So I was at the grocery store yesterday...

[Leftist Agitator]

So I was at the grocery store yesterday... It was rainy and cold. :( But I said "The hell with this!" and decided to grill a nice, juicy steak, with some herbed potatoes on the side.

Then I got to thinking, "Hmmmm... Some grilled mushrooms would be nice."

So I go to the aisle o' canned vegetables, and what do I see?

$1.39 for one of those little tiny cans of mushroom stems and pieces.

$1.39??!!

WTF?

As I perused the rest of the grocery store, I noticed that EVERYTHING was through the fucking roof.

$4.79 for milk, per gallon. $2.49 for eggs. $2.49? Fuck! Eggs should cost $0.99, $1.29 tops!

I got a loaf of plain old wheat bread, that used to cost $0.89. It was $1.59 (and it was on sale).

At this rate, nobody will be able to afford to fucking eat in a year's time. At least not in the manner to which we have become accustomed, at any rate.

Thoughts? Similar grocery woes? Let's hear about 'em!

:mad:

[evlbstrd]

1. You can still buy groceries?

Lucky.

[bamademo]

2. Never, Never,Never buy canned mushrooms.

I was in Atlanta for the weekend and I decided to make a meal for my hosts, Barefoot Contessa's orzo with roasted shrimp. I went to Whole Foods (we don't have them in Huntsville, Al) and it cost me $120.00 for all the ingredients for the meal. Granted part of the cost was 3 bottles of wine but WTF!? I understand why they call it Whole Paycheck.

[dkf]

34. "Whole Paycheck?" That is funny.

We don't have ours here yet so the jokes haven't reached us.

[Frank Cannon]

3. I think you are mistaken.

I'm just kidding. I've had the same experience here. Prices are through the roof for EVERYTHING. I vaguely remember the inflation of the late 70s, but I don't remember it being THIS bad.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

4. Americans have always enjoyed cheap food...

I swear if inflation gets tagged as '2%' this year Ill damn near riot..

[OwnedByFerrets]

5. Where ya been Sky?

Its gotten really really bad and it just didnt happen. We have cut down on our eating out AND our eating of staples(legumes) has risen. I feel so damn bad for the elderly and the badly poor.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. We've always had higher food prices here

because of shipping costs, but it's getting really crazy now. I'm looking forward to summer when we can at least eat out of the garden for a while.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

10. I hadn't thought of what it must cost to ship food to Alaska before

It has to be insane now though. Perhaps it may be a good idea to can some of your own veggies this year if you're able?

[Blue_In_AK]

19. I would probably freeze rather than can

but, yes, that's my plan. Also, we have a couple of fishing excursions planned, one for halibut and one for king salmon (we can take TWO each this year, not just one), so I imagine we'll be eating a lot of fish through this next year.

Food prices are high here in Anchorage, but they're astronomical out in the Bush. It's a good thing we have subsistence rules or people would be starving out there.

[JoDog]

20. What's a subsistence rule?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

25. I had to look that up too.

Here's what I found.

http://www.subsistence.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/about/subfaq.cfm

[Blue_In_AK]

38. Lone_Star's link is an excellent description.

It is the traditional hunting and fishing and wildlife uses that have been practiced for centuries by the people out away from the road system here. They are not required to abide by the same limit rules that apply to the urban hunters and fishers, but as the article states, they do tend to self-regulate because that is the Native way. Only take what you can use, and use all of it.

[JoDog]

49. Thanks!

To both of you.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

23. Freezing is just as good and costs less in supplies if you already have a freezer

I'm a canner so I thought of that first. Here electricity is so high it ends up being a bit cheaper for me to can than to freeze most of my harvest. That wouldn't be the case except for the fact I purchased all my canning supplies really cheap buying from garage sales.

Enjoy your fish! I'm sure they'll be delicious.

