frugal foods

Blew budget

2008-09-30T15:17:00.002-05:00

Yep. Couldn't do it. Just too hard this month.
I went to Central Market on Friday and spent $11.57 and then went to HEB on Monday and spent $25.90. I only had $20.49 left to spend, so that puts me $16.98 in the hole and I still have another week left. I blame Dr. Sears.

I've been reading The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood and it caused me to spend more money on more organic veggies, milk and some salmon. Yes, you heard that correctly! I will be cooking salmon. Maybe. If I like it.

Here's our current menu plan for this week:

Monday: leftovers
Tuesday: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos, salad
Wednesday: Texas Caviar, Monkey Bread
Thursday: Black Bean Croquettes, Squash
Friday: Basil Pesto Pasta with Salmon
Saturday: Independence Brewery Anniversary Party. Trying to organize a potluck, so a dip of some sort.
Sunday: Hard cooked eggs in Tomato Curry Sauce

I wonder if I can keep the next shopping trip under $15?

Menu Sept. 23 - 28

2008-09-23T15:17:00.002-05:00

We had veggie burgers and fries from P. Terry's last night after the football game. YUM!!!

Tuesday: Black Eyed Peas with tomatoes and peppers in the slow cooker
Wednesday: Okra a la Shara, Chocolate pudding
Thursday: Braised lentils, Moroccan Style; Skillet Squash
Friday: Veggie Pasta with Pecan Sauce
Saturday: need to make a freezer dish for a friend who is going through a terrible rough patch, and take a dish to a potluck. Not sure what.
Sunday: Almond Risotto, Pepper salad

HEB
I spent $23.42 at HEB, so obviously I shot the $10 budget. I might be able to keep up with the $43.91. Let's do the math: 43.91 - 23.42 = 20.49

$20.49 for two more weeks. Ok, creativity time.

Paying off more debt

2008-09-23T15:13:00.002-05:00

And another debt has been obliterated! Yes! We are down to one credit card, two student loans, and the mortgage. So, the next one, credit card, is set to be paid off within six months if all goes well.
I have to say that paying off more debt really energizes you to keep pushing and working towards paying off more. I keep telling myself that this is why we are living like paupers, to pay off debt and to be financially free! With the economy turning to pot all around us, it's the least we can do before the Apocalypse happens.

Meal Plan and groceries: Sept. 15 - 22

2008-09-16T22:40:00.002-05:00

Monday: Veggie Pasta with fresh mozzarella slices

Tuesday: Homemade Refried Bean Tacos

Wednesday: Baked Samosas
Peach Cobbler

Thursday: Beans and Cornbread, yum!! I stinking love this meal. So sad.

Friday: Veggie burgers and home fries

Saturday: going to a friend's house and bringing Salt Crusted Baby Potatoes

Sunday: Braised Tofu and Peas in Coconut Milk over brown rice

I had $91.32 left to play with. I think it's going to be hard.

HEB
Tomatoes 1.09
Tomato Sauce .96
Whole Wheat Flour 3.37
Buttermilk .99
Half and Half 3.69
Flour 1.88
Sour Cream 1.34
Peaches 2.34
Peas 1.07
Lentils .69
Zucchini .61
Rotini 1.55
Mozzarella 2.40
Mushrooms 1.99
Grapes 3.11
Oranges 2.00
Bananas 1.36
Total: 30.44

Central Market
I picked up quite a few items for the Capitol Area Food Bank today at CM. Plus I bought vitamins for myself. Do I add these to the budget? I will definitely go way over budget if I add them. What are your thoughts?

Vitamins: 21.99 (see!!!)
toothpaste 2.24
dental floss .94
soap 1.78
Peanut Butter x 3: 5.97
Superfood powder 1.29
Green vibrance 1.79
Coconut milk x 2: 2.58
Sea Salt 2.49
Kosher salt 1.99
Gold potatoes 2.12
Purple potatoes 1.61
Red baby potatoes 2.33
Peas 1.07
Total with Cap Food stuff and Vitamins: 50.41
Total without: 17.27

Subtraction time:
If I include the vitamins and donations, I have 91.62 - 30.44- 50.41 = $10.77
Without: 91.62-30.44-17.27= 43.91

Wait...when does my budget cycle end? October 9th!!?? Holy C-R-A-P. How can we get by on either $10.77 or $43.91 for three more weeks?

I have set myself up for failure or up for a huge challenge.

Southern Squash Dinner

2008-09-16T22:25:00.003-05:00

I'm sorry to not have a "before" shot, only an after. This meal was a buttery, cheesy, white trashy heart attack in a casserole dish. At first, I was not a huge fan of the meal. It lacked depth and character. The next day, however, it was much better. Even Freya ate her "veggies!" (In quotes because I don't think it counts if it has a whole stick of butter in it.)

Costco receipt, MIA

2008-09-14T14:40:00.003-05:00

What's up with my luck with the receipts from Costco? It seems mine has grown legs and walked off. So, there will be no line by line price this time, just a total.
Total: $118.82. Not all of that was for groceries, though. In fact, we budgeted $40 for household goods which I got there. So, if I take off the very fancy flashlights for the nonexistent Hurricane Ike ($22) and the Pyrex bowls with lids ($16, I think. Good deal!), that leaves me with $80.82. Ok, I'm also going to take off the CSA of $46.

225- 80.82 - 46 = 98.18

Ok, doable but not super fun.

On a different note....we budgeted $85 for alcohol this month due to several gatherings scheduled. I went to Central Market (AKA Sample Market to Freya) with a mission.
Challenge: 10 bottles of goodish with for less than $8 each.
The results: 10 bottles for $77.55 including tax! Sweet! That leaves Mark with $7.45 for beer. Ummm, maybe not enough for a month? Sorry, sweets. Good thing you like PBR and have at least a six pack in the fridge.

While at Sample Market, I bought some brown sugar (1.18), butter (2.39), and lemonade (2.99).
98.18 - 6.56 = 91.62

I had $38 left over from my household goods budget, so I bought Freya some little pumpkins to usher in the fall weather. Come on Fall Weather! We have pumpkins!!!
I am now shot on that budget.

Dana, did you like the picture?

