Produce Haul from the Weekend!

Last Monday I bought in to the produce co-op and purchased an extra case of corn. When I picked it up on Saturday I was happy at the variety and will be working on a menu for this week shortly. I did take the kids to the farmer's market where we picked up the pictured asparagus.

Second Week of May's Menu

I have not started this post until now Friday because this week seems to have fallen apart. I will start with the grocery shopping from this week and then head into the menu...you will be able to see for yourself how things went haywire.

Winco Trip:

1lb strawberries
3 (4)packs of muscle milk
2 gallons milk
1 men's shave gel
1 box apple cinnamon oatmeal
1 pkg craisins
1 spice rub
1 moonpie
2 pkgs marinade
2 pks flanken style ribs

Total: $42.89

Mrs. Baird's bread store

1 pkg bagels
3 loaves of bread
2 bags chocolate donuts
5 snack cakes

Total: $7.44


Target Trip:

1pkg ranch seasoning

Total: $1.42

Winco Trip:

2 gallons milk
1 box apple cinnamon oatmeal
~2&1/2 lbs bananas
1 loaf bread

Total: $6.66

Rebates: $21.33
Subtotal: $37.08
Total for month: $200.02


After all of that the meal plan looked like

 

What the week really looked like :

Sun  May 8th:  flank steak in the crock pot  served with steamed corn and a side salad. The steak was sooo salty I could not eat it

Mon May 9th: tostados

Tue May 10th:  I took the leftover ground beef from Monday night, the leftover corn from Sunday and leftover black beans from last week and put them in the crockpot. I added canned pinto beans and rotel to turn it into taco soup. By the time I got home  it was almost completely dried out. I tried to salvage it by getting the leftover refried beans from Monday night and putting that and the stuff from the crock pot on chips, covering that with cheese and serving them as nachos.

Wed May 11th:  roast from the crockpot that I had used a burbon brown sugar rub on. It was decent, not the best I have ever had. I served this with mashed sweet potatoes

Thur May 12th: strogonoff using up all the fresh mushrooms I had on hand as well as the leftover roast

Fri May 13th: Pinto beans with some leftover bacon in the crockpot  cooked all day and then was served with homemade cornbread 

Sat May 14th: I used the leftover beans, canned tomatoes and tomato sauce as well as some spices to make chili

It was as if I could just not catch a break. Both kids had a turn with the stomach virus which meant a lot of washing sheets, towels and my car. Dinners falling apart was just really disheartening but I think we are past it all now. 
 

Best Times Sometimes Do Not Have Pictures

Our neighbors have a basketball hoop on their driveway which the boys have not really noticed before. That changed when I started redoing the flower beds in the front yard. Since I was out front the boys felt the need to be also and so they came across the neighbors' son and cousins playing basketball. They went over and asked to play which I was afraid was going to end with rejection. The older kids surprised me though and allowed the boys to play with them. They had the best time ever playing with the older kids even though the cousins were visiting from France and spoke no English. The bigger kids picked up the boys and allowed them to make baskets and showed them how to dribble. The thought crossed my mind a couple of times to go back in and get my camera or at least phone to take some pictures but them just continued working. Sometimes the best times in life do not end up with pictures. 

First Week Of May's Menu

This is what my menu looked like when I knocked it out at the beginning of the week.

 

It did not take long before things had to change. I placed an order with Home Chef based on a friend's recommendation but when making the menu I put it down a day earlier than it was actually scheduled to be delivered. I moved a meal from later in the week to Tuesday and moved everything else down.

Sun  May 1st: Baked potatoes and salad. I had a baked sweet potatoes and Phillip a baked Idaho.

Mon Sun 2nd: Chicken Gnocchi Soup with garlic bread

Tue May 3rd: Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole. I will start with I have made this one before with a lot of success, Tuesday night was not a repeat performance. The goal was to half the recipe but part way through I think this slipped my mind and it ended up with way too much liquid in it.

Wed May 4th: This was night 1 of my home chef meals. Cinco De Mayo Beef Fajitas were on deck and yes I realize I made them on May the 4th not the 5th.  I thought these were easy to prepare and tasty, Phillip thought they were ok not the best he had ever had. The portion sizes are really generous also. These were advertised to feed 2, Phillip and I both ate a little more than we would normally as well as fed Clark some. I then brought enough to work for 2 lunches.

