This Week on the Dining Table

The "Would You Eat These?" Edition.......

Before we left PA in December on the Xmas time trip, we stopped at Ocean State Job Lot because I still had a $50 gift card from a past Christmas present from Hubs I needed to spend for that store.  I saw these potato chips, "Mackie's of Scotland Turkey & Stuffing flavored crisps".  Obviously made for the American market as turkey & stuffing isn't very Scottish. ;-)  This company was taken over by Taylor's but their crisps are still being made.  I see they make a Haggis flavored crisp version.  I would have liked to have tried that one.

What about you?  Would you eat a turkey & stuffing flavored potato crisp/chip?

This is day 253 of the new "way of eating".  Down 59 lbs. since the cruise(not counting the 8 I gained on the cruise and then lost again, which would make it 67 lbs.).  

Not actively trying to lose right now, just maintaining.  I plan on kicking the weight loss up again in March. ;-)

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned for last week...........

1. Sunday--Leftover Kielbasi, Strawberries

2. Monday--Chicken Parm Buitoni Ravioli w/Sauce, Salad or Veggie TBD

3. Tuesday--TV Dinners(I'm having injections in my back so something easy)

4  Wednesday--Maybe Soup if it's still raining and raw here

5. Thursday--Beef Pie

6.  Friday--Leftover Roast Chicken, Stuffing, Broccoli

7. Saturday--Liver and Onions, Gravy, Mashed Taters, Sautéed Cabbage or Harvard Beets

And here's what actually happened......

1. Sunday--Leftover Kielbasi, Strawberries

2. Monday--Chicken Parm Buitoni Ravioli w/Sauce, California Mix Veggies

3. Tuesday--a "linner" of Zaxby's Asian Salad

4  Wednesday--Leftovers(me Chicken Sandwich lunch, Strawberries for Dinner)

5. Thursday--Beef Pie

6.  Friday--I had Hummus and Crackers, Hubs had tv Dinner

7. Saturday--Lean Cuisine, Caesar Salad

What got taken out of the freezer last week...

* Chicken Parm Ravioli

*  a bag of California Mix Veggies

*  Ground Beef

*  Liver

*  2 TV Dinners

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  1 lb. Salmon

*  6 lb. Ground Beef

*  1 Frozen Pizza

*  1 bag of Chicken Tenders

*  1 bag of Fish

*  5 Lean Cuisine TV Dinners

Last week we spent $252.64 on grocery shopping for February. 

Total shopping comes to $640.77 for February.   

There are 10 shopping days left in February.  

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $125.24 on Ibotta in February.

I've earned $50.00 on Shopmium in February.

I've earned $49.00 on Alexa app in February.

I've earned $4.00 on Kroger Cash Back in February.

I've earned $13.29 on TaDa in February.

I've earned $0 on Checkout51 in February.

I've earned $3.88 on Aisle.

I've earned 11,435 points on Fetch from food shopping in February.

I've earned 5,335 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in February

I've earned 0 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in February.

That is $192.41 in rebates(not counting the Kroger Cash Back/Shop Kick/Fetch/Alexa)on $640.77 of grocery spending so in reality it's $448.36 in food spending after the 4 rebate apps I count(the ones that give me cash back, not the ones that I turn the points into gift cards, or Alexa that gives me Amazon credit, and count when those points are cashed in).

Just Wow!  Inflation is so NOT under control folks!  So much money spent on food, etc.  Even with using rebate apps/discounts/coupons.  Granted I did some shopping this week with a big donation to a local church's food bank(they take toiletries too like the one back in PA that I use to donate to)but everything I bought for that was either free or bought for pennies on the dollar.

My savings percentage for the last week was 60.82%(great % for the week!)and the monthly savings total for February comes in at 49.20% spent so far.  Almost 50% saved over regular retail prices is a wonderful thing. 8-)

Leftovers going into this week....Rigatoni with Sauce, Beef Pie, Ravioli, Roast Chicken, Garlic Bread.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Ravioli, Green Beans, Garlic Bread

2. Monday--leftover Rigatoni(me), Chicken Enchiladas(Hubs)

3. Tuesday--Chicken Strips, Teriyaki Green Beans

4  Wednesday--leftover Beef Pie

5. Thursday--Chicken Casserole or Fish and Cole Slaw

6.  Friday--Chicken Casserole or Fish and Cole Slaw

7. Saturday--Cheese Burgers(bun optional), Carrots?

I'll use some of the leftover Roast Chicken to make the filling for Enchiladas and the rest of the Chicken will go into a Casserole(maybe). ;-)

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy    

This Week on the Dining Table

  The "LOL" Edition.......

I got a big kick out of this meme.

Onward to the meal planning!
Moving On-

This is what was planned.....

