This Week on the Dining Table

The "Boring & More Boring Menus" Edition.....                                            

This is day 57 of the "diet".  After the colonoscopy I treated myself the next day after a PT session to late lunch out for Chinese food on Friday.  Love me some Asian cuisine.  Got Sesame Chicken and Broccoli(no rice).

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-Protein drink, 1 apple

2. Monday--Watermelon, Roasted Broccoli and Carrots, Yogurt cup(maybe)

3. Tuesday--Chicken Parm, either more Yogurt or an apple

4  Wednesday--Prep Day, Clear Liquids

5. Thursday--?

6.  Friday--A dish with Shrimp, more Broccoli

7. Saturday--Yogurt drink, Collards or whatever is fresh at the store in the way of Veggies

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

1. Sunday-Protein drink, 1 apple

2. Monday--Watermelon, Roasted Broccoli and Carrots, 

3. Tuesday--Yogurt cup before PT, Chicken Parm, small Caesar Salad, 6 chunks of Watermelon 

4  Wednesday--Clear Liquids(drinks), Bone Broth, Jell-O ;-)

5. Thursday--a Cranberry/Walnut/Apple salad, a Hamburger patty w/Cheddar Cheese

6.  Friday--Lunch-Sesame Chicken w/Veggies(no rice)out-my reward for the procedure on Thursday, Dinner was 1 ear of corn and a bowl of Collards

7. Saturday-- Spinach Salad

Most of the plan happened when planned except for Friday and Saturday.

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.

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.  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.

I guess you'd call this an extreme intermittent fasting deal with many supplements to keep all my innards working and healthy.  I consulted my PCP and my food plan was given the green light and my blood work came back aok. 8-)

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

*  1 bag of Broccoli

*  4 portions of Chicken

*  1 Hamburger patty

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

*  3 portions(for 2)Salmon

*  5 lbs. Ground Beef(made into patties, meatloaf, meatballs, hunks)

*  2 TV dinners

*  1 Pizza(for Hubs)

*  1 bag Green Beans

*  2 bags of Stir-Fry Veggies

*  3 bags of Chicken(1 Grilled, 2 Breaded)

Last week we spent $287.47 on grocery shopping.

We stocked up on more dog food, Protein drinks, Gatorade(for prep day), corn meal and assorted things we were out of as well as clearance produce deals, ready to eat salads and various meat deals.

Total shopping comes to $595.73 for July.   

There are 0 shopping days left in July.

I've earned $168.52 on Ibotta in July.

I've earned $22.75 on Shopmium in July.

I've earned $21.00 on Coupons dotcom in July.

I've earned $1.00 on Kroger Cash Back in July.

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

I've earned 534 points from food shopping on Fetch in July.

I've earned 4,085 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in July.

I've earned 46 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in July.

That is $213.27 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $595.73 of grocery spending so in reality it's $382.46 in food spending after the 5 rebate apps I count.  That's a much more "normal" amount spent for me.

My savings percentage for the last week was 36.63% and the monthly savings total for July comes in at 39.18% so far spent.

Leftovers going into this week...nothing but a mac and cheese(Hubs), a helping of roasted veg, 2 Chicken Parms and a whole "mess" of Collards.

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

1. Sunday-Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, Collard Greens

2. Monday--Roasted Broccoli and Carrots, SF Jell-O

3. Tuesday--Protein drink, an apple, leftover SF Jell-O

4  Wednesday--Zucchini Fritters, more yogurt?

5. Thursday--Protein drink, a yogurt cup

6.  Friday--Something leftover(Collards)?

7. Saturday--Something else leftover(Chicken Marsala?)

I also drink, water(usually with lemon), iced tea(unsweetened), hot tea with lemon and honey 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?  Not a thing.  I don't plan on going to the store this week except for a birthday card for my only Aunt.  Hubs is welcome to have the Marsala and the Fritters meals but otherwise he's on his own to fix what he wishes. :-)

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  

This Week on the Dining Table

The  "Back to Real Life" Edition--

We are getting back into a routine here, well, as much of a routine as you can have trying to adjust to having your Hubs underfoot All. Day. Long. ;-)
I have talked him into doing some decluttering and deep cleaning though which was thrilling. lolz

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Chicken Pot Pie(Daughter cooking)

2. Monday--Leftovers or Fend for Yourself

3. Tuesday--Leftovers or ?

4. Wednesday--Steak, Corn on Cob, Salad

5. Thursday--Breakfast for Dinner
6. Friday--No Clue
7. Saturday--No Clue

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Chicken Pot Pie(Daughter cooking)

2. Monday--Leftover Pot Pie

3. Tuesday--Subway Sandwiches using gift card

4. Wednesday--Steak, Corn Casserole, Salad

5. Thursday--Fried Catfish, Fried Potatoes
6. Friday--Ate out Chinese
7. Saturday--Hamburgers on Rolls, Macaroni/Veggie Salad

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 1 nights of leftovers and 1 nights of Eating Out.  The Daughter was going to make us dinner on Friday but the store was out of lobsters so we went out.

I made 1 trip to Weis Markets and 1 trip to the Shursave Market and $38.30 was spent last week, bringing food spending in August to a Grand Total of $333.94 for the month.
So nice to be $86.06 under my $420 goal for August groceries. 8-)))

My savings percentages last week and for the month to-date?   Last week's percentage is 46.45% and the monthly end up at 50.30%(without Rite-Aid trips added in).  With all trips added in it brought the August savings percentage up to 55.29%.

