Meal Plan Monday....the August 18th Edition

  

Today would have been my mother's 91st birthday.  That's her on the right side in the photo.  She and my aunt, my father's sister were born the same year and month but 9 days apart.  My aunt is still with us and celebrated her birthday 9 days ago.  I can't think of any family members who have lived as long.  My mother died at 65 so I have outlived her and my father died at 70.  My maternal grandfather's sister made it to 96 and her husband died at 101 so we've got some good genes somewhere. lol

Anyway, Happy Birthday to you mom.  I wish I could give you a hug.

Onward to the meal planning!  Here is what was planned for the last week.....

1. Sunday--Chicken Parm, Green Beans

2. Monday--me-Salad

3. Tuesday--

4. Wednesday--

5. Thursday--

6. Friday--

7. Saturday--

I don't plan right now.

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Chicken Parm, Green Beans

2. Monday--me-Salad

3. Tuesday--Steak, leftover Green Beans

4. Wednesday--Ginger Stir-Fry w/Chicken

5. Thursday--Leftover Chicken Parm, Caesar Salad

6. Friday--me-Salad

7. Saturday--Chinese Takeout(General Tso)

We shopped at Walmart, Shoprite, OSJL and Aldi.

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

*  Frozen Chinese stir-fry

*  Chicken

*  Steak

The last week we spent a whopping $230.32 on groceries and the savings rate came in at 50.70%. Spending for the month is $309.08 and the savings rate is 45.82% for August before rebate monies are added in.

Rebates earned in August--

$93.67 on Ibotta

$22.90 on Checkout51

$0 on Aisle and Misc.

$116.57 total in $$

Total spent after rebates is $192.51

for August. I need to find someplace other than Walmart to buy groceries here.  It's crazy how much more food cost here than in LA. At least the sales tax is lower.  I miss Kroger. 8-((

4,978 Pts. on Fetch

2,901 Pts. on Swag Bucks

0 Pts. on My Points

0 Pts. on ShopKick

0 Pts. on TaDa

(I don't count these until I cash out for a gift card or cash.)

Before AND after rebates we had a very low spend month for groceries at least for us.

Leftovers going into next week...nothing.

Here is what was planned for this week.....

1. Sunday--Chicken Marsala, Yellow Zucchini 

2. Monday--me-Salad

3. Tuesday--Chicken Fajitas w/Peppers

4. Wednesday--Whole Roast Chicken, Carrots

5. Thursday--Haddock, Cabbage

6. Friday--Leftover Roast Chicken

7. Saturday--Pork Stir-fry

I don't plan right now as I am on a very restricted eating plan.  Some days I have a protein shake or bar for dinner and Hubs has whatever he wants.  I eat a good amount of sugar-free Jello and take in a lot of water to keep my stomach full midday.  Breakfast is usually strawberries and yogurt, Greek yogurt if I can find it.

I am trying to drop the last 15 lbs. to qualify for a Jiffy Knee replacement.

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.

Sluggy   

This Week on the Dining Table......Jan. 26th to Feb. 1st

* Still taking names/emails of people who want continued access to the blog after I take it private.  If you left me a comment with your email or emailed me I have you, don't worry. 8-)

The "I'm Confused" Edition........

I was in Walmart last week and saw this sign.  The Rollback price is higher than the regular price?  The other side of the bin also had the same configuration--$1.08 lb. reg. price and the Rollback price being $1.48 lb.  WTF???

I mentioned this discrepancy to a produce employee, who brought it to the attention of his manager and the manager removed the $1.08 lb. sign right in front of me.  Walmart-what a bunch of crooks!  I would have been so mad if I was a low-income shopper who thought she was getting that squash for $1.08 lb. because of that sign only to be tricked into paying $1.48 lb. at the register.

Onward to the meal planning!

Here is what was planned for the last week.....

