frugal low carbing tips?

We all know that protein is expensive.  No matter what form it's in, shakes or meat.  What low cost, frugal tips can you pass on to fellow DSers who are trying to maintain their daily protein levels in this economy?

My tip: I found eggs on sale.  It was a great price.  I bought 8 dozen eggs.  Today I'm going to scramble them in my food processor and freeze them in ice cube trays.  2 ice cubes equals 1 raw egg.  I can use them for low carb baking, meatloaf, breakfasts, etc.  They will keep for 6 months in my freezer.

What are your protein stretching tips?

Buy a freezer.  Then look into purchasing 1/4 or 1/2 a cow (if you like beef).  See if there's a local ranch near-by which you can buy from.  If you need to buy a whole cow, see if there are some DS folks who live near you who will go "In" on a cow with you.  Also, fill your freezer when things are on sale.  Keep a list on the outside of what's in the freezer and when you bought it so you can use it up.

Zaycon Foods is famous for their low-cost protein (usually chicken breasts, but other things too.)

Even if you're single, invest in a warehouse club membership. BJs, Costco, Sam's Club, ????.  

Email manufacturers of products you like for coupons.  Follow them on twitter.  Join their Facebook page.

 

 

I checked out the Zaycon Foods web site and registered.  I've never heard of them before.  Great idea.  I have a freezer full of bacon already from buying huge quantities when a good sale hit.  But their bacon price of 3.50 a lb is very good (at least half of what I pay at the store).  The hamburger is a great idea also.

Hamburger and bacon are the only products I see in my area.  Too bad they don't offer all products (including the milk) and just truck it in for delivery.

Thanks for passing this tip on.  I'm going to order some hamburger - it's 93%, which barely has any fat in it.  It won't shrink up and disappear in the pan as you cook it.

I buy from Zaycon foods all the time. I just bought 20lbs of ribs from them, get all my chicken from them and also bought Bratworst. I don't drink milk but they do have it- all organic and GMO free. A great place to buy from and you can always split an order with a friend which I do often because its just my hubby and me now.

Really good topic.  I am losing the budget war and feeling very depressed about it.  Bacon, hamburger meat, cheese, frozen Atkins meals (really WAY too expensive) peanut butter, greek yogurt.  Even the water flavor that keeps me hydrated (I can't force down plain water).  I am so glad you posted this and hope a lot of people will reply.

~Becky

When I paid over 9 dollars for a tub of Greek yogurt, it occurred to me that this was ridiculous. 

Meat prices have gone through the roof, and my local Costco stores are not any cheaper.  The prices are the same as the local stores, but they have a higher quality of meet for that price.  Which is great if I ate meat only 2 or 3 times a week.   I would like to see them offer the same quality of meat as the local grocery markets – at a cheaper price.   

I know creative people out there are finding ways to pull it together.  I hope they share.

You can make your own yogurt.  It's really easy.  If you want "Greek" style, just strain it.  I like the recipes that used powdered dried milk as it makes the yogurt thicker plus ups the protein.  

You can make it in a slow cooker, using a heated blanket, ice chest, light in your oven, etc.  

Also, Costco and Sam's both carry plain Greek Yogurt pretty cheaply.  

For the flavored kind, it seems like my Target almost always has Fage or Chobani on sale. :)

I used to make my own yogurt with a heating pad, some towels, and a cardboard box.  I used an Alton Brown recipe and he added powdered milk also.  It was silky and smooth yogurt.  Good taste to it. 

I am thinking about switching back to plain yogurt.  I am after the pro-biotics in it, not the protein.  Plain yogurt is a lot cheaper and very easy to make.

Find and check out the ethnic grocery stores in your area.  Here the best meat deals are almost always at the Hispanic grocery stores.  One had a great sale a few weeks ago and I got 100lbs of meat, chicken pork and beef, for $100.  Sometimes there are great deals on seafood at the Asian markets.

I can spend more money on meat because I spend less on other things.  If you have the 99centsOnly Store in your area, call and find out their truck days and go.  Yes, they have all the dollar store crap but they also have some really good detergents, paper products, trash bags, zip bags and even veggies and meat.  I buy liverwurst, cheese, butter, and pepperoni there all the time.  It's Hormel and it's 99c a package.  You never know what you will find there.  I bought Challenge butter for a year or so but I haven't seen it lately.  They almost always have cream cheese too.  Know your prices and products.  Love Awesome laundry detergent for a buck.  Read labels!

Read the ads and use them to plan meals in advance.  I shop every 2 weeks and cook one day every 2 weeks.  My freezer is always full.  And there's the added bonus of being able to use larger packages of meat and cleaning the kitchen less often.  And fewer trips to the store where things jump into your cart.

I avoid WalMart because I don't like the idea of supporting a store where the full time employees qualify for social services paid for by my tax dollars.  But I do go a couple times a year to buy their store brand Alfredo sauce.  Works great when I am too lazy to make my own.  I stay away from Sam's Club for the same reason.  But I run to Costco whenever they have a free shopping day.  Those big drums of tuna are great.

If I had those 8 dozen eggs I would hard boil a couple dozen and just leave the rest in the fridge.  They will easily keep.  Honestly I've kept eggs for 6 months and they are fine.  PLUS...if you get a bad egg you will know immediately.

Yes! Asian markets are great for fresh fish and seafood.  Also, fun spices, lentils, produce, etc.

We also get organic produce from an organic buying club called Annies.  It's only in Florida, but great: http://www.anniesbuyingclub.com    They also carry milk, eggs, and bulk organic ground beef.

Also, if you're lucky enough to have an actual meat market near by, I know the one where we used to live in Michigan would offer "fill your freezer" deals.  Really high quality too.