Yesterday I made a freezer inventory, a list of entrees for this week, and needed ingredients, plus a list of items we are low on.
Early this morning the beau and I went shopping. Today is Mayor's Day of Concern, when food bank drives dominate most supermarkets, even the ones just outside our city. We bought 80% of what was on my list, three impulse buys of salami, cheese, and olive oil. $111.43 prior to the box of oatmeal for the food drive. Most of it was vegetables: I plan for a lot of juices, soups and salads this week. What was nice: the checker was patient while my beau scouted for a food bank item, and she deducted the cost of the five bags we brought (25 cents) even though we used three.
We cheated on the coffee budget and had espresso at the supermarket. I wanted to spend less than $100, but that wasn't going to happen with the impulse items.
The bulk Spike (seasoning salt) went up in cost from $11.49 to $17.69 a pound. Yikes!
Then I started early on Christmas presents shopping, and bought a CD for myself, which I hardly ever do. I did in this case because I would like the artist, who won a music award in the UK, to see royalties, and from what I heard on our local listener-powered station, the cuts on this album are more cosmic and less melancholic. The boy received a MAD Magazine. Who doesn't love MAD?
Also bought weedblock fabric pegs and mulch/bark cover. Did not take as much time as I thought to spread.
Went to the corner supermarket to see what they had for coconut oil and apple cider vinegar, but was distracted by chips on special, and yet another group collecting food for food banks. Bought two cans of vegetables to donate, and kept chips for myself.
So that is about nine days' worth of dinners in the freezer and pantry and refrigerator. I do not normally purchase groceries in excess of $100 anywhere but Costco, but at this rate, I only drive for groceries once a week.
What I spent money on today
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:58 pm
September 23rd, 2012 at 01:34 am 1348364042
Sun: Chicken marinated in apple juice, sliced apple & roasted root veggies, melonballs
Mon: CrockPot Manwiches, rolls, chef salad, Tapioca Pudding
Tue: Thai Bowl Noodles
Fri: Leftover buffet or 'Pizza' on Pita bread
Sat: BBQ Pork Loin Cutlets [dad grills], Rice, broccoli slaw, Jello & Ice Cream
September 23rd, 2012 at 02:58 am 1348369091
Food is the only budget item you cannot reduce over here. Even the makings for spaghetti will set you back $10 or more for one meal's worth for two people. I make my spaghetti from scratch, except the tomato sauce; sometimes I'll go through the trouble to peel and seed the tomatoes, but usually I don't bother. In the US, I can make spaghetti for less than $5.00.
September 23rd, 2012 at 03:48 am 1348372095
Saturday (tonight): Swordfish Salad on watercress with soba noodles and Oriental dressing
Sunday: Mexican Black Beans and Rice Salad, or Black Bean Tostados, not sure yet
Monday: Tri-Tip Roast Beef w/Yorkshire Pudding, Triple-A (Arame, Almond, Avocado) Salad
Tuesday: Nori-Wrapped Salmon, Quinoa, Beet Salad with Pumpkin Seeds
Wednesday: Lentil Soup with Paprika with homemade dinner rolls
Thursday: Vegetable Soup with homemade Beer Bread
Friday: Baked Salmon, Brown Rice, leftover soups if any
Just read on whfoods.com about the avocado. High in fat, but low in sugar and carbohydrates, and high in carotenoids. I only today heard my beau say he would love to have avocados in salads regularly. I would happily oblige him. Also heard sweet music of my boy saying he'd like more soups for dinner. I may make a zingy red pepper-tomato soup before the peppers and tomatoes get out of season.
My mornings and afternoons are juices, smoothies, and miso soup
September 23rd, 2012 at 03:55 am 1348372543