 |
Occasionally grumpy 70-something (though I still feel 40! Or maybe 50!!)
Long-term interest in health and weight control on a budget, converted to this blog in 2015. Now producing digital and printed books (slowly).
Digital & Android versions of cookbook Fabulously Frugal from 67goingon50 are now on sale at Apple Books and Lulu Bookstore. (Details here.). Print version is underway.
The blog 67goingon50 has never had a paywall.
***
30 Mar: Post-Lent Chocaholic Heaven
Chocolate Treats for the Spring Holiday: many low-sugar, skinnier, easy, make in advance
25 March: Spring Holidays- the Not-so-Humble Potato
Easter and Passover are usually marked by one splendid knock-yourself-out meal but other lunches and dinner will have to be prepared, too.
Potatoes are popular and usually appear frequently; it’s not easy to prevent spud boredom setting in, with cooks searching for yet another interesting twist to elevate the potato.
This week’s selection of potato recipes run the range from frugal to sophisticated, salads to hot mains. They’re wonderfully satisfying and won’t break the bank. They’re also attractive and very very tasty.
Replacing commercial mayonnaise with an easy home-made low-fat mayo without carbs adds kudos on the health front.
***
PRICES: Please note SOME recipes posted during the life of the blog have not yet been updated and PRICES WILL BE HISTORICAL. Note the date the recipe was posted and calculate accordingly. Generally, the newer the recipe (see top right hand corner above photo) the closer the cost will be to current prices...though with some products showing rises again (Feb 2026), one can never be sure!!
***
By the way…Apparently sales of hot cross buns with ‘special’ flavours have not been going too well…possibly because everyone is cash strapped and not inclined to take chances on something new and a bit ‘ out there.’ 67goingon50 saw a review however saying the M&S Lemon Curd Hot Cross buns were fantastic. Reader, the reviewer was right. A packet of four was purchased after a 2 hour tramp across the Heath and after testing one, all discipline went out the window — the rest were gone within a couple of hours. So don’t be afraid of the new flavours; you could be in for an unexpected treat!
67goingon50's Bargains/Treats in North London: (depends on availability).
APPEARING ALTERNATE WEDNESDAYS when supermarkets update their offerings.
Next: after 9th April
M&S: Coming up to Easter and Passover, there are plenty of good deals on vegetables and fruit which will be welcomed in the comng days. 4 pink lady apples are just £2.50; a mango is £1.50; and a punnet of two ripe avocados is £2.10. A punnet of 4 nectarines is £2.50; perfectly ripe plums are 2 punnets for £4.50 from usual price of £3.20 each (check out unexpectedly gorgous plum cake recipes at 67goingon50 archives.) Ripen-at-home conference pears are £2 while sweet and crunchy rosy-red pears are not much more at £2.75 for 400g. Seedless mixed grapes are £2.80 while blueberries are 2 punnets for £4.50 down from pounds £2.65 each. On the veg counter, a pair of romaine hearts are £1.45; whole celery is just 80 pence; Santini Eat Well tomato bucket, 340g, is £2; cherry tomatoes are £1.25 for the same weight. Easy cook veg are 2 packets for £4 including snap peas, mange tout, baby cauliflower and bak choy.
Other good deals? If you’re on your own during the holiday how about Portable superfood salads, now 2 for £5, usually £3.20 each; choose from balsamic beans, Greek, Mexican, super green, butternut lentil and goats cheese, Moroccan and bang bang noodles. An expanded selection of individual cheese portions including Wesleydale & Leicester are five for £4, from £1.30 each. M&S unsalted & unsalted British butters are £2 per pack; if you’re feeling flush, Daylesford organic butters are £4.25 for 200g might be worth a try.
Other good deals? If you’re on your own during the holiday how about Portable superfood salads, now 2 for £5, usually £3.20 each; choose from balsamic beans, Greek, Mexican, super green, butternut lentil and goats cheese, Moroccan and bang bang noodles. An expanded selection of individual cheese portions including Wesleydale & Leicester are five for £4, from £1.30 each. M&S unsalted & unsalted British butters are £2 per pack; if you’re feeling flush, Daylesford organic butters are £4.25 for 200g might be worth a try.
