March Grocery Shopping - Part 1 and Weekly Meal Plan Options (March Week 2)

Fried Breadfruit Chips

It's the 10th of March; we are one third into the month and I've already shopped twice for groceries!

The first grocery shopping trip was to the Sri Lankan store, on March 6, after my follow-up visit with the oral surgeon.  A trip to the Sri Lankan store is always something I look forward to and enjoy.  It is definitely a treat and while I budget carefully, price check, and look for deals during my regular grocery shopping, I leave my frugal shopping habits firmly outside the store when I step inside the Sri Lankan store!  This is the one place where I will buy what I want without considering the price of the items.  For the most part, they are specialty items I am not able to buy in any regular grocery store.

Melon Candy

Items I bought at the Sri Lankan store include a packet of my favorite tea, macha latte flavored chocolates for daughter, biscuits/cookies, fried breadfruit chips, premade jars of seeni sambol (a spicy onion relish), passion fruit nectar, melon candy (preserved ash gourd also known as winter melon), chili sauce, and frozen grated coconut.

Sri Lankan Store Receipt

My total at the Sri Lankan Store came to $69.63.

The $73.64 carried over from the February grocery budget will more than cover that amount.

Then, on Monday (March 9), I ordered some regular groceries from the supermarket.  Originally, it was to be for pick up, but, my daughter has been looking into the store's delivery program and wanted to try it.  Regular delivery is $69 per year for next day delivery, which averages out to $5.75 per month (one gets a 30 day free trial, but, I'm averaging it out over the year).  There is an option for same day delivery, too, but, the fee for that service is higher and I've rarely needed a particular grocery item that very same day.  My current sciatica flare up has shown that, if I am unable to drive to the store to pick up groceries for whatever reason, then, that is yet another household task that daughter will have to do, either after work or on the weekend and she is willing to pay for the delivery service, saying the cost is worth her time and having to drive.  Basically, $5.75 is the cost of a gallon of gas in my area, currently (we passed several gas stations charging more than that for a gallon of gas, yesterday)! 

So, the long and short of it is, daughter signed us up for the grocery store's delivery program for next day delivery and as she is paying for this service, this is a gift from her to me!

This morning, I received a text notification allowing me to add or make any changes to the order before the items will be picked (I didn't need to make any changes, but, I was glad to have that opportunity to do so, if needed).  I was also notified when the person picking my groceries needed to make a substitution and I approved the two substitutions that were made.  There was one substitution that I didn't authorize, when the shopper picked an English cucumber (which cost more) instead of the regular cucumber I had ordered, but, I am not going to quibble about that.  

I picked the 2:00-4:00 p.m. time slot for the delivery and I received notifications when the shopper checked out the groceries and when he was on his way, with an estimated time of arrival.  My groceries were delivered to my doorstep just before the estimated time of 2:15 p.m.  I was pleased with this first delivery.  

My mother used to have some groceries, mostly pantry items, delivered to the house on a monthly basis when we lived in Sri Lanka and other items like baked goods and milk were delivered on a daily basis. So, in a sense, I am going back to what my mother used to do!  Even so, having groceries delivered feels a bit like an indulgence!

I ordered milk and half and half, bananas, chicken, ground beef (on sale for $6.99/lb. for 90% lean; cheaper than the 80% lean which was regular priced), cold cuts/luncheon meat, canned lower sodium tuna,the free bagels with my Best Customer coupon, bananas, a cucumber, more sparkling water, vanilla extract, and a container of salt.

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Order Summary

Original Item Total$74.55

Item Coupons/Sales-$19.14

Fulfillment Fee+$0.00

Other Fees+$1.00

Tip Amount+$0.00

Sales Tax+$1.13

Order Total$57.54

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Item Details

18 Items

CA Redem Val$0.60

1 x $0.60 each

English Cucumber, 1 ct$1.59

1 x $1.59 $1.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.40

Fresh Bunch of Bananas – 5-7 Bananas, 1 bunch$1.24

1.79 lbs x $0.69 each (approx.)