Leftovers going into this week........barbecue pork, roast chicken, ground beef.

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

1. Sunday--Leftovers of Fend for Yourself(I had a pbj)

2. Monday--Pizza

3. Tuesday--Barbecue Pork Ring, Corn on Cob

4. Wednesday--Tacos

5. Thursday--Chicken Fajitas
6. Friday--Hot Dogs, Sugar Snap Peas
7. Saturday--Leftovers

This week will see 5 new meals cooked, 2 nights of leftovers and 0 night of Take-Out/Eating-Out.
The leftover bbq will be a sandwiches ring, we have some leftover ground beef to make tacos, there is leftover roast chicken to make fajitas and I plan to buy 2 frozen pizzas today and there are hot dogs in the freezer.


What I need to buy for this menu? I plan to buy 2 pizzas today(part of a Mix and Match 6 items Deals and there is no room in the freezer so we'll eat that today along with a salad), as well as some corn.  We also need lettuce, OJ and milk.

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  "The Mystery Tree" Edition--

 This is that tree with white flowers that only leaves out once all the flowers drop off it.  The flowers are white.

This is the best close-up(blurry)photo I could get with my camera.
I have ruled out dogwood, Bradford pear or a crab apple.
It's a tree and rather tall, not a bush or shrub.
Once the leaves come I can take a photo of those and maybe go down to a local nursery and id it finally.

Anybody have a clue what it is called?
Bueller??
Bueller???

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Ham, Beans, Rolls, Deviled Eggs

2. Monday--Tacos

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Kielbasa on Rolls, Onions, Beans or leftover Mac Salad

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Chicken Cordon Blue, Mixed Veggies
7. Saturday--maybe Take-Out Subs?

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Ham, Beans, Rolls, Deviled Eggs

2. Monday--Leftovers

3. Tuesday--Subway sammiches

4. Wednesday--Tacos and/or Taco Salad

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Pizza, Salad
7. Saturday--Chicken Cordon Bleu, Creamed Spinach, Pierogies(not for me)

The Kielbasa meal didn't happen and moves to this week.  I bought two cheap-ish pizzas at Weis on Friday but that purchase will count under Take-Out/Eating Out budget.  We got subs on Tuesday instead of Saturday.  Everything else planned did get served last week.

Two trips to Weis but a dent in the food budget of $39.76.   This brought my April food spending total to $212.03.  There are 6 days left in the month.  Other than buying lots of bags of coffee(unless I need to get rain checks)I don't foresee much in the way of food purchases this coming week.

My savings percentages last week was 52.78%. 

Leftovers going into this week....... Ham, Rolls, Roast Chicken slices, leftover pizza slices and Taco filling.

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

1. Sunday--Manicotti in Sauce(from freezer), Salad, leftover Garlic Bread

2. Monday--Quesadillas(using leftover chicken and/or taco meat), Corn

3. Tuesday--Kielbasa in Rolls, Beans

4. Wednesday--Mac and Cheese w/Ham, Brussels Sprouts

5. Thursday--Steak, Baked Potatoes, Sauted Veggie(TBD)
6. Friday--Breakfast for Dinner(Daughter is making this.)
7. Saturday--Leftovers

This week will see 6 new meals cooked, 0 night of Take-Out/Eating-Out and 1 night of Leftovers.

What I need to buy for this menu?  Some fresh veg for Thursday's dinner.

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 "Great Weather Ahead" Edition--

Well yesterday, Easter Sunday, we hit 83*F here.
What???

The flowering tree has started blooming.  I still can't figure out what variety of tree it is.
We aren't suppose to leave the 60's this week.  It's about time! ;-)

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Cheeseburgers, Macaroni Salad

2. Monday--Chicken, Broccoli, Cheese, Rice Casserole(using up grilled chicken)

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Leftovers

5. Thursday--Fish, Veggie Stir-Fry
6. Friday--?
7. Saturday--?

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Cheeseburgers, Macaroni Salad

2. Monday--Chicken, Broccoli, Cheese, Rice Casserole(using up grilled chicken)

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Chinese Take-Out

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Frozen Pizza(sort of-it tasted off so we threw it out), then leftovers
7. Saturday--Salmon, Stir-Fry Veggies

5 meals cooked at home, 3 of them a night of leftovers or Fend For Yourself, and 1 night of eating-out/take-out.

As for the grocery spending.....2 trips to Weis and 1 trip to Target brought the food spending last week to $0.00.  Well the total should have been $119.54 but I used free gift cards.  This brought my April food spending total to $172.27.  There are 13 days left in the month.

My savings percentages last week was 100%. 8-)))

Leftovers going into this week....... Fajita filling for 2 tortillas, Beef Pie(enough for 2 helpings), Macaroni Salad, Roast Chicken slices, Chicken/Broccoli Cheese Casserole.

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

1. Sunday--Ham, Beans, Rolls, Deviled Eggs

2. Monday--Tacos

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Kielbasa on Rolls, Onions, Beans or leftover Mac Salad

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Chicken Cordon Blue, Mixed Veggies
7. Saturday--maybe Take-Out Subs?

This week will see 4 new meals cooked, 1 night of Take-Out/Eating-Out and 2 nights of Leftovers.

What I need to buy for this menu?  Maybe salad greens and fruit(but the fruit isn't on the menu).

