This Week on the Dining Table

It's the "I'm 2 Days late & For Pete's Sake, Enough Already with the Winter Weather!" Edition

 

 

Here is what was planned last week---

 

Sunday--Breaded fish fillets(have), Roasted Cauliflower(have), Coleslaw(have)
Monday--Free Birthday Burger at Red Robin, #2 Son's burger out of Entertaining Budget, Hubs has leftovers
Tuesday--Chicken and Mushroom Parm(have), Pasta, Green Salad(have) with Feta Cheese(have)
Wednesday--Roasted Chicken(have), Assorted leftover side dishes(have)
Thursday--Leftovers
Friday--Quiche(in freezer), Asparagus(have)
Saturday--Leftovers

 

And here is what actually happened---

 

Sunday--Breaded fish fillets(have), Roasted Cauliflower(have), Coleslaw(have)
Monday--Free Birthday Burger at Red Robin, #2 Son's burger out of Entertaining Budget, Hubs had leftovers or burritos at home
Tuesday--Take-out Burgers & homemade Salad....you would think that I was full on burgers after the night before!
Wednesday--Pizza, Sugar Snap Peas w/Red Peppers
Thursday--Chicken Parm, "Sketti" for Hubs, Green Salad w/Tomatoes
Friday--Leftovers(Cauliflower, Coleslaw, Fish, Pizza, Sugar Snaps, Sketti)
Saturday--Leftovers-only 1 home to eat, Hubs/#2 ate on the road
 

The Mushroom Parm, Roast Chicken, Quiche didn't get served last week.

We had decidedly too much "convenience type food" last week.  The Parm & fish was pre-breaded, the pizza was frozen from a box, and burgers were out of a sack from BK. bleh.  I feel so bloated and this week it's back to more home cooking, but from scratch!

 

I spent a total of $103.87 on all food/toiletries spending last week, only since Feb. 1st and those trips to Rite-Aid the last few days of January where I used $ from February's budget.  The value of said goods was $336.32 regular retail, so I realized a 69% savings rate!

Go.

Me.

8-)))

 

Going into the new week here are the leftovers we had.......cauliflower(Hubs ate today for lunch), sketti(ditto), pizza.  Fresh produce to use....asparagus, rutabaga, sweet potato, collard greens.

 

Here is this week's meal plan---have of it's already been served---

Sunday--Leftovers or FFY(I was the only one home)
Monday--Tuna Noodle Casserole, Grilled Asparagus
Tuesday--Kielbasa and Onions on Rolls, Brussell Sprouts
Wednesday--Roast Chicken, Collards, Smashed Rutabaga
Thursday--Eating Out, #2 away at District Band
Friday--Chicken Fajitas(using leftover chicken from Wed.)
Saturday--Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Leftovers of FFY(Fend For Yourself)

That makes 4 new meals, 2 leftover or planned over meals and 1 meal out.

What I need to purchase for this menu?.......nothing since I went to the  $ store, the Bakery Outlet & Walmart (again!) on Sunday and am OOP $51+.

I need to look at the sales ads a bit closer to see if I want to pick up anything else this week, you know loss leaders....if the weather clears up long enough to shovel out and go somewhere before the next storm is due to hit.

Otherwise, I won't be shopping again this week and we'll make do with what is here, as ther eis plenty.

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

 

Excuse me while I go try to finish thawing out my chicken.  I removed it from the freezer on Saturday and it's still hard enough to do damage if you hit someone in the head with it. lolz

Sluggy

On the Dining Table this Week

The "Some Weeks you Feel like a Horse's Rear End" Edition.......

This was the view as I left the furniture store last Sunday.
How fitting is that?!


Here's what was planned last week-- 

Sunday--Hubs had leftover Halushki, I didn't eat anything.
Monday--Leftover barbecue pork and coleslaw from our lunch stop on the way home Sunday
Tuesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs(balls in the freezer/pasta in the stockpile), Italian Green Beans(freezer)
Wednesday--Leftover Halushki, Quiche(freezer), Salad(using garden tomatoes)
Thursday--BLT sandwiches(tomatoes from garden), Fried Apples
Friday--Baked Fish and Crabcakes(freezer), Veggie Medley(freezer)
Saturday--Leftovers or something from the freezer

And here's what actually got eaten--

Sunday--Hubs had leftover Halushki, I didn't eat anything
Monday--Leftover barbecue pork and coleslaw from our lunch stop on the way home Sunday, watermelon
Tuesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs(balls in the freezer/pasta in the stockpile), Italian Green Beans(freezer), Strawberries
Wednesday--Quiche(freezer), Salad(using garden tomatoes)
Thursday--Leftovers-Hubs had spaghetti, I had a burger and watermelon
Friday--BLT sandwiches, applesauce
Saturday--Bob Evans-I had a BOGO meal coupon

I had a bad foot day on Thurs. so leftovers instead and the BLTs got moved to Friday, bumping the fish to next week.

