My Ever-Changing Food Landscape

As my reputation for being "that frugal food lady" has grown, so have the number of questions I get about where we buy our food, what products we buy, and how much we are paying for specific items. So many of the details of our food purchasing have changed in the last year since my book came out, it's a bit mind-boggling! I'm also getting questions about whether I can still get the same prices as the ones shown in the "Sample Monthly Food Purchases" section of my book, since they are from purchases made in 2010.

In response to that last question about what I'm currently paying, the short answer is that for most foods I'm still able to get the prices I've quoted in my book. For a few foods, I'm actually getting better prices now than I was in 2010. For example, I'm now paying around $1.60 a pound for grass fed ground beef from a family farm when I buy it on sale in a 30 pound box; I was paying $1.99 a pound for sale-priced grocery store ground beef. I've also started buying real "farm fresh" eggs (free range and organic fed) for $2.50 per dozen, just slightly more than the cost of sale-priced grocery store eggs (more details on that here). There are definitely some food items for which the price has increased significantly: I was able to get milk as low as $2.99 for 4 litres back in 2010, now the best price is usually $4.29. The "rock bottom" price for peanut butter was $1.99 per kilogram, now it's around $3.88 (I don't follow this price too closely any more as I've started buying locally produced organic peanut butter). Orange juice was 89 to 99 cents for a 355 mL can of frozen concentrate, now the best price is $1.50 for a 295 mL can - they increased the price *and* decreased the can size. Also, the cans of frozen concentrate used to always be a better deal than cartons of fresh juice. That has changed and now over 50% of the time we're getting a better deal on juice in the carton.

One thing is very clear - there are no cut-and-dried, static, "forever" solutions to buying good food at great prices. That is why I try to focus on teaching people the basic principles of how to approach buying food on a small budget, because the specific details of what that looks like will probably change over time. Also, because food costs vary so much from one region to another across North America, what's inexpensive for me might be outrageously priced for you! I've had some people tell me that they can't find deals anywhere close to what I have shown in my book, and others who can get much better prices on certain items. In general, food is significantly more expensive here in Canada than it is in the U.S., so my American readers can probably find better prices for many foods than I can.

Since the local food movement has gained so much steam in the past few years, in most towns and cities there will be new options emerging on a regular basis. That's why I recommend getting tuned in to the food scene in your area, whether that's through a food co-op or a "local food" or other similar group, so you can get the latest news on potential food sources.

As my own "food landscape" expands and changes, our family's food acquisition strategies look quite different than they did even a year ago. While I do post updates here on the blog about new ways we are buying food, I know it's nice to have information all in one place rather than trying to wade through a whole series of blog posts to find what you're looking for. To make it easier to find current information on what foods we're buying and where we're buying them, I'm developing a couple of resources that I hope will be helpful to you all:

A "What's In My Pantry" board on Pinterest. I will keep this board updated with current information on what products we use, where we're buying them, and how much we're paying. To check it out, go HERE.

A supplemental e-book that will discuss in detail all the changes we've made in our approach to buying food over the past year since Cheap Appétit was published. This will be available for free to everyone who's purchased my book, and I'm aiming to have it ready to share by the anniversary of my book launch at the end of February. Don't worry, there will be a big announcement when it's available :)

Has the way you buy food changed a lot (or a little) in the past year?

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Happy Birthday to My Book!

Photo by antpkr/freedigitalphotos.net

My book is now officially one year old! Technically, it was officially one year old back on December 6th, but I was too busy being sick and trying to prepare for the holidays to give it the fanfare it deserves :) And the "official launch" was in February so I'm splitting the difference in the middle and calling it good.

It's definitely been an interesting year full of ups and downs. Writing a book really is not for the faint of heart! Even though there have been a lot of challenges and frustrations along the way, it is seeing how the information in my book really has changed families' lives that makes it all worthwhile. When you're a writer, positive feedback can be the thing that keeps you keeping on when the going gets tough, and I have been honored to receive some fantastic comments from readers.

Here are some excerpts from my Amazon reviews:

"This book is a wonderful reference and starting point to feeding your family nourishing , tasty meals and trying to stick to a budget...My family found her lentil soup , zucchini muffins and pork and apple stew all very delicious . Of course we will still continue to eat some of our own family favorites , but our grocery bill will be a lot less , and we will probably eat better than ever. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to feed their family well, and still sticking to a budget."