1. Sunday--Mushroom Quiche

2. Monday--Dogs and Burgers, Pasta Salad

3. Tuesday--Teriyaki Pork Stir-Fry w/Veggies

4. Wednesday--Leftovers
5. Thursday--More Leftovers or FFY

6.  Friday--Pizza?, Salad

7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--Mushroom Quiche

2. Monday--Dogs and Burgers, Pasta Salad

3. Tuesday--Teriyaki Pork Stir-Fry w/Veggies

4. Wednesday--Leftovers
5. Thursday--Chinese Hot and Sour Soup

6.  Friday--Grilled Teriyaki Salmon, Mixed Veggies

7. Saturday--Leftover Stir-Fry

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 2 nights of leftovers/planned overs or FFY and 1 night of Take-Out/Eating Out.  Most of what was planned happened but not necessarily on the correct night.

What got put into the freezer last week....

* 8 pints of ice cream 8-) It's summer!

* 2 lbs. bratwurst

What got taken out of the freezer and used...

* 2 pie shells

* 6 burgers

* 8 hot dogs

* 1/2 bag of mixed veggies

* 1 teriyaki pork loin

* 1 hunk of salmon

* 1 bag of stir-fry veggies

We spent a whopping $67.13 on food/toiletries/HBA last week at 2 different stores(Walmart on Friday and Weeis(PMITA)Markets on Sunday).This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Grand Total to $67.13 for June.   

There are 23 shopping days left in June.

I've earned $66.88 on Ibotta in June.

I've earned $0.00 on Checkout51 in June.

I've earned $3.00 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in June.

I've earned 6,860 points from shopping on Fetch in June which equals $6.86.

I've earned 360 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in June which equals $1.44.

I've earned 0 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in June which equals $0.

That's $69.88 in rebates(not counting the ShopKick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $67.13 in grocery spending.

My savings percentage for last week was 56.67%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for June and the monthly savings total for June comes in at  56.67%.(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week...pasta salad, potato salad, a helping of teriyaki pork stir-fry, lots of brown rice and 1 whole quiche.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Pizza, Tossed Salad

2. Monday--Soft tortilla Carnitas

3. Tuesday--Bratwursts on Rolls, leftover sides

4. Wednesday--Chicken Enchiladas
5. Thursday--some sort of Seafood, Sweet Tater Wedges

6.  Friday--? or Fend for Yourself

7. Saturday--Leftovers

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu? Domino's will make Sunday's meal for me lol but otherwise I've got everything here.  Don't "need" anything immediately but I am 13 rebates away on Ibotta from that $10 Bonus so that will happen sometime this week or weekend. 8-)

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

 The "Happy Puppy" Edition....

      

Since the snow is so high here(not melting due to low temps and lack of sunshine)we can let Chest off the leash in the yard because the snow is too high for him to escape the yard.  Hubs made him a "race track" in the backyard buy shoveling a path from their potty field on one side of the deck back to the fenced in garden area and back down the other side of the deck, making a continuous loop around the yard.  He's in full on sprint mode in the photo.

He is loving running laps in there like a crazy dog!  I think he's the only one here happy with this week's snowy forecast too. lol

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On-

This is what was planned....

1. Sunday--Chicken w/Wild Rice Soup, Cheddar Drop Biscuits

2. Monday--Kielbasi, Baked Beans, Grilled Onions

3. Tuesday--Salmon, Potatoes au Gratin, Saute Cabbage

4. Wednesday--Ham slices, Asparagus, leftover au Gratin Taters
5. Thursday--Hubs cooks or Leftovers

6.  Friday--Leftover Soup w/Cornbread

7. Saturday--Chicken Tenders, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Glazed Carrots

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--Chicken w/Wild Rice Soup, Cheddar Drop Biscuits

2. Monday--Kielbasi, Baked Beans, Grilled Onions

3. Tuesday--Salmon, Potatoes au Gratin, Asparagus

4. Wednesday--Fend for Yourself
5. Thursday--Chicken Tenders, Corn, leftover au Gratin Taters

6.  Friday--Ham slices, Glazed Carrots, Mac and Cheese

7. Saturday--Steak, Tossed Salad, Baked Potato

Last week saw 6 nights of home cooked dinners, 1 night of leftovers/planned overs or no dinner, FFY, and 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.

Mostly everything planned was cooked/served except we had leftover soup for lunch 2 times instead of for dinner on Friday(and there is 1 more helping left besides the  container I froze)and Ex-CB came over on Friday so the Ham as well as Mac and Cheese happened then.  I also made a second smaller pan of Mac to send home with him as it's his and his roommate's favorite. ;-)

The Marie Callender "faux Red Lobster" Cheddar biscuits were not good.  Too salty and not even cheese in them so I think we threw 2 out(or will be thrown out unless Hubs wants to choke those down).lol

I didn't eat dinner on Wednesday so Hubs just fended for himself.

