Grocery Shopping/Menu Planning Week of June 10th

We are working on using up some things in our freezer & pantry so that I can restock it with fresh. I also still have quite a bit of produce left from last week to use this week.

Total spent $56
$1.77 Shredded cheese
$1.98 Gravy Packets (2)
$3.94 Milk (2 gallons)
$3.78 Butter (2 pounds)
$1.98 Ketchup (2)
$.89 Conditioner
$2.98 Diced ham
$2.89 Tortillas
$4.30 Pork Chops
$4.84 Chicken drumsticks
$6.63 BS Chicken
$3.78 Tilapia
$2.99 Basil
$2.98 Arugula
$.68 Lemon
$2.78 Cauliflower
$1.25 Cabbage
$3.98 15# potatoes
$2.50 Parmesan Cheese

DINNERS:
S- Crispy Balsamic Chicken, Roasted Cabbage, Potatoes
M- Out for our teams soccer party
T- Chicken drumsticks in crockpot, rice a roni, salad
W- Potato Soup & biscuits
Th- Pork Chops, Rice & Roasted veggies
F- Roasted chicken, mashed poatoes/gravy, green beans

BREAKFAST:
Pancakes
Eggs/Turkey Bacon
Muffins
Bagels & fruit
Cereal
Smoothies

LUNCHES:
The kids eat at school
I will pack leftovers or salad

Grocery shopping and menu planning Week of 1/1/12

The first half of this week was meals from things on hand. I did our grocery shopping yesterday for the rest of the week and a little bit of stock up. We are trying to focus on eating healthier which means more fresh fruits and veggies which sadly are expensive this time of year.

Menu:
Wednesday:
B: Eggs/turkey bacon or cereal
L: At school for kids, I had a sandwich
D: Stuffed peppers for ODS and I and tacos for the rest (using the same mix of taco meat from the freezer)

Thursday:
B: Pancakes/turkey bacon or cereal
L: At school for the kids, out with a friend for me or salad at home
D: Cod, brussels sprouts for ODS and I and tacos with leftovers for the other kids

Friday:
B: Cinnamon rolls
L: At school for kids, salad for me
D:  Homemade pizza

Saturday:
B: Biscuits and gravy, eggs
L: Homemade soup and sandwiches
D: Subway after church (we just get the $5 footlong sandwiches no chips or drinks)

Groceries purchased:
Fred Meyer $69.26

4- Special K cereal $10
1- Store brand Rice Crispies $1.99
2- pancake mix $3.98
Raw sugar $3.09
Half & half $1.79
3 shredded cheese $6.50
2 OJ- $5.00
4 bagged salad kids $4.00 (wish these would last longer they are on sale for a great price)
brussels sprouts $3.38
6 grapefruit $2.00
3 green bell peppers $2.04
mandarin oranges 1.07
9 yogurt $3.00
sour cream $2.00
Bacon 1.56
cod 3.89
2 whole chickens $9.71 (.88#)
1 gallon milk $2.59

The chickens went into the freezer for future use. I also placed an order with Zaycon foods for 40# of boneless skinless chicken breast that will be here later in the month at $1.69 a pound.

See how others did at the Grocery Cart Challenge

Menu Plan and Grocery Shopping Week of Oct 30th

I have been horrible about menu planning and actually cooking the past few weeks. This week I am determined to get back on track. Here is our menu plan and the grocery shopping the kids and I did yesterday.

Dinner menu:
Sunday: Tacos
Monday: Chicken pot pie
Tuesday: Zuppa Toscana Soup and french bread
Wednesday: At sons soccer party
Thursday: Spaghetti, french bread and salad
Friday: Hamburgers and french fries
Saturday: Subway after church

Groceries purchased:
2-2 liters of soda $1.58
3 boxs ceral $8.97
hot sauce $1.49
Shredded cheese $2.50
Hot pocket $2.50
Taco shells $1.99
spanish rice 1.59
2 boxes eggos $2.98
fajita seasoning .89
chicken broth 2.99
milk 2.59
tortilla shells 3.89
seasoned ground turkey 1.99
ground beef 7.33
kale 2.49
bananas 1.92
apples 1.89

Total: $50.61
We had alot of leftovers from last week and the weekend that will be incorporated for lunches as well as parts of the meals planned for the week. I will also end up picking up a couple more gallons of milk later in the week.

