Budget Bytes

01 June 2009

about me

What can I say?

I'm not a professional chef (although I've worked in several commercial kitchens).

I'm not a super-mommy homemaker (mad props to all of you out there, it's hard enough just taking care of myself).

I'm not a financial expert (I just happen to be obsessed with numbers).

I like to cook because it's the perfect combination of my two favorite subjects: art and science.

When I'm not cooking and blogging, I work as a microbiologist in a hospital laboratory.  Yes, deadly pathogens by day, delicious food by night.  They're more similar than you might expect!


Contributing Writer


Tame Your Grocery Bill: 6 Tips for Cooking on a Budget (HRBlock.com, October 2012)

Spice up Dessert with Sriracha Peach Crisp (Blogher.com, June 2012)


Press/Features


Blogher.com (December 2012)

Huffingtonpost.com - #5, #10 (October 2012)

IrishTimes.com (October 2012)

Buzzfeed.com - #9 (July 2012)

Food52.com (June 2012)

Blogher.com (June 2012)

Huffingtonpost.com (October 2011)

Takepart.com (May 2011)

Takepart.com (April 2011)

Glamour.com (February 2010)

Lifehacker.com (October 2009)

Consumerist.com (October 2009)

Labels:

posted by Beth M @ 12:07 PM  

65 Comments:

  • At September 1, 2012 at 4:24 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I'm glad all is well even if food was lost. Living in NH we lose power in the winter all the time. Ice Storm a few years back we lost power for 11 days, I lost a lot of food. But as long as your fine that's that matters!

     

  • At September 6, 2012 at 6:59 PM , Blogger Penelope Art & Design said...

    Just discovered your blog and I intend to eat my way through it! I'm so tired of the same ol' budget meals I've been making...but now I have yours as a guide. Thank you so much.

     

  • At September 8, 2012 at 6:16 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I love you and your recipes. glad you are back to full power. thanks for doing this blog....

     

  • At September 10, 2012 at 12:37 PM , Blogger Amy B. said...

    I recently introduced my family to your blog and they love your recipes. They have all turned out delicious and we love the number crunch...at least I do :)

     

  • At September 12, 2012 at 5:09 PM , Blogger ezieger said...

    very cool site... that is all :)

     

  • At September 13, 2012 at 8:46 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I am so happy that I stumbled upon your site! Last night I made the taco chicken bowls and they were excellent. Can't wait to try more....thanks!

     

  • At September 13, 2012 at 1:29 PM , Anonymous Jordan said...

    Obsessed with your blog! As a college student, lover of food, and newbie cooker, I literally could not have stumbled upon a more useful blog for me. Your recipes will be incredibly helpful this year as I cook my way through my first year living in an apartment on my own! Thanks!

     

  • At September 14, 2012 at 9:27 PM , Blogger Bwashburn said...

    I just love your blog, your preference for more nutritional meals while still implementing some of the more practical indulgences is exactly the way I try to cook.

     

  • At September 16, 2012 at 6:18 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I just found your blog and spent over an hour collecting recipes. As a student who loves to eat, this is the perfect stop.

     

  • At September 17, 2012 at 9:55 AM , Blogger sofie7885 said...

    Hello! I've been following you for a while, but I never read this page before. I am also a Beth, and also a Med Tech, but the other side of the country. Thank you for the great recipes.

     

  • At September 17, 2012 at 10:29 AM , Blogger Beth M said...

    Wow! Another Beth who is a Med Tech? What a coincidence!! :D

     

  • At September 24, 2012 at 6:39 AM , Blogger Becky said...

    Just found your blog through pinterest, I think it's now my favorite foodie site! everything looks delish~can't wait to start trying....

     

  • At September 30, 2012 at 6:56 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Recently got my own place and have been trying to learn how to cook for one also I need to stop eating out. I also found that your meals are quick and that is what I need especial since I get off at 2am and I am already sleepy.

     

  • At September 30, 2012 at 3:28 PM , Anonymous Liana said...

