I went to my pantry & freezer today to look at what I would like eat next week.
For Protein :~ I found 1½ lbs. rump steak cube & large can tuna, I also have some rump steaks plus eggs as well!
As I have hoarded a few packets of sauces, I have chosen three of these Beef Bourguignon, BBQ Soy & Black Bean Beef. I will use 1lb cube rump steak for Beef Bourguignon adding canned mushroom & onion it will serve 4 so I will have some for freezing too! ½ lb cube rump steak for Black Bean Beef with vegetables & rice vermicelli. That one will serve 2 meals over a couple days, as it will not freeze. I will use one piece of steak for BBQ Soy along with vegetables serving 2 meals over a couple days. I use the tuna to make a Mini Fish Loaves later in the week. I will need to buy some potatoes & Chinese vegetables too! I will put them on my shopping list for Sunday’s Fruit & Vegetable Shop.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Had a busy no spending day today. I got in and did my tax and posted it too!

Hopefully I will get money back, but not to sure on that one. We will just have too wait and see.

Watered the front garden & fertilizing it too! Boy! Did it need it, as I don’t remember the last time that I did it! I am in the process of fertilizing to whole garden and adding compost as well! I plan to repot most of my pot plant’s then just see what the water restrictions will be for next level. I will just cut back as each die’s if that what it comes too!

I found some time to do some cooking tonight, as I do live off my homemade TV dinners lot!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Mussels & Balsamic Vinegar with Salad Coffee
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Today I worked in a corner of my garden pruning a tree with the help of my next door neighbor's son. After putting in the branch in the two rubbish bins. I worked on the garden beds around that tree. Put in the water bottles etc. The families next door over the fence found a snake in their garden the other day. I was asked if i would lend them some of my garden tools so their could cut back the under growth in their yard as it’s a rental property with two family living there with young children. I think it was a lizard not a snake but they are about and are the poisonous ones too! So one cannot be careful. I got my tools back that is the main thing and now the garden beds are clear too! What the wive's have to do the get the their husbands to clear the garden. Just scream SNAKE!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

I did go and buy my cats they dry food as it was on special. Saving $3.00

Along with the balance of my grocery and other items shopping for next two weeks. Saving $19.90

I am trying to cut back the amount of grocery shopping that I do. They are little shops but it does add up to hoard of grocery line in my pantry. The only way I will stop buy is not going or limiting what I can buy. As I mainly go for cat food so I have bought enough for two weeks. I am limiting myself to eggs, fruit & vegetables, and gardening items. As I go with or take people shopping in my car this will be fun when I don’t buy when their shop!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cottage Cheese Chutney & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Steak, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Coffee
SNACK Homemade Muesli Bar

Today’s Full price Tally $78.23
Today’s Savings - $22.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4627.32

When I have visitors or guests to stay, I serve a lunch, where I put out in divided dishes enough food for all of us in controlled portions plus one extra serve. It’s most times, mix your own salad, only thing I make is one of the following mixed beans salad, rice salad or pasta salad. I serve enough of other things to make a meal. Mixed salad green, olives, sliced tomatoes, pickled onions, bread & butter cucumbers, asparagus, fresh shallots & herbs, cheese, eggs, ham, tuna or sardines, Chutneys, relishes, lemon juice and two salad dressings and a long with crackers & bread. What is left in the dishes is used to make a meal later in the week. I never had anyone say I don’t eat this stuff, very little is left too! If put out full containers of each for two or three people they take a lot of one thing and don’t try any of others. e.g. olives serving is 4 so I put out 12 for two people. Cheese is 30g each. If it’s a luxury item then I only put out enough per serving only.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast Fruit Coffee

I tidy up the dining room table after dumping all my goodies from Ekka there. I did go through them and put the items suitable for the children under ten in their bags. Putting away the food items that I bought, as two of the bags were grocery show bags with cakes baking dishes included. A nice little hoard of luxury grocery lines for me to try.