"Using some of the multiple strategies mentioned, I saved $300 on groceries the first month for our family of five. And it's been fun! We've been enjoying the recipes as well, especially the fact that they use ingredients you're likely to have on hand and don't take hours to prepare: yummy family food that is easily adapted to our personal tastes. Chicken & Vegetable Coconut Curry, Chicken Paprika, and Cheesy Mac & Beef Skillet are already in our dinner rotation and we're looking forward to adding more as we work our way through the rest of the recipes."

"WOW!!! I was happily surprised when my copy of Cheap Appétit arrived. This is so much more than your average cookbook -- it's an organizational tool to aid in kitchen and pantry set-up, trips to the grocery store, and food budgets. The author details ways save at the grocery store, shop to replenish the pantry (not just buying food for the coming week), store food for longevity, and she gives alternatives to the grocery store, like growing your own food or having a co-op food swap. It's an entire change in the way we eat and shop for food, and one that many need to make given the current economic climate. And who doesn't want to eat better for for less??...There is a lot to this book for such a low price; you won't be disappointed!"

"I cannot tell you how many times I see a cookbook and think it will be great, only to receive it and wish I hadn't wasted the money. This cookbook is truly like no other I have ever owned...I had allowed my busy life style to impact my children's meals. I can honestly say the things we have cooked (yes WE as in me and my kids) take the same amount of time, if not less than the prepared meals I have been buying...The best part for me is, my son is a picky eater and he loves the recipes in this book!...I really didn't know we could eat better on less money. I thought the healthier you ate the more expensive it is. I am grateful to Karen McLaughlin for this book! The information is priceless!"

"This book is an amazing resource for any family, but most especially those families who want to get more organized in the kitchen, reduce their grocery budget (possibly DRASTICALLY!) and eat whole yummy foods!...I will be purchasing more copies of this book as gifts for friends. I do know so many who are really feel the pinch of the tight economy at this time and this book is such a concise and comprehensive guide for helping people out with all things food budget,organization, shopping and prep. related."

"We already make all our dinners from scratch, but with a monthly grocery bill of $800 or more for our family of four, I thought I would give this book a try. I am very pleased with it so far!...She has great sections on not just HOW to make things like bread, granola, yogurt or cooked beans yourself, but also WHY you should bother. The author tells you how much money she saves per item so you can decide if it would be worth it for your family. I enjoyed her analysis of different ways to save money, and overall she does a great and balanced job of analyzing different methods to cut your grocery bill from bakery outlets to pick your own produce."

"I don't like to cook dinner every day for our family of five, let alone plan and shop. I run out of ideas, get bored, or get overwhelmed. I find Karen's book to be a practical and expansive collection of recipes with the bonus of cooking, shopping and kitchen hints. I honestly have no idea how she came up with so many helpful recipes and hints. She makes me feel like I can improve my competence in meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking skills."

(By the way, if you happen to be the author of one of these reviews, please know how much I appreciate you taking the time to write it! They mean so much to me and certainly help improve sales, too.)

One thing I know for sure: the information in my book WORKS. It has helped families in many different kinds of situations rapidly cut their grocery bill by 40-60% - *without* couponing. Even my publisher, a super busy mom of 5, told me she has cut her grocery bill in half using the strategies in my book. A wide variety of families with different needs and lifestyles have had the chance to try out my system and confirm that it works for their families, too. I am more convinced than ever that this is not some unrealistic pie-in-the-sky approach, but one that is accessible and doable for everyone who wants or needs to cut their food budget drastically.

There are still SO many families out there who really need this information. Although I certainly do the best I can to promote my book, it's really word of mouth that helps the most. So please, won't you help me celebrate my book's first birthday by telling someone about it? It really CAN change people's lives for the better.

For more information about Cheap Appétit and where to purchase it, go HERE.

Love what you read here? Find out how you can help support this blog. 