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 "The Holidays are Over and It's Time to Get Back to It" Edition--

I saw this on Facebook somewhere and it so describes me. lolz
Unfortunately it's time to get back into "real life" and that means cooking from scratch and meal planning around here.

Onward to the meal planning!

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

1. Sunday--Roast Chicken, Collards
2. Monday--?
3. Tuesday--?
4. Wednesday--?
5. Thursday--?
6. Friday--?
7. Saturday--Leftovers

A whole lot of ?s as we were not home so there was no plan.

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Roast Chicken, Collards at brother's house
2. Monday--Barbecue Dinner Out
3. Tuesday--Taco Salad at brother's house
4. Wednesday--Chili's Out(I had a burger and salad)
5. Thursday--Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner at son's apt.
6. Friday--Late Lunch at a Diner out(I had liver w/onions, mashed pots, broccoli and salad)
7. Saturday--Leftovers(I had 2 dinner rolls with prime rib on them)

We ate 10 meals out(3 dinners, 5 lunches, 2 breakfasts)and had cooked at home meals(just not our home most days)7 times.

As for my grocery spending last week......no trips for food as we were on vacation but I did pick up a few things at 2 different Walmarts to bring home(Chinese veggies, G2 Gatorade, tea), so I have spent $19.01 of the January food budget so far this month.

Leftovers going into this week......Prime Rib Roast leftovers and Rolls.  These are the leftovers College Boy didn't eat while we were gone......what is wrong with that boy??, not eating prime rib! lolz

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

1. Sunday--Chicken Parmesan, Brussels Sprouts
2. Monday--Steak Sandwiches(using leftover Prime Rib)
3. Tuesday--Haddock Loins(fish), Mixed Veggies, Cole Slaw
4. Wednesday--Beef Stew w/Beer(using leftover Prime Rib)
5. Thursday--Lasagna, Salad
6. Friday--Fried Shrimp, Cole Slaw, Steak Fries, Corn
7. Saturday--Leftovers

This week will see 5 new meals cooked and 2 meal of leftovers.

What I need to buy for this menu?
Carrots, Salad Greens, Cabbage.  I bought cottage cheese a few weeks ago for a lasagna and I have shrimp, fish, chicken and shredded mozzarella in the freezer.  I'll use up some "long in the tooth" potatoes with the steak fries and in the stew.
We also need milk.
$12 should cover what is needed.

I haven't even looked at the grocery store ads yet 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 last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?

Sluggy

This Week On the Dining Table

I have sat here staring at a blank post for about an hour now, waiting for meal planning inspiration to hit me.
No Luck.
Let's get to it anyway.....

 

Here's what was planned last week--

Sunday--Ravioli with homemade Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread
Monday--Salmon, Corn OTC, Roasted Potatoes & Onions
Tuesday--Sloppy Joes on Kaiser Rolls, Roasted Asparagus
Wednesday--Quiche, Salad
Thursday--Roast Chicken, leftover Roasted Potatoes or Stuffing, Carrots
Friday--Mushroom Parmesan, Asparagus, leftover side dishes
Saturday--Leftovers

 

We stuck to this plan and I prepared it all, except for a couple of side dish substitutions.

Yah us!

 

Of course on Sat. which we were out and about, Hubs FORCED me to have lunch at Ret Lopster...sorry, Red Lobster.

It cost a whopping $14 including tip after we used the gift card I still had from Christmas.

I spent $121.49 on $168.62 worth of groceries at 2 different stores last week.  I bought ahead SB(aka store brand)Gatorade, 'good' hot dogs, sugar-free pudding cups, low salt ketchup, salad dressings, frozen burritos, chicken strips, 2 containers of shebert and bread products.  I also found those cartons of dehydrated hash browns Hungry Jack brand that #2 Son wants me to buy for $1.29 reg. price at Wegman's so I picked up 4 for him.(They are almost $2 at the local store in town and I refuse to buy them at that price!)

The rest was fresh produce, fruit, dairy, OJ, lunchmeat and hummus that was consumed that week.

 

Total spent so far in June on food is $260.49.

1 week left in June and I still have $139.51 left in my food budget.

 

Going into this week the leftovers that remain are--some rolls, half a container of half & half,  2 helpings of Sloppy Joe.   I also have a large amount of eggs in the fridge.  Either #2 Son or I will eat the leftover Sloppy Joes for lunches this week(and use up the rolls too).

 

It's going to be too hot to run the oven all this week, especially since we have no a/c yet. 8-(

 

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

 Here's this week's meal plan--
 

Sunday--Grilled Steak, Tossed Salad
Monday--Leftovers or BLTs
Tuesday--Crab cakes, stuffed clams, green beans
Wednesday--Breakfast for Dinner use eggs
Thursday--Grilled Hot Dogs on Rolls, Beans, Mixed Veggies
Friday-Something Chicken in the Crockpot with Veggies and Rice
Saturday--maybe Take-Out since #1 Son is due in that evening

On the shopping list so far--tomatoes, maybe hot dog rolls(have to check if I have enough), milk.

So that's where the food money stands now and 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

Meal Planning March Week 3 & Food Spending March Week 2 & 1

 

 

I never got around to my Meal Plan/Food Spending post for last week due to my dental issues and not feeling up to much of anything the last few weeks.  Sorry about that!