[annabanana]

35. Also freezing keeps more of the natural vitamins etc....n/t

[uppityperson]

58. There's halibut and salmon limits?

Is that for sport licenses, in state/ outside? How about for subsistance? I left early 90's, don't remember this. Thanks.

[Leftist Agitator]

61. Salaam alaikum Allah.

:hi:

[Blue_In_AK]

62. Sport licenses...

And I guess I should have said "per day." I think the limit this year on the halibut is two per day. Only my husband is going out on that excursion, because the charter boat costs are getting out of reach and we couldn't afford for both of us to go out. I hope he catches some good-sized ones to make it worthwhile. You want to at least break even.

As for the kings, it used to be one a day, but this year it's two (and I think there's a seasonal limit on the kings, that's why you have to get your king tag punched). Reds and silvers are from three to five a day, except during the times when you can dipnet in the Kenai or Copper Rivers and then you can take 10 or 15, I forget which.

You can tell I'm not the fisherman of the family. We always get the Fish & Game regulations each year to make sure we're complying because the rules are different depending on where you're fishing and they change from year to year. One really good thing this year is that we are both over 60 now, so our new fishing licenses are good for the rest of our lives, no more buying one every year. Woo-hoo.

I'm not up on the subsistence limits, if there are any. I'm pretty sure that there are only certain areas where subsistence hunting and fishing is allowed, and I'm sure there are rules regulating it -- I'm just not familiar since we're city folks.

[uppityperson]

66. Thanks, that makes sense.

I lived in town and out in the bush for a while. One lesson I learned was if you are going to can a halibut, hope it is a 50#er, not a 200#er. Another lesson was if you soak dirty diapers in a water/non-chlorine bleach mixture , the non-cl bleach eats all the nasty stuff.

Halibut is on sale $10.99/lb here in NW WA. Incredible. Good luck getting fish!

[Blue_In_AK]

68. You're so right about the halibut...

Actually, the best eating ones are around 35 pounds. We're figuring that if HullBoss can bring home 50 pounds or so, it would make the trip worthwhile. Even with my brother's connections in Homer, I think the charter operator is charging $250 or $300 per person. But 50 pounds of fish at $10 a pound, we'd still come out ahead -- plus he gets the great experience, and I get to hang out in Homer taking pictures. It's a win-win for both of us. :)

[knitter4democracy]

83. Mmmmm . . . halibut.

My aunt lives in Palmer, and my mom and I visited her once during halibut season. I'd never had any fish that ever tasted as good as it did then. I've tried it a couple of times since, but it was just a pale imitation of the fresh stuff.

[KamaAina]

59. Oddly enough, here in the other non-contiguous state, prices aren't up that much

they're staying at their usual, off-the-charts, Manhattan-like levels. The major exception, wouldn't you know, would be veggies: $2.99 a pound for red leaf lettuce? Luckily, unlike Alaska, we have locally-grown stuff: Manoa lettuce was a pisitive bargain at only 1.99 a pound. :eyes:

[Blue_In_AK]

63. Oh, we have locally grown stuff here, too,

during the summer, and you can get local potatoes and carrots all year long because they store so well. The Matanuska Valley just north of Anchorage is known for its super-veggies, 80-pound cabbages and whatnot. We always have locally grown peas, zucchini, broccoli, cabbage, kale, etc., lettuce and other salad greens in the supermarkets throughout the summer. Even the big chain stores up here, Safeway and Fred Meyer, sell local produce when it's available.

But I like to grow my own.

[uppityperson]

69. How are costs of canned/dried goods that are imported from mainland

[KamaAina]

70. It varies from item to item

canned veggies, chili, etc. generally okay, but a can of Chunky Soup runs three bucks! This is at a regular store; we won't be getting "Whole Paycheck" for another couple of months.

[John Q. Citizen]

7. It's the same all over. It's sure wreck havoc with "The Price is right" contestants,

among many others as well.

[CBGLuthier]

8. canned mushrooms?

I can get 8 ozs fresh for $1.69.

