Friday, February 21, 2014

Cost Compare...Cost it out Before you believe Cheap Recipes!

I saw a post on Facebook this morning which kind of tells a story about why people make poor food choices. The post came from "Living on a Dime" and was re-posted by one of my friends. I, more than many, understand the need to "live on a dime" ...but I also have learned that eating healthy is NOT as expensive as people think. That's what my post today is about.

Here is the recipe my friend posted and I looked up the prices on all the ingredients:

Tater Tot Casserole Recipe - Total Cost: $20.50

1 to 2 lbs. hamburger, browned and seasoned to taste (2lbs - $8.50)
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix ($1.50)
8 oz. sour cream ($2.00)
20 oz. frozen mixed veggies, or leftover veggies* ($2.00)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (doesnt say size, we'll assume small - $1.00)
2 lb. bag of Tater Tots ($3.00)
8 oz cheddar cheese or cheese of choice ($2.50 ON SALE)

Gently mix all together but cheese and place in a greased 9×13 pan. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350° for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

*Keep a container in the freezer and, when you have a small dab of vegetables left over, put them in this container. This casserole is a great way to use them up instead of making the usual veggie soup.



and here is MY recipe from last night:

Ruths Pasta Primavera -- Cost Under $10
2 cups any type of pasta  (.60)
1 zucchini (.50)
1 summer squash (.75)
1/2 red pepper (.99)
1/2 pkg finger carrots (.98)
1 pkg chicken (thighs or breasts) ($5.00)
Seasonings of your choice (salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning)
Minimal amount of parmesan cheese (1.00)

Toss cup up veggies with lite oil or cooking spray, then season, put on cookie sheet and roast in oven for 45 min.
Put Pasta in pot with water and cook Just til done (don't over cook).
Season chicken and with a SMALL amount of oil, or cooking spray, cook in skillet 5 min, flip, cook 8 more min, put cover on.

In large bowl, or individual bowls layer:
Pasta
Grated Parmesan cheese
Veggies
Chicken (cut into bite size pieces)


THEN... we can look at the health value if you like... 
- Hamburger  vs Chicken
- Dry soup mix...Lots of sodium
- Cream of mushroom soup ... sodium
- Sour Cream... Yummy, but full of the wrong fats
- Cheese... also yummy and we'll give you that but we use a lot less Parmesan than it uses Cheddar.
- Tater Tots vs. Pasta

You Decide.



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