Grocery Shopping Week of July 10th

This week I am using mostly what is on hand. I tried the new Target Grocery at our local Target not a bad selection!

I will be shopping again later this week for camping and will post that later on. But for now....

Salad dressing 1.99
Refried beans .99
2 hard shells 2.04
2 spanish rice 1.92
1 can corn .69
fettucini noodles 1.09
ground beef 3.50
2 lemonade 1.94
gallon milk 2.49
whipping cream 2.29
shredded cheese 2.59

Total: $21.53 I used a $5 gift card I had earned a few weeks ago on a womens razor deal they had. That brought my total to $16.53. I then used my Target card (which I came home and transferred the money to pay it) and that took an additional 5% off making my final total: $15.70!

I received a register coupon for $5 off my next grocery purchase of $50

See how others did at the Grocery Cart Challenge!

Grocery Shopping Week of 7/3/11

This week I did my major shopping trip at Haggens. I need to go to the bread outlet and pick up a few items sometime this week. Saturday I will pick up skewers to cook that night so that they are fresh and not frozen.

My total spent: $80.15

Milk $2.69
Corn $1.50
Parmesan cheese $3.99
Chips x 3 $5.97
2 packs Bagels $5.00
Shredded cheddar $2.99
1 loaf bread $1.99
Ground beef $4.27
Cream of celery $1.49
Hot dogs .99
Steak $6.59
Pork Ribs $8.03
Drumsticks $6.49
Chicken satay $8.00
Red onion 1.11
Alfredo sauce 4.99
3 boxes cereal $6.99
garlic .79
cantaloupe 1.12
watermelon 4.27
lemon .89

This will fill in what I need for the menu posted earlier today for 3 meals a day plus snacks.
Check the Grocery Cart Challenge to see how others did this week!

Menu and Shopping Trip Week of 6/26

I have planned out Sunday-Thursday of this week and will finish out the week when the sale ad is available. I did our grocery shopping last night, with the kids so a few extras made it into the cart. Hmmm not sure HOW that happened :)

Sunday-
B: We ate at camp. We sauteed leftover potatoes, peppers and onions in a cast iron pan over the camp fire and fried up eggs to go with it.
L: Sandwiches & chips
D: The two older kids had a BBQ for youth group and I treated the two younger kids to dinner at Billy McHales on Sundays their kids meals are 1/2 price!

Monday-
B: Leftover muffins from camping
L: Mini corndogs/french fries or sandwich/chips
D: Grilled chicken, grilled potato/veggie packets, salad
Snack: Smoothies
Activity: Family movie night

Tuesday-
B: Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns
L: Tacos
D: Slow roasted sticky chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies and salad
Snack: Popcorn
Activity: Dance classes. The dance studio where my youngest daughter takes classes is offering drop in classes on Tuesdays over the summer. Both of the girls are going to try some different kinds of dance this summer. My youngest son is going to reluctantly give Hip Hop a try :).


Wednesday-
B: Biscuits/gravy and sausage
L: Sandwiches & chips
D: Spaghetti, french bread and salad
Snack: Ice cream cones from a local dairy farm
Activity: Library and farm for ice cream cones

Thursday-
B: Cereal or eggos
L: Sandwiches & chips
D: Grilled burgers/hotdogs
Snack: Crackers/cookies etc.
Activity: TBD

I didn't take a picture of my shopping trip but here is our list of purchases for the week:
2- Eggo Waffles $3.98
2- Apple Juice $3.78
2- Whole fryers $7.73 (one is for our family and one for a family we are providing a meal for)
1- shredded cheese $2.50
1# bacon- $5.71
Sausage links $3.49

Total: $27.52
I will pick up our CSA Farm box on Wednesday and that adds in more veggies. We are still using what we received last week as well!