Ending this cycle

2008-09-12T14:04:00.001-05:00

The latest cycle has ended as of yesterday. The results:
We came in under budget!!! Yippee! I spent $19.37 for the last week, so that left us with spending $221.50.

Nice!

On to the new budget cycle which start with a GIANT Costco trip.

Busy and it's getting hard

2008-09-05T15:42:00.002-05:00

It's not that I don't love you. I do. I just commit myself way too much to keep things flowing naturally. why is that? When can I just sit back and relax/slow down/chill out? I've been busy running a water bottle co-op which I thought would be around a $300 - $500 order. It turns out it will be over $1800. Crazy! It's a lot of work but it's a volunteer job = no pay. Oh, well.
My fabric also arrived for my Curly Cupcakes wet bags which I am busy sewing. Busy is my life. Did I mention I am also a mama?

Grocery trips:
HEB
eggs: 1.99
Chocolate chips: 2.48
cream cheese: .99
Baguette: .75
Potatoes: 4.99
Watermelon: 1.99
Apples: 2.09
Bananas: 2.36
Oranges: 1.60
Lemons: .34
Lemon juice: .99
ginger: .65
half and half: 1.99
pinto beans: .77
black beans: .89
tomato sauce: .67
spaghetti: 1.32
more eggs: 2.63
Total: 29.52

Keeping track: 52.46 - 29.52= 22.94

I have less than $23 on groceries next week. Looks like rice and beans yet once again.

Grocery Shopping Aug. 25th, Funny Costco story

2008-08-26T22:17:00.003-05:00

At Costco, you have to give your receipt to the person at the door so they can check your cart, right? Well, the nice folks always draw a smiley face on the back for Freya and she just loves it to pieces!! She talks about the eyes, and mouth, and generally has a great time talking to this smiley face on the back of the receipt. Today's receipt didn't leave her hand and while we were driving back to the house, I heard a distinct RIP. Yep, the poor smiley face receipt was ripped into pieces. I saved it the best I could while weaving down the highway and saying, "No, no, I need that for the blog!!!" Freya ended up sad. And crying. I felt like a bad mom. Guilt.

I'm blaming it all on the person who just needs to draw that stupid smiley face. Ack!

Backtracking...
F. and I went to HEB last Wednesday to pick up some box wine for Sam and Dana's house and some brown sugar for a dessert I was making. I also picked up a Neutrogena bar of soap.

wine: 21.99
Bar of soap: 2.26
Brown sugar: 1.44
tax 2.00
Total: 27.69

I need to take 23.80 from our beer/wine budget which leaves me with 26.20.
Now to take off 3.89 from last week's 136.25 = 132.36

Ok...keeping me honest.

Now, for this week:
HEB
Sugar: 4.22
Half and Half: 1.99
Plums: .95
Ginger: .35
Broccoli: 2.40
Grapes: 1.27
Bananas: 1.02
Total: 12.20

Costco, from the ill fated receipt:
Oatmeal: 6.59
Honey: 9.99 (went up in price!)
Milk: 3.49
Frozen Berries: 9.99
Soymilk: 11.89
Carrots: 5.49
Pecans: 8.89
Cheddar Cheese: 5.99
Eggs: 1.89
Organic Spinach: 3.49
Total: 67.70

67.70 + 12.20 = 79.90
132.36 - 79.90 = 52.46

52.46 for 2 weeks! Holy crap! Dang this is hard.
On a good note, my new camera came tonight, so I should be inspired to write about my food once again. Here's hoping!

Menu Aug 25 - 31

2008-08-24T13:14:00.002-05:00

It looks like it will be a week heavy into Indian food. Yum! On Wednesday my mon is coming itno town ad we are leaving F with Sam and Dana while she takes us out to have some sushi. I'm going to bring Snickerdoodles to thank Sam and Dana.

Monday: Chana Masala with rice
Tuesday: Carmamelized Onion pizza
Wednesday: Snickerdoodles
Thursday: Teriyaki Veggie Bowls
Friday: Eggplant Curry
Saturday: Nut Burgers and Oven Fries
Sunday: Leftovers

Grocery shopping Aug 18

2008-08-18T16:16:00.003-05:00

So, we already bought ketchup and paid for the CSA, so we are already down $1.78 + $46 = $47.78 I have $177.22 to play with.

Today I went to HEB and Central Market:

HEB
Edamame shelled 2.19
String cheese to keep the not so happy camper, happy $0.36
Baking Powder (Aluminium free) 1.62
Black Beans dried .89
Navy beans dried .89
Frozen Corn .99
Half and Half 1.99
Sriracha Sauce (Known as Rooster Sauce in our house. cock-a-doodle-doo) 2.69
Sour Cream (on sale!) 1.00
Sesame oil 3.09
Celery .99
Baking Soda .49
Green Onions .59
Mozzarella 3.68
Tomatoes 1.88
Oranges 2.00
Bananas 1.19
Eggs 1.99
Carrots 1.58
Pears (on sale!) 1.00
Black Plums (on sale!) 2.18
Total: 32.28

Central Market
a bunch of spices and seeds totaling $7.99

$177.22 - 40.27= $136.25

Menu Aug 18 - 24

2008-08-18T16:02:00.002-05:00

Monday: Oven Fried Eggplant
Spinach Salad
Tuesday: Vegetarian Gumbo with Brown Rice
Wednesday: White Bean Puree Dip with carrots and celery
Plum Oatmeal Crisp
Thursday: Spicy Broccoli Pasta
White Bean and Tomato Salad
Friday: Black Bean Tacos
Saturday: Bean Burgers
Oven Fries
Sunday: Leftovers

On a different note, I've ordered a new camera that will allow me to take better pictures for the blog. Now you won't be so bored and you get to have some eye candy.

Did you hear that?

2008-08-15T13:20:00.002-05:00

Yep, that was me falling off the frugal wagon. Bad Courtney, bad mama, but have I learned my lesson? Hopefully. This blog really keeps me in check and I need to maintain the momentum to keep me going. I'm embarrassed to say how bad it was last pay period. We went WAY over budget. Man! But that's okay because today begins a new cycle and I am ready!

