What I Spent
Mr. FG picked up a few things at Target for $14.
And guess what! I finally went to BJ’s myself! First impressions: a whole lot like going to Costco. I spent $52 there.
Then I made a $47 trip to Harris Teeter.
I got a $25 Hungry Harvest box.
Annnnd, I spent $149 on a Butcher Box of organic meat.
A reader emailed to ask if I’d ever reviewed Butcher Box, because her husband really wanted to order from them.
So, I logged on, ordered a box, and they gave me a $30 referral discount, which of course I sent to the reader. I think she got the $30 off plus a few free items because of a Super Bowl deal.
Full review forthcoming, but I’ll put the $30 discount in any Butcher Box links I post here.
Brief first thoughts: expensive compared to regular meat, not expensive compared to organic meat prices (the ground beef price is the same as grass-fed ground beef at my Aldi.)
Anyway, my spending this week is obviously high, at $287.
But I am also obviously not buying a Butcher Box every week!
February Spending
Week 1: $55
Week 2: $287
What We Ate
Saturday
The girls fended for themselves while Mr. FG and I did our takeout date night; food from a local seafood shop this time around.
Sunday
We got wings from a local shop; since it was Super Bowl Sunday, we ate a little on the later side, because they weren’t even accepting any orders until after the Super Bowl start time!
Monday
Sonia made some sun-dried tomato and turkey panini, and I cannot remember what we ate on the side.
Tuesday
I got a rotisserie chicken from BJs, and I made some roasted baby potatoes. On the side, we had applesauce from the freezer, some sliced oranges, and a salad.
Wednesday
We had Korean lettuce wraps, and I also baked a bag of sweet potato fries that I found in the bottom of the freezer.
Do sweet potato fries “go” with Korean lettuce wraps? Nope.
Do I care? Nope.
Thursday
I got out some sausage ragu from the freezer and we ate that over pasta, with some fresh produce on the side.
From this summer, when we had fresh basil. I do miss basil!
Friday
I’m not sure what I’m going to make. Sonia’s doctor just put her on a low FODMAP diet for 4-6 week trial, so I am having to re-do my entire meal plan.
(and wouldn’t you know, I had just planned a month of meals. Ha.)
This week, I’ve been doing my best to accommodate this, starting on Tuesday, but last night, she just ate polenta and a fried egg because even if I used gluten-free pasta for her, the freezer sauce had onions in it.
Anyway. I need to figure out a better plan for the coming weeks. Wish me luck!
And I’m open to tips from any experienced low-FODMAP eaters.
What did you eat this week for dinner?
P.S. Luckily, meat is hardly restricted at all on a low FODMAP diet, which is a relief because I ordered the Butcher Box before we got the diet suggestion. Whew.
Haleigh
Sunday 7th of March 2021
Also, I believe Butcher Box's grass fed are more recommended for low FOdMAP!
We've been doing butcherbox for a while now and when we combine that with our local version of damaged/excess produce subscription box, it seems to even out from a $ standpoint and we just need to go to the store occasionally to stop up on staple items!
Beth
Tuesday 16th of February 2021
Very interested in hearing how the low FODMAP diet goes/if it helps. We have some issues in our house that the diet may help but it's so restrictive I've been dragging my feet about trying it.
Beth
Tuesday 16th of February 2021
I'll add that I often feel bad about dragging my feet because it's "hard." I have a friend who has three children: one has celiac disease, the second has a severe nut allergy, as well as autism and ADHD which impacts her food choices for him, and her third has Type 1 diabetes. I have no idea how she manages meal planning or what they eat. She's amazing.
Cheryl
Monday 15th of February 2021
Just a public service post. Our local department of aging called us and scheduled our appointment for the vaccine within two days of them calling to see if we already got one. We are scheduled for Thursday and again in 3 weeks. Hopefully this might help someone.
Rebecca in MD
Sunday 14th of February 2021
We have been using Butcher Box for several months now, and we love it. The quality of the meat is superb and I like that everything is organic, free range, grass fed, etc. Between Butcher Box and Misfits Market (also all organic) we are doing a good job keeping out of the stores, and I feel like our food is healthier and excellent quality.
Jem
Sunday 14th of February 2021
Ah, the low FODMAP diet. I was on that for 3 1/2 years, but the good new is that it worked really well and I experienced actual gut healing. Now I can eat anything. My tips are to use green onions (the greens) and garlic scapes if you want those flavours, and after much trial and error, the following recipe is the best I ever found for gluten free flour. It's cheaper to make yourself than to buy a pre-mixed bag, and really cooks/bakes will, without the gritty texture that so many GF flours give. I just multiplied the amounts so I could fill up my big flour can. Ihttp://www.artofglutenfreebaking.com/the-story-behind-my-gluten-free-flour-mix/ I hope the 6 week elimination diet works! :)
Beth
Tuesday 16th of February 2021
Thanks so much for this!