I did go and buy my cats, their canned food as it was on special and it was finishing today. Saving $6.12. I bought some garden fertiliser along groceries that I needed for next week as they on special this week. Saving $4.75

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER Black Beans Beef with Noodles Custard Tart Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 25.88
Today’s Savings - $12.10
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4604.42

Gone shopping or bought something. 14 times

Went to the city by bus 4 times

Drove my car only. 9 times

Had food bought or had for free away from home. 8 times

And had 11No Spending Days

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.

Locally this show is called

EKKA today.
This is its 130th year on the same site too! Images are in the media gallery.

The family, have a member & visitor RNA membership passes which I was able to borrow the visitor pass today, saving over $30.00 on gate entry & cloakroom fees alone without spending another cent. I had lunch & dinner at the showground. We bought a Food & Treasure Maps you had to go to 30 places on the showground to get a stamp & a small gift at each. I bought only 3 showbags and I got a number of free ones for the children that rarely go to the show, as they’re live in the country 3 hours west of here. All up I spent around $55.50 this was an inexpensive day as you can spend hundreds on just food, rides & showbags as well the cost of entry fee and fares or parking.

It was great day in that I had quality time with my son as we went together alone and spent a good 10 hours there (This was the only second time since his marriage over 6 years ago that we went together.) Before his wife arrived after work, then we all went and watched the ring events for another 3 hours.

They were The Man From Susan River, riding a horse bare back with no raids doing tricks.
Carlton Clydesdales
Whiptacular An impressive 240 whipcrackers perform in assorted formations in this nightly show,
Buffalo Bill and Bison Show
With many species of bison now extinct, the Buffalo Bill and Bison Show is a rare opportunity to see this magnificent creature up close – 20 of them in fact! Humphrey the bison is the star of this show, though he shares the spotlight with three galloping horsemen in a performance that’s sure to be a hit with Ekka visitors of all ages. …Buffalo Bill riding bison up a ramp with herd of bison and running around the arena and wild horses running around the arena in the same act and some trick riding on horses.
Country Music Performer (Tania Kernaghan),
Freestyle Motorcross bike riding jumping over ramps
Holden Stormriders Precision Driving Team
Human Cannonball
Plus Dairy Farmers Fireworks which is the highlight of the night.
After which we collected our bags from the cloakroom and headed back to the car.
Oh! What a long day!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH food out *
DINNER food out*

Today’s Full price Tally $205.25*
Today’s Savings - $150
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4590.28

Caught up on some of my ironing this morning and went shopping this afternoon with DF-D

Bought a large storage container with a Raincheck that I had saved $5.36 on it too! Some frozen Asian dinners were on sale 60% off so I bought 3 of them for a change, I will get two meal out of each as you need to add the protein to it cost $2.50 a serve but it will be a change. I will cook up the whole meal up and use the other serve as a meal in the next two days after cooking. I have plenty of steaks in the freezer to use. Saving on Asian dinners & soup $9.80 along with my staff discount of $1.05

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Black Bean Beef with Noodles Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $37.06
Today’s Savings - $16.21
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4442.32

Taking DF-M to hospital for a check up after she had being in hospital last month.

As I was just an escort for DF-M she paid for the bus fare. Saving $2.20 she was unable to walk that distance to the hospital.

With free car parking is just three streets from our homes. It saved around $9.00 by going by bus over paid parking in the visitor car park or $280 on towing fees, if I had parked in the shopping centre across the street and got caught parking there. You have to stay within the shopping centre or just go to the post office and back or they will tow you! Many have been caught too! It’s only five blocks too! It will get worse next year when two-hour parking comes in for the whole area including where we live too! Use Public Transport Strategy

Had all slacks fitted so that I can take up my hems that my next project to do! Seven pairs of slacks to take the hems up on. Oh well! I will get them done one day.

Quite day at home after had long afternoon nap.