 

I never actually made a meal plan last week because I didn't cook much if any last week.  I've been living on soups and soft foods and the family just hasn't wanted to join me on this exciting menu....go figure! lol

So some things were pulled from the freezer or cobbled together without my find hand being involved.  Then the Daughter decided she'd had enough of your father's halfa$$ed meals and stepped up and volunteered to cook a couple of times.  Of course those evenings were hard on ME because I had to be handy to answer a billion questions because the child refuses to follow a recipe.  And then she gets all mad when things don't turn out right and blames me. ugh!

I. Can't. Win.

All I can recall was they had pork chops with cabbage and sweet potatoes, a tuna noodle casserole, a pizza, there was some Chinese take-out......

I really didn't care really what they ate.

I knew they weren't starving was good enough for me. lol

 

The food spending the last 2 weeks?

Yes, it's 2 weeks worth since I didn't report in last week.  $98.04 has been spent of the $400 food budget.  That includes $5.78 spent at the Bread Outlet on the one day I felt human and stopped in there to get some bread and rolls while out running errands.  21 days left in the month and we have $301.96 left in the budget to spend.

As for leftovers rolling into this week--I think there is a pork chops and 2 sweet potatoes leftover.

***********************

Here is what is getting served this week.....

Sunday-Leftovers or Pizza

Monday--Sloppy Joes on Rolls, Corn

Tuesday--Stuffed Shells, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread

Wednesday--? Depends on how the dental appt. goes

Thursday--Tacos

Friday--Fish "Fry", Broccoli

Saturday--Breakfast for Dinner

Needed at the store to serve the meals I am making this week?  

Ground Beef, Romaine lettuce and I might be out of Cheddar Cheese.  Daughter is doing Slim Fast shakes so we are running through milk and soy milk this week as well.
$35-$40 in spending should be enough this week.

What's on your menu for the week?  

Any good deals at the grocers this week?
Did you have any food waste this week?

Sluggy

Meal Planning Feb. Week 4 & Food Spending Feb. Week 3

Here's our family kitchen circa 1973.  The sink is on the back wall in the photo and the dishwasher is where you see it.  The fridge is behind where my mother is standing just out of frame on the right side.  Next to the fridge was a butcher block counter where we kept the toaster.  This had shallow doors and storage under it and on the other side of it running along the wall was the stove top(with storage doors above it(and next to that was a set of wall ovens, one on top of the other.  The only prep space was that small 2 ft. long butcher block top and the counter on the left in the photo.  We lived in that house about 7 years and my mother spent a lot of time in that dinky little kitchen, churning out delicious meals.

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

Sunday--Hot Dogs, Grilled Asparagus

Monday--Ham and Bean Soup, Green Bean Casserole, homemade Bread

Tuesday--Halushki + leftovers-- Ham Soup/GB Casserole, Bread

Wednesday--Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Cauliflower

Thursday--Ravioli, Sausage Sauce, Creamed Spinach, Garlic Bread

Friday--Leftovers

Saturday--Chinese take-out in lieu of Date Night

I served everything planned, though not on the night it was going to be served.  I didn't eat on Wednesday and I had just a half a slice of garlic bread on Thursday, as the toothache was bad those nights.

The food spending last week?

I spent $86.53 in 3 stores: $59.16 at the local Shursave affiliate, $6.80 at Weis and $20.57 at Ollies(the outlet store).  Reg. retail on what I bought was approx. $151. I splurged $6 on Cannoli for Vday, bought on sale chopped clams for a dinner this week, 4 bags of frozen veggies, a bag of salad greens and a small pack of ground beef for lunch fixings.  We will be out of bread this coming week, so the BOGO sale on Arnold's worked for me, and 3 cartons of OJ were had, since it was on sale.  Using Qs, I got a very inexpensive bottle of pancake syrup, 2 containers of Smart Balance w/Olive Oil, and then assorted GM products like whack rolls, flour tortillas, beans and sacks of flour.  The GM items also got me a $5 Cat to use this week at the Shursave market.   I used the $10 Cat from 2 weeks back at Weis and bought 2 bags of fresh spinach, a 4 pack of bagels, 1 dzn eggs, a bag of clementines and Hubs wandered off and added an overpriced bag of tortilla chips to my $2.31, making it a whopping $6.80.  I tried to tell him to wait ONE DAY and put it back and he could buy TWO bags on sale on Sunday for what he paid for 1 bag Saturday, since next weeks ads came out and they are on sale then.  It's not like he ATE the chips on Saturday anyway, so why not wait 1 day and buy it on sale?  He gave me that sad puppy dog look, like I had just kicked him for asking him to wait 1 day so I didn't push the issue. 

But honestly......why do I feel like the bad guy here?

I had a 15% discount card that expired Sunday for Ollie's for we went in the see if there was anything food we needed for a good price.  For $20.57 we ended up with....
2 Spanish Olive Oil
2 Parmesan Cheese cannisters
2 large bottles of Paprika
2 Dijon Mustard
1 Yellow Mustard
1 Pack of Applesauce cups
2 boxes of Cheez-Its
1 Fudge making Kit
We paid half the reg. retail including the added 15% off.

I've spent $279.61 and I am left at this point with $120.39  in my food budget for 9 more days.

As for leftovers rolling into this week--we have soup, one helping of ravioli and sausage, 2 pieces of chicken parm(from Sunday night) and some of the homemade bread left.

***********************

Here is what is getting served this week.....

