Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is a culinary guide that focuses on mastering the four essential elements of good cooking: salt, which enhances flavor; fat, which delivers flavor and generates texture; acid, which balances flavor; and heat, which determines the texture of food. Written by Samin Nosrat, this book bridges the gap between home and professional kitchens with its simple yet revolutionary philosophy. It includes 100 essential recipes, dozens of variations, and vibrant illustrations by Wendy MacNaughton. The book is designed to empower readers to become more confident and creative in the kitchen, regardless of their skill level.
I’m chatting with Christine from Frugal Fit Mom all about feeding your family well on a budget—without stressing over perfection. Christine shares her tried-and-true strategies for keeping grocery costs low in today’s economy, including how she stocks her pantry, finds the best meat deals, and plans meals based on what’s already on hand. We also dive into the hidden costs of organic and local food, why she skips most grocery delivery services, and how you can still enjoy fun foods without blowing the budget. Whether you’re shopping for two or ten, this episode is full of real-life tips you can start using today.
In this episode, we cover:
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Why Christine avoids Instacart and prefers Walmart Pickup for cost savings
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The key pantry staples she stocks up on—and how that helps reduce impulse grocery runs
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Her method for spotting true stock-up prices on meat and stretching it to feed a large family
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How she feeds a family of five (including three teen boys) on as little as $200/month
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A realistic starting point for grocery budgeting: $150 per person per month
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Why she generally skips organic (aside from milk) and how local sourcing can dramatically increase grocery costs
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How reverse meal planning works and why it saves more than traditional recipe-first planning
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Tips for making frugal meals taste amazing with salt, fat, and acid
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Christine’s go-to bread recipe (not sourdough!) and how she keeps it soft for days
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Her rule for buying fun foods like chips and ice cream—only when they’re 50% off
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How shopping less frequently helps avoid overspending (even for perishables)
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
RESOURCES
Check out Christine’s banana bread recipe
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
CONNECT
Christine Ashby of Frugal Fit Mom | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
Simple Farmhouse Life 