What I Spent, What We Ate | It was an unusual week.
Unusual on several fronts, actually.
What I Spent
I started out the week with a $73 trip to Aldi last Friday.
On Saturday, I got my Hungry Harvest ($25).
And then I spent $106 on several other midweek trips.
Oy.
So, I spent $236.98 this week. Good heavens. That technically leaves me with $27 to get through next week, but I can tell you right now that that's not going to happen!
April Spending
Week 1: $188
Week 2: $148
Week 3: $237
What We Ate
Saturday
I had book club, which preempted our usual date night. So we got two carryout pizzas to eat with the kids before my book club meeting.
Sunday
I made Asian chicken lettuce wraps for lunch after church, and then in the evening we had a snacky meal (cold cuts, cheese, crackers, fruit, veggies, hummus, etc.)
Monday
I tried a new recipe from my last Cook's Illustrated magazine, for Thai mango chicken salad over Bibb lettuce.
I would tell you what we ate with the chicken salad if I could. But I can't remember.
Tuesday
I tried a new recipe again, this time from my latest Cook's Country magazine...Latin pork and rice. It was tasty, but a little bit on the too salty side. I'll probably make it again, just with a little less salt.
Wednesday
It was a bit of a rough day (One of my kids was in a car accident. The car isn't fine, but the kid is, so it's ok. Still stressful, though.)
I REALLY DID NOT feel like cooking dinner because I was pretty mentally exhausted, but I made a meal anyway.
I threw some shrimp, kielbasa, zucchini, peppers, and onions on the grill, toasted some whole wheat English muffins, and called it dinner.
Thursday
Mr. FG had dinner with a friend, and the kids and I had sausage, buttermilk waffles, and honeydew melon.
Except I underestimated how many waffles I needed to make, so Joshua and I made ourselves some avocado toast after the waffles were gone.
Friday
I have not decided yet. I do have some thick-cut pork chops in the fridge, and my Cook's Illustrated magazine has a recipe for coating them with panko. So maybe I'll give that a shot.
Dang. Getting that error message again that my comment is too long, even though I know it isn't. I'll try again later. I would hate to deprive you of my inane food ramblings. 🙂
So, so sorry to hear about the car accident, and so glad there was no human damage. Your poor Mom nerves, though.
This week I stopped eating eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, gluten, soy, citrus, and nightshade vegetables to see if it helps my daughter's raging eczema. Which has made for some interesting mash-ups for my dinners, although everyone else is eating normally.
Monday: Leftover soup with some other leftover things added and cheddar cheese for some, leftover steak and rice for others, cabbage and sweet potato
Tuesday: Pork chops, already-cooked rice fried in the pork chop pan, roasted sweet potatoes/broccoli/onions, cucumber slice with vinegar and salt
Wednesday: Bacon, tuna patties, fried cornmeal mush, bell pepper strips, and one of those microwave cakes-in-a-mug recipes so my boys could celebrate their sister's half-year birthday. Because I wasn't sufficiently on the ball to make a real cake earlier and decided while we were eating dinner that we should mark the occasion somehow. They loved it, and were happy to eat her share. She didn't seem to mind, being six months old and lacking the necessary teeth and digestive system for her own cake.
Thursday: Italian sausage, bread and butter, peas. I had one sick kid not eating solids, one fussy baby, no husband around to help, and I was very, very tired (thanks to that sick kid and the fussy baby). This was definitely a slap-dash meal, but hey, it was relatively balanced and everyone was fed. I win.
Tonight: Thanks to sick kids derailing my planned and very needed trip to the store, I am once again running low on all produce. We'll have a London broil and mashed potatoes. For vegetables, I can choose between two beets, five carrots, some celery, and frozen peas. You know those cooking shows where the contestants are given specific ingredients and have to make a four-course meal from them in like 30 minutes? I live the less-glamorous, rural version of that weekly. 🙂
So sorry to hear you have the miserable eczema baby.. I had one myself... As far as your veggie dilemma.. Make PB Celery snacks for the older kids to snack on, roast the beets and veggies and if you have one of those baby mesh chewy toys fill it with the frozen peas for the baby to gnaw on!
Are you trying oatmeal baths? All three of my kids struggled with eczema.
Did they ever outgrow it? My almost 4 year-old daughter has had excema since about 6 months, and it ebbs and flows, and is definitely worse when we travel, and the only thing that helps is Baby California calendula cream, which is expensive and addresses symptoms rather than the problem, and I have no idea where to start.
