Comments on: Battling The Convenience and Costs of Fast Food http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:40:50 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: bluebonnet http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-743784 bluebonnet Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:22:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-743784 i enjoy your website very much; thank you. may i please ask two questions: so the scrambled eggs freeze and reheat o.k., with no big changes in texture? seems i've read the advice not to freeze them, but if freezing works, that would be a huge bonus. do the chicken nuggets get soggy on the bottom while they are baking, i.e., if you coat them all over with cornflakes then do you need to bake them on a rack to get them crispy all over? (i've had soggy experiences before; maybe just me.) to the commenter questioning purchase of grated cheese: depends on where you buy it. at a warehouse club or large supermarket, bulk packages of grated cheese are often less expensive than the plain block. go figure. to the mcdonald's snack wrap commenter: if you add a side salad for $1.49, you can use the contents to seriously pad out three snack wraps, which are woefully short on greenery otherwise. still under $5 for what has just become a big meal. and drink water ... it's free. i enjoy your website very much; thank you.

may i please ask two questions:

so the scrambled eggs freeze and reheat o.k., with no big changes in texture? seems i’ve read the advice not to freeze them, but if freezing works, that would be a huge bonus.

do the chicken nuggets get soggy on the bottom while they are baking, i.e., if you coat them all over with cornflakes then do you need to bake them on a rack to get them crispy all over? (i’ve had soggy experiences before; maybe just me.)

to the commenter questioning purchase of grated cheese: depends on where you buy it. at a warehouse club or large supermarket, bulk packages of grated cheese are often less expensive than the plain block. go figure.

to the mcdonald’s snack wrap commenter: if you add a side salad for $1.49, you can use the contents to seriously pad out three snack wraps, which are woefully short on greenery otherwise. still under $5 for what has just become a big meal. and drink water … it’s free.

]]> By: Jihan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-504402 Jihan Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:27:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-504402 The only fast food I know that is cheap is a McDonald's snack wrap. It resembles a burrito in a few ways and it's about $1. Sounds cheap but the calories in it will make you cry. It doesn't really make you full either, so if I was to eat a whole meal, I'd have to eat half a day's calorie with in snack wraps for one full meal. That's too much for me. The only fast food I know that is cheap is a McDonald’s snack wrap. It resembles a burrito in a few ways and it’s about $1. Sounds cheap but the calories in it will make you cry. It doesn’t really make you full either, so if I was to eat a whole meal, I’d have to eat half a day’s calorie with in snack wraps for one full meal. That’s too much for me.

]]> By: Kristen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-403557 Kristen Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:08:19 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-403557 My bf loves frozen waffles, they are his snack of choice, so if I make waffles for breakfast one weekend I'll double the batter and slightly undercook what we won't eat at the sitting. Toss them in freezer bags and they are ready to toast! I do the same with pancakes. I'm not into making prepacked 'nuke and eat meals (I don't like microwaved food... it's my weird thing), but make hamburger patties ahead and freeze them. I paid $30 for a vacuum sealer and it was the best purchase I ever made! My bf loves frozen waffles, they are his snack of choice, so if I make waffles for breakfast one weekend I’ll double the batter and slightly undercook what we won’t eat at the sitting. Toss them in freezer bags and they are ready to toast! I do the same with pancakes.

I’m not into making prepacked ‘nuke and eat meals (I don’t like microwaved food… it’s my weird thing), but make hamburger patties ahead and freeze them. I paid $30 for a vacuum sealer and it was the best purchase I ever made!

]]> By: Bobbi http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-402299 Bobbi Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:36:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-402299 I searched on google for breakfast freezing tips and you popped up! Awesome tips, I will be doing this tomorrow. Thanks! I searched on google for breakfast freezing tips and you popped up! Awesome tips, I will be doing this tomorrow. Thanks!

]]> By: steve http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-343571 steve Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:29:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-343571 lisa c: there's no reason to worry about freezer burn if you learn what to do to prevent it. freezer burn will NOT be prevented by saran wrap--Saran Wrap, and all wraps that are intended only for fridge use, are air-permeable. Freezer "burn" is caused by water (ice) being dried off the surface of frozen food. the water escapes through the wrap itself or through places where the wrap wasn't sealed properly. the longer the food is frozen, the longer there is for freezer burn to develop, which is why you need to learn how to wrap the food correctly for freezing in freezer wrap, which is formulated to prevent air/water vapor from transpiring through it. If anyone needs to know more, just Google "how to freezer wrap" or "how to freeze food". lisa c:

there’s no reason to worry about freezer burn if you learn what to do to prevent it.

freezer burn will NOT be prevented by saran wrap–Saran Wrap, and all wraps that are intended only for fridge use, are air-permeable. Freezer “burn” is caused by water (ice) being dried off the surface of frozen food. the water escapes through the wrap itself or through places where the wrap wasn’t sealed properly. the longer the food is frozen, the longer there is for freezer burn to develop, which is why you need to learn how to wrap the food correctly for freezing in freezer wrap, which is formulated to prevent air/water vapor from transpiring through it.

