July Weekly Meal Plan Options and Grocery Shopping

Uppuma (Indian Style Cream of Wheat)

This week, I am combining what would have been two posts in one!  Meal plans and grocery shopping.  They do go hand in hand, don't they?

First, a review of last week's meal plan options.  This was my meal plan for the week of July 14 -20:

Brunches: Egg salad sandwiches; Tuna salad sandwiches✔; Uppuma (Indian style cream of wheat)✔, fruit salad and/or yogurt; salads  waffles or pancakes✔? 

Dinners: Yellow rice, chicken curry, pappadum, tomato chutney✔; Breakfast for dinner (scrambled eggs✔, ham, toast or fried potatoes), ham  chicken fried rice✔, ramen noodles with chicken and vegetables, hamburger patty with oven baked potato wedges and salad, Leftovers✔ and/or something different (Chinese food)✔.

And here's how it all worked out:

Monday:
Brunch: 2 Manzano bananas 
Dinner:  2 Scrambled eggs (I usually have 1 scrambled egg with toast or something, but, on this day, I just had 2 eggs; it was after my CT scan and I was too stressed to feel hungry)
Snacks/desserts: Plum, crackers and peanut butter

Tuesday:
Brunch: Tuna sandwich, mango
Dinner: Rice, chicken curry, tomato chutney, pappadum
Snacks/dessert, Boiled cashews, yogurt, chocolate cake

Wednesday:
Brunch: Ham sandwich
Dinner: Tuna salad and crackers
Snacks/dessert: Mango, boiled cashews

Thursday:
Brunch: Uppuma (Indian style cream of wheat which is a savory dish)
Dinner: Ham sandwich; microwave "baked" sweet potato
Snacks/dessert  Mango. yogurt and granola

Friday:
Lunch: Chinese food (Combo plate: fried rice, noodles, barbeque pork, jalapeno chicken).  

Chinese Take Out

Dinner: Leftovers from lunch
Snacks/dessert: Nectarine; chocolate cake

Saturday:
Brunch: Leftover Chinese food
Dinner: More leftover Chinese food
Snacks/dessert: Cereal, boiled cashews, nectarine

Sunday:
Brunch: Pancakes, some with syrup and some with lunu miris (sambol)
Dinner: Chicken fried rice, using the leftover yellow rice I had cooked earlier and some of the jalapeno chicken from the Chinese take out: 

Chicken Fried Rice

Snacks/dessert  Cherries, yogurt and granola, a chocolate

Well, I didn't quite follow the plan, but, it worked out well.  

Moving on to July Week 4 (7/21-7/27).  

July 20 Groceries

I did a little grocery shopping on Sunday at the Armenian store and I bought some salmon steaks, cherries, and strawberries.  

The salmon steaks were on sale for $5.99/lb. and I bought just over 3 lbs.  I will cook and freeze most of it for when my daughter comes home.  The cherries were $1.99/lb. and the strawberries were $1.50 per container.  My grocery total came to $23.42.

July 20 Grocery Receipt

My July grocery budget is $100 - $40 overspent in June = $60.
Spent to date = $14.82 (on 7/12) + $23.42 (on 7/20) = $38.24
Balance left in July grocery budget = $21.76

With just 10 days to go, I think I'll be able to keep to my July grocery budget.  We shall see!

Moving on to this week's (July 21-27) meal plan options -

These are the meal plan options for July Week 4:  

Brunches: Egg salad sandwiches; tuna salad on crackers or toast; uppuma (again; I enjoyed it when I made it earlier); burritos (from the freezer); waffles or pancakes; leftovers

Dinners: Rice and curries (salmon curry, dhal, moringa curry, tomato chutney); fried rice; hamburger patty with salad and corn; ramen noodles/soup; leftovers.

Snacks/Desserts: Fruit, crackers with peanut butter, yogurt and granola, cereal, chocolate cake

I am really going to try and stick to these meal plan options, this week.  Let's see if I do!

How about you?  Are you making any meal plans this week?

