WIS, WWA
What I Spent
I spent:
- $70 at Aldi
- $11 at Safeway
- $30 on a Hungry Harvest box
So, $111, which is oddly satisfying.
And I maintained my rather unintentional no-food-out streak, which I will probably break tonight!
What We Ate
Saturday
This was the use-it-up meal I mentioned on Tuesday: the last of the box of protein pasta, some slightly wrinkly peppers from the veggie drawer, fish from the freezer, and a quick pan sauce.
And I followed it with a small batch of chocolate banana "ice cream", using a banana I'd frozen before my trip.
This is the method I use for my banana soft serve.
Sunday
I had an unusually rough shift at work, and when I came home, my exhausted self just had some raisin bran, since Zoe had already eaten.
Monday
I had some tomatoes on the counter that needed to be used, so...BLT time!
Tuesday
This is the night I tried the Marry Me Chickpeas recipe, which does honestly make a decent one-dish meal (although I would add more spinach next time.)
One can always add more spinach, it seems!
Wednesday
I made the lemony orzo with chicken recipe that my brother and his wife made on the ski trip. And the plan is to use the leftovers for my work lunches the next two days. 🙂
Thursday
After work, I tried a frozen burrito from Aldi.
Unless I get out right on time (which often doesn't happen), there is so little time to cook even a quick dinner before bedtime, which is why I often end up eating cereal. 😉 Or in this case, a frozen burrito.
Friday
I may pick up some takeout for Zoe and me, since I'm working another twelve-hour shift today.
Saturday: Burritos with mixed veg, black beans, brown rice and sauce.
Sunday: I made a roast dinner and had veggie burgers with roast potatoes, carrots, mushrooms and spinach. I baked a fruit crumble for dessert and had it with vanilla ice cream.
Monday: Roast aubergine with garlic, mushroom and a tomato sauce over spaghetti and cheese.
Tuesday: I went out after work so had a quick dinner of pasta parcels with spinach and ricotta.
Wednesday: Burritos again!
Thursday: I was going to have a baked sweet potato and an omelette and then had the distressing discovery that the potatoes had gone bad. I was very tempted to order takeout but instead used some other potatoes and made a frittata with potatoes, spinach and cheddar cheese.
Friday: Probably homemade pizza
Kristen, I totally get the coming home late and not having much time to cook/ be motivated to cook.
Could you batch cook, then freeze in 1-2 portion sizes (like a pan of enchiladas, chili, or other good, freezable dishes?) Cereal sure does scratch an itch sometimes, I get it ☺️
WIS: $63 at Price Chopper.
WIA: Absolutely nothing memorable, as I didn't have much interest in cooking and was eating mainly just to keep going.
But I do FINALLY have good news about NDN1: CF and I placed her in the assisted living facility yesterday. What a relief!! Thanks to everyone who's offered good wishes all during this long, long process.
Yay! So glad for you and your two neighbors that was all worked out.
Three cheers! I know your/CF's work isn't done, but that is the best win, hooray!
A. Marie, I hope you'll have a delicious celebratory dinner sometime soon! And a strong libation may be in order, too.
yay. what a blessing. mazel tov
A. Marie,
Three hearty huzzahs on NDN1 finally being in the assisted living facility! You and CF are to be congratulated on your patience and kind hearts to make sure she's in a safe place. I realize there is a TON of work ahead for you both, but savor this day!
A. Marie, your kindness and care for your neighbor is wonderful. She is lucky to have you. I’m glad everything finally worked out.
Saturday: I cooked some pinto beans, which I used to make baked beans. I also added ground beef to those to make them more substantial. And they were eaten with rice, so more substantial still.
Sunday: Leftover beefy baked beans, grape tomatoes, and the leftover crispy rice treats from the church event we were at in the afternoon.
Monday: I subbed this day, so I used one of the bags of meatballs I had made and frozen for dinner. I made a sauce for it with a jar of my own tomato puree, and then the pasta that went with it mostly had butter and Romano in it, plus I poured in the liquid that was in the pan of meatballs when they were done baking. We also had a green salad with vinaigrette.