If anyone needs to know more, just Google “how to freezer wrap” or “how to freeze food”.

]]> By: sunnee http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-317273 sunnee Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:14:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-317273 http://realfreestuffforall.com/index.htm http://realfreestuffforall.com/index.htm

]]> By: lisa c http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-304338 lisa c Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:26:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-304338 Hey I was always worried about freezer burn, saran wrap does just fine though eh? Hey I was always worried about freezer burn, saran wrap does just fine though eh?

]]> By: robert http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-201611 robert Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:22:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-201611 Crock pots RULE! soups, chili, beef stew... then freeze it. My favorite chicken pot pie casserole. Take croissant rolls and lay them flat in a casserole dish and bake till brown. Take cooked chicken and two cans of cream of whatever soup and cover with more croissant rolls. Cook until brown. Cut in cubes and freeze. Also, works well with hamburger meat and tater tots. My favorite lunch... quessadilla. Take a tortilla, cooked chicken, cheese, and veggies and bake in oven until tortilla is brown. Slice and bag and go! Cooler in car with meal and drinks with those frozen blue blocks keeping things cool. Crock pots RULE! soups, chili, beef stew… then freeze it.

My favorite chicken pot pie casserole. Take croissant rolls and lay them flat in a casserole dish and bake till brown. Take cooked chicken and two cans of cream of whatever soup and cover with more croissant rolls. Cook until brown. Cut in cubes and freeze.

Also, works well with hamburger meat and tater tots.

My favorite lunch… quessadilla. Take a tortilla, cooked chicken, cheese, and veggies and bake in oven until tortilla is brown. Slice and bag and go!

Cooler in car with meal and drinks with those frozen blue blocks keeping things cool.

]]> By: Scott Speer http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-181115 Scott Speer Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:19:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-181115 Thank you for writing this blog. This is the expense that kills me the most. I am a college student working a lame job and going to school full time and when I'm hungry I just want something fast so I can get back to what I'm doing. I hate taking the time to make food, so I wind up going to some burger joint and spending $8+ on some 'value' meal. That adds up really fast. I've been told by people to prepare things in advance but they always keep the advice really vague, never telling me how easy and cheap it is to prepare really tasty stuff that's freezable. My next grocery list is coming straight from this blog. Thank you for writing this blog. This is the expense that kills me the most. I am a college student working a lame job and going to school full time and when I’m hungry I just want something fast so I can get back to what I’m doing. I hate taking the time to make food, so I wind up going to some burger joint and spending $8+ on some ‘value’ meal. That adds up really fast. I’ve been told by people to prepare things in advance but they always keep the advice really vague, never telling me how easy and cheap it is to prepare really tasty stuff that’s freezable. My next grocery list is coming straight from this blog.

]]> By: HoneyBee http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-155042 HoneyBee Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:42:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-155042 Thanks for the great ideas! I have two teenage sons and a husband that love to eat. Something I do on the weekend is "Cook Big". Both crockpots (and sometimes the tabletop roaster) we own are filled and set to cook on low in the morning. When they are finished I fill/freeze a number of small containers and then serve the rest for the lunch or dinner meal. Believe me, there is plenty to eat now and later. Also, during the week, I purposefully cook 2-3 more servings and fill/freeze the containers BEFORE we eat. Again, plenty of food and good hot lunch for later in the week. When they get hungry, the boys take out what they need for the meal, eat at home or bring it with them. I take two to work (I have the luxury of seeing my husband at lunch), heat them through and then go to meet him at the local park. We eat very well this way - we know what is in the food we are eating along with saving a tremendous amount of money. Thanks for the great ideas! I have two teenage sons and a husband that love to eat. Something I do on the weekend is “Cook Big”. Both crockpots (and sometimes the tabletop roaster) we own are filled and set to cook on low in the morning. When they are finished I fill/freeze a number of small containers and then serve the rest for the lunch or dinner meal. Believe me, there is plenty to eat now and later. Also, during the week, I purposefully cook 2-3 more servings and fill/freeze the containers BEFORE we eat. Again, plenty of food and good hot lunch for later in the week.
When they get hungry, the boys take out what they need for the meal, eat at home or bring it with them. I take two to work (I have the luxury of seeing my husband at lunch), heat them through and then go to meet him at the local park. We eat very well this way – we know what is in the food we are eating along with saving a tremendous amount of money.