As for food spending last week.....I spent $175.85 on $268.07 worth of groceries at 2 stores in 3 trips.
I stocked up last week on lunchmeat(so I don't need to purchase any this week because nothing I can have is on sale this week), dog kibble(2 large bags on sale), canned veg sale(corn, peas, beets and kraut), panko and bread crumbs(sale), bread(BOGO sale), local apples, OJ, Gatorade and frozen french fries(for #2), baking needs(sale), salad greens(sale), reduced muffins(#2), burritos and corn dogs(#2), bacon(sale), fruit, beans, some canned soup(reduced sodium), yogurt(sale), and seltzer(sale)accounts for most of it.

As for food waste, a couple of cukes last week. I was pickled out and nobody else wanted any cukes in salads or in vinegar for a couple of weeks so they went bad.  8-(

Leftovers going into this week--still picking tomatoes and there is leftover Spaghetti and leftover Halushki that has to go soon, either to the dogs or us. ;-)

Here's this week's meal plan---
Sunday--Leftovers-Hubs had Spaghetti and I had a roast beef sandwich
Monday--Hamburgers, mixed veggies, Cantaloupe
Tuesday--Baked Fish, Corn Pudding, leftover Green Beans
Wednesday--Out to eat, using a coupon
Thursday--Lobster, Rutabaga Casserole
Friday--Meatloaf, Roasted Potatoes, Beets
Saturday--Leftovers and Broccoli Cheddar Soup

On the shopping list......Lobsters(on sale again), hot dog rolls and lemon juice is it.  I have everything else here already.  These 3 things will run about $30 and I hope to stay out of the grocery stores except for those items this week to get my food budget back on track. 8-)

I might need some milk or some odd or end thing but I might do some stocking up the next 4 weeks or so, as the local independent market has begun their Thanksgiving Promo-get a $ amount reward toward your turkey meal dinner depending on how much you spend during the coming 5 weeks.  Since I don't spend as much on groceries per month, compared to their usual customer, this means I'll have to give up Weis PMITA Markets until Thanksgiving and only shop at this other market in my town to accumulate enough points to get a reward.  I won't go out of my way to buy stuff I won't need just to get a reward but I will buy stuff I'll need in the future to get to a $ amount to get a reward.

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

Meal Planning Feb. Week 3 & Food Spending Week 2

Here is the only photo I took of the "Nemo" we got around here.  Snowfall totaled about 6-7 inches.

Oh the inhumanity of it all!  Will I ever be able to sit on my swing again? lol
To a Southerner(except for those raised in the mountains), THIS amount of snow is enough to make you panic.  Nobody can drive in it, most places don't have the equipment to deal with it and everybody goes nuts thinking they'll never be able to buy food at the grocery store again!
I must say that "real" snowfall amounts were a novelty to me the first few years I lived above the Mason-Dixon Line, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing snow.
But it wears off right quick when you have to shovel it.

Good luck up in New England though as they got total snowfalls like we use to get in the Poconos every year.   Here's our previous house.....

I can't believe we lived there and SHOVELED out multiple times a Winter without a snowblower for 14 YEARS!  We were young and healthier......oh, and broke, so couldn't justify the expense of a snowthrowing machine.

So you folks in CT, RI, MA and ME have my sympathies.

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

Sunday--Chicken Fajitas

Monday--Taco Bell or Fend for Yourself

Tuesday--Salmon, Broccoli

Wednesday--Pan Saute Chicken, leftover rice from Take-Out, leftover Corn

Thursday--leftover Chicken Fajitas

Friday--Buffalo Blue Cheese Chicken Dip with Celery or leftover Tortilla Chips

Saturday--Hamburgers, French Fries, leftover Salad

I served about half of what I had planned.  The hot dogs, ,the soup and the ravioli got moved to this week.  Friday the Daughter was all jazzed to make some amazing chicken dip she had had before.  It called for 2 bottles of Frank's hot sauce(2 bottles!!!)so I knew I'd probably be dieting on Friday whether I wanted to or not. lol  She cut down on the hot sauce but it was still too spicy for me, though I did eat some of it.  It was also a CHEESE OVERLOAD.  So between the mega cheese and the hot sauce, let's just say I was not a happy camper on Saturday who stuck close to the bathroom and leave it at that.   Next time, I'll eat less of that hot mess and carry a box of baby wipes with me for the next 24 hours.  LOLZ

Now that I've scarred you for life.....let's move on.