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Five Favourite Fall Recipes From My Book

Now that the crisp nights and cooler days are here, we've started to enjoy some of our favourite fall recipes - the comforting soups, stews and casseroles that we wouldn't contemplate eating in the middle of a summer heat wave but that we eagerly embrace once the temperatures start to drop. Here are five of the recipes from my book that I'm happy to be making again:

Pork and Apple Stew (p. 156)

We're still waiting for some local apples, with fingers crossed. The apple crop was badly damaged this year by a late spring frost and I don't yet know how the pick-your-own farm we always go to has fared. Aside from a fresh-off-the-tree apple, this stew is one of the dishes I most look forward to at the start of apple season. It's such a family favourite that heated arguments have been known to break out over who gets the last bit of stew in the bottom of the pot :)

Spicy Peanut and Tomato Soup (p. 163)
 

I find some people are hesitant to try this recipe, with its combination of peanut butter, tomatoes and spices. I hope you'll give it a try, though - everyone I know so far that's tried it has raved about it. It's also one of the quickest and easiest to prepare recipes in my book, perfect for a night when you need to get dinner on the table ASAP! I usually serve this with a hot pan of cornbread on the side.

Apple and Bacon Baked Beans (p. 177)
Yep, more apples! This spin on the traditional baked beans is always greeted with enthusiasm. It also makes a large potful, so it's one of the few dishes for which I can bank on having leftovers (and they taste even better the next day!)

Moroccan Chickpea Stew (p. 159)
Another quick-fix dish, its combination of chickpeas and vegetables in a spicy tomato sauce is surprisingly satisfying.

Tex-Mex Shepherd's Pie (p. 173)


My spin on the classic comfort food! I think I'm going to have to start doubling this recipe as my two ravenous teen boys would happily polish the whole thing off themselves.

What are some of your favourite fall dishes?

Reminder for local readers: If you're reading this in your email or news feed, I wanted to make sure all my local readers know about my upcoming book signing and presentation. It's TONIGHT at 7 p.m., at the Westdale branch of the Hamilton Public Library. I'll have copies of my book available to purchase for $15. I hope some of you will be able to join me!  

Love what you read here? Find out how you can help support this blog. 

Want to stay connected in between blog posts?

Click HERE to follow me on Twitter

Click HERE to like Abundance on a Dime on Facebook and get updates and tips on living frugally

Click HERE to like Cheap Appétit on Facebook and get updates and tips on frugal eating and cooking

A Couple of Changes...and a Request for Support

 Image by Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I've been thinking about writing this post for a while now, and been a little nervous about doing it. Then I saw another blogger I respect write a post like this recently, and that made me feel a bit better about the idea. So, here goes!

First, I just wanted to mention a couple of small changes I'm making to the blog. Starting this week, if I find a particularly noteworthy deal on a food or natural product (personal care, cleaning, etc) I'm going to post it at the top of the blog for the week. I've got a deal at Shoppers Drug Mart up there as my pick for this week. I have no intention of becoming a "deals" blogger, but I figured it would be fun to share the best deal or two of the week so you can make sure you don't miss it (these will largely apply to my Ontario and/or Canadian readers, depending on what the deal is). I also want to start supporting more local and Canadian bloggers, so you'll see some changes in the "Blogspiration" links on my sidebar (you can check out Crackers and MyEdit if you want a taste of other Hamilton bloggers!)

Second (and this is the part that is difficult for me) I wanted to ask for your support. As my long time readers will be aware, I'm a pretty DIY kind of gal, and it can sometimes be hard for me to ask for help. I've been writing this blog for over two years now, and it has been a mostly fun and rewarding experience. There is no denying, however, that it takes a big chunk of my time that could be spent focusing on my home and family. I want to keep writing posts that will help you to live well without spending a lot of money - and the time has come for me to ask for a bit of assistance from you, my readers.

One of my goals with this blog was to keep it ad-free. I know quite a few bloggers generate a decent revenue through advertising (and I'm not criticizing them) - I'm just saying that it doesn't feel right for *me*. We are bombarded by so much advertising these days, and I want my blog to feel like a haven from all that noise. Yes, I advertise my own book on the blog, and occasionally include Amazon affiliate links in my posts, but other than that I have not taken on any advertising. I have done a couple of paid product posts in the past, and found that didn't feel particularly good to me, either. I would much prefer to have a reader-supported blog, and I know that's possible because other people have done it :)

So, if you appreciate the information I provide, here are some ways you can help support me so I can continue to write this blog (and most of them won't cost you a thing!)