Kroger® 90/10 Ground Beef Tray 1 LB, 1 lb$6.99

1 x $6.99 $9.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00

Kroger® Everything Bagels, 6 ct / 18 oz$0.00

1 x $0.00 $2.79 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.79

Kroger® Fresh Uncooked Chicken Drumsticks, 4.5 lb$5.00

1 x $5.00 each

Kroger® Half and Half Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$5.79

1 x $5.79 each

Kroger® Iodized Salt, 26 oz$1.25

1 x $1.25 each

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Oven Roasted Turkey Breast & Smoked Uncured Ham Thin Sliced Lunchmeat, 9 oz$3.99

1 x $3.99 $6.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Smoked Uncured Ham Thin Sliced Lunchmeat, 9 oz$3.99

1 x $3.99 $6.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Private Selection® Pure Vanilla Extract, 2 fl oz$5.99

1 x $5.99 $6.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Ralphs® Vitamin D Whole Milk Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$2.99

1 x $2.99 each

Sparkling Ice® Summer LTO Lemonade Variety Pack (Pack of 12), 12 ct / 17 fl oz$10.99

1 x $10.99 $13.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

StarKist Reduced Sodium Chunk Light in Water Can, 5 oz$5.00

5 x $1.00 $1.59 each

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Other Fees

$1.00

Bag Fee$1.00

10 x $0.10 each

Total =  $57.54

March Grocery Budget:  $250 + $73.64 carried over from the February grocery budget = $323.64

Spent to date: $69.63 + $57.54 = $127.17

Balance left: $323.64 - $127.17 = $196.47

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Cold Cuts Sandwich

Weekly Meal Plan Options: March 9 - March 15

Well, the March Week 1 meal plan options went a bit awry as I bought take out food at least three times, to celebrate daughter's birthday (Japanese food for dinner on Monday), convenience and indulgence (pizza and bread sticks on Thursday on the way back from the doctor's), and for a treat (Sri Lankan food on Friday)!   It was a week of feasting and we enjoyed every bite of it!  

This week is going to be a little less extravagant and a little more sensible with our eating.  We are going to focus on finishing up leftovers and eating what's on hand.   

Having said that, on Monday, we had leftovers for our brunch and dinner.

Today (Tuesday), I made us cold cuts sandwiches; daughter had hers on a toasted bagel while I had mine with store bought sandwich bread.  I didn't take a picture of daughter's sandwich, but, she put garden greens (arugula, mizuna, etc.) on hers while I used the last of the romaine lettuce I had in the fridge.

So, here's the tentative meal plan for this week:

Brunches:  Cold cuts sandwiches (on bagels or bread), leftover fish rolls from the Sri Lankan restaurant; toast/bread with peanut butter and bananas; French toast to use up stale bread; tuna salad sandwiches or egg salad sandwiches

Dinners:  Leftover zuppa toscana (Monday, me); leftover pittu with beef curry, coconut milk and coconut sambol (Monday, daughter), leftover fish rolls, leftover chicken curry with parathas, leftover chicken and kale stir fry with rice and cucumber salad, pasta with meat sauce (to be cooked), beef pot pies (from the freezer)

Snacks/Desserts: Fruit (bananas, grapes, mandarins, apples); yogurt; ice cream; cereal with milk; cookies/biscuits; melon candy; chocolates; chips; granola bars; etc.

That is the plan.  How it all works out is yet to be seen, of course. 

I am grateful for:

- Being able to order groceries online
- Being able to have the groceries delivered, thanks to my daughter's gift to me
- Having access to a Sri Lankan store and restaurant
- Being able to celebrate daughter's birthday with special meals all week
- Having a varied diet

Joyful activities have included indulging in some delicious meals and favorite snacks.

Do you get your groceries delivered?  If so, do you pay for it?  Do you consider paying for the delivery service worth it?  

Are you making any meal plans or meal plan options this week?

My Second Weather Vane!

 

My Second Weather Vane

Back in March 2025, I wrote about the first weather vane I had seen.  Well, almost a year later, I am finally able to post a picture of my second weather vane!

I first noticed this weather vane last summer, when I was driving back from a medical appointment.  At the time, I was after a medical procedure and all I wanted to do was get home.  I was not going to pull over to find a place to park my car to take a picture of the weather vane.  But, I promised myself that the next time I drive past that particular building, I will take a picture.

Well, today, I had to go for another medical appointment and on the way back, I passed the building with the weather vane.  This time, my daughter was driving me back from my medical appointment and she was nervous enough about driving in rush hour traffic that I didn't want to ask her to change lanes and pull over for me to take pictures of a weather vane, either.  But, the traffic was moving slowly enough that I was able to take a few pictures from the passenger seat.

Cupola with Weather Vane

The building was originally built in 1979 and is supposed to be a replica of Mount Vernon, President George Washington's home.  

A Dove of Peace

According to what I read online, the original Mount Vernon has weather vane with a gilded Dove of Peace, holding an olive branch in its beak, mounted on it.  I don't know if this particular Dove of Peace was ever gilded; if it was, it doesn't look gilded right now. 

The building is occupied by a financial institution. 

Not the best pictures, but, I was very happy that I could take a picture of my second weather vane!