The Weekend

 

Gifts from Neighbor S

Thank you, everyone, for your very kind comments on my previous post about my blog anniversary.  I appreciate all your comments and all the friends I've made through this blog.  It has been a pleasure to "meet" all of you.  :)

My weekend began on Friday as I decided I wanted a celebratory lunch in response to the good scan results.  I also needed to put gas to the car, so I did that, first, and put $50 worth of gas.  Then, I went across the street to a favorite Chinese fast food place in my neighborhood.  They have an eating area, but, I am not eating out, yet, so, I got a combo plate to go:

Chinese Food 

Fried rice, noodles, barbeque pork, and jalapeno chicken.  They give generous portions for a reasonable price; my meal came to $10.95 with taxes.  

On Friday evening, M came to tend to the garden.  He weeded and watered and helped to bring in a box of cat kibble that had been delivered.  

On Saturday, I changed the sofa dust sheets, did a load of laundry, put away the washed and dried laundry, and chatted for a bit with friend R.  Otherwise, it was a fairly relaxed day.

Sunday was my blog anniversary.  It was also my father's death anniversary.  He died when I was 7 years old.  I treasure the memories I have of him and the stories people have told me about him.  I called my half-sister (my father's daughter from his first marriage) and chatted with her for a bit in the afternoon.  

I dusted the living room which has stayed tidy since it was painted and cleaned, last month.  I've been keeping the dining area cleared and tidy, too.  The rest of the house, not so much!  

A little later in the afternoon, my lovely neighbor S called me and came over with some gifts!  She has recently returned from a trip to Europe and she brought me a set of kitchen towels from there as well as some fresh plums from her friend's garden, a frozen Korean seaweed wrapped rice roll (kimbap) for my daughter, some mini boxes of cereal for us to share, and a jar of tikka masala.

Still later, I went to the Armenian grocery store to get a few items.  But, that's another post!

This weekend, I was grateful for:

- Pleasant weather 
- M's help with the garden
- Gas for the car
- The reason for the celebratory lunch
- Phone chats and emails with friends and family
- A visit and gifts from neighbor S
- Memories of my father

My joyful activities have included tending to the garden with M, having a celebratory meal, chatting with my sister, and visiting with neighbor S.

Plans for Monday include taking Dancer to his vet appointment.

How was your weekend?  What are your plans for Monday?

Eleven Years and Counting

Blue Hearts Sweater

Eleven years ago, on July 20, 2014, I started this blog of mine.  Back then, I was preparing to be an empty nester as daughter was heading off to graduate school and we were busy getting everything ready for her to leave home for the very first time.  Eleven years later, I am preparing to have my daughter return home to the nest!  It seems that we've come full circle!  Pictured above is the sweater I mentioned in my first blog post.

This was my first blog post:

My first blog post!  I have been persuaded by my daughter to start a blog (so very gratifying that my  child thinks that what I write makes interesting reading!) and she was kind enough to set it up for me (since I am hopeless when it comes to such things).  So, here I am, adding my two cents to the blog sphere!  I must admit that I am rather excited to do so. 

It will be a blog about this and that.  My daily activities, musings, my craft projects, my attempts to be as organized as I'd like to be, etc. I've kept journals and diaries for years; this will be another form of journaling for me. 

These days, I am an empty nester-in-training, since my daughter will be going away to graduate school in the Fall. It's a time of change for us both.  A time of loosening the proverbial apron strings and learning to let go.   Of preparing for her moving away and getting things ready for her to take with her when she goes.

Today, I finished knitting a sweater for her.  It's colder where my daughter will be moving to than here, and she feels the cold.  Daughter designed the sweater, with two hearts on the front.  My love for her is knitted into that sweater.   Each stitch was a prayer for her safety, for her well-being, for her success.  It is my hope that when she wears that sweater, she will feel, not only the warmth of the yarn, but also the warmth of my love.  Each time she wears it, it will be like a hug from me to her.

Looking forward to posting many more blog posts.

**************

In the past eleven years, I have written and published 4,148 (including this one).  At times, I've posted daily. At times, I've posted less frequently.  But, I think I've kept to the goal of this being "a blog about this and that.  My daily activities, musings, my craft projects, my attempts to be as organized as I'd like to be, etc."    I have enjoyed blogging and I plan to keep on blogging in the foreseeable future.

Over the years, I've had readers who have come and gone (and I often think about them and wonder how they are) and others who have stayed.  Some have gone back and read my blog from the very beginning, letting me know that they have done that.  Some readers leave comments and others rarely comment.  I have always tried to reply to any comments.  I feel that I've found a community of supportive friends through my blog and that has been a blessing to me.  I have formed virtual friendships through this blog that are just as real as friends in real life.   