1. Use my affiliate links if you're making a purchase on Amazon or Mountain Rose Herbs.  Clicking on my book image (further down in the post) will activate my affiliate account; you don't have to purchase my book once you arrive on the Amazon site, but most purchases you do make will result in me receiving a small commission.

If you click on this banner:

 

or the one at the top of my blog page, it will activate my Mountain Rose affiliate account. I am really proud to be an affiliate of this company; they put a lot of thought and care into everything they do and offer great prices on the highest quality organic herbs, spices, teas, and other herbal and personal care products. They also pay a very generous commission to their affiliates (much higher than Amazon). I can't say enough good things about this company, so I hope you'll consider supporting them (and me!) by purchasing their products through my affiliate account.

2. Connect with me on Facebook (I have a page for both my blog and my book), Twitter or Pinterest

3. If you find one of my posts particularly useful, share it on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

4. Leave a comment! As a blogger, sometimes it can feel like you're talking to yourself if no one comments on your posts. I know you're out there reading them because I can see it in my blog stats, so please let me know if you found a particular post helpful. It seems like a little thing, but a few positive comments can really make a blogger's day :)

5. If you have something you'd like to say, but would rather say it in private, you can email me at abundanceonadimeATgmailDOTcom.

6. Let me know what types of posts you'd like to see here. I'm basically guessing at the demographics of my readers and writing what I think will be helpful - but maybe you'd like me to write about something else! For example, I don't write much about living frugally with babies and young children, because my kids are well past that stage. I do have a wealth of experience in that area, though, so I could write more posts focused on that topic if that's what my readers want. So leave a comment or email me to tell me what topics you'd like to see me cover.

7. Let people know about my book. I'm not into traditional, aggressive marketing techniques, so I'm relying largely on "soft marketing" and word-of-mouth to sell my book. I've gotten terrific feedback from many people who've bought it, and it's gotten several 5 star reviews on Amazon. A couple of people have liked it so much they've bought 8-10 copies to give away to family, friends, or clients! Still, I need a lot of help to "get the word out" and let people know it exists. If you've already bought a copy, I really appreciate it! If you love the book, writing a review on Amazon would really help me out (the more great reviews it has, the better). While we're on the topic of Amazon, entering the Amazon site by clicking on my book in the sidebar (or below) will activate my affiliate account, and I will get a small affiliate commission for most things you buy on the site after clicking through. Mentioning my book on Facebook and Twitter (maybe commenting on a specific recipe your family particularly enjoyed) is a great way to let people know about it, too. Requesting the book for purchase at your library and linking to it or reviewing it on your blog are other ways to help spread the word. If you happen to have a great independent bookstore that you frequent, suggesting that they stock a few copies wouldn't hurt, either!

7. Purchase a book or Budget Menu Plan subscription or make a donation. 

Yes, here is the part where I finally ask you to consider providing some financial support. I know there are some people who are not in a position to do this (believe me, I *totally* understand!). However, I know there are others for whom this might be a possibility, so I'm just asking you to consider it if it feels right to you. You probably know at least one person who could benefit from the information in my book (heck, one of my friends told me she saved $300 on groceries in the first month she used the strategies in my book!). So, please consider it when you're thinking about gift-giving. If you collect Swagbucks, you could even get it for free with Amazon gift certificates.

I also have Budget Menu Plan subscriptions for sale at very affordable prices - again, if you need a gift for a busy, overwhelmed mom, why not give her the gift of never having to worry about what to make for dinner again? More information about the menu plans, along with a link to a sample weekly plan, can all be found HERE.

Finally, I have now put a "Donate" button on my sidebar. If you feel so inspired, you can donate any amount you'd like (really, no amount is too small and I will appreciate any and all contributions!) Again, I know it's something not everyone can do - so please don't feel bad if it's not something you can consider right now. It's simply there as an option for those who are able and feel so inclined.

Oh yes, and one final thing: Whether you choose to do some, all, or none of the above, I appreciate you stopping by to read what I have to say! Thanks for being here :)

I'm Celebrating My Book Launch with a "Local and Organic" Food Challenge!