New treats include Pancake clouds (possibly Japanese origin?); they look like muffins and are 2 for £2.50. Cracked shell chocolate sauce is now £1.40 from £2.65; chickpea flour is reduced to clear at 98 pence from £1.95. Ooey-gooey family sized Trifles are showing a good discount and feature mandarin orange, raspberry and mixed fruit.
Dine in specials include £15 Gastropub deal plus Chinese and Indian food offers. The pizza offering is not to be sneezed at: 2 large loaded pizzas plus 2 zippy sides for £12. The welcome multiple ‘2 or 3 for x’ specials continue on succulent marinaded olives, picky bits, Spanish tapas and Italian prosciutto, plus deli foods like quiche, sausage rolls, pork pies and quiche.
For the many other meals you’ll need to produce during the holidays, Marks’ higher welfare chicken wing, drums and whole legs are under £2 for 600g - and that is the usual price; freeze then braise, roast or bbq choosing from 67goingon50’s many jazzy, easy recipes for chooks.
WAITROSE:
Easter and Passover are the focus, with 1/3 off easter roast including smoked gammon, free range pork, whole seasoned chicken, British lamb, beef top side with appealing sides: potato gratin, roast potatoes, Parmentier potatoes, cauliflower cheese, red cabbage, spinach, and a load of fresh veg. Desserts to make the mouth water include sticky toffee pudding, salted caramel brownies, basque cheesecake , chocolate and pistachio torte plus tiramisu.
If kosher food is your thing, Waitrose has added a special Passover aisle near the entrance to the store ; it focuses on sweets and salty snacks: generous bottles of Robertson’s cordials are 25% off at £2.05; snacks and cakes like matso-flour pretzels; Wilkinson jams, gluten-free chocolate-flavour cake, vanilla cake and more are also discounted. Back on Kosher’s usual aisle 4, Mr Freed’s small fish balls are down from £6 at £4.80; Gilbert’s fresh cured salt beef is back at £23 per kilo; while the top-rib joint is £19 per kilo and beef steak mince is £7 for 450g. The usual selection of kosher cheese, smoked salmon, potato latkes, turkey slices and frankfurters is also available.
Large Easter eggs including the new LINDT Lindor pistachio egg is £12, down from 15; Ferrero Rocher is nearly £6 off at £13. Lots of other beautiful chocolate eggs for Easter are available at assorted prices.
Social occasions require good crisps and crackers for your choice of dips and spreads; Piper’s and Tyrells are discounting selective flavours of crisps; Peter‘s Yard original sourdough crackers are £1.75 from £2.75; lightly salted sweet chilli rice crackers are £1, down from £1.70; Ryvita thins are 25% off. With guests coming and going, host/cook will need an cuppa now and again so this Offer from Twinings Every Day teabags - winner of a Great Taste Award award - is welcome; they’re £3 down from £5.20. Kenco rich coffee refill is £5 from £6.15.
Anchor butter is £1.70 down from £2.75; Flora lighter spread is £1.90 from £2.95. Yarden Hummous Extra are 2 for £4.50; the usual price is £2.80 each. The deli meat section offers 2 packets of a wide choice of cooked meats for £6.15, usual price £3.85 each. Plant `bites` are 25% off.
For drinkers, any six bottles of wine and fizz over £6 are discounted by 25%; canned cocktails are four for £3 with regular price of £2.50 and upwards each.
Toiletries: Revital Lift L’Oreal cream is half price at £8.40 from £16.80; travel toiletries are three for £2 most usually priced at £3 each; pure scented glycerin soaps are now in the health and beauty section, try mint and cucumber, rose geranium and classic lemon at £2.10 each. The male toiletries cupboard will have a fields day with toiletries from several producers discounted: RocK Face, Man Cave, NIvea and L’Oreal.
Good discounts on cleaning products for your spring clean. Flash extra large pack kitchen or bathroom spay is £2.50 down from £3.35; Dettol & CIF are similarly priced. Regina extra large paper towels are two £4, usual price £4.75.