Thur May 5th:  2nd night of HomeChef. Chicken and Garlic Peanut Sauce was up and like the night before was fairly easy to prepare. I liked it tossed with a little sauce and then just a touch extra drizzled on mine. Phillip did not drizzle his and thought it was a bit bland. He added some soy sauce and was good. Again the portion size was generous.

Fri May 6th:Bacon and pancakes. I am bearing the scars of this meal as I was popped by the grease.

Sat May 7th: Grilled ribs with steamed corn and a side salad.

Books April 16th Through May 5th

I could have just screamed! I was sooo close to finishing the audio version of  The Happiness Project and then it was due back at the library. I tried to renew it but there were people in line so I had to go to the end and wait. It has been over 2 weeks and I am finally next and will get a chance to finish it soon.  As I wait to get the email that I am back up for this book I have listened to A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold. I found this book a bit repetitive but completely honest and sad. She has spent many years trying to understand her son and his actions. I really felt for her and the situation his actions put her in.  Mindfulness for Beginners was next up and I have mixed feelings on this. I am trying to be more mindful of my actions but the slow and low tone of the narrator/author of this book was mind numbing. I found myself thinking of other things just because I could not stand his voice. Is Everyone Else Hanging Out Without Me was a good find. I had been trying to find time to read the print version as I traded for it but just never could. Finding the audio version at the library allowed me to add it to my already read stack. This is the second Mindy Kaling book I have listened to and I am still not a fan. I find her tone pretentious but keep hearing from others that it is a persona she has adopted. Not sure how I stand on her versus her persona but I know I can drop any of her other books off my to read list without feeling guilty. Excitement is also what I felt when I started Think Like A Freak as I loved the Freakonomics books.  It was a quick listen and covered a lot of their podcasts which I was unaware of initially.


My print book selection looks like this::: If I Can't Have You: Susan Powell, Her Mysterious Disappearance, and the Murder of Her Children. Long title for a true crime book which was ok. This book made me really sad and a touch angry. It was tragic that her husband despite everyone's best efforts never revealed where her body was or what happened to her and then 2 years later kills his sons and then himself.  After this one I wanted a little bit lighter reading so I am currently reading another year in the life experiment book. Not Buying it : My Year Without Shopping is my current choice in reading material.

Starting May Off On the Right Foot, Hopefully

I continue to attempt "challenges" in the hopes of changing my habits. The saying is if you do or do not do something for 30 days it will become habit. I have found the pantry challenge ended a lot of my need to buy items from the grocery store just because I wanted to shop. I noticed I have an easier time heading for what I need, checking out sales and making decisions based on need not just price. I admit that I do still stockpile sale items but only if I know I will use them in a reasonable amount of time. This month I am challenging myself to use up a lot of the condiments that are clogging up the door of my refrigerator without replacing them yet.

I see an immediate change in my focus when the grocery store is not a replacement for lost shopping opportunities. Over the last couple of weeks I have been able to work on our yard each evening and get more accomplished than I think I did all of last year. Now avoiding the grocery store does not account for all the time spent outside but between having a meal plan and avoiding stores I do have more time to be outside with the boys.

This month's shopping thus far ( which I hope is nearly all of it)

Kroger Trip:

1 Dublin soda
1 loaf Velveeta
1 pkg toilet paper
1 pkg sliced ham
1 pkg mushrooms
1 lemon pie
5 pkgs (1&1/2 lbs each ) bacon ( it was on clearance for a price I could not pass up)

Total: $26.85

Sprouts Trip:

~1&1/4lbs fresh green beans
4 pints blueberries
2 watermelons
9  pints yogurt
~1/4 dark chocolate raisins
~1/2 lb gummi bears
~1/4 lb gummi worms
1 whole chicken
4 muffins

Total: $25.17

Winco Trip:
2 gallons milk
1 case Dr Pepper
1 case powerade
3 gallons apple juice
12 containers muscle milk for Phillip
1 half gallon of cranberry juice
~1/4 lb peppered turkey lunch meat
1 pkg shredded cheese
~1/2  lb ham
1 pkg sliced cheese
~1/2 lb flank steak
1 half gallon orange juice
1 large container Nutella
1 Dublin bottling works root beer
3 Pillsbury cinnamon rolls
3 boxes honey buns
1 box instant oatmeal
2 boxes fruit snacks
2 pkgs pepperoni
1 pkg bacon pieces
1 pkg chorizo
1 pkg mini boxes of raisins
1 lb strawberries
~2 lbs bananas
~1/2 lb penne pasta
~3/4 lb pasta shells
1 lb peanut butter
1 pkg chips
~3/4lbs sunflower seeds shelled
~1/4lb dried mixed fruit
~1/2 lb raisins
~1/3 lb raw sugar
~1/2 lb dried cranberries
~1/3 lb dog biscuits
~1&1/4 lbs pancake mix
1 kitchen gloves
1 wetwipes
1 watermelon
2 packets marinade
1 spice blend
1 CLR mildew cleaner
1 pkg tostada shells
1 pkg snack size chips
3 loaves bread