We have a dinner function tonight for M's work (yeah, free food!!!) and tomorrow will be nut burgers and oven fries. Sunday I have some fixins for Chana Masala in the crockpot and so Monday will have the new menu and grocery list.

Ok, we can do it! $225. Yes! Again.

I'm back...

2008-07-25T16:05:00.004-05:00

I'm sorry for the long delay in posting again. We did some very serious potty learning with our baby F. and I have also been sewing like a madwoman getting ready for a craft fair tomorrow. Anyhow, I will update this blog straight away.

I last left you with a week left in the budget. Well, with the potty learning we put cooking by the wayside and ate frozen pizza and crockpot meals. I ended up going over the budget by $10 for the month. Boo!! But well worth it in the potty department. She's out of diapers except for overnight!!! Yippee!!!

Our current budget runs from July 18 - August 14. I've already done one grocery run, entertained at the house, and stocked up on some toiletries from Costco. We don't have much left in the budget.
Here's the breakdown:

Entertaining on Friday the 18th: shopped at Central Market (Bad, Courtney, Bad!!! It's too expensive!) and spent $25.
M needed his very fancy sodium laural sulfate free toothpaste: $4.99.
Lotion was on sale at Costco, we needed toilet paper, mouthwash, and other items: $97.83 !! This was with coupons worth $16.00. Ouch!
Regular grocery shop at HEB: $17.55

Quesadillas

2008-07-11T15:03:00.002-05:00

Bean and Veggie Quesadillas a la Courtney

Quick, simple, cheap meal.

5 tortillas - 0.37
1 cup cheese - 0.48
1 cup beans - .13
spinach - .10
tomatoes - CSA
sour cream - .10
salsa- .10

One one tortilla, put some beans, cheese, spinach, and tomatoes. Add the other tortilla. Place in pan and heat. Flip. Serve with sour cream and salsa. A baby's quesadilla: only put beans and cheese on half a tortilla and fold over.

Meal total: $1.28

Pinto Bean Griddlecakes

2008-07-11T14:51:00.002-05:00

From How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman

2 cups cooked pinto beans, drained until as dry as possible
1 cup half and half
1 egg
2 tablespoons melted butter or oil
1 cup flour
salt and pepper

Set a skillet or griddle on med-high heat. Mash the beans in a bowl with a fork. Stir in the half and half, egg, and butter/oil. Stir until combined. Add the flour and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir until combined. Add more half and half until the desired consistency is reached of thick pancake batter. Grease your cooking surface and spoon the batter to form 3 to 4 inch pancakes. Cook until bubble form on each side (around 3 to 4 minutes per side). I served mine with sour cream and salsa. YUMMY!!! These made 12 griddlecakes.

Price breakdown:
Beans - .25
Half and Half - .43
Egg - .13
Butter - .09
Flour - .15
Total: $1.05

Sour Cream - .10
Salsa - .10

Broccoli - 1.00
Meal Total: $2.25 with leftovers!

Menu July 7 - 13 plus shopping

2008-07-08T23:10:00.002-05:00

Monday - Pinto bean griddlecakes
Broccoli

Tuesday - Quesadillas

Wednesday - Quinoa Salad (HTCEV p. 83)
Orange Poppy Seed Cookies

Thursday - Pasta with Lentils

Friday - Party at Hayley and Matthew's House. We'll bring a cucumber salad.

Saturday - Nut Burgers and Tots

Sunday - Garam Masala Tofu and Veggies with Brown Rice

Next Monday - Beans and Cornbread with a giant spinach salad

Next Tuesday - Baked Tofu with potatoes and Tarragon Carrots

Shopping

HEB
Whole Grain Goldfish for the toddler in store - 1.84
Bananas - 1.15
Grapes - 1.89
Carrots - .99
Cream Cheese - .99
Lemons - .34
Q-tips - 1.98
Buttermilk - .99
Ketchup - 1.99
Cornmeal - 1.89
Half and Half - 3.49
Total: $17.70

Last week's Central Market trip for 4th of July:
Lime Juice - 3.18
Aluminum Foil - 1.29
Can of pinto beans - 1.57 (ouch!)
Total: $6.15

Costco
Organic Spinach - 3.79
Craisins - 6.85
Cheese - 5.89
Tofu - 3.79
Salsa - 5.35
Dishwashing detergent - 6.39
Total: $32.59

Central Market
Poppy seeds - 1.48
Quinoa - 2.89
Total: $4.37

Adding it all up:
This week: $60.81
116.85 - 60.81 = $56.04
Hmmm...I have not taken out for our CSA. So, with $46 gone, that leaves me with $10.04 for a week. Ok, wow. Next week will be rough. Didn't this happen last month, too? Sheesh!

Financial Freedom

2008-07-03T15:16:00.002-05:00

M and I have been striding towards financial freedom since we read Dave Ramsey's books on how to get there. Of course, when we read those books we were mired in debt and had recently gone down to one income so I could stay home with the wee one. Still, we believe in paying off debt and living within your means, so we have pinched and saved at every corner. One way is through the grocery budget, which I am very proud of.
Recently, M remembered a forgotten mutual funds account (!!! how did that happen???) which we cashed in to help us pay off some debt, and I just paid off 2 credit cards! Yay! By continuing to put more and more money towards our debts, it's looking like within a year we will be credit card debt free. The money I make off of sewing dresses and wetbags goes mostly towards debt, too. I keep some aside to go on field trips with F to the pool, coffee shops, etc.
Now, if we can only pay off those massive student loans we took out for graduate degrees....