Sunday-Chicken Parmesan al fresco, Spinach Salad, Lemon Cake

Monday--Pizza, Clementines

Tuesday--Pulled Pork on rolls, Coleslaw

Wednesday--Stuffed Shells, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread

Thursday--Kielbasa, Beans, Coleslaw

Friday--Clam Chowder, Fish fillets, Coleslaw

Saturday--Leftovers

I will also be preparing random veggies dishes this week and paying for some veggie and fruit for Daughter's juicing.  More on that when I report in next week. ;-)

Needed at the store to serve the meals I am making this week?  Rolls for the pork, Cabbage for all that Coleslaw, Romaine lettuce.  I have all the proteins already in the freezer(or canned-the clams).  I might buy some clam juice to boost the clamminess of the chowder or see if I can get some fish heads at the fish counter at the grocery store to make some fish stock.

I'm figuring $30 to complete this menu and the random veggie dishes.

What's on your menu for the week?  

Any good deals at the grocers this week?
Did you have any food waste this week?

Sluggy

Meal Planning Feb. Week 2 & Food Spending Week 1

What do the White Rabbit and Sluggy have in common?
It's dinnertime here already and I am just now getting around to my weekly meal planning.

                                                                      

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

Sunday--KFC chicken, sides, biscuits

Monday--Pizza or Leftover KFC or Beef Tips

Tuesday--Steak dinner out(birthday meal)

Wednesday--Italian dinner out(birthday freebie)

Thursday--Sloppy Joes, corn

Friday--Fend for Yourself

Saturday--Chinese take-out(I had Eggplant in Garlic Sauce) 

I actually "cooked" but once last week.....IF you can call Sloppy Joes cooking. lol

The food spending last week?

Well it's only a couple of days since most of last week was still January(so that spending went onto my Jan. spending totals), but I was able to spend a whopping $72.18 on Saturday.  Granted $2.12 of that was tax, I stocked up on Mexican items(tortillas, salsa $8.75)and $33.75 of the spending was on dog foods.  The rest, $27.56, was spent on milk, fruit, veggies, bread and chicken.  I also received $11 in Catalinas for buying the pet food so I have future savings.

I am left at this point with $327.82 in my food budget for February.

As for leftovers rolling into this week--not much beyond a helping of Sloppy Joes is left and some rolls.  Hard to have leftovers if you don't actually cook or eat at home much in a week. lol

I didn't serve 2 of the meals last week so they roll over into this week.

***********************

Here is what is getting served this week.....

Sunday--Chicken Fajitas

Monday--Taco Bell or Fend for Yourself

Tuesday--Salmon, Green Bean Casserole

Wednesday--Ham and Bean Soup, homemade Bread

Thursday--Hot Dogs, Beans, Corn

Friday--Ravioli, Sausage Sauce, Caesar Salad

Saturday--Leftovers

Taco Bell for #2 Son this week but the rest of us are staying away from the fast food.

Needed at the store to serve the meals I am making this week?

Salad Greens and celery are needed.  I also need fruit and a few other things.   I haven't looked at the ads yet to see if there are any deals.  I'm looking to stay out of the stores so I'll try to keep the spending at $35 this week.

I'll be going to my 2 grocery stores this week to note prices for the new Price Book. 

What's on your menu for the week?  Any good deals at the grocers this week?
Did you have any food waste this week?

Sluggy

Meal Planning Feb. Week 1 & Food Spending Jan. Week 4

Our silly Beagle rolling in a recent snowfall.

                                                                      

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

 

 

Sunday--Leftovers or Fend For Yourself

Monday--Taco Bell or Fend For Yourself

Tuesday--Beef Tips in Gravy over Noodles, Ginger Carrots

Wednesday--Fish, Beets, Mashed Potatoes

Thursday--Halushki

Friday---Cheese Steaks, Broccoli

Saturday--Leftovers or Fend For Yourself or Birthday burger out(bday freebie for me!)

 

I actually served the whole menu as planned.

Rah.

The food spending last week?

2 trips and $61.36 total spent.  $12.37 of that was unplanned spending, as a good deal popped up while I was in the local Shursave affiliate market.
And speaking of DEALS, here is most of what I got for that $12.37....

The store was holding an Instant Discount promo $5 off when you bought $15 worth of select house brand items.  I wasn't particularly interested in it until I went down the cereal aisle and saw that the house brand instant oatmeal packet boxes were included AND some had $1 Peelie Qs on them....squeal!!!
I bought 7 boxes of oatmeal($1.66 ea. on sale) + 3 bags of house brand frozen veggies($1.25 ea., not pictured), which subtotaled $15.37.  After 7 x $1 Qs and the $5 instant discount($12 off), I paid $3.37 for 7 oatmeals and 3 veggies(or .34¢ for each of 10 items).

While I was down the cereal aisle, store employees were changing around the coffee section located across from the oatmeal section.  By the time I was finished shopping and headed to the register, the clearance bin I walked by at the front of the store to check out was filled with bags of coffee.  I don't drink this stuff but Hubs is addicted to it so I nosed around in the bin.  New England Coffee, Starbucks and Eight O'Clock brands were marked down to $3 a bag.  Sell by/Use by dates were 2 years out.  I went back to the coffee section and it looks like the New England brand has changed the color of the bags and they were no longer carrying this particular Starbucks and the Eight O'Clock varieties(very small store with limited selections), so that explains why it was in the bin.  I also wanted to check the regular price to make sure that $3 a bag was a "deal".....I told you I don't know anything about coffee!lol
They sell for $7.95 a bag at this store.
So I "scooped" up 3 bags for Hubs and dinged my grocery budget for $9.

