Cedric's Balanced Budget Meal
Who says fresh food has to be expensive
Feeding fresh food that’s commercially prepared can cost a lot. However, if you make it at home the cost is significantly lower. You don’t have to pay for labor, shipping, or marketing. It’s actually pretty simple. This recipe feeds Cedric (14 lbs) for just over 1 dollar a day if you find good deals on the ingredients. Places like Walmart or Costco are great for low-cost inputs.
Ingredients:
1.5 pounds (680 g) bone in chicken drum sticks = $1.90 at Costco or Walmart
3 cups (750 ml) water
2 oz dry quinoa (60 g) = $0.35 at Costco
1 med carrot (120 g) = $0.40 at Walmart
1 oz (30 g or about 1/3 can) sardine in water, drained = $0.50 at Walmart
1 oz (30 g) frozen oysters = $0.75 on Wee!
1 egg, save shell = $0.25 at Walmart
1/4 cup (30 g) wheat germ = $0.35 at Walmart
1/2 tsp (1 g) sea kelp powder = $0.10 on Amazon
Totals:
$4.60
1300 calories
46% from fat, 34% from protein, 20% from carbohydrates
Directions:
In a large pot add in the chicken drumsticks and water, then bring to a boil over medium high heat.
Simmer on low for 30 minutes with the lid closed.
Remove the chicken drumsticks and set them aside to cool slightly. Now you have chicken broth!
To the pot of chicken broth add quinoa (some brands require rinsing first so follow package instructions), carrots and sardines. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, remove and discard the bones from the chicken drumsticks (watch out for the thin, sharp leg bone). Shred up the meat.
Add in the shredded chicken meat, oysters, egg, crushed eggshell and simmer for 5 more minutes until quinoa is cooked (it fluffs up, becomes translucent and the white tail appears).
Remove from heat and stir in wheat germ and sea kelp powder.
Cool and serve. Freeze whatever cannot be consumed within 4 days.
Nutrition Facts Calculated per 1000 Kcal ME:
