#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Are You Up for the $7 Dinner Challenge?

October 8, 2008 · $7 Dinner Challenge

BankWith the economy in question, it’s no surprise that families everywhere are looking for ways to save on everything from electricity to food. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a great meal on a budget.  That’s what The $7 Dinner Challenge is all about.

In doing The $7 Dinner Challenge, besides challenging ourselves (that would be Sarah and I), we want to make sure that what we’re making is accessible, so readers can actually make these meals for $7 as well.

Have a food blog and want to join in the fun? When we post on Monday nights, feel free to leave us a link with your post — the more the merrier.

The Ground Rules:

  • You have $7 to create a complete dinner for four, to include the main course and either an appetizer or dessert.
  • Your meal must include a serving of vegetables for each person.
  • Items such as bread can be prorated (total cost of loaf/slices used).
  • Salt and pepper are free — no need to count these into the cost total.
  • No frozen meals. You actually have to make something (however it can have premade components).
  • You must state where you get your pricing info from, and it must be current to the date posted (as in, if the sale is over, the current price is the one that counts).

So if you’re looking for delicious food without breaking the bank, be sure to tune in every Monday night and see what we’re all cooking up … with just $7.

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Posted In: $7 Dinner Challenge

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    October 8, 2008 at 11:52 pm

    I am so excited to get started on this!!!

    Sarah Carons last blog post..Are You Up for The $7 Dinner Challenge?

    Reply
  2. Judith in Umbria says

    October 9, 2008 at 4:35 am

    I’d do this happily, but I live in Europe so can I use 7 euro? Food is much more expensive here and always has been, but I can do this. I would have to invite eaters, because I am single.

    Judith in Umbrias last blog post..No photos

    Reply
  3. Abby says

    October 9, 2008 at 10:02 am

    Oh I love this idea! It is only me and my husband but we are always wanting to have people over but seem to spend too much when we do, so we don’t. I’m looking to cook for 4 for only $7. YEAH! Can’t wait until Monday!

    Reply
  4. Bob says

    October 9, 2008 at 11:00 am

    This sounds exciting! Salt and pepper are free. Anything else? Olive oil, for instance? Chicken stock that is made from leftover carcass and vegetable scraps, how do we price that?

    I am just looking for how to account for these types of things.

    Bobs last blog post..Down 1,000

    Reply
  5. Dani says

    October 9, 2008 at 1:07 pm

    This is going to be awesome! I think I will make free-range balsamic chicken drumsticks. But what for the vegetable? Hmmm….

    Reply
  6. Emily says

    October 9, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    We’re giving away 4 Dozen Puget Sound Oysters (read: FREE)… so if you want a free appetizer or main dish, check it out

    http://marxfood.com

    Look forward to seeing the $7 menus!

    Reply
  7. Patsy Kreitman says

    October 9, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    I love this idea! I’ll try to come up with something so I can participate! I would be great to get a few inexpensive meals to make a couple nights a week, so I’ll be checking back to see what you come up with!

    Patsy Kreitmans last blog post..Crispy Chicken Strips

    Reply
  8. Bob says

    October 13, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    I am not quite certain as to how we are supposed to post our meals. We made our attempt at the $7 meal tonight. You can read how we did here.

    Bobs last blog post..$7 Dinner Challenge

    Reply
  9. Tanya says

    October 16, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    Sweet! I was wondering what you’d do post ARF-5. Question, though: is it fair game to make it for 2 and prorate the price for 4 if there are things that don’t make good leftovers?

    Tanyas last blog post..Welcome Home! Apple Pie!

    Reply
  10. Chez US says

    October 16, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    I totally want to do this; but, I need to know “total price” or $7 per person. We live in San Francisco and this will be a challenge. And is this still going on?

    Thanks!

    Chez USs last blog post..Wedding Night

    Reply
  11. Cate says

    October 16, 2008 at 11:11 pm

    Tanya – needed a break. :) And yes, absolutely on doing for 2 @ half the cost. Hope to see you Monday.

    Chez US – Yes, still going on, every Monday night. $7 is for total price, but try your best. :)

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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