$500 Challenge - October, November and December

Yes, I know I really fell down on reporting the final 3 months of the challenge.  Basically because October and November were boring additions to the stash :)  So, without further ado, I present the final 3 months of the challenge:

October:

I use Tupperware containers to store most of my dry goods, and I want to gradually change them over to glass. Some things can go in the small glass canisters I bought in April and some can go in mason jars.  However, I get picky when it comes to baking staples like flour and sugar.  I want to be able to scoop out of the containers for these things - I remember one set of canisters my Mom had, where she could only fit a very small measuring cup in the flour canister.  Needless to say, those didn't last long!  Who wants that extra grief when it comes to baking??

So, when I spied these, I picked up the two largest sizes - one for flour, and one for sugar.

I may end up with more, but I want to wait until the kitchen is done, and see how much counter space I end up with.  And for now, flour and sugar are the main items I use a lot of!

Costs:

2 glass canisters: $30.90 + $4.02 tax 
Total: $34.92

Balance: $43.11

 

November:

 

Since beginning this challenge last January, one of the major hurdles has been cold food storage - both fridge and freezer.  I still have no good alternative to plastic bags for freezer storage, and in the last two months, have lost FOUR mason jars to breakage in the freezer.  No, they were not overfilled, but were old jars, and I think that the temperature fluctuations were too much for them.  I'm not too happy about losing the jars, never mind the contents!  So these came on sale at just the right time:

 

 

 

 

I bought one round set, and one rectangular set.   I already have some, but not enough, so these will come in handy.  Yes, I know they have plastic lids, but I've yet to come up with a way to store food long term without plastic, and at least this is a minimal and reusable amount.

Costs:

2 glass food storage sets: $16.90 + $2.20 tax 
Total: $19.10

Balance: $24.01

 

December:

 

With less than $25 left for the challenge, I was trying hard to come up with something to finish off the year in style.  I still needed to replace a few plastic cooking utensils, and I still need to source small pie plates, but I ended up with something completely different. 

 

And I blew the budget in the process :)

 

But when I found out a good quality pressure canner was on sale for almost half off, it was too good to pass up.  How does a pressure canner fit the challenge?

Well, I can use it to store things, like stock, in glass that would otherwise be in the freezer.  It allows me to reduce my use of plastics and frees up freezer space at the same time.  Soup, stew, sauces, juices - low-acid food of all sorts can now be safely stored at room temperature.  

And once again, it's my challenge and I get to change the rules :)

Costs:

Pressure canner: $79.95 + $10.39 tax 
Total: $90.34

Balance: -$66.33  OOOPS!

Summary:

All in all, I'm glad I did this.  Even though I went over budget, and I found it next to impossible to source items made in North America, it was an interesting process.  By spreading it out over a year, I had time to think about each purchase and determine what would be the best use of the money.  I think by setting aside a fixed amount, it allowed me to spend "guilt-free" :)

My favourite purchases are the cast iron cookware.  This is something I use all the time, and I'm loving it.  My second favourite is the pour-over coffee "maker" - again, something I use daily.  The most disappointing has to be the bakeware, simply because of the deception in the name and where it was made.  The other items, while functional, simply aren't all that exciting!

 

I still have plastic in the kitchen, so this isn't the end of the quest.  I need to get rid of the final few plastic cooking utensils, and I need to find and buy small pie plates (I like them for individually sized pot pies, which are kept in the freezer for a quick meals!).  Once the new kitchen is in, I need to figure out all my storage needs, so more containers for staples may be on the wish list as well.

 

Thus endth the $500 challenge.

 

Now, I wonder what's in store for 2012....

 

 

 

 

 

$500 Challenge - September edition (and yes, I do know it's October)

Oops!  Late, again.  I didn't forget about he challenge this month, I just forgot to blog about it!

Maybe because I cheated a little.

Or a lot.

Or, since it's my challenge and I get to make the rules, not at all ;)

You see, this month, I spent.... nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  Zilch.

But, what about the challenge?

Oh, I still got something.  These, to be exact:

Both quart and pint canning jars, about 24 of each.  Free!  And while these are canning jars, of course, I also use them a LOT for storage.  For dried foods, for bulk purchases like grains and bean and other legumes, for storing soup, stock and sauces both in the fridge and freezer - I can always use more jars.