Now I know everyone is thinking, "Gee Sluggy, why the heck did you buy 7 boxes of oatmeal, since you won a year's supply from Price Chopper last Fall?  Isn't that enough for you??"
Actually, it's not enough.  I gave boxes to the B in-law and #1 Son, plus we've gone through a case already.  The only oatmeal we will have left when the year is out will be some of the canisters of whole oats since nobody thinks to make those for breakfast and I don't have a wide repertoire of recipes using oats.

So the food spending for January as of Saturday, sits at $261.21, leaving me $138.79 to get through the rest of the month......ok, the rest of the month would be 5 days. lol

As for leftovers rolling into this week--there are beets, ginger carrots, beef tips and gravy and noodles.  Not much to use up.

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Here is what is getting served this week.....

Sunday--KFC chicken

Monday--Pizza or Leftover KFC or Beef Tips

Tuesday--Steak dinner out(birthday meal)

Wednesday--Italian dinner out(birthday freebie)

Thursday--Chicken Fajitas

Friday--Ham and Bean Soup, homemade bread

Saturday--Not sure, leftovers, fend for yourself

Only 2 meals this week, since we are finishing the Birthday freebies this week.  The KFC is courtesy of a gift certificate for a 12 pce. meal I won at the Church auction.  Wed. dinner is courtesy of a local Italian restaurant birthday club and I get a free appetizer on Tues. when I have my Birthday dinner out.  There will be money spent but from the Entertainment budget.

Needed at the store to serve the 2 meals I am making this week?

I'll need celery, potatoes, mushrooms(Daughter bought on Sunday), and I might need more onions. 
Not much needed this week but there is a Pet Food Catalina Deal at Weis which I need to do, so there goes $30 up front after Qs(will give me a $10 Cat for later too).  I'll try to keep the spending under $50 this week.

I'll be going to my 2 grocery stores this week to note prices for the new Price Book. 

What's on your menu for the week?  Any good deals at the grocers this week?
Did you have any food waste this week?

Sluggy

Food Spending DECEMBER Week 1, Meal Planning Week 2

This nifty little gadget gives a whole new meaning to the term "Guitar Shredding".

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

Sunday--Everyone was sick but Hubs, he had soup and sammie

Monday--Lasagna Casserole, Salad

Tuesday--Chicken and Gravy over Fried Stuffing, Cali blend Veggies

Wednesday--Leftovers

Thursday--Tuna Sub Sandwiches

Friday--Going Out for Dinner....woohoo!

Saturday--Breakfast for Dinner

Yes, we pretty much ate every meal I planned(except for the Rigatoni which moves to this week's plan) but we may not have had them on the designated day above.

The food spending last week was massive.  $110.48 in 3 trips to the local grocery stores and throw in that stock-up trip to Ollie's for olive oil and other sundries at $54.90 and I blew through $165.38 of the month's food budget. 

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Going into this week, I have leftover Lasagna Casserole to use up.  I'll take care of that for lunch one day.

This week's menu....

Sunday--Rigatoni w/Meat Sauce, Salad

Monday--Chicken Parmesan, Mashed Potatoes, Beets

Tuesday--Halushki and/or Leftovers

Wednesday--Salmon, Coleslaw, Green Beans

Thursday--Hot Dogs, Beans, Potato Salad

Friday--Beef Pie with carrots, green beans and cornbread

Saturday--Leftovers or Breakfast for Dinner

Last week was crazy here because of the school musical and Daughter finishing her college classes.

This week will be crazy here because of rehearsals for jazz and concert bands, music lesson, college finals and my own personal eBay Hell.  The evening schedules aren't conducive to having everyone sitting at the dinner table at the same time.  I've planned accordingly by having 3 casserole type meals that can be eaten whenever, 2 meals that can be made quickly by whomever is hungry.  The salmon night will be whichever night we can get everyone to eat together since reheating fish isn't how you want to eat it. 

I'll be glad when all this extra busyness is done and we can go back to the normal level of insanity in our home. ;-)

What I need to buy for this menu?

Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots(I think?).  Everything else is on hand.

A quick glance at the ads and there isn't much I want this week other than what is needed for the menu.  Daughter will be spending about $15 on lunch items to take to work.  I hope to get by this week spending $30 or less.

What are your menu plans for this week?

Sluggy

Food Spending NOVEMBER Week 2, Meal Planning Week 3

Doesn't that look yummy?

It's a picture from when I made French Onion Soup a few weeks ago for dinner.  I'll be sharing some more photos and the recipe I use after I get Thanksgiving out of the way here.


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

This week's menu....

Sunday--Halushki with Bacon

Monday--Chicken Pot Pie

Tuesday--Tuna Casserole, Beets

Wednesday-Pizza for some, Leftovers for others

Thursday--Lasagna, Caesar Salad

Friday--Pizza for some, Leftovers for others

Saturday--Leftovers

The food spending last week was $.11 for $51.11 reg. retail worth of goods. And if you don't believe me, go look HERE.  I've spent a total of $202.65 so far in November on $396.59 retail price of food.  This isn't counting my Rite-Aid purchases.

