Latest news with #budgetcooking
ABC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Family uses artificial intelligence for meal plans to cut grocery bill
Brooke Ferrier admittedly never paid much attention to her weekly grocery bill. But sticking to a budget became a reality for the New South Wales Central Coast mother of two when she and her husband both lost their jobs. "There was a lot going on in my personal life and I really didn't have the capacity to think about what to cook," Ms Ferrier recalled. "I thought I'd turn to AI [artificial intelligence] and see if it could help me out in terms of creating a bit of a meal plan on a budget." She asked ChatGPT for a low-cost meal plan for two adults and two toddlers and followed up with extra instructions (known as prompts in the AI world) to fine-tune the result, including a request for hidden vegetables, low-carb options and no lentils, to meet the family's preferences. The AI also compared supermarket prices and created a categorised shopping list with specific quantities. The result was a week's worth of breakfasts, dinners and snacks coming in at a total of $140. It was a drastic difference to the way Ms Ferrier used to shop. "[Previously] I'd get a range of different meats, a whole bunch of veggies and fruit and our pantry and our fridge were stocked but I was spending $400 or $500 every four or five days," she said. "Each night I was making what came to mind looking into the fridge, no thought or planning to what we were eating. "I was always over cooking and always throwing out waste. The family's weekly meal plans include spaghetti bolognese with hidden veggies, chicken and veg stir-fry, beef and vegetable meatballs and homemade snacks. Ms Ferrier said she was now making meals go further. "I had been one to buy things out of ease, to feed the kids, things like processed snacks," she said. "[But] when I cook there are always leftovers … a lot of the meals can serve as snacks later … [things like] fritters, pancakes, sausage rolls. "One week, I typed in that we'd been feeling sick and wanted foods that are meant to boost immunity." She has also asked AI for recipes to use up pantry items that have been in the cupboard for a long time, like tinned tomatoes and coconut milk. Food and nutrition scientist Emma Beckett said there was almost no downside to using AI for meal planning, but warned it was important to get specific about what you wanted. "I would add some prompts around things like making sure I had enough fibre according to the Australian Dietary Guidelines," Dr Beckett advised. "To make sure we're not just eating frugally but we're also eating well and nourishing ourselves." Dr Beckett said one of the reasons an AI meal plan or shopping list could save money was because it removed human emotion. "It means you don't need to make those decisions because we are emotional in the supermarket, and the supermarkets rely on that." Ms Ferrier agreed that AI helped ensure she was only buying what she needed. "We've gone from a fridge full of food all the time, to the bare minimum," she said. "In the past, we were constantly throwing out quite a bit … we always had a lot of waste." Ms Ferrier and her husband have both found new jobs but plan to continue using AI to help keep the budget in check. As for the weekly savings? "That will probably go back into the kids somehow on clothes or toys," Ms Ferrier said. "But we're also planning to renovate so we're looking to tighten our budget however we can."
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Four savvy ways to cut the cost of your next dinner party
ARE you prepping for your dinner party? Rising supermarket prices have made it up to 91 per cent more expensive to host for a group compared to dining out and splitting the bill, according to research by TheFork. But these tips will help you to stay within budget. COCKTAIL CONTROL: Instead of trying to cater to everyone's drink preferences, and spending a fortune on wine, spirits and mixers, pick one cocktail for the menu. Whip up one big-batch tipple, such as Aperol spritz using Aldi Aperini, £6.79, and ask guests to bring a bottle if they fancy something else. NAB A NIBBLE: Ditch pricey canapes for bargain freezer and store-cupboard items. Iceland sell frozen canape platter packs such as 38 tempura rolls or a 1.2kg Indian platter of snacks, both £6, and at Lidl it's summer picnic week, so pick up a fancy jar of olives for £1.69. Arrange in pretty bowls around the table for guests to help themselves. PULSE POWER: When it comes to cooking the main dish, bulk it out. Lentils and pasta are great options, and lentils can be substituted for expensive meat in certain recipes. A cheap and tasty dish to make is lentil bolognese or chickpea curry — the ingredients are low cost, but they will both keep bellies full. GET BREAD-Y: S ide dishes can also help bulk out a main dinner dish. The clever online shopping method customers are using to get a cheeky discount, and it 'works every time' Everyone loves garlic bread, but instead of buying garlic baguettes, make your own showstopper of a giant focaccia, which will bring the wow factor. You need: 500g strong white bread flour, £1.30, a packet of Fast action yeast, £1.50, and 2tsp salt, olive oil from the cupboard and a few cloves of garlic, 89p, all Tesco. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, then make a well and add 2tsp of olive oil and mix it together. Get a jug and fill with 400ml of water, adding a little at a time while bringing the dough together with your hands before leaving to prove. When baked, cut into small squares or fingers to make it go further and arrange on small plates around the table. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability 7 Deal of the day MARKS will disappear in a flash with the Vax SpotWash Home Pet-Design carpet cleaner, previously £199.99, now £119.99, at You will also get a free stain removal kit worth £30. SAVE: £80 Cheap treat PAMPER yourself with a manicure at home and use the Opi nail lacquer in How Does Your Zen Garden Grow?, RRP £14.90, now £4 at poundland. Top swap HEADING for lunch al fresco? This stylish herringbone picnic blanket is £14 at M&S, but head to Home Bargains for a similar style at just £4.99. SAVE: £9.01 Little helper DISNEY'S Lilo & Stitch movie is now in cinemas. Celebrate with the Lilo & Stitch stationery collection at The Range. This A5 notepad was £3.49, now down to 72p. Shop and save BRING some colour and joy into your life with this cool rainbow LED lamp, usually £20, now £16 at Dunelm. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you'll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Skip the instant oatmeal, cuddle at night and don't make this BBQ mistake — plus 8 more tips to improve your health
Hello, health and wellness enthusiasts! My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I am here to share tips from around the internet that can help you live your best life. Get sticker shock every time you hit the grocery store these days? You're not alone, according to a recent Yahoo News/YouGov poll. This week, Yahoo spoke to moms who feed their large families on a budget — and some are getting very creative. While installing your own restaurant-quality salad bar (like one mom did) may be out of reach, there are lots of cost-cutting secrets you can learn from them, like: shopping in bulk at warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club, strategic meal planning (including snack planning!) and skipping prepackaged convenience items. Another hack to consider? Start your own veggie garden. With a little time in the dirt, you'll have fresh produce for a fraction of what it would cost to purchase at the store. And there's even evidence to show that gardening is good for your health — a win-win. Peek at the local weather forecast and look at your horoscope if you're so inclined. Then see what small steps you can take to make the week ahead awesome. There's a lot to like about oatmeal: It's hearty, and also packed with fiber, B vitamins and minerals. But we get it — when you're short on time in the morning, grabbing a packet of instant oats that you can quickly whip up makes a lot of sense. As Real Simple reports, however, instant oatmeal typically includes loads of added sugars and less of the nutrients you'll find in whole oats. 'This breakfast will likely be quickly absorbed and digested, and lead to some short-term energy, but leave you feeling hungry just an hour or two later,' dietitian Amy Davis tells the outlet. Want to save time in the morning and get all that good stuff? Consider prepping some overnight oats the night before. Jazz up a scoop of rolled oats with some milk and top it with fruit like blueberries or raspberries for extra fiber and vitamins. A scoop of protein powder or Greek yogurt mixed in ups the protein content and keeps you feeling full for longer. Or, add seeds or nut butter, which contain healthy fats. Cuddling up to your partner while sleeping can help lower stress and strengthen your bond, according to new research from Auburn University. The study, which looked at 143 heterosexual couples, found that more snuggled up sleeping positions — think spooning, sleeping intertwined or even just face-to-face connection before dozing off — led to these benefits. But researchers also noted that being up close and personal doesn't necessarily translate to a good night's sleep (just ask anyone who runs hot or likes their space), in which case you might just want to settle for a quick hug before you nod off ... on your side of the bed. Hot dogs and hamburgers are warm-weather staples, but if you're firing up the grill for Memorial Day, don't clean it with a wire brush. Why? It turns out those metal bristles can break off and get into the food you're cooking, which is a major health risk. Not only can consuming one potentially harm your mouth and throat, but swallowing a bristle could cause a serious emergency. Data published in the journal Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery found that 1,700 people visited the emergency room due to wire grill brush injuries from 2002 to 2014. Trust us: A punctured stomach or intestine is not how you want to end a three-day weekend. While it's still important to clean your grill (you'll help prevent food buildup and reduce the risk of flare-ups, another potential hazard), you should opt for a non-wire brush instead. Taking a trip this Memorial Day? It may not be at the top of your packing list, but a pillowcase can come in handy when you're traveling. It's got a ton of uses: You can stuff a hoodie inside of it for a makeshift travel pillow, use it as a laundry bag or even have it double as a packing cube to keep your suitcase organized. One thing you might want to