So this morning I'm sitting at my kitchen table, cup of steaming coffee within reach, writing yet another list. This time it is for groceries. And this time I hope I remember to stick the list in my pocket as opposed to leaving it in the middle of my kitchen table like I usually do.
I probably make my grocery list a bit differently than many of you do. I make a list of things that I know will fit into my handy-dandy-little-old-lady shopping cart. I no longer own a car. I have a driver's license and I know how to drive. I just don't want the debt of a car loan or the expense of insurance, upkeep and fuel. So my little cart and I take the bus.
I am getting low on things like brown sugar and powdered sugar. Bags of those sugars take up cart space. They also take up shelf space in a very small apartment. My son brings me a 25 lb. bag of sugar now and then, which I store in buckets. A jar of molasses takes up less space than does a bag of brown sugar. So if I want brown sugar, I simply mix a scant tablespoon of molasses into a cup of granulated sugar. Presto! Brown sugar. I usually make enough to fill the canister I keep it in. When that runs low, I just make more. If I want powdered sugar, I dump granulated sugar into my blender and let it go until I have powdered sugar. Easy, peasy.
I am slowly learning to make my own convenience type foods from the basic supplies I keep on hand. For example, I like to have Bisquick on hand. Boxes of Bisquick take up space in my cart. I usually have the ingredients on hand, and the ingredients can be used for many more things besides Bisquick, so they are worth the cart space. I use this recipe:
Utah Ready-Quick Mix
9 cups flour
1/2 cup baking powder
4 tsp. salt
1-3/4 cups shortening
1-3/4 cups non-fat dry milk
Mix the dry ingredients well. Cut in the shortening until it resembles cornmeal. I use a hand mixer for this. Store in a freezer bag or air-tight container. Works in any recipe calling for Bisquick. It is way cheaper to make than to buy and works just as well as the premade.
By making my own mixes, I can cart the basic groceries home and branch out from there. And it is kind of fun to see what I can make rather than buy.
But then, it takes very little to keep me amused!
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Vicki check out http://www.cobornsdelivers.com They deliver right to your door. Not sure on the price vs Walmart/CUB.
ReplyDeleteRob...Thanks for the suggestion. I had checked them out some time back, but they didn't deliver to my area. I see now that they do. I'll compare some prices and see if they are affordable. Might be worth it for large items, or heavy ones.
ReplyDeleteSounds good. The great part of blogging is you can bounce ideas off of someone else. I think their prices are about the same as instore. downside is a delivery fee. But price of bus or taxi it maybe cheaper.
ReplyDeleteRob...I like being able to exchange ideas. Bus fare for me, because I am officially an old fart, is only 50 cents. I'll have to take the time and see what the delivery fees are and the prices. But it is something to keep in mind, particularly during the cold winters, where it is kind of difficult for me to get out. Appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteHi! I found your nice blog through Stephen and am glad I did!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recipe to make Bisquick! I love that I can make something like that at home. I live on a farm in the country and don't like to go to town everyday like some folks. So I enjoy the 'make it yourself at home' idea!
Blessings!
CottonLady...Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you did.
ReplyDeleteBecause of my lack of the usual transportation, I sometimes need to get creative. I am finding that for me, it makes more sense to buy the basics - sugar, flour, baking powder, yeast, etc., than it does to waste cart space with premade stuff. Being on a fixed income is a good incentive as well. I find that I can make lots of convenience type foods for a lot less than they cost in the store. I don't like going out, especially in winter, so the more I can do at home, the better. And like I have said, I am easily amused, and I have fun trying new things like the Bisquick.