What got put into the freezer last week....

* Nothing

What got taken out of the freezer and used...

*  1 pack chicken tenders(used up)

*  1 package of salmon fillet

*  1 Kielbasi ring

*  1/8th of a Dinner Ham

We spent $58.21 on food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods last week.  $4.12 at Ollie's(Good Stuff Cheap!), $18.46 at Weis(PMITA)Markets and $35.63 at the Discount Grocery Outlet on mostly produce, luncmeat/cheese, oatmilk for Hubs, a small cheese ball, a rotisserie chicken and a frozen pie. This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Grand Total to $68.93 for February.

There are 13 shopping days left in February.  More snow all this week so I don't know how much if any shopping I'll get done.  That's why we hit the Discount Grocery Outlet again on Thursday since we were near there when I had to go back to CVS for my refund.

I've earned $3.80 on Ibotta in February.

I've earned $00 on Checkout51 in February.

I've earned $00 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in February.

I've earned 6,512 points from shopping on Fetch in February.

I've earned 0 point from food shopping on Shop Kick in February.

I've earned 0 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in February.

My savings percentage for last week was 63.76%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for February and the monthly savings total for February comes in at 68.54%.(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week--cole slaw, ham, bits of corn, asparagus, baked beans, 1 baked potatoe and lots of mac and cheese(like soup from scratch you can't make just a little mac and cheese lol).

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Chinese take-out V-Day

2. Monday--Rotisserie Chicken, Assorted leftover Sides, Salad

3. Tuesday--Beef/Mushroom Stroganoff, Rice

4. Wednesday--Chicken Chow Mein, Rice, Crunchy Noodles
5. Thursday--Hubs cooks(Caesar salad w/chicken?)

6.  Friday--Mac and Cheese w/Ham, sauteed Cabbage

7. Saturday--Leftovers or ?

I bought mushrooms and salad greens last week plus I had a head of cabbage that needs using. Leftover Rotisserie chicken will either become chicken salad or put into a Caesar salad on Hubs night to cook.  Time will tell....

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?  Not such great deals here unless I go to the discount food outlet.

Sluggy

 

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Oh Goody, More Snow!" Edition--

We got 7 inches last Thursday night/Friday morning and I had the drive from hell later that day to go pick up College Boy.
His room at school has cable and thus the Weather Channel so I watched it a bit before heading to bed that night.
Oh Goody!  Another storm, a Nor'Easter is heading in this week.  They showed a tiny area on their map for snow accumulations for this weather event of 18-24" and you'll never guess who's smack dab in that little pink area?!
Come on! Guess.......
Yep.  You guessed it.

Locally the weather talking heads on the tv are calling for this one to be the biggest/baddest we've had in a deccade.
Yay......
So much for an easy Winter here.

Moving on......

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Chinese chicken w/sauce, fried rice w/veggies added

2. Monday--Leftover meatloaf and corn casserole, asparagus

3. Tuesday--Leftover lasagna

4. Wednesday--Leftover baked chicken w/potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts

5. Thursday--Tacos
6. Friday--Haddock, cole slaw, glazed carrots
7. Saturday--Leftover Tacos or Quesadillas using leftover Taco filling or Taco Salad

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Chinese chicken w/sauce, fried rice w/veggies added

2. Monday--Leftover meatloaf and corn casserole, asparagus

3. Tuesday--Leftover lasagna

4. Wednesday--Leftover baked chicken w/potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts

5. Thursday--Tacos
6. Friday--Hubs and Daughter got Pizza.
7. Saturday--We ordered Pizza....again! lolz

5 meals cooked at home, 0 of them a night of leftovers or Fend For Yourself, and 2 nights of eating-out/take-out.
The fish didn't happen as I wasn't home to cook and I was too tired to cook on Saturday and nobody wanted leftovers.

As for the grocery spending.....1 trips to Weis brought the food spending last week to $0.00  I spent $32.45 on a gift card paid for last year.  This brought my March food spending total to $72.79(Food spending would be $175.79 for the month so far, w/out that gift card).  There are 18 days left in the month.

My savings percentages last week was 100% due to the gift card. 8-)  Savings would have been 54.04% otherwise.

Leftovers going into this week.......Stroganoff/Rice, 1 slice Meatloaf, Pizza.  I am sure these will all be eaten as lunches as College Boy IS home. ;-)

Here is this week's "food plan"....
* Denotes "complicated" meals

1. Sunday--Chili(using a small frozen container mixed with newly cooked)

2. Monday--Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes

3. Tuesday--Irish Stew

4. Wednesday--Shrimp, Cole Slaw, Asparagus

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Country Fried Steak, Gravy, Taters, Brussells Sprouts(I'll have Taters and Sprouts)*
7. Saturday--Leftovers

This week will see 5 new meals cooked, 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating-Out and 2 nights of Leftovers.
With the storm coming we may not get around to taking College Boy out belatedly for his Birthday dinner.  Playing things by ear this week really.