I had terrible excema as a kid. Turns out I was allergic to legumes and also my mother used dish soap to make bubbles in the bathtub which my sensitive skin can not tolerate. I still have to wear dish gloves or I break out from the soap. Otherwise, only very minor flare-ups as an adult.
One of my babies had terrible eczema, too, until we found out he was allergic to dairy, wheat, nuts, eggs and peas (and soy, which he has since outgrown). I hope everyone is feeling better soon!
Good gracious! It seems like you wouldn't have much left to eat on that diet.
Fruit, vegetables, meat, rice, and sweet potatoes. It's not bad, actually. I got so used to going without rice and sweet potatoes (and bread, pasta, white potatoes, etc.) when I had gestational diabetes that adding the rice and sweet potatoes back to my diet feels like a treat.
Yes, rice and sweet potatoes are a treat. File that under: Things 18-year-old Me Never Would Have Said.
Sorry about the car accident. I remember the "first" wrecks all too well. Very thankful your child is ok, but I totally understand the stress, just kind of unnerves you for a while.
Those lettuce wraps look amazing!
Sorry to hear about the car accident but there is a bright side to kids accidents. After being in one and realizing bad things can happen very quickly it usually makes them a way better driver. All 4 of my kids had minor fender benders to a bad rear ending last summer. There's a reason insurance companies charge more for kid drivers...even if they aren't at fault in an accident they aren't as good at avoiding them.
I'm so sorry to hear about the accident. I'm glad your kid is ok. It can be so stressful and exhausting both physically and mentally.
You meals look delicious and healthy as always!
Sorry about the car accident! Glad child is ok!
Saturday- DD had soccer tournament, which was later in the day, so we tried a new Italian Place, pretty good, and we made it for the early bird special. 13.95 (soup/salad, main dish, and dessert) a lot of choices for the main dish!
Sunday- Moms for eye round roast, mashed, veggies. After DD, DS, nephew Soccer games. (did some hair cuts of the family, then my buzzers broke! UGH)
Monday-Taco's for the everyone but me, I made myself fish. (taoc's don't seem to sit right in my tummy) (and pre cooked tues dinner, all I had to do it reheat, and make sides) after DD soccer practice
Tuesday- Meatballs in brown gravy, mashed, corn. Kids had pizza bites, since they don't like the meatballs) Before DS soccer practice.
Wednesday- chicken Cutlet, noodles, veggie, 3 of us had salad.
Thursday- Hot dogs, mac and cheese for the other 3, I had beans, and I had a salad.
Friday- everyone on there own. since dd has soccer tryouts, ds has practice, in two different directions. So ds and I will grab something his choice.
Kristen - so sorry to hear about the accident for one of your kids! That is rough to walk through. I'm glad they are OK as is the other person(s).
Pork Chops - February Cook's Country magazine Citrus & Spice Pork Chops were delicious! One difference, I marinated the chops in half the vinaigrette in addition to the spice rub. I had no mint or shallots, so I left them out. I subbed dried thyme for the fresh. The chops marinated from Saturday to Monday and they were wonderful! And I did follow the suggestion for 'curing the buckle' which worked.
Yep! The other person is just fine too. And their car is in much better shape, too. Ours is totaled.
Awe, I know your child is shook up about it. There is nothing more scary than the first accident. Before long it will be a distant memory.
Monday- eggs and toast, easy peasy
Tuesday- salmon patties, cucumbers, bell peppers, and tzatziki sauce. I'm posting the recipe in a few days if anyone is interested.
Wednesday- Skewerless kabobs, I posted that recipe(if you can call it that) today if anyone is interested.
Thursday- pizza
Friday- since we had pizza yesterday, I have no idea! We haven't had burgers in awhile so maybe that with some fruit on the side.
Aww, I am sorry about the accident and glad your kiddo is ok. That phone call is a kick to gut, right? I still remember getting ours...
Note about the spending. It seems grocery prices have really gone up here in the last month (we are on the southern coast). I will be glad when gardens start coming in!
Yeah. I've kind of halfway been waiting for the call, because I just know you have to expect it with young drivers. But still, it's a little jarring.
"Thai mango chicken salad" omg that sounds delish! Did you like the recipe?
We had family over on Sunday and got a quarter-ham for that. So this week we have had ham, and more ham. The ham and mango quesadillas were quite good, though.