- Recent health posts from Twitter/X (b lee @BrightSunEnter1)
***
Note: Print version of WALLET-FRIENDLY WONDERS FROM 67GOINGON50 is on the final stretch after technical problems not of the blogger's making! Watch this space!I
For more details of the FABULOUSLY FRUGAL FROM 67GOINGON50 COOKBOOK including what it offers, how it helps ease the cost of living crisis, reviews and links, go here
Buy:IOS/Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/fabulously-frugal-from-67goingon50/id6443309798 £5.99
ANDROID/ everyone else: https://www.lulu.com/shop/bonita-lee/fabulously-frugal-from-67goingon50/ebook/product-mjdmvk.html?page=1&pageSize=4 £6.99
***
A small doglover's dream:
hand-knitted postboxcover in Belsize Park
***
updated Jan 2023
I am in my 70's but don't look or feel it. Strangers are surprised by my age. I'v'e had a lifetime to study good health and now achieve it (with lapses) on a small budget.
I'm shy and don't like having my picture taken but one taken recently is at the top of this page. See also Testimonials page from people who know or have met me, and About Me on the Navigation Bar above.
67 GOING ON 50
Many but not all recipes were originally created for age-specific ailments (heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, overweight) but are now targeted at the entire age range, to help prevent the onset of such afflictions. Some recipes are family-friendly, some for hard-working professionals, some for small households. Others are aimed at more sophisticated tastes. It's a blog for anyone interested in healthy eating.
Recipes include 'skinny' versions of much loved 'dirty' dishes. Many incorporate cooking techniques gleaned over a decade as a contract chef, making life easy for the busy home cook. Look out for easy-peasy, almost-instant or prepare ahead recipes.
The blog works on the principle that one indulgence-day a week is the only way to achieve success in eating healthily; thus you will find recipes for cakes & cookies (often modified to reduce sugar and fat) and the occasional dig-deep-in-the-pockets crowd-pleaser.
The blog grew out of the long-held notion that healthy eating can be available to everyone, whatever your age or income. I knew from personal experience that it is possible to age gracefully and to fend off, or reduce the effects of, various ailments which afflict the old.
Worries about the NHS we're also a factor. What seems an eternity ago, 67goingon50 believed that if we take responsibility for improving our own health, there should be less pressure on the NHS.
Since then, there's been a seismic shift in the landscape. Somehow the concept of the NHS being responsible for the care of people suffering from ill-health has shifted to doctors' representatives demanding we put them ahead of patients. And that strikes for huge salary rises, now, are justified.
It's all rather astonishing, and serves to emphasise even more how important it is for individuals and families to take the necessary steps to become...and stay...as healthy as possible.
You want to be able to fend off chronic ailments that afflict the old, and if that's not possible then to reduce the effects of them.
No one wants to spend years in pain or dependent on medical drugs. No one wants to wait eons for operations or treatment for life-threatening conditions.
You must do everything you can...NOW whatever the ages of those closest to you...to boost health and immunity through diet, exercise and good emotional and mental health.
Hopefully, 67goingon50 can help in that effort.
Concept to Action
A lunch club was formed in one of the unhealthiest areas of London, providing free healthy meals for a group including non-English-speaking housewives and the home-bound. The Blogger was the volunteer chef, cooking meals while passing on a few principles of healthy cooking.
The idea was developed with West Euston Partnership in London, then moved under the umbrella of Well London. It was funded by the National Lottery, with a small grant from Morrisons.
Everyone was astonished at how easy it was to eat well on a limited income. I proved my point: it is possible to live a healthy lifestyle on a tight budget. However, despite its success, the venture did not end well.
BACKGROUND
The blogger worked as a contract chef at posh banquets and events, City canteens and directors’ dining rooms, on Army bases and in little one-chef kitchens.
If anything has been learned about encouraging healthy eating, it is that everyone wants to do it but they’re simply not interested in boring food. They want something that excites the taste buds, satisfies the appetite and looks great on a plate. And they don’t want to spend the earth.
Increasingly, in a backlash against industrial meat production, they also want to cut back on meat or even go vegetarian or vegan.
The blogger is a die-hard flexitarian - eating a range of foods but of the best quality possible taking into account the budget - and that's what this blog offers. And judging from an increasing global audience, the recipes are welcomed.