    I just found your blog due to the fact that I have recently started wasting my precious spare time on pinterest. And I love it! ....your blog...Not wasted time on pinterest....We have similar tastes in food,values in nutrition as well as a desire to keep things affordable and uncomplicated. I'm making your recipes like crazy now. They feel like clever twists of what I was going to make anyways! Thanks!

     

  • At September 30, 2012 at 3:40 PM , Anonymous Justin Smith said...

    Greetings from Baton Rouge! I just stumbled on here thanks to a Reddit recommendation, and I have to say I'm really liking a lot of the recipes on here. It's also really cool to have the ingredients and total cost number crunched as well. I recently got more interested in cooking, and I think your recipes are definitely going to be added into my weekly rotation. Keep up the awesome work!

     

  • At October 2, 2012 at 6:00 PM , Blogger cLt said...

    I also found this from a link on Reddit...I am absolutely in love with this blog! Thank you so much!

     

  • At October 9, 2012 at 5:04 AM , Blogger Cajunchik said...

    Greetings from Florida! I love your blog and really appreciate the cost analysis. At the end of the day after running around to various sports games and practices, I like knowing that we can skip the drive thru and have delicious, healthy food. Thanks for your creative ideas and for providing shortcuts for busy moms!

    I am from Lafayette originally, where are you?

     

  • At October 10, 2012 at 2:31 PM , Anonymous Tom Charlton said...

    Beth,

    I am going to try your coconut chicken with sweet chili sauce tonight, and that brings me to my question; is there a brand name that sells "Sweet Chili" sauce? I couldn't find any in our only grocery store we have here. Thank You, and keep the recipes coming!!!!

    Tom. C.

     

  • At October 10, 2012 at 3:38 PM , Blogger Beth M said...

    Tom - There's no one brand for the sweet chili sauce. It's a pretty common ingredient/condiment in Asian dishes. If you can't find it, I've seen several recipes on line and it looks pretty easy! Just some red pepper flakes, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and a thickener, I think! Although, I'm sure there are several variations. If you don't want to go that route, you could always use something different, like pepper jelly, or a jam like pineapple, apricot, or even orange marmalade.

     

  • At October 10, 2012 at 11:03 PM , Anonymous TOM CHARLTON said...

    MADE YOUR COCONUT CHICKEN WITH SWEET CHILI SAUCE FOR DINNER TONIGHT AND THE 2 PICKIEST KIDS IN THE WORLD LIKED IT! AS DID THERE MOTHER AND I. I COULDN'T FIND A SWEET CHILI SAUCE SO I TRIED TO MAKE ONE, SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED OUT BECAUSE EVERYBODY LIKED IT. 2 PARTS HUNTS CHILI SAUCE TO 1 PART KRAFT CATALINA DRESSING. THANK YOU FOR THE RECIPE, AND PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING! YOUR NEW #1 FAN ME

     

  • At October 19, 2012 at 4:55 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I just found your blog and I love it!! I'm a broke college kid who's in charge of feeding three very hungry and very cheap roommates, so your blog is perfection! Thanks so much for being awesome (:

     

  • At October 20, 2012 at 4:55 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Love your blog! Keep doin' what you do.

     

  • At October 22, 2012 at 6:49 PM , Anonymous Penelope said...

    I've been following you're blog for awhile now, and it is my go-to for a good meal. I don't know why I've never read your about me section before, but seeing that you are a microbiologist just made me love your blog so much more!

     

  • At October 23, 2012 at 10:42 AM , Blogger Dave Sheffield said...

    I've been following and making recipes from your site for about a year now and I share it with a lot of people too. You should add a discrete donate button somewhere on the site. I would throw $5 your way just to show appreciation for all the work you put into it. You've saved me a ton of money with all your recipes. Keep up the good work.

    Regards, Dave in Buffalo

     

  • At October 25, 2012 at 10:16 PM , Anonymous L said...

    Hi...found you on Pinterest. As soon as I saw you holding the bottle of Sriracha I had to check out your site. Love it! Great job! Wonderful recipes!