BREAKFAST Baked Beans on Toast Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs Fruit
DINNER Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $2.20
Today’s Savings - $2.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4426.11

I drop in to one of thrift shop and I bought wine bag & 3 historical novels all for $3.00 saving $26.95 It’s a novel that I can’t put down. I went up to the shops to buy DS birthday gift card for him. Along a few other items.

I had visit & lunch with my friend today. He called after he had been at the hospital for health check up on previous stay in hospital.

DS Birthday Dinner at Hog’s Breath Café, as this was not a inexpensive place to eat, I had Beef & Salsa Salad one of lower end of their menu price range. Also as I had large serve of BBQ fillet steak on Sunday I didn’t need to buy a large meal there. It was healthier anyway. It cost $13.50 if I had steak & vegetables, I was looking at around $30.00 a plate. So I saved $16.50 here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Focaccia Bread
DINNER dinner out*

Today’s Full price Tally $101.40*
Today’s Savings - $43.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4423.91

Passionfruit Butter
Makes 2 cups or 2 jars.

4 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 Passionfruit {up to 3/4 cup of pulp}
125g (4oz) butter

Combine beaten eggs and sugar in top of double saucepan: stir until combined.
Gradually add lemon juice, passionfruit pulp and roughly chopped butter.
Place pan over simmering water, stir until mixture thickly coats wooden spoon.
Pour into sterilized jars, seal. Store in refrigerator.

Notes: When thick, the mixture start to coat spoon and changes colour. It will set thicker when cool.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Sultanas & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad with Cracker & Sardines Coffee
DINNER 2 Pork Sausages with Salad Fruit Coffee

I have been working on my computer and having a BBQ lunch with DF-M, she loves to have a BBQ steak every now & then but cooking for one is not worth the effort. I talking about lighting up the wood BBQ for few pieces of steak. At times we char sweet pepper and then skin & cut them for later. I must do some more next time they are at their lowest price.

Later in the afternoon I had a visit from friend that came to pick up some books that I bought him seven months ago so $34.00 to bank in my online account plus the $10.00 that I won in lotto this week!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH BBQ Steak with Italian Salads Coke
DINNER Soup & Toast Apple Coffee

Visit DF-D and dogs, she is minding her niece dog this weekend it’s larger than of the German Shepherd and only 9 months old still has 30kg to go too! I am glad I not paying the food bill for that one. I don’t know the breed.

Went off to the supermarket and newsagent to pay my phone bill this month I got an email to say that my internet this month was FREE. Saving $50.00 (every fourth month I get Free, on my phone & internet plan. Saving around $150.00 per year.)

My grocery shopping was mainly DF-M milk & cereal for her. And few specials Focaccia bread saving $1.50 & 1kg Honey ‘Ironbark’ (that has low GI 48) saving $1.00

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee Apple
DINNER Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables and Rice, Fruit, Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $107.29
Today’s Savings - $52.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4380.41

A while back I wrote about making up a baby gift basket, well I finely got to see this little one. And she slept all the time that I was there & she is only around 8 weeks old.

To-night as the family were babysitting her as it’s first time her mother was going out. I went over to visit and have a take away with them. Once we got our cars parked all four of them too! It was not good to go off again, as they are no parking as she lives in a restaurant area.

What did we all order, as they are 15 restaurants and Take Away in that area! Looking up the menus, we order from two places. One of which we had a voucher for ‘two for deal’ Pizza and garlic bread delivered. It was Satay Chicken Pizza saving $20.00 with the voucher. Remembering that driving was out of the question. As only with smart parking got the fourth car parked legally.

My DS & I walked around to one of the restaurants to pick up other half of our meals, calzone & pasta meal for one and herb & garlic dip with pita bread slices. When we returned with that meal the other part of dinner arrived too! Each was paying for their portion of the meal. Total cost was $53.85 plus $2.00 tip it was between four adults. Two had full pasta meal with dip and one pizza with garlic bread between them along with a larger bottle of Coke. Other two had the calzone & pizza only with water between them.