Our prices are rising too but nowhere near that high.

Milk is $3.50 and eggs $1.50

It's been a long time since I have seen bread or eggs below a dollar.

[Leftist Agitator]

28. Fresh white button mushrooms?

$3.89 for a container's worth.

ENTIRELY too rich for my blood.

They just opened a new Kroger in my city, and as a part of the grand opening, they had eggs for $1.19 a dozen (I bought 4 dozen... I now have 3 dozen, minus a few, delicious pickled eggs) and butter for $1.50 / lb. I got 3 pounds of butter. :)

Fantastic rare deals aside, I'll be down to ramen and rice exclusively by the end of the year if prices don't drop... Which I'm certain that they won't.

[CBGLuthier]

30. For a pound or half a pound?

If that's the half pound price then yikes.

Where I live has a lower cost of living compared to most of the country. Everything is going up but we still are cheaper than many.

Not a fan of canned veggies (or fungi), growing up that was what my family served and they made me gag..

Once I found out what real fresh food tasted like I learned to eat my vegetables. Well some of them at least, all the freshness in the world still doesn't make Brussel's Sprouts taste better. :-)

[Leftist Agitator]

33. Half a pound.

8 ounces.

I actually like canned mushrooms. In fact, aside from beans, those are the only canned produce that I'll eat.

Fresh is way better, but so damned expensive!

Soon we'll all be eating Krusty brand imitation gruel, or its equivalent.

[seabeyond]

9. i know. it is crazy. n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. I wonder, does georgie still know "how hard it is to put food on our families"?

:silly:

[bdamomma]

12. grow a garden if you can.

[dysfunctional press]

13. canned mushrooms???

:puke:

[Touchdown]

21. Mushrooms period!

:puke:

It's not a food product. They have no nutritional value whatsoever, so they can't be. Nobody will ever convince me that they are.:puke::puke::puke:

[islandmkl]

24. jr. might be a mushroom...you know where they grow and all...

and he definitely is not a dumb as a mushroom...

wait a minute, strike that...

i've never heard a mushroom say anything stupid...

[CBGLuthier]

31. More like a toadstool

The death cap comes to mind considering how poisonous to life the SOB is.

[marions ghost]

41. "Mushrooms have no nutritional value"--??? !!!

Not only do they have vitamins and minerals, but some are proven to be medicinal...particularly anti-tumor agents. One of the best food values for the money IMO.
-----------------
Mushrooms are valuable health food - low in calories, high in vegetable proteins, chitin, iron, zinc, fiber, essential amino acids, vitamins & minerals. Mushrooms also have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine . Their legendary effects on promoting good health and vitality and increasing your body's adaptive abilities have been supported by recent studies. These studies suggest that Mushrooms are probiotic - they help our body strengthen itself and fight off illness by maintaining physiological homeostasis - restoring our bodies balance and natural resistance to disease. The compounds they contain have been classified as Host Defense Potentiators (HDP) which can have immune system enhancement properties. That is one of the reasons they are currently used as adjuncts to cancer treatments in Japan and China. "In Japan, Russia, China, and the U.S.A. several different polysaccharide anti tumor agents have been developed from the fruiting body, mycelia, and culture medium of various medicinal mushrooms (Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum, Schizophyllum commune, Trametes versicolor, Inonotus obliquus, and Flammulina velutipes). Both cellular components and secondary metabolites of a large number of mushrooms have been shown to effect the immune system of the host and therefore could be used to treat a variety of disease states."