What I need to buy for this menu? Corned Beef, Asparagus.  I've got everything else here already.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?


Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

It's the "Will You Look At That!" Edition--

This was a potted hyacinth I bought last Easter for myself.  I love the smell of hyacinth.  It's one of my all-time favorite flower scents after gardenia.  After they bloom and die back I never can get the bulbs to bloom again if I plant them outside.
I didn't replant these but had thought the chipmunks that plague our yard had dug them up(as I left this pot on the back deck)and ate the bulbs this Summer.
Then in late Sept. I noticed green shots coming up out of the pot and it was the hyacinth bulbs growing again!  I brought the pot inside when it turned cold later that month, watered it regularly and put it by a window and week by week we noticed the green shoots getting taller.

And voila!.....they put out flowers last week!!  Of course the stalks are suppose to be about 8 inches taller before they flower but I will take this anyway. lolz
When the blooms died back the pot will go back outside in the deep freeze that is our yard now before bringing it back in about February to try to get it to bloom again.

Have you had any luck growing perennial bulbs?


Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week.......

1. Sunday--meatloaf, sweet potato fries, Brussels sprouts
2. Monday--Italian Torta, Caeser Salad
3. Tuesday--Pecan Chicken, Mixed Veggies
4. Wednesday--Kielbasa on Rolls, green beans
5. Thursday--Rockfish, Cauliflower, Garlic mashed potatoes
6. Friday--Guinness Beef Stew
7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--meatloaf, sweet potato fries, Brussels sprouts
2. Monday--Italian Torta
3. Tuesday--Leftovers(Hubs had tacos, I had chicken soup)
4. Wednesday--Kielbasa on Rolls, baked beans
5. Thursday--Guinness Beef Stew
6. Friday--Rockfish, Green Beans, Garlic mashed potatoes
7. Saturday--Hamburger on roll(We had Chinese out for lunch w/lots of veggies)

I had enough leftover roast chicken to make a small pot of chicken soup so I had that Tuesday for dinner and the Pecan Chicken got pulled from rotation.

The bag of frozen Rock fish we bought at that Grocery Outlet last month was a bust.  The "lemon pepper" marianate it was in wasn't peppery at ALL and the lemon part was a sort of "lemon flavored sludge" coating the top of the fillets.  After baking the fish I scraped the sludge off of mine before eating it after tasting it the way it came.  It was a good price, the product was fine but the marinade was far from edible.  We have 2 more pieces of this fish to cook but will be scraping the marinade off before cooking next time and we won't be looking for this product again. 8-(

The Italian tortas(think pizza pot pie)were so-so as well.  It was something different but I won't go out of my way to buy these again, unless they are very inexpensive(as these were).

As for my grocery spending last week......Target, the Bread Outlet to stock up, 2 small trips to Weis for loss leaders and Turkey day needs, and a few things bought at Ollies(Good Stuff Cheap!)for a total this week of $63.51 OOP.   Month to date is $243.88 spent for November.  $28.42 of that spending was for food bank donations which I am done buying for this load.
I still have $56.12 left in the $300 food budget for the month.

Leftovers going into this week.... Chicken Soup, Beef Stew, Meatloaf, Baked Beans, Brussel Sprouts, Green Beans.

Here is this week's "food plan"--

1. Sunday--Leftover Meatloaf, G Beans, B Sprouts, Potatoes
2. Monday--Leftovers(chicken soup/beef stew) or Breakfast for Dinner
3. Tuesday--Eating Out
4. Wednesday--Chili(from Freezer)or Leftover soup and/or stew or ?
5. Thursday--Turkey Dinner
6. Friday--Pecan Chicken, Corn Casserole, Cauliflower
7. Saturday--Leftover Turkey Day meal

This week will be a hodge-podge of meals(1 night Eating Out, Leftovers 3 nights, 1 new meal)with Thanksgiving Dinner thrown into the mix.  Gotta eat all those Leftovers before Thursday to make room for all those Thanksgiving leftovers, am I right? lolz

What I need to buy for this menu?.........still need to buy celery, carrots and rutabaga for Thanksgiving Dinner, which will be bought later today.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

It's the "Getting a Jump on Winter" Edition--

This flyer arrived in my mailbox before August was over with.....an ad for snow blowers!
Really?....In August??

Come January I may regret making fun of this ad. lolz

Onward to the meal planning!

 

Here's what was planned last week.......