avoid, however, is the viral social media hack of trying to sneak it on your flight as a carry-on stuffed with clothes. While most airlines don't consider pillows part of your luggage, flight attendants are catching on and you could end up having to pay a fee. The Friday before Memorial Day is National Don't Fry Day, created by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention as a reminder to stay safe while spending time in the sun. Honor the holiday by wearing your sunscreen — yes, even if it's cloudy outside. Protective clothing, like rash guards that block UV rays or wide-brimmed hats, is also a great idea when enjoying time outside. And don't forget your sunglasses, which are more than just for the vibes: Pick sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection, block both UVA and UVB rays and are labeled 400nm or UV400 for full coverage. Love making pepperoni pizza at home but struggle with the oil that comes with those little discs of flavor? To cut down on grease, precook your pepperoni before adding it to your pizza. Lay the slices in a single layer on a paper-towel-lined plate and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, which renders the fat. Then, blot the tops with another paper towel before transferring to your pizza. This step reduces excess oil and helps the pepperoni crisp up for a way better mouthfeel, minus the grease puddles. You know that nuts are good for you, but did you know that almonds can keep you regular in the bathroom? According to the experts over at EatingWell, this nut has a few things going for it: It's rich in magnesium, which helps relax the muscles in your digestive tract, and it has lots of fiber — about 3.5 grams per ounce — which adds bulk to your stool. Plus, almonds contain healthy fats, which help alleviate constipation. Eat almonds as a solo snack, mix them into trail mix or top your yogurt, salads or grain bowls with them for a digestive boost. Want to boost your mood? Try positive expressive writing — like jotting down what you're grateful for or imagining your best possible future. A systematic review published in PLOS One found these writing exercises consistently improve well-being, happiness and life satisfaction. The strongest benefits came from gratitude and 'best possible self' prompts, though the researchers believe the results may vary depending on the person. Try it out: Start a gratitude list, send a thank-you note to a loved one or write a letter to the best version of your future self. Taking a breather before you blurt out your next sentence can save your relationship during times of conflict, couples therapist Sinead Smyth tells Today. 'Don't fire off when you're in conflict,' Smyth says. 'Take a break, even if it's just a few seconds, and make a decision about whether it should be said or not and how you're going to say it.' Smyth suggests giving yourself a pause to find something positive you can respond with, rather than a snappy retort that, while maybe even technically right, could hurt your partner. Why is this such a big deal? Well, chances are this isn't the first (or last) time you'll argue about the same issue; many long-term couples revisit the same core conflicts over time. And if you respond with criticism in the heat of the moment, that pattern can build resentment and chip away at the relationship. Choosing your words carefully, even if it means pausing to bite your tongue, protects the connection you've built and makes space for more constructive communication. Forget cutting carbs — staying sharp in your 70s starts with adding high-quality ones to your plate, according to a study from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. Per the research, women who ate more fiber and high-quality carbs — like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes — had a 31% greater chance of aging in good physical and mental health. That meant they lived to age 70 free of 11 major chronic diseases (including cancer, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and osteoporosis), had no memory or physical impairment and were in good mental health. An easy way to start? Instead of grabbing a candy bar as a midday snack, grab a banana. Not only will you get high-quality carbs and good-for-you fiber, but you'll also get a healthy boost of vitamins C and B6 as well as potassium. Wake up wanting to hit the snooze button? Break that bad habit by keeping a big glass of water next to your bed to sip on when you open your eyes. Experts tell EatingWell that hydrating first thing can help you stay energized, rather than groggy, in the morning. 'When we're tired, we're more likely to be dehydrated, and our cells need a little extra help so they can do all the jobs they have to do to take care of us,' dietitian Jessica Cording tells the outlet. Sipping water before your morning coffee can also help offset caffeine's diuretic effect and prevent you from feeling thirsty later on.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
I make weeks worth of sandwiches for 30p – it means I'm organised, people think it's revolting but it saves money