Many scientific studies performed in universities and medical facilities have produced volumes of studies on the medicinal effects of mushrooms on many different ailments affecting humans. Click Here for Medicinal Mushrooms - Readings and References. For example: Reishi has been called an “immune potentiator” and can increase the production of Interleukin-1 & 2. It has been reported that Reishi extracts “exerted an inhibition effect on tumor growth”. Recent studies have also indicated that Reishi can have a number of other effects: Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiviral through inducing interferon production, Lowers blood pressure, Cardiotonic action through lowering serum cholesterol, Expectorant & Antitussive, Liver (Hepatitis)-protecting and detoxifying, Protection against ionizing radiation, Antibacterial, and Anti-HIV activity. Reishi contains calcium, iron and phosphorus as well as vitamins C, D, and B - including pantothenic acid, which is essential to nerve function and the adrenal glands. An extract (Lentinan) from Shiitake (for centuries called "Elixir of Life" ) has been licensed as a anti-cancer drug by the Japanese FDA./snip/

More at:

http://www.gmushrooms.com/Health/nmh.html

[Touchdown]

73. If they're so great, then why does Mario stomp on them?

He should eat them to become Super Mario. Instead he stomps on them and then he gets big! Seems the little plumber knows something you don't.:P

Fact: (joking aside)... Deer pass them by in the forest. Poison insticts perhaps, but lack of nutrition could be another.

I wasn't arguing medicinal properties. Fungi has been a godsend for medicine, and saves our lives every day. It also makes me throw up when it's in my spaghetti.

It's still not a food product.:D

[marions ghost]

79. Maybe Mario

releases the spores by stomping and inhales...

I don't know about deer, but squirrels and other mammals love fungi. Most of the mushrooms in the woods are not poisonous, but they might not all taste good. Most animals avoid the red ones.

How about this fungus that lives for aphids poop?

http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/Sep2007.html

Not so appetizing...

[Fireweed247]

43. Don't be dissing those mushrooms!

I don't know about canned mushrooms but fresh mushrooms are full of nutritional value!


"Mushrooms are low in calories, have no cholesterol and are virtually free of fat and sodium. Mushrooms also contain other essential minerals like Selenium, which works with Vitamin E to produce antioxidants that neutralize "free radicals" which can cause cell damage. Studies have suggested that selenium may reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, may slow the progress of HIV disease and may aid in symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis and asthma. Studies show men who eat selenium rich foods may lower their risk of prostate cancer.

Potassium (good for the heart) is also found in mushrooms. It has been suggested a diet with potassium may help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Copper is another essential mineral found in mushrooms. Copper aids iron (also found in mushrooms) in making red blood cells and delivers oxygen to the body.

Mushrooms also contain three B-complex vitamins; riboflavin for healthy skin and vision, niacin aids the digestive and nervous systems, and pantothenic acid helps with the nervous system and hormone production. These vitamins are found in every cell and help to release energy from fat, protein and carbohydrates in food. Vegetarians should know that mushrooms are one of the best sources of niacin. The vitamin content of mushrooms is actually similar to the vitamin content found in meat.

The amino acid count in mushrooms is higher per serving than corn, peanuts, kidney and soy beans. The average mushroom is also high in protein and nucleic acid."

[Touchdown]

72. Everything you stated is in the soil that mushrooms absorb.

That's why they taste like dirt. The mushrooms themselves have nothing for humans, only in what's in the soil they carry to your mouth. The same could be said for lots of root vegetables, but they have vitamins that are native to the species of vegetable, which mushrooms cannot claim.

soak them in butter (as most people eat them) and you might as well throw your argument out the window.

I'm not buying your source on that last sentence. Sounds like a tall tale to me. Soy and peanuts can be a staple, mushrooms can never be.

[Lone_Wolf]

14. Stagflation is here

Rising prices coupled with declining wages and purchasing power. The media won't say it and the economists won't acknowledge it.

It is only going to get worse. I plan on having a big garden this year.

[sinkingfeeling]

15. Groceries are high. But, I never thought I'd see thread selling for $2.49 a spool! This is the

same old Coats and Clark that I've been buying for 50 years. Some that I still have had more yardage and cost $.35!!