For health reasons, the blogger relies on as a high a proportion of organic food as budget allows. However the blog recognises that organic food is out of the reach of most people, especially those on limited incomes, and recommends only that shoppers buy the best food they can afford as and when they can afford it. And not to feel guilty when they can't.
The blog's section on frugal food (see Navigation Bar/Recipes II), is popular with pensioners and students. Two invaluable posts for those on low (or high) incomes are:
Eating Healthily on very low budgets from Jack Monroe
The blog also also offers practical advice on subjects such as reducing grocery bills, budgeting, low-cost exercise and freezer storage - all validated by personal experience.
POSTING
The blog hopes to continues to post a maximum 4 recipes a week during the lull between cookbooks. The first cookbook, Fabulously Frugal, is finished and currently on sale at Apple Books. An Android version is available at Lulu Books. Go to the top of the page for details of the book, a few early reviews and a link.
A second bookbook, Dieters' Delights, is in the final planning stages. Once that is underway a minimum of one, usually two, new recipes will post every week.
The Welcome to the Blog page continues, as does 'By the way' which includes interesting developments in foods and eateries, plus recent Twitter posts on b lee@BrightSunEnter1. (The account gets hacked; best not to follow it but check in weekly.)
The blog's recipes are aimed at its global audience, which includes families with kids, pensioners/twosomes, busy singletons, and senior executives with sophisticated palates.
The first post lands at 00:01 UK time on Wednesdays; other recipes may post on the weekend. Sometimes everything is posted on Wednesday.
67goingon50 posts on Twitter as BrightSunEnter1.
FORMAT
At the top of each page, underneath the title and strap-line ‘Recipes and Tips for Great Health and Graceful Ageing Whatever Your Age or Income’ is a Navigation Bar. Click on the following sections and it will go direct to the page:
Welcome to the Blog
A brief round-up of what’s being offered in the week’s post including items of interest such as grocery and shopping bargains.
Home
1-4 Recipes, with photos, on a single page
Recipes
One big rule for recipes: the dishes have to taste good. It doesn't matter how healthy it is; if it doesn't appeal, it won't get posted. That includes vegetarian and vegan food -- if carnivores won't eat it, it's out. 67 has two perfect tasters for veggie/vegan food - a 'food is fuel' previously die-hard carnivore and some macho independent butchers.
The recipes are divided into various categories e.g. frugal, easy-peasy, fruit-based desserts, lamb, fish, vegetarian/vegan, free of common wheat etc. The recipes section is divided into two pages for ease of reference.
How to…
A treasure trove of practical information including Healthy Eating: Principles; Exercise on a Budget; Cutting Shopping Bills; Feeding Kids; Medical (eg Statins, Stress); the Sick Bed (incl. cold & flu remedies); healthier baking, processed foods, pulses, slow cookers and 'No, we are not all gonna die if we have a bit of sugar or bacon!'.
About Me
A little more information about the Blogger’s health
Testimonials
...from those who know or have met me
COSTING
Calculated according to amount used, e.g. 2 eggs NOT half a dozen eggs. Prices are normal supermarket prices, not organic, although egg prices are free-range. Please check the date of the recipe; 67 tries to keep up to date with prices but they seem to change every week!!
PORTIONS
67goingon50 is obsessive about smaller portions. We don't need as much protein as we think we do. (See How to...calculate Daily Protein needs) And we definitely don't need as many sweets as we would like. 67 believes we often only taste the first few bites of any food anyway. The only things you should be having large portions of are salads (with dressings that don't go overboard), vegetables, fruit.
PRODUCTS
It's a minefield out there in the supermarkets; some products are definitely inferior to others. 67goingon50 marks its chosen products with a* and the source and price are indicated below Tips.
COMMENTS & FEEDBACK
67goingon50 welcomes feedback. Go to the bottom of the recipe page to the Comments box and type in questions or comments.
Thanks to Dan Patterson and Christopher Alley for technical assisatance
DISCLAIMER: The author accepts no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.
The list of the top ten foods to buy organic comes in handy when I go shopping. In the summer, we support our local farmers and we have to buy the products, and it's very useful to our health and mainly organicorganic food is very important to our kids and old age peoples.
ReplyDelete