]]> By: Macinac http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-126917 Macinac Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:16:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-126917 My wife is a lousy cook, perhaps because she is from a country where eating out costs no more than eating at home. Thus, I have to indulge her frequently on this. Our kids eat from McDonalds far too often, and the town has few other options. Tonight we had deli food from a co-op organic store. I need to work on a solution, but my taking over the cooking is not in the cards. My wife is a lousy cook, perhaps because she is from a country where eating out costs no more than eating at home. Thus, I have to indulge her frequently on this. Our kids eat from McDonalds far too often, and the town has few other options. Tonight we had deli food from a co-op organic store. I need to work on a solution, but my taking over the cooking is not in the cards.

]]> By: Jerry http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-109209 Jerry Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:10:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-109209 Good ideas- thanks. Some more tips: Roll your chicken in flour before you dip them in the beaten eggs. It makes them crispier. If you usually use about half of a package of bacon (like we do), then cut your 1 lb package of bacon in half- you can even do this while it is still wrapped and or frozen. Put the cut half in a freezer bag, into the freezer right away. If you see deli meat that you love on sale, buy extra. I regularly freeze salami with no ills effects upon thawing (to me or to the salami). In fact, I often buy extra fresh food (chicken, fish, etc.) that's on sale if I can freeze it. You can get more use out of food you would normally throw away. How? On a weekend, if I've just cooked a chicken, I simmer the carcass for a few hours. My wife was ...shall we say 'uncertain' at first, but then she tasted my rice cooked in home made chicken stock. Now she suggests that I make the chicken stock so we can have more. :) Good ideas- thanks.
Some more tips:
Roll your chicken in flour before you dip them in the beaten eggs. It makes them crispier.

If you usually use about half of a package of bacon (like we do), then cut your 1 lb package of bacon in half- you can even do this while it is still wrapped and or frozen. Put the cut half in a freezer bag, into the freezer right away.

If you see deli meat that you love on sale, buy extra. I regularly freeze salami with no ills effects upon thawing (to me or to the salami). In fact, I often buy extra fresh food (chicken, fish, etc.) that’s on sale if I can freeze it.

You can get more use out of food you would normally throw away. How? On a weekend, if I’ve just cooked a chicken, I simmer the carcass for a few hours. My wife was …shall we say ‘uncertain’ at first, but then she tasted my rice cooked in home made chicken stock. Now she suggests that I make the chicken stock so we can have more. :)

]]> By: Shilo http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-108467 Shilo Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:04:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-108467 Bill...I think the cost difference in grated or block cheese differs where you live. In my area, it's the exact same price for grated or block. You can also make muffins & freeze them individually. Heat for about 30 seconds. Bill…I think the cost difference in grated or block cheese differs where you live. In my area, it’s the exact same price for grated or block.

You can also make muffins & freeze them individually. Heat for about 30 seconds.

]]> By: Sm4k http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-97465 Sm4k Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:18:02 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-97465 One of the things I've taken a liking to is going to the grocery store about once every two weeks and buying fresh stuff to make my own lunch at work. You can buy supllies to make two weeks worth of simple (or elaborate) sandwiches and snacks for right around $20, $30 if you buy snack stuff as well. Keeping this stuff at work makes it a no brainer to not go out for lunch, and keeps it on a need to or celebratory basis. The stuff that needs to be refrigerated can either be kept in a grocery bag with your name on it in the office fridge, or you could buy a little fridge to keep at your desk--At $2 a day for work lunch vs $6-10, it won't take long to pay for itself. It takes about 15 minutes for me to put together my sandwich, but this way I get to pick what I eat so I always like it. While it may not be the healthiest meal (some of the ingredients like deli meat are pretty high in sodium), I save a fortune vs places like Chipotle or Panera. An excellent simple breakfast I keep at work is real oatmeal (aka not instant), unsweetened applesauce, and frozen blueberries. By the time the oatmeal is cooked, it's hot enough to thaw the blueberries. Mix in the applesauce and it's an easy and healthy way to start the day. One of the things I’ve taken a liking to is going to the grocery store about once every two weeks and buying fresh stuff to make my own lunch at work. You can buy supllies to make two weeks worth of simple (or elaborate) sandwiches and snacks for right around $20, $30 if you buy snack stuff as well. Keeping this stuff at work makes it a no brainer to not go out for lunch, and keeps it on a need to or celebratory basis. The stuff that needs to be refrigerated can either be kept in a grocery bag with your name on it in the office fridge, or you could buy a little fridge to keep at your desk–At $2 a day for work lunch vs $6-10, it won’t take long to pay for itself.