[windbreeze]

80. oh, don't you like that $10.00 a yard for any fabric?? I sew...

and the last time I bought thread/material...I almost had a stroke...costs me at least $50 to make a twin quilt these days...add to that the grocery cost..OMG...milk $4.62 a gallon...eggs $2.99 a dozen...meat...hah...I can barely afford common hamburger let alone steak...of ANY kind...and now gasoline is very, very close to $4.00 a gallon...whatever I can buy for $1.39 a pound in the meat dept, is what I buy...and that ain't much...meanwhile our income remains fixed...wb

[knitter4democracy]

84. Same with yarn.

Yarn prices are going up again this fall, from what I'm hearing. Since so much is imported, you have to pay for all that diesel to cross the oceans over and over.

[shain from kane]

16. That's why I start my grocery shopping at The Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, or Dollar General. I've

said in the past that no one should starve to death as long as these stores are open.

[Leftist Agitator]

32. I get all of my soup and paper products at Dollar General.

Chicken Rice soup for $.50 a can! And it tastes GREAT!

And at only 200 calories per can, it fits into any diet.

[marions ghost]

42. yeah but

wasn't that where they dumped the tainted Chinese toothpaste?

[SammyWinstonJack]

76. ...

:scared: It was.

[marions ghost]

81. I don't mean to scare anybody

but we have to be realistic and aware that our corporate suppliers allow tainted products into the pipeline with little to no inspection. Discount outlets are especially vulnerable, though these days it's harder to tell where you DO go to have any kind of quality control assurance.

[Marrah_G]

17. Welcome to my nightmare

Working class, single mother, three teenagers.

I'm at the financial breaking point. We are starting a garden, hanging clothes out and my daughter borrowed one of my Medieval dresses for her senior prom. There is nothing left at the end of the week.

some weeks its all pasta, ramen, mac an cheese, and hot dogs. water or powdered drink mix.

Juice- to expensive, it is a luxury item for when they are sick.

Milk- getting by with using it just for cooking really- and for tea/coffee

[Fireweed247]

45. Wow, that sucks! But gardening is a good way to go...

Have you tried picking up a 25lb bag of beans and rice? You can make all kinds of different mexican foods on the cheap.

[Leftist Agitator]

47. "...beans and rice..."

At least once a week for dinner, with a tortilla wrapping, and usually again the next day for lunch, with a bit of shredded cheese and a touch of this:



Oh, yeah, baby, that's the stuff!

The real question is, "Red beans, or black?"

I'm partial to red beans myself.

:)

P.S. If you've never tried Jamaican Hot Sauce, do yourself a favor and seek out a bottle of this concentrated deliciousness.

[Fireweed247]

50. I like pinto beans, easier to find in 25lb bags

And ya gotta have the hot sauce! (which I make myself)

But once a week? There is a way to eat it every day if you just mix it up differently... burritos, tostadas, tacos, enchiladas, nachos...plus you can add in whatever veggies are growing...

[Leftist Agitator]

53. Well, once a week at least.

Sometimes more, sometimes less.

I learned the BEST recipe for beans, rice, and ground meat (pork or beef) from a Cuban-American friend of mine. I just wish I didn't have to go to Pittsburgh for some of the more obscure ingredients.

Arroz y habichuelas con carne es el mejor cena, en mi opinion.

:)

[Marrah_G]

67. I just started learning some cheap mexican and asian dishes

I was thinking of buying some large storage containers for beans like I did for rice and cereal. I found I can buy bags of the kids cereal cheap and just refill the big container on the counter every couple weeks. They prefer oatmeal or egg sandwiches, but its good for the days I run out of other stuff.

[fight4my3sons]

18. food is outrageous

and we just found out that my husband's health insurance (family coverage) is going up substantially and they are decreasing the coverage :( which means less money for food. We are lucky in that he is overqualified and underpaid so even though he works 20 hours of overtime every week we still qualify for food stamp benefits, WIC and back up medicaid. We are thankful for this extra help.
He does have an interview for a better job on May 9th. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

[Leftist Agitator]

39. My God!

He works 20 hours of OT and you STILL qualify for food stamps? The poor guy must be killing himself at that job!

