I am actually kind of embarrassed about this weeks whole meal planning and grocery store trip post. Why? Because I had made it all the way to noon on Sunday without spending a dime on food all week and then the HH started circling the kitchen and asking if I needed anything at the store {2 days off in a row makes him itchy, but by day 3 or 4 he is totally relaxed. But day 2? It’s always an awkward one}.
Yada yada yada, I said SURE, we could use some fruit so let’s go check out the new Fred Meyer that just opened up across town.
Fred Meyer $32.51
Well, it was a total zoo of course because everyone else was there too which I was a little surprised about since the store had already been opened for 11 days already. Whateva, I got through it and ended up going home with a few good buys. Campbell’s Chunky Soup $0.99 a can, half gallons of milk $0.99 each, Dave’s Killer bread 1 loaf was free {with a peelie and a $0.99 coupon} and the second loaf was only $1.99. You can blame my husband for the Kettle chips and nacho cheese dip {gag}. Just before the new Fred Meyer opened they sent out a nice flyer with a couple of coupons for $10 off any $40 purchase. But honestly, I think we’ve got enough food to last us for the next few weeks so I don’t think I’m going to use them.
Harbor Greens $11.59
Since we were already on the other side of town we stopped by Harbor Greens and picked up some deli ham for $4.69 a pound, a few Honeycrisp apples for $0.99 a pound and a scoop of fancy olives for $5.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times…. Never go grocery shopping when you are hungry! 😉
Costco $44.65
And then, because we had the fancy olives we needed cheese. So we stopped off at Costco.
Panera $0 {I won $180 in various gift cards playing 31 at my parents Christmas party}
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Green Goddess Salad. Have you tried it yet?
Sunday night linner. The HH and I snuggled on the couch and watched Capote and a Ken Burns film about the Pilgrims.
So, food wise. I think we are good to go for the next three weeks. I don’t plan on buying ANYTHING but milk {for my tea} until it’s time to move. Because seriously, having to move food, is lame.
The Girl is already on clean out the freezer mode. This is what she came up with not once, but twice for dinner for herself last week. A frozen piece of fish, 2 red potatoes and a handful of frozen pot stickers. Clearly she’s like me, she eats to live…. not lives to eat. Baahahhaa. 😉
Breakfasts this week consisted of oatmeal, toasted bagels, and of course eggs and potatoes on the weekend.
Freezer Meal of the Week: Frozen lasagna because I am a slacker and sometimes eat boxed meals made in factories that are shipped across the US and stored in warehouses for months.
Soup of the Week: Potato Soup with Ham and Corn
Sweet Treat of the Week: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Crock Pot Meal of the Week: Mississippi Pot Roast
Magical Leftover Night: A Beef Shepard’s Pie
And then there was lunch with the parental unit. This time we went to Baron’s.
The green beans and 5 spice chicken were my favorite.
My dad LOVED the short ribs.
And then there’s my mother. Who always asks for lemons to put in her water. And then at the end of the meal she magically pulls out a little Tupperware container from her purse and brings the extras home because …. if I don’t use them all the staff will throw them away.
Ahhh food. I think we’re good for a while. 😉
How about YOU? Did you overspend this week too or are you showing some restraint these days? Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
Total Spent This Week $88.75
Total Spent in January on Groceries $231.67 {Not even funny!}
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
lynne says
I think i’m addicted to your recipes. Had already decided to make the ham/corn/potato soup for supper tonight. The only way i’ll eat a roast is Mississippi syle. And, later this week i’ll be trying the Chicken Pot Pie in a skillet recipe that you posted last week. Thank you for your contributions to our dinner repertoire! LOL!!! LynneinWI.
(oh, and having moved just 5 months ago, I will concur with your notion that moving food really stinks! Get rid of as much as you can!!!)
Staci says
I’m wondering if hotels have seen a surge in hotel freebies being taken, I’ve been in hotel several times in the last month and I think of your mother and grab up only the things that I know I will use! I never use to do this – I don’t know why but maybe she’s starting a trend!
Mrs. Z says
My husband is just like that when he’s not working. He can never just hangout at home for a few days. Has to spend money or go somewhere. I just don’t get it personally.
Laurel says
I am trying to use up things in my pantry and freezer. But I have a mental battle with wanting to go to the store even when the items on my list are to replace stuff I just made and therefore won’t need for a while. I have no plans to make carrots but I NEED carrots! Ahhhhh So I went to the freezer, picked out some stuff and got to work and I think I have enough food for the week, breakfasts, lunches and suppers with leftovers from the weekend and stuff I made this morning. The need to go shopping has subsided. Other than a Costco rotisserie chicken and a gallon of milk ImhVe avoided the store. I will need bread, or I could make some today…lol
Helen in Meridian says
I actually bought 4 steak dinners during bargain hour for a take out dinner party. I have never done take out dinners, but this restaurant is so loud, and I wanted to hear y sis and dh talk at my own table. How far from Costco and Aldi and Trader Joe’s is your new farm? Hope there are bargains nearby. Looking forward to hearing all your new experiences.