So, this month's "purchase" does fit the challenge... sort of :)

Where did they come from?  An old friend of my Mom's mentioned she was cleaning out her house, and was getting rid of a lot of stuff, including these jars.  Boxes and boxes of jars.   Mom jumped at the chance to take them, and gave the excess to me - thanks Mom!!  And there are still more, if I need them!

September costs (jars): $0.00

Balance: $78.04

$500 Challenge - August edition, with special guest appearance by July.

Oh, wow - time has flown.  I had planned what I was going to get for the challenge for July and August a while ago, but put it off, since getting the items meant either paying shipping, or making a special trip to two different stores, close to each other, but about an hour away from here. 

Procrastination pays, since it ended up I needed to make a trip for another reason that would result in me driving right by these stores - so, no shipping costs, and no special trip required.  Yay!

So, without further ado, I give you July:  cutting boards.  Exciting, no? 

Like many other people, I seem to have amassed a collection of plastic cutting boards.  There is SO much information on cutting board safety out there, and so much of it is either not backed up by real science, or contradictory.  I've come to the conclusion that there are pros and cons to all materials, and so, I'll stick with wood - and just make sure the boards are cleaned well after use.  After all, wood is natural, renewable, and great for knives - the opposite of plastic.  So I made a trip to Ikea to pick up a couple of different sizes of cutting boards - the large one I plan on leaving on the counter for quick use for things that can be easily cleaned up (like bread), and smaller ones for meat, etc.

Small boards, pack of two, $6.99

Large board, $19.99

The large board is well made, and should last quite a long time, while the smaller boards are pretty much worth what I paid for them.  I'll try giving them a light sanding, and treating with food-safe oil, and hopefully that will extend their life.  


And August?  well, around here, August is canning season, so what better than to replace my old plastic canning funnel with a shiny new stainless steel one?  I've had my eye on this for a while, and I'm glad I could "justify" buying it for this challenge! 

Funnel, $11.50

And of course, I always love an excuse to go to Lee Valley :)

 

 

July costs (cutting board): $26.989 + $3.51 tax

Total: $30.49

Balance: $91.52

 

August costs (funnel): $11.50 + $1.50 tax

Total: $13.00

Balance: $78.04

 

$500 Challenge - June Edition

It the time of year that I start harvesting my herbs, and hopefully this year, I'll figure out a good way of drying them.  Of course, once they are dry, I need a place to store them.  And, of course, while I don't want to keep all those little plastic bottles that my store-bought herbs came in, I also don't want to spend a fortune on glass replacements.

Local stores to the rescue!

I found the small ones at the dollar store, for $1.25 each, and the larger ones at the bulk food store for $3.39 each.  20 of the small, and 5 of the large should cover most of my herb storage needs.  Yes, they are made in China, and yes, I could have simply kept and re-used jars from other products.


But I have a guilty little secret - I like pretty things.  I like the idea of opening up a cupboard, and seeing all my home-grown herbs in cute, matching little wire-bail jars.  With my tea herbs in larger ones in the next cupboard over.  And while I do agree we need to make some drastic changes in our lifestyles (or we will be forced to do so eventually), I also know that I'm not perfect, and I'll make up for these guilty little purchases by not doing other things, like having a cell phone, or a large-screen TV, etc.  This journey isn't about perfection, it's about doing what you can, the best you can, and enjoying the trip.  And yes, these wee containers do make me happy :)

Costs: 20 x $1.25 + 5 x $3.39 + $5.45

Total: $47.40

Balance: $121.52

June?? Already? REALLY?? Aka $500 Challenge - May Edition

And I haven't done the May $500 Challenge update!  I guess spring isn't the only thing that is behind?


One of the main purposes of this challenge was to replace kitchen items that I wasn't happy using anymore - and a big one was my Teflon-coated cookware.  I started the challenge off with a 12" Lodge skillet, and I LOVE it!  So this month, I decided to expand my Lodge inventory with an 8" skillet and a grill pan.

And yes indeed, I bought them from Walmart in Buffalo, USA.

Why?  Because I am not rich, that's why.