1. Sunday--Kielbasa on Rolls, Collards(leftover)
2. Monday--Chicken Tacos(using a crockpot recipe Daughter gave me)
3. Tuesday--Fish, Squash and Onions
4. Wednesday--Spaghetti(leftover)for Hubs, Broccoli Soup for me
5. Thursday--Beef Pie(depending on how well I feel)
6. Friday--Chili(leftover)for Hubs, Broccoli Soup(leftover)for me
7. Saturday--Leftovers(either Chicken Tacos or Beef Pie)

 

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Kielbasa on Rolls, Collards(leftover)
2. Monday--Chicken Tacos(using a crockpot recipe Daughter gave me)
3. Tuesday--Leftover Spaghetti for Hubs, Big Salad w/Feta Cheese for me
4. Wednesday--Steak and Salad
5. Thursday--Beef Pie
6. Friday--Leftover Beef Pie(I also had last of leftover Collards)
7. Saturday--Leftovers(Hubs had chicken tacos, I had a big salad)

I didn't make the soup and the rest of the chili went into the freezer for later.
 

As for my grocery spending last week......a couple of impromptu trips and then back again to fix cashier mistakes saw us spend $103.86 total.  I have spent $124.02 for the month with 9 days left in the month.
I have $225.98 left in the food budget for September.  I do believe I'll stay under budget for food this month....yay! 8-))
 

Here is this week's food plan--

1. Sunday--Beef Stroganoff, Mixed Beans & Carrots(Noodles for Hubs)
2. Monday--Fend for Yourself Night
3. Tuesday--Chicken n' Dumplings w/Carrots
4. Wednesday--Fend for Yourself Night
5. Thursday--Leftovers-Stroganoff, Chicken filling from Tacos, Chicken n' Dumplings
6. Friday--Eating Out
7. Saturday--Eating Out


What I need to buy for this menu?......just some milk.  I got the mushrooms and carrots last week and I have everything else to make this menu.
Not that it's much of a menu since there will be lots of eating out and 2 nights hubs won't be home for dinner so I am on my own so not cooking a big meal.
The nights for myself  I'll either make a big salad w/feta cheese in it or eat some leftovers.

I didn't get around to making the broccoli cheddar soup so it will have too wait until next week now because I started thawing a whole chicken for chicken n' dumplings this week.

The weather here has started to cool off finally so I am more than ready to start cooking up soups and stews again...woohoo!
 

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?    

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten that week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week? 

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "The Sun Finally Came Out, It Warmed Up & We Went Out" Edition.....

It hit 64F degrees here yesterday so we went out for a bit.
We had lunch at Bob Evans(cuz I had a coupon!lol).  They have a mailbox as part of their exterior décor at the restaurant....I guess to give it a "home" feeling, right?

 

 

Well just to prove that there are idiots walking around among us, they needed to post this sign on the mailbox........

 

 

It says, "Not For U.S. Mail Decoration Only".

I guess some moron tried to put outgoing mail in the thing. 8-P

 

Anyway, onward to the meal planning!

 

Here's what was planned last week.......

1.  Easter ham, deviled eggs, mac & cheese, mixed Italian veggies, sweet potatoes

2.  grilled fish, leftover Easter side dishes

3.  chicken marsala, mashed potatoes, asparagus
4.  Assorted leftovers

5.  Boston baked beans, assorted leftovers

6.  leftover Popeye's meal stuff
7.  quiche leftovers

And this is what actually happened--

1.  Easter ham, deviled eggs, mac & cheese, mixed Italian veggies, sweet potatoes
2.  leftover Popeye's meal

3.  chicken marsala, mashed potatoes, asparagus
4.  leftover mac & cheese w/ham pieces, tomato and cuke salad

5.  leftover quiche, sugar snap peas

6.  Subway sandwiches
7.  leftover chicken marsala, mashed potatoes, corn

Everything went as planned except I didn't make the beans or the grilled fish meal.

Last week I made 1 trip to the Dollar Store and spent $9.00 OOP on $18.50 worth of reg. retail groceries.  Not quite NO grocery shopping but quite low.

I had 2 transactions at Rite-Aid last week and spend $1.55 OOP on $67.68 worth of toiletries.

For the week, $10.55 total spending on $86.18 worth of food/toiletries/HBA.


$172.32 spent of my $300 April food budget, leaving us $127.68 for the next 17 days of the month. 

Leftovers going into this week are--1 slice of quiche, corn, mac and cheese and a bit of ham and the bone. 
I will confess to a bit of food waste last week.  The leftover sloppy joe meat went moldy before I got a chance to use it up.  bleh.  Not a bit portion but wasting meat really chaps my hide because it is so expensive!
Why don't the junk foods ever go to waste? lolz

Here is the plan for this week.........

