TIPS TO SAVE MONEY ON FOOD

Money is tight these days and when it comes to feeding your family you have to be creative. And here's how to save money, let's work with a family of 4 as an example, 2 adults and 2 kids pre-teens.

A 5 lb. box of frozen chicken thighs cost anywhere from 3.99-5.99 on average this can stretch out at least for 2 meals.

Brown rice cost about 4.99-7.99 per 10 lb. bag. (follow directions on bag)

Buy a slow cooker such as a Crockpot TM. Get a big one, slow cookers are great for families.

Here's what you do, this recipe can go 2 times, eat half and freeze the rest.

1 5 lb. box of frozen chicken thighs thawed
1 large round onion sliced

1 10 oz can of tomato sauce low sodium

2 large green bell peppers sliced

5 Roma tomatoes sliced in half

2 large russett potatoes cubed bite size

2 bay leaves cracked

1 tbsp. cloves

2 tbsp. vinegar

1/4 cup red wine

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. coriander

1. Place all ingredients in the slow cooker, set for 5 hours, follow manufacturer's instructions. Set it before you go to work. By the time you're home, you have dinner ready, eat half store the rest.

* The meal shouldn't spoil, the vinegar and wine and salt adds as a safety net and as long as it is covered it should be safe to eat. If you need to heat it, remove from slow cooker and add to a pot on stove top and reheat to about 145 degrees F.

Serve with brown rice