The food spending last week?

Ugh.

I spent $120.90 at my 2 stores.  Most of the damage was done at Weis PMITA Markets.  I bought dairy products for Daughter's dip(everything was on sale thankfully), fruit, ravioli, asparagus, beans, OJ, clearance bologna, 3lb. of ground beef and splurged on a box of Crab Rangoons.  Then I stocked up on 6 100% juices, honey, 3lbs. of catfish and 4 pizzas, the ones we love best(on sale AND used Qs!). A sale pack of Salmon, Cabbage, Onions and frozen Green Beans(all on sale)rounded out my shopping for the week.

I've spent $206.92 and I am left at this point with $193.08 in my food budget for February.

As for leftovers rolling into this week--the only thing is a big bowl of that Chicken Dip stuff.  I'm not eating it but the family has orders to do so since it sure did cost a fortune!

If I have to buy some chips or something to get them to use it up, by gosh I will.....even if I have to pay retail for the chips!! ;-)

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

Sunday--Hot Dogs, Grilled Asparagus

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

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

Wednesday--Meatloaf, Potatoes(not sure which way), Cauliflower

Thursday--Leftovers or Fend for Yourself

Friday--Ravioli, Sausage Sauce, Caesar Salad

Saturday--Maybe Chinese date nite with Hubs

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

I already picked up the Asparagus, Cabbage, Celery, frozen Green Beans, frozen Ravioli and a can of beans(for the soup-can you believe I had no dried Northern beans left?)last week.   

Still need....Romaine lettuce, milk. I'm looking to stay out of the store(except to do my Price Book Week 6 numbers) so I'll give myself $40 this week just in case a good deal comes up.

What's on your menu for the week?  Any good deals at the grocers this week?
Did you have any food waste this week?  I need to clean out the nether regions of my fridge this week and I have a bad bad feeling I'm going to find a science experiment back there. lol

Sluggy

Food Spending January Week 1/Meal Planning January Week 2

This poster was put out in 1917 as part of a government program to conserve food and eliminate waste during World War I.  Besides feeding the US population, food resources were also needed overseas to feed the troops being sent over to fight.
Herbert Hoover was given the ok by President Wilson to develop this voluntary system that he called Food Conservation.  Hoover wanted to avoid rationing so a campaign to remind people to not overeat, use all food up and not waste anything was started.  The idea of "Meatless Mondays" and "Wheatless Wednesdays" started with this plan.
Hoover was able to reduce food consumption and waste in America by 15% all on a voluntary basis with no rationing!
Not only did the US supply the troops but they helped feed their Allies troops as well.  US farm exports to Europe tripled during and immediately after the war.  The surplus helped alleviate European citizens experiencing a massive post war famine.

I love this line in the poster....."Demonstrate Thrift In Your Home.  Make Saving, Rather Than Spending, Your Social Standard."

Time to get back to the qualities of 1917.

Here is what actually got served last week....

Sunday--Kielbasa on Rolls, Caramelized Onions, Potato Salad

Monday--Chinese take-out for Lunch, then leftovers and appetizers for New Years at home

Tuesday--Lunch out w/Hubs, Leftovers for Dinner

Wednesday--Tacos, Corn

Thursday--Pizza, Caesar Salad, I had soup(not feeling well)

Friday--Subway sandwiches(used a gift card)

Saturday--Leftovers-Chicken and Dumplings/Roast & Roasted Veggies, Ham Rolls

The food spending last week?
There was NO food spending.
Nada.
Didn't darken a grocery store's door last week.
$400 food budget goes into this week intact.

As for leftovers rolling into this week--we have 1 helping of Chicken and Dumplings left, Rolls from Christmas and some Taco Filling.

