You know what’s really weird? After looking at this weeks pictures I tried to remember what I fed my family this past week. I remember serving pasta, salmon, buffalo, smoothies, oatmeal, sandwiches, soup, and lot’s and lot’s of eggs.
When you think about it, it’s pretty amazing what little a family needs to purchase each week if you do a lot of cooking from scratch.
But sometimes the pictures of what I purchased, still don’t come across as enough food to feed a family of four for one week. Probably because I’m not reminding people of the food we have in or freezer, pantry or the food we purchased in bulk. So you know what I’m going to do? This week I think I’ll photograph all the meals I prepare for my family and then show you the pictures next monday.
What do you think? Is that weird? Or would it be helpful? Let me know in the comments below and I will follow your lead.
Alright, here is what I purchased this past week:
QFC & Fred Meyer- $6.08
As you can see, the debate about local milk is still a hot one in our house. The Girl and I can not convince the boys that the stuff in the glass bottles is fresher and better for them.
Vitacost – $2.41
I had some Vitacost credit and then shopped through ebates to score a 6% rebate on my purchase.
If you’ve never made a purchase from Vitacost before you can get a $10 credit just for signing up, and right now Ebates is offering a 6% rebate on any Vitacost purchase. Pretty cool if you ask me. Plus, if you are new to Ebates, you can also score a $10 gift card for signing up to their website as well.
Harbor Greens Produce Market – $7.88
Every time I buy a sack of potatoes I tell myself it will be the last time. But we keep eating them so I have to buy more!
Swagbucks – FREE
I traded in some Swagbucks for an Amazon gift card and used it for a 4 pound box of the best dried cranberries on the planet!
Mr. Produce Guy – FREE
Thanks to Mr. Produce Guy, last week we ate big salads and had plenty of apples to pack in the kids lunches this past week. There is no doubt about it, free produce rocks!
The Bellingham Farmers Market $10
$10. Shut.The.Front.Door.
It was the biggest loaf of artisan bread we have ever purchased and and boy was it good! Sometimes you just have to be frivolous and buy the good stuff. Even if it’s expensive.
How did you do this past week? Did you hear the rumor that Albertsons Double Coupons might be going away? What do think about it? Will your grocery budget survive without them?
~Mavis
Total Spent This Week $26.37
Total Spent This Year $596.33
Total Spent This Year on Garden Seeds/Supplies $781.98 {I bought a Meyer Lemon Tree, Rhubarb crowns, 6 Fruit Trees , 15 yards of soil}, Walla Walla Onions and 90 pounds of seed potatoes.
Plus, supplies to make my own potting soil.
Brandy says
I need to start selling my bread at Farmer’s markets. I make a loaf of bread half that size (nice and round ) for . . . . 25 cents! YEP! So I could make a huge loaf like that for .50 and charge $10.
Hmmmmm . . .
wonder if my state has a commercial kitchen law? (California just dropped theirs).
Just kidding. I don’t have time for that, tempting as it is.
Leanna says
Yes please post about what you feed your family each day. Pictures or not either way is good.
Tracey says
Have u tried to switch the milk and see if they notice the difference? I bet if u secretly put the local milk in the plastic jug they might not notice lol.
Desi from Idaho zone 5 says
I think that would be fun. Having food in the pantry and storage does make it so much easier to buy less and still have healthy yummy meals.
Dianna says
I would love to see pictures of what you cook. Your blog is so inspiring.
Melissa says
Yes, please on the pictures of what you eat. I’ve been doing that with my own grocery report; I think it helps to see how the food you buy translates into meals.
Heather says
Oh sure, give it a whirl! Yes, I had heard the rumor about the TTVs going away from Albertson’s from a cashier. She also mentioned talk about not doing store coupons or the the loyalty card any longer, which I am not sure I am pleased with the latter as I love the $5 coupon that pops up and I also sometimes buy gasoline from my Albertson’s when I have racked up enough points. She said that they will be lowering about 1000+ items prices. It will be interesting if they can stay competative enough on the pricing to make it worthwhile to shop there vs. another store; Fred Meyer, Safeway, etc.
