Scroll down to learn a little bit about my real-time apple preserving day tomorrow!
This is the first update in my Grocery Challenge series. I have no idea how many updates there will be, but they will last for approximately two weeks. If your interested in using up some of your stores in order to re-direct funds join me. I would be happy to link through to anyone else doing the same.
I went to the store to get a few things for this week. I had to buy a box of diapers. I didn’t want to, but the twins are still wetting about 2 a day each and I expect this to be out last box….hooray! That alone took $13 out of my pocket, though. I went in the store with $52 and came out with $2 and change. Here is what I bought:
- carrots-$2.50
- celery-$1.58
- string cheese-$6.22
- shredded cheese-$2.22
- sour cream-$1.97
- 3 dozen eggs-$7.59
- canadian bacon-$3.36
- 2 packages of bagels-$2.96
- flour tortillas-$2.02
- lunch meat (turkey)-$2.98
TOTAL: $33.40 in food (and $14. 63 in diapers)
I see already a few of you shaking your heads on a couple things. First I’ll address the eggs. My farm can not handle our egg intake (3-5 dozen a week.) I know this time of year they start to have less and less eggs so I need to buy them. I’m looking for an Amish farm or other farmer that will have a steady supply…until then it’s the rather pricey cage free, organic, non-soy eggs that aren’t near as good as the farm eggs.
I have to first honor my husband and the thought of living off whatever I create from the cupboards set him into a panic. So, I needed to honor his required needs and compromise on what I could. Instead of dry boxed cereal, he has decided a whole wheat bagel with a slice of cheese, canadian bacon, and scrambled egg would be okay. I’m thrilled. Though it isn’t that great on the budget, it is better for his health than Frosted Flakes and a stepping stone to even better choices. The idea of not having lunch meat to fall on for lunch panics him as well (as though I would let him starve!) So one package of all natural, organic, and thankfully on sale lunch meat…hope it lasts him a good while.
Also, tortillas. I’ve tried a few times to make these. I can manage the corn as I fry them crispy in the end for tostadas. The flour ones, however, I always flop on. I am thinking a tortilla press would help, but again the budget. So while it would be healthier to make my own, I can’t quite get the hang of it…someday.
I also will include in update one a reference to my CSA post for the week. I spend $57.50 on two boxes of produce (not so much by my choice, but you’ll have to read the post) and our 3 gallons of milk. And, wow, was it a haul of produce!
Have you thought about raising chickens? A dozen chickens could meet your egg need for the week with some to spare. It’s a wonderful family project… lots of learning and growing together. Let me know if your interested and I’ll send pictures and my story along…. Forge on with the grocery challenge! Your doing great!!