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

Sunday--Baked Salmon, leftover P. Salad, Green Beans(from the garden), leftover rolls

Monday--Chinese take-out(again!), teen had Taco Bell

Tuesday--Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes

Wednesday--Rigatoni w/Meat Sauce, Brussel Sprouts, Rolls(made into Garlic bread)

Thursday--Cheesesteaks, Creamed Spinach

Friday--Roast Chicken, Stuffing, leftover Rolls, Corn, Cranberry Glop

Saturday--Leftovers or Fend for Yourself or Breakfast for Dinner

I'll use up the rolls at various dinners, the taco filling goes into the Meat Sauce for the Rigatoni, the Chicken and Dumplings will be my lunch one day.  We have some Salmon and Green Beans leftover from Sunday which I'll eat for lunch as well.  Saturday we'll have leftover from this week--Corned Beef meal, Rigatoni meal and Roast Chicken meal to choose from for dinners that evening.

Needed at the store to serve this lot?

I'll need a head of cabbage, a roasting chicken, both of which are on sale this week.  I'll pick up some fruit too.  The leftover roasting chicken will either form the basis of a homemade pot pie next week or chicken salad for sammies(if I find a deal on apples or grapes).

There are some great or good deals this week I will pick up too.....Ground Beef at $2.28 lb, Bacon for $2.98, another Roasting Chicken or two at $.78 lb. and maybe some Catfish at $5.99 lb.

Target spending for the cabbage and chicken?  $9.00

Fruit for $7.00.

The stock-ups could go as high as $50 I think.

What's on your menu for the week?  Any good deals in the grocers this week?

Sluggy

Food Spending OCTOBER Week 2, Meal Planning Week 3 & A Bit More

 Need I say more?

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And here is what passed for meals around here last week....

Sunday--Salmon, Asparagus, Coconut Milk Rice

Monday--Hot Dogs, Corn, Beans

Tuesday--Tuna Helper, Brussel Sprouts

Wednesday--Chicken Parmesan, Caesar Salad

Thursday--Chinese Take-Out

Friday--Subway Sammies

Saturday--Leftovers

Can you tell I ran out of steam at the end of the week? lol

Last week I was good.  One trip to the grocery was it for me.  I spent $45.57.  Reg. retail would have been $72.57.  I used no coupons but just bought loss leaders and sale items.  I did an Instant $5 Discount Deal(on Betty C/Gold Medal/Green Giant/etc. items) which made my spending total higher, but it was all things I would need in the weeks coming.....pie crust mix(cheaper and easier to store than the frozen crusts), bags of flour(holiday baking and we were almost out), OJ for $1.88(!), a couple of Healthy Choice TV dinners for $1.88(for when #2 son doesn't want what I cook), 100% Juice for $1.66(!), some sugared-up yogurt, apples, grapefruit, milk and chicken(thighs on sale) and ground beef(was all out of this/needed it for Sunday's dinner/good sale price).

I've spent $247.63 of my $400 monthly food budget so far this month.  That leaves me $152.37 for the second half of October....or to break it down, approx. $75 for each of the next 2 weeks.
It's very do-able I think....considering the sales ads here SUCK this week! ;-)

I am going into the new week with these leftovers......NOTHING!   I am cooking a tad less  in quantities overall, so we are having fewer leftovers.  What little leftovers we had this past week got used.  1 helping of Tuna Casserole, 1 helping of Salmon and Asparagus and 1 helping of Chicken Parm each gotten for lunches or on leftover night.  Hubs used some of the leftover rice with his leftover Chinese food for lunch yesterday and he's used more of it up for lunch today by throwing some chili over it. Mmmmmm

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This week's menu.....moving 2 meals we didn't serve last week to here.

Sunday--Tacos(that we didn't have last week)

Monday--Crockpot Garlic Pork, Mashed Potatoes, Collards(from garden)

Tuesday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice(using leftover rice), Sugar Snap Beans

Wednesday--Rigatoni with Sauce, Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad

Thursday--Barbecue Chicken Thighs, Veggie I dig out of the freezer, Cornbread
Friday--Pizza

Saturday--Leftovers

 

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....lettuce, mushrooms, sour cream and frozen pizzas.  I figure I'll be out of steam by Friday and there is a good deal on Freschetta pies this week(plus a $1.50 Q)so I'll just break the bank here and buy some pizzas.  I can dress them up once I get them home if I want them to taste almost homemade.  I want to pick up some fruit this week as well.  Add in the milk and we can do this for about $30.

So what are you cooking at your house this week?

Let me tack on a quick run to Rite-Aid this morning too because that's not enough for a post unto its self.  My store runs out of 12 packs quickly when they go on sale, especially the Dr. Pepper.  If I wanted any I had to jump on this or have to go all the way downtown to do the deal later in the week.  And why spend the gas going downtown if I don't have to, right?

