What I Spent, What We Ate | we went camping!
What I Spent
We took a camping trip last weekend in the Shenandoah valley with my brothers and my parents last weekend, which was a lot of fun!
We did a pretty big bike ride together (Zoe did a 32 mile trip for the first time ever!)
It was pretty chilly weather for sleeping, which made us all the more appreciative of our comfy beds here at home.
Despite the chilly weather, most of us jumped into the 55-degree creek. I might have been one of the last ones to cave to the familial peer pressure. 😉
Anyway! Once we got home, I spent $105 at the grocery store, plus $25 on my Hungry Harvest.
So, I'm at $130 for this week.
October Spending
Week 3: $130
What We Ate
Saturday
We had hamburgers and hot dogs, cooked over the campfire, plus green beans (not cooked over the fire) and watermelon (also not cooked on the fire. Ha.)
Sunday
We got back from camping late afternoon, and only a few of us were hungry. So, a frozen pizza it was!
Monday
I sauteed some chicken sausages, which we ate with mashed potatoes and sauteed asparagus.
Tuesday
I made a pot of Thai chicken soup, which we ate with toast and some fresh produce.
Wednesday
We had an unusual night because we went to see my cousin graduate from the police academy.
I had a late lunch, which meant I wasn't hungry at dinnertime.
I left pigs in a blanket for the girls.
Thursday
I made one pan chicken and veggie ramen bowls, which cover all the main food groups (I made them with asparagus this time.)
Friday
I think we might visit Lisey at the restaurant where she works.
I hope you’re using the Chic Fil A app to earn rewards points! The points quickly add up and get you free food. Free is my favorite price 🙂
Yep, Mr. FG has the app!
Saturday: Store-bought gnocchi with an intense porcini sauce made from scratch. We had a spinach and beet salad as a side dish.
Sunday: We tried a new delicious Mexican recipe, Carne Asada with tomato rice and refried beans. We even got flank steak at the organic butcher which is a very rare piece of meat here.
Monday: Bread rolls with cheeses. Apples and carrots as snacks.
Tuesday: We made flammekueche again (kind of French pizza)
Wednesday: We made a stew with potatoes, beans, pears and bacon.
Thursday: I had lunch with my grandparents and needed only some snacks at dinner time.
Friday: Aldi sells here only today beyond meat burgers so we will try it. My SO is very interested and I surely won’t stop him as he is normally not totally enthusiastic about meat-less meals.
Saturday: Tuna salad sandwiches for the kids, leftover soup for me, raw tomatoes, brownies. From this you can tell my husband and eldest son were still hunting. I make brownies whenever my husband leaves because he doesn't eat them. For the, ahem, kids. 🙂
Sunday: Beef tacos with homemade tortillas--my brother was staying the night, so I figured he should try homemade tortillas. Mexican slaw, mashed pumpkin, baked apples with cream
Monday: Leftover taco meat + rice + cheese. And some sliced cucumber. There's a workday meal if I've ever seen one.
Tuesday: Elk tenderloin medallions, mashed potatoes, sauteed mushrooms and onions, frozen green beans, watermelon
Wednesday: Italian elk roast (started by me before going to work, turned off by my husband while I was at work---relay cooking!), pesto bread (bread with butter and pesto, browned under the broiler), carrot sticks, watermelon
Thursday: Chicken tacos with homemade tortillas--my sister was visiting this time, so now every member of my immediate family has had tortillas made in the press my dad made me. Plus pinto beans and watermelon. It was a really big watermelon. We still haven't finished it.
Friday: Barbecue meatballs, garlic bread, broccoli, and cake and ice cream for my daughter's 2nd birthday.
I’m intrigued by your Italian Elk Roast! Do you follow someone’s recipe or do you have your own? Just wondering what the main ingredients are. My mother-in-law was first genyItalian-American, but all the recipes I inherited are southern Italian.
"Italian" is a catch-all adjective I use for anything I make that has tomatoes, garlic, basil, and oregano in it. This was an elk roast from one my son got on his hunt, browned then slow cooked with tomatoes, lots of garlic, oregano, basil, and a little bit of balsamic vinegar. So no, there is no recipe, and it is not remotely authentically Italian. Though I bet there are some recipes for red deer in Italy, as that's the equivalent to elk in Europe.
Friday - Hungry Howie's pizza. This is our absolute favorite pizza chain so we always look forward to getting it!
Saturday - Husband & I had a date night at an Amish restaurant where we had our wedding reception. We like to go every year on our anniversary in April but didn't get to go this year so we did it on our "half" anniversary.
Sunday - Creamy chicken noodle soup with dinner rolls
Monday - Sloppy joes & garlic shell noodles
Tuesday - Hamburger Helper beef pasta and corn
Wednesday - Ham slices, cheddar/broccoli rice & green beans
Thursday - Breakfast for dinner (waffles, bacon, & scrambled eggs)
Tonight - No idea yet! We may end up with Chick-Fil-A since I have enough reward points to get almost 3 complete meals for free :)!!!