I have a tendency to panic out over the phone ringing because my mom mode goes into full freak at the thought of one of my peeps having a car accident...the traffic and drivers here are insane, so...I feel ya. I am keeping the grocery budget down nicely - so proud of me!
Monday - Grilled Roast Beef and Cheese with coleslaw
Tuesday - Enchiladas, mixed veggies
Wednesday - Super Easy Elgin Sausage with Baked Beans, corn muffins
Thursday - Seasoned Pork Loin Chops, carrots, mac and cheese
Friday - Apricot Chicken in the crockpot, couscous, probably peas
Saturday - TBD
Sunday - The Tuna Casserole from Miz Helen
I hope you have a super quiet and calm weekend!!
Gina, your menu sounds delicious! well done on keeping your budget down 🙂
So glad your kid is okay. Sorry that it happened though!
Monday - I had made a chuck roast in my Instant Pot on Sunday night that was supposed to supply me with the base for several meals. However it turned out completely rubbery. I had to toss it and instead of being able to have Shepard's Pie with shredded beef I ended up thawing a couple of frozen burger patties and making it with ground beef.
Tuesday - I had purchased a Manager's Special pre-marinated pork loin from Kroger with a coupon, making it around $2. I grilled it and served it with green beans & mashed potatoes.
Wednesday - I had a planned break from cooking. My dog had a vet appt that went really well so we headed to a dog-friendly BBQ place after and enjoyed sandwiches, split a side of mac & cheese, and had a beer each. $40 spent but a really fun night and always better when we can bring our pup 🙂
Thursday - I had a frozen crock pot meal that I had gotten a deal on at Omaha Steaks. It was beef and carrots so I added boiled potatoes to make it heartier. When I opened the bag of frozen veggies they smelled like an ash tray. This is the second variety that this has happened with! It's really offputting but by the time everything simmers in the sauce you can only taste a hint of weird smoke. I tried it first and knew my husband wouldn't like it. I kept saying things like "yummm omg it's so good" to try to get in his head and make him eat it. He did eat one bowl but now I'm stuck with 2 servings of leftovers to eat.
Friday - I know what I'm having - the stupid crock pot meal. I am also going to make a bunch of turkey meatballs and give my husband spaghetti & meatballs and then freeze the rest for later.
Glad the kid is fine.
Do you like using panko? I've been unenthused about everything I've ever coated in panko.
Off to see if Zinio at our library has Cooks Country so I can check out the Latin pork and rice.
I've liked it in the past, but I haven't tried it on the pork chops yet!
As others stated, I'm glad to hear your child is safe. I'll be honest, I would've given up and just bought dinner at that point.
Monday: Pork curried stir fry. My daughter likes to eat this so I've been making it a bit lately.
Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner with Bacon, waffles, fruit and eggs.
Wednesday: Beef chuck roast, mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Thursday: Clean out the fridge première nuit
Friday: Clean out the fridge deuxième nuit.
As for spending, we are more or less on track. One funny story is that I had to travel for work on Tuesday and I was right by a discount grocery outlet so I bought some items there. It was definitely an experience!
Among the items I purchased was a loaf of this Vermont brand oatmeal bread. It was $1 because it was short dated. So I've been eating that for lunches this week. It's good stuff but I don't think I'd buy it at its full $4 a loaf price!
Ditto what everyone's said: glad your kiddo is okay! Cars are replaceable 🙂
Saturday: Snack-type things...cheese sticks, fruit, peas, toast
Sunday: Enchilada casserole
Monday: Leftovers from Sunday
Tuesday: Pancakes, eggs, sausage and peppers
Wednesday: Pizza at our small group (we brought dessert, which we bought)
Thursday: Chicken Divan over rice
Friday: leftovers from Thursday
I am 70, live alone. My frugal week consists of two $5.00 visits to community center for an hour each time of yoga and cardio workout with a bunch of folk 15 and 20 years older than i am. Also planting small 50 cent sale plants in my flower beds....on my hands and knees....great exercise. I have mustard growing...chopped up great in salad with blue cheese dressing. Am planting 3 tomato plants and basil.
I'm so sorry to hear about the accident, but relieved to hear everyone is okay. That is so scary, and it's understandable how that would throw anyone off.
This week we ate:
Monday: Coconut chicken with cauliflower tots. To my surprise, cauliflower tots are DELICIOUS. 🙂
Tuesday: Chicken salad ciabatta flatbread.
Wednesday: Grilled steak topped with blue cheese, corn, and salad.
