Once I got up, I made myself a cup of coffee. I drink instant coffee that is made with milk, for the most part (it's the only time I drink milk), but I also add a splash of flavored coffee creamer to it, along with two teaspoons of sugar! I know I should probably eliminate the sugar, or, at the very least, reduce it, but I haven't been able to do so, yet. I consider this as my breakfast (although, I should probably consider it dessert!). Today, I also had one of the small bananas, a bit later. Did you know that a regular sized banana is actually considered as two servings of fruit?
I spent a relaxed morning and early part of the afternoon, responding to blog comments, checking emails, etc. Around mid-afternoon, I decided to go to the pharmacy, as I had a $5 off coupon (Extra Care Bucks) that was expiring today. Since I didn't have anything in particular that I needed, I bought something for my daughter. I paid $2.95, out of pocket.
There is a grocery store in the same shopping center as the pharmacy (in addition to the dollar store I go to all the time) and they were advertising 2 lb. containers of strawberries for $1.99, which is a good price. So I planned to go to the grocery store, as well, for some strawberries and cold cuts (on sale for $1.99; regular price, $3.99).
But, before I left the house, I called my neighbor T to check on her and told her I was planning to go to the pharmacy and the grocery store and I asked her if she needed anything. She asked me to buy a box of mini muffins that she likes. So, I bought her a box of the muffins that she wanted and a package of strawberries, a package of roast beef cold cuts, as well as a container of flavored coffee creamer, for myself. I didn't really need the coffee creamer, because I still have some in the fridge, but, this brand of creamer was on sale for less than the store brand that I usually buy, so I figured I'll take advantage of the lower price.
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| 9/19 Groceries |
1 box Mini muffins = $4.99
1 container coffee creamer = $2.50
2 lb. strawberries = $1.99
7 oz. roast beef cold cuts = $1.99
Total = $11.47
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| 9/19 Receipt |
I am including the cost of the mini muffins for my neighbor in my grocery budget because I didn't accept reimbursement for them from her.
September grocery budget = $75
Spent to date:
8/29 = $3.20 (came from September grocery budget)
9/5 = $12.11 (September grocery shopping week 1)
9/11 = $1.99 (for milk)
9/14 = $3.00 (for bread)
9/18 = $10.61
9/19 = $11.47
Total spent to date = $42.38
Balance remaining = $75 - $42.38 = $32.62
After I came home, I called my neighbor to ask if I could come over to give her the box of muffins, but she asked if she could come over, instead. That was fine with me, so she came over and we visited for a bit. She brought me a container of calcium tablets that she had received as a buy-one-get-one free deal, claiming she couldn't possibly use both containers. I accepted it, gratefully, because I am taking three of these calcium pills, daily, per my doctor's orders.
Around 5:00 p.m., I had a sandwich with some of the cold cuts, for a late lunch and had a cup of tea, a short while later, since it was tea time, as well.
Today's temperature was in the upper 80s, but it cooled down a little after sunset. I haven't been going for my daily walks, recently, but I went for a 20 minute walk, today, as it was cooler. I walked the same distance I had walked earlier; I will try to walk a little further, the next time I walk.
After I came home, I did some cooking: beef curry, sauteed green beans (they have dark roasted curry powder and dried Maldive fish flakes added to them), and lentil (dhal) curry:
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| Beef Curry, Green Beans, Lentils |
I had some of it for dinner, with leftover rice:
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| Dinner |
I had just finished cooking and washing the dishes, when cousin P called to ask if I've eaten dinner - she wanted to bring me a slice of pizza, but I said I had just finished cooking dinner and besides, I still have half my pizza in the fridge! So, we chatted on the phone, instead. Then, I had my dinner.
Daughter called shortly after that and we video chatted for a bit.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to sleep in!
- Being able to redeem a $5 off coupon at the pharmacy
- My neighbor giving me an extra bottle of calcium tablets
- Offer of pizza from cousin
- Video chatting with my daughter
Wednesday's To Do List:
- Vacuum the house
- Go to the pharmacy - DONE
- Go to the grocery store for strawberries - DONE
- Cook the beef I put to thaw - DONE
I didn't vacuum today, either! Shall do it, tomorrow.
Thursday's To Do List:
- Vacuum
- Cook the cauliflower
- Water the indoor plants
- Go to the Armenian grocery store
How was your Wednesday?
I find it very hard to walk in the summer because of the heat. Actually, I find it very hard to walk in the winter, too, because of the cold. So what I do is walk in stores--grocery stores, big box stores, etc. Sometimes I just go up and down every aisle and sometimes I park my cart in a place out of the way and go back and forth as I get each item. That way, I at least get some walking in. They are tearing down the malls around here, so not much opportunity to walk there like there used to be.
ReplyDeleteI, too, walk up and down each aisle, every time I go to the grocery store! It doesn't matter whether I need to buy something from that aisle or not! But, I tend to stroll, more than walk, in the grocery store. It's hard to get back into the routine of walking, daily, but I am determined to do it. Today, I want to set my timer and walk for 15 mins. in one direction, turn back, and walk home. That way, I will be assured of walking for 30 minutes. Eventually, I'd like to get in one hour of walking - even if I have to do it in two 30 min. sessions, until I build up the stamina to do 1 hr.
DeleteHow lovely that your neighbour thought to gift you the container of calcium pills. They can get quite costly, especially when required to take three tablets throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteYour dinner looks scrumptious. If you cannot cook that cauliflower right away, at least break it into florets and get it in the freezer before it spoils. I do that quite successfully when I buy 5 or 6 at a time. Yes they will be a little watery, but when you add to a recipe or roast in the oven, they are fine.
It looks like another good day to work outdoors today. Rain is supposed to move in eventually, so I should take advantage of the dry spells to get more done outside.
Yes, it was very kind of her to do so. I plan to cook the cauliflower, today, but, if I don't get around to it, I will freeze it. Enjoy working in your garden, Susan. I should do something in my garden, too; it is looking rather neglected in the front (the back doesn't look too bad).
DeleteHave you tried cauliflower “rice” as a healthy replacement for regular white rice? You can buy it in the frozen food section or it’s easy to make. Just grate the head of fresh cauliflower and cook for five minutes in a glass covered dish. No need to even add water. I find that it doesn’t overpower any toppings or entrees that you place over it. It really is tasty!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, no, I haven't tried cauliflower "rice", yet. People seem to be making all kinds of things with cauliflower, these days! Seems to be quite a versatile vegetable. :)
DeleteYou've had a productive day! Good prices too...you are smart to get the bargains at each store. I think you should continue enjoying your sugar in your coffee! Andrea
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea. Shopping for the bargains makes me feel I shopped wisely (now that time is not as big a factor as it used to be) and, as a side benefit, gets me out of the house for an hour or so (my daughter worries I'll become a hermit!) and the car started and driven. None of the stores I go to are more than 2 miles from my home, so it's not like I waste a lot of gas, driving there, either.
DeleteAs for the sugar in my coffee, it would be a good thing if I can reduce it, a little bit, as I need to watch my sugar intake for health reasons. Your recent post about sugar (which seems to have disappeared - did you delete it?) made me more aware of all the "hidden" sugar, we consume. But, sugar in my coffee, and tea, too, are two luxuries I am loathe to give up. I have 1 cup of coffee in the morning and 1 cup of tea in the evening - that's not excessive, is it?