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Have you tried using steamer bags with those frozen vegetables? I use those in the microwave often and they turn out great. You can even make omelets with the steamer bags.
Yes, that's what I predominately used to use but I want MORE veggies in the bag than it allows and there is always water sitting in the bottom. Then there is trying to figure out the difference in microwave temperatures cause I haven't tried them since moving here. They either get overdone or not done enough.
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What sort of cooking facilities do you have access to? You mention a microwave--is that because you don't have a stove?
If you can buy your food everyday--then you don't have to worry about storage. But wait, you said you microwave frozen veggies--so that sounds like you have a freezer--and thus a kitchen?
I already eat at home. Yes, I have a full kitchen. When I first tried to lose the weight, I predominately used the microwave. I only used the stove for spaghetti.
Now a days I can use the stove and crock pot more.
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i'm also on a really tight budget, and i have found that buying things in bulk is the way to go. beans are for half nothing when you buy them dried in bags. you can do loads of different things with one bag of beans and it would never taste the same.
pasta, rice, millet, bulgar wheat and quinoa are all really cheap when you buy them in bulk.
i dont go near branded items unless i have a coupon that gets it to the same price as the generic.
also as the other ladies said, plan plan plan. if you like to do your shop weekly (i do) then plan your meals according to how things go off. like i make salads and fresh veggie dishes early in the week when the veg needs to be fresh, then as the week goes on i make chilis, casseroles and stews as the veg isnt at its best but is being cooked for an hour or so so it doesnt matter. if you do it every day, then work out what you need for each meal and snack and make a list. stick to that list and do not stray.
The only places around here that I can find that sell in bulk are Sam's and I don't have a membership. I did plan and that's why most weeks I'd hit $100-$120 a week. I'd make 2-3 fresh meals a week and use the rest for dinners/lunches for the week mainly for me.
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Do you have an Aldi's store near you?
The Aldi is about 45 minutes away. I really don't like driving that far away with cold stuffs. My boyfriend gets mad at me for just going across town for 10 minutes to get cold food.