1.  Spaghetti and meatballs, salad
2.  Ham and bean soup

3.  Fish, potato salad, whatever veggies I can dig out of the freezer
4.  Kielbasa on rolls, grilled onions, Brussels sprouts

5.  Chicken and Confetti pepper fajitas

6.  Leftovers
7.  Maybe get Take-out or BLTs(if I can find some nice tomatoes this week)

1 night of leftovers and 5 nights of new dishes.  There will be leftovers of the spaghetti, potato salad, the soup and the fajitas and the take-out(if we get some) plus the quiche, corn and mac & cheese from last week.

 

What I need to buy for this menu......rolls, peppers, maybe tomatoes and we will need milk.  I plan on spending less than $20 this week.

 

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?    

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten that week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "My Week was All About the Shopping " Edition---

Not much got done around here last week except lots of little shopping trips to grocery stores and Rite-Aid.
So here is a picture of a cute pony from last October......standing in the road, in front of our car......

I bet he wants something to eat as a toll to get where we want to go.

 

Onward to the meal planning!

What was planned last week--
1.  Lamb chops(freezer), steamed cabbage

2.  Rigatoni w/meat sauce(leftover), tossed salad(put my tomatoes in this)

3.  Meatloaf, butternut squash(use my tomatoes in sauce for the meatloaf)

4.  BLT sandwiches(have all ingredients-use my tomatoes)

5.  Pork Chops, Red Cabbage w/Apples
6.  Chili(leftover) over Rice
7.  New Leftovers

 

And this is what actually happened--
1.  Lamb chops(freezer), steamed cabbage

2.  Rigatoni w/meat sauce(leftover), tossed salad(put my tomatoes in this)

3.  Leftovers-Hubs had lamb chop/cabbage and I had a hot dog & a salad

4.  BLT sandwiches(have all ingredients-use my tomatoes)

5.  Leftovers-Hubs had rigatoni, I had chicken marsala
6.  Chili(leftover) over Rice
7.  Chicken Marsala, Corn casserole

  

The plan was kept to pretty much, except we had more leftovers than I thought, and I made the Chicken Marsala instead of pork chop and meatloaf didn't happen.  Those 2 meals move to this week's menu.
    

Last week I made trips to 4 different markets and spent $96.58 on $210.50 worth of groceries and did 3 transactions at Rite-Aid where I spent $1.04 total there for the week.
$154.90 down and $145.10 left in my October food budget with 18 days left in the month.

Going into this week, in leftovers we have.........chili and a small meatloaf I baked off last week.

Here is the plan for this week.........

1.  Eating Out

2.  Eating Out

3.  Eating Out

4.  Eating Out
5.  Chili

6.  Meatloaf, butternut squash(use my tomatoes in sauce for the meatloaf)
7.  Pork Chops, Red Cabbage w/Apples

Obviously we won't be home to eat for a few days.

Food Waste--nothing.

What I need to buy this week.......nothing really as the 3 meals planned are premade or we already have the ingredients at home.
There are a few items on special this week I want to pick up--cantaloupe and salmon.  That's about it.

   

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?
Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten that week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?
How much did you spend on food so far in September?

 

Sluggy

This Week On The Dining Table

 Nothing new or exciting this week in the food category so feel free to just "move along".......

 

Here's what was planned last week--

Sunday--Chicken Fajitas(using some tortillas and pepper strips)
Monday--BLTs, cole slaw
Tuesday--Chicken Sandwiches(using some hamburger rolls), corn, pickles
Wednesday--Lasagna(using some of the mozzarella cheese), Green Salad (Very small piece for me but a really big salad.)
Thursday--Pork Chops, Green Beans(from last Summer's garden), Roasted Potatoes or Mashed
Friday--homemade Pizza(using more of that mozzarella cheese), Green Salad (I'll have leftover something instead and a salad.)
Saturday--Leftovers 

 

Everything served as planned until you get to Thursday-Saturday.  We did an assortment of leftovers instead on Thurs. and Fri. and Sat. Hubs and I used a gift certificate we had for a local restaurant that was expiring in Sept.  Dinner that night cost us $3.01 + tip....woohoo!lol

So Pork Chops and Pizza are moving to this week's menu.

As I posted yesterday,  I spent $42.19 on $81.86 worth of groceries at 2 stores last week.
 

This means I have $98.50 left in my food budget for the next 10 days of meals.

 

Going into this week the leftovers that remain are-some fajitas filling, garlic bread, some shredded mozzarella and a large hunk of that Lasagna I made.  We'll have 1 more meal out of that this week and once I make some room in one of the 2 little freezer compartments, I'll throw whatever is left in there for later.
I also cooked up all that chicken I got the deal on last week so I need to use it this week or freeze it.
 