Costing came for first two $39.85 and the other two only $8.00 each. I think you can guess which half I am in.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Focaccia Bread Coffee
DINNER dining out*

Today’s Full price Tally $13.00
Today’s Savings - $5.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4328.21

Our neighborhood has many small gardens with each household grows the right herbs in the right spot for that herb. I have Rosemary, Chives, lemon grass, bay tree, curry tree, mint,& my Italian Flat Parsley which is growing as a weed in my garden, but I like it as it ground cover in the garden beds.

DF-M has oregano, basil, chilli & dill, which I go and pick if I need it. A lot of other neighbors come and help themselves to my parsley at times. But will not allow them to use the roots. Some of the others have different varieties of chilli growing.

I went shopping with DF-D I got a bargain in bread roll 39c for six. Saving $2.10, along with other specials saving around $4.82 and buying pet food.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Macaroni & Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Steak, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $18.17
Today’s Savings - $6.92
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4323.21

Spent the day at home, first DS came to visit when he went out for lunch. Then DF-M came to get some of my Rosemary that I grow. When DS came back for the afternoon and sleep, while he was here DF-D arrived with her German Shepherd & they both had big chat about their last trips to Europe this year. I have never been to Europe and I am not likely to go, as I am not allowed to fly that far for health reasons.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast Coffee

Owning to the fact that one of my neighbour can’t read or write in English, nor is able to write in their own language. I was elected to help them fill in their census form as well my own.

I did read a novel after did this, that I bought a few days ago also. It was a nice charge from spending my night on the computer catching up with my emails, newsletters and forums.

Spent money on books while doing some shopping for DF-M today. I bought a few more magazines on gardening and sewing. Saving $25.00

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Toasted Cheese with Whole Grain Mustard Spread. Fruit Coffee
DINNER Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 27.00
Today’s Savings - $25.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4316.29

Todays main task was to have my hair trimmed. On city prices I saved $ 12.00 here.

Walking by one of the thrift shops today I saw that they had a ‘fill a bag sale’ on books so drop in for a look. You can guess I bought a bag of books for $5.00, some of the titles were on my to buy list or I was thinking of buying them at one stage at full price. Saving $289.00 here on RRP. On Groceries today I save around $2.30

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Mandarin Coffee
DINNER Salmon Loaf with Salad Apple Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $325.05
Today’s Savings - $303.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4291.29

Today I went over to the fruit shop around the corner, too buy some fruit & vegetables that I needed to for my cooking. While I was there I cashed my change in that I had rolled up so that $22.00 for my online bank account. It’s growing too!

Working on my computer today getting a few more ‘Re- Reading Tightwad Gazette’ posts ready!

The man from Census dropped off the Census Form today that has to be done on Tuesday this week.

BREAKFAST 2 Boiled Eggs Toast & Jam Coffee
LUNCH Avocado on Crackers with Cheese Mandarin Coffee
DINNER Pork Sausages with Vegetables Yogurt Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $4.95
Today’s Savings - $2.90
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $200.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3987.99

Well its time that I did some ironing as I haven’t ironed in 20 days. So I got out my ironing press and had the job done in no time at all. Why don’t I use it more often MMMM!

I think that as I have got around $200.00 for my Bulk Food Replacement Fund so I will just stop tally this when I get over that amount. I have put this money into my online bank account until I need it. Now I will put any surplus grocery money into my emergency fund. That will be the differences between what I spend and I what I budgeted for the year. I will still post my menu each day as this will make me do one each week.