Tuesday: Pork shoulder and cornbread made ahead and re-heated by my husband while I was at first Communion class. And another salad.
Wednesday: Either leftover pasta and meatballs, or leftover pork and rice. Plus cucumbers with salt and vinegar.
Thursday: Earlier in the day I had cooked some of the pork pieces longer with chile and onion for burritos. My husband ended up making those, though, because I was at the ER. One of my sons inhaled an aerosol deodorant at school that he is apparently highly allergic to. By the time I got there, he was in anaphylactic shock. He looked like he was having a seizure. I am not prone to exaggeration, but he would have died right there in front of me if the paramedic hadn't arrived a few minutes later with epinephrine. I followed the ambulance to the ER so he could be monitored for awhile, though he was fine by then except for a very sore arm. When we left the hospital at 7 p.m., the patient wanted Sonic, so that is what we got before starting our long drive home. An anonymous person with Kansas plates on his car in the line in front of us at the drive-through paid for our meal, which I consider a divine grace.
Tonight: I only buy fish sticks during Lent, and that's what we're having tonight. My daughter isn't wild about them and will probably mostly eat the side dish, so I think I'll make some mashed potatoes with cheese. And another salad.
A huge worry for all of you - I am so pleased that your son is OK.
I am surprised that the school didn't have an EpiPen or similar on hand, or is that not a requirement in the US?
I guess the requirement varies by state here. They're not mandated in our state, although there is a program to supply schools with one and our school was in the process of getting one. Bet they'll step up that process more quickly now . . .
Gosh that had to be terrifying for you. So so glad he is ok. Have to say I also love the divine element at Sonic!
My daughter had a severe reaction to bee stings, she was required to carry an epi-pen, plus supply one to the school nurse. He may qualify for the inhalant style, our community school qualified for 6 free. We are over 30 minutes from a hospital.
We're 90 miles from the nearest ER. The school had actually called for the life flight service our county contracts with, but they were en route to another call and wouldn't have been able to get here for another hour. Yes, he will be able to carry the EpiPen he was prescribed by the ER doctor, so that's a relief.
I am sorry that your son and your family went through this, glad he had a good outcome. Ask your school if they have a medication administration form that your health care provider can fill out that will allow medication to be given at the school (by either licensed or non licensed personnel, EMS can give epi under standing orders protocols.) The epinephrine may have to be kept in the school office if there is not a school nurse office. They would still need to call for EMS as epinephrine will typically only last about 20 minutes while the reaction may last longer. I used to make allergy "action plans", similar to the asthma action plans that all school nurses and primary care providers are usually well versed in.
You also may want to get the product label from the deodorant and check with your PCP or an allergist as there may be a risk of reaction to other products/chemicals that you all should be aware of.
Good luck! I hope he never has to go through that again - it is frightening.
I'm so glad your son is okay. That's truly terrifying.
So glad your son is OK. Scary story!
How scary! I'm glad your son is okay.
How scary! So glad your son is okay!
Kristin, this is absolutely terrifying, particularly given how remote your area is. I remember you have kids of different ages, but is this one old enough to now carry his own EpiPen, in addition to having the school with one, you all, and anywhere else he may go? So glad he's okay.
Such good news that he's ok - what a terrifying experience.
How scary... grace to you today, Kristin! I'm glad he's OK.
Ma Ingalls would have said, “All’s well that ends well”, but holy guacamole, thank the good Lord for paramedics, epinephrine, and kind strangers! Now I bet you’ll be on a quest to learn what the poison ingredient is in that deodorant.
Oh my goodness. So glad to hear that he's ok.
Kristin, I'm tearing up thinking about what it was like for you to get to your son and then follow the ambulance. So glad for your happy ending!
Kristin, how scary for you and your son and how fortunate the paramedic arrived so quickly! I've had an anaphylactic episode and ended up driving to the ER during it ( do not recommend!). Here's hoping the school allows your DS to have an Epipen or equivalent at school.
oh how horrible. so grateful he is ok.
Kristin, I’m so glad your son is ok. I can only imagine how terrifying that must have been for you.
Glad your son is okay.