Total: $116.72

Rebate $5.80
Subtotal for the month:  $162.94

April Totals

The last shopping trip for the month of April was at Winco

2 gallons milk
1 gallon apple juice
2 boxes honey buns
1 Dublin bottling works soda
3 quarts strawberries
1 moonpie
1 pkg pepperoni
1 bag chips
~2&12lbs bananas
4 donuts
2 loaves bread

Total : $21.09

Grand Total for April: $301.19

Over budget by $109.19

New " Challenge" : Condiments!

I almost can not seem to go without a challenge at this point. I looked at the mess that is my refrigerator door and decided I have an issue with condiments. My goal/challenge this month is to use up as many of the condiments as I can and then totally wash out the bins/door.  So far I have used up some stir fry sauce and lemon juice. Right now I feel confident that I can move through the door offerings easily but we shall see.

First Week with Just a Menu Plan and April Totals

I did a bit of grocery shopping last week which I am not completely happy about. One of the trips was strictly to try to get some cash over which did not work out and left me in tears in the parking lot.
Background on that incident is that my debit card was used fraudulently and so I called to have it shut off. It took 7 days to get a new debit card and my bank is not local so I have no branches to go to in order to cash a check. I was able to write a check at most places but not restaurants or gas stations. I was running on fumes when I tried to get cash over at the grocery store and was told the processor of checks would not let me because I did not have a check writing history.....duh because I usually use my debit card. Anyway the situation left me in tears trying to figure out how to get gas. I honestly called Phillip and used his debit card as we keep separate accounts. Learned my lesson to at least sock away a few dollars cash for an emergency.

Winco Trip #1

1 gallon milk
1 box honey buns
1 bag donuts
1 bottle baby bath wash ( the real reason I went in)
~1&1/4 lbs bananas
2 loaves bread
2 lbs strawberries

Total $11.16

Kroger Trip: ( this is the one I ended up crying on)

1 box yogurt singles
1 Dublin peach soda
1 lb mushrooms
1 pkg shredded carrots
1 pkg celery hearts
1 peach pie
1 pkg 4 heads of lettuce

Total $10.27

Winco Trip #2

1 donut
1 clearance chocolate rabbit
1 bag chips
1 pkg pasta
1 Dublin peach soda

Total $3.93
Grand Total for April $ 280.10

Sun Apr 24th: Spaghetti with garlic toast

Mon Apr 25th: I made this pork chop recipe. When I got home and started knocking out chores I realized I wanted rice as a side instead of a side salad and carrots. 

Tue Apr 26th: Pigs in a blanket with roasted potatoes

Wed Apr 27th: Baked spaghetti using the leftover noodles and leftover sauce from Sunday. I added a can of tomato sauce and fresh mushrooms, mixed it all up and topped with cheese. Phillip still added some parmesan to his. Served with garlic toast.

Thur Apr 28th: I kept with the plan and made a pork stir fry using leftover pork chops

Fri Apr 29th: We ended up not going out to eat I baked a chicken and served it with this One pot Mushroom Rice which was amazing.

Sat Apr 30th: We spent the day in Canton with the boys and grabbed What-A-Burger on the way home.

Bluebonnets and Tornados again in Texas

We tried the weekend before last to get Bluebonnet photos as it is a Texas and family tradition and it was a disaster. The weather turned cooler suddenly while we were out. The patch we found turned out to have cactus in it so both boys were cold, not smiling and Clark ended up with cactus spines on him.

We were debating going out again and made the last minute decision to head to Ennis this past Saturday. It was a decision that I am happy we made. Phillip pulled up a map of the Bluebonnet trail webpage which showed where the best fields are and after a bit of scouting around we found this amazing patch and had happy kids which made for great photos. These are a few of the photos that Phillip has edited.

And as always seems to happen when we get bluebonnet photos we are under tornado warnings tonight. They are predicting 80 mile an hour winds, tornadoes, and grapefruit sized hail. I know our lantern is charged but when I get home I will go ahead and get the bathroom ready just in case we need to seek shelter.  If the storm fizzles out or does not make it this far south I will still have a clean bathroom.