     

  • At October 26, 2012 at 10:15 AM , Blogger Donna said...

    I think you're meant to be my food BFF. Seriously. I can't get enough spices and you're definitely not afraid of them!

     

  • At November 5, 2012 at 5:16 PM , Anonymous Elika said...

    microbiologist? wow ur smart girl! haha
    wonderful recipes. I've been making them for a week straight and can't stop <3

    thanks for everything

     

  • At November 6, 2012 at 12:56 PM , Blogger klgapinski said...

    Just wanted to say thank you and that your blog is amazing!! My boyfriend and I have been planning our meals around the recipes you have on your blog for the past 6months (since I found your blog) and we have not had a meal that we have not loved. It is wonderful to have recipes that do not break our budget and only require a limited amount of ingredients and still taste great.

    Thanks again!
    Kendra & Dave

     

  • At November 12, 2012 at 3:24 PM , Blogger Nurse Nancy said...

    Love your blog! I have your slow cooker marinara cooking right now and can't wait to try the potato soup recipe. I found you through Pinterest and have been having a blast looking at your recipes. I've been a home cook for 25 years and it's so refreshing to see recipes that use real food that is available everywhere. If I can't pronounce the ingredient, chances are my small town Florida grocery store doesn't carry it :-) Now that hubby and I are empty nesters, we can experiment with new recipes and get a little more adventurous, but with 2 kids in college, I love the budget-friendly ideas. Oh, my new favorite go-to spice is smoked paprika. How did I ever live without it?

    Thanks again,
    Nancy

     

  • At November 15, 2012 at 4:21 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    YOUR BLOG IS AMAZING!!! Thank you for sharing with us your brilliant recipes as well as the beautiful pictures that help so very much! Keep up the GREAT work!!! Thanks a bunch - your friends in NM!

     

  • At November 19, 2012 at 2:52 PM , Anonymous Lavon said...

    iam hooked on your blog, i have now gotten a few people hooked on it as well. thank you so much for the inspiration. i have been saving money for a car and eating in is a cost saving measure, you have made it fun again!

    thanks!

     

  • At November 30, 2012 at 10:31 AM , Anonymous Isa said...

    I just stumbled upon your blog a few days ago and was happy to realize that you are a New Orleanian like myself! Can't wait to try these recipes!

    One question, though - Where are your favorite grocery stores in NOLA?

     

  • At November 30, 2012 at 11:17 AM , Blogger Beth M said...

    Isa - I can't say that I have a favorite in NOLA, but I end up going to Rouse's almost exclusively. There is one just a few blocks from my house, it's huge, has decent produce, and a wide selection of products. It's definitely a bit pricier than say Walmart, but it's convenient and I can afford that luxury these days. I really miss the big produce markets they have in Baton Rouge, though. They really need to open some here!

     

  • At December 2, 2012 at 1:45 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Thank you so much for this blog. My friend told me about this blog and I have been sharing with other friends as well. I love all of the recipes you have shared. Thanks again!

     

  • At December 2, 2012 at 3:02 PM , Anonymous mommy on a budget said...

    thank you for sharing recipes and awesome pictures to go with it.

     

  • At December 3, 2012 at 12:14 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    i fell upon your blog while looking up cheap meals. I'm so happy i did. I love your food and there are odds and ends in my kitchen you have solved with to do with the pinto beans and greenish/brown lentils i bought in error the other day. I recently lost my job so feeding 2 men and myself is a challenge when they want meat and I want money... Thank you thank you never stop posting. please keep posting.

     

  • At December 6, 2012 at 9:24 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    You might just be my long lost sister. I love to cook, I am studying to be a microbiologist, and I too appreciate the art and science of cooking. Not to mention I rock the short, sassy hair as well. I have really enjoyed exploring all the creative, delicious looking recipes you have come up with, can't wait to start testing them out! And thank you for adding the price next to eat, it makes it much easier to budget things out pre-grocery shopping :)

     

  • At December 19, 2012 at 11:45 AM , Blogger jww said...