I am so thankful!
Kristin, I am so thankful your guy is ok. WHEW. Sending you and yours a virtual hug.
Holy cow!! What a harrowing situation. I’m glad it worked out. You must have been terrified. Sending all the good wishes & relief
I spent $55 at Walmart and $48 at Kroger on a stockpile of coffee that was on sale.
– Sunday – pan-grilled lamb chops with butter, garlic and thyme, a Middle Eastern dish called Majudarra that was suggested to pair with lamb. It was made with brown rice lentils and caramelized onions. We loved it and had it as leftovers with another meal. It's interesting to note that lamb chops, imported all the way from New Zealand, are still cheaper per pound than US-raised beef strips steaks at Sam's.
– Monday – garden veggie soup, a recipe from an old Weight Watchers cookbook, and ham and cheese oven-grilled sandwiches with chips. I used up some lingering cole slaw mix in the soup.
– Tuesday – left-over majadurra, baked chicken thighs, green beans.
– Wednesday – leftover soup, homemade sausage and pepperoni pizzas on pizza shells and green salad.
– Thursday – we went out for the afternoon to a store if wanted to visit and snipped at a few flea markets. On the way back, we stopped at a favorite local barbecue place. I had a catfish dinner and hubby had ribs.
– Friday – Even though I'm out visiting my friend today, and we normally eat out on these days, done we ate out yesterday, I'm making a meatless dinner of chickpea curry over rice with egg rolls from Aldi, green salad. I cooked the rice before I left in the morning.
Have a great weekend!
Tonight AND tomorrow night, I will be eating out: once at a restaurant for an anniversary and then tomorrow at a friend's house for a dinner party (not potluck).
It feels like an actual holiday! I do like cooking, have no issue with doing it, and share it approx 60/40 with husband, but having a couple of nights on end ''off'' (and ofc the cleaning up that goes with it) is quite a novelty.
It is SO NICE to get a break every now and then!
If cereal is a meal in the morning, then it can be a meal at any time of day (though perhaps not all three on the same day!)
Monday: Pancakes, eggs, and fruit salad. It's become a nice Monday night ritual and lets me use up the softening fruit.
Tuesday: I was out for dinner with a friend and a Persian restaurant. It was very tasty. Home crew had salmon, rice, and broccoli.
Wednesday: Mr. B was working late so we had our traditional "Dad's away" meal of macaroni and cheese. Peas for my daughter and leftover broccoli for me.
Thursday: Mr. B was working late again and my daughter and I grabbed pizza on the way home, then had some fruit and nuts (and a piece of chocolate) when we got home.
Friday: I think Mr. B will be roasting a chicken.
This was my first week of AI meal plan. I also made a dense bean salad to eat off during the week. I forgot how much I liked these.
Over the weekend I spent about $250 at Costco and $200 at Harris Teeter. That's pretty standard for us and now we have a full freezer. The kids are coming and going at all hours so I also find single serving snacks helpful. I'm convinced it saves me money because my son would eat an entire box of cheezits in one sitting.
ANYWAY.
Sunday - roast chicken, spinach gnocchi, corn muffins, carrots.
Monday - leftovers
Tuesday - out with friends! Kids got Jersey Mikes and Chipotle after their respective practices.
Wednesday - breakfast tacos, sauteed spinach, clementines.
Thursday - Flank steak stir fry with peppers, mushrooms, and snap peas, rice. Tofu for extra protein.
Friday - My son will get fed at his HS baseball game and we will eat leftovers.
Friday: Wedding buffet on a beach in the Dominican Republic. There was chicken and fish, veggies, and salads. I didn’t have any dessert because I was having too much fun on the dance floor.
Saturday: My husband and I tried out the resort’s French restaurant. I had a lovely duck breast with veggies.
Sunday: Our flight got home in enough time for us to swing by Aldi and pick up a pizza.
Monday: Pepper Steak and Rice
Tuesday: Spicy Sausage and Potato Soup
Wednesday: Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes and Spinach
Thursday: Halal Cart Chicken, roasted veggies, naan
I spent $11 at Safeway, too!
