The groceries
This is some free produce I got from my parents’ garden. I’ve gotten a few tomatoes from my plants, but nothing quite like this.
My kids love to snack on tomatoes (especially the cherry/grape kind), and they also are big fans of cucumber slices sprinkled with salt, so they’re thrilled with our haul.
We also shopped at Weis and Aldi, and I’m pleased to say that I actually had cash (and even if I hadn’t, I’m now the proud owner of an up-to-date debit card), so our shopping was much more pleasant than last time.
I spent $95.51 at Aldi and $50.87 at Weis for a total of $146.38.
The watermelon in that picture was actually rotten inside when I cut it open last night, so I’m going to stop back by Aldi today to exchange it for a new one. I’ve had overripe watermelons before but this one was just way beyond what you could possibly eat.
What are we eating this week?
Breakfast options are granola, cereal, yogurt, fruit, toast, and eggs.
Lunches will be comprised of sandwiches made with whole wheat bread, homemade yogurt, yogurt smoothies, cottage cheese, fruit, raw veggies, nuts, cheese, and leftovers as necessary. Of course, we don’t eat all of that every single day…it’s just a list of the things we choose from for lunch each day. And Mr. FG eats leftovers for lunch pretty much every day.
Here’s the dinner plan:
Saturday
- Pizza. I think. I’m also considering making something portable and having a picnic dinner at a park, but I haven’t decided yet.
Sunday
- Buttermilk Waffles
- OJ
- fruit
Monday
- Mr. FG probably won’t be back for dinner, so I’m going to make a snacky/lunchy kind of dinner, which will make my kids very happy (popcorn, fruit, raw veggies, cheese, and the like)
Tuesday
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- green salad
- breadsticks
Wednesday
- Pan-Sauteed Tilapia
- Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
- green beans
Thursday
- Aussie Chicken
- Whole Wheat Rolls
- green salad
Friday
- Takeout date night for Mr. FG and me, something easy for the kids
Tamika
Tuesday 19th of July 2011
It amazes me how little fruit you actually buy! My counter is FILLED with fruit at every grocery shop - and it NEVER goes to waste! Are your kids just not big fruit eaters?
Kristen
Wednesday 20th of July 2011
I should add too that when we have a lot of garden vegetables, we eat a little less fruit...my kids will happily snack on the tomatoes and cucumbers.
Kristen
Wednesday 20th of July 2011
They do eat a fair amount of fruit, and when I went shopping this time, I already had a fair amount of fruit in the house.
It's quite possible that fruit makes up a greater proportion of your diet (which is great), but it's also true that my children just eat less overall that most kids do. I probably buy less cereal, less milk, less meal, and just less everything than you because my kids aren't big eaters. :)
p.s. there are several bags of frozen fruit in there which may not have caught your eye at first. I use those for our almost-daily smoothies (love me some mango in those!)
Jen@FrugalForTwo
Monday 18th of July 2011
Gotta love free (natural!) produce!! I live in an apartment where it is impossible for me to start a garden (which I would love to do, as I HATE supermarket fruits and veggies), so I've recently started trading homemade wine with one of my restaurant regulars for fresh and organically grown zucchini, green onions, romaine lettuce, tomatoes and more. It's a win-win situation for both of us! I think the barter/trade system is sadly underused in this country. Best wishes for you and your family, I love your blog and I've been reading it off and on for quite some time!
jestjack
Sunday 17th of July 2011
Not so long ago I too had a bad watermelon from Aldi. I just told my "Aldi guy" the next time I went in and he asked me if I wanted a new melon or my money back... he made it "right" ... no problem. I did get a good price at Aldi on watermelon a couple of weeks ago...$1.88 ...and it was huge and delicious. Very cool idea ...dehydrating watermelon....never thought of that...gonna give it a try. When I have an abundance of tomatoes I have dehydrated them, put them in bags and placed them in the freezer. Boy in the winter a bit of these in a spaghetti sauce or chilli...really livens it up. Question....I have found as time goes by that I spend more money at Aldi and less at my regular full service grocery store. Do you find this to be the case?
Kristen
Sunday 17th of July 2011
Oh, definitely! I almost always spend more at Aldi than at Weis these days, and overall, it's easier to stay within my budget since I found Aldi.
Colleen
Sunday 17th of July 2011
Thanks so much for posting the pull apart garlic bread recipe. I'm going to a spaghetti pot luck tomorrow and bringing that! I've been trying to make my bread more lately, since the cost of organic bread is so high here. Thank you also for all your insights.
Eveline :)
Sunday 17th of July 2011
Hi Kirsten,
Thank you for the information about the ebook. I just buy the ebook. Great Sale! Thanks.
I Am verry happy whit your blog
Lots off Blessings for your Family