Grocery Shopping Week of Feb 27th

This weeks grocery list was VERY small since the menu is made up mostly of whats on hand. I went to one store but then had to stop at Fred Meyer last night and picked up a loaf of french bread to go with dinner.

Cost Cutter:
French fries $3.49
2 butter $5.98
Prawns $3.36
Half & Half $2.99
chocolate chips $2.99
avacado .99
Total: $19.80

Fred Meyer:
French bread $1.99

Total Spent: $21.79
I am leaving this as part of the February budget since the $ was spent IN February. See how others did this week at the Grocery Cart Challenge

Grocery Shopping Week of Jan 30th

No picture this week, I will get back to posting pictures of the shopping trips next week. This week I am just filling in a few items and the rest comes from our pantry/freezer. I have been trying to restock the pantry when things go on sale.

milk 2.79
cottage cheese 2.29
yogurt 1.99
hamburger buns .99
oxtails (will put in freezer/use for Pho broth) 6.94
green onion 1.29
romaine hearts 2.99
cumin 1.29
rotissery chicken 5.00
deli 6.99
2 pkg lasagna noodle 3.00
diced tomato 1.00
2 orzo 2.00
corn tortillas 2.09
chopped garlic 1.99

Total Spent: $43.65
See how others did at the Grocery Cart Challenge

Grocery Shopping Week of Jan 9

This weekend all of my grocery shopping was done at one store. This is for the menu I posted here January Menu .

I didn't get a picture of the groceries so you have to use your imagination :). One change in this weeks menu will be Wednesday night. We will be going to a family program at church that has FREE PIZZA! That helps the budget!! :)

Cost Cutter - $70.95 (spent)
Savings with coupons/sales- $30.97

Italian Sausage $4.07
Pepperoni $2.39
Basil $2.99
Canadian Bacon $2.38
Lunch Meat (4pk's) $11.96
4 Rice a roni $3.52
cream $1.99
bananas $2.05
bologna $1.58
2 loaves bread $1.54
10# potatoes $2.99
apple juice $2.79
crushed tomatoes $.69
acedophelus milk $2.39
parsley .99
kale 1.99
1 ltr dr pepper 1.50
6 cans green beans 1.98
2 pizza cheese $5.98
parm cheese 3.99
chicken broth 3.49
milk 1.67
chicken breasts 5.86

Kids will eat lunches at school and I will eat leftovers at home.

Breakfast options:
cereal
eggs/toast
pancakes/eggs
waffles/eggs
pumpkin muffins

Snack options:
homemade cookies
popcorn
homemade soft pretzels
carrots/dip
ants on a log

January Grocery Shopping

This month I am attemping to do one major shopping trip and then fill in weekly with fresh produce, milk and stock up on any good bargain sales if there are any and it fits into my budget.

I shopped several stores so far. I did not take pictures and am not going to post the individual items for this big trip but will next month.

Grocery Outlet: $21.64
Costco: $27.86
Food Pavillion: $27.93
Bread Outlet: $7.64
Asian Market: $6.87
Just Deals: $16.20
Haggen: $39.27
Safeway: $38.04
Spice Hut: $5.99
Liquor Store: $1.50
Coupon Clippers: $3.94 (coupon order placed)

Total to date: $196.88
Budget: $400
Remaining: $203.12

Grocery Shopping Week of Dec 12th

This week my grocery shopping was done at just one store.

See how others Did this week at the Grocery Cart Challenge
Cost Cutter- total $67.42
They were out of the whole chickens that were on sale so I had to improvise. I also found 4 packages of ground turkey marked down to $1.99 that we grabbed for the freezer.