1. Sunday--Chicken and Dumplings

2. Monday--Beef Pie

3. Tuesday--Lemon Pepper Chicken w/Zuke

4. Wednesday--Soup and Cornbread

5. Thursday--Leftovers

6. Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Salmon, Sweet Potato Fries

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Chicken and Dumplings

2. Monday--Eat Out Lunch

3. Tuesday--Eat Out Lunch

4. Wednesday--Lemon Pepper Chicken w/Zuke

5. Thursday--Beef Pie

6. Friday--Caesar Salad, Pizza

7. Saturday--Salmon, Leftover Green Beans,

Corn on the Cob

Got a day old Rotisserie Chicken to use in Chicken and Dumplings.  Got some marked down Chicken Thighs to make the Lemon Pepper Chicken. some marked down Ground Beef-some to make Hamburgers, some for Beef Pie and some for the Freezer for later.  We ate out for my Birthday 2 lunches, used a gift certificate for one of those meals.

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

* Ground Beef

* Chicken Thighs

* Salmon

* Pizza

Last week we spent $76.27 on groceries(proving that eating healthier is more expensive)and the savings rate came in at 50.71%. Spending for the month is $367.64 and the savings rate so far is 38.57%.

There are 5 days left in the month.  I may actually come in under $400 this month for food shopping.  That's just so unheard of!

Leftovers going into next week...1 slice Meatloaf, 2 Hamburgers, 2 helpings Lemon Pepper Chicken w/Zuke, Beef Pie, lots of Chicken and Dumplings.

Here is what was planned for this week.....

1. Sunday--Leftover Chicken and Dumplings

2. Monday--Chicken, Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Leftovers(probably the Hamburgers and a Veg)

4. Wednesday--Shrimp, Baked Sweet Potato Fries

5. Thursday--Pasta in Mushroom Sauce with Meatballs, Salad

6. Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Salmon or Chicken Burgers, Leftover Green Beans

I really like the Kroger shrimp and it was on special this week so we picked some more up.  I also bought 4 lbs. of strawberries as they were $2.99 per and I'll be eating those with yogurt for breakfast or for a snack at night this week.  Got a bag of 2 lbs. of green beans and 4 corn on the cob so those are on this week's menu(well the corn got eaten Sat. evening).

Just trying to eat down what is here when I'm not getting great deals.  I chose my meals by cherry picking the deals and building meals around those items, combined with what is my freezer.

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? 

Sluggy  

This Week on the Dining Table....the May 6th Edition

The "Well I Know I Am Back in The States" Edition.....

Went up to CVS on Sunday as I had $3 in free money expiring.  Stepped out of my car and look at what I see in the parking lot? lol

I swear I didn't see a single discarded dental pick the whole time in Europe but as soon as we hit an American airport, BOOM!, used dental picks everywhere.  I saw 1 in the Charlotte airport and 3 in Dallas.  *SMH*

As I mentioned before I put on 13 lbs. during the cruise, but I've already taken it all off.  go me.

Onward to the meal planning!

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

1. Sunday--Cheeseburger(bun optional), Teriyaki Green Beans, Stuffed Mushroom Caps

2. Monday--Catfish, Shrimp, Green Beans

3. Tuesday--1/2 Subway Tuna Sub

4. Wednesday--1/2 Subway Tuna Sub

5. Thursday--Brisket, Baked Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Leftovers

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Cheeseburger(bun optional), Teriyaki Green Beans, Stuffed Mushroom Caps(ate before the power went out)

2. Monday--Dinner out-Catfish, Shrimp, Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Dinner out-1/2 Subway Tuna Sub

4. Wednesday--1/2 Subway Tuna Sub

5. Thursday--Brisket, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Teriyaki Green Beans

6. Friday--Rigatoni with Mushroom/Meat Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread

7. Saturday--Beef & Veggie Stir-Fry Teriyaki w/Noodles

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

*  Brisket(it was less than stellar)

*  Cheeseburgers

*  Cooked Ground Beef

*  1 bag Stir-Fry Veggies

*  1 bag Green Beans

*  2 slices Garlic Bread

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

*  1/2 lb. thinly sliced Beef for Stir-Fry 

Last week we spent $66.38 on grocery shopping for May. 

