eat for under $50 each week

I bought chicken thighs on sale, 2lb $2.42, a can of diced tomatoes $1.59, butter $1.59, a bottle of Coke Zero, cheese $1.79 and a free pint of milk (I had a coupon.)

I made my stand by, chicken stew, enough to last me till payday.

I still have food from last week.

Pretty soon I’m going to get serious and come up with a real plan, so I keep food expenses as low as they can go.

I bought: olives, feta, tupperware container, dish detergent, 2 cans cannellini beans, chicken broth, walnuts, 2 cans tuna, coffee, brown rice, half and half, apple juice, diced tomatoes, smart balance spread, wine, laundry detergent, shampoo, dark chocolate bar,half and half, bananas, orange, grapes, lime, cilantro, basil, parsley, avocado, carrots, celery, peppers, cuke, onion, red cabbage, kale, lettuce,

I bought these ingredients with a plan to make: Mediterranian stew, chopped salad, coleslaw, and braised white beans with kale, and oatmeal and juice for breakfasts.

coffee $4.99
canned tomatoes $1.39
butter $1.49
fat free half and half $1.49
ground turkey $3.29
onion .90
5 lb potatoes $1.99

I’ve made a turkey chili to last until payday. I still have food from last week: rice, apple juice, apples, tuna etc.It was fun to have come home from the store having spent so little. The hardest part of being frugal at the grocery store is the emotional component of food for me: I want to try everything I see, I turn to food for comfort, I want to eat healthily and I’m always searching for new recipes. It’s way too easy to spend too much on groceries.

bread $3.79
olives .96
coffee $4.99
canned tom $1.65
kale $3.49
frozen ravioli $2.29
apple juice $2.29
cream $3.19
capers $3.49
canned artichokes $3.13
smart balance spread $2.49
blueberries $3.69
yogurt $2.39
chicken thighs $2.20
mushrooms $1.59
red peppers 2.31
lemon .39
cantaloupe $1.49

I am going to make a chicken and artichoke stew to last all week tonight, and make ravioli with mushrooms and cream a few nights.

Last week I made Rachel Ray’s recipe for “Mexican Lasagne.”A huge pan full of ground turkey, tortillas, cheese, corn, beans, tomatoes and spices. It made enough for four lunches and a couple of dinners. I also made Pad Thai a couple of nights. It came out surprisingly well.(Bad Pad Thai tastes like sweaty gym socks.) The recipe I used came from the Blog “Closet Cooking.” That guy, Kevin, is an amazing chef.

I also broke down and bought an Italian sandwich for lunch one day ($4.00). Saturday, I craved macaroni and cheese, so I bought pasta ($3.00).

I broke down and bought a quart of ice cream one night $4.00)

I still have food in my fridge. I hope I can use vegetables up before they go bad. I spent so much last week, and also on a trip for “necessities” at Walmmart (light bulbs, sponges, window insulation kit, Waterpik, etc.) to the tune of $103.00, I need to save money this week.

cheddar cheese $1.99
ricotta $1.99
parmesan $3.79
milk $2.19
cumin $3.55
diced tom $1.49
kidney beans $1.43
ground turkey $3.49
ground chicken $2.99
cilantro $2.29
carrots $1.03
cucumber.99
apples $5.56
pears $1.80
1 red pepper $1.00
salmon $8.18
bread (naan) $2.99

I plan to make salmon tikka, chicken burgers, and a turkey chili this week.

$34.93

can coconut milk $1.29
can diced tomatoes $1.38
chicken stock $2.49
greek yogurt $1.79
can Tonino tuna $2.08
coffee $3.99
tomatoe paste .75
Lactaid milk quart $2.19
chicken $6.00
celery $1.59
basil$2.29
lemon .59
cilantro $2.29
wild maine blueberries $4.99
onion .68

I made a fabulous coconut chicken stir fry for dinner, and froze the leftovers. Tomorrow I will make a chicken stew. I still have cereal, eggs, rice, some veggies and condiments left over from last week, so this is not quite an accurate picture of what I can do, but its a good start.

I just lost my second job (I was cleaning offices for extra money – yuck!) So now I really have to budget.

I’ve been trying for a long time to get organized (bring lunch to work!) and eat healthier.

I am capable of spending $100.00 a week on food, but I should be spending $50.00 (or less!)

rice dream 3.99
rice dream again 4.99
salad dressing 2.19
odwalla bar 1.9
chicken breasts 3.18
chocolate sorbet (2) 5.00
parsley 0.99
garlic 0.30
carrots 0.59
green leaf lettuce 1.99
red cabbage 2.58
bananas 2.12
juicing orange 0.79
red pepper 1.29
onion 1.03
scallions 0.35
mayonnaise 1.99
chocolate bar 2.99
tilapia filets 8.90
total: 47.14

carried over from last week: $9.74

total funds available this week: $59.74

Shopping on Sunday, 7/5:
flour 2.69
rice dream 4.99
coffee 5.49
hummus 3.99
pita 2.29
chicken & prosciutto tortellini 3.99
eggs 2.99
chocolate sorbet 3.50
chicken breasts 3.77
black beans 1.69
peanut butter 3.59
blueberries 3.99
two odwalla bars 3.60
bananas 1.58
Total $48.15

I messed up the budget this week by buying breakfast while dashing to the subway and buying lunch at the diner next-door to the office every single day. Damnit!

Oh well. There’s always next week.