2 cereal $3.98
chicken legs $6.07
4 ground turkey $7.96
4 vitamin water $5.00 (for dd's basketball games)
acedopholus milk $2.39
6 yogurt $2.94
2# block tillamook med cheddar $3.99
roll of sausage $2.50
2 butter $3.54
2 pkg meatball $5.00
granny smith apples $2.46
braeburn apples $2.19
5# satsumas $5.98
bananas $1.88
2 boxes capri sun $2.94
3 corn muffin mix $1.47
dry beans $2.29
gallon milk $1.67
15# potatoes $2.50

Grocery Shopping Week of December 5th

Once again, was in a hurry and didn't get a picture of the groceries. I shopped at one store, Haggens. I am not counting the items I purchased for the friends lunch in my Shopping Totals as that $ was designated in my "holiday" budget for this year.

2 milk- $4.98
half & half $1.99
3 vitamin waters - $2.64
2# cheese $2.99
3 bags chips $3.87
ground beef $2.93
turkey tenderloin $5.99
steak $7.14
celery $1.29
2 bags carrots $3.00
2 butter $5.98
2 lunch meat $5.98
3 cereal $8.97

Total: $57.75

I will need to pick up acedopholus milk and salad later in the week.

Grocery Shopping Week of Nov 14th

I was in a hurry to get the groceries put away and my soup started so I didn't get a picture this week. I did all of my shopping at Safeway. They had a special this weekend if you spend $25 you could get a turkey for .29 a pound. I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year AND I hope to get a couple of extra turkeys for later in the year.

Safeway:
Total Spent $64.65

cous cous $2.29
Tortilla chip $1.99
4 cans corn $1.96
2 diced tomato $1.98
tomato sauce 1.00
oatmeal 1.88
2 boxes cereal $3.98
Panko $2.69
5 cans chicken broth $3.00
2 cans beans 2.00
2 ltr dr pepper 1.99
shredded cheese $1.99
sour cream $1.50
milk $2.39
pork loin $8.61
bs chicken thighs $5.87
cod fillet $4.79
red onion 1.33
cabbage 2.18
kale 1.99
parsley .99
2 lemons 1.98
grapefruit 1.29
20.82# turkey $6.04

Grocery Shopping Week of Sept 5th

This week I did the multi store shopping which I hope to get back to. I had written out what I needed and what were the best deals at each store. It did not take me much time in each store which is great. We also went to the local apple farm and picked up a 25# box of seconds for $20. These will be for lunches, snacks and some yummy pies!

See how others have done this week: Grocery Cart Challenge

SAFEWAY:

Dill spears $2.19
Tomato sauce .69
Angel hair pasta .89
2-re fried beans 2.00
Mayo 1.99
beef broth 1.25
cream of chkn soup 1.49
3 Capri Sun 5.00
3-shredded cheese $5.07
cream cheese 1.49
sour cream 1.50
margarine .99
ham 2.99
2.77# bananas 1.63
MDA donation (roundup) .41

Total Spent $30
Total savings $15.55

COST CUTTER
2 bread 1.98
22 pk snack bag chips 4.99
3 turkey bologna 2.97
6 french cut green beans 2.00

Total Spent: $11.92
Total saved: $7.96

HAGGEN
3 Hamburger Helper $3.00
Romaine hearts 2.50
2 bacon 5.00
2 pkg ground beef 4.40
stir fry meat 4.34
butter 1.88
mexicali dip 4.99
dry onion soup mix 1.79
green pepper .69
zucchini .21
half & half 2.19
5# yellow onion 2.00
2 tortilla 3.98
3.16# cantaloupe 1.17
2 ltr root beer 1.00

Total Spent: $39.44
Total Savings: $17.45

My overall totals for the week
Spent: $81.36
Saved: $40.96

In addition to this was the $20 I spent on the case of apples. Most of these will be canned or frozen for later use.