(I've made bold the leftover items I've used in the menu below.)

 Here's this week's meal plan--
 

Sunday--Potato Crusted Flounder, Roasted Potatoes and Onions, Brussel Sprouts
Monday--Tacos, Corn
Tuesday--Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad
Wednesday--Chicken medallions, Spinach, Squash or Zucchini
Thursday--Pork Chops, Green Beans(from last Summer's garden), Mashed taters, Applesauce
Friday--homemade Pizza-maybe barbeque chicken pizza(using more of that mozzarella cheese & cooked chicken), Green Salad
Saturday--Leftovers

On the shopping list for these meals--chicken deli meat, lettuce, tomatoes, fresh squash or zuke and fresh fruit.

 

I'm figuring about $20 for the list above.   If I happen upon a "stockopportunity" I'll have about $78 left in my July budget to take advantage of it.  If not, the leftover budget money will roll over into August's fund.

That's what's appearing on the kitchen table this week here at Chez Sluggy.

 What's getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Sluggy

Food Spending NOVEMBER Week 1, Meal Planning NOVEMBER Week 2

This has nothing to do with Meal Planning.  I just thought it was funny. 8-)

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And here is what actually got served last week....

Sunday--Steak on grill, Salad, Roasted Potatoes & Onions

Monday--Reuben Sandwiches

Tuesday--Grilled Pork Chops, Green Beans, Cinnamon Apples

Wednesday--Kielbasi on Rolls, Onions and leftover Sauerkraut, Corn

Thursday--Chinese Take-out

Friday-- Ravioli with Sauce, Spinach Salad

Saturday--Leftovers

The food spending last week was $96.30 for $157.04 reg. retail worth of goods.  I also earned $20 in food Catalinas to spend in the coming 2 weeks so I should have little or ZERO OOP food expenses from now until Thanksgiving day.

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Going into this week, I have leftover corned beef, swiss cheese and sauerkraut from the Reubens, and 1 large helping of Raviolis and Sauce.  I'll either have sandwiches for lunch or freeze the corned beef for later use.  I'll have the ravioli dish for one of my lunches.  Moving the 1 meal we didn't have last week to this week's menu and the big side dish of Halushki as well.

This week's menu....

Sunday--Halushki with Bacon

Monday--Chicken Pot Pie

Tuesday--Lasagna

Wednesday-Honey Mustard Chicken, Rice, Broccoli

Thursday--Chili, Cornbread

Friday--Tuna Casserole, Beets

Saturday--Leftovers

On Wednesday it's possible we'll have leftovers as well instead of the Honey Mustard Chicken.  There is leftover Halushki from Sunday, there should be leftover Pot Pie tonight and there will be leftover Lasagna on Tuesday, so the second chicken dish may not be needed this week.

What do I need to buy to serve this menu?  The local market had their semi-annual meat sale last week, so I picked up a huge pork loin(to cut into chops)and 2 large pkgs. of chicken breasts.  I've got 2 chicken dishes on deck for this week(or note) to use some of what I bought.  Chili will use some of the beef cubes in the freezer that are aging and the ricotta was bought last week to make the Lasagna this week.
Left to buy this week?.....maybe some romaine lettuce for a Caesar Salad to have with the Lasagna.
Add in some fruit and milk and we are done.

So what are you cooking at your house this week?


Sluggy

Food Spending August Week 4+ & Meal Planning September Week 1

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And here is the "meal plan" that actually happened last week.....

Sunday--Barbecue Pork Sandwiches, Coleslaw

Monday--Taco Bell-after music lesson

Tuesday--Dinner Out-30th Anniversary Date night

Wednesday--Pork Chops, Saffron Rice, Broccoli

Thursday--Pizza

Friday--Subway

Saturday--Leftovers 

 

 

The weekly food spending was $87.96. $31.50 of that was Farm Stand produce(part of which was for canning purposes).  The other part was 1 trip to the local market for canned tomatoes stock-up, snacks and convenience foods for the kids, milk, OJ, ranch dressing and spices for the canning.  The store was clearancing out some Hot Pocket type snack thing for 50% off so I picked up all 4 boxes left for the kids for "emergency rations"....aka "when they have to make something themselves to eat".lol

I went over my August food budget by $85+.  A little too much snack foods, red peppers to stock the freezer for winter and for making relish, and a large meat stock-up are mostly to blame.

Going into the new week I have the following leftovers to use up.......2 portions of the lime citrus chicken which are being used tonight.

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This week's menu.....