Health insurance? I haven't had it since I was 18. I'm 26 now, ergo, I haven't been to a doctor or dentist for 8 years.

:(

"Keep your fingers crossed for us!"

I certainly will. I just got a job working in the kitchen of a microbrewery. It pays OK for my area, and I know everyone who works there already, so it should be an awesome job, all things considered. Here's to hoping that some of my good luck will rub off on you!

:toast:

[fight4my3sons]

44. he works hard

has a college degree. He works with adolescents who have emotional disabilities in the school and also in an admitting unit. He is underpaid as I have previously said and overqualified. He used to work a second job, but then we never saw him at home and he was clocking about 100 hours a week between the two jobs. Some of the hours that he works at his primary job are overnight hours. Not fun, but someone has to do it. The kids he works with have violent behaviors at times and can not function in regular school settings. He loves the kids he works with, but not the agency he works for. Hopefully this other job will come through. More money and better benefits. When our twins go to kindergarten I go back to work and that will ease the load all around. Childcare is just too expensive for me to go back right now. We have another child in kindergarten that would need before/after care.

microbrewery huh, my hubbys favorite treat! :toast:

[islandmkl]

22. ...and many of the people finding it harder and harder to get the food they are used to...

at even CLOSE to the prices of say, 6 months ago, will be the VERY PEOPLE who think that they 'don't know who to trust to change things...

if the CPI was in any way 'honest' (which is NOT going to happen) people would have an accurate barometer of how good or bad things really are money-wise FOR EVERYBODY...

let the crooks steal everything, i guess...at least we know who we are dealing with...

[GaVetRay]

26. Food Prices Rising? Duh!

Reported by States News Service on August 3, 1994

Simon added that the ethanol mandate would not increase costs for consumers.
"The price of corn flakes isn't going to go up by one penny," he said. "Don't think you're helping consumers by voting for the amendment by my friend from Louisiana."

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2008/04/22/will-media-remember-gores-1994-tie-breaking-vote-mandating-ethanol


also.....
From Science Daily, August 2001 his warning.....

"The approximately $1 billion a year in current federal and state subsidies (mainly to large corporations) for ethanol production are not the only costs to consumers, the Cornell scientist observes. Subsidized corn results in higher prices for meat, milk and eggs because about 70 percent of corn grain is fed to livestock and poultry in the United States Increasing ethanol production would further inflate corn prices, Pimentel says, noting: "In addition to paying tax dollars for ethanol subsidies, consumers would be paying significantly higher food prices in the marketplace."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010808135444.htm

[gatorboy]

27. The sodium in those canned mushrooms will kill you anyway.

I suggest checking the fresh produce. They might even be cheaper (And most certainly healthier)! :)

[Leftist Agitator]

29. "I suggest checking the fresh produce."

See above.

"The sodium in those canned mushrooms will kill you anyway."

Meh. I salt everything. I probably get, no exaggeration, 2000% of the USRDA worth of sodium per day, every day. For example, I use two teaspoons of salt per cup of ramen noodles, plus the oodles of salt that are already in those unhealthy, but delicious noodles.

Also, I smoke a pack and a half of generic Newports a day. Heart attack, here I come!

[gatorboy]

36. Well, hell! As long as yer into eating the crap....

I suggest the "The 99 Cent Only Stores Cookbook: Gourmet Recipes at Discount Prices"

http://www.amazon.com/99-Cent-Only-Stores-Cookbook/dp/1598694693

I've heard that the meals are actually pretty good!

[annabanana]

37. lol! I suggest we take up a collection NOW for the wake. . . . n/t

[Leftist Agitator]

40. Hey now, I figure I've got at least 20 more years of abusing the hell out of my body...

I've made it this far, after all.