On Saturday

 

Azure Bush Germander

This is another plant that M brought me a couple of years ago.  He wasn't sure of the name, but, said it was very drought tolerant once established.  One of my blog friends, Bushlady, helped to identify it after I posted a picture of it on the blog.  It has been growing quite well in my garden, in full sun.

Azure Bush Germander Plant

Saturday was another windy day.  I was bothered by sciatica pains in my right leg all day, so I didn't do much.  Standing and walking hurt; sitting with my legs elevated was better, so, that's what I did!

I added a few more patches to the Log Cabin quilt, replacing a few more of the shirt fabric pieces that looked like they were worn out enough to tear.  I think I have replaced about 90% of the shirt fabric pieces.  

Then, I sorted through my scrap fabric stash (the smaller pieces) and the contends of the basket with mending projects and condensed the contents of the two baskets into one.

Then, I took out another quilt to mend!  It is a quilt I had sewn in 1980 and mended previously, in 2015 and 2022 although I didn't finish repairing it until 2023, by which time I had replaced over 40% of the triangles!

Triangles Quilt - April 2023

Well, it is March 2026, now and at least 5 triangels have developed tears and need replacing.  So, I cut 6 triangles from my scrap fabric stash and started to sew them over the torn triangles.  

Brunch had been patties, reheated in the air fryer.  For dinner, I finished the stringhoppers, chicken curry, and the coconut milk gravy (called kiri hodhi) the boiled egg came in.  Daughter decided to have the leftover pizza for her dinner.

After dinner, I ran the dishwasher and chatted with friend R.  I also called friend S and left her a message offering her lemons if she wanted any.

On Saturday, I was grateful for:

- Tylenol for the sciatica pains
- Heating pads
- A lovely, sunny day
- Working appliances
- Leftovers and treats

Saturday's joyful activities included mended my quilts.

Plans for Sunday include continuing to mend my triangles quilt and catching up on blogs!

How is your weekend coming along?

On Friday

 

Indiappam and Pol Sambol
(Stringhoppers and Coconut Sambol)

On Friday, I had a follow up appointment with the oral surgeon to see how my mouth was healing from the extraction of the molar tooth that had broken off below the gum line, which caused my partial denture to come off as the tooth had been anchoring it.  My appointment was at 1:00 p.m. and my daughter (who had taken time off from work to accompany me, again) and I left the house at 12:15 p.m. just in case there was traffic on the way. 

But, traffic was light and we were at the dental office early.  I didn't expect to be called in before my appointed time, but, they took me in right away.  The oral surgeon appologized about the delay in processing the mouthwash, checked everything, and said my gums were healing nicely.  I was to continue to use the mouthwash for another week, but, unless something else needed to be done or I changed my mind and decided to get implants, after all, he didn't need to see me again!  He shook my hand and wished me a good life!  LOL.  The dental assistant gave me a hug because I remembered her name and saw me out.  There was no charge for today's visit, which was a good thing because the initial office visit, x-rays, and the actual procedure came to a good amount, especially since I was using an out of network dentist.

Since the follow up visit took less time than expected, we still had about two hours left of the time daughter took off from work and since the Sri Lankan store was not too far from the dental office, we drove to the store to pick up a few things (treats, mostly, but, also another box of my favorite tea).

We also called in an order to the Sri Lankan restaurant located a few blocks away from the restaurant.  It is, actually, a tiny "hole in the wall" kind of place located in a mini-mall, run by a husband and wife and their two young daughters help out after school.  But they have the best watalappan (a coconut milk and jaggary pudding) and yes, we bought one to bring home.  We also picked up some prepared food, including the indiappa (stringhoppers in English) pictured above (in addition to the coconut sambol, it came with chicken curry and a hard boiled egg in coconut milk cooked with turmeric and other spices):

Stringhoppers, Cutrries, and Sambol

Daughter ordered pittu which is made of rice flour (they used red rice flour in this instance) and grated coconut, and steamed (traditionally inside a hollow section of bamboo):

Pittu

Unlike stringhoppers, pittu doesn't have an English name.  The pittu came with coconut milk, beef curry, and lunu miris (a spicy onion and dried red chilies mixture); daughter had already served herself and started eating before I took a picture of her plate, so I took a picture of only the remaining portion of pittu that was still in the container.

In addition to the stringhoppers and pittu meals, we ordered savory pastries we call patties (which look a little like empanadas) and some rolls.  

After we came home and ate, daughter went back to work and I watched some video excerpts of the funeral of Reverend Jesse Jackson.  

M arrived to tend to the garden in the early evening.  I had bought a few items for him at the Sri Lankan store as a small thank you gift for 33 years of tending to the garden and served him some of the patties and a drink of passion fruit nectar that I had bought.