Last week, I used all but $10 in free food certificates/gift cards/catalinas I had accumulated to spend only 11 cents this past week of groceries.  I'll be heading out to spend my last $10 free food chit today to pick up the last of what I need to prepare Thanksgiving Day's meal.  We are down to 5 for dinner since #2 Son's sometimes job called him into work on Thursday-it's a restaurant.
The Daughter also has to work Thanksgiving....her retail job, thanks to all you Black Friday people! 8-( ....but she gets to eat because she goes in late and works through the night so people can buy MORE tvs, small appliances, pajamas and electronics that they don't need to fill up their empty lives and their already overstuffed houses!
But hey!, who am I to judge, just because in order to keep her job she is forced to work when she should have the option of being home with her family on a National Holiday. ;-)

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Going into this week, I have leftover NOTHING!  Every blasted leftover got snarfed up. Ok, I misspoke...I have a bit of grilled chicken breast that wasn't used for the pot pie.  I made 2 lasagnas last week.  We ate one and the other went into the freezer for later.  So 1 single serving of a leftover item to use this week.

This week's menu....

Sunday--Chili, Cornbread

Monday--2 people Taco Bell, me that leftover chicken in a homemade Quesadilla, Corn

Tuesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs(stockpile and freezer), Green Beans(freezer)

Wednesday--Leftover Chili, Cornbread

Thursday--Turkey Dinner, Pie

Friday--Subway Sandwiches

Saturday--Leftovers

This week I want easy.  The big pot of chili they can eat on multiple meals.  I'll throw the leftover of that into the freezer after 2-3 meals.  Spaghetti meal items are all here and I'll only make enough for 1 full meal because between the chili and turkey leftovers, that's plenty!   I'll use up the leftover chicken for myself tonight and Hubs & #2 Son will get Taco Bell on the way home from son's music lesson.

Left to buy this week?.....4 items for Thursday's Thanksgiving feast and milk.  I'll be spending right around $10 this week but it won't cost me anything because of my $10 certificate.  But come Friday?....I'll be hitting some sales and the Bread Outlet and be back to spending the food monies!lol
I still think I'll end November with a surplus of $$ in the food budget.  That will be sweet....

Are you cooking the Turkey Day meal this year or are you lucky enough to have family/friends to visit and let them do the cooking?
How about the rest of the week.....are you cooking the whole week or making it a simple meal plan or eating out?


Sluggy

Food spending OCTOBER Week 4, Meal Planning Week 4+ & NOVEMBER Week 1

When a weather emergency happens, we frugal, stockpiling mavens don't need to run to the stinkin' store for water, milk, bread and batteries!

We have the essentials in our stockpile already!  We are magnificent role models for society during emergency situations!

Having taken care of the basics, we can then concentrate on running to the liquor store and the snack food aisle of the grocery store.

Priorities people.....priorities!!

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Since Hubs and I were down at the shore celebrating our 30th Anniversary, I have no CLUE what meals at home consisted of last week!  I left the almost 20 yr. old and 16.5 yr. old with many food options(most requiring little if any cooking), but other than some Ramen noodles they don't seem to have eaten anything!lol

Daughter got chinese take-out 1 night and #2 Son went and mooched off his friends and their family at least 1 night.

Oh, I forgot that 2 pizzas ARE MIA from the freezer.......of course they are! lolz

As for food spending......Hubs and I had a room with a kitchenette so we did do some food shopping on vacation.

We had breakfast in the room all but 1 day.

We had dinner in the room 1 night and we skipped lunch a few days and had toast or fruit in the room to get us through to dinner.  I spent $37.30 on groceries consumed last week.

We spent $24.94 on country ham to bring home for later(can't get it here).

Then we we got home, I went crazy Saturday at the grocery store and spent $109.81.  The local Shursave affiliate store is doing their Thanksgiving promotion(Spend $XXX, get a $XX gift certificate Deal)for the next 3 weeks.  I am using this time to stock up on sale items that are mostly nonperishable(canned/boxed/paper products/etc.).  Things I would need to buy anyway, so why not buy them in these 3 weeks and get credit toward the gift certificate.  

Since changing my shopping habits about 4 years ago, I haven't spent enough toward this Promotion to actually earn a gift certificate except for last year.  I may have a shot at a $15 certificate this year.  There is also a Baking Goods Catalina promo running concurrently with the Thanksgiving Promo....Spend $30 on select items and Earn a $10 Cat Q.  These baking promo items double dip with the Thanksgiving Promo.

So if you add up Week 2's spending of $52.68(which I didn't report last Monday), the $37.30 I spend for groceries on vacation, the $24.94 on ham we hauled home and the $109.81 from Saturday, that makes $224.73 used for 2 weeks worth of food spending.

Added to the $247.63 from the first 2 weeks of October and my grocery bill for October to this point is $472.36.

Over again this month by $72.36.

If I were to take out the money I give Daughter to buy convenience foods for lunches at work/school and the non-perishables I bought on Saturday to get the Thanksgiving Reward, I would have been under or on budget for the month.

Oh well.....there is always next month, right? ;-)

At least going over doesn't mean we go into debt to eat here.  While I don't have to keep under to stay solvent with the finances I still like to keep my thumb on the food spending.  If I ignore it and just spend whatever/whenever, the bottom line gets out of hand real fast!

Next month I plan to keep my $400 budget and PLEASE come here and wag your finger at me about that!  I am serious people!!

I still need to purchase about $200 for the Thanksgiving Promotion so half my Nov. budget will go for that.....buying items that will be needed for the month and/or good to have in the stockpile.  Another piece of my budget will go to Daughter for her lunches for work/school.  