I am still living as much as I can out of my bulk pantry and freezers. I don’t know when the day will come that I will actually run out of something that I need and have to go to a neighbor to borrow it. It’s always the other way around. I once had one come and ask I did I have some Saffron as they didn't want to use turmeric in a recipe. Hey! I not that clueless, I do know the difference and the price between the two. I only use turmeric myself.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Avocado & Cottage Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $198.70

After breakfast coffee with DF-M, I had breakfast with DS at Hungry Jack’s. It was two for one deal so we shared the deal. Each gets our own drinks. Can you guess what I had? Saving $4.45

A light bulb idea hit my DS, he normally just buy want he want then eats it all in around 5 minutes. Well today we just bought the deal and just sat and talked. When it got to 20 minutes I asked him if was going to buy his pancakes, he said no I am full. Funny, if you just buy all that stuff in the drive thru you will eat it. But sit an eat it and talk for a while then buy more if you are still hungry, you find that you are not hungry. I have been saying this for a while but he would never listen. If he just does this then he may just lose some weight that he need to lose.

After we when over a shopping centre so that I could pay a bill and bought a few items that were on special at K-Mart too! Saving $3.80

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Bacon & Egg Roll* Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $85.60*
Today’s Savings - $ 8.25
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $195.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3985.09

Off to the doctor’s again with DF-M then off to do shopping at a larger shopping centre. We had lunch at Subway which cost DF-M around $7.90 all up after the I made a compliant over a coffee machine on go slow so FREE coffee and cookies for each of us. Along with senior card discount it was a saving of $10.70 all up. As my lunch was FREE, so saving me $9.30. I bought only pet food on this trip. Saving $1.20.

In the afternoon I went shopping with DF-D got a few bargains, special on jeans, 2 pair for $18.50 RRP per pair $39.95 saving $61.40 then bought some Copy Paper 5 realms for $24.00 saving $10.75 and having green tea at her place. All I need to do now is turn up the hems on the jeans.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Avocado & Cottage Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Roast Turkey Dinner, Paddle Pop, Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $123.95
Today’s Savings - $ 82.65
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $192.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3976.84

Had my termite inspection & pest control done today, as I had termites a few years ago!

I’m in the clear for another year as it’s still under guarantee for another year then I will need to think about redoing barrier again.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Crackers with Cottage Cheese & Herbs Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast, Chocolate Cake Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 330
Today’s Savings - $ 80.00
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $184.80
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3884.22

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month.
~ Come under budget. (But for Car it’s to come out of Bill A/C.)
~ Deposit into the online account.
~ Lodge my tax claim before middle of August
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days.
~ Have my car service and rust proofing installed ($600.00 plus service.)
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Doctor Visit & 2 Hearing visits for August & September (paying the difference on hearing aid)
~ Known outings too budget for in August / September (Trip to the Annual Show, Lunch 3, Dinners 2.)
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. Out of Bulk Food Assets.
~ Downsizing storage and clean these areas

I did it, all most!

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the month. ~~~~ done.
~ Come under budget. (But for Car it’s to come out of Bill A/C.) ~~~ done
~ Open online account. ~~~~ Done
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days. ~~~~ Done
~ Have my car service and rust proofing installed ($600.00 plus service.) ~~~ booked in August
~ Have my termite inspection & pest control done (estimate $180) (Had termites a few years ago) annual check. ~~~~ to-morrow
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks) ~~~ done
~ Doctor Visit & Hearing Test for June.~~~ done
~ Five known outings to budget for in June. (Morning Tea, Lunch, Picnic, 2 Dinners.) ~~~ Done
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets.~~~ done but bought some meat.
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. Out of Bulk Food Assets. ~~~ done
~ Downsizing living areas and clean these areas ~~~ done
~ Visit by a relative in July. ~ came & gone

Out of cat food that they will eat. So it’s off to supermarket to get some for them as well batteries that I have run out of. I used the car, as I had to go to one down the hill to get them. I saved $11.86 on the batteries that I bought by buying a larger size pack. Special was on 4 pack AA$4.98 ($1.25ea) regular price $6.96 ($1.74ea) and I bought another brand and saved money. 16 for $15.98 (99c ea.) regular price $17.98 ($1.24 ea.) It does pay to have a calculator with you.

I have got rechargeable batteries but they are very old and only last a few hours before I need to replace them.