The grill pan in Canada, from Home Hardware: $38.99

The exact same pan in Buffalo, mere minutes away from me:  $18.97

These items are more than TWICE as expensive in Canada.  Now, I firmly believe in supporting local business, and local producers.  I will not buy produce or meat from Walmart, I try to buy all my garden plants from local garden centres, I prefer shopping at local stores vs. big box chains.

Up to a point.  And when that point is double the money, for something that isn't local to begin with, then yes, I will shop where my money goes the farthest.  And Walmart in the USA has a much larger selection of Lodge products than Home Hardware does, and the Walmarts here don't even carry them!

So, for less than the cost of the grill pan here, I got both the grill pan and the 8" skillet.  I've already used them (sausages in the grill pan, a mixture of bacon, potatoes and onions in the skillet for a quick supper one night), and I know they will get a lot more use in the future.  With the 12" skillet, the 8" skillet, two (non-Lodge) enamelled cast iron Dutch ovens and the grill pan,  I'm well covered for anything I think I'll be cooking a lot of!  I would like the deeper "chicken fryer", but it's not something I need right now and so can be put on the "want" list.  I'd also like the large Dutch oven, since the lid also fits the 12" skillet, but again, it's not a necessity right now.

Costs:
skillet + grill pan: $29.94 + $2.62 tax  (the tax rate for Buffalo is 8.75%, and the Canadian dollar is worth slightly more than the US dollar right now, but it's such as small difference, I'm not taking it into account)
Total: $32.56

Balance: $168.93

$500 Challenge - April Edition

Not too exciting, but I bought some glass canisters - not really as a replacement for anything, since I have never really had canisters before :)

I do keep my coffee beans in a stainless steel container, and my sugar in a pottery sugar bowl, but everything else is simply stored in larger container in the cupboards - mainly because I have lived in places that have been deficient in counter space!

Not that this current kitchen is any better (and, in fact, is the WORST kitchen I have ever had), but it will get better!  Of course, during that process, a lot of my stuff is going to be in boxes for extended periods, so I thought canisters would be a good idea, both during the renovations (allows me to keep small amounts out while storing the larger containers), and for after as well, since I will have more counter space - although I might end up keeping these in a cupboard anyhow, since I tend to like clear counters, and they are glass after all - not the best idea for long-term storage in sunlight.

Anyhow, 3 glass Anchor-Hocking containers with screw-on lids, for the exciting, on-sale price of $10.00, plus tax :) 

Of course, this is nowhere near my total storage requirements, and to tell the truth, I'm not sure what I'm going to do about that.  I have a LOT of Tupperware containers for bulk dry goods, which I really do like - they are easy to get into, have large openings to scoop out of, keep items dry and bug-less (at least so far), and so they aren't on my priority list for replacement.  I did get rid of all my small plastic containers I used for storage of leftovers, etc. in the fridge, but the larger ones will stay around for now, at least until I hit on a better solution that is in my budget. 

Costs:
3 glass canisters: $10.00 + $1.30 tax 
Total: $11.30

Balance: $201.48

$500 Challenge - March Edition

This month's challenge proved to be EXTREMELY frustrating.

I wanted to replace my old non-stick bake-ware with new, not non-stick, North American made bake-ware.  After reading some great reviews about Chicago Metallic bake-ware, I decided to do some research here, and found out all their products are made in the USA. 

From the website:

So, I found a Canadian distributor, and placed a fairly large (to me) order.

Now, keep in mind I'm doing this via mail-order, and paying more for both the product, and for delivery, because I want North American made, good quality products.  I've researched the company, read on-line reviews, done my due diligence, so to speak.  And everything I've found says this product is well-made, long-lasting, good quality - and made in the USA. 

So, imagine my surprise when I opened the box:

WTF?  I e-mailed Chicago Metallic to ask about the discrepancy, and this is the reply I received:

We are sorry about your pans but you have the wrong Chicago Metallic. We are the industrial side of the pan market and we do not have house ware pans. Chicago Metallic is under another company also and the company you have bought your pans from buys from China. All the pans we manufacture will not fit in the normal oven. Yes you are right, you could go to the nearest Walmart and buy the same pans. Our pans are made in the USA and we sell to distributors. If you have any questions please feel free to call.

Now, I am under the impression that no business will allow another to operate under the same name, in the same country, making the EXACT SAME PRODUCTS, without approval.  I'm also under the impression that all loaf pans, cake pans, muffin pans and pie plates will indeed fit in a "normal" oven, but that's a minor quibble. 