- Three Sisters bowls (wild rice, roasted butternut squash, corn, kidney beans, and cranberry dressing)
- Spaghetti al Limone and French bread (restaurant meal)
- Salad of lettuce, jicama, tomatoes, pinto beans, cotija cheese, and margarita lime dressing (leftover restaurant lunch)
- Saucy white beans and greens on toast. It's so yummy and economical I have to share the recipe. I've never made it with all the ingredients it asks for and often use substitutes, so it's very versatile. https://www.foodandwine.com/saucy-white-beans-toast-7483488
- Parmesan roasted cauliflower and portobello mushroom "steak"
- Roasted beet/feta/walnut salad and 9-grain bread
- Mushroom omelet (inspired by Sophie!)
Happy Friday, everyone!
Glad to be of inspiration!
We have a restaurant in our town called Il Limone. 🙂 Very good food.
WIS: About $100. I bought a lot of pet food this week and separated those costs from people food in my budget book, but the exact total eludes me at the moment.
WWA: A busy week with light cooking. Went out for a birthday pizza for DH on Sunday. Had chili for a few days and sandwiches with fruit and fresh veggies. I made red beans and rice for myself and on Wednesday bought myself some fast food when series of medical appointments moved my lunch to 4 pm. That was not a good idea: too expensive, way too salty, and Tums were needed afterward.
Today I am going to make a meatloaf with baked potatoes and corn on the side. Probably chocolate pudding for dessert.
Lately I'm cooking for 4, not 6, as DS#2 works evening shift and packs his dinner, and DS#3 is on a very restricted diet. So we have way more leftovers than I'm used to, which makes me happy.
Monday: roasted chicken drumsticks, rice and frozen broccoli. I like making this because there's usually plenty of leftovers for lunches.
Tuesday: pasta, and DH had picked up a fancy low sodium sauce for me called Yo Mama's which is ridiculously expensive but so delicious. Leftover chicken for protein.
Wednesday: leftovers.
Thursday: burgers and baked potatoes.
Friday: I'm thinking leftovers so I can punt cooking over to Monday. 😉
I can't remember what we had last Friday. Otherwise, we had:
-Two dinners of a really forgettable lemon chicken orzo dish. (Won't make that recipe again)
-Grilled burgers
-A delicious pulled chicken tostada recipe with a rotisserie chicken x2
-Last night I was at a friend's house, and we had a charcuterie tray & champagne
I'm not sure what tonight will entail. Friday is typically pretty scrappy.
About $102.
We ate:
Saturday: Chicken burritos with veggies
Sunday: We went to visit my parents and mom had beef stew for lunch. I made a loaf of bread to go with it. That night when we got home we had some wild rice soup that I made the night before so we could heat it up quickly.
Monday: pan fried shrimp, roasted potatoes in the air fryer, and okra
Tuesday: a creamy cajun pasta with andouille sausage
Wednesday: leftovers
Thursday: hamburgers, potato salad, and some raw veggies
Friday: We are going to a pottery show tonight a few towns over and will eat somewhere new to us there.
Curious to hear: how was the frozen chicken burrito from Aldi?? We are FINALLY going to be getting some Aldi stores out here in the Denver area in the next several years. (Finally!)
Yes, enquiring minds want to know!
Yes, finally coming to the Loveland area too!! So happy!
Yes, isn't it exciting about the Aldi stores coming to the Colorado area?? We have been waiting a long time for those stores to make their way out here. I know that will help us save some serious money, for sure!
I did a food reset - trying to get back on my food program. For two days, as suggested by my trainer, I ate a smoothie or protein bar for two meals and had one sit down. Since I was taking Mom out to lunch he suggested Double protein Teriyaki bowl at Panda, no sauce, half super greens half rice. I needed to keep out of the kitchen to make the plan easier. It worked so well I did it two days in a row. I followed it with an at home lunch but still two protein bar meals. Today I am back on track. Phew.
