This week, I’ve decided to try a bunch of new recipes!
My only criteria was that the servings had to be big enough to fill me up but still have limited calories. And I do that by bulking up my recipes with vegetables! For example, I’ll be using those 2 zucchini you’ll see below for my Cheeseburger Stuffed Zucchini Boats. And it serves 4, so that means I’ll be eating half of a huge zucchini for dinner. Volume eating at its finest!
I’m also pretty sure there’s a shortage on frozen broccoli. Once again, they were on sale at Meijer, and once again, they were out when I did my shopping. There wasn’t even an empty spot for the broccoli; that space was filled with extra frozen corn and peas. So, I’ll just have to buy fresh for awhile unless I can find 16-oz bags for $1.00 somewhere else!
Since Meijer was out of frozen broccoli AND chocolate chips, I ended up being $20.00 under budget instead of right on track. I feel like I may have missed a few things I needed to buy, so maybe that’s what the money will be spent on. I also have a $25.00 Sam’s Club gift card I just got from Swagbucks, so perhaps a big Sam’s stock-up trip is in order! Here’s everything I bought this week:
Kroger
2 boxes Quaker granola bars: $.99 each, on clearance
Oreo Milka bar: Free with Free Friday Download
Folder: $.64
Total: $2.67
Fresh Thyme
Bananas: $1.85
2 pints Halo Top: $5.49 each, were BOGO free
Total: $7.34
Meijer
Hair clips: $3.49
2 cans great northern beans: $.85 each
Milk: $1.09
- Used $.40/1 coupon I received in the mail
- Final Cost: $.69
Onion: $.83
Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix: Free from a coupon I received in the mail
Cole slaw mix: $1.69
5 bags Goldfish: $.89 each, part of the Buy 5, Save $5 sale
3 bags frozen peas: $1.00 each
Total: $15.85
Aldi
Celery: $1.29
2 packages broccoli: $1.39 each
Carrots: $1.29
Kielbasa: $1.99
Green peppers: $1.29
Spinach: $1.49
Tomatoes: $1.99
Blueberries: $1.29
Strawberries: $1.99
Sliced cheese: $1.89
Sweet potatoes: $1.79
2 cans tuna: $.68 each
Cottage cheese: $1.79
Pickles: $1.49
Ground turkey: $1.89
Hummus: $1.99
Hot sauce: $.85
Dijon mustard: $.89
Half & half: $1.69
Total: $31.03
Farmer’s Market
2 large zucchini: $1.00 each
Total: $2.00
Weekly Total: $58.89
Menu
Lunch is always leftovers. Items marked with an asterisk (*) were purchased in previous weeks.
Dinner
Spinach, sausage, and white bean soup, wheat baguettes
Cheeseburger stuffed zucchini boats
Chicken burritos* (Chicken cooked in slow cooker with salsa), roasted sweet potatoes
Asian chicken* (Using the Sticky and Hot marinade), rice, cooked with coleslaw mix and broccoli
Pumpkin* chocolate chip* waffles
Tuna melts, roasted sweet potatoes
Leftovers
Breakfast
Carrot pancakes
English muffins* with peanut butter* and banana, cottage cheese*
English muffins* with frozen sausage patties*
Allison’s Lunch
Blueberry banana muffins, ants on a log (Celery, cream cheese*, raisins*), string cheese*, crackers*, strawberries
What’s on your menu this week? Share below in the comments!
Jaime is a Nutrition Coach through the ISSA and professional writer. She has 4 years experience coaching and 9 years experience in writing. She enjoys cooking easy meals, running, and learning more about food.
Jaime specializes in helping women with ADHD learn to meal plan and cook healthier meals without getting overwhelmed.
Carol
Wednesday 22nd of November 2017
Thank you for yoir inspiration! We have neen struggling since I had major major surgery and I lost my job due to illness. I am on the mend nut constantly worry about making ends meet. I applied dor benefits and was turned down over $5.00 of too much income, so I inquired about local food banks and have gotten help there. I pray faithfully and stay hopeful that my job will come soon. Thank you for your story as I can relate. Bless you and your family this holiday season.
Jaime
Wednesday 22nd of November 2017
I'm so sorry to hear that, Carol! We know all too well the feeling of being unemployed and not knowing what's going to happen. But God knows, so we stayed faithful and did our best! I hope everything works out for you!