Grocery Cart Challenge Week of August 22nd

No picture again this week. Most meals are from whats on hand or from our garden! :)

Food Pavillion- $33.35
2 loaves wheat bread $1.98
paper towels .85
spaghetti .99
2 pkg bacon $4.00
veg oil $3.49
spaghetti sauce .99
alfredo sauce .99
shredded cheese 2.49
tortilla chips 1.99
10# potatoes 3.79
tea .99
lactose free milk 1.50
2 gallons milk 4.78
3.77# bananas 2.22
garlic .79
2 ltr dr pepper $1.25

To see how others have done check out the Grocery Cart Challenge

Grocery Shopping Week of Aug 15th

No picture this week. I was in a rush to get things put away due to the heat on Sunday and preparing for the girls baptism and BBQ afterwards. I only shopped one store this week Cost Cutter/Food Pavillion and the rest is from whats on hand. My mom was up this weekend and supplied us with Costco muffins the kids are thrilled! Those will be used for breakfast this week.

tomato sauce .99
pork roast 4.86
carne asada meat 8.92
2 shredded cheese 1.98
meatballs 6.48
5 limes 1.00
dry white beans 1.85
lettuce 1.28
2 tortilla chips $3.98
2 wheat bread 1.98
dr pepper 4.50
beef patties 8.68 (for BBQ)
onions 3.84
2 diced green chilis 1.35
2 refried beans 2.38
2 whole peeled tomatoes 1.30
2 ketchup 1.54
rice 1.89
parmesan cheese 3.99 (for BBQ)
gallon milk 2.39
freezer pops 1.50
Frozen OJ 1.49
sour cream 2.49
2 green bell peppers 1.36
tomatoes 1.51

TOTAL: $75.26

To see how others did this week check out the Grocery Cart Challenge

Grocery Shopping Week of June 28th

With trying to use up items in the freezer, the grocery bill was quite a bit lower this week (no meat). I do hope to go to the Farmers Market on Wednesday and pick up a couple of things (lettuce, arugula and strawberries) but this should be less than $10.00.

To see how others did this week check out the Grocery Cart Challenge

TOTAL SPENT: $48.00
4 Goldfish Crackers $3.52
2 salad dressing $2.98
re fried beans .99
pasta sauce $1.79
Tortilla chips $2.00
3 boxes cereal $5.97
Tortillas $3.79
TP .88
mozzarella cheese $2.49
2 cream cheese $1.98
mex blend cheese $2.49
1 gallon milk $2.99
sour cream $2.59
hamburger buns .99
2.86# bananas $1.69
2.01# green grapes $1.99
1.70# red grapes $1.68
2 lemons $1.58
green pepper .50
.36# carrots $.36
garlic/herb feta $2.50
1 bud light $1.99 (for beer bread)

The 2 kids in the picture, well they are priceless :)

6/1/2010

So today was our first day of our new eating style. It went really well. There were no complaints and we even tried a few new to us recipes.

For breakfast during the week/school year, everyone usually does their own thing. Today my oldest had a piece of his quiche he had made the day before. The girls had smoothies made from OJ, vanilla yogurt and mixed frozen fruit. For my youngest and I it was cheerios and banana. The kids all ate lunch at school. I had chicken and broccoli sauteed in a little olive oil. After school snacks consisted of raisins, apples and smoothies each with their own choice.

Dinner was spaghetti with whole grain pasta. This was our first meal with the whole grain pasta so I was a bit nervous. However, it was a hit. The kids didn't notice a difference and I liked it much better than regular pasta. I also made Ceasar salad with homemade dressing. Here is a link Ceasar Vinaigrette it was a huge hit with the kids and a definite keeper.

I did end up going to the grocery store for a few items I had forgotten, mostly the dressing ingredients. I spent $12.43 bringing my monthly total so far to $104.99. My goal is to stay at or under $400 for the month. Today I picked up:
raisins $2
olive oil $4.99
anchovy paste $1.79
french bread $1.69
straws .99
lemon .89

As for the rest of the day it FLEW by. Not much on my chore to do list was completed. My youngest daughter had her last Fastpitch game of the season. We have one more activity to finish, ballet, and then we are done for a couple of months over summer vacation. My oldest daughter finished up her small group for church last night with a little celebration. That will also resume once school starts again.