:P

[Buns_of_Fire]

52. Hell, I used to eat salt SANDWICHES!

That was it -- take one slice of Wonder Bread, sprinkle salt on it, slap another slice on top, AND THEM'S GOOD EATIN'! (Totally weirded my parents out, though.) I drink to excess, smoke to excess, and I figure I've accumulated enough preservatives in me so that I'll be dead several days before anyone notices. I may be dead already and just haven't stopped twitching yet.

Disclaimer: I do NOT recommend this lifestyle to anyone else.

[lpbk2713]

55. The old line comes to mind ....

IF I'da known I would have lived this long I would have taken better care of myself.

[Leftist Agitator]

56. Hey, not to get too personal, but...

If you don't mind my asking, how old are you?

I've been smoking for 14 years now, and drinking on a pretty much daily basis for about a decade now. Plus, we share a common affinity for salt. I haven't quite gotten to salt sandwiches yet, but I salt the hell out of everything, including the buttered surface of my grilled cheese.

You know what the odd part is? I NEVER used a salt shaker in my entire life until I spent a month in jail. They don't salt ANYTHING in jail... And they only give you one soggy McDonalds-esque paper packet of salt, which is all clumped together, so you could only salt one thing on your tray. I usually used my salt on my watery beans, but even then, they still tasted like shit. As a matter of fact, everything tasted like shit. But I never realized how essential salt is to making food palatable until I was forced to do without. Go figure...

[Buns_of_Fire]

64. I'm 57. (And, may I say, I don't feel a day older than 112.)

It might be some sort of deficiency. I know that when I did outside manual labor (several years ago!), the supervisors insisted that we take salt tablets. I think I was the only one who didn't swallow them, but just let them dissolve in my mouth. It's been pretty much that way all my life that I can remember. Who knows?

I know that one of the reasons I got to like Margaritas was because they salted the rim of the glass!

[zanne]

77. You're only as old as you feel, Buns! nt

[ljm2002]

60. Okay, don't take this wrong...

...but have you been tested for high levels of lead? The reason I ask is that an inability to taste salt very well, as indicated by a tendency to oversalt, is one indicator of lead poisoning. There may be other things too that can cause the lack of ability to taste salt but IMO it is well worth looking into, especially since one of the known causes is a very serious one.

Sorry, I felt that I had to interject that -- now back to your regularly scheduled thread!

[trof]

46. Jergen's lotion, $6.99.

Grandpa used Jergen's as an aftershave. I always associate the odor of the original Jergen's Lotion with him.

In the twilight of my years I waxed nostalgic and decided to pick up a bottle.
$6.99 for a 10 oz. bottle!?
Whew.
I ain't THAT nostalgic.
:-(

[Touchdown]

75. Wow, at that price we might get prostate cancer

Who could afford to take care of business?:rofl:

[knitter4democracy]

85. Two bucks at Big Lots.

They often have it there.

[Lorien]

88. Hey, I saw some hot chocolate mix at the grocery for that much last week

boggles the mind. :crazy:

[dixiegrrrrl]

48. It would be helpful to know where folks are when discussing prices

Fer instance, Ca. esp. Bay area prices are sky high relative to rest of country. ( been there, done that, moved away)

Rural is more expensive than city, in some things.
( been here, doing that, not moving away)

Betcha at least 50% of store shelving has products containing wheat.
I can't eat gluten, so saving huge in that dept.

Dollar store ...hooray...we now have 2 in a town of 9,000 pop.
At least 40% savings over reg. grocery stores there, but you have to know which brands are worth the savings. Prices went up tho..what cost a dollar now costs 1.25.
Local produce stands, slightly cheaper than grocery produce.
Apples here in rural Ala. sell for upwards of 2.79 pound, except Red Delicious for some reason is usually on sale and/or lower priced, .99 to 1.29 #.
Rice, beans, cheese, hamburger, tomato sauce, onions, frozen mixed vegies
combined in various ways is what we usually eat...mostly Mexican type food, cheap, very nutritious, not boring to us.
We can grow peppers, corn, tomatoes, watermelon, peaches, strawberries, carrots, greens, easily in the yard.
Getting chickens next spring...