Photo by Grant Cochrane/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today is the official launch of my book, Cheap Appetit: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 (While Eating Better Than You Ever Thought Possible), and if you purchase a copy today, you'll receive over $1000 in bonus gifts! So you'll not only get tips on slashing your food budget and over 125 family-friendly recipes, you'll have the opportunity to receive some special bonus items on a variety of topics. For complete details on how to receive your free gifts, go here



To celebrate my book's big day, I am issuing myself a "Local and Organic Food Challenge" to see just how much local and organic food I can cram into our less-than-$400-a-month food budget!

Several years back, I had started buying more organic foods, then we ended up having to slash our budget dramatically due to financial circumstances. At that time, I didn't feel like it was possible or practical to purchase organic items on our cut-to-the-bone budget. Now that I've become an expert at how to feed my family for as little as possible, I've started to feel up to the challenge of making yet more changes, and seeing how far I can go in supporting local and/or organic food suppliers without busting my budget!


I have always bought a lot of local food in season - I don't think I've purchased apples, onions, potatoes, carrots or cabbages grown out of province in many years! And we love to support local pick-your-own farms as well. But I'm ready to start exploring more options. For the purpose of this challenge, I'm going to define "local" as in-province, although much of the Ontario-produced food sold around here comes from pretty close by.

As I've gotten ready to take on this challenge and started looking around at different possibilities, I've been surprised that I've already located sources for buying quite a few organic food items at the same price (or even lower) that I was paying for conventionally grown foods. One of the first steps I've taken is to rejoin a food coop that I was a member of several years ago, the Ontario Natural Food Coop (ONFC). Through a local buying group, we can order a wide variety of natural and organic food items at discounted prices (sometimes very deeply discounted compared to what you would pay at the grocery store!). Many of the products are also grown in-province, which is an added bonus.

Basically, I'll be using many of the same strategies that I've always used to keep our food bill low, with slightly different goals in mind:

1. Know your prices: To get the best deals, you need to know your prices well! Because I have a good handle on what we usually pay for each type of food we buy, I am quickly able to spot the potentially good deals as I evaluate new options for buying organic foods.

2. Buy from a variety of sources: There is no single source that will always have the best deal on everything. Even the food coop, which has absolutely fantastic prices on many items, is not the lowest-priced source for everything I want to buy.

3. Buy in bulk: To get the best price possible, you often need to buy in bulk. Sometimes that means buying a pretty crazy amount of a particular item at once! I just ordered 13.6 kg of organic, unsulphured raisins from the food coop, which probably seems a little nuts. Ordering in such a large quantity brought the price per pound down substantially; in fact it's about equivalent to what I would pay for grocery-store raisins!

4. Buy ingredients, not products: I will be able to make my own organic granola for far cheaper than I can buy a prepackaged brand! In fact, since I have found fantastic deals on nearly all of the ingredients, I will be able to make my own organic granola (with mostly locally grown foods) for nearly as cheap as I can make it using conventionally-grown foods.

5. Stockpile, store, and plan: This method of buying food is quite different than the shop-for-this-week's-meals style of grocery shopping that most people are used to. We are certainly not going to eat all those raisins in the next week, or even the next month (they will probably last us about a year). To purchase food in this way, you need to have a plan so you know what foods to buy when, and also be prepared to store large quantities of foods (and to do so in a way that ensures they won't spoil before you use them up!).

All of these concepts, and many more, are thoroughly outlined in my book and I will enjoy taking my food-buying skills to a new level!


Don't forget to go claim your free bonuses if you buy TODAY!

I will be sharing regular updates on how I'm doing with this challenge, so stay tuned to see just how far I can go! And if you happen to have any lines on great food at awesome prices in Southern Ontario, be sure to let me know, okay?

And the Winners Are...

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway for a chance at one of two copies of my cookbook. I enlisted the help of my boys in drawing the winning entries earlier today, and it's time to announce the lucky winners:

Janet S.   

(who left her comment on my Facebook page)

and

 Karin in BC

Congratulations, ladies! I will be emailing both of you to let you know you have won.

And for those of you who didn't win, and are thinking about purchasing a copy:

1. Remember that if you have enough Swagbucks you can still get it for free with Amazon gift certificates :)

2. My publisher has finally set the date for the "official" launch, which will be on February 15th. If you purchase the book on this day, you will receive an assortment of free bonus gifts, and will help me in my goal to get to the top of the list in the cookbook category that day.

