Sunday, September 21, 2014

This Week's Grocery Shopping

A week ago Thursday, I had stopped by the weekly farmers market near my office and bought 2 crusty bread rolls ($1.25@) and an 8 oz. jar of honey ($4.75). Total spent: $7.25.  That brought my grocery totals up to $22.99.
I considered going grocery shopping over the weekend, but I decided not to - there seemed to be so much food in the house, in the freezer and fridge and pantry cabinets, that I decided to make my meals from what I had on hand.

So, last week, I ate from the freezer, fridge and pantry cabinets: pasta with tomato sauce made from scratch one night, with enough leftovers for several lunches; scrambled eggs and fried potatoes another night as "breakfast for dinner"; leftover rice, lentils and okra from the previous week; tuna salad; etc.   I had cereal for breakfast on most days and doughnuts that a colleague brought to the office on Friday; nectarines, apples and guavas for fresh fruit and canned pears; lemon puff cookies, roasted cashew nuts, and a spicy Indian snack mix for snacks.
Then, today, I went grocery shopping.  Spent $24.99 and bought:

1 whole chicken, $.89/lb = $4.88
1 gal. milk = $3.49
1 large container of teriyaki sauce = $6.49
2 boxes cake mix, $.99@
2 boxes brownie mix, $.99@
1 ice cream = $2.99
broccoli, @$.99/lb = $.58
bananas, $.63/lb = $1.22
2 cans tuna, $.69@
My grocery totals for September, so far: $22.99 + $24.99 = $47.98
The boxes of cake and brownie mix will be for later in the year for upcoming events; they were on sale and I decided to take advantage of the fact.  Buying items when they are on sale is one way to keep the grocery budget low.
Today, I had pancakes and sausages for brunch; a banana for a snack, cheese and crackers for tea and tomato soup for dinner, with ice cream for dessert.

I have more pancakes and sausages leftover; perhaps for tomorrow's breakfast.  Lunch, tomorrow, will be at a relative's house.  Dinner will probably be rice, chicken curry, lentils and okra.  Or, maybe the leftover tomato soup from tonight's dinner.

I plan to make a curry with the chicken I bought today.  There will be plenty for meals during the week and I also plan to freeze some for future meals.  I don't mind eating the same thing for several meals during the week. 

I haven't made a detailed menu plan for next week, but there will be chicken curry and eggs for protein; cabbage, celery, carrots, beets, and broccoli for fresh vegetables (to be augmented by frozen bell peppers, eggplant, corn, green beans, etc.); apples, bananas, guavas and pomegranate for fresh fruit (plus canned fruit); cereal and cereal bars for breakfasts (as well as the makings of pancakes, etc.); and cookies and ice cream for dessert.  So, lots of options.

Have you a meal plan for the up-coming week?

2 comments:

  1. Hi... For someone on a budget, you are eating very well! Do you watch out for sales or use coupons?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I always look for sales and I use coupons, too, to a certain extent (most coupons are for brand name products and very often the store brand is cheaper). There are only a few items I will buy even if they are not on sale (e.g., milk). Thank you so much for commenting.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. Your comments are much appreciated. Please comment in English. Thank you.