We had a break from the heat and humidity. For about 2 seconds. Ugh.
The lawn needs to be cut, things need to be trimmed up, weeds need to be pulled but it is just too darned hot!! So much easier to stay in the air conditioning and watch tv. Or blog! Well, hey... it is Sunday. A day of rest and a day to truly focus on the Lord and on His work in and through us.
I picked up my boxes from Angel Food Ministries yesterday. I tried to get everything in the picture that I could, but there is some stuff buried underneath you can't see in the picture - a 3 pound bag of apples, a 3 pound bag of oranges, a 2 pound bag of red potatoes and a 3 pound bag of Idahos, a large honeydew melon, the shelf stable milk - but I had to hurry up the shot to get the freezer stuff put away, so hopefully you can get the general idea with the list below.
This month I didn't buy much because I have a pretty full freezer with a good bit of beef in there, and the meat boxes that were offered didn't really appeal to me anyway. I need to focus on a more balanced plate and getting in some more vegetables, which I love, but the Hubs doesn't, so I haven't been very diligent about getting them in here lately. He would be happy eating just meat alone. I prefer more fresh vegetables than meat, and I've been so carb heavy here lately that I went for the produce boxes this month. He will just have to suffer through it! {I have also been remiss about getting in any Intentional Exercise too, but that's a whole 'nother post...sigh...}
Anyhoo... I have been buying Angel Food boxes for about a year now and overall I am pleased. The food is of excellent quality, I feel like I'm getting a good buy and I'm overall very happy with my purchases, but, the last few 4-pack ribeyes that were part of the Signature Boxes {not part of the boxed specials} were full of gristle - something that should not be a consideration in a steak like ribeye! But then we had some t-bones that were from the box specials and they were tender and delicious, so the best I can say about the steaks is that well, they have been hit or miss lately. I have written a complaint about it to the Angel Food Ministries Corporate office and if you have had some disappointing purchases, please contact them and let them know. Hopefully that will result in them changing their buying source if enough people let them know of quality issues with anything that you buy.
This month I only bought the Signature Box and the two Fresh Fruit & Veggie Boxes. The standard fruit and veggie box varies each month, but typically includes basics like lettuce, celery, sweet onions, red onions, garlic, carrots, apples & oranges - that kind of stuff. But this month was the first time that they offered a fruit & veggie box that they called "Latin Flavors," so I was excited to give it a try. Course I'm gonna have to come up with recipes that use things like key limes, jalapeno peppers, avocados, calabacita & chayote squash - items that are just not common in old fashioned southern cooking!
By the way, they did include some recipe sheets, but as always ... I am open to any and all suggestions for what to do with these lovely pieces of produce! The quality of the vegetables is outstanding so I was very pleased with this purchase and looking forward to trying the Latin Flavors box for June which includes things like plantains, mangoes, yucca root, and jicama along with more jalapeno peppers, avocados, and key limes again. I'm definitely gonna have to visit some fellow bloggers who are a bit more expert with these types of vegetables - like my pal Joyce over at Just Joycee or Magdiel & Lindsay over at Mexico: Food, Drinks & More! If anybody has any other sites that they frequent, please let me know! I'll love ya forever. :)
The deadline for my host site for June orders is June 14th, so if you're interested in trying Angel Food Ministries, first check to see if there is a host site near you, and then check out the menu. You do have to purchase a basic box first - which is either the Signature Box, the Senior/Convenience Meal (frozen dinners) box, the Allergen-Free box, or the Seafood Box - before you can purchase the other specials, but in my opinion the combination of the two groups is really where you get your value. Next month for specials they have a grill box with 1.5 pounds of New York Strip steaks, 2 pounds of thick cut Boston Butt chops, 2 pounds of baby back ribs and 1.5 pounds of bratwurst with cheese - I'll probably get 1 or 2 of those. They also have a 4.5 pound meat & chicken combo box and an 11 pound chicken combo box - go and check it out! Generally pick up will be 1 to 2 weeks after you place your order but deadlines vary by location, and some locations have internet ordering, which really simplifies the whole process.
According to the website,
"Angel Food is available in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $30 per unit. Each month's menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60. Comparison shopping has been done across the country in various communities using a wide range of retail grocery stores and has resulted in the same food items costing from between $42 and $78.Here's what was included in my basic box and the two produce specials for May, pictured above. I have only included what I purchased, not all of the boxes that were available. My total was $74.00.
Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The food is all the same high quality one could purchase at a grocery store. There are no second-hand items, no damaged or out-dated goods, no dented cans without labels, no day-old breads and no produce that is almost too ripe.
Also offered are specialty boxes such as steaks, chicken and pork. Many participants in this bonus program appreciate the expanded choices. Additionally, there is no limit to the number of units or bonus foods an individual can receive, and there are no applications to complete or qualifications to which participants must adhere. Angel Food Ministries also participates in the U.S. Food Stamp program, using the Off-Line Food Stamp Voucher system."
May 2009 Angel Food Ministries Box Ingredients
Signature Box - $30.00
2.5 lb. Lean Chopped Beef Steaks (5 x 8 oz.)
5 lb. Leg Quarters
2 lb. Chicken and Corn Bread Stuffing Casserole (Ready to Cook)
28 oz. Salisbury Steak Dinner Entrée
1 lb. Boneless Pork Chops (4 x 4 oz.)
1 lb. Corn Dogs (6 ct.)