I am looking forward to the calm weeks of summer. I love our crazy life but I am looking forward to spending our evenings doing fun family activities! I am also looking forward to the sun making its return! We need to get our garden planted and I would love to be able to hang my clothes to dry on the outside clothesline again soon.

But, all in all, a good day!

Grocery Shopping and Menu Week of June 1st

I am starting the week at June 1st because we were camping the first 2 days of the week. Starting fresh with a new month and a new way of eating. We are moving away from processed foods to more fresh fruits/veggies, leaner meats, whole grain pastas etc. This is starting June 1st and this weeks shopping trip reflects that change.

I shopped 2 places this week:
Youngstocks (Produce stand)
Safeway
Total for the week: $92.56

I did something I normally do not do and that is buy cat litter and dishwasher soap at the grocery store. I was too tired to make another stop and was happy to find they had both things ON SALE!! I added them in the picture but do not count them in my grocery totals so I have removed them from the $ spent.

To see how others did this week check out the Grocery Cart Challenge

Youngstocks : $25.09
The receipt doesn't tell me which amount is for what so here is what I purchased there:

celery
broccoli
Brussels sprouts
walla walla sweet onion
head of lettuce
romaine lettuce
2 mini avocados
1 lemon
granny smith apples
red delicious apples
honeydew melon
baby carrots
small white potatoes
bananas
ginger
1 gallon 1% milk

Safeway: $67.47

Peanut butter $1.49
2 whole grain spaghetti $2.78
1 2% milk $2.99
cottage cheese $2.19
2 large plain yogurt $3.98
frozen peaches $2.99
frozen mixed fruit $4.99
2 OJ $6.00
2 Welches mixed juice $5.00
1 sunny delight $2.99 (for youngest daughter who has a nasty cold)
2 frozen pie shells $2.99
turkey burgers $5.99
lunchable $2.79 (for youngest daughters lunch today-can you tell who went shopping with me this week hehe)
boneless skinless chicken breast $5.27
salmon fillet $6.15
green pepper 1.99
garlic 1.99
strawberries $3.99

MENU

Breakfast choices:
Non sugar cereal (Cheerios, rice crispies, special K)
Fruit smoothie
Cottage cheese/fruit
HM pancakes/fruit

Lunches:
At school-hot lunch
At home- chicken/Brussels sprouts, salad, leftovers

Dinner:
T- Spaghetti with whole grain pasta, Cesar salad, french bread
W- Grilled salmon, rice, salad
Th-Turkey burgers, baked potato wedges, salad
F- Funky chicken with sesame noodles, stir fry veggies
S- Subway after church

Snack choices:
smoothies
fruit
celery with peanut butter
popcorn

Menu and Grocery Shopping week of 5/16

This is another one of those "lean" weeks money wise. No worries! Shopping the bargains of the week and using whats on hand we have a good menu planned.

I don't have a picture of this weeks groceries so I thought I would share a picture of a foggy morning on the farm from last week!

Dinner:
Sunday- grilled steak, french fries and corn
Monday- tuna casserole, garlic cheese bread and peas
Tuesday- tilapia, rice and salad
Wednesday- tacos
Thursday- Pineapple pork stir fry, rice
Friday- grilled burgers, baked potato wedges

This weeks shopping:
Total spent $27.16
To see how others did this week check out the Grocery Cart Challenge

french bread $1.69
hot dog buns .49
hamburger buns .49
marinade mix $1.24
salad $1.79
2 bags potato chips $2.00
2 gallons milk $4.78
3 tuna helper $2.97
cream cheese $1.49
5# baking potatoes $1.39
tortilla chips $1.50
green onions .99
fish food $1.34 (we ended up with 3 free gold fish as prizes at the soccer BBQ)
lemon .89
4 boxes of cereal $4 (this was a GREAT deal this week)