90 % of what I buy is on sale. I buy lots of what is on sale.
Splurges: whole coffee beans. and honey.
Good news....all stores in 3 mile radius, can hit all three and be home in less than an hour. On 1/4 gallon of gas. For the week.

The run up in food is not a co-incidence. Hedge fund folks are making millions by essentially gambling with our food and energy.
And getting away with it. x(
Karma will be such a bitch for them sooner or later.

[Leftist Agitator]

54. "It would be helpful to know where folks are when discussing prices"

Indeed.

I'm in Morgantown, WV. The most progressive, and in my humble opinion, best city in West Virginia.

"Getting chickens next spring... "

Oh, God, how I wish I didn't rent! My grandmother kept hens, so I'm not unfamiliar with the um, "joys" of raising your own poultry. Not to mention cheap and absolutely fresh eggs. Mmmmm... eggs. If I had a place for a coop, that would be my spring project. Instead, I'll have to be content with my impending tomato plants. Perhaps I'll put in a few onion sets or something.

:)

[dixiegrrrrl]

71. couple things about chickens in a city

We live in a small rural town, 90 miles away from any appreciable population city, but close to ots of other small towns.
We are luckily surrounded by 15 acres of woods.
City code says we can keep chickens, no rooster.

Chickens means not only eggs but they clear all those overgrown woods and fields of bugs, weeds, everything, down to the dirt.
They make compost material, I am organic gardener.
In the past, I have built divided chicken runs, let the birds clean up an area, move the run, plant, harvest, turn the birds back in.
If you know anyone with land close to you, maybe you could do a trade.
I've done that before.
Folks, if we don't start buying local, we won't be able to afford to eat in the not too distant future.
Me? I am going to have eggs and vegies to barter/sell by next spring.

[zorahopkins]

51. Just Like When Nixon Was President

It's just like when Nixon and Ford were President.

Terrible inflation.

The cost of everything went up -- each time you went to the grocery store, the prices were higher than the last time.

Inflation was at about 10 or 12 % per year.

One more reason we need to IMPEACH Bush NOW!!

[VotesForWomen]

57. EVERYTHING is going up, except our paychecks. nt

[BonnieJW]

65. I have become almost vegetarian, with the

exception of eggs, fish and dairy. It helps. I can get a large bag of frozen talapia fillets for $8. That plus 1 egg and 1/2 cup of cottage cheese takes care of my protein each day. The rest is veggies, fruit and 1 slice of whole grain bread.

[CTyankee]

82. Lots of fresh fish here in New Haven, CT. So I never consider frozen fish.

I also now don't want to buy anything but fish from the U.S. Is this tilapia you get frozen a U.S. product? I am a little scared of fish from other countries whose cleanliness and safety standards are low.

[Lorien]

89. Better for your wallet, your health and our planet.

:thumbsup:

[Mountainman]

74. He's a plan for you. Stop eating meat and dairy.

[cureautismnow]

90. Good plan. Vegans will manage just fine.

:-)

[Mountainman]

91. I'm vegetarian and my food bill has gone up too. Fresh food is getting expensive.

[nadinbrzezinski]

78. Ten days away and chicken went up 100%... not shitting you

Fun... really

[knitter4democracy]

86. I just got sale stuff and medicine today at Meijers.

I've called around, and they're the cheapest for meds (though we finally met the deductible and pay the $60 co-pay for each scrip now). I couldn't believe the prices on many things, and Meijers is the cheapest good grocery store in the area. Sav-a-Lot is a bit cheaper, but they have less of what I usually get.

[Lorien]

87. You are getting off easy

Here in central Florida eggs cost $2.99 ($4 for organic), milk is $5.49 and a loaf of wheat bread costs $4.19. It's insane.