Carrie says
My goal for the year is to only spend $150 every two weeks on food. I had $7 saved in the last round and a whopping $0.04 this time! lol I have to make it to Friday and I will but I hate I forgot salsa!
I’m not sure where to say this buy I tried a new to me Instant Pot recipe last night that Mrs. HB may like. It is chicken and gravy. I served it over mashed potatoes and with green beans. Soooo delicious and easy! https://nomnompaleo.com/post/156918257623/instant-pot-pressure-cooker-chicken-and-gravy
Claire says
Mavis, can you refresh our memories how your Christmas 31 gift card system works? Thanks, sounds like
(lucrative ) fun!
Mavis Butterfield says
This year there was a 3 $10 gift card buy in for each person playing. Here is a link to the rules: http://www.bicyclecards.com/how-to-play/thirty-one/
Claire says
okay, thanks
Karen says
Are your parents sad that you are moving so far away or do they plan to move too? Will your kids move with you? These are the hard parts about moving.
Patti Coleman says
Totally and completely overspent “in my mind”. 485.00 just this weekend on food, HBA and paper goods. In my defense, hubby has been working out of town for 14 months and I have only had myself to feed except for the past few weekends. I can live on PB crackers and frozen dinners. So, I had let the pantry and freezer run down and him being diabetic needs the pricey stuff. Meat and veggies, protein bars and shakes.
Earlene says
Will your parents move with you?? I think at this age(65) , I would have a hard time leaving the parents! I did it when I was young and we saw them at least 4 times a year! But at this age, I couldn’t, not that I want my kids to not have a life! Hope you understand!
Torry says
Earlene, I totally get it. For me it would be leaving the grandchildren! Although it is possible the 17 year old may move at anytime after this year. But the 6 month old will be needing hugs for a long time yet! (They are cousins.)
Diane says
Hi Mavis,
Have you used the green beans you bought at Costco yet? Do you mind my asking how you prepared them/or plan to prepare them? I got a bag at New Year’s. I tried a new recipe. Don’t know if it was the beans or the recipe, but I hated how they turned out. Tough as can be and rather flavorless.
They looked like a million bucks, so uniformly sized and all that. I could envision a platter of them that was photo worthy. I was shocked, I’ve never had a unsatisfactory produce buy at Costco.
I found a way to get them eaten, I hate to waste food. Anywho, saw that picture of those beans and just had to comment.
On a more hopeful note, tried a new brussel sprouts recipe that was a hit.
All the best to you and all the readers out there!
Cheers
Mavis Butterfield says
I just heat a little olive oil in the pan and saute with a little salt and pepper. Easy peasy. 🙂
Lauralli says
I’m cracking up at the plastic container your mom brings out! However, she should know that lemons are probably the most bacterial laden item you are served in a restaurant. She should look that up and decide if she wants to keep asking for lemon for her water. My husband has a chronic form of leukemia so we have to be extra careful with limiting his exposure to such things. (But I will confess that I had germophobe tendencies anyway! :))
Tammy says
I was going to say the same thing about the lemons! I never use the lemons from restaurants and certainly wouldn’t want to be taking them home! LOL
AlysonRR says
I buy TrueLemon, TrueLime, and TrueGrapefruit in shaker jars for home and packets for when we’re out. One packet is equivalent to a couple lemon slices in a glass.
Julia says
Your mom cracks me up. Mostly because some of the things she does I do too. I once totally embarrassed my husband at a fancy fundraiser by wrapping up my leftover chicken and putting it in my purse to take home! What? It was perfectly good chicken and it was just going to get thrown away!
Holly V. says
Please tell you dear mother to not take the lemons home. In fact, don’t use lemons at all in a restaurant. Every single server in the place is constantly dipping their hands in and out of that lemon container or bowl all night long. It’s absolutely disgusting.
Carrie says
It’s funny to me how people are so judgmental about using lemons. Lemons are naturally antibacterial. Google told me “Lemons have powerful antibacterial properties; experiments have found the juice of lemons destroy the bacteria of malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and other deadly diseases.” There’s probably more bacteria on the bread rolls and your drink glass and every server touches them too. If your immune system can’t handle new bacteria you probably shouldn’t eat outside of your home.
Long live the lemon! 😀
Lauralli says
If lemons are that powerful then why do we have such diseases? Google showed me this: “a 2007 study found that nearly 70% of restaurant lemon wedges are covered in up to 25 different types of germs. Among them: fecal matter, E. Coli, and contamination from raw meat. “. Why were the germs found if the lemons killed them all? And, as I stated in my original comment that my husband does have immune issues. He is rarely sick so we must be doing something right!
Stephanie from Utah says
I overspent this last week too, because my usual grocery store is closing and everything was marked down. I knew the end was near for this store, it’s been struggling for months. Hard to compete with a new grocery store that opened in town last year. But I will miss my little store, the small town feel to it, and especially the relationship I had built with my favorite cashier.