Digging a bit deeper on-line, I find this site, which, conveniently enough, is under construction.  Nowhere can I find any "warning" that there are two companies called Chicago Metallic, one that manufactures in the USA, one in China.  In fact, I can't find ANY information on Chicago Metallic the second and their manufacturing processes.

So, I can either believe this is all innocent, and Chicago Metallic the first is either unaware of, or can do nothing about, Chicago Metallic the second. 

Or, I can believe the two companies are linked in some way, and are using the reputation of the first to sell the products of the second on the home market.  I responded to the e-mail above with some of these questions, and to date, two weeks later, am still waiting for a reply. 

What to do?

I can return the pans to the distributor, and pay the shipping and re-stocking fee (since this is not their fault in any way), then go buy lesser quality products at a local store.

I can keep these pans, and provide a "win" to Chicago Metallic for their marketing strategy - and indeed, these are decent quality pans,
better than I have found elsewhere. 

The one thing I apparently cannot do is find North American made bake-ware, or force Chicago Metallic to own up to their misleading marketing tactics.


It shouldn't be this hard.


Since I will most likely cave in, and keep the pans, the tally for the challenge is as follows:

Costs:

Two square cake pans, two round cake pans, one rectangular cake pan, two muffin pan, one min-muffin pan, and two loaf pans:
$149.75 + $9.97 shipping + $20.76 tax 
Total: $180.48
Balance: $212.78

$500 Challenge - February Edition

Yes, I know it's not February yet - but  I couldn't wait for this one!  This month's purchases were the ones I was most looking forward to... mainly because I'm a coffee snob (and some would say addict!!).

I make my coffee in an unusual manner, which came about due to my sister, who, many many many year ago, gave me this:

It's called a filter holder, and is one of the simplest ways of making coffee:  you put that on the top of your mug, add a paper cone filter, coffee, and pour boiling water into it, until your mug is full.

 My sister bought it for me, simply because she thought it would come in handy for a university student, and it was much cheaper than a "normal" coffee maker.  As you can see from the staining, it has received a lot of use, because I think it makes a truly excellent cup of coffee.  It's made to fit a #2 sized cone filter, but I use #4, solely because they are about 1/2 the cost of the #2 filters.  And yes, I do know that I should be using a reusable filter, but I do not like the sludge they leave.  Same issue with French press makers (e.g. Bodum).  I did have a Bodum I used quite often for large amounts, since this method makes only one cup at a time, until it broke.  I also have the usual coffee maker, that I tend to only use when I need to make a full pot of coffee.  (What, doesn't everyone have three different ways of making coffee in their house??)

To boil the water, I used this:

Now, 2-3 cups of coffee in the morning, generally a cup of herbal tea or hot chocolate after work (in the cold weather), and another of the same before bed, means I am using the kettle 3-5 times every day, and the filter holder 2-3 times a day.

And they are both plastic.

So these items were very high on my list to replace for this challenge.

First, the kettle.  As much as I LOVE this one, I cannot bring myself to pay that much for a kettle.  This one caught my eye (glass, cheap), until this happened:

That mug shattered in less than a second after being filled with hot water.  It was bad enough having a cup of hot water all over - I do NOT want to ever deal with a kettle full!  So, I decided on stainless steel.

I realized when I stared this challenge that the two main obstacles would be price, and country of manufacture.  What I didn't realize is how hard it would be to determine the country!  I do a lot of "shopping" on line - not necessarily buying anything, but it is invaluable to do research into the products, before you buy.  However... take that Le Creuset kettle up there.   Le Creuset makes all their products in France.  Fantastic.  Until you realize they don't - the kettle is made in Asia*.  I did find a Canadian company that makes stainless steel kettles (assuming I want to pay ~$70 for one), except they also state they import products, and are not clear on which they make, and which they import.  So if I am going to end up with an imported kettle, then I will take the simplest and cheapest route, and go to my local store to buy one, instead of paying much more (plus shipping!) on line.

Hence, my new "Betty Crocker" kettle:

FYI, I looked at some on-line reviews, and they all said the handle gets hot and the whistle is pitiful.  Neither issue is true with this kettle, so I assume the manufacturer made some changes.
 