Thursday: Taco Bell. Oops!
Friday: Tonight we're meeting up with family to grab tacos.
We were stranded at home with a blizzard last weekend, so focused on eating down what we had.
Saturday - homemade toasted ravioli with tomato sauce
Sunday - I wasn't feeling well, so my partner made a frozen pizza while I had plain noodles and toast. Yum! 🙂
Monday - Still wasn't feeling the best, so plain toast and crackers for dinner.
Tuesday - I cannot remember. I had errands to run after work, and had treats during the day at work, so I think this was just a snacky dinner when I got home after errands.
Wednesday - sauteed some chicken breasts with roasted red peppers and quick crescent rolls
Thursday - Wednesday's leftovers 🙂
Friday - I'm attempting your whole wheat pizza crust recipe that you posted earlier this week. I really struggle with making my own pizza crust and bread (I usually leave that to my breadmaker that I bought secondhand). But I decided to give it one more try! I liked the idea of making the crust ahead of time, so it's not quite so hectic when getting home from work on Friday night!
I use wholemeal pita bread & it's delicious
What do you sprinkle on your avocado toast to make it look so tasty?
That's what I was thinking 🙂
So sorry to hear about the car accident! Glad to hear everyone's ok.
And your throw together that night sounded pretty yummy imo.
Our meals this week
Monday - leftover chilli
Tuesday - Rice noodles, chicken thighs, broccoli and zucchini
Wednesday - Garlic tilapia with rice, homemade honey mustard sauce, peas, zucchini and carrots.
Thursday - butternut squash soup with brown rice, ground beef, onions,peas and mushrooms for those who aren't excited about squash. And broccoli.
Friday -
Whoops! Forgot about Friday..
Tonight I'll probably use the leftover ground beef to make spaghetti
I’m so sorry about the accident! And after you just posted about worried teen drivers!
Blessings to you all, and I pray the aftermath of car repairs/insurance/etc. goes smoothly.
As someone who totaled the family junker as a teen, tell your kiddo they have my sympathy. Don't let them be too afraid to keep driving regularly after this. No one let me drive their car after my accident and so I was very inexperienced when I graduated college and had to commute to my first real job.
Oh my goodness, that's awful. I'm so sorry that happened to you!
We got Joshua a rental car through our insurance the same day, and he's back out on the road again, going to work and college. I'd have been supportive if he needed a little break, but he seemed ready to go.
It's not like he was being crazy irresponsible when this happened...I almost rear ended someone in the same spot 6 months ago. And besides, part of getting past this inexperience of being a youthful driver is to, you know, drive! 🙂 You learn the more you do it, and putting off the doing of it isn't going to be super effective (aside from perhaps letting the kid's brain mature a little more).
I mean, of course I'm a little nervous that this will happen again. And it's likely statistically speaking. But as they say, the only way out is through.
Do your two kids share the one car? How is your daughter handling not having a vehicle if that is the case? Do you guys think you'll consider getting two cars at some point for the kids or is there an expectation that they finally buy their own cars?
I am so sorry about the car accident your son had. Thank God that your child is ok.
Monday- Popeye's chicken, lettuce salad, cheesy potatoes, Layered pudding cake with chocolate frosting left over from my church's pot luck on Sunday.
Tuesday- Ham sandwiches with Provolone cheese, chips and fruit.
Wednesday- Spinach Strawberry salad, pork loin roast, baked Red potatoes, asparagus, and a chocolate ice cream sundae.
Thursday- Chicken with mushroom soup poured over it which I made in the crock pot and egg noodles.
Friday: Salmon, brown rice and spinach salad.
So sorry about the accident. I feel your pain though. My husband totaled his beloved car last Thursday. He was devastated, but fortunately no one was injured which honestly was a miracle...but on the good, he got another car yesterday that is actually a better deal than the one he had so it worked out I guess in the long run.
Monday: Leftover Pasta from the weekend
Tuesday: Wrap from Wendy's (4 for $ deal) me & my daughter split
Wednesday: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, corn
Thursday: Chikfila salad
Friday: PeiWei (2 bowls for $10 today)
Ate out too much this week, but it was cheap and sorta healthy so it wasn't too bad. Just so busy!
Oh wow. I'm sorry to hear about your husband's car! It's always so sad when a car gets totaled.
There’s a reason they are called accidents. Glad everyone is okay, except for the shattered nerves. Good for you for pushing through and cooking dinner!