12 oz. Deli Sliced Ham
5 oz. Chunk Light Tuna in Water
32 oz. French Fries
1 lb. Sweet Corn
15 oz. Musselman’s canned Apple Sauce
15 oz. canned Pears
8 oz. Dinner Roll Mix - Makes 8 Nice Rolls
7.5 oz. Mac ’n Cheese
32 oz. 2% Shelf Stable Milk
Dozen Eggs
Apple Pie
MAY SPECIAL #5
Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box - $22.00
1 head Premium Fresh California Iceberg Lettuce
1 head Premium Fresh California Romaine Lettuce
1 5 oz. Package Fresh Gourmet Classic Caesar Croutons
1 Package Wiley’s Citrus Garlic Salad Seasoning
1 lb. California Cello-Pack Carrots
2 each Premium Jumbo Vidalia Sweet Onions
1 each Premium Jumbo Red Onion
1 6 oz. Bag Premium Fresh Florida Red Radishes
1 head Premium Fresh Green Cabbage
3 lb. Premium Idaho Baking Potatoes
3 lb. Premium Tree-Ripened Valencia Oranges
3 lb. Premium Washington State Red Delicious Apples
1 each Premium Large Vine Ripened Honeydew Melon
AFM May 2009 Fruit and Veggie Recipe Sheet
MAY SPECIAL #6
"Latin Flavors" Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box - $22.00
6 Large Roma Tomatoes (Pink Color)
4 pack Premium California Hass Avocados
1 head Premium Fresh Green Cabbage
2 lb. Premium Fresh Key Limes
1 lb. Premium Fresh Jalapeno Peppers
2 lb. Premium Fresh New Crop B Size Red Potatoes
1 lb. Premium Fresh California Cello-Pack Carrots
1 5 ct. Premium Fresh Garlic
2 lb. Premium Fresh Large-Medium White Onions
2 each Premium Fresh Chayote Squash
4 each Premium Calabacita Squash
1 each Premium Fresh Celery-Sleeve
1 each Premium Sweet Red Seedless Watermelon
AFM May 2009 "Latin Flavors" Recipe Sheet
Note: I highly recommend preparing the produce that you are not going to use soon for the freezer, and storing what you know you'll be using soon in Debbie Meyer Green Bags. I have been using these for long enough now to tell you that while I don't recommend them for storing bananas at all, or tomatoes on the shelf {though I've stored a cut up one in them for a couple of days successfully} they definitely do help with most other produce items! Click here to read my review.
To see some of the previous boxes I have blogged about click here.
To view some recipes I've made using box ingredients click here.
I'll be back to postin' about food tomorrow y'all, so in the meantime, have a very blessed & peaceful rest of the weekend.
Hi, Love your blog. Use the calabacita like you would zucchini. For the chayote, cut them in half lengthwise, and boil under tender. Cool until you can handle them easily, then scoop out some of the flesh. The seed is edible. Chop/mash the flesh and mix with egg, breadcrumbs, cheese (muenster is great), seasoning of your choice (maybe a bit of jalapeno?!), salt and pepper. If you like onion and garlic, add in a bit of that too. Stuff the chayote with the mixutre. Bake at 325-350 for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy. I believe they are also referred to as mirlitons, christophenes, and vegetable pears. I had them first on vacation in Mexico but they are readily available where I live (California).
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting the information. I do not live in an area that AFM currently serves but I'll certainly keep my eyes open. I hope you'll cool off soon.
Wow, what a haul with very reasonable prices! Wish AFM was available in my town!
ReplyDeleteHey Mary,
ReplyDeleteI first learned about "Angel Food Ministries" on your blog. Since I had never heard of it before I followed the links and found that there is a pick up location really close to my house. I hope to make and order soon. Thanks for mentioning me also. Take care, Joyce
Thanks so much for the recipes! Yay!! You gave me an idea for sure! Thanks for stopping by!!
ReplyDeleteMary & Karen, keep checking their website because host sites open all the time. It's often through churches, since they get a dollar or two off of each order processed and then staff with church volunteers to box up and carry to your vehicle.
Joyce, check online to see if the site near you does internet ordering. They'll be a button that says "order online" or something like that. Click on it and see if it goes to an order page - don't worry you can back out! That's the easiest way - then you can use a debit or credit card and you only have to show up with your receipt on distribution day to pick up. And, you're welcome my friend!
There was an article in our Sunday paper today about AngelFood Ministries and a drop off point in our town!!! I couldn't believe it when one of the staff at work showed me the paper and said she was going to order. I told her about your blog and that i'd seen you talking about it!! I'm going to show it to my hubby and order something!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, Thanks for sharing AFM as I know first hand what a blessing they are! The economy here in my county relies mostly on construction and you know what that means. My husband and I are in construction and it's been rough. I have been buying faithfully for about six months. I bought the Latin Flavors box too and am excited to try some new things.
ReplyDeleteBunny yay! I hope you enjoy the variety as much as I have.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I can so sympathize with your situation and I sure hope things start turning around for the country soon. It has to really - that's the way the economic cycle runs. We had a big construction boom here after Katrina, but now that's all leveled out and of course the housing crunch came. I'm seeing a LOT of homes for sale or rent and lots of folks who were here for the recovery moving on now. Kinda sad really.
As a vegetarian I don't buy the boxes, but some of my neighbors do...We call chayote "mirlitons" in New Orleans, and I think you either love them or hate them...wish they'd let you just order any box so I could get the fresh produce ones...for the key limes, consider making a chicken, coconut milk and lime soup with shredded carrots...
ReplyDeleteI found this coupon code, it is valid for Angel Food Ministries food boxes, and gives you 10% off a signature box. Angel Food Coupon Code “10sig98″. The problem is that I believe it is limited and expires in July. Pass it around
ReplyDelete