeleteI mostly only buy bagged salad now. It makes life easier and we're more likely to have a salad on the side that way.