As for Turkey Day, the only items I need to purchase for the Thanksgiving meal are whipped cream(for pies), celery, rutabaga and a turkey.  I have everything else--for stuffing, for making rolls, for pies, for cranberry sauce, for 3-4 veggie dishes.  I even have a few cans of GRAVY from last year.....yes Judy, I said GRAVY!!!lolz 

 I don't plan on stepping foot into Weis(Pound Me In The Ass)Markets in November so no GRAVY SCAVENGER HUNT this year for me!  More on the 2011 Great Gravy Saga HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE.  

If Weis does that Gravy Deal again and I start to waiver, please come here and tie me to my chair! ;-)

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This week's menu.....taking power failure possibility into account.....

Sunday--Pot Roast, Carrots, Potatoes, Mushrooms, Onions

Monday--Sloppy Joe on Onion Rolls, Corn(can cook ahead Monday a.m.and reheat on grill burner should power go out later in day)

Tuesday--Grilled Steak(planning on no power), Kraft, Salad, Ice Cream LOL

Wednesday--Marinated Chicken Breast on grill(planning on no power), grilled Potatoes, thawing frozen Veggies will be heated on grill

Thursday--Beef Stew(from leftover Pot Roast-made on grill burner if no power), Homemade bread(if the power is back up)or store bought bread here(in no power)

Friday--Salmon, Rice, Broccoli (if power is up)--if no power, whatever is in fridge that has to be eaten

Saturday--Leftovers or TBA if still without power

 

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....Not a single thing.  Ok, maybe some salad.

So what are you cooking at your house this week?
If you are in the path of the Sandy, do you have a contingency plan for meals?

Sluggy

Food Spending OCTOBER Week 1, Meal Planning Week 2

 

Another Food Waste Poster from the US Food Administration during World War I

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I never got around to posting a plan so here is what actually got served last week.....at least what little I can remember of last week.....

Sunday--Fish Fry, Chips(as in Fries), Green Beans

Monday--Meatball Subs(homemade)

Tuesday--"BRINNER" This is breakfast for dinner--hash browns, sausage, pancakes, eggs were the options.

Wednesday--Leftovers

Thursday--Corned Beef & Cabbage

Friday--Pizza(I had a gift card)

Saturday--Subway sandwiches

Not a very well-rounded diet last week.  I did dine on spinach salad for lunches myself(we won't talk about the can of ravioli that one day though).  Lunches for the others?.....you'd have to ask them. lol

We did finish up the meatballs, spaghetti and the quiche leftovers from the week before.

The weekly food spending was  a whopping $202.06!  This included reg. purchases, Daughter's spending for work lunches, some stocking up at Weis(pound-me-in-the-ass)Markets and at Big Lots.(More on that later.).
I bought 3.3lbs. of Salmon at Weis,($5.99 lb.) as well as 4 qts. of Greek Yogurt(Cabot for $3 qt.), 8 blocks of Cream Cheese(Weis brand 4 for $5.00), 11 bottles of Ocean Spray Cranberry 100% Juice($2 ea.).  I also did the Buy 10 GG/BC/ assorted brand Items, Get $4 Off Deal.  Not a great deal but I bought the items on sale and used coupons(many of which doubled to $1).  I also did the Pepsico Catalina Deal(Spend $25/Get $5 Cat Q).  Unfortunately the Cat Deals at Weis now are based on Sale price, not Shelf price, so these aren't lucrative as they once were.  But I wanted to get #2 son stocked on junk food so I don't need to buy anymore until next year!lol  As part of that deal I bought 2 x 12 packs of Lipton Tea...they were on sale 2 for $10, I used a $1/2 ManuQ AND I'll get $5 back in my Saving Star account, so in the end the tea got my almost halfway to the $25 I had to spend and the tea ends up costing $4 for both packs.(Word is that SS is taking away the total spend of any coupons so I might have to buy $1 more in Lipton tea to get my $5 back.)

And did I mention that the Catalina Q didn't print?!?!....YET AGAIN even though I was well over the $25 amount?!?!
It just seems to me that not only are the Catalina deals worse(if you can find one!)but a PITA since they never seem to work right around here.....AND I have commented before that they seem to only run them this past year or so for the most processed crap there is!  They use to have a nice mix of items to select from to fulfill these Catalinas so that you could opt for the better, less processed products....Like instead of boxed cookie mixes and Pizza rolls you could get flour instead, or evaporated milk instead of hot chocolate mix, etc.  I use to get some better items and some junky items(at the request of the kids), but more and more I find the only items they offer in these deals are junk and my food bill seems much higher when I do them...even with the Catalina figured in at the end.

I've spent $202.06 of my $400 monthly food budget so far this month and I am not too happy about it overall.

I am going into the new week with these leftovers......Corned Beef and Cabbage.  That is it!

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This week's menu.....

Sunday--Salmon, Asparagus, Coconut Milk

Monday--Hot Dogs, Corn, Beans

Tuesday--Tuna Helper, Brussel Sprouts

Wednesday--Chicken Parmesan, Caesar Salad

Thursday--Tacos Salad

Friday--Rigatoni w/Sauce, Veg. TBD

Saturday--Leftovers

 

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....Lettuce.   We need some fruit this week.  I'll try for $10 or less in food spending this week.

Wish me luck....lol

So what are you cooking at your house this week?

Sluggy