Watched TV for 5 hours tonight. Tonight watched Big Brother the last Sunday show (It finish’s to-morrow) then watch CSI which I don’t do most nights.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Crackers Muesli Bar Coffee
DINNER Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables and Rice, Fruit, Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $43.67
Today’s Savings - $ 11.86
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $182.80
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3804.22

Filling DF-M prescriptions at the chemist is one of my tasks that I do for her.

I dropped by the 2nd hand book store and bought 2 more cookbooks to read today. Saving $15.00 here.

Went to Hungry Jack’s for coffee and cone but as the Ice cream machine was out of order so I just got my coffee for FREE, saving $2.45 (Senior Card Discount)

Then it was off to the supermarket as I was bored and bought two packets of small cakes (16 cakes in all) at supermarket markdown, saving $6.00 on them.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Roast Turkey and Steam Vegetables Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $26.95
Today’s Savings - $ 23.45
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $179.70
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3792.36

Quite day cooking vegetable soup and working on my computer.

MINESTRONE (Vegetarian version)
This is Italian peasant dish with rustic style.

375g dried haricot beans or Italian Soup Mix (see instruction below.)
2 tsp. crushed garlic (jar.)
1 large onion
4 carrots
4 stalks celery
1/2 small cabbage
1 x 410g diced tomatoes
250g green beans
125g frozen peas
125g small macaroni or other pasta
2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley or basil
1 tbsp. olive oil
4 tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan
8 cups Vegetable or Chicken Stock (Massel)
Salt & pepper to taste

Soak dried haricot beans or Italian Soup Mix overnight. Drain. Simmer beans in 4 cups water for 2 hours. (Italian Soup Mix, simmer for 1 1/4 hours see instruction below)
Saute in olive oil, cut onion into eighths and crushed garlic until golden.
Add stock simmer gently with finely sliced carrots and celery.
Slice cabbage, and green beans into large pieces (rustic style).
Add all vegetables, except peas; bring to the boil then cover and reduce heat until soup barely simmering. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
20 minutes before serving add peas and macaroni, bring to the boil and then simmer until macaroni is tender.
Just before serving, stir in fresh chopped parsley or basil and little olive oil.
Serve hot with freshly grated Parmesan.
Serve 6-8

As I am cooking for one person and freezing most of this soup.
I UNDERCOOK by about 10 minute after the pasta is put in.
Rapid Cool - FREEZE HERE after removing the portion for tonight meal and any that will used next day.
Fully cook single portion in the microwave. 3 minutes if warm and 4 to 5 minutes when thawed.
Garnish with Grated Parmesan and serve with crusty bread.

Note: This soup needs to be THAW IN REFRIGERATOR then adding extra liquid and seasoning if desired. (I in mine put 1/2 cup water, extra tomato paste and extra garlic or dash of Tabasco sauce. Stirring just a bit. Microwave as above.)

Serves 6-8 (portion 1 1/2 cups)
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Total cooking time: 1 3/4 - 3 3/4 hours.

Cooking - Italian Soup Mix.
Rinse soup mix before soaking. Soak soup mix for 6-8 hours (overnight if convenient) before cooking. As I have found that the bean soup mix need extra cooking, boiling for 15 minutes and change of water to stop wind. I now cook the bean first, until changing the water when the scum is to be removed. Then return bean soup mix to the stockpot using 4 cups of boiling water bring back to the boil and simmer for approx. 1 hour.

Tips: Any amount of soaking will reduce times.
Soups may be frozen for up to six months.

BREAKFAST Muesli & milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $175.25

I had to go for a long walk back to the hospital today, as my DF-M was charged the wrong amount on her prescription bill from the hospital. No pension discount on it. What a difference which her family would have just paid it! The charge was $45.60 but with the discount only $14.10 for just reading the bill seeing that her pension number wasn’t on it! Saving $31.50 for her.

While I was out I bought a fruit loaf markdown to $1.50 saving $1.95

I got to water my front garden this morning too!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Fruit Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $3.45
Today’s Savings - $ 1.95
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $172.35
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3768.91