Last week started out with the same series of rice bowls, big salads and matzo with peanut butter and jelly {I’ll spare you most of the photos}. It wasn’t until I was able to eat real food again on Saturday that things got a little exciting.
General Store: $7.98
I was SO EXCITED when the HH brought home a jug of milk! Not having milk in my tea for 18 days was a real downer, and towards the end of the low iodine diet I had to be on, I even skipped drinking tea a few times just because the tea wasn’t as good without it.
Trader Joe’s $49.89
If only we had a Trader Joe’s closer! Everything they sell seems to be packaged for a one or two person household and I love it. They have a great produce section too. If I was a single person, and the store was closer, it would totally be the only place I shopped.
Knowing I still has a few days to go eating clean, I didn’t even bother going down the frozen food or snack section and just stuck to the produce area. I did spy a bottle of their Goddess dressing and gave it a try this weekend, but it was a dud in my opinion. It tasted nothing like the Green Goddess dressing you get at Panera {which is the best salad dressing on the planet earth}.
The thing I was most excited about finding at Trader Joe’s though was the fruit jellies!
No dyes, no iodine and not a single thing on the no fly list! SUGAR….. it felt so nice to finally have something other than jam to sweeten up my days.
Another day another bowl of gruel.
My final meal while in lockdown.
And then… Saturday morning’s breakfast! He did a fine job, don’t you think?
General Store $8.50
And a glorious salami sub with all the fixings for lunch. I was so hungry I ate the whole thing!
And my favorite Panera Copy Cat Tomato Bisque Soup for dinner. Top with matzo crackers. Hahaha!
A big salad with egg and cheese and pickled beets. Oh happy day.
And last night’s dinner… Nachos.
It feels so good to eat like a normal person again.
Life is good!
How about YOU? Did you have a favorite meal from last week? Anyone try a new recipe? Do tell.
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries and Bakery Treats We Brought Home $66.37
- Total Spent in April on Groceries and Bakery Treats $155.57
- Total Spent in March on Groceries and Bakery Treats $712.01
- Total Spent in February on Groceries and Bakery Treats $230.98
- Total Spent in January on Groceries and Bakery Treats $128.60
- Total Spent on Groceries and Bakery Treats We Brought Home in 2021 $1227.05
Lissa says
This post just made me smile and smile! Happy for you and your stomach!
Jill says
Hi Mavis,
I have followed you for many years and read your blog daily. I am concerned about your sugar-need though and unfortunately that’s from a place of being right there with you. ♀️I love sugar too but realize it’s not good for us especially as we age (I’m 56). I admire your home, gardening and cooking skills, entrepreneurship and sense of humor. I am looking forward to seeing more of you and just wanted to tell you maybe that diet was a blessing in disguise. PS I love Bobby from “FlavCity” on Instagram. I learn sooo much from him.
Alli Aplet says
So happy for you Mavis! Isn’t it amazing how going without normal things make us so thankful for them when we have them back? We had a friend over for dinner the other night who had lost her smell and taste from her second covid shot and she thought my chicken was great (though it was a little dry). Made me feel like a good cook!
Rachael says
I’ve never tried the type of goddess dressing you purchased at Trader Joe’s, but I have tried the green goddess dressing in the produce/refrigerated section & that is very good. It’s made with avocado, garlic, herbs, lemon juice… I even found a recipe online that’s similar & make it myself
Jennifer says
Made bagel bread! It was delicious, chewy and crunchy – plus you get to slide a whole loaf of bread into boiling water.
Regina says
Recipe please. Sounds yummy!
Margaret Hudgins says
YES PLEASE!!!!!!
Vivian says
Mavis, I gotta say that your husband has the nicest looking hands for a guy that works as hard as he does! And he bakes, too??? I think you got a real winner!
Mavis Butterfield says
He pretty much didn’t cook for 25 years… I think he’s making up for it now. 🙂 And I’m good with it. Ha!
Nancy D says
Great job on the cake HB!
Maureen says
Although expensive, you can buy bottled Panera salad dressing in some supermarkets.
Mavis Butterfield says
I had no idea!! I’ll look next time, thanks.
Maureen says
I should have included the link to find a store near you. https://www.paneraathome.com/products/categories/dressings
Lisa says
Wow super impressed by the cake! What a hubby. I bet it tasted oh so good.
PS- we don’t call them subs in Maine. They are Italians. Don’t ask my why cuz I have no idea. Mainers are also opposed to calling them hoagies or torpedos.
HollyG says
I love the idea of Trader Joe’s and their cat food just saved my kitty’s life – the treats were the only thing she would eat while she was sick for ten days. I just wish they would consider getting past the need to encase every item of produce in non-recyclable clam shells or plastic film. It’s a horrible amount of plastic that they are generating with no recycling program in place.
That boing said…… I’m glad you able to be back to the foods (and tea) that make you smile and wish you continued successes on your journey.
Tracie says
Oh wow! Good job HH. I am so happy you have been let out of food jail Mavis! ❤️
Stacey says
I’m so glad you can enjoy your food fully again, Mavis. And kudos to that husband of yours for having that chocolate cake ready! He’s obviously a gem. Trader Joe’s is our main grocery store. Food in general is so expensive in our county that we actually save money shopping there. I’ve also found that the workers are always so helpful and pleasant. There also isn’t that hurry up and get out of my way vibe from the other shoppers.