Monday, May 05, 2008

My Kids Are Pigs-OR-No More Leftovers

When I used to make things like spaghetti or tacos, or really anything for that matter, we always had leftovers.

I like leftovers. I don't mind eating them at all.

And now, I find myself leftover-less. Our kids are suddenly eating more than they used to. Tonight Julio had two stuffed-to-the-brim tacos and then asked me for a snack 30 seconds after dinner was over.

Not good with the rising cost of food. I know it's getting worse in the States, but I have to say whatever you are paying for food, I bet I am paying more.

Today in the grocery store I saw a little thing of maple syrup for $21.00 USD. Luckily a friend of mine in Venezuela taught me how to make homemade maple syrup. But, I did buy a can of refried beans for our tacos tonight that set us back $4.50 USD. That, my friends, is a travesty after having lived in Mexico. A normal sized pack of hard taco shells costs around $15.00 USD (we use these soft shell things that they call "wraps" but they are pretty much flour tortillas).

Canned veggies cost anywhere from $3.00-$5.00. So, we eat fresh. Which is great and all, I rather eat fresh, but that means I have to go the store more frequently which means I see other things I need and then I end up spending more money.

Don't even get me started on cereal. I've pretty much quit buying it all together because 1) they have no good cereal here, and 2) it costs $5.50 for a teeny-weeny box that my kids down in one sitting.

Oh well, what can you do?

Speaking of food, check out this very cool blog: Full Bellies, Happy Kids. It is full of yummy recipes and great pictures. I have tried several things and everything has worked!

12 comments:

Ballerina Girl said...

Well, Gabs, the two of us could go back and forth on what we can not find...
and you are right, for me, Mrs. Cereal in the morning (including for myself), Queen, it is a tough one to swallow!
Can you say "haul the Log Cabin Maple Syrup extra large from Costco in"...
every Christmas and summer visits...and everyone who comes...
I even had my friend bring me maple syrup from Venezuela!
I just can not do "real" maple syrup nor homemade......
oh well, that's Expatlandia for ya :)

Maine Mom said...

I used to hate eating leftovers, but now I love eating them at lunchtime. There's still plenty of leftovers around here. And yes, with the food prices rising it is more important to eat every single bite of food we buy!

Thanks for the new site to check out. :-)

nikko said...

We rarely have leftovers anymore, either. And, I find myself racking my brains for more sides for every meal to make it go a little farther.

Wow. Your food prices are out of control. I'll quit whining about ours. ;o)

Janice said...

No question you are paying more. But, I deal with the same problem. We eat a ton of fresh fruits and vegetables which means I am always at the store picking them up and then I add about 20 more things to the cart. Every month, I go over on our grocery budget.

Super Happy Girl said...

This makes me depressed :(

Thanks for the link :)

Anonymous said...

In the spirit of whining and maybe will make you feel a little better, kellog's cereal from west africa, where i just recently came from, costs 14 USD! I hear you with the out-of-control grocery bills. It's the same story here in our new "home".

I'm sure that your children's increasing appetite is not only due to simply growing up but probably has a lot to do with your fantastic culinary skills!

smart mama said...

seriously my boys are packing it down lately- like 3 rounds of breakfast- must be trying to eat through our impending stimulus check one box of cereal at a time-

Janet said...

I've been psycho lately about the kids wasting food...and not shutting off lights...and taking long showers...

utmommy said...

I can't believe how much everything is going up. It's crazy.

We don't have leftovers too often either.

Karla said...

I guess I won't complain so much about my grocery bill! At least not until the next time I go shopping . . .

marine's words said...

we also don't have left over's any more and I use to eat it for lunch.
and just like you I need too keep going back to the grocey for soemthing milk,peautbutter,bread,and I keep spending more now they have all there pretty hanging basket with pretty flowers which makes me want to buy more,but I can't belive the beans I buy a bag of beans for .89 cents can you bleive that of course I wash them and cook them and all.then my husband comlpains about the grocery bill so I told him to come shopping with me and he did and was very surpise.marina

Paulette said...

You were not kidding about sacraficing your food for flip flops LOL! Wow your food prices are crazy, I think ill be happy with what I have as well.
Loveeee the flip flops too!!