I'm going to add chicken sausage to my rotation - it looks so yummy! We ate:
Monday - Chicken thighs and Dirty Rice with black beans
Tuesday - BBQ Pork Chop, kale, chunky mashed potatoes
Wednesday - Veggie Spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans
Thursday - Twisted Cobb Salads {grilled chicken, romaine, roasted corn, grape tomatoes, queso fresco, pumpkin seeds}
Tonight - Cod with herbed lemon butter crumbs, steamed carrots
Saturday - We're doing Fondue Night!
Sunday - Vegetarian Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (with black beans and a yummy chipotle sour cream topping)
I was thinking the same thing, Gina! Those chicken sausages DO look good!!
They are! They're the Aidell's brand, and I love their mango jalapeno flavor. So tasty.
Saturday-lamb Shepard’s pie with green salad; made beans in slow cooker for burritos and nachos
Sunday-leftovers
Monday-veggie stir fry with ramen noodles
Tuesday-leftovers
Wednesday-quinoa spinach salad, roasted cauliflower
Thursday-green chili chicken rice bowl with black beans and cheese
Friday-baked chicken with maple Brussels Sprouts and salad
Did Lisey get a new job?! Last I heard she was at the supermarket! I'm so envious of people who work at restaurants and do it well. I. Am. Terrible. So let's hope I'm never your server 😀
Yep, she's been busing tables for a while now, which is great because she gets tips but doesn't have to actually wait tables.
The camping looks so fun. I don't think I'd be jumping in that cool creek when the air isn't very warm, but more power to y'all for having the courage to do it. The scenery is gorgeous, of course.
I cooked a bunch of fresh-from-the-farm pork chops on Sunday, so I had chops three nights this past week, with sides of sauteed spinach, Rosemary Carrots, Roasted Rainbow Root vegetables, Cauliflower rice, and roasted zucchini with mushrooms and onions.
I made a pot of Beef "Curry" stew, so I had that one night and divided the leftovers up for lunches and such.
I finished a dish of leftover lemony, seasoned chicken over mushrooms., with random sides selected from that list above.
Last night my husband came home from rehab, so to celebrate, I cooked seasoned ribs and paired that with roasted root vegetables and sauteed cabbage and onions. The food at the rehab was actually pretty good, but he was ready for something like ribs. Tonight is probably steak, which he hasn't had in five weeks or more.
Saturday: I think it was leftover Chana Masala
Sunday: Greek Garlic Lemon Chicken, roasted spicy potatoes and spicy sweet potatoes, Greek salad
Monday: Garlic chicken brats over brown rice for adults; sautéed chicken tenders, buttered pasta, and applesauce for one kid, the other made her own dinner late.
Tuesday: Green chile cheese tuna bake; no idea what sides
Wednesday: Baked Salmon, green beans
Thursday: Crockpot copycat Chipotle Barbacoa beef (I haven’t been to Chipotle since I found this recipe!), brown rice, and other mix-ins for burrito bowls for adults; kids don’t like so much spice so they had soft tacos w/ homemade GF tortillas
Friday: Tonight we’re having roast chicken, green beans, and roasted beets & yams and/or mashed potatoes
I just realized we tend to eat fruit during the day so our dinners have more veggies.
Cathy, how do you make your GF tortillas? I have made homemade tortillas in the past and they are so much better than store bought. But I now need gluten free!!
Hi, Terri W, I'm not Cathy, but I usually make my GF tortillas with cassava flour, olive oil, salt and water. I recommend Otto's Naturals brand, and I use their recipe.
You could also make corn tortillas, right? Those are gluten-free as long as your cornmeal isn't contaminated in a gluten-handling facility.
While I love Michigan (where I grew up and where I live now) to my core, we lived in the Shenandoah Valley for a few years where we had the most amazing church family. Seeing your post makes my heart ache for those dear friends and that beautiful land. So glad you got to enjoy it!
Monday: My husband and I had a date night at Applebee's but I made fajitas for my kids and mom before we left.
Tuesday: Chicken broccoli alfredo with grapes
Wednesday: Grilled cheese and tomato soup for the kids, plus a salad for me (hubby was at work)
Thursday: Husband was away coaching, so I did a pizza and movie night with the kids. We watched Toy Story 3 because apparently I like to cry in front of my children... Haha
Friday: Baked potato soup and your french bread are my plan. I've not made the soup before, so I have to figure that out and then time the stuff for the bread right since I have to pick my oldest up from school this afternoon.
It is really beautiful there! The mountains, the farmland, the creeks...all really lovely.
Saturday - not sure, possibly leftovers or pizza?