Menu July 1 - July 6 and grocery shopping

2008-07-03T14:59:00.002-05:00

Tuesday - Baked Tofu, Roasted Cabbage, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes
Wednesday - Hot Spinach Dip, Monkey Bread
Thursday - dinner at Lindsay and Chad's
Friday - 4th of July!
Veggie Sausages if we grill somewhere or Bean Tacos if we stay home

Saturday - Brunch at Sonya and Mike's. We are taking a breakfast sausage casserole with veggies. Dinner is Nut Burgers and French Fries.
Sunday - Bean Griddlecakes (HTCEV p. 630) and squash

Grocery:

HEB
Cantalope - .99
Bananas - 1.08
String cheese to make it through the store with a toddler - .78
Tomatoes - 1.57
Eggs - 36 count - 4.77
French Fries - 1.94
Chopped Spinach - frozen 1.09
Sour Cream - 1.00 (on sale!)
Tofu - 1.69
Kitty Litter - 2.78
Total $17.92

Central Market for spices
Chinese 5 blend - .46
Garam Masala - .68
Veggie Broth - .96
Cinnamon - .65
Fennel Seed - .17
Total - $2.90

Spec's for beer and wine -
PBR (12 pack) - 6.75
Vina Borja - 5.96
Borsao - 5.93
Pannaroz Red Jumil - 8.41
Pepperwood Grove Syrah - 6.40

5% off for paying with debit card
Total - 34.40

Mark also went to Opal Devine's for beers, so I am taking off $11.00 from the beer/wine budget for that.

Beer and Wine budget - $34.40 + $11 = $45.40
Food Budget - $137.67 - 17.92 - 2.90 = $116.85

Odds and ends

2008-07-03T14:53:00.002-05:00

With the internet out last week and half of this week, I wasn't able to update on the food buying. I ended up making several pit stops for odds and ends which I forgot at the store. Here's what we need to add to the list:

Costco: $12.49 for coffee
Central Market: $1.99. I can't remember what for.
HEB: $3.94 and $6.32. I know coconut milk was one thing and crackers were another. hmmm...
Total: $24.74

$162.41 - $24.74 = $137.67

No Internet

2008-07-02T15:21:00.002-05:00

We were internetless for almost a week and I almost died. Ok, not dead, but felt very disconnected and off. I had tons of emails to return, many blogs to catch up on, and countless yahoo groups to follow. And now I need to update this and the Curly Cupcakes blog. A good note....I was able to sew many more wetbags for Austin Baby through my Curly Cupcakes business and finish a couple of custom orders lingering over my head. Nice.

Food Menu and grocery shopping: June 23 - 29

2008-06-23T22:18:00.002-05:00

We are running low on granola fixins', so I need to get those from Costco and Central Market. I'll post my recipe when I make granola. We are also running low on yogurt, so time to make jars of yogurt again.

Monday: Veggie Casserole (modeled after a couple of friend's recipes) with pasta

Tuesday: Cheddar and Onion Crepes p. 197 How to Cook Everything Vegetarian
Spinach salad
Broccoli

Wednesday: Sundried Tomato and Olive Torta with Crackers
Strawberry Cake

Thursday: Lentils and Potatoes with Curry over Rice
Broccoli

Friday: "Meatloaf"
Skillet Squash

Saturday: Nut Burger and Tots

Sunday: "Meatloaf" Sandwiches
Roasted Cabbage

HEB
Lentils $0.69
Balsamic Vinegar 2.49
Bananas 1.35
Cream Cheese 1.98
Broccoli (on sale) 1.61
Green Cabbage 0.96
Grapes (not organic and from Mexico, double whammy! But when your toddler is screaming, "Gape! Gape! Mo Gape!" at the top of her lungs, she won't understand the argument of poison coating the outside of her treasures. So, I bought them and they were on sale.) 1.85

Total: $10.93

Costco
Whipping Cream 3.99
Frozen Berries 9.99
Oatmeal 6.29
Almonds 10.99
Cheese 5.99
Milk 3.39
Organic Spinach 3.79
Eggs 2.19 (Going up, up, up in price!)
Strawberries 2.95 (Again, screaming toddler.)

Total: 49.57

I still need to go to Central Market, but I can do that by bike tomorrow.

Mileage: 12.1 miles

So, with gas at $3.98 per gallon and I get 21 mpg, this trip cost us $2.29 in gas. OUCH!!!!

Running total: $225 - 10.93 - 49.57 - 2.29 = $162.21

New Cycle Begins!

2008-06-23T22:11:00.002-05:00

We were under budget for the last 4 weeks, yeah! I hope to repeat this again. With gas prices so high, I've also decided, perhaps foolishly, to add in the gas costs of traveling to the stores in with my grocery budget.

According to the government, I should be averaging 21 MPG going to and from the stores. I wonder if this includes blasting the A/C during the 100 degree days of Texas summer? Hmmm...
With gas being $3.98 per gallon, I will calculate and add the gas costs to my grocery trips. Hopefully, this won't put us way over our head by the end of the four weeks.

Carmelized Onion and Tomato Pizza

2008-06-18T15:09:00.002-05:00

Oh, my was this ever good!!! It has eye appeal, taste appeal, and smell appeal.

Essentially a pizza, this can also be classified as topped foccacia. Either way, it's good for the belly and budget!

First, I made a simple pizza dough in the bread machine:
1 cup water
2 tbl olive oil
salt
1 tbl sugar
3 cups flour - $0.15
2 tsp. yeast

I then carmelized a bunch of onions I had sitting around ready to rot. Between the CSA and our friend's garden (Thanks Sam and Dana!) we had a bunch of onions. I sliced and cooked the onions for a long time in about 2 tbl butter.

I topped the dough with the onions, sliced tomatoes from the CSA, green olives, and fresh grated parmesan.

Put in the oven on 450 degrees for around 16 minutes and yummy to the tummy!!!!

I served this with a big spinach salad with homemade vinegarette dressing.

It seems like this could be a very versitile recipe with various toppings you have lying about. No need for sauce and mozzarella (though, M would disagree!). F could care less, she loves pizza.

Simple and delicious.

Meal Plan June 16 - 22 plus shopping

2008-06-18T14:56:00.002-05:00

It needs to be a lean week as I have a little less than $27 left in the budget. Back to beans.

Monday - Rice and Beans with cheese, yogurt, salsa
Broccoli

Tuesday - Carmelized Onion "Pizza" with tomatoes and olives
Big spinach Salad

Wednesday - Bean dip and Chips
Lemon bars

Thursday - Bean Croquettes
Skillet Squash

Friday - Dill Pesto Pasta
Fresh tomato salad

Saturday - Nut burgers and Tots (yes, every Saturday, unless we are entertaining)

Sunday - Crockpot Veggie Casserole or Nut Burgers if we are entertaining on Saturday.

I will also pickle some beets and cucumbers this week, so I need vinegar.

