By Viviana
After last week’s sad post, I thought I would tell you some of my frugal quirks. I hope I am not the only person out there with strange frugal habits and fears. My beloved even sometimes thinks I am weird but I will let you be the judge of my weirdness. 1. I can’t throw [...]
By Viviana
This morning after going to exercise class, I got home and had hit two supermarkets and was rushing to meet the third for a delivery. Ironically the first shop I went to was the one delivering. Ok, you probably think I am mad but there is a method to my madness. The first shop I [...]
By Viviana
Over the past years, since the crash of 2008, we have all been making compromises with ourselves and the way we shop. The exclusively Waitrose shoppers have been introduced to the wonders of Lidl and Aldi. Much to the dismay of the regular patrons of these great shops. We get a bit fed up of [...]
By Viviana
There has been so much talk about food prices rising, supermarkets gouging the consumer and possible shortages due to the extreme weather around the world, I have found myself starting to hoard food. I first noticed myself doing this when after noticing prices going up at a vast rate. My regular readers know that I [...]
By Viviana
This is going to be a bit of a crazy week as I have pick up an extra freelance job so cooking needs to be quick and easy. Thank goodness Lidl has their gorgeous Deluxe items in for Easter so eating well won’t be too pricey. I am making pasta type dishes twice but hey [...]
By Viviana
It is finally feeling like autumn here in London so I am excited to get back into the kitchen. I love it that there is still lots of summer produce still around so depending on the weather we can eat summery or more hearty. Monday – Pork chops with roasted apples and squash Tuesday – [...]
By Viviana
Summer is officially at an end with Labor Day and the Bank Holiday, here in the UK, being over so it is back to business at Lean Times HQ. I have lots a cool, exciting posts planned for you, my lovely readers, so stay tuned. The other big news is I will be blogging over at [...]
By Viviana
This coming weekend is Bank Holiday in England, which signifies the end of summer. It has not been the hottest of summers which makes me sad that I did not make some of my favourite foods like gazpacho. I am hoping for a balmy September to give me another chance at true summer fare. Monday [...]
By Viviana
This week was quite fruitful on the shopping front – scored discounted chicken breasts at Portobello Market and half price potatoes and spring onions at Lidl. Monday – Parmigiano Panko herb encrusted chicken breasts and potato salad Tuesday – Nigel Slater’s classic ratatouille – it looks a bit time consuming but I am hoping the [...]
By Viviana
Over the weekend, my beloved and I have decided to try to go on holiday so we are going to need to do a bit more belt tightening. I know we are not supposed to even think about a holiday when we are trying to pay off debts but since we have not been away [...]
By Guest
The Lean Times proudly presents a guest post by Milo. Hello, my name is Milo and I live with Miss Viviana, her beloved and my mate, Vegas. Vegas is another cat but is a bit old so not up with this blogging technology which is why I am writing the guest post. Our flat turned [...]
By Viviana
I love this vintage looking new image from OrgJunkie. I think I like it so much that I may use it every week. Monday – Garlic roast chicken with Saffron orzo and green beans Tuesday – Waitrose’s Moussaka ( bought on markdown £2.55 for a large one) and salad Wednesday – Duck breasts (another Waitrose’s [...]