I do thank all of you who read my blog for doing so, especially those who leave a comment to let me know you've read a post.  I appreciate you taking your time to do so.  I hope you will all continue to read and comment on my blog posts as I look forward to reading your comments.  Dancer does too!  😸

Today, I am grateful for:

- Eleven years of blogging
- Daughter encouraging me to blog and setting it all up for me
- The many friends I've made through this blog 
- All of you who take the time to read and comment 
- The technology that enables me to blog

The Blessing of an Answered Prayer

Pink Rose

I had my appointment with the specialist (urologist) on Thursday afternoon to go over the CT scan results.  The CT scan report was an answer to a prayer!  It was very favorable.  There was no evidence of kidney disease or cancer and nothing to be concerned about. Such a blessing!  Prayers have been answered in the best way possible! I felt so thankful (and relieved, too).

But, what about the original symptoms (hematuria or blood in the urine) that raised the initial concern?  The urologist thinks it is a side effect of the aspirin I take as a blood thinner to prevent additional blood clots.  It might be something to discuss with my primary care physician, but, I think the benefits of taking the low dose aspirin outweighs the negative side effects.  It'll probably be something that will be monitored on a regular basis from now on.

Thank you, everyone, for your kind thoughts. well wishes, good vibes, and prayers for good health and well being.  I appreciate each and every one of your prayers and well wishes on my behalf.   I firmly believe that they helped me to receive the results I did.  I am blessed to have such good blog friends.

I admit to having felt worried and concerned by this latest health issue.  I lost a cousin to kidney disease just last week, so, it runs in the family.  I spent the morning in prayer and steeled myself to receive  the results.  "Hope for the best, but, prepare for the worst", as the saying goes.  I am so grateful to receive the "all clear" scan report.  

I was told that I don't need to return to the urologist's office unless something else of concern comes up.  I do hope not!

Today, I am grateful for:

- The best possible scan results and answer to a prayer
- Access to health care and insurance to help pay for such care
- The doctors making sure that all necessary screening tests were done
- The availability of such screening tests
- The prayers and well wishes from family and friends, including my blog friends.

My joyful activity was sharing the good news with my daughter who was worried on my behalf.  

Thank you, again, for all your prayers and well wishes.  They mean a lot to me.  I am blessed to have such caring blog friends.

CT Scan on Monday

 

Asparagus Fern Flowers

On Monday, I had my CT Scan.  It was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (I didn't even know that the radiology clinic would be open that late!).  I was told to be there by 6:15 p.m.  I left the house in plenty of time to make allowance for the evening commute traffic and I'm glad I did.  I got to the clinic just before 6:00 p.m. and it took me about 20 minutes to fill out all the forms! 

I was called in shortly after that, but, there was a long wait to be taken in for the scan.  I had to have an IV inserted for a contrast dye for the scan; the scan itself took about 10-15 minutes.  The most uncomfortable part for me was to keep both arms held above my head.  For some odd reason, I just couldn't relax my shoulders.  I left the clinic around 7:30 p.m. and got home just before 8:30 p.m.  

Then, I took the trash cans out to the curb and checked the mail before I came inside.

I had been told not to eat anything four hours before the procedure.  But, I wasn't hungry and couldn't really eat anything other than the last two manzano bananas.  I didn't feel like eating after I came home, either, so I just had two scrambled eggs and the last homegrown plum for dinner and dessert.  

I did a little bit of housework in the morning before I went for the scan; I just couldn't settle down to do anything much.  And I felt quite worn out after I came home, so, I took it easy.  I will have to double up and get a few things done on Tuesday and Wednesday.  On Thursday, I have an appointment with the doctor to go over the scan results and I probably won't feel like doing anything much then, either!

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Having access to diagnostic tests
- Health insurance
- The procedure went smoothly
- Prayers and well wishes from family and friends

Monday's joyful activity was relaxing!  

No big plans for Tuesday.  I've a list of small tasks to accomplish and I'll be happy if I can get through that list.

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?

Meal Plans - July Week 2 Review and Week 3 Plan

Saturday's Dinner: Rice, Chicken Curry, Pappadum

This was my July Week 2 meal plan or, rather, my meal plan options.