Dina says
As a fairly new gardener/farmer’s market coordinator-manager/and a mom of hungry teenagers I’m extremely interested in seeing the photos of what you cook. And milk for $6.08?!!!
Tali says
TTV are gone for good….( official from corporate).
Would love to see picture as I am always looking for ideas to make new stuff…my new project (and if anyone can help that would be great) is making a cheese fondue (Mavis, do you have a recipe?)……I need to make it this Wednesday
Cecily says
Check out The Melting Pot Dip into Something Different cookbook. It has 20 cheese fondue recipes plus hot pot and dessert recipes too! It is awesome! The cheese fondue recipe amounts are pretty basic. 11-12 ounces shredded cheese of choice tossed with 3 tablespoons flour. Add flavorings of choice i.e. garlic, shallots, worchestershire to 1 cup hot liquid of choice i.e. beer, wine, broth in a double boiler. Stir in half the cheese until melted. Add the rest of the cheese in small amounts stirring constantly in a circular motion. Stir in fresh ground pepper and additional goodies i.e bacon, scallions, baby shrimp and Voila’, ooey gooey goodness! Hope this helps.
Tasha K. says
I haven’t seen doublers in Montana for probably a year, so it won’t affect me, but I do love their “round-up” events. I’m sure those will be going away too… My only other grocery store options are Safeway and Walmart. I have been taking advantage of Safeway’s Just4U online coupons and they’re pretty good. I would love pictures of your meals!
vicki says
Mavis, Love your idea about seeing what you eat in a week. Can’t wait!
Emma Benefiel says
I would love to see what you eat for a week, seeing how you feed your family in actual meals would really help. thanks
Sherry says
Albertson’s double coupons aren’t the only thing that are going away. Their nice Bonney Lake store and the nicer one in Auburn closed. The only one left in Auburn is the little one, but it’s always busy when I go in there.
Michele says
What? You were in Bellingham on Saturday?! And I was thinking of you as we were driving through Gig Harbor on our way to the WA State Science Fair in Bremerton Saturday.
Our Sunday paper (or mailers) never had any doublers so I’ve always been secretly jealous of y’all. Granted, we don’t buy much processed food but I had been wanting to follow your lead to help support our local food bank.
Beth says
Love the idea of you posting pictures of what you feed your family!
I am on the second week of writing a meal plan for dinners for the week- last week went well- now we will see how this week goes! I currently get alot of my fruits and veggies from Bountiful Baskets so I write my plan after I pick up the basket on Saturday so I know what I have to work with.
I have informed my husband and daughter that we are moving towards a more plant based diet and away from processed foods and meat. After my garden starts producing I will plan around what is ready- but that will be awhile for me.
Tonight at my house we are having stuffed mushrooms (stuffed with italian sausage leftover from Friday night boboli night and caesar salad and fresh fruit and some sort of bread- I got 2 packages of mushrooms in my Bountiful Basket and already had some mushrooms on hand so we are swimming in mushrooms right now!
Sally says
I would love to see what you feed your family. I am always on the lookout for recipe inspiration. I have two teenage boys who eat so much; they play sports and I can’t seem to keep them full.I have to make recipes to feed at least 6 for the 4 of us.
Cate says
Yes, Mavis, please post a week’s food for your family pics- that’s be great!!
Stephanie says
I would also love to see what you feed your family. I LOVE all your recipes.
I have a family of 3 (soon to be 4), but really I feel like I cook for 1.25, myself and my 3yo as my husband is SUPER picky. Somedays I am sad I dont get to cook much and others I feel so fortunate that I can really feed our family on so little per month because each meal is stretched a ton by only feeding 1/4 of typical family of 4.