Fourth Week of Pantry Challenge Light

I made a couple of stops to take advantage of sales this week

Winco Trip:
2 gallons milk
2 cans refried beans
2 boxes honey buns
1 pkg mini pepperoni
1 Dublin peach soda
1 quart strawberries


Total: $12.83

Sprouts Trip:
6 pints blackberries
1 eggplant
~1&1/2 lbs grapes
1 watermelon
3 ears corn
~4&1/4 lbs bananas
2 bags chips
~1/4 lb dried cranberries
~1/2 lb raisins
1 pkg breakfast steaks
1 rump roast
4 muffins
2 hoagie rolls

Total: $30.82

Totals for the month thus far:  $254.74

I managed to get the menu plan done fairly quickly this week.

This is what really happened:

Sun Apr 17th:  Slow Cooker Pork Roast served with corn on the cob

Mon Apr 18th: French Bread pizzas from this recipe. I was not a fan, it was overly bready which will surprise a lot of people as I like pan pizza. I will put this one on the do not make again list.

Tue Apr 19th: Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake. I did use leftover pork instead of chicken.

Wed Apr 20th: Meatloaf "muffins" with a smidge of Velveeta in them and homemade mashed potatoes. 

Thur Apr 21st: I had some tortillas to use up so I went with pork soft tacos

Fri Apr 22nd: Used up the last of the pork in a pot pie

Sat Apr 23rd: Bean burritos to use up more tortillas.

Savings Accounts and Looking Toward May

Next week I will write out my May budget but that is not what sparked the plan I want to put in place. I received a rebate check in the mail over the weekend from one of my grocery apps. Normally I would put this money back in my checking account to put toward whatever bills I have coming up, to purchase more groceries or to just spend. Today as I looked at the check I made a different decision. I deposited the amount into our vacation account. I drove to Florida with Logan 4 years ago to visit my family and brought my mom back with me for a couple of weeks. Logan loved it so much that he kept asking when we could go to the beach again. I told him we would have to save up for it as we do not have the money to just drop and go. Since then I have put $5 a month in a vacation account which of course puts something away but it is not enough to go often. I want to take the boys next summer to see my family and so I decided for the next month that any rebates or extra money will go into the vacation account. I am hoping that will add enough with the monthly deposits to comfortably drive down there and see whatever we want to. After next month I may sock the money away into another account or go back to the current mode of operation.


As for other challenges  I will continue trying to use up items at home but not do any formal pantry challenge starting next week. Menu planning will continue as this has made my life infinitely easier especially during the week.

Third Week of the Pantry Light Challenge

Friday trips to Target and Winco

Target trip:

1 case diapers
1 bottle dish soap
1 pkg wipes
1 pkg pork chops
1 whole chicken
1 20oz rootbeer

Total: $28.18

Winco trip:
1 loaf french bread
2 cans refried beans
3 dog bones
1 loaf bread
2 quarts beef broth
6 pack of Mike's hard peach lemonade
a few gummy fish for Logan
1 box of cheese and peanut butter crackers
1 quart blueberries
2 gallons milk

Total: $22.84

SubTotal: $231.09

Rebate Amount: $20.00

Total for Month ( as of 4-8-16): $211.09

This week started off with no meal plan. I never made one out on Sunday and the meals on Sunday and Monday reflect that. I was winging it without feeling it so we ate bad.

What the week really looked like:

Sun Apr 10th: Nachos using up some refried black beans I opened on accident when making the chicken enchilada rice casserole last week.

Mon Apr 11th: lacking inspiration and nothing in the fridge calling my name I went with the eggrolls and dumplings I had in the freezer. I added a stir fry using up some broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and snow peas I had on hand.

Tue Apr 12th: I am taking the kids to Chick-Fil-A tonight for a planting event they are having.

Wed Apr 13th: Cheesesteaks, these were really good and will definitely go into regular rotation.

Thur Apr 14th:  Grilled ribs served with skillet scalloped potatoes. The potatoes were really not great, they were just ok. The sauce was a little thin and anemic looking. I will probably use a different recipe if I ever make these again. 

Fri Apr 15th: Chicken alfredo pasta using some pre cooked fajita chicken I had in the freezer along with some dried mushrooms I put up.

Sat Apr 16th: BBQ little smokies with black beans and steamed rice.