Brunches: Pita bread and spicy beef stir fry (Monday)✔; French toast✔ or pancakes; peanut butter sandwich✔ toast; egg salad or tuna salad sandwiches; leftovers

Dinners: Burrito (Monday)✔; Breakfast for Dinner (scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, baked beans)✔; ramen cup noodles with shredded chicken and vegetables; sandwiches; leftovers

Snacks/Desserts: Fresh fruit; yogurt and fruit or treacle; crackers and peanut butter; granola bars

Or, of course, something different as the mood strikes!  LOL.

And here is how it all worked out:

Monday:
Brunch:  Pita bread and spicy beef stir fry
Dinner: Burrito
Snacks/desserts: Cereal

Tuesday:
Brunch: Leftover burrito
Dinner: French toast
Snacks/Desserts: Cashews, plums

Wednesday:
Brunch: Peanut butter sandwich
Dinner: Baked beans and sauteed potatoes (I was going to have an egg, too, but, decided not to)
Snacks/Desserts: Half a sandwich with the last of the beef stir fry; plums

Thursday:
Brunch:  Bolillo bread roll sandwiched with a slice of American cheese
Dinner: Another bolillo roll with chicken curry
Snacks/Desserts: Plums; yogurt and coconut treacle, granola bar

Friday:
Brunch:  French toast
Dinner:  Hamburger patty, salad, homemade potato chips

Friday's Dinner

Snacks/Desserts: Plums, bananas

Saturday:
Brunch: French toast
Dinner: Chicken curry, yellow rice with green peas and cashews, pappadum
Snacks/Desserts: Yogurt and granola, bananas, hot cheetos

Sunday:
Brunch: Banana, peanut butter and crackers
Dinner: Cup noodles 
Snacks/Desserts: Chocolate cake

Well, I might have gone off the plan just a little bit, but, it worked out well enough, I think.  

Moving on to Week 3 (July 14 - 20):  

I checked my freezer and I am nearing the end of the chicken and meat I had bought and frozen.  I will be on the look out for sales on chicken and meat.  I have bread, vegetables, and fruit in the fridge.  Plus plenty of eggs.  But, I might need to buy some milk.  

In any case, the upcoming week's meal plan is based on what I have on hand:

Brunches: Egg salad sandwiches; Tuna salad sandwiches; Uppuma (Indian style cream of wheat), fruit salad and/or yogurt; salads  waffles or pancakes? 

Dinners: Yellow rice, chicken curry, pappadum, tomato chutney; Breakfast for dinner (scrambled eggs, ham, toast or fried potatoes), ham fried rice, ramen noodles with chicken and vegetables, hamburger patty with oven baked potato wedges and salad, Leftovers and/or something different.

How about you?  Are you meal planning this week?

July Grocery Shopping Part 1 and Other Happenings

 

Dancer Looking Pensive 

Dancer's 17th birthday came and went, earlier this month.  He has decided he likes his canned cat food, after all, as long as it is the chicken pate.  I am relieved he is eating his food, again.

On Thursday, I had an appointment with my tax accountant in the afternoon.  Afterwards, I went into the Hispanic grocery store located in the same shopping center because they had a sale on canned condensed milk ($1.99@) and I wanted to stock up (I bought 6 cans).  I also bought two bolillo bread rolls (2/$1.00
) and some Manzano bananas (also known as apple bananas) for a treat.  They were more expensive than the regular bananas at $1.79/lb.., but, they remind me of a type of banana called "kolikuttu" that I grew up eating.  

Manzano Bananas

My grocery bill came to $14.82.

My July grocery budget is $100 - $40 overspent in June = $60

I have approximately $45 left in my July grocery budget.  I am determined to stick to that amount, too.  

My grocery budget will be increased once daughter comes home and I am fully prepared to do that.

On Friday, I paid some bills, tended to the garden with M (we planted okra and he watered the garden) and did a few things around the house.  

Plans for Saturday include buying (or making) three sympathy cards to send to family in Australia (one of my cousins passed away earlier this week), doing a load of laundry, and doing some housework.  I also plan to catch up on my blog reading!

I am grateful for:
- Everyone's kind comments on my previous blog post

- M's help with the garden

- Dancer has started to eat his canned cat food, again
- Being able to pay my bills
- The internet

Joyful activities have included planting more vegetables in the garden, watching online videos, and relaxing.

What are your plans for the weekend?