Darla says
Seeing how you transform free produce, pantry supplies, and great deals into low cost meals that satisfy a family would be very helpful.
darlene says
I think it would be fun and helpful! I’d love to see how you are using up your stored (canned, frozen,etc) food =)
Angela says
I would love to see and read about the meals you make for your family for a week. But maybe I’m just weird, lol. 🙂 I haven’t shopped at Alberston’s in forever. It’s just not that convenient to where I live.
Cindi Myers says
Yes, please post your meals! I would love to see how what you buy and have on hand translates into meals. Plus, I always get ideas of what to cook by reading what other people are eating.
Tina B says
I would love to see what you feed your family each week, Mavis! Thanks for thinking up such a helpful and informative idea!!
Helen in Meridian says
This Sunday Albertsons will have doublers again. I have heard that the Roundups and TTV doublers will continue for about 3 months, since they have already printed the ads scheduled out into summer. I will be more dedicated in using all of mine each time to stock my pantry with things that last, especially the cheap ketchup, mustards, pickles, mayo summer salad dressing deals that have great coupons. I always enjoy each day’s recipes and beautiful photos you post. I have wondered what you put in HHs lunch each day. I pack one for dh, and could use some ideas.
Mavis says
Good to know. Thanks Helen. 🙂
LaToya says
Exactly what I’m doing, Helen. Being smarter and forward-thinking with what I am using my doublers for last time and the next few times. And then for example this weekend I started branching out and checking the good deals at Fred Meyer. And I have added Rite Aid back to my mix (was just doing Walgreens). It’ll be OK. I think I’m just going to have to shop more often, and watch those ads, and stock up when I can – not that I wasn’t already, but knowing that doublers are phasing out, I just have to plan better instead of say spending all my doublers on free chewing gum – LOL
Celie says
I am so glad you asked! I am particularly interested in what you buy in bulk, how you choose to store it, etc. And, do you think all of your canning pays off? I know that you enjoy doing it, and it obviously saves you money. But, how much do you have to put away to actually make a significant dent in buying groceries?
These are the things I am trying to figure out. And I really appreciate your willingness to share your experience with the rest of us.
Thanks a ton.
Mavis says
Rice, Flour, Sugar, Oatmeal, Chicken, Spices are what I’ve pickup or bartered for bulk wise this year. As far as canning, it is probably a wash. I really like doing it though. 🙂
LaToya says
And yes, Miss Mavis, I want to see what you feed your crew. I took a page out of your book recently, and made banana cookies with some peanut butter and chocolate chips – and fed them to the kiddies for breakfast.
Mavis says
Ha! Bananas, eggs what more do you need? Love it!
Jen says
Mavis, do you sign up for Vitacost new every time you shop, or do you have lots of $10 credits from referrals? I only ever had the one and I always marvel at what you come away with when you order…
Mavis says
Anyone can earn a $10 Vitacost credit when they refer a friend. Plus, I always shop though ebates to earn 6% or 12% so save even more.
Jen says
Does the friend have to use it for you to get the credit? I’ve made referrals but never gotten anything from vitacost just for doing so!
Mavis says
Yes. 🙂
Jamie says
I am going to echo everyone else…I would love to see pictures of what you feed your family EVERY week!
D'Anna says
AHHH MASS PANIC HAS ENSUED!!! Who knew saving an extra $1 per paper* would reek so much havoc? I’m a bigger fan of Round Up, more availability of items and less shelf clearing at my preferred store. I won’t miss trying to get papers that’s for sure.
Your milk debate reminds me of my spouse and I arguing over brown and white eggs. He won’t consume the nice brown cage free organic eggs I like so as a compromise he gets the nice white Egg Lands Best cuz I always have a coupon for them.
*I say $1 because the early edition Sunday/Sunday Oregonian costs $2 each here so I need to double 2 – $1 coupons to make my initial money back.
Kim says
I would love to see the meals please put them up
Every week even though you were over this year I need photos girl