Feb Challenge

1. Chinatown grocery stores are very unfamiliar and intimidating if you've never been before.
2. The selection of food at Chinatown grocery stores are very tailored to Asian food, so if you're not planning on making Asian dishes, there's no use shopping in Chinatown.
3. Trader Joe's isn't cheaper than C-Town.
4. Never shop for groceries on Sunday when all of Manhattan is doing the same.

       

Click here to download:

Day_1_-_Learning_to_bargain_sh.zip (1949 KB)

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Went to Hong Kong Supermarket in Sunset Park with Mel to pick up some groceries. Had trouble deciding what to get and was hesitant about buying too much.

This is what we ended up getting:
Neoguri Ramen noodles (5-pack) -- $3.99
A big jar of kimchi -- $6.99
Some baby bok choy -- $0.70
Pork Butt (1+ LB) -- $2.22
Ground beef (less than 1LB) -- $2.78
TOTAL: $16.68

I think the kimchi will go a long way this month. I'm thinking about kimchi fried rice with sliced pork belly and maybe even kimchi jigae when the time comes. I also noticed that there are pig feet, chicken gizzards, and pig's neck for $0.59 per pound. Perhaps some meals to consider from those.

Mel also stopped by C-town and got the following:
Cracker Barrel cheddar cheese -- $2.50
Bananas -- $1.25
Potatoes (5 LBs) -- $2.49
Arnold Country Wheat Sliced bread -- $2.50
Carrots (1 LB) -- $0.59
Lime -- $0.25
Black beans (1 can) -- $0.89
Leeks -- $2.27
Jalapeno -- $0.10
TOTAL: $12.84

I have $83.32 left.
Mel has $87.16 left.

This morning, I had a bowl of oatmeal with dried cranberries. Mel had some cereal with milk. For lunch, we had a egg and cheese sandwich and a box of Annie's Mac'n'Cheese. Right now, Mel is making some stuffed peppers (we had some from a while ago in the fridge). Will post a pic of dinner later.

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I found some salami in my fridge this morning (surprise!), so I
decided to make grilled cheese with basil and salami for lunch.
Although the package said to buy it by Jan. 09, 2009, which is many
weeks ago, salami is cured; therefore, I wasn't too worried about its
due date (only the color of the meat wasn't as bright red as it
usually is, and I am still fine at this point!). I also added some
leftover mashed potatoes and a big scoop of cranberry chutney.
Although I am feeling confident about making through our 100-dollar
challenge so far, the real challenge has yet to come before I finish
all the leftover meals.

     

Click here to download:

Grilled_Cheese_with_Basil_Sala.zip (5503 KB)

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The first meal of the challenge!
 
Breakfast Menu:
- Egg Sandwich with Chives and Red Currant Jam
- Homemade Granola Cereal with Nuts and Milk
- Clementine and Coffee
 
I have been eating breakfast cereal with whole milk. I have adapted
eating cereal with whole milk because having reduced-fat or skim milk
leaves me hungry shortly after breakfast. The higher content of fat in
whole milk makes me feel full for longer. I also don't need to add a
lot of whole milk (maybe half as much as skim milk) into my cereal;
therefore, I can actually get more servings out of the same amount of
milk purchased.

     

Click here to download:

Here_We_Go.zip (4972 KB)

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The challenge:
Limit individual food & drink budget to $100 for the entire month of February.

The participants:
Reggie Soang, Melanie Lee, Peter Kang, Sei-Wook Kim

We'll be posting photos and descriptions of our meals here so please check back often. We also welcome your suggestions for cheaps eats, and any encouraging comments will certainly keep us in high spirits. Thanks!

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