I taught at the Music Academy two days this week and needed something quick for DH. ChatGPT came up with a dump meal: frozen hamburger, crushed tomatoes, shelf stable gnocchi, some seaonings and broth. I added the rest of my 2.50 lb shredded cheese from Grocery Outlet. I have used it for 2 meals and have 3 more freezer meals. Since DH is also losing weight (35 pounds) the quality grading of food required is "Good Enough." It cost maybe $1.50 maybe.
WIS: $35 Aldi
Saturday: chicken pot pie from KFC. I was still at my recuperating friend's house, and I ate what was available.
Sunday: Home again. I thawed and baked a homemade personal size sausage pizza.
Monday: Beef stew with a pie crust topping. Essentially another pot pie.
Tuesday: I wanted to make both my little pie pans available for making small cherry pies, so I took my second pan out of the freezer and baked the chicken pot pie I had made some time ago. I ate half of it.
Wednesday: I ate the other half of the chicken pot pie. OMG! Can we say a plethora of pot pies! And I haven't made the cherry pies yet. I will have to soon, or freeze the pie crust.
Thursday: Bean soup, cornbread casserole.
Tonight I will have more soup and casserole. And there will be more left after that. Sometimes it's really frustrating cooking for one.
WIS $37 @ Grocery Outlet, $90 for custom cured bacon no preservatives.
Sun - family brunch
M - veggie fried rice with leftover ham
T - frozen enchilada, street corn, roasted squash
W - Osso bucco dinner potluck
Th - beef and broccoli over cauliflower rice
F - salmon chowder, salad
S - formal wedding w/sit down dinner for family
You are a true friend - I work casually for a group that helps seniors relocate, and it can be so hard to make that change!
WIS $118.96
WWA: Sunday: we had take out pizza and veggies, plus cake for my guy's mom's 98th birthday, so I wasn't very hungry for dinner. Ended up making chicken chunks (frozen, Costco) and a quinoa, veg, chicken protein dish from Costco as a side.
M: terriyaki chicken breast, rice and broccoli
T: Leftovers
W: Beef stroganoff, veg, salad
TH: Leftovers
F: Leftovers? Takeout? I am going to my grandson's (a senior) state basketball playoffs game, and it's my Sat/Sun nights to work, so we likely will go for takeout prior to the 8 pm game.
WIS: Farmers Market-$70; Bjs-$33; Hmart-$13 Total-$116
WWA: Sat- Swordfish topped w/ cherry salsa, rice, vinegar slaw
Sun- Tonkatsu, vinegar slaw
Mon- Chicken divan over rice
Tues- Leftover chicken divan
Wed- Adobo chicken, Asian style noodles, baby bok choy
Thurs- Cheddar biscuits and chicken/squash chili
Fri- Stir fry w/ salmon over noodles (or ramen w/ same ingredients)
WIS: Aldi $44 (including $15 32 roll toilet paper 🙂
WIA: (All family members are adults & whoever might be home for food generally feeds themselves unless I'm making a big meal)
Fri: leftover roasted cauliflower & carrots, & rice with tuna mixed in
Th: potato pierogies with spinach
Wed: cup of chili mixed with 1/2 a can of black beans to bulk it up more, & an apple
Tues: ??? probably a frozen soup, but I do remember a banana & spoon of peanut butter
Mon: black bean, corn, spinach, & salsa burrito, & an apple
Sun: I think this was homemade pizza night. I cut up about 15 turkey pepperoni slices & diced a 1/2" slice of beefstick & added green olives to the guys pie. Mine was a spinach & onion focaccia.
Sat: again, frozen soup--I think it was chicken dumpling, plain yogurt with a spoon of jam mixed in, & an apple.
Kristen, I love keeping cereal in the cupboard for emergency “meals”.
WIS $133.25
Things we ate:
Sunday- our anniversary and we went out for brunch so dinner was appetizers- Brie, salami, other cheeses and a baguette
Monday- Pan fried beef sausage, Cranberry beans cooked with pancetta & sage, French bread
Tuesday-Pork chops w/ mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet & sour cabbage, fried apples
Wednesday-leftover night
Thursday-leftover night
Friday- homemade pizza
Saturday-husband is working but I have leftover fajitas from business lunch yesterday so that’s what I’ll have