A MUM has revealed how she manages to make a week's worth of sandwiches for just 30p. Jo, who is in her 40s and has three teenagers, explained that she manages her sandwiches by putting them into the freezer. 4 Taking to her TikTok page ' thismumcooks,' Jo revealed that when she buys yellow sticker food, she uses this trick every time. Jo explained that she managed to pick up a loaf of bread for just 6p and two packets of chicken slices for just 83p. Although she realised that she could have frozen the chicken slices and the bread separately, she noted that she would have had to split the chicken into individual slices so that she could 'get out one at a time.' Instead, Jo decided to butter up the loaf of bread and pre-make some sandwiches. She said: 'I sliced up a little bit of cheese that I already had in the fridge and then I set about making a loaf of sandwiches. 'In the end this took me less than five minutes to do an entire loaf of sandwiches and it means that absolutely nothing is going to go to waste. 'I had three slices of chicken that I had left over so that's been frozen separately and this entire loaf of sandwiches cost me less than £2 to make. 'That's less than buying one pre-made sandwich in the supermarket.' Jo put all the sandwiches back into the sandwich bag before tying it up and placing it into the freezer. She added: 'You can just get a sandwich out at a time as you need, and there will be no need for an ice block in your packed lunch.' My kid's obsessed with Heinz ketchup but can't tell difference with £1 version Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, Jo said: 'I only do this when I pick up yellow sticker sandwich meat from the supermarkets, because this saves the sandwich meat from going out of date and stops food waste. 'Generally the sandwiches will only last a week or so in the freezer because the kids will eat them and they defrost in a couple of hours in their packed lunch. 'They also keep the lunch box cool when they are at school in the morning.' Although she has received comments on her TikTok video claiming that the sandwiches will become 'soggy,' Jo wants to set the record straight. Soggy She said: 'The sandwiches do not become soggy by doing this and it can save you both time and money.' Jo also revealed how she discovered this hack. She said: 'My Director of Finance used to do this. 'He would make his sandwiches on a Sunday evening and bring in his frozen sandwiches every day.' Jo's video received over 501k views and 1,304 comments after just one day of sharing the video. Many people had mixed opinions on her prepping hack. One wrote: 'When that defrost that's gonna be soggy that's gonna need toasting.' Whilst a second said: 'Revolting.' And someone else added: 'I wouldn't do that if I was serving 30 years in jail. Where's the flavour?' But Jo doesn't let the bad comments get to her. She said: 'Because of how social media works, the negative comments work really well. "They push the post out and mean that more people, the people who I want to see the post, may get a chance to. 4 4 'Often the negative comments come from people that do not understand and that is OK. However, some people do take the hate too far! 'It is a shame though that people feel the need to judge the food items being used in the post. 'These sandwiches will fill up a child at lunchtime. 'For some families, this may be all (or even more) than they can afford. 'Parents are doing their best for their families, their children, and by saving money in this way, they may then afford to eat fresh fruit or vegetables to go alongside a sandwich in their lunch. 'Unfortunately, there are families out there struggling to buy food and their children are not even entitled to free school meals.' Fridge or cupboard? The essential food storage guide Foods must be stored correctly to keep them fresh and prevent the spread of bacteria. Nutrition expert Birgit Brendel said bread will last longer when stored in the fridge or freezer. However, this can compromise the flavour. Storing in ceramic or pottery containers is an alternative that allows for air to flow easily and slow the growth of mould. Robert Morris, managing director of food safety consultants, Complete Food Safety, revealed the best place to store fresh fruit and vegetables. He said salad foods should be stored in the fridge drawer, but away from anything grown in the soil such as carrots, parsnips and beetroot. Tomatoes are an exception to the rule as fridges can alter the natural ripening process and diminish their taste. He also advised against putting avocados and bananas in the fridge as this will cause them to blacken quicker.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rachael Ray draws strong reaction after posting concerning new video
Rachael Ray left her fans more concerned about her health than ever after sharing a new video over the week. The 56-year-old cooking host appeared Sunday in an Instagram clip timed to coincide with Mother's Day, but viewers were disturbed by her appearance in the post. Rachael appeared to be speaking slowly and slurring some of her words as she leaned over a stove and cooked up a meal. In the video, the celebrity chef look back on a time early in her career when she said she could get by in New York on a budget of just $40 per week. 'When I lived in New York as a very young woman, I was very, very poor,' she recalled as the video intercut with old photos of Rachael and her mother cooking together. 'I didn't want to bother my mother. I didn't want her to feel scared for me,' she continued. 'So I would never ask for money. And I didn't have any.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rachael Ray (@rachaelray)