Dinner was leftovers from our lunch and after dinner, I loaded the dishwasher and wiped down the kitchen counters. 

On Friday, I am grateful for:

- The appointment with the oral surgeon went well; my gums are healing well
- A lovely visit to the Sri Lankan store
- Delicious treats and meals from the restaurant
- M's help with the garden
- Safe drives to the dental office, the store and restaurant, and back

Friday's joyful activities included a visit to one of my favorite stores and restaurants and sampling some of the delicious food we bought.  

No special plans for this weekend.  We'll take it easy and maybe do a little housework, laundry, etc.

How was your Friday?  What are your plans for the weekend?

On Thursday

Peach Tree in February (2/9/26)

 Remember how the peach tree looked in February?   Well, all the flowers are faded now, but, look what's there in their place: 

Baby Peache (3/1/26)

I woke up to gusts of Santa Ana winds blowing on Thursday morning.  I kept looking at the eucalyptus tree, anxiously, but, fortunately, nothing happened to it.  Some potted plants, including the passion fruit vine toppled over (with the vine still clinging to the trellis), but, no broken tree branches, etc.  Thank goodness for that!

In the afternoon, I went to my doctor's appointment, accompanied by my daughter who took time off from work to go with me.  I left early, at 12:15 p.m. for a 1:30 p.m. appointment, in anticipation of traffic, but, I didn't have to go all the way to the very center of downtown, and traffic was fairly light.  As a result we were early for the appointment, but, I prefer to go early and wait rather than feel rushed.  The appointment with the doctor went well enough.  I had lost weight since my last appointment at the beginning of December and my A1c level had come down to a very good level.  I had also, apparently, shrunk at least one inch since my height was last measured!  No wonder I've been finding it harder to reach the higher shelves, recently!  

We experienced some traffic on the way back and I stopped to pick up a pizza, some breadsticks, and a coffee drink for daughter once we got nearer to home.  We got home around 3:30 p.m. and daughter went back to work.  

After daughter finished her work for the day, we went to the pharmacy to pick up a medication my doctor had prescribed.  I received another $2.00 Extra Care Bucks coupon so we picked up yet another box of cereal that was still on sale for $1.99.  Afterwards, we stopped by the dollar store because daughter wanted to look at their craft items, but, they didn't have anything she wanted and we didn't buy anything else.

On the way home, I passed by the same gas station where I filled up on Tuesday.  The gas that was $4.69 per gallon on Tuesday was $5.09 today!  It went up $0.40 per gallon in just two days!  Makes me feel very glad that I filled up when I did!

I made us cups of tea after we came home and watched the evening news.  

We had pizza for a late lunch and we had pizza again for dinner, too.  There are two more slices of pizza left for daughter's brunch, tomorrow.

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- There was no damage due to the Santa Ana winds
- Access to medical care
- A safe drive to the doctor's office and back
- The availability of medications
- Daughter was able to take time off from work to accompany me

Thursday's joyful activities included playing Sudoku and watching videos.

Plans for Friday include the follow-up appointment with the oral surgeon and tending to the garden with M in the evening.

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?

Mid-Week Catch-Up

 

Bee Enjoying Aeonium Flowers

This week seems to be going fast!

On Monday, I called the oral surgeon's office to ask about the mouthwash they were going to prescribe for me as the pharmacy had said they didn't receive a prescription.  I had messaged the dental office on Friday evening and called and left a message on Saturday and while I had received a text from the dental office achnowledging receiving my message, I hadn't heard back from them.  This time, when I called, I spoke with the receptionist and she promised to check with the oral surgeon and get back to me.  Well, she didn't get back to me, but, apparently they called the prescription in, because, on Tuesday, the pharmacy sent a message that it was ready for pick up.

On Tuesday, which is my errands day, anyway, I drove to the pharmacy to pick up the mouthwash and another medication refill that was ready.  I received a $6 Extra Care Bucks coupon on my receipt so, I picked up three boxes of cereal (one HoneyNuts Cheerios and two Multi-grain Cheerios) which were on sale for $1.99 per box.  According to the receipt for that transaction, the original price for the Honey Nuts Cheerios was $5.49 and the original price for the multi-grain Cheerios was $9.19 each!  The cereal didn't cost me anything because I used my coupon.  