    You're adorable, and your recipes are great! My hubby and I have tried a few, I think I need to peruse the archives...thanks for the inspiration!

    xo
    Kaitlin

     

  • At December 19, 2012 at 12:31 PM , Blogger Amanda said...

    Just wanted to echo all the praise and say that this has also become a go-to site for me for meal ideas. Recently read that "poor"=too much month at the end of your money and that's definitely me so when I see the bank account dwindling and need to plan meals until the next paycheck I stop by and get some ideas! I'm currently eating leftovers of the Curry beef for lunch, and have plans to make your chicken noodle soup for a bunch of people for the end of the world this Friday :) Hope it turns out good if it's going to be their last meal.

     

  • At December 27, 2012 at 10:34 AM , Blogger courtney said...

    Found you on Pinterest and before reading, knew you were in Nola...Rouses meat! ;) I'm in Slidell and have scrolled through your yummo recipes and have planned a Rouses list fir this afternoon! Thanks for your love of numbers...now my big family can eat good and save dough. Courtney mom of 5

     

  • At December 31, 2012 at 8:28 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    my husband and i love your site! keep up the great work :)

     

  • At January 1, 2013 at 12:13 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Your recipes are Outstanding and very enjoyable. I look forward to many tasteful meals.

    thank you

     

  • At January 1, 2013 at 11:09 PM , Anonymous Jaime said...

    I just found your site and I LOVE it!!! My husband and I are huge foodies... you are my newest favorite. Jaime

     

  • At January 4, 2013 at 12:42 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    My husband and I have been in love with your recipes since last year.

    I'm a microbiologist too, so I might be a bit biased. ;-)

     

  • At January 4, 2013 at 4:56 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    I stumbled upon this site... actually, I believe that I did actually "Stumbleupon.com" this site.... and I absolutely love it. I have four daughters, 23 pets, (no, not a hoarder -- rescue and different varieties of animals, I promise!)... when I sit down to go online I usually get off quickly.... But I find myself referring to this site over and over again, with great success with your recipes.

    Thanks so much!
    Kathie Boselowitz

     

  • At January 4, 2013 at 4:56 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    I stumbled upon this site... actually, I believe that I did actually "Stumbleupon.com" this site.... and I absolutely love it. I have four daughters, 23 pets, (no, not a hoarder -- rescue and different varieties of animals, I promise!)... when I sit down to go online I usually get off quickly.... But I find myself referring to this site over and over again, with great success with your recipes.

    Thanks so much!
    Kathie Boselowitz

     

  • At January 5, 2013 at 2:34 PM , Anonymous Shelley said...

    Found your site via AndThenWeSaved.com and am SO EXCITED to try out your recipes. Thank you!!

     

  • At January 7, 2013 at 3:08 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

    i am a professional chef in India at Mysore, You're adorable, and your recipes are great! My hubby is looking new recipes and food cost, this web site really great and good ...thanks for the inspiration! H C VISHWANATH EXECUTIVE CHEF ASSHOKA HOTEL HASSAN
    email id ; vishwaroop1973@gmail.com

     

  • At January 10, 2013 at 12:59 PM , Blogger Chernoble said...

    Thank you for the wonderful recipes. Your site is great.... better than great it is greater....no the greatest. Too far? Nah :)

     

  • At January 16, 2013 at 6:49 PM , Blogger Lori said...

    I stumbled on your blog...I can't even remember where or how, but I'm so thrilled that it found it's way to me! Thank you, thank you for sharing all of this!!! My kids may love my cooking after all!!

     

  • At January 16, 2013 at 6:50 PM , Blogger Lori said...

    I stumbled on your blog...I can't even remember where or how, but I'm so thrilled that it found it's way to me! Thank you, thank you for sharing all of this!!! My kids may love my cooking after all!!

     

  • At January 18, 2013 at 10:21 PM , Anonymous Simon said...