Total shopping comes to $66.38 for May.   There are 25 shopping days left in May.

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

I've earned $21.50 on Ibotta in May.

I've earned $1.50 on Shopmium in May.

I've earned $0 on Alexa app in May.

I've earned $6.00 on Kroger Cash Back in May.

I've earned $1.56 on TaDa in May.

I've earned $0 on Checkout51 in May.

I've earned $5.49 on Aisle, etc. in May.

I've earned 1,610 points on Fetch from food shopping in May.

I've earned 12 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in May.($)

I've earned 0 Points on My Points in May.($)

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

That is $23.00 in rebates(not counting Shop Kick/Fetch/TaDa/MyPoints/KCB/Alexa)on $66.38 of grocery spending so in reality it's $43.38 in food spending after the rebate apps I count. I now separate out the Food Bank donations and don't count those in the grocery spending.

My savings percentage for the last week was 52.41% and the monthly savings total for May comes in at 52.41% spent so far. 

Leftovers going into this week...Rigatoni in Sauce, Stir-Fry Beef & Veggies w/Noodles, 1 Cheeseburger, Hubs Chili.

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

1. Sunday--Leftovers(I had Stir-Fry)

2. Monday--Leftovers

3. Tuesday--Lobster cakes, Cole Slaw, Something else?

4. Wednesday--Salad, Soup?  Kind of warm here now for soup tho....

5. Thursday--Fish, leftover Cole Slaw, Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday--Late Lunch Out, no Dinner

7. Saturday--???Whatever I pull out of the freezer

I am just feeling uninspired right now.  Like
Anne in the Kitchen", we have food, we'll eat something. ;-)

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 "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 "An Unfortunately Named Product" Edition.....  

After PT last Friday I asked for a bottle of water because I was thirsty and it's been exceedingly hot here the last month+.  My therapist handed me this bottle.........

                                     

The health system where I receive PT is called Willis-Knighton.  I want to know who came up with branding their bottled water "Willie Water". 

I find this so inappropriate(because I am such a sensitive soul ha!).  Have they never heard that one of the euphemisms for a certain part of male anatomy is a Willie??  This is NOT the way to instill confidence in your healthcare system Willis-Knighton!  I found it downright Hilarious!!  But then again, that's the way my mind works. lolz

     

This is day 78 of the "diet".  Yay!

My PCP is on board with this way of eating to reach a short term goal so no unsolicited advice on this eating plan please.  While I appreciate the concerns I am fine and I am losing weight.  I haven't had any sugar(other than a bit of honey in some hot tea)nor any white food.....bread, potatoes, rice, pasta since returning from the cruise on June 4th.  But I am holding fast to my plan anyway.....so far.

Onward to the meal planning!

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

1. Sunday--cup of Yogurt w/Flaxseed, Asian Chopped Salad, Cherries

2. Monday--leftover BBQ and Slaw, Cantaloupe

3. Tuesday--cup of Yogurt w/Flaxseed, Meatballs, an Apple

4  Wednesday--Chicken Fajitas, Nectarine

5. Thursday--late Lunch out-Big Salad w/Chicken

6.  Friday--cup of Yogurt w/Flaxseed,  Leftovers or ?

7. Saturday--Hamburger w/Cheddar Cheese(no bun), Nectarine

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

1. Sunday--cup of Yogurt w/Flaxseed, Asian Chopped Salad

2. Monday--leftover BBQ and Slaw, a yogurt w/Fresh Cherries mixed in

3. Tuesday--a Banana, leftover Stir-Fry Veggies, 5 Meatballs in Sauce, a Yogurt

4  Wednesday--Yogurt w/Flaxseed and Cherries, 1 Chicken Fajita

5. Thursday--late Lunch out-Big Salad w/Chicken, leftover Salad for Dinner

6.  Friday--cup of Yogurt, Grilled Chicken Sandwich w/Veggies, Cantaloupe

7. Saturday--Hamburger w/Cheddar Cheese(no bun)

Most of the plan happened AND when it was planned to happen.  Amazing, right?  The only addition was a grilled chicken sandwich on Friday.  I didn't have a single protein drink last week.  The banana Tuesday morning instead of yogurt because we had one that needed eating, so I did.

No going back to old habits and eating patterns for me!

I also drink, water, iced tea(unsweetened), and the odd zero sugar soda or Zero sugar Powerade/Gatorade and keep my stomach full and it also keeps me hydrated.  I mostly stick with the water or unsweet iced teas with lemon added.

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

*  9 Meatballs

*  1 big Chicken Breast

*  1 Hamburger Patty

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

*  2 bags of Smoked Pork

*  2 bags of Mushrooms

*  1 2lb. hunk of Beef

*  4 lbs. of Chicken Breast

*  4 thin Pork Chops

*  2 bags of Lobster Ravioli

Last week we spent $172.60 on grocery shopping.  I didn't plan on spending so much this week but there were deals to be had.

Total shopping comes to $381.89 for August.   

There are 10 shopping days left in August.

I've earned $78.30 on Ibotta in August.

I've earned $9.00 on Shopmium in August.

I've earned $0 on Coupons dotcom in August.

I've earned $3.00 on Alexa app in August.

I've earned $21.50 on Kroger Cash Back in August.

I've earned $0 on Checkout 51 in August.

I've earned 475 points from food shopping on Fetch in August.

I've earned 216 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in August.

I've earned 33 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in August.

That is $92.30 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $381.89 of grocery spending so in reality it's $289.59 in food spending after the 6 rebate apps I count. 

My savings percentage for the last week was 37.21% and the monthly savings total for August comes in at 37.91% so far spent.

Leftovers going into this week....Chicken Fajita filling, Green Beans, Pasta and Sauce, Stroganoff.

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

1. Sunday--Yogurt w/Cherries & Flaxseed, Chicken Salad snack, Leftover Chicken Fajitas

2. Monday--Garlic Shrimp Scampi w/Linguine(or not), Spinach Soufflè

3. Tuesday--Yogurt w/Flaxseed, Meatloaf slice, Broccoli, SF Jell-O

4  Wednesday--Grilled Salmon, Baked Sweet Potato Wedges, an Apple

5. Thursday--Yogurt w/Flaxseed, Big Salad w/Chicken

6.  Friday--Pimento Cheese snack, Protein Drink, fruit?

7. Saturday--something Leftover

I need to have something on my stomach on PT days(besides meds)so I usually have a yogurt cup those days in the morning.  

I have Salmon, a Meatloaf and Shrimp in the freezer I want to cook this week. Hubs will eat and do his own thing on other days. ;-)

I also drink, water(usually with lemon), iced tea(unsweetened), hot tea with lemon and honey(no hot tea with this weather!) and the odd zero sugar soda or Zero sugar Powerade/Gatorade and keep my stomach full and it also keeps me hydrated.   I mostly stick with the water or unsweet iced teas with lemon added.

This one mini-meal per day where I change between vegetable matter and a lean protein and a yogurt cup when these other meals won't suffice is not hard to do once you get past the first 3 or 4 days.  There also is a regime of supplements I am currently on, either to maintain my body's condition or were already taking them for various conditions.

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  I don't need to buy anything for this menu after all the food shopping we did this month already.  That doesn't mean we won't pick up more food as needed(mostly fresh produce and whatever Hubs wants)the rest of this month.  Our actual "spending" after rebates/Qs is just under $300 so far.  I don't plan on spending much more but in the words of the inimitable Fats Waller, "One never knows, do one?". 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 deals on food at your stores this week?  I confess that I don't need to buy anything right now nor have I had any desire to read the ads.

Sluggy