Sunday--Burgers, Dogs, Potato Salad, COC

Monday--Lime Chicken Fajitas

Tuesday--Alfredo Primavera, Caesar Salad

Wednesday--Roast Chicken, Stuffing, Cranberry Glop, Green Beans

Thursday--Stuffed Shells or Ravioli, Salad

Friday--Leftovers

Saturday--Chinese take-out

 

 

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....tortillas, mushrooms, romaine lettuce, a chicken.  We also need milk, eggs, deli meat this week.  Using the 1 leftover item in tonight's dinner....I'll stretch it to feed 3 people by making Fajitas.  I will also be hitting up the bread outlet this week.  I'm figuring on spending about $50 this coming week.

So what are you cooking at your house this week?

Sluggy

April Food Spending Week 4, Meal Plan May Week 1

No vintage kitchen today folks.  I have depleted my stash of them and have to seek out more.  Maybe next week....

Onward to the meal plans!
And here is the meal plan that actually happened last week.....

SUNDAY--Leftovers 

 MONDAY--Tacos or Taco Salad

TUESDAY--Beef Pie
WEDNESDAY--Eggplant Parmesan, Garlic Bread
THURSDAY--Leftovers
FRIDAY--Chinese Take-Out
SATURDAY--Burgers, Corn
I also made a Carrot Cake and a pan of Fudge with Nuts.
 

We ended up getting Take-Out one night, which wasn't on the plan.   4 nights of new meals and 2 nights of leftovers make for a week I am happy with.

The weekly food spending was $77.53 this past week.

There was my $29.04 trip to Weis I talked about HERE.  Hubs picked up sour cream, a head of lettuce and 2 bags of cheese during the week and spent $5.97.  I went to the local grocer on Saturday and spent $42.52 on Ginger-Ale, 12 packs of soda for #2 Son, Orange Juice, Whipped Cream, 3 lb. of Butter, Pie Shells, Milk, Taco Shells and more bags of Shredded Cheese.  I stocked up on Butter, OJ, Soda, Whipped Cream, Pasta, Napkins, Paper Towels & bags of Cheese. 

The bags of Cheese I bought this past week I used with the Jumbo Pasta Shells and Ricotta Cheese I had bought earlier in the month to make a large quantity of Stuffed Shells on Sunday.  I froze 54 on them and we had the rest for dinner on Sunday.  Figuring costs, each piece comes out to .25¢ counting the pasta sauce too, so approx. $1.00 per serving.

Value of food bought was at $135.53 so my savings rate was 42.80% for the week.

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In terms of leftovers, I'm going into this week with leftover Eggplant Parmesan(and 1 helping of Shells from Sunday). 

This week's menu.....

SUNDAY--Stuffed Shells

MONDAY--Chicken Fajitas

TUESDAY--Leftover Eggplant/Fajitas

WEDNESDAY--Pizza
THURSDAY--Taco Bell, Salad
FRIDAY--Fish, Rice, Veg.(Son can have leftover Shells)
SATURDAY--Hot Dogs, Corn

This menu gives us 5 new meals and 1 night of leftovers and 1 night of Take-Out.

Hubs won't be home for dinner 2 nights so we are doing easy one night and take-out the other night.
 
As for items I need to buy for this week....red bell pepper, mushrooms, hot dog rolls.

We'll be buying milk as usual, along with some fruit.

Stock-up prices this week for me are taco shells($1.25), apple juice(.99¢), bagged salad($1.99),green chiles($1.25).

With what I "need" this week and the stock-ups, I'll be spending around $80.

So what is everyone else eating this week?

Sluggy

Musical Wednesday......Sweeney Todd is My Food Waste Role Model

Once you get past the darkness of the subject matter, Sweeney Todd is a great show and some of Stephen Sondheim's best writing!
I've seen clips of the recent film adaptation but I much prefer the stage version.
Nobody plays the part of Mrs. Lovett better than Angela Lansbury did.
Both George O'Hearn and Len Cariou were great Sweeney's on the stage.

Over here at Don't Read This; It's Boring! we are all about frugality.
I am offering up this musical clip today since it gets to the heart of 2 subjects near and dear to my heart.....frugality and food waste. ;-)

The amount of perfectly good food thrown out in this country is staggering!  While you can't readily change the health laws that govern why businesses are often forced to discard palatable food or the businesses that would rather throw out food than give it away to those in need at the end of the day all in the name of profits, you can keep an eye on YOUR own Personal Food Waste!

Don't buy what you won't/can't eat before it spoils.
When you have leftovers, be sure you find something to do with them besides pitch them into the garbage can.
Reheat and eat......remake them into new dishes......give them away to someone who will eat them......feed your pets......and compost the compost-able materials(not meat or diary).

Here at Chez Sluggy, we use up our Leftovers.  It is very rare for us to have Food Waste like we did 2 years ago when I started my blog.  I am very proud of that fact!

In honor of the concept of Zero Food Waste in this country, I present today's Musical Selection......

Sluggy