In keeping with my Low-Spend March, I am continuing my Thrifty Fasting for Lent and trying to clean out the pantry, fridge, and freezer in order to continue to be as frugal as possible while still preparing nutrient-dense, whole foods.
This week, I tried something different when shopping at the grocery store: I went with cash-only. Although my husband and I have different philosophies about using cash, I found that it helped me tremendously when sticking to my budget and not making impulse purchases. Of course, it took a bit of planning on my part; I had to scour the local food ads and find the best deals and be restrained to only purchase the items that I really felt we needed for this week. I did cheat a bit, however, and take advantage of some amazing meat and chicken deals for the freezer. I justified going a bit over my $30 budget for the week since next week is Holy Week and I really don’t want to go shopping next week if I don’t have to. I am also gearing up to attempt my first ever Once a Month Cooking adventure with my mom next weekend, and so I needed to be a bit forward-looking for next week/month. But more on that later!
Either way, I was amazed that I got a good two week’s worth of groceries for under $60, including lots of organic produce, local dairy, and free-range eggs. I couldn’t have done it without lots of coupons, including a few store-specific $5 off $25 coupons from the Chinook Book. According to my receipts, I saved over $50 from coupons and in-store specials. They key is really using coupons to purchase items that are already on sale, and stocking up on items when there are good deals.
For example, some of my stock-up items this week were beef that was sold at rock-bottom prices. One local store had buy one roast, get another roast free, plus 10 lbs. of potatoes free. Now granted we are not huge potato-eating folks, but we’ve found that the kids can tolerate a baked potato once a week without big problems. Also, with Easter picnics and potlucks coming up, having extra potatoes around the house can be helpful! The roasts (along with some discounted stew meat I found), as well as a great deal on chicken breasts, will provide more than enough meat for the next two months, possibly three!
My recent post on Real Food Deals, shows you where to find great real food coupons so that you can save money on nutrient-dense, whole foods! Among my finds this week were $0.25 Garden of Eatin’ Organic Tortilla Chips (New Seasons Market has the mini rounds for $1.25, and you can find $1 off coupon here). New Seasons also had frozen organic, locally-grown Stahlbush veggies on sale for $1.59, and I used my Chinook Book coupon to deduct $1 off each bag, scoring a couple bags for $0.59 each! For you local Portland folks, these deals remain until Tuesday!
Anyway, on to the meal plan:
Breakfasts:
French Toast (made from grain-free bread), Green Juice (made in Vita Mix with Greens and Berries)
Coconut Flour Banana Muffins (recipe coming soon!) and homemade Matsoni Yogurt
Sausages (for kids) and modified Green Smoothies
Scrambled eggs (for kids) and Sauteed Greens
Grain-Free Granola
Grain-Free Waffles
Lunches:
Roast Chicken and Veggies (kids)
Leftover Cioppino, Clam Chowder
Taco Meat, steamed broccoli (kids)
Tuna Sandwiches/Wraps, carrot sticks
Leftover Soup
Dinners:
potato soup and sauteed cabbage
French onion soup, sauteed kale and onions, garlic toast (grain-free)
white chili with purplekraut and tortilla chips
Thai Coconut Soup with scallops and shrimp
Baked Potato Bar
Have a great week!
This post is part of Orgjunkie’s Menu Plan Monday Round-up .