Help Me Spread the Word About My Book - and WIN A COPY for Yourself

I need a little help from you - and in exchange I'm giving you the chance to win one of two copies of my new book, Cheap Appétit: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 a Month (While Eating Better Than You Ever Thought Possible). I made half a dozen recipes from the book just yesterday - I really do consider the 125+ recipes in the book indispensible in my kitchen, and I hope they will be in yours, too!

If you would like a chance to win a copy, do any of the following:

1. "Like" Cheap Appétit on Facebook (1 entry).

2. Share a link to the book listing (Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon UK or Barnes and Noble) and/or the book page on my blog on Twitter, Facebook or other social media (1 entry for each place you share it).

3. Share a link to any of the listings and/or the book page on your blog (1 entry).

4. Recommend the book for purchase at your library (3 entries). You'll need the book's ISBN number to do this, it's ISBN-10: 0982780397 or ISBN-13: 978-0982780398 depending on which one they want.

5. If you already have a copy of the book, write a review on Amazon (3 entries). Wouldn't it be nice to win another copy to give away to a friend or relative that could really use it?

6. Share a link to this giveaway post on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or other social media (1 entry for each place you share it).

Be sure to leave a comment letting me know which of the above activities you've completed, along with your email address so I know how to contact you if you've won.

You have until Monday, January 23nd at midnight EST to enter and I will announce the winner Tuesday January 24th!

This contest is open to all residents of Canada and the continental US (sorry, international readers!). I will be drawing the names the good old-fashioned way by pulling them out of a hat (the random number generator is just no fun!).

Thanks for your help, and good luck!

My Book Is Here!!

The moment I've been waiting a LOOONG time for is finally here - I have an actual, honest-to-goodness real live copy of my book!

This is the proof copy, which means it's not for sale quite yet - but it will be VERY SOON! As long as I don't find any major errors in the proof that need changing, it should be listed on Amazon by the middle of next week at the latest - just squeaking in for the get-it-shipped-before-Christmas deadline (in the U.S., anyway!). My husband has already given it a look through and didn't find anything amiss, so keep your fingers crossed :)

I'll be sure to let you know when it's available, and update the Cheap Appétit page here on the blog with links to all the relevant Amazon pages (it will be listed on .com, .ca., and also .gb and .austr I think!).  

Writing a book has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I still can't quite believe I've actually done it. I've written newsletters, op-ed pieces, tons of blog posts and other assorted articles, but nothing else has come close to seeing a whole book with my name on the cover!

Guess what everyone in my family is getting for Christmas this year :)

Readers, I Need Your Help!

First, I have a confession to make: I've been keeping a secret from you. But I promise you're going to like it! I've been busily working away on writing a book, and it's going to be published very soon.

Cheap Appétit: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 a Month (While Eating Better Than You Ever Thought Possible) will be released somewhere around the end of June - the exact date is still up in the air as we pull all the final bits and pieces together that are required to launch a book into the world.

And that is where you, dear readers, come in! We're working on the back cover design right now, and we would love to feature some testimonials from real live moms just like you. I have some specific recipes that I'd like to have "endorsements" for and I'm hoping to get your help. If you've made any of the following recipes and they have been a hit with your family, I'd love to include your feedback on my book cover. We won't use your full name, just initials and city (e.g. M.R. in Edmonton). If you're a blogger and would like your full name and blog URL included, I think we should be able to do that (although I would need to check with my publisher about that).

So, without further ado, here are the recipes on my "wishlist":

Aloha Muffins
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Granola
Lemon Blueberry Polenta Cake
Pork and Apple Stew
Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Pudding
Lemony Chicken & Spinach Pasta
Upside-Down Apple Oven Pancake
Southwestern-Spiced Barley & Vegetable Salad
Build a Cucumber and Bean Salad
Chicken Enchiladas
Spicy Peanut & Tomato Soup
Baked Pasta
Raspberry Cream Cheese Squares
Thai-Style Peanutty Pasta
Chicken & Vegetable Coconut Curry

I would need your "review" as soon as possible - within the next couple of weeks or so. You can either leave it for me as a comment on this post, comment on the original recipe post, or email it to me directly at karen_mclaughlinATcogecoDOTca (if you don't hear back from me within 24 hrs, your email got lost in cyberspace so please try again). I look forward to hearing from you!