And yes, that is pie in the background - apple pie.  And yes, it is good :)

As for the filter holder, I found a FANTASTIC retailer in Toronto:  Green Beanery.  (Again, to make it clear, I have received no consideration for the Green Beanery, financial or otherwise.)  All profits from the Green Beanery go to their charity, and they also supply organic and free trade coffees.  Perfect!  (I have not looked into this charity, but will if I decide to buy my coffee from them in the future).

This is a #4-sized filter holder, made from porcelain, and made in, as far as I can determine, Germany. 

 

It fits much better on my mugs (and really, who wants their morning to start off with coffee grounds all over their kitchen, which has happened on more than one occasion!), and fits the #4 filter perfectly - which means I can even make enough for my large thermos in one go!

Put the holder on the mug, put a filter in the holder:

 Add freshly ground, free trade, organic coffee:

Fill with hot water:

 Watch as it slowly filters through:

And enjoy a perfect cup of coffee!  (and of course, put the filter and grounds in your compost!)

Costs:

Kettle: $34.98 + $4.55 tax  = $39.53
Filter holder: $18.99 + $5.50 shipping + $3.18 tax = $27.67  (I bought some coffee at the same time, and averaged the shipping costs)

Total: $67.20
Balance: $393.26
 
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*This isn't the post to get into the discussion of overseas manufacturing, and why it's okay to buy something made in France (or Germany), but not okay to buy something made in Asia.  It's is a truly complex discussion, and I still grapple with this, but my two biggest concerns are food (and worker) safety and human rights issues.

A sleep-over, and the $500 challenge.

My sister and her family went to Florida for two weeks after Christmas, and Mom and Dad have been puppy-sitting their little Shih-tzu.  Since they were having company for supper, cards and a sleep-over last night (staying over is a GREAT idea on New Year's Eve, IMO), I offered to take little Silly Lily for her own sleep-over last night, releasing everyone there from the 3 am potty call :)

MOM!  Lily's in our spot!!!!!

 She's touching me!

 Get her away!!

My dogs have met her numerous times, and they are all learning how to get along.  However, I think they were less than impressed with the sleep-over idea :)

Lily is back with her "Grandparents" now, and it's time to discuss the $500 challenge.  It came about from two occurrences:

1. For the last few months, I've been thinking about changing a lot of equipment I use in the kitchen, for more useful, long-lasting and less harmful alternatives.


2. Just before Christmas, I received a $500 year-end bonus from work this year, and have been trying to figure out how to spend it.  I could just deposit it in the bank, where it will get absorbed by mortgage payments, reno costs and everything else, but I wanted to spend it in a more thoughtful manner.

How perfect :)


So, this is my challenge:


Every month, I will buy something to replace an article in my kitchen that is made of a material I no longer want to use.  I will strive to buy items made in North America, and will only buy items made from stainless steel, wood, glass or any other long-lasting and inert material.  The budget for the year is $500.00. 


Plastic and Teflon are my main items of concern, especially plastic that is used with hot food.  I had, in a small way, started this a while back, having recently bought stainless steel measuring cups and spoons, and colander to replace my old plastic versions.  And I have a list of things I want to change - things like plastic cooking utensils, disposable aluminum pie plates, my old plastic electric kettle and plastic food storage containers.

What to start with?  Well, I've been wanting this for a LONG time, and it seemed like a good item to start the challenge with!

 My new Lodge 12" cast iron skillet!

Why a cast iron skillet?

1. Health concerns over using Teflon vs. health benefits of cast iron
2. The fact that, in 20+ years of being on my own, I have gone through at least 3 sets of "non-stick" frying pans
3. Cast iron lasts almost forever, when treated properly
4. According to my Texas friends (who still haven't blogged about their trip up here, AHEM), this is the ONLY way to correctly make cornbread :)
5. I already have two enamelled cast iron dutch ovens, and LOVE them.

As Lodge makes all of their non-enamelled cast iron in the USA, and is highly recommended by many, many, many people, it was the obvious choice. 

Cost: $34.99 plus tax = $39.54
Balance: $500.00 - $39.54 = $460. 46

I suddenly can't wait for February!

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I've created a summary page for the $500 Challenge, which can be found way up there to the right!