Haha, that's exactly the phrase Mr. FG always says.
Sorry about the accident. Glad your child is unhurt. I made CC's, potatoes with bacon and onion for a side dish one night. Its an easy recipe with a novel cooking method. You half baby reds, chop onion and bacon. You place the baby reds in the frying pan, cover with water and cook until water evaporates and bacon, onion and spuds crisp up. We've made it a few times and its great.
Not sure if anyone else has mentioned in the comments, but your total adds up to $204? Hopefully that's good news and not just me reading poorly and not seeing another number.
Because I'm a long term lurker, what we ate this week. We're pretty simple:
Monday: homemade bread.
Tuesday: homemade Samosas
Wednesday: Rice + veg
Thursday: Spinach +feta pie (spanakopita? not sure, I just learned how to make from Albanian friend)
Friday: Pasta with meat/veg sauce (pork from our neighbour's big)
Sorry to hear about the accident. That would have thrown me off my meal game for sure! Happy everyone is safe.
Meal wise, the week started off well enough but I wound up at the drive-thru (twice. eek!) as the week wound down. And I don't even have a good reason except that I am lazy, and nothing was thawed (I can't stand thawing things in the microwave so that is not an option.)
Saturday: Chicken soup (from a can)
Sunday: Chicken tortilla soup (homemade) and cornbread.
Monday: Pork chop (that I managed to season just perfectly. Yum!), asparagus and leftover cornbread.
Tuesday: Homemade veggie pizza
Wednesday: Tacos
Thursday: Chicken sandwich from Wendy's
Friday: Double decker taco and Meximelt from Taco Bell
Next week I vow no fast food. 🙂
It's been a crockpot kind of week.
We've had chicken soup, chili, roast beef and a bubble Mexican dish. Today, the crocker has frozen beef and onions in there for a potential pizza Stromboli, but it may turn into a spaghetti sauce or a ziti It just depends on if I want to venture outside due to the current sleet/snow conditions.
Today, the sleet and snow derailed our plans to explore a town. 🙁
I spent $155 in food this week that included a splurge on Omaha steaks as I had such great discounts, a free item and free shipping.
Ditto to say sorry about the accident, glad all involved are ok.
Monday: Oh I wish I could remember
Tuesday: Teriyaki meatballs over rice
Wednesday: Celebrating Hubby's birthday early since our weekend schedule is crazy. He picked Chicken Cordon Blu (casserole) and lemon cream pie.
Thursday: Crazy work /ball practice schedules- ranch chicken crescent roll pockets. Everyone can cook theirs at the time they are home.
Friday: Brinner - pancakes and sausage
I am anxiously waiting for baseball and softball game schedules so I can do some long term planning. I hate having to buy on the road.
So glad Joshua is ok & well done to him for getting back on the horse,
My budget is going fine but we have some ongoing issues with the kitchen so it's been really hard to do food prep & I've been resorting to freezer meals which fill me up but are not particularly nutritious. I did a thai beef & noodle takeaway last night that had lots of fresh veg but I am sooo unmotivated to do meal planning & prep this wk but 'I shall conquer this; I shall!' ( Colin Firth in Darcy - Lizzy as my niece calls it)
Monday: veggie burgers on wheat buns, homemade baked steak fries and some fruit, berries?
Tuesday: BBQ salmon, large green side salad w/ apples and walnuts
Wednesday: Papa John's. Unfortunately going out was just inevitable through no fault of my own. Long story. But it was perfect timing actually, as it was a fundraiser night for my kiddo's PTO. They were running a special for large pizzas at $5.99 each. Bought two and had enough to feed my six- year- old, my endless appetite husband, myself and a hungry guest, plus leftovers for the whole family for lunch next day. So not bad for $13! We had grapes on the side.
Thursday: scrambled eggs, diced potatoes, and avocado with kimchi atop
Friday: taco salad, meat free (and tomato free because I had none), just: greens, avocado, black beans, tortilla chips, ranch, cheddar cheese, olives
I don't usually comment on these food post, but seen tat one of your children was in a car accident. I can so relate & its not easy.......my child was in the hospital for a week & had 3 surgeries & ended up with plates & screws in them. Also several weeks of Dr. appointments before released completely. I hope they will be not to sore. Praying for you as a mother because it is hard.
Oh my goodness. Your poor kiddo. And you! Luckily, Joshua emerged from the accident just fine; it's just his car that got pretty wrecked. So we are grateful for that.