3 x Coke Product(Dr. Pepper) on sale Have to buy 3=$12.00

1 x Coke Product(Dr. Pepper) w/Wellness Discount=$4.71

SubTotal.....$16.71

Coupons used were....

2 x $1/2 12 packs Dr. Pepper IPQ=$2.00

2 x $1/2 12 packs Dr. Pepper VV AdPerks Q=$2.00

$16.71-$4.00=$12.71 + .04¢tax(on the .71 I didn't use +Ups to pay)=$12.75

I used $12 in +Ups to pay and put the .75¢ on the trusty gift card.

I received $3 +Ups for buying 3 coke product 12 packs, so I spent down my +Ups by $9.

I had to get that extra pack so I could use the 2nd of the AdPerks and the IPQs.

After everything this deal worked out to $2.25 per 12 pack which is a good price for here.

I'll hide 2 of these away for the kids until Christmas time, because I figure now that I'm done buying soda for this year, they'll be out by then.

Having this unexpected surprise will help keep them in a good mood when they are home trapped all day with me.  It's my "eye rolling" insurance.  lol\

And can you believe what Rite-Aid is charging for 12 packs of soda now, their regular price which I NEVER buy it for?

$5.89.....$5.89!!

For colored sugar water. 

Are WE insane or are THEY for thinking anybody would buy this product for that price?

Grand Totals for October so far......

Out Of Pocket....$0.00  cash
Value of items bought.....$202.46
Savings Rate of  100%
Single Check Rebate due....$0.00
Other Rebates due......$0.00
After SCR applied, Out of Pocket.... $0.00
Savings Rate  100%

+Ups at beginning of month...$25.98+
+Ups used....$58.98+
+Ups received...$53.00+
+Ups currently...$20.00+

Sluggy

Food Spending September Week 1 & Meal Planning Week 2

 

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

Sunday--Burgers, Dogs, Potato Salad, COC

Monday--Lime Chicken Fajitas

Tuesday--Stuffed Green Peppers with Rice

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

Thursday--Alfredo Primavera, Caesar Salad

Friday--Leftovers

Saturday--Chinese take-out

 

The weekly food spending was $79.90. Actually $36.01 of that was receipts/trips from the previous week I forgot, which just means I spend even MORE($121 more) over my August budget on food.lol  $43.89 is still quite a bit for this past week, considering I didn't have a car to use until Saturday.  $15.12 of this is from Hubs picking up a couple things on his way home from work...aka "not getting the best price".  I did $28.77 worth of damage on Saturday....but I did get some clearanced "we ain't stocking this anymore" corned beef hash for 50% off for #2 Son.

Going into this week I have a largish portion of roasted chicken, some carrots, Fajita filling, Potato Salad and rice from the stuffed peppers.

Hubs has eaten the rest of the leftover stuffed peppers and the alfredo primavera over the weekend.

I think I get Bonus Points because I used a double leftover Sunday night.  The Fajita filling had used leftover chicken in it and I used it as a base for making Chicken Enchiladas last night.  Now we have 1 enchilada left and Daughter will be scarfing that leftover down tonight after work. ;-)

Tonight is Steak tips in gravy over rice, which uses the leftover rice, plus I'll add the leftover carrots into the sauce.

I'm having the P. salad with my lunch, so all that is left now is the chicken.  If I don't make chicken salad for lunch or find a way to work it into this week's menu, I'll freeze it for later use.

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This week's menu.....

Sunday--Chicken Enchiladas, Caesar Salad

Monday--Steak Tips in Gravy over Brown Rice, Green Beans

Tuesday--Fish(not sure which kind yet/in freezer), Sweet Potato French Fries, Beets

Wednesday--Tacos

Thursday--Stuffed Shells(homemade in freezer), Tossed Salad or more Green Beans

Friday--Steak, Grilled Asparagus

Saturday--French Onion Soup w/Cheese, Caesar or Spinach Salad

We still have some zucchini bread left but I might also make some cookies this week.....lemon oatmeal and m&m types.

 

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....Tortillas, Salad Greens/Romaine/Spinach, Asparagus.  Also need milk, fruit, lunchmeat for Hubs, little everyday stuff like condiments, sour cream, eggs, flour, etc. this week and I'm stocking up on tomato sauce this week.  I'm figuring $50 or less this week.

So what are you cooking at your house this week?

Sluggy