It takes about 15 minutes for me to put together my sandwich, but this way I get to pick what I eat so I always like it. While it may not be the healthiest meal (some of the ingredients like deli meat are pretty high in sodium), I save a fortune vs places like Chipotle or Panera.

An excellent simple breakfast I keep at work is real oatmeal (aka not instant), unsweetened applesauce, and frozen blueberries. By the time the oatmeal is cooked, it’s hot enough to thaw the blueberries. Mix in the applesauce and it’s an easy and healthy way to start the day.

]]> By: Chris http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-62811 Chris Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:07:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-62811 Great entry, thanks for re-linking it. I've been making batches of the breakfast burritos for quite some time now, but I completely forgot about the chicken nuggets. By the way, I can't wait for your cooking blog (and cookbook :) I enjoy your personal finance writing but, IMO, your blog really shines when you write about cooking. Great entry, thanks for re-linking it. I’ve been making batches of the breakfast burritos for quite some time now, but I completely forgot about the chicken nuggets.

By the way, I can’t wait for your cooking blog (and cookbook :) I enjoy your personal finance writing but, IMO, your blog really shines when you write about cooking.

]]> By: Bill http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-62691 Bill Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:48:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-62691 I like your web site; it provides great information and ideas. However, I have to ask: For a frugal person such as yourself, and for those of us who read your material for its emphasis on living within your means, why do you buy grated cheese (as you say you do in this article)? Buy a block of cheese, grate it yourself, and save at least 30%. Frozen grated cheese stores well and saves you a ton of dough and time (it takes more time to grate cheese several times rather than all at once). I like your web site; it provides great information and ideas. However, I have to ask: For a frugal person such as yourself, and for those of us who read your material for its emphasis on living within your means, why do you buy grated cheese (as you say you do in this article)?

Buy a block of cheese, grate it yourself, and save at least 30%. Frozen grated cheese stores well and saves you a ton of dough and time (it takes more time to grate cheese several times rather than all at once).

]]> By: Louise http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-62299 Louise Sun, 26 Aug 2007 10:21:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-62299 Another idea for the homemade chicken nuggets is to use chicken thigh fillets instead of breasts, even cheaper. Individual crustless quiches can be made in muffin tins and frozen for use as a breakfast or other meal item. Just sautee your choice of vegetables (or use leftover steamed veggies), allow to cool slightly and then add eggs beaten with milk and a small amount of flour. Spoon into muffin tins sprayed with a non stick spray and cook 15-20 mins in a moderate oven. Optional extras can include different cheeses or meats. have fun experimenting with different flavours. Another idea for the homemade chicken nuggets is to use chicken thigh fillets instead of breasts, even cheaper. Individual crustless quiches can be made in muffin tins and frozen for use as a breakfast or other meal item. Just sautee your choice of vegetables (or use leftover steamed veggies), allow to cool slightly and then add eggs beaten with milk and a small amount of flour. Spoon into muffin tins sprayed with a non stick spray and cook 15-20 mins in a moderate oven. Optional extras can include different cheeses or meats. have fun experimenting with different flavours.

]]> By: Angie Hartford http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-62232 Angie Hartford Sun, 26 Aug 2007 03:59:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-62232 Um....I make breakfast burritos all the time. They're good! Henry B: try thawing them first. Makes a world of difference! ;) Um….I make breakfast burritos all the time. They’re good! Henry B: try thawing them first. Makes a world of difference! ;)

]]> By: Henry Bemis http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-62114 Henry Bemis Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:23:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-62114 That breakfast burrito sounds "god awful." Goodness gracious, someone put the breaks on that culinary disaster. That breakfast burrito sounds “god awful.” Goodness gracious, someone put the breaks on that culinary disaster.

]]> By: jcar http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/comment-page-1/#comment-34277 jcar Tue, 12 Jun 2007 20:17:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/11/battling-the-convenience-and-costs-of-fast-food/#comment-34277 Love it! Keep 'em coming, I'm sick of eating out all the time but too lazy to make real meals, these are perfect. Love it! Keep ‘em coming, I’m sick of eating out all the time but too lazy to make real meals, these are perfect.

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