Sunday - taco bar for an engagement party at my house
Monday - leftovers from the party
Tuesday - skillet meal from the freezer - chicken with pasta and veggies
Wednesday - pulled pork with carrots and broccoli
Thursday - leftovers
Friday
What bike trail did you do at Shenandoah? We're headed there soon and would like to bike instead of just hike. Thanks
We always camp at the Elizabeth Furnace campground (my family went there all the time when I was a kid) and we bike from that campground to Fort Valley, and then on to King's Crossing. It's not a bike trail...just a country road. So there are cars to deal with, but not so many that it's impossible to navigate.
I'm so glad you got to go camping! We have spent our share of chilly nights in a tent--I'm usually fine till I have to get out from under the covers. 🙂
Is that your dad in the picture of your family? You bear a strong resemblance to him. What a beautiful, happy looking family you are.
My dad is on the left in the back of the photo. The one in the front taking the photo is my older brother. 🙂
I keep meaning to mention this when you discuss pigs in a blanket - I use normal bread dough instead of canned biscuits. I make them for church all the time and its very cost effective to use just regular bread dough. So easy, healthier and definitely cheaper. Just A thought!
I bet those are tasty! I generally only make pigs in a blanket when I need something super quick, so the $0.92 cans of crescent rolls from Aldi work ok. But if I do these when I have more time, maybe I'll try the bread dough. 🙂
My son and I made your Lazy Daisy Cake last night... It is so good!
Yay! I'm so glad.
Congratulations to your cousin!
Thank you! I think he will do a great job of serving our community.
1 I am dying for all beef hot dogs with chow chow and toasted buns.
After week 6 of pantry and freezer eating and only buying fresh necessities, I had to grocery shop because my daughter (vegetarian) was coming home from college for the Columbus Day holiday and there were none of her favorites in the house. I took stock of what we had, made a list and stuck to it at the grocery store. Spent $52 with store card discounts and coupons. Here's what we ate:
Saturday - My oldest daughter (vegan) came for dinner to visit her baby sister. I made lettuce wraps (think PF Chang style). There were tofu ones for the girls and chicken ones for me and the hubby. They were served with a hoisin/soy sauce mixture and spicy Asian green beans on the side. Vegan cookies and homemade rum cake (the youngest's favorite) for dessert.
Sunday - Had dinner at Red Robin with family friends. Had a $50 gift card from Christmas. Spent less than $3, including tip, for my daughter, hubby and I to eat.
Monday - Grilled vege burgers and hamburgers with tater tots and salad on the side.
Tuesday - Took my daughter back to college. After the four hour drive, the hubby and I had leftovers. I ate lettuce wraps. The hubby had goulash.
Wednesday - Chicken salad sandwiches dressed with cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. The chicken was leftover from a rotisserie chicken I'd frozen last week. The bones and such were made into stock and frozen.
Thursday - The hubby had leftovers. I meet a bunch of quilting girlfriends for dinner once a month. Had french onion soup and a salad for $6.95.
Friday - Breakfast for dinner! We had eggs (fresh from the neighbor's free range chickens) over easy and toast.
With the child back at college, my goal is a zero grocery bill next week. She didn't take everything I bought with her, so we'll eat it instead!
It's great how you manage to satisfy so many different diets and everyone is happy and well-fed. Nice!
Thanks so much for sharing your camping photos, Kristen! It's such an enjoyable way to spend time with family or friends - we love both the fun-filled activities and the quiet relaxation that camping provides. Although, I have to admit, I don't think I would have had the courage to tackle a 55 degree creek!
Sunday - Bean Soup
Monday - Chicken Pot Pie
Tuesday - l/o Bean Soup
Wednesday - Chicken Marsala
Thursday - Hamburgers
Friday - I was home alone, after a small run to the grocery store, I went to Wendy's
Saturday - Ate out @ Ruby Tuesday
Yummo! Your meals look delish and everything tastes better outdoors.
Well, had better success this week with a planned fail and uh, a completely random fail. Reading these lists really helps me -- thanks to you all 🙂
Sunday -- um, the pistons aren't firing. Coulda been anything . . .
Monday -- chicken thighs cooked in SoyVay sauce with steamed broccoli, and brown rice. Emptied freezer and pantry a bit except for broccoli
Tuesday -- FAIL -- Subway using coupon for two 12 inch for $12. No particular reason.
Wednesday -- Turkey burgers from freezer stash, broccoli, salad
Thursday -- Spaghetti sauce with last of ground turkey stash, ww pasta, salad (?)
Friday -- PLANNED FAIL -- Date night at happy hour so lots of food pretty cheap and home early enough to veg out with Netflix and dessert at home.
Saturday -- Frozen pizza doctored up with onions and broccoli with lemon butter, ice cream
Regarding Sunday...it is AMAZINGLY hard to remember what you ate all week, isn't it??
So true, right??? It's like it never happened 🙂