    I arrived on your website via a Reddit link. I love your recipes! You deliver - tasty, healthy and inexpensive. You should really have your own TV show or book or something!

    Going to try your Dragon Noodles this weekend.

     

  • At January 20, 2013 at 6:33 PM , Blogger Lashae Karsin said...

    I absolutely love your blog! My husband and I have to watch how much money we spend very closely. I really love cooking and wish I had an endless amount of money to spend on a lot of ingredients, but for the time being, I simply don't. Your blog has so many flavorful recipes for such low costs. I had never even thought to look for pork loin as a "cheap" meat until I saw your recipe for herb roasted pork loin, which was fabulous by the way! The detail you put into your instructions and photographs is fabulous. I'm not sure if I will ever find a site as useful as this one again. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge!

     

  • At January 22, 2013 at 9:53 PM , Blogger Lauren said...

    You rock, girlie! I've read your blog daily for a while now, but I never read this page before. :) Just wanted to add my two cents and say how much your blog has helped me plan dinners for my crew which includes a picky 6 year old and an even pickier 3 year old. I just love your recipes, Beth!! You do such a great job at giving us a variety of dishes that are easy to prepare and shop for, not to mention economical. I have a whole folder of your recipes that I go to again and again. I check your blog daily to see what's cooking. :) Keep up the great work and I wish you tons of success....a cookbook maybe?!!!

     

  • At January 23, 2013 at 8:20 AM , Blogger Beth M said...

    Lauren - Yep, there is a cookbook in the works! I'm just about done with the first draft and then it's on to editing, design, and all that good stuff. So, it's still a ways off, but there WILL be one! Thanks for your kind words and encouragement!!

     

  • At January 26, 2013 at 5:26 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Happened across your site and am very impressed... We are having the peanut chicken this evening....Cant wait to see more!

     

  • At January 28, 2013 at 10:16 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Wow, what a wonderful blog! Thank you so much for putting this together for all the world to share! I started my week thinking "I need some cheap meals, I wonder how I can start calculating new fun things to cook for cheap?" Google led me here! You're amazing!

     

  • At January 29, 2013 at 9:56 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hi. Love your approach. How about a recipe for Swedish meatballs?
    Sharon

     

  • At January 29, 2013 at 10:55 AM , Blogger Beth M said...

    Excellent idea! I think I'll add Swedish meatballs to my list ;)

     

  • At February 4, 2013 at 6:53 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I just wanted to let you know how much I absolutely love your blog. I am currently in medical school with no time and no money and your recipes have been getting me through. They are excellent for my budget, your directions make them easy to make and they always turn out absolutely delicious. I can't say thank you enough! Keep up the good work!

     

  • At March 8, 2013 at 3:44 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I love your blog and the recipes are delicious and practical! I also wanted to say your photos are fantastic! How did you learn to take such great food pictures, and what kind of camera do you use? You always seem to have such great lighting and the pictures are tack sharp. I'm a budding photographer myself and would like to know how you do it. Thanks so much for your contributions!

     

  • At March 31, 2013 at 10:24 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Our friends told is about your blog as my husband and I recently realized we were spending waaaaay to much on food. The recipes we have tried have been fabulous. We are vegetarian so love all the meat free options! The hard work you put into your posts is very much appreciated. Thank you!

     

  • At April 18, 2013 at 8:04 AM , Blogger Caroline said...

    Ooh! I've just discovered your blog and this is amazing! Just trying to start being really budget-conscious with our family meals, so this is brilliant! Thank you!

     

  • At April 20, 2013 at 9:36 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    You are so hot

     

  • At April 23, 2013 at 1:51 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hi Beth,
    I nominated your blog for a few awards. Check it out here:
    http://serifandspice.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/id-like-to-thank-the-academy/
    You don’t have to do anything if you choose, but sit back and bask in the glory, but if you like, you can write a post that links back to mine:
    http://serifandspice.wordpress.com and post the ‘badges’ — either in a post or in your sidebar. And nominate a few blogs you like too!

    I really enjoy your blog and wanted to let you know!

     

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