On the way back from the pharmacy, I pulled into a gas station to put gas to my car.  I still had a little over a quarter tank of gas, but, I don't like to get below that and prefer to have at least half a tank of gas in the car in case of emergencies.  If we have an earthquake that causes a power outage, the gas pumps won't work.  The gas station I pulled into is one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest, station in my neighborhood and the cheapest gas was $4.699 per gallon if you paid cash and $4.799 per gallon on credit.  Gas prices have gone up since last week!  I budget $50 per month for gas, so I put $50 worth of gas to the car, which, with the quarter tank I already had, filled up the tank.

Later, I wished one of my cousins for her birthday.

Daughter and I had leftover milkrice with seeni sambol for brunch and leftover Japanese food for dinner.

Today, (Wednesday), M was here to tend to the garden.  He brought me another allium bulb which has white flowers that he had thinned out from his garden.  These are the plants he rescued from the green yardwaste bin from one of his clients, last week, and rehomed in my garden:

Potted Christmas Tree

It looks pretty dried out, but, we have given it a good soaking and are hoping it will revive.

Ficus Benjamina

The top part of the plant is definitely dried out, but, there is a sprig with fresh green leaves, lower down and we think it will continue to grow.

Aspidistra (Cast Iron Plant)

This one has one big leaf (out of the picture), and two smaller leaves.  

M also brought me a small variegated fountain grass plant, which he has already planted in the ground but the time I took these pictures.

I made more milkrice for brunch today and had it with the last of the seeni sambol I had made.  Daughter had some of the leftover boiled mung beans and then, later, she ate the rest of the milkrice with chicken curry for her dinner.  I had leftover chicken teriyaki for my dinner.  We shared the last of the chocolate pudding for dessert.  

My mid-week gratitudes include:

- Getting my prescription mouthwash and the other medication refill
- The availability of gas even if the price has gone up 
- M's help with the garden and the bonus plants he brings me
- Pleasant sunny days
- Leftovers

My joyful activities have included gardening, sewing, chatting with my cousin, and exchanging emails with friends.

Plans for the rest of the week include:

- On Thursday: Medical appointment with my primary care physician to go over my lab test results, discuss my fluctuation blood pressure readings (I've kept a daily log), and sciatica pains

- On Friday: Follow up appointment with the oral surgeon.  

No plans, so far, for the weekend.  But, I have another medical appointment on Monday, so, a quiet, restful weekend will be nice.

How is your week coming along?  

March Week 1 Meal Plan Options

 

Chicken Teriyaki Dinner

It is a new month and a new week and time to plan some meal options for this week. 

On Sunday, March 1, I made milkrice for breakfast and I had it for breakfast (with palm jaggery), lunch (with leftover chicken curry), and dinner (with chicken curry that my daughter had made).  Daughter ate milkrice for brunch and rice with Korean stir fried chicken and kale that she had cooked for dinner.

Monday, March 2 was my daughter's birthday.  So, for brunch, I boiled mung beans as it's one of her favorite brunches; I had mine plain, by itself; she had hers with sugar.  For a celebratory birthday dinner, we ordered take out from our favoritie Japanese restaurant: the chicken teriyaki shown above for me and two types of sushi rolls and a baked seafood appetizer for daughter:

Daughter's Dinner

And for dessert, we picked up some cakes from our favorite neighborhood Armenian bakery:

Desserts

A piece of cheesecake for me (I gave the strawberry to my daughter, since it has seeds and I am not allowed to eat anything with seeds or nuts for several weeks after the oral surgery) and for daughter, a piece of tiramisu, a piece of walnut vanilla mocha cake, and a piece of raffaello cake which is a sponge cake with almonds and coconut!

We have leftovers for another meal.

On to the meal plan options for March Week 1 (3/2 - 3/8):

Brunches:  Mung beans (Monday); leftover milkrice with seeni sambol (Tuesday); leftover mung beans; leftover bagels (which I can't eat since they are the everything bagels and have seeds; daughter will have to finish them); egg salad sandwiches; tuna salad sandwiches; leftovers from dinners

Dinners:  Japanese food (Monday); leftovers from the Japanese food (Tuesday); rice with chicken curry, dhal, and potatoes or kale; stringhoppers with chicken curry, seeni sambol, dhal and/or potatoes; rice with Korean stir-fried chicken and kale (daughter will have as it's too salty for me); leftovers

Snacks/Desserts:  Cake (for daughter), last serving of jello (me), yogurt (me), chocolate pudding, ice cream, cereal, fresh fruit, homemade apple sauce (I made some over the weekend and my daughter loved it)

Those are this week's meal plan options.  Of course, there might be changes as the week progresses.

I am grateful for:

- Being able to celebrate my daughter's birthday with her
- Being able to graduate from a liquid diet
- Being able to have a varied diet
- Leftovers
- Supporting local businesses

Will you be making any meal plan options this week?