Shopping Trip:
I only went to HEB because F ad I were super busy!

Parmesan - 2.27
String cheese to keep the baby happy in HEB - .33
Eggs - 2.07
Spinach - 2.49
Bananas - 1.37
Mangoes - 1.00
Lemon - .25
Olives - 1.85
Soy and flaxseed chips - 2.69
Half and Half - 3.49
Vinegar - 1.65

Total: $19.46
Yippee!!! Under budget!

M's beer budget also had $20.00 in it, so I gought hum some very special Beer for $15.00. He's a happy man.

Crockpot Mac and Cheese

2008-06-18T14:44:00.002-05:00

Crockpot Mac and Cheese
So, I am really digging the crockpot for meals during this blazing heat. Man, is it really this hot every year, and I get amnesia during the winter? I'm feeling it's brutality. Ouch! 104 degrees is not my idea of fun.

Anyhow, I made this recipe on Sunday and served it with steamed broccoli and squash.
Yum!

Price breakdown:
1/4 cup flour- $0.04
salt and pepper
onions - CSA
milk - $0.72
cheese - $0.50
pasta - $0.67
dry mustard - $0.05

Total: $1.98

Broccoli: 0.84
Squash - CSA

Meal total: $2.82

This was for a crockpot full of mac and cheese. Freya loves it!

Breakfast Casserole

2008-06-15T21:37:00.003-05:00

On Friday, I made Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole in the crockpot. Can you see that I am on a crockpot kick? It always comes out on the counter in the dead of winter and all summer long. I hate turning on my oven in 100 plus degrees!!

The casserole was quite tasty, and I added a bunch of veggies to make it healthy. I used real eggs instead of egg substitute and sharp cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella to add extra flavor. I didn't have a bell pepper but I did add more zucchini and carrots than called for.

On with the price breakdown:
Breakfast sausage: I made my own - $0.75
Green chilis - $0.99
Onions, squash, carrots - CSA
Eggs - 0.81
Cheese - $1.00

Casserole Total - $3.55 for a whole casserole in the crockpot. tons of leftovers!

I also made hash browns with organic potatoes - $0.50

Good, hearty, yummy, and easy. Fairly healthy!

Seared Seitan Cutlets

2008-06-11T15:52:00.003-05:00

Freya loves eating!

Seared Seitan from How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

1 cup Vital Wheat Gluten (0.60)
3/4 cup water

Simmering Liquid
6 cups veggie broth (from powder - 0.18)
1/3 cup soy sauce (0.25)

In a food processor using the kneading blade, mix the vital wheat gluten and water. Mix for 30 seconds or so. The dough should be a giant rubbery mass. Let this mass rest for 20 minutes.
Make the simmering sauce in the crockpot and turn on high.
After the 20 minutes is over, stretch the seitan into 2 logs and place them in the simmering liquid. Put the lid on the crockpot and let it do it's thing for several hours simmering away.

Let the seitan cool in the liquid. Slice and pan fry in a smidgen of olive oil on each side. Serve with gravy, salad, and potatoes.

Total cost: $1.03

June 9 - 15 Meal Plan Plus Shopping

2008-06-11T14:42:00.002-05:00

Monday - Seared Seitan Cutlets with Gravy
Spinach Salad with Tomatoes
Boiled Potatoes

Tuesday - A friend came over to fix our broken dishwasher. We paid him with pizza and beer. My kitchen was in no shape or form to cook in while pieces of the dishwasher were spread out.

Wednesday - Going to Amy and Ethan's house and we are taking Root Beer Floats (Fiesta is having a sale on Blue Bell Ice Cream - 3 for $10.)

Thursday - Stir Fry with Seitan, Broccoli, and Squash

Friday - Breakfast Casserole
Hash Browns

Saturday - Nut Burgers and Tots

Sunday - Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Broccoli

Shopping List

HEB
Bananas - 1.22
Cantalopes - .99
Broccoli - 2.52
Rice - 1.45
Tater Tots 2.14
Deodorant - 3.47
Green Chilies - .99
Organic Potatoes - 4.99

Coupon for deodorant - 1.50
Total: $16.27

Costco
Eggs - 1.83
Butter - 7.43
Cheese - 5.99
Soy Milk - 11.89

Total: $27.14

Grand Total Math: $82.04 - 16.27 - 27.14 = $38.63 left.

I know I am going to do some stocking up today based on the Fiesta Circular (ice cream, canned tomatoes) so it looks like next week is going to be a very lean week. Looks like we will have some more bean croquettes, rice and beans, and pasta. We can do it!

Beer Braised Potatoes

2008-06-11T00:00:00.002-05:00

From Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything Vegetarian comes the Beer Braised Potatoes.

2 pounds potatoes - CSA
3 tablespoons olive oil - $0.30
salt and pepper
1 small onion - CSA
1 bottle or can of beer - $0.92
1 cup grated cheddar - $0.46
1 tablespoon cornstarch - not sure the cost
1 tablespoon horseradish - $0.32

Total cost: $2.00

Cut the potatoes into chunks. Put the oil in a large pot and add the potatoes when the oil is hot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until coated in oil and beginning to turn brown. Add salt, pepper, and onion. Cook for a couple of more minutes. Add the beer and enough water to barely cover the potatoes with liquid. Bring to a boil, stirring once in a while to make sure the potatoes aren't sticking, then boil the mixture gently. Cook until the potatoes are fork tender. Stir in the cheese mixture and horseradish. Stir until cheese melts. This should be saucy.

Yummmmmm......

I served the potatoes with leftover sausages, sauerkraut, and simple bean and tomato salad. It's a meal fit for the warm fuzzies.

Getting Caught up

2008-06-10T23:45:00.002-05:00

I'm so sorry I've been MIA for the past several days. You see, I've been sucked into the world of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series. I HIGHLY recommend the books and promise they will make you, too, fall off the face of the earth.

I promise to update this blog as quickly as a mom to a toddler will allow.

One update I have added is subscribing to the blog via email. Type in your email address and you will automatically get an update when I post to the blog. That way you are not out troweling for my posts daily...as I know all of you are!

And now I will update with the food.....

Veggie Pasta and Quick Bean Salad

2008-06-07T12:42:00.003-05:00

On Thursday, we had veggie pasta for dinner. I had an open container of pasta sauce that I needed to use up and a bunch of veggies from our CSA, so I threw them together. Easy, yummy, healthy meal. We had a quick bean salad I made for a potluck picnic on Thursday morning to go along side the pasta.

Veggie Pasta
pasta - $0.67
Organic pasta sauce - $1.07
squash from CSA
garlic from CSA
Swiss Chard from friend's garden

Pasta dish total: $1.74

Quick Bean Salad
2 cups cooked beans $0.22
3 tomatoes $1.42
2 cucumbers from CSA
splash of olive oil - negligible
splash of red wine vinegar - negligible
salt and pepper

Bean salad total: $1.64

Meal total $3.38

Sausage Wraps

2008-06-04T16:49:00.002-05:00

I went out with the girls last night, so I left Sausage Wraps for F and M.

Cost:

INGREDIENTS

- 1/2 cup pinto beans, rinsed and drained (0.12)
- 1 cup cold vegetable broth (from bullion, 0.03)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (negligible)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (0.10)
- 2 cloves garlic (CSA)
- 1 1/4 cups vital wheat gluten (.75)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (0.15)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons rosemary (garden)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (0.01)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (0.03)
- Several dashes fresh black pepper (negligible)

Tortillas (0.12)
Sauerkraut (0.09)
Mustard (0.08)

Total cost of wraps: $1.48

Yummy and fun for M. He loves sausage wraps. I'm sure he had a spinach salad on the side, but I didn't ask.

Nut Burgers and Tots

2008-06-04T16:36:00.002-05:00

Fast Nut Burgers from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

1 med. onion (CSA)
1 cup nuts (I used almonds, $0.92)
1 cup rolled oats or cooked rice (I used oats, $0.09)
2 Tablespoons ketchup, miso, tomato paste, nut butter or tahini (I used ketchup, $0.03)
1 teaspoon chili powder (negligible)
salt and pepper
1 egg ($0.09)

Grind the onion in food processor. Add the nuts and oats and pulse to chop, but not too finely. Add the ketchup, spice mix, salt, pepper and egg. Process briefly; don't grind the mixture too finely. Add a little liquid if necessary; you want a mixture that is moist but not too loose.

Let the mixture rest for a few minutes and then shape into 4 to 6 patties. Put some oil in a pan and cook on each side for about 5 minutes per side.

So yummy! We eat these with Tater Tots ($1.00)

Total meal cost: $2.13 plus cost for condiments

June 2nd Grocery Trip

2008-06-04T16:14:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the long delay in blogging, but I'm back!

I went to Costco and HEB on Monday. Here's the loot:

Costco:
Organic Pasta 7.99
Organic Spinach 3.49
Olive Oil 12.99
Eggs 1.69
Roma Tomatoes on the Vine 3.79
Milk 3.39
Total: 33.34

HEB
Half & Half 3.49
Soy Sauce 1.99
Sauerkraut 1.89
Dijon Mustard 1.69
Horseradish 1.89
Strawberries 1.97
Cocoa 1.86
Grapes 2.33
Bananas 0.94
Nectarines 2.12
Oranges 2.99
Blackberries 1.29
Total: 24.45

Total for the Day: $57.79
$185.83 - $57.79 = $128.04

Time to also take out our monthly CSA ($46)
So, 128.04 - 46 = $82.04

Meal plan June 2-8

2008-06-02T14:53:00.003-05:00

Meal Plan June 2 - 8

Monday - Nut Burgers and Tots
Tuesday - Sausages
Beer braised Potatoes
Wednesday - Tuscan Panzanella
Brownies
Thursday - Veggie Pasta
Friday - Sausage Wraps with Sauerkraut
Saturday - Nut Burgers and Tots
Sunday - Bean and Pasta Salad

Grocery List

Costco
Spinach
Grape Tomatoes
Pasta
Eggs
Milk
Olive Oil
Soy Sauce

HEB
Cocoa
Horseradish
Sauerkraut
beer
Fruit

El Milagro
tortillas

Enteraining on a budget

2008-06-01T13:04:00.004-05:00

We have two offers for going to friend's houses this weekend for dinner, and we accepted them! On Saturday we went to our friends Tom and Cathy's house and had a lovely meal of homemade pizza, salads, and wine. Almost all of the ingredients came straight from their gorgeous and bountiful garden, it almost made me weep!

We took wine. A nice little Spanish Temparnillo (Campos Real) from Central Market for $7.99. Well, with tax it was $8.65.

That takes our wine/beer budget from $30.54 - $8.65 = $21.89. M and I had the discussion in the car about being able to keep within this alcohol budget and still drink and entertain. He says he will start drinking PBR at home and I can get cheaper wine at HEB Hancock. I did the math and this might keep us within the budget. I really thought staying within the grocery budget would have been hardest, but it turns out the alcohol budget is much harder!

We can make our own beer but with the price of hops and grains rising, it just doesn't make a big price break because we tend to drink our own homebrew a lot faster than store bought. I suggested M not drink every night and he said, "No, I think I will just switch to PBR." The man likes his daily beer.

Tonight we will head to another friend's house, Amy, Ethan, and Ingrid to lounge under the trees with babies and beer. We are bringing some leftover cake I made for F's 18 month birthday and some wine from our "wine cellar." we have stockpiled some really good wine and M says it's not getting any better with age because we don't store it correctly. Therefore, it must be used up! and so we will bike over with leftover cake and a lovely bottle of great wine this evening.

So, the moral to this story is....
Accept offers to have meals with friends and family but do try to keep within the budget. Easier said than done since most food and wine you want to take to other people's houses can really make a dent in the budget. But we do like our sup and drink, don't we? ;)

Sweet Potato and Squash Pancakes

2008-06-01T12:51:00.003-05:00

On Friday night we had Sweet Potato and Squash Pancakes

They were alright. Nothing to write home about and I probably won't make this same recipe again. I love Mark Bittman's generic vegetable pancake recipe so much better, so the next time I will use that one.

The breakdown of costs:

1 teaspoon vegetable oil - negligible
2 cups sweet potato, unpeeled and shredded, about 1 large - $0.54
1 1/2 cups yellow squash, unpeeled and shredded, about 1 large - CSA
1/4 cup onion, shredded, about half a small onion -CSA
2 egg white - $0.26
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped - garden
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour - $0.01
1/2 teaspoon salt - negligible
1/4 teaspoon pepper - negligible
1 tablespoon cilantro - garden

We put a couple of tablespoons if sour cream on the pancakes for a sauce: $0.20
Total cost of meal: $1.01

Not a bad deal but the taste could have been a lot better. Mark Bittman's calls for more flour and some butter and milk. It would raised the price of the meal by less than a quarter, so not a big difference. Wwll, no harm no foul for trying a new recipe.

Linguini with Black Bean Sauce and Summer Squash Skillet

2008-05-30T13:55:00.002-05:00

Last night I made Linguini with Black Bean Sauce
and Summer Squash Skillet

For the Summer Squash Skillet, I didn't have the bell peppers and I chose to use mozzerella instead of cheddar. The Linguini was surprising good even after eating beans for several days now but I have to say, the squash was out of this world! Maye it was the CSA squash or maybe the hunger, but this will be a keeper, too!

Breakdown prices for the meals:
Linguini
oil $0.10
onion from CSA
garlic from CSA
beans $0.25
peas (didn't have!)
basil from garden
linguini $2.99
mozzarella $0.75
no red pepper
Total: $4.09
This would have cheaper if I bought the linguini in bulk at Costco but we had the linguini in our pantry.

Squash
squash from CSA
onion from CSA
tomatoes from CSA
garlic from CSA
olive oil maybe $0.03
basil from garden
mozzarella cheese $0.75
Total: $0.78

Total Meal: $4.87

Bean Croquettes

2008-05-30T13:30:00.003-05:00

I made Bean Croquettes on Wednesday to take to Sam and Dana's house and were they ever super yummy!

From Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

Black Bean Croquettes
2 cups cooked black beans, drained but with a few tablespoons of bean cooking liquid reserved
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup fresh herbs (basil, rosemary, and sage for us)
1 egg slightly beaten
salt and pepper
about 1/2 cup of cornmeal
Oil for frying

I pretty much whacked everything together in the food processor in stages. First, the onion and herbs, then the beans. You want the beans to still be chunky, not pureed. Add liquid as needed. Then I added the cornmeal until the mixture held together without being sticky. The mixture was still very delicate. Shape into mini footballs (3 inch long, 1 inch wide) and fry in a little nit of oil, turning the footballs to get all side. Once brown, they are done and yummy!

I served these with salsa as an appetizer but for a meal, add a vegetable and you are done.

Price breakdown:
Beans: $0.25
Onion from CSA
Herbs from garden
Egg $0.13
Cornmeal $0.05

Total $0.43 !!!

This recipe will be on the constant rotation!

Curry Tofu Salad Sandwiches

2008-05-27T23:17:00.003-05:00

Tonight's dinner:

Curry Tofu Salad Sandwiches on Homemade Bread
Cucumber and Onion Salad

Curry Tofu Salad costs $2.65
Tofu $1.90
Onion CSA
Celery $.20
Mayo $.50
Curry Powder $. 05

Homemade Bread costs $ 0.55
1 cup soy milk $ .10
1 TBL sugar - negligible
1 TBL butter - negligible
3 cups flour $.45
2 tsp yeast negligible

Cucumber and Onion Salad $.99
cucumbers from CSA
onions from CSA
red wine vinegar $0.99

Total cost of meal with leftovers: $4.19

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

2008-05-26T22:07:00.002-05:00

You know, I really should start taking pictures of my meals. Oh, well. We had Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos for dinner along with a Spinach Salad.

A breakdown of the costs:

El Milagro Tortillas 25 for $1.50 and we used 4. So, $ 0.24.
Sweet Potatoes $1.07
Black Beans - We used about 1 1/2 cups of cooked beans but they were dried. $ 0.20
Salsa - $ 0.20
Sour Cream $ 0.25
Cheese $ 0.17
Organic Spinach $ 0.25
Salad Dressing negligible
Total for the meal: $2.38

This meal in one of our staples and very easy to make. I make a pot of beans and use only some of them for the meal. The rest of the beans will be used throughout the week. I cut up 2 sweet potatoes and steam them. Toast the tortillas and assemble with cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Yum!

F and M both love this meal. Plus we have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. M takes his lunch to work everyday and uses up leftovers or a sandwich. F and I also eat the leftovers and snack on fruit, crackers, or sandwiches.

Grocery Shopping 5/26/08

2008-05-26T22:01:00.002-05:00

I only had time to go to HEB today and here's what I bought for the week:

Organic Red Grapes $4.25 (Yikes!)
Bananas $1.17
Oranges $2.99
Sour Cream $1.34
Tater Tots (Ore-Ida...M insists!) $1.94
Eggs 1 dozen $1.59
Sweet Potatoes $2.14
Sugar 10 lbs. $4.29
White Flour 25 lbs. $8.99
Total: $28.70

I had $214.53 left from the last trip.
$214.53 - $28.70 = $185.83

Meal plan May 25 - 31

2008-05-25T15:47:00.003-05:00

Sunday - Dad's in town and taking us out to eat! Yippee!
Monday - Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos
Spinach salad
Tuesday - Curry Tofu Salad Sandwiches on Homemade Whole Wheat Bread
Cucumber and Onion Salad
Wednesday (at Sam and Dana's House) - app: Spicy Clack Bean Croquettes
dessert: Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (It's F's 18 month birthday!)
Thursday - Linguini with Black Bean Sauce
Vegetable from CSA (picked up on Wednesday)
Friday - Sweet Potato and Squash Pancakes
Saturday - Nut Burgers and Tater Tots

Breakfast is always the same Monday - Friday: Homemade Granola with homemade yogurt and fruit. We have plenty of ingredients for granola, still have yogurt, but we need some bananas.

Grocery List:
I always shop in my pantry first before I make my list. Here's all I need for this week's menu.

Costco
White Flour
Eggs

HEB
sour cream
sugar
sweet potatoes (4)
Tater Tots
Bananas
Fruit (I see what's on sale/local/in season)

All the rest of the ingredients I have from the CSA, in the fridge or in the pantry. It's a good week.

Start date

2008-05-25T15:16:00.003-05:00

We budget based on M's biweekly salary schedule and so our 4 week budget runs from May 23 - June 19. Our budget has been set for $225 in groceries and $50 in beer/wine for these four weeks. M did a quick shop for me on Friday to Central Market because we had guests over for dinner as a "Thank You!" for helping us recently. Therefore, the meal had to be yummy, nice, and well balanced, with a heavy hand for drinking!

Here's what he bought:
Blue Bell Ice Cream 1/2 gallon: $5.79
note: I should have been more on the ball and drove to Fiesta where they are having a 3 for $10 sale on Blue Bell. This is why I am blogging to start holding myself more accountable!
Whole Wheat Linguini $2.99
Whole Wheat Penne $1.69
Bottle of Syrah $8.99
Bottle of Castano Hecula Wine $8.99
tax on wine: $1.48

Food: $225 - 5.79 -2.99 - 1.69 = $214.53 left
Wine: $50 - 8.99 - 8.99- 1.48 = $30.54

Reflection time...
I really should have shopped myself. On hindsight, I would have gone to Fiesta and HEB up on Hancock/38th street. The wine steward there has a great taste and tries to find wines under $6 that taste nice. For buying 6, I would have received 10% off. Across the street is Fiesta where they are having their Blue Bell Sale. Plus, they have a nice selection of pasta for great prices. Dang it! Oh, well. F and I went to Deep Eddy to go swimming instead.

We had a nice meal for our friends, though:

Chips and Salsa (Costco)
Whole Wheat pasta with grilled squash (from the CSA) with a nice Dill Pesto (Dill from CSA)
Spinach salad (organic spinach (Costco), organic radishes, organic carrots, organic sprouts (CSA), home made dressing)
Blue Bell Ice Cream for dessert.

On Saturday evening we have our monthly potluck with some friends and I made blueberry muffins and we took one of the bottles of wine we didn't drink the night before. So, I didn't have to shop for this night at all!

Organizing

2008-05-20T16:11:00.004-05:00

Why is it that I am always eager to start something but have a hard time following through? Do I have the gumption to stick with it? Argghhh....

So far, I have mapped out our favorite foods into various groups and have gone to Costco to do a Recon mission.

The results:

Meals based on beans
black beans and rice
black bean and sweet potato tacos
beans and cornbread
bean croquettes

Meals based on pasta
spaghetti and meatballs
vegetables and creamy sauce
tortellini and veggies
fideo
mac and cheese
pizza
veggie lasagna

Meals based on rice
stir fry
black beans and rice
coconut rice
veggie curry and rice
fried rice with veggies and tofu

Seitan or tofu
veggie sausage
chicken nuggets/patties
baked tofu
bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwiches
curry tofu salad
seitan cutlets
nut burgers
chicken burgers

24 favorite meals to rotate around. We eat at our friend's house one day a week, so this is perfect. Leftovers for lunch and a simple breakfast of granola (homemade) in the morning with yogurt (homemade) and we have rounded out our diets for a month.

Now to break down the best prices to go with those meals:

At costco, I can buy a large quantity of ingredients for the meals, like rice and beans. HEB also has nice prices on various ingredients. I've only had a chance to do re-con at Costco but will add HEB after my next trip.

dried beans
black HEB $ 0.89/ 1 lb.
pinto costco: 25 lbs/13.99
kidney HEB $0.89/ 1 lb.
garbanzo HEB $0.99/1 lb.

rice
brown HEB 2 lbs/ 1.28
jasmine Costco: 25 lbs/14.49
arborio

grains
whole wheat flour HEB 5 lbs/ 2.99
cornmeal HEB 5 lb/ 1.95
white flour Costco: 25 lbs/ 8.89
chickpea flour
vital wheat gluten
oats costco 6.29/9 lbs.
sugar costco 10 lb/ 4.39; HEB 10 lb/ 4.29; HEB 25 lb/ 10.99

pasta
spaghetti Costco: 6 lbs/ 6.99, organic 8 lbs/ 9.59
tortellini
shells
fusili Costco variety pasta 6.6 lbs/ 7.35 organic 7.99
rigatoni
fideo
lasagna noodles

sauce/liquids
tomato Costco 4 jars 25 oz. each/ 7.69
coconut milk
soy sauce

cheese
sharp cheddar Costco 2 lb/ 5.59
mozzarella shredded Costco 5 lb/ 12.39
cream HEB 8 oz./ $0.99

tofu costco 2 lb/3.49

Eggs
Costco $1.79 / 18
HEB $1.59 / 12

vegetables
onions
potatoes
new Costco 10 lb/ 5.99
garlic
carrots
celery
sweet potatoes

nuts
almonds Costco 3 lb/ 10.99
walnuts costco 3 lb/ 14.99
pecans Costco 2 lb/ 8.99

seasonings
poultry
curry
cinnamon
basil
rosemary
thyme
sage

$225 a month for groceries

2008-05-16T15:30:00.000-05:00

Can we do it? With the escalating costs of groceries and the dire need for us to cut back, I am blogging about how my family can eat locally, healthy, and cheaply.

A little bit about us...
We are a vegetarian family of three living off of one income in a two income world. I try to choose locally produced foods and organic when economically feasible, but these days that is getting harder and harder. So I am challenging us to eat on a budget of $225 per month and I will record it all, decisions, indecisions, and frustrations, here.

On with the show....

We already split a CSA with another family, so that's $46 a month down for an ok number of organic veggies per week. I would love to have a full box each week but we couldn't really afford that, so we get by with our half box. In our backyard, we have a veggie garden with great promise right now of tomatoes and peppers, and a front planter full of yummy herbs. Great start! We would have had a better start if our toddler would have been able to keep out of the garden, but alas, those plants were not meant to be.

My first task is to make a list of all the meals we love to eat and categorize them based on main ingredient. Then I will analyze the price of ingredients and compare Costco to HEB to Central Market. Hopefully, I will have some numbers to crunch very soon. I think once I have the numbers, I can plan for an entire month at one fell swoop. If we stick within the